Only Teardrops Are Left Behind

Chapter 24

Jiyung's POV:

Being home by myself was quite lonely, but what could I do? I was going to die alone. And my parents.... I haven't spoken to them in such a long time.

I could hear the phone near my ears as it rang.

"Yeoboseyo?" A voice finally asks.

"E-Eomma?...."

It was so quiet on the line until she finally breaks out.

"J-Jiyung-ah? Is that you? My god... It's been a while!" She exclaimed. I gave a soft chuckle.

"Ne eomma... Umm... I just wanted to call and say hi, and how you and appa are doing...," I say softly.

"We're good darling. What about you?How are things there?"

"Uh... T-things are good....it's fine here," I hesitantly reply.

"You were hesitant... Jiyung-ah? What's wrong? Your voice sounds different than before." ~Oh, god. Here come the tears..~

"Uhh... E-Eomma... I don't know.. How to say this...," I sniffle faintly.

"Say what darling? It's okay, you can tell me." //sigh

"Eomma... I have Stage lll Lung Cancer... I don't have many days left to live. And I just wanted to say thank you... For raising me into an independent young woman. Thanks to you, I've learned the experiences in life... And That I just wanted to say I love you again... E-Eomma.. I miss you!" I cried. There was no stopping my tears. Over and over, I let the tears spill continuously.

"Jiyung-ah.... Ah, Jiyung-ah! My daughter! No I can't have that happen!! Andwae!!" I could hear her say out loud. Another tear spills out from my eyes.

"No, we're coming over there! I'm telling your appa to book us a flight for tomorrow!"

"Aniyo, e-eomma... You don't h-have to," I sniffled.

"No, I have to see you my daughter. Um.. H-how long do you... Have left?...."

"A week..... Not much longer, and I'll be somewhere in peace...," I sniffle faintly. I coughed out loudly and feel my chest tighten once again.

I look for my inhaler and inhale in 2 to 4 times again, as my breath comes back to normal.

"Don't say that... Think happily.. Aigoo!! This can't be happening...," I hear her whisper softly.

"Eomma... I'll be fine. I have a friend.. Who's taking care of me," I manage to say. I leave out the part where.. I actually had a boyfriend.. Until that day.

"Good! Good! Augh, my little Jiyung-ah.. Don't worry. Your father and I will be there by tomorrow. Did you sleep yet?"

"I took some naps earlier."

"Good, good." But before I could speak again, I hear someone in her background for her name. Must be appa.

"Jiyung.. I have to go now. I'm going to talk to your father about this. Take care of yourself, arasseo?"

"Ne, arasseo... Annyeong eomma!"

"Annyeong darling." And with that, she hanged up the call, as I placed my cell phone down at my lap. I quickly wipe away the tears from my eyes. I could feel as if they were swollen and definitely red and a bit puffy.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang. Wrapping around the blanket around me, I make my way to the door, swinging it open only to find 7 familiar faces.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked sternly. I found Chanyeol and look at him.

"Chanyeol told us... That you have Stage lll Lung Cancer. Why didn't you tell us?" Chen finally broke out. I only looked at him and sighed.

"Come inside......"

Obediently, they followed in as we all settled in the living room. I sat on the single couch still wrapped cozingly in my blanket.

"Why did you tell them?" I asked Chanyeol.

"Jiyung-ah, I had to.. I'm sorry..."

I sighed and closed my eyes, giving a cough as I covered my mouth.

"Why didn't you tell us?...." Sehun softly asked. He sounded innocent I could tell.

"Because... I didn't need you guys wondering... Your career is important and.... Especially to Baekhyun," I managed to say.

"But it's not suppose to end this way!" Kai blurted.

"Kai's right. We all know... That Baek still cares for you deeply," Luhan said.

"I know... But maybe I knew that I couldn't keep him for long.. Maybe I didn't. I love him too.... With all my heart, and I'm glad to have met him in my life. But there will have to be a time where he will have to let me go...," I trailed.

The room felt gloomy. There weren't any happy thoughts or feelings being spreaded around the room.

"Why did you guys come here anyways?" I asked trying to change the subject.

"Why can't we?" Xiumin pouted. I laugh softly as I rolled my eyes.

"So.... Baekhyun... How is he?" I finally ask.

"He's.....not the same like before..," Chanyeol commented. I look up at him with soft eyes.

"Yeah... It's true. He isn't himself," Chen said softly.

"Oh... Okay. Uh.. I'm just going to get water," I said softly.

Getting up, I walk over to the kitchen getting a glass pouring some water into it. But unfortunately, I winced back until cough harder this time, my chest hurting twice as much as before.

I cover my cough with my hands but when I pull them away, it seems my hand was full of blood and I've noticed it dripped from my mouth.

"Aish....," I winced under my breath. I walk over to the sink and quickly wash it off my stomach and chest hurt in pain. I didn't even notice that Chen saw me. He quickly ran over to my side.

"Let me help," he says softly. He takes some water and washes my mouth for me as I hold my hair from behind. And he took some napkins drying away the water.

"Gomawo....," I said softly.

"Anything for you," he smiles softly. He rubs the top of my head, messing up my hair. I glare at him and chuckle weakly. //sigh