Today, Two Years Ago

A Mess

I slowly open my eyes and the first thing I see is the unfamiliar ceiling. Not to forget the room is filled with the smell that hurts my head and I hate the fact that I already know where I am. Freaking hospital.

As my eyes travel to the clock hanging on the white wall, I can hear two persons talking behind the door. Not long after that, the door opens, revealing a man in his mid 30's or he's probably the doctor. I immediately make myself sit comfortably to show him that I'm really fine now. "Hello," I greet.

He nods and I smile until another person steps inside the room. He's the last person I want to see right now.

Park Sungjin.

Shoot. I forgot my parents are (always) having business trips. Of course, he'd be the one that's here.

"Kim Hyeju?" The doctor asks, standing next to the bed.

"Yes?"

"You already know the reason why you're here, right?"

My eyes glance from the doctor to Sungjin. What if he already told him about it? I grab the corner of the blanket to adjust it properly before answering, "You're right." I look at the doctor and he nods in understanding. "So, can I go home now?"

"Yes but Hyeju, I know you came here often. Please, take care of your health."

"I do take care of my health. Thank you."

...

Raindrops trickle down the heavily-tinted car window, covering it tremendously. Sungjin turns up the volume of the car radio and flips through the station, searching for a song that fits his taste. Me? I just look ahead. I don't feel like speaking because of the current awkward situation, at least for me. Plus, I'm guessing he already knows everything now. The fact that he knows it too much irks me.

He keeps flipping it while his other hand busy handling the steering wheel. This guy better pays attention to the road or else he's gonna crash. Pretty sure he still wants to live.

After a few seconds, he finally stops flipping it. I calmly try to listen to what kind of song he has chosen and— "Oh! I love this song so much," I blurt out those words out of the blue. I can't help it, I really love this and I'm a big fan of Green Day. I want to cover my mouth but it's too late, anyway. Sungjin just keeps quiet so I secretly catch a glimpse of him and I swear to god, I see the corner of his lips lift up slightly, just slightly. It's not a smile and more like a smirk.

"Why?" He suddenly asks after a moment of silence.

"Why, me? What do you mean by 'why'?"

"I noticed you were looking at me. Is there anything you want to talk about?" He asks again, eyes still focus on the road.

"No." I turn, looking out the car's window. Then it hit me, there's actually something I wanna tell him. "Mister...please, don't tell anyone about this."

"Okay."

Oh, it's that simple?

"But have you told your parents about your disease?" He turns the steering wheel to the left in order to avoid a rock in front.

"Soon. This isn't deep enough for them to care."

"Then don't make it deeper. Stop smoking and drinking, be a normal student since it's your last year before graduation. I'm saying this as your teacher."

"I'm saying this as your teacher," I repeat what he said with a very low tone.

"Don't mock me, Hyeju. I'm being serious, for god's sake, you're diagnosed with lung disease or pulmonary something whatever you call it because you smoke too much," he says and never in my life have I seen him this serious.