Inevitable rain

5

The film they were working on together was very over-scheduled. The filming environment was harsh and they had to contend with the cold.

She was constantly taking care of herself to ensure a perfect performance, but the extreme cold took a toll on her stamina. She had to express an abundance of emotions and the scenes she kept running were shot without stunts. Little by little she was getting tired. She didn't let out a tired look or complain or whine or be vulnerable so as not to worry the people around her. She made the people around her laugh and acted cheerful, as she always did.

He knew she was tired. He always made sure she was comfortable, offering her a hot drink or a blanket to make her feel comfortable. She smiled and thanked him, but her complexion was getting worse and worse.

'You seem to be pushing yourself too hard. Let's ask the foreman to make some time off.

'That won't be necessary. There is no time to spare in our schedule. If we take a break, we won't be able to finish the film in time.'

'I'm worried about you.'

'Thank you. But I'm not tired yet.'

He sighed as he knew that she had a stubborn side to her, especially in her work, that she wouldn't change once she had made up her mind. He would have to do his best to make sure she was comfortable.

His fears had come true.
She suddenly fainted during the shoot and almost collapsed. He was always looking out for her and noticed something was wrong with her. Fortunately, he was able to support her before she collapsed to the cold floor.

Like a scene from a drama, he holds her body and calls her name. The staff hurriedly begins to make arrangements to take her to the hospital. It was a really short-lived event, but to him it felt like a nightmare that would never end.

She lies in the hospital bed, her thin, white arms hooked up to an IV. He accompanied her to her bedside, holding her hand and waiting for her to wake up.
She opens her eyes and blinks at the unseen ceiling. It took her a few seconds to realize where she was. Then she found him holding her hand and staring at her, his eyes red.

'...I'm sorry.'

"I was afraid you wouldn't wake up. I was so scared.'

'You've been with us the whole time?'

'I can't leave you alone.'

'Thank you.'

'Hey, I'm mad at you. Why can't you take better care of yourself?'

'I thought I was in control of myself. I was overconfident. I'll be careful.'

Knowing she was awake, the doctor in charge came to her bedside.

'Doctor, she's not badly ill, is she?'

'Don't worry. All the tests were not life-threatening abnormalities. I have a little anemia. The rest is chronic fatigue. Make sure you get plenty of sleep and food.'

He was reassured by the doctor's explanation.
And at the same time he was determined to get her to rest at all costs.

Her illness meant that the production schedule was reviewed and the staff was given a break. She refused to take a break, at first with a sense of apology and responsibility, but in the end he was convinced and accepted her rest.

Her home was made more comfortable by him.She was like a princess, protected from him in every way.
'You're exactly like Ri Jeong-hyeok sii. A bit too overprotective.'

He smiled as he prepared a cup of hot tea for her.

'Because my princess can't take her eyes off you.'

'I'm really sorry for what happened. I will rest well from now on.'.

He was relieved to see that she was looking much better. Then, as he held her hand in the hospital, he decided to tell her what he had been thinking about all along.

'I was thinking of a possibility when you fell.'

'Possibilities? Bad disease?'

"No. I thought you might be pregnant.'

For him, that was the future he had hoped for one day. He even had hope that it was. So he hadn't expected that it would make her so angry.

'Why?! That will never happen.'

She denied it strongly. It was the first time he had ever heard her speak so strongly and he was surprised.

'Never? How is that possible? Why do you deny it so strongly?'

'I try not to be.'

'But it won't always be perfect. I think we always have to consider the possibilities.'

'...The lead actress can't be in the middle of filming and have people bothering her. Intense action will be limited. They will have to change the scenario. It could even make us stop shooting. The fact that I fell down this time was a big mistake on my part. So from now on I will be very careful.'

They will have to be very self-disciplined as they are integral to the work. Of course, he understands that.
But there is no need to make such strong denials about their future potential.

"Hey, it's different this time. But I'm hoping that one day it will be a reality.'

He pulls her shoulders into a hug.

'...I even wished this was the case...'

'...'

'There will always be that possibility in our actions. And I'm prepared to take it with you.'

She didn't say anything. He talked a little too much. She still hadn't recovered from her exhaustion.

'We'll talk again when you're feeling better. For now, take your time to rest.'

He told her and left the room, putting her down on the bed again.

When she was alone, she thought about it.
Amongst the several options she had, she put her acting career first. She had the same dream as he did, but she couldn't choose between the two dreams when she weighed them in the balance.
Could the future he wanted and the future she wanted be compatible? Life was short and there wasn't enough time to make all her dreams come true.

From this day on, a strain was slowly forming in her.