"Where you at?!" Go to the hospital now! Your mom collapse!"

 

- Text from an unknown number

 

 

 

 "Khunnie.. I think I have to go now.."

 

I almost cry when I told him that.

 

 

 

"What's the problem?"

 

He looked at me with his concern eyes.

 

 

 

 I lend him my phone for him to read the text.

 

 

 

And as soon as he finished reading it,

 

He grabbed my hand and we quickly left their house.

 

He put the helmet on my head and he put his'.

 

 

 

He told me to get in so I did.

 

He even told me to held him tighter.

 

He drove as fast as he could so we easily get there.

 

 

 

When we arrived there, I was speechless since the time I knew that mom was rushed to the hospital.

 

I'm blaming myself for what happened.

 

I didn't manage to ask for my mom's room because I'm still in the state of shock.

 

 

 

Nickhun asked the nurse and she guided us to a public-type room.

 

 

 

There are 3 beds in that room.

 

All are being occupied.

 

 

 

First bed behind the door is occupied by a boy around six to eight years old.

 

He's with his mom, I guess.

 

 

 

The next bed is where an old man lies.

 

I took a glimpse of him and continue walking.

 

It's hard for me to look because I pity him.

 

 

 

 As I go straight forward, I saw my mom sleeping with dextrose connected to her.

 

I sat on the chair beside her bed and look at her with teary eyes.

 

 

 

 Few moments later, the doctor came in.

 

He approached us and greet us.

 

 

 

"Good evening. I'm Dr. Lee Byung hun. You were her daughter?"

 

 I nodded.

 

 

 

"Someone brought her here a while ago.

 

I gave her sleeping pill for her to get some sleep.

 

Is she getting the medicines I prescribed her to take?"

 

 

 

"Eh? What medicines?"I asked

 

 

 

"You didn't know?"

 

 

 

 I shook my head.

 

 

 

 "Are you ready to know the truth?"

 

"What truth?"

 

 "Your mom.."

 

"What's wrong with her?"

 

 "Uhm.. the truth is, because of her busy schedule for her work,

 

Her body became weak for not getting enough nutrients she needs.

 

Because of restlessness, she suffers over-fatigued and collapsed earlier..”

 

 

 

I was speechless when I heard “over fatigued”,

 

I mean, I’m her daughter and I wasn’t able to help her with stuffs that actually stressed her out.

 

I’m not over reacting but it’s just what I’ve felt.

 

 

 

Nickhun asked Dr.Lee to make it clear.

 

“She’ll recover soon right?”

 

 

 

“I hope so. I can’t promise anything as for now.

 

If her body gets the nutrients and vitamins she needs,

 

She’ll probably be okay soon.

 

It depends on the reaction of her body towards the medicines she’ll take.

 

She just needs to take a rest for a while and eat nutritious foods to gain energy.”

 

 

 

I asked, “How will it cost? Medicines and all stuffs..”

 

 

 

He replied,

 

“I think it won’t cost a lot. Like what I’ve said earlier, it really depends on her.

 

If her body accepts the medicines she needs.

 

She needs it every day.

 

She needs extra attention and care.

 

Not because it’s just ‘over-fatigue’ it won’t matter,

 

the fact that it can cause more serious illness is what we’re preventing..

 

You know what I mean.”

 

 

 

“Medicines.. plus the hospital bills.. Naaahh. I need a job.”

 

 

 

“Oh! for that, let’s transfer your mom to a private room tomorrow okay?”

 

Nickhun said.

 

 

 

“It will cost a lot more Khunnie.”

“It’s okay…”He said

 

 

 

“Okay.. I gotta go guys.

 

If ever you need me or there’s something’s wrong, just call me okay?”

 

The doctor said

 

 

 

“Thank you Dr.Lee..”

 

“Just call me Ljoe instead”

 

He whispered to my ears

 

 

 

“Eh? But you’re a ..”

I was being cut off by him.

 

 

 

“I know dear but then please?

 

I’m not that comfortable and I’m not used to it when people calls me “Dr.Lee” since I’m new..”

 

 

 

“Okay.. L..joe..”I pout

 

“Well that’s sounds much better.

 

Treat me as your elder brother instead, not a scary doctor. It might turn out great.”

 

“Elder brother?”

 

“Hmm..”

 

 He nodded and continue talking

 

“I think our is not that far soo.. you know?”

 

 

 

Nickhun clears his throat by hearing those words from the childish doctor.

 

 

 

“Thanks Doc. We’ll just call you if ever we needed something..”

 

Nickhun said as he’s trying to keep the doctor away.

Thank God, he’s there.

 

 

“So, I’ll come back tomorrow morning to check your mom.

 

Be sure to take care of her okay?”

 

“Yes I will. Thanks”

 

~~

 

 

 

After Dr. Lee .. Okay Ljoe left, there’s silence around the room.

 

No one’s talking.

 

All you can hear is the sound of aircon and the machine connected to the old man’s body.

 

 

 

 

 

He can’t help it but break the silence and speak up.

 

 

 

“I’m sorry..”

 

He said while facing the floor

 

“Hmm?”

 

“I’m sorry that this happened to your mom.”

 

“You’re not supposed to. Fool.”

 

“I shouldn’t have brought..”

 

 

 

I cut his off knowing that he’s just gonna tell me he’s sorry

 

 

 

“No. I said you shouldn’t be sorry.

 

It’s not your fault.”

 

 

 

“…’’

 

 

 

“You know what, she never told me anything that she’s sick or feels bad..”

 

 

 

I said it while looking to my mom lying on the bed, sleeping.

 

I continue while he patiently listen to me.

 

 

 

“She’s still the same mom I knew before, dorky and jolly. But then she didn’t showed me that she’s getting tired or something.”

 

 

 

“Maybe she doesn’t want you to worry..”

 

 

 

“Not telling what hurts me the most.

 

She should’ve told me..”

 

 

 

Tears fell down my on my cheeks as I try to hold it.

 

 

 

“I never saw her struggling or hurting I’m such an idiot, worthless daughter.

 

I should be the one who’s lying there. I should be aware..” I continue

 

 

 

“Stop it okay?”

He said

 

“Last night is different..”

I confess

 

“What happened last night?”

 

“I’m with Baro when she went home. She looks so pale and tired, seems restless but still manages to bond with us.”

 

 

 

“and then?”

 

He was waiting for my continuation

 

 

 

“Earlier today, I left her still sleeping.

 

It’s not normal for her to sleep that long because she usually gets up early and prepare for my things for school and as well as hers.

 

I never thought it will turn out like this.

 

I shouldn’t left like that, if I only knew that it would happen..”

 

 

 

I continue to blame myself and Nickhun still comforts me.

 

 

 

“You know MinMi, I know how you love your mom.

 

Everything happens for a reason! You shouldn’t blame yourself, it’s not your fault either.

 

It’s God’s will.

 

Everything’s gonna be alright. Your mom will be okay.. soon!”

 

 

 

It’s Nickhun’s comforting words.

 

 

 

“Thank God you’re here beside me..”

 

I gave him a hug after.

 

 

 

“You better get going. It’s getting late.”

I said

 

“NO. I’m not going anywhere.”

 

“Why?”

 

“We have no classes tomorrow remember? Then I’ll accompany you the whole night.

 

You should sleep now. You don’t want to get those panda eyes right?”

 

 

 

I nodded and asked : “How about you?”

 

 

 

“I can handle myself. Goodnight..”

 

“Thanks Khunnie! Thank you. Let’s sleep now..”

 

 

 

He whispered..

 

 

 

“For your sake, there’s nothing I wouldn’t do. I promise. Sleep tight..”