Haneul’s POV

“Drink this.” Seungho said, handing me a cup.

I had no mood for drinks, but he looked as tired as well, so I just took it from him.

“I know you don’t have the mood for it, but we need to stay strong for him.” He said, sitting down beside me.

“I know.” I mumbled, sipping the hot drink.

It has been five hours since Junhyung was pushed into the operating theater, but until now there were still no news of how he was, except for nurses running in and out with blood bags in their hands.

“How long is it going to take?” I mumbled, burying my face in my palms.

“I don’t know.” I heard Seungho say softly.

“Haneul ah,” Doojoon called out.

“Yea?” I looked at him.

“I know asking you to go back to rest is impossible, but how about you go back and shower, change into fresh clothes? You have blood all over you.” He said.

I looked at myself, and then back at him. I smelt of blood and sweat, but I couldn’t seem to get myself to move away without knowing he is alright.

“I..” I mumbled, biting my lower lip.

“Alright, it’s okay.” He smiled weakly before sitting down beside Yoseob.

All of them were quiet, which was a rare sight. Even the other MBLAQ boys came. All of them just sat quietly outside the operating theater, side by side each other.

‘Junhyung, you’re so lucky, do you know? If only you can see this. Be strong, Junnie ah, we’re all here for you. We’re waiting for you.’

Hour after hour passed, half the boys were asleep by now, but they still refused to leave. And then finally after ten hours, the operating light went off. All of us rushed over as the doctor walked out, looking as tired as we are.

“How is he?” I asked frantically.

“I cannot say that he is alright, but we’ve done all that we could. It is all up to him now.” He said, smiling softly.

“What do you mean?” Seungho asked, sounding a little irritated at the vague explanation the doctor gave.

“We’ve cleared whatever blood clot that was in his head due to the hard impact, but he is still in a coma, so we cannot tell if he is fully okay until he wakes up.” The doctor said.

“How long? I mean, how long would it take for him to wake up?” I asked.

“Honestly, I don’t know.” He said softly.

“So we’re supposed to wait!? Like, just wait and wait!? How can you not know! You’re the freaking doctor! You are the one with the certificate!” I yelled.

Seungho and Doojoon grabbed onto my arm, most likely afraid that I would bash the doctor up, but what energy do I have to do so?

I know my actions were childish, but I couldn’t control myself when he said he don’t know.

“Miss, I am a doctor, not God.” He said, as a matter of fact.

“What if he never wakes up?” I mumbled, looking down.

“He is a strong one. To tell you the truth, we lost him a few times in there, but he always came back when we were about to declare his death. That just goes to show he is fighting hard as well, and he needs support from all of you.” The doctor said.

“Sorry.” I mumbled.

I turned and walked off. I stood outside Junhyung’s room, looking at him through the glass window.

“Go in.” Hyunseung said, putting his hand on my shoulder.

I shook my head.

“Why?” He asked.

“I’m dirty and smelly. I don’t want to scare him.” I said.

“He wouldn’t.” Hyunseung laugh.

“I’ll go back and shower.” I said.

“You would?” He asked in surprise.

“Yea. If I’m going to accompany him, I’m going to make sure I am clean.” I said, smiling at him.

“Instead of just cleaning up yourself, why not eat something as well?” He said.

“I’ll think about that.” I said.

He pinched my cheeks and laughed.

“He’ll be fine. He’s been through too much to give up now.” He said.

“I hope so.” I sighed.

“Could you put this beside him?” I asked, handing the Donald Duck to Hyunseung.

“This Duckie? It’s yours?” He asked.

“He gave it to me.” I said.

“So that’s why he loves it so much. I thought he went mad when he kept talking to it before.” He said.

I laughed and thanked him before going off.

I went back to the bookstore to grab his stuff as well as mine before heading home. I dumped everything aside and grabbed my clothes. I soaked myself into the tub of hot water, closing my eyes and just let my mind wander.

I saw Junhyung lying in the pool of blood, I saw Junhyung get hit, I picture Junhyung fighting those s, I picture Junhyung get bashed up by those s. If I was there with him, maybe things would have turned out better. If only I never kept telling him to man up and stand up for himself, if I hadn’t been that scared, maybe he wouldn’t even decide to fight, to stand up for us. If only my actions were enough to tell him everything was fine, he wouldn’t be lying there now.

“I’m sorry, Junhyung ah~” I mumbled, spilling my tears all over my palms.

I sobbed for quite awhile until I have no more tears left to sob. This is the last time I’m going to cry, I told myself. From now on until he wakes up, I’m going to be strong.

After showering, I grabbed a piece of bread and ate while on the way back to the hospital. When I arrived, they were all gone already. I looked at the time; it was 4AM. I stood beside him, looking at his fully bandaged body. Hyunseung had put the Donald Duck in his hands, so he was holding it against his chest.

“What is this? Your new costume? Trying to look like a mummy?” I asked him as I put the Daisy Duck under his other hand, so now he is holding both Duckies.

“Wake up soon, my hero.” I whispered, planting a kiss on his forehead.

I looked around the room. It was a single room with a simple couch and table at the side. I wrapped myself in the blanket he gave me and lied on the couch.

“Junnie ah,” I called out.

“You’re tired, I know. Sleep all you want, but don’t sleep too long, okay? I’m very impatient, you know it don’t you? But this time, I’ll wait for you. So take this time to rest, but promise me you’ll wake up.” I said, looking at him.

I got up and grabbed onto his hand. I hooked his pinky finger with mine.

“You promised eh!” I pat his cheek before going back to the couch.

“Ahhh so tired." I whined, stretching my arms.

"Good night, Love. I love you.” I said, before closing my eyes and allowing myself to drift off into sleep.