CHAPTER FIVE

The week slowly passed by, YongJoo was still confined to the hospital room. She wanted and needed to see how her brother was doing but she was in no condition herself to leave her room. Her internal injuries had gotten worse. The doctors had recommended for her to be placed in intensive care. But she was slowly recovering; she was able to move about now unlike the initial state that she was brought in with.

She had gotten news from the nurses that were taking care of her that YongHwa was now recovering from the surgery and now in the intensive care ward like she was. But unlike her he was still in a coma. It pains her to hear him in such state.

She grabs the hospital robe hanging beside her bed as she cautiously got off her bed. She slips on the robe cautiously as she drags along the IV drips with her. She makes her way through the corridor trying to find the room in which YongHwa was in, passing the nurses who were on duty, nodding to them with a smile.

“Ms. Jung, you shouldn’t be out here so late. You need to be in your bed recuperating.” One of her regular nurses noticed YongJoo in the corridor.

YongJoo smile sweetly at her, “I just wanted to go and check up on my brother.”

The nurse let out a sigh, knowing quite well that YongJoo had been requesting to do so for the past week, “Ok, but once you do you need to get back to bed right away.”

YongJoo nodded happily.

“Here, let me help you,” the nurse offers as she took YongJoo by the arm.

The two passed by the room in which YongHwa had been placed in. The nurse quietly slides the door open and slowly guided YongJoo in. YongJoo stood frozen the moment she saw the condition that YongHwa was in. She grips her IV drips tightly as she bit her lips, refraining herself from tearing up. The nurse pause as she turned her gaze to YongJoo, she could tell what she was thinking.

“How long has he been like this?” YongJoo manages to utter.

“About a week now, after the surgery he was brought here to recover.”

“How long before he wakes up?”

“There’s no telling with his condition. It’s basically up to the will of the person. If he’s strong enough he’ll be able to make it through, but if not then he could be in this coma for months, even years.”

“There’s a possibility he’ll never wake up?”

The nurse let out a sigh, “there is that possibility as well.”

YongJoo, hesitantly moves forward towards YongHwa’s bed. She couldn’t bear to see him like this. He was hooked on to a respirator, IV drips, blood transfusion, and any type of machine that maintains a person’s life in tact possible.

“Oppa,” she whispers, “I’m so sorry. You have to wake up. You’ve always encouraged me to be strong, now I need you to do the same. Please don’t leave me oppa.” Her voice was no longer audible through her sobs.

The nurse steps forward to comfort YongJoo, “don’t strain yourself, we should let him rest. I’ll take you back to your room.”

YongJoo lay on her bed that night with her eyes staring up at the ceiling of her room. Her eyes swollen as the tears cascaded down her cheeks.

=====

“Are you planning to visit YongJoo again today?” HyungSik asked as the two of them made their way out of the school gates.

SeoHyun turns to him and nodded solemnly, “I heard she has gotten a bit better and is able to move around now so I’m gonna go and spend some time with her.”

“Mind if I tag along?”

SeoHyun sweetly smile at him, “of course not. I think YongJoo would enjoy the company.”

“Have you heard from Hara?”

“No, I think she’s busy with work so I don’t know if we’ll be able to see her anytime soon.”

“Have the hyungs told you anything about YongHwa hyung?”

SeoHyun couldn’t help but bit her lips at the mention of YongHwa, just thinking about the state he was in pained her. She just simply shook her head.

HyungSik got the hint and didn't press any further. “Here take this. I’ll take us there,” he hands her a helmet.

The two arrive at the hospital within minutes as HyungSik parks his motorbike. As the two made their way towards the entrance, SeoHyun sudden notices a few familiar figures.

“HyungSik, aren’t those YongJoo and YongHwa oppa’s parents?”

HyungSik stops to glance over and he nodded hesitantly, “did they only just get back now?”

The two glance at each other and made their way towards the hospital.

They stood outside YongJoo’s room; they slowly and quietly slid the door open and made their way in. They were surprise to only see YongJoo sitting in the room by herself. She had her feet bent and she held them tightly against her body as she rested her head on her knees, gazing out of her window.

“YongJoo-ah,” SeoHyun utters a whisper as to not frighten her.

YongJoo slowly turns her attention towards her door to see the company that had entered. A smile slowly appears on her face.

“How are you feeling today?” HyungSik asks as he made his way over to her bed, placing a basket of fruits he and SeoHyun had bought earlier.

She smiles at him, “better,” as she straightens herself out on the bed.

SeoHyun was happy to see that smile of her face again, “did your parents come by yet?”

YongJoo was surprise at her sudden question, “no, why?”

“We just saw them coming in,” HyungSik replies, an aloof expression on his face.

“Maybe they went to see your brother first.” SeoHyun assured.

“They’re back?” YongJoo was still confused at why her parents were here.

“Yeah, after we got to the hospital that day JunHyung hyung called your parents to let them know what happened,” HyungSik explained.

YongJoo nodded, unsure about what to say.

“I’m just surprise that they’re only getting back now. I thought they would’ve come back earlier.” HyungSik was still aloof to the situation and was in a state of puzzlement.

“I’m sure they tried to come back earlier but I guess they were caught up with other important things,” YongJoo offers an unsure explanation of her own. “Why don’t we go and see my brother. If my parents are there then I’ll just greet them there and they won’t need to come to see me.”

“Are you sure you should be leaving your room?” SeoHyun ask with concern.

YongJoo smiles at her, assuring her that she was fine as she got off the bed, “I’ll be fine. I went to see him already.”

SeoHyun and HyungSik nodded as they helped YongJoo towards YongHwa’s room.

They stood outside of YongHwa’s room and notice the door slightly opened. They gently knock to see if anyone was in.

“Come in.”

They heard a soft voice and YongJoo knew it was their mother.

They slid the door open and made their way in to the room.

“YongJoo-ah,” her mother was surprise to see her walking in.

“Omma, when did you get back?” YongJoo greeted her with a bow, SeoHyun and HyungSik did the same as they helped YongJoo in.

“You kids are here too?” Her mother smiles sweetly at them, grateful to them for helping YongJoo.

SeoHyun took a quick glance over at YongHwa’s lifeless body on the bed and quickly turn her gaze away, biting her lips to refrain from bursting in to tears.

“I’ll leave you guys to talk.” SeoHyun manages to muster up before taking her leave from the room.

YongJoo watches as SeoHyun exited, she glances over to YongHwa and knew why SeoHyun left in a hurry. She turns to HyungSik, “do you mind looking after her?”

HyungSik nodded and turn to YongJoo’s mother and bow to her as he made his exit as well.

Mrs. Jung went back to caring for YongHwa as YongJoo took a seat in the chair across from his bed.

“When did you get back?” YongJoo asks nervously.

Mrs. Jung smiles sweetly at her, “your father and I took the flight back here as soon as we could last night.”

“Who told you?”

“JunHyung had called us, but we were unable to contact him right away. He left us a message and we found out a bit late so it took a while before we came back last night.”

“Where’s appa?”

“He’s outside talking to one his associates on the phone.”

“Will you be staying now, since oppa’s in this condition?”

Mrs. Jung let out a sorrowful sigh, “of course, I need to stay and take care of him. Your father might leave again though.”

“Couldn’t he stay to take care of oppa too?” YongJoo was being hopeful of getting to spend some time with her father before she leaves to go abroad, that is if she was still planning to leave.

Mrs. Jung sense the hopeful tone in her voice, she walks over to YongJoo and caresses her cheeks as she kneels down in front of her with a gentle smile, “I know it’s been hard for you YongJoo-ah. Know that your father does care for you.”

YongJoo held back her tears the moment her mother said those words to her. She nodded in understanding, “thank you omma.”

“How are you doing? The nurse told me that you’ve gotten a bit better since the accident.”

“I’m feeling better. I’m able to move around more freely now,” she smiles at her mother, assuring her she was fine.

Mrs. Jung let out another sigh as she turns back to look at YongHwa, “your brother is in a coma that I don’t know if he’ll make out of.”

YongJoo could hear sniffling coming from her mother, “omma, I’m sorry about this. If it wasn’t for me this whole thing wouldn’t have happened.”

YongJoo’s tears begin to drip down her cheeks as the guilt she felt took over her seeing her mother like this.

Mrs. Jung quickly turns her attention on YongJoo and gently comforts her, “don’t be silly YongJoo-ah, don’t blame yourself. None of us wanted this to happen, no one is at fault. Please don’t torture yourself by thinking so.”

***

“SeoHyun,” he calls out to her gently as he cautiously made his way over to the bench in the hospital garden.

SeoHyun quickly wipes away the tears on her face, forcing a smile on her face.

“Are you alright?”

She turns to him with an assuring smile, “I’m fine HyungSik.”

HyungSik took a seat beside and let out a sigh, “if you want to cry, I’ll lend you my shoulder to cry on. But don’t get it too wet. I’ll need it for YongJoo later.”

SeoHyun couldn’t help but smile at his comment. It would be stupid of her to not know of his major crush on YongJoo. “Thanks for the offer.”

“YongHwa hyung will get better soon.”

The two stared out to the scenery in front of them. SeoHyun nodded hesitantly.

“You think YongJoo will still go abroad after this?” HyungSik voiced his thoughts unknowingly, his gaze still on the scenery in front.

SeoHyun turns her gaze to him, she herself didn’t know how to answer that question, it never occurred to her, but now she wondered the same thing. “I don’t know,” she utters.

“I really hope she stays so I can... I mean, we can take care of her,” he sheepishly corrects himself.

SeoHyun couldn’t help but giggle at his timid nature, “have you ever told her that you liked her?”

“Do I need to? I’m pretty obvious aren’t I?” His face expressed puzzlement.

SeoHyun couldn’t contain her laughter seeing his expression, “at least you know.”

“I might be a love-struck fool but I’m no idiot.”

SeoHyun continues her laughter at his proud statement, “but being obvious around her isn’t enough, you need to tell her. She needs to hear it straight from your mouth. If you don’t say anything then she’ll just think of you as joking around with her.”

He let out a long defeated sigh, “but I know she likes SooHyun hyung.”

SeoHyun nodded, remembering how much YongJoo talked about SooHyun when they were together alone. “It doesn’t hurt to try,” she advised.

“What about you? After this whole ordeal, are you going to confess to YongHwa hyung too?” HyungSik skillfully shifted the conversation over to SeoHyun.

SeoHyun shifted in her seat as she took a deep breath, “I think is right that I do so. I’m just afraid of what he would think. I don’t really know if he truly feels the same.”

“It doesn’t hurt to try,” HyunSik used her own word advice on her.

She smiles at him and he returned the smile. The two sat on the bench for a bit longer as they continue to watch the view. The sun had begun to set.

***

“Oppa what are you doing here?” SeoHyun asked as she and HyungSik came back in to the hospital and sees SooHyun and JunHyung standing at the reception.

“We came in to see how YongJoo and YongHwa are doing.” SooHyun answers with a smile as the four greeted each other.

“Their parents are here right now. I think their mother is still in YongHwa’s room, if you guys want to go I can take you.” SoeHyun offers.

They nodded and SeoHyun led them towards the intensive care ward. They arrived at YongHwa’s room and SeoHyun gently knocked on the door.

“Come in,” they could hear Mrs. Jung’s voice.

They all greeted her respectfully as they made their way in.

“Imonim, where’s YongJoo?” HyungSik asks.

“She went back to her room to rest,” she smiles at him as she answered, “would you mind going to check up on her for me.”

HyungSik nodded and made his exit.

“I’ll go with him.” SeoHyun offers.

“Thank you SeoHyun.” Mrs. Jung sweetly thanked.

“Is Mr. Jung here?” JunHyung wondered.

“He’s out there still on his phone call,” Mrs. Jung answers as she let out an exasperated sigh.

“Take a seat imonim, you look tired from taking care of YongHwa.” SooHyun offers as he grabs a chair nearby and placed it in front of Mrs. Jung.

“Thank you SooHyun.” Mrs. Jung took the seat, her gaze still on her unconscious son. She heaves a heavy sigh.

“YongHwa will make it through. He’s a strong individual who will fight through any obstacle.” JunHyung offers some word of encouragement.

Mrs. Jung turns to him and smiles gratefully at the two boys, “thank you boys. I’m glad to know that YongHwa has such great friends like you by his side.”

The two of them smiles encouragingly at her before making their exit to give her some rest. They made their way over towards YongJoo’s room.

They knock on her room door as they made their entrance. YongJoo greets them with a smile. SeoHyun and HyungSik were in the room peeling some fruits for her.

“How are you feeling YongJoo?” JunHyung queried as he took seat across from her bed.

“I’m better,” she nods to him with a smile.

“What did the doctors say about your injuries?” SooHyun got more detailed with his question.

YongJoo turns to him and smile, “they say I still need some time to recuperate. My internal injuries are still in the healing process.”

“Did they say anything else?” SooHyun continues his questions, as if trying to get a specific answer out from her.

She furrows her brow at him, unsure of what his intention on asking such specific questions, “no, there was nothing else. He just told me to relax and not to stress myself out too much.”

SooHyun nodded before turning on his heel and exiting.

“What was that all about?” HyungSik wondered.

JunHyung watched SooHyun exiting and he began to get curious himself. They all know that SooHyun is especially concern about YongJoo because of his feelings for her but it was just odd the way he was questioning her.

SooHyun stood with his back against the wall staring across the corridor at YongJoo’s room door. He heaves a heavy sigh as he punched the wall behind him with his fist.

“What’s wrong with you?”

JunHyung’s voice woke him from his train of thoughts. SooHyun glance over at him and let out another sigh.

“I know that you’re worried for YongJoo but what was going on back there? You kept asking questions as if you were interrogating her.”

“JunHyung,” he looks at him attentively, “there’s more to her injury than she led on.”

JunHyung was now more confused than ever, “what are you talking about?”

SooHyun let out a sigh, “I came here a few days ago to check up on her to see how she was. I came pass the doctors that were taking care of YongHwa and YongJoo and asked them what their status were,” he pauses.

“And?” JunHyung hinted him to continue.

“We know how YongHwa is now but I was quite surprise when they told me about YongJoo’s condition.”

“How bad is her condition?”

“Apparently the reason why she was in such an emotional wreck when she was brought in to the hospital was because the accident triggered some childhood memories that she had been suppressing this whole time,” SooHyun hesitated to continue but seeing JunHyung listening intetively, he took it as a sign to continue, “the doctors said that aside from screaming YongHwa’s name, she was screaming out for her mom and dad.”

“That make sense,” JunHyung added an understanding.

“I thought so too but the doctor told me that she was yelling ‘run’, ‘don’t leave me’,” SooHyun took a deep breath, “the doctor found out a few days later when they questioned her and she told them she was calling to her real parents.”

“Her parents before being adopted into the Jung's,” JunHyung nodded in understanding.

“Something majorly traumatic must have happened to her and her parents for her to have to suppress those memories.”

“So what does it have to do with her condition now?”

“The doctors told me that she is very fragile right now, physically, mentally, and emotionally. We have to be careful with what we say to her and who we talk about. It may cause some trigger that will place her in to an emotional spiral that might harm her.”

“What do you mean? What type of harm?” JunHyung questions, concern in his voice.

“There’s a possibility that if she is too traumatized or under too much pressure it might cause her to have a mental breakdown. Her memories can go arise and there’s possibilities of her losing her memories altogether.”

“Is it that serious?” JunHyung was dumbfounded at the new information he had found out from SooHyun.

“My thoughts were the same as you. I didn’t think it would be this serious, but this accident had triggered a lot of emotional scars in her that she will most likely be unable to control.”

The two heaves a long exasperated sigh.

“Does she know about this?” JunHyung queried.

SooHyun shook his head, “the doctors refrained from telling her as to not bring on any more emotional burden to her.”

“So we just have to be careful of what we say to her from now on.” JunHyung concluded.

SooHyun nodded, still feeling uneasy of this whole situation in which YongJoo has been placed in.

***

“SiWon, what are you doing here?”

The voice woke him from his train of thought as he turn to see who it was.

“Mr. Jung,” he bows to the older man, reaching his hand out for a shake, “it’s been a long time.”

Mr. Jung shook his hand, “what are you doing here?” He asked again.

“I heard about what happened to YongHwa. I wanted to come by and pay him a visit.”

Mr. Jung smiles appreciatively, “thank you for your concern SiWon,” he heaves a heavy breath, “I don’t know what I would do if he’s not around.”

SiWon nodded sympathetically at his words, “I heard that your daughter was involved as well.”

Mr. Jung was taken aback at SiWon’s sudden mention of YongJoo, “how did you know?”

“I asked one of the nurses.”

“No, I mean how did you know I had a daughter? Did I ever mention her to you?” Mr. Jung glances at SiWon suspiciously.

SiWon was surprise at the older man’s question, rather than being concern of his daughter’s condition he was more curious as to know how the information of his daughter was found out. “I met her one time when I had a meeting with YongHwa at your office.”

“YongJoo was at my office?” Mr. Jung mutters to himself.

“Sorry, what was that Mr. Jung?”

Mr. Jung quickly turns his attention back to SiWon, “nothing,” he assures, “yes, YongJoo was involved, she’s being taken care of right now.”

“How is she doing?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t visited her yet. My wife and I came to see YongHwa first.”

SiWon was taken aback at the older man’s nonchalant and emotionless answer. There didn’t seem to be any hint of worry or care when he mentions YongJoo.

“I see,” SiWon nodded hesitantly, “do you mind if I go see them?”

“Sure, of course.” Mr. Jung offers to lead him towards YongHwa’s room.

The two walk pass SooHyun and JunHyung in the corridor. Noticing Mr. Jung walking by the two boys greeted him with a bow.

“SooHyun, JunHyung, you two came as well? Did you visit YongHwa yet?” Mr. Jung greeted them.

The two nodded and turn their attention to the gentleman standing beside Mr. Jung.

“This is Choi SiWon, one of my business associates.” Mr. Jung introduces.

“Nice meeting you.” SiWon held his hand out for a shake and the two boys complied with a bow.

“I’m going to take him to see YongHwa.” Mr. Jung interjected after the introduction and begins to step forward.

“YongJoo’s in this room Mr. Jung if you want to visit her.” SooHyun informs, pointing to the door across from them.

Mr. Jung stares at the door before turning away, “I’m sure her friends are in there with her. I’ll see her another time.”

With that he left with SiWon following from behind. SiWon thought it was weird how Mr. Jung was so cold towards the mention of YongJoo, he made a mental note to himself where YongJoo’s room was.

SooHyun and JunHyung were surprise themselves to see Mr. Jung’s reaction towards the mention of YongJoo. The two boys made their way back in to the room, SooHyun excused himself when he received a call.

“Hello?” SooHyun answers, “appa?”

***

“SiWon, if you don’t mind staying in the room with YongHwa for a bit, I need to talk to my wife.” Mr. Jung requested as the two stood in the room with Mrs. Jung sitting by YongHwa’s bedside.

SiWon nodded and took the seat across from the bed. Mr. Jung and Mrs. Jung excused themselves. SiWon felt suspicious of Mr. Jung’s actions, he wanted and needed to know what the old man was up to.

“We need to send YongJoo abroad. Now!” Mr. Jung affirmed.

Mrs. Jung looks at him with a puzzled expression, “why the hurry? She’s still healing from the accident. We can’t just force her to leave right away.”

“You don’t understand. We need her gone now!”

“At least let her heal first. I know you’re not too fond of her but you can’t force her to leave now. I can’t watch her leave while she’s still injured.” Mrs. Jung reasoned.

Mr. Jung let out an exasperated sigh, “I’m doing this for her own good. I’ll send a doctor with her if you want. But we need to send her away now.”

“She’s going to go abroad soon, why can’t we just wait until then?” Mrs. Jung was still confused at her husband’s sudden urge to want to send YongJoo away.

“The sooner the better,” Mr. Jung was not about to argue anymore.

“You can’t do that to her, she wants to at least see YongHwa wake up first. Sending her off now just means tearing them apart. Do you know how close these two are? I made her a promise when I decided to adopt her. I told her I would take care of her and care for her as my own. I know you were against me adopting her and I didn’t know why and I don’t think I still do, but she’s like my own daughter. Why can’t you feel the same way?” Mrs. Jung was getting frustrated with the way her husband was treating YongJoo.

“You won’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me.”

“I can’t. Just know the only reason that I need to do this is for own safety and for our own well being.”

“Why can’t you just tell me the truth?”

Their conversation halted the moment they heard footsteps coming towards their way. They turned their attention towards the direction of the footsteps.

“Mr. Jung, Mrs. Jung,” SooHyun bows to them.

“SooHyun, what are you doing up here? I thought you were down there taking care of YongJoo?” Mr. Jung asked, trying to divert his attention away from his shaken wife.

“I’m going back inside to take care of YongHwa.” Mrs. Jung excused herself from the scene, feeling frustrated with her husband.

SooHyun watched her exit with a puzzled expression.

“What is it SooHyun?”

“My father would like to speak to you.”

Mr. Jung stiffens a bit. He had a feeling at to what it could be about, “thank you SooHyun.”

SooHyun handed him his cell phone but Mr. Jung rejected and said he would call with his own phone. Mr. Jung excused himself and went off to make the call.

SiWon walks out of YongHwa’s room and sees SooHyun watching Mr. Jung walking away.

“Is he leaving?” SiWon ask as he stood beside SooHyun.

SooHyun turns his attention to SiWon and nodded politely, “no, he’s just making a call.”

SiWon turns his attention to SooHyun, “you are one of YongHwa’s close friends?”

SooHyun nodded, “both our fathers are business associates of each other.”

SiWon arched an eyebrow of interest, “and your father is?”

“Kim SukJin.”

SiWon nodded with understanding, “Mr. Kim, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting him a few times.”

“Are you two acquainted?” SooHyun was now curious of the relationship SiWon had with his father.

“Somewhat,” SiWon let out a smirk, “your father and I don’t really see eye to eye on many things. But we are professionals with each other.”

“Is that the same case with you and Mr. Jung?”

SiWon let out a chuckle, “maybe, but I get along with Mr. Jung quite comfortably as you can see, more so than your father. That and YongHwa and I are quite close.”

SooHyun was getting a very suspicious vibe from SiWon but he didn’t know what it was. It just told him not to completely trust him.

“What’s with the suspicious look?” SiWon queries amusingly. “I’m here as a friend to YongHwa, there’s no need to worry about any business arrangements. If I was, I wouldn’t be here talking to you, I would go see your father.”

“That’s not it.”

SiWon chuckles and nods amusingly, “you don’t need to trust me. We don’t know each other, there’s no need to feel awkward. I can see us getting better acquainted with each other soon enough.”

SooHyun was taken aback at his reply, as if he knew what he was thinking.

With that SiWon walked off.

***

“I’m trying to make the arrangements to get rid of her. You don’t need to hassle me again. Don’t get your son involved in this!” Mr. Jung’s tone was full of authority and menace. He was not one to give in to pressure.

Mr. Jung hung up the phone and turn back to walk back to YongHwa’s room when he noticed SiWon standing by the corner.

“SiWon, what...what are doing there?” Mr. Jung stutters.

SiWon smiles at him charmingly, “I just wanted to say my farewell to you before I leave.”

Mr. Jung nodded hesitantly.

“I hope YongHwa gets better soon Mr. Jung. If you need anything please don’t hesitate to give me a call.” SiWon offers.

The two men shook hands and with that SiWon departed. Mr. Jung felt something off with what he said and his handshake, and that expression on his face.

***

“Sir, I have the information you asked me to look for.” His assistant greeted him by the car.

“I need you to continue finding as much information as you can for me concerning the Jung’s and add Kim SukJin and his family for me.” SiWon reply as he took the envelope from his assistant.

His assistant nodded in understanding. He opens the door for SiWon and drove off.

“Mr. Jung, what are you hiding now,” SiWon utters to himself as he gaze upon the envelope in his hand.