June 7

Poets often describe love as an emotion that we can't control, one that overwhelms logic and common sense. That's what it was like for me. I didn't plan on falling in love, and I doubt if he planned on falling in love with me. But once we met, it was clear that neither of us could control what was happening to us. We fell in love, despite our differences, and once we did, something rare and beautiful was created. For me, love like this will happen only once, that's why every minute we spent together has been seared in my memory, so that I'll never forget a single moment of it.

I’m about to die. I really believe and can totally say that this day is my dying day. Why? Virus is all over our household and it’s really so hard to take care of SEVEN sick kids and a sick HUSBAND all at the same time. It’s actually a good thing that I’m not yet following their footsteps and I’m still standing tall and healthy.

My morning is not good at all for the moment I opened my eyes, I have to rush out of our room and go to the boys’ room for I can hear crying little boys from there. It turns out that Danny is having a massive headache and the boys are feeling the same as well and when I touched them, they are burning.

“Oh gosh!” I said in panic “JIYONG!” I shouted, hoping that my husband, who is sleeping like a log, will wake up.

“Just stay here…OK? Mum is just going to wake dad up…I’ll be right back” I said and made sure that they are well tucked in bed.

 I don’t know what to do and my brain feels like exploding already for I’m not expecting this at all. Yes, I’m used to the kids having slight fevers once in a while, but I’m not used to them being sick all at the same time (just imagine how hard that can be).

“Babe…you need to get up…NOW” I said while shaking him by the shoulder.

“mmmm”

“Kwon Jiyong…I swear…the boys are running a fever and they are crying their lungs out because they’re also having a massive headache…please…babe…I need you to drive us to the hospital” I told him and he sat up right away.

“Are you serious?” he asked and I sighed.

“I am babe” I said and he looks like he’s still finding his soul somewhere “I’ll go to the boys’ room now…get dressed and we’ll go to the hospital” I continued and he nods.

The moment I came back to the boys’ room, my ears nearly popped out for my sons are shrieking like there’s no tomorrow. They kept on telling me that they’re head is aching, that they don’t feel good and they’re so weak.

“Mum…help” Russelle almost pleaded.

“I don’t want to drink medicine” he whined and I shook my head and forced him.

“You guys have to drink this first OK? Dad and I will take you to the hospital in a few minutes” I told them.

“How was it?” Jiyong came in the room, looking so worried.

“Bad” I answered and he came near Danny and touched his forehead.

“Oh sh...c’mon! let’s bring them to the hospital now” he said and I nod.

Jiyong and I are really in our panic mode because of this whole situation and I didn’t even manage to dress up well (I swear! That was the first time that I went out in public wearing sweat pants and a loose shirt) for all I want is to bring my kids to the hospital right away.

“Hello?” Railey answered after a few rings.

“Sis!” I said.

“Oh gosh! Why are the kids crying?” she asked worriedly after hearing the boys crying on my end.

“The boys are running a fever with a massive headache” I said and she gasped in shock “Jiyong and I will bring them to the hospital now…is it OK if you go here for a while and watch the girls? Jiyong called Dami-unnie and she’s going here later…but for now….can you watch them for us?” I asked, praying that she will say yes.

“Of course! I’ll go there now” she said and I sigh in relief.

“Thank you sis…love you” I said and hanged up.

This is one reason why the three of us have decided to live just a few blocks away from each other. I can really count on my sissy’s whenever I need help and vice versa. Thing is, I was calling Daryl for almost a hundred times already, but she’s not even picking up (typical of Daryl, she sleeps like she’s in a coma).

“Are they all secured now?” Jiyong asked while putting his seatbelt on.

“Yeah” I answered and looked back to my kids who are a bit relieved with the medicine that I gave them.

“Why is this happening Jiyong?” I asked and he reached for my hand and kissed it.

“I don’t even know” he answered and drove off.

When we arrived at the hospital, my heart was beating so fast and it’s because of the mixed emotions I’m feeling that very moment. You know so well that I’m not that good in hospitals and I really have a trauma, but I brushed it off for I have to be there for my sons.

“Are you alright?” Jiyong asked while we’re waiting for the doctor.

“I am…don’t worry” I answered and he kissed my temple.

The people in the hospital have recognized Jiyong right away and they took pictures of us while waiting for the doctor, with the twins sitting on our lap and Danny riding a stroller (yes, he hates it but he cannot do anything for he’s too weak to even complain).

“Mr. and Mrs. Kwon…you can bring the kids in already” the nurse told us and we stood up from our seats, each carrying a kid with my husband is pushing a stroller using his other hand at the same time.

After a series of tests and a lot of crying (the twins are so afraid of doctors that the mere fact that they’re seeing a guy with specs and wearing white is enough to make them go wild), the boys seems to feel a little well already.

“Hold still baby boy” I told Russelle while the doctor is checking him.

“I don’t want!” he protested and keeps on reaching out for Jiyong who is carrying Gabrielle in one corner of the room.

“Baby boy…be still…you’re going to be fine” Jiyong went to us, still carrying Gabrielle and rubbed Russlle’s back to comfort him.

“I don’t want” Russelle kept on saying, but he’s obeying whatever the doctor says.

After the three boys were checked, we have to wait for another hour for the results. My nerves are all in alarm for I don’t even know what’s happening to my boys. I told myself that I’ll bang my head on a wall once they’re up to some illness or something (yes, I’m exaggerating, but I can’t help from thinking about the possibilities).

“Mr. and Mrs. Kwon” the doctor called and we stood up and followed the doctor to his clinic.

“The kids are down with a flu…you see…this is contagious…it can infect others as well…especially kids...so…the four girls really needs to be watched and make sure they don’t get near the boys for a week...this is really typical for kids to acquire…so no need to worry” he said and I sigh in relief “They need to rest…I’ll give them some medications for faster recovery” he continued and I nod.

How and where did they get it? I mean, they are not even going out of the house. How can they even be infected by something? Gosh! I guess, I really have to have the whole house cleaned and disinfected.

Being in the hospital for hours is really not fun for I keep on seeing sick people being wheeled in front of me and it’s really not a good sight. The moment the doctor told us that we can already go home, my heart is jumping in joy for I can get out of the traumatic building already (yes, I’ve given birth for six times in that hospital and have came there for so many different reasons, but I’m not comfortable being in it still).

The boys fell asleep on our way home and it’s such a relief for me and Jiyong coz our trip to the hospital is just so full of shrieks and cries. It’s also good to know that nothing major has hit our boys.

When we arrived at home, Railey along with Daryl welcomed us. The girls are really angels for they have cooked breakfast already (I know so well who cooked just by looking at the food on the table). Believe it or not, Daryl did it (scrambled eggs, hotdog and bacon, typical Daryl Dong breakfast).

“We’ll put them down first” I told the girls and they nod.

“Aigoo” Jiyong put down Gabrielle in his bed and tucked him in.

“Gosh! I feel like my arms are going to fall off” I told him while checking Russelle’s temperature.

“I can’t believe that this is happening” he said and I sighed.

“None of us saw it coming babe” I kissed Russelle’s forehead and stretched my body.

“Let’s wash up first before going out… I don’t want the girls to be infected” I told him and he nods in agreement.

After washing up and changing, I went out of our room and saw our little girls watching television in the living room with Railey and Daryl. I observed my girls for any signs of weakness, and I’m so thankful that they still look healthy and normal.

“Mum!” Gabby called out upon seeing me.

“Hey babies” I greeted and sat beside DK.

“Mum…what happened to the kids?” DK asked while hugging my arm.

“They’re down with a flu…so girls…no one will go inside their room for a week…it’s contagious so you can get infected easily” I told them and they looks so sad.

“I miss the noise” Isabella said and I smiled for that only means that she misses seeing her brothers roaming around the house early in the morning.

“How on earth did they get that?” Railey asked.

“I don’t know…that’s also my question…the boys are not even going out” I answered.

“Ah! Cho hee called you awhile ago” Daryl said.

“Oh gosh!” I said and sighed.

“You are needed at the o