repost: Never letting go Chapter 20
Assured that Hyukjae would be going straight to the hospital, Donghae decided to ditch the remaining paper works that he originally planned on spending his evening on and headed there just like what Yesung advised him to do. It had been easy getting Hyukjae’s father’s room number, unlike what he initially thought, and he uttered a silent thanks when he was given a private room number. That could only mean that Hyukjae’s father wasn’t in a critical situation anymore.
He stationed himself at the waiting lounge of that particular level of the hospital and from his position, he can clearly see who goes in and out of Hyukjae’s dad’s room.
For the succeeding hours, Donghae kept his eyes on the room, not missing any of the moments the door opened and closed due to the scheduled round by the nurses and Doctors.
His slouched posture immediately straightened upon seeing the figures of four people approaching the room. His eyes automatically locked themselves on one of them. Hyukjae.
Mixed emotions flooded Donghae; all of his senses became oblivious to everything else but the girl - no, woman that he had his eyes on. He was happy to see her again, but he was not happy to see the distress she was in. The dark glasses she wore did nothing to hide it. She was biting her bottom lip, and the way she was clutching her bag was too tight, as if she was trying to gain some strength from it.
They reached the front of the room, and Hyukjae extended her hand to open the door, but it seemed like she doesn’t have enough energy to open it. From where he was seated, he can feel the tension burdening Hyukjae, and he can see how her shoulders were trembling. He felt a very tight squeeze in his chest.
-
“I can’t…I’m scared to see Appa…” Hyukjae shook her head, and then she looked up helplessly to Kyuhyun. Tears raced their way down her chin. Kyuhyun exhaled softly and took the shades off her face. He wiped her tears with the sleeve of his shirt, just like how he used to when they were younger. Sungmin gave Hyukjae a light squeeze on the shoulder.
“If there’s someone Appa wants to see the most right now, it’s you. I’m sure your presence will be enough to energize him. So be strong, because if he sees you stressed like this, he’ll be more worried.” Kyuhyun told her gently.
She nodded and took a deep breath, wiping the traces of tears on her face. She forced a smile to show on her face.
“That’s better” Kyuhyun patted her head.
___
Donghae didn’t know that he was holding his breath, until the sight of her back disappeared behind the now closed door. The brief moment of seeing her smile and how she put it on to pretend that she’s fine told Donghae that it’s been exactly what she’s doing for the past seven years: pretend.
And Donghae couldn’t help but blame himself for bringing such misery upon her. He had been weak, and helpless. But if he can go back to that time, he’d still probably do what he had done, simply because he could not risk her life.
It had been tough for him too; there was no other soul who knew his exact reason for doing what he did years ago - except for Yesung. Not even his family knew why that just crashed right in their faces. All those years, he carried his own fair share of agony. He was hurting and it hurt him even more to know that Hyukjae continuously hurt because of him as well.
He’d give anything to take that pain away from her.
If he’d be so lucky and Hyukjae would give him a chance, he’d make sure that he’d love her and make sure she knows just how much.
Because if he’d be given a chance, he’d make sure that nothing stands in their way. He’d never let them fall apart again. He’d protect her and cherish her.
But he knew that that wish was too big, too ambitious.
He’s open to the fact that after all those time, her love for him already faded into nothingness, that the only thing he can remember of him is how cruel he had been to her. How he broke her, probably beyond repair.
He’s open to the fact that her love for him might have already turned to hate, as painful as that may seem.
If being given another chance would be impossible, maybe her forgiveness would be enough.
If she would deem that her happiness is no longer with him, he wouldn’t stand in her way. The idea was already killing him, but it’s something that he had accepted a long time ago.
A sad smile formed in his lips. Just a little more, he thought. He would not want to take advantage of her vulnerability at the moment; he can be like how he has always been when it comes to Hyukjae, just watching over her from afar.
--
As the door closed Hyukjae fell behind Kyuhyun and Sungmin who walked straight to their parents. Her guilt was still tripping on her. She hated the fact that she had to see her father in the hospital bed; although he doesn’t look that sick, signs of stress were already on his face. He had aged from the last time she saw him.
Probably noticing that she wasn’t moving from her spot, her father tilted his head to look at her. A wide smile crept on his lips as he opened his arms, inviting Hyukjae for a hug.
Hyukjae’s lips quivered; the smile she was trying hard to maintain vanished. She took hurried steps and ran towards the old man.
“I’m so sorry Appa… I’ve been a bad daughter…” she cried hard while his father just rubbed her back comfortingly.
“You are not. In fact Appa’s proud of you, very, very proud of you.” Hyukjae realized just how much she missed having her family whole like that.
“I’m so worried about you…” Hyukjae said upon releasing herself from her father’s embrace. His father chuckled lightly.
“Aish. It was nothing serious.” He then eyed his wife lovingly. “Let’s just say, that lovely lady over here… blew things out of proportion.” He held his wife’s hand and squeezed it. “I told you not to call them…” He said glancing towards his wife.
“Not to call us?! Appa!”
“Hyukkie, your voice…” Kyuhyun reminded her gently. “But that’s an absurd request Dad. You know we have to know if anything happens.”
“This is something minor. I mean, look at me, I’m healthy as a horse.” Their father whined. “You’re here meaning you cancelled your trip… I’m sorry Sungmin” He eyed her daughter in law.
“You’re more important than any trip Appa.” Sungmin smiled to assure the old man.
“Now that you kids know that I’m fine, go home and take some rest. Our little girl needs her bed. I’m sure the trip was long and tiring.” He told them. “You too, honey. You haven’t taken a rest since yesterday. Go home and have some sleep…” He kissed his wife’s hand and Hyukjae smiled at the sight of her mother blushing.
“No, I’ll stay here.” Her mother pouted.
“Umma, go home. I’ll be the one to look after Appa, I’ll make sure that he won’t flirt with the nurses.” Hyukjae joked. Her dad was the epitome of the word faithful.
“Omo. Lee Hyukjae, don’t go feeding your mom ideas, and no, you’re not staying. You’re going home.”
“Am not Appa, what do you want me to do, go back to US already?” she said, feigning a hurt expression.
“I didn’t mean that. Aish, you know I’d be the happiest if you’d stay here.”
Hyukjae’s mother heart swelled upon seeing her daughter and husband bickering. Her husband often told her just how much he was missing their daughter. She figured that this can as good a time as any; the two can finally spend some alone time together.
“Old man, just enjoy the presence of your daughter. I’ll go home with Kyuhyun and Minnie, but I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“You know what’s better? Let’s just all go home together. I’m fine!” Hyukjae’s dad said in a hopeful tone.
“The only time you’re going home is when your doctors clear you of any problems and that’s final.”
“Aish, they’re just prolonging my stay here so we will have to pay more!”
“So stingy…” Hyukjae’s mother crinkled her nose.
“Dad, If you’re worried about that, I’ll pay for everything. I’m super rich now, you know.” Hyukjae said, half joking. Of course it was known that the money she got from modeling was no joke.
“You know what Hyukkie, I need some financing for the new business I’m putting up. Mind investing?” Kyuhyun joked.
“Invest your face. You have a lot of money! Maybe more than mine and Dad’s combined!”
“Not true!” Kyuhyun shook his head.
“Hear that Dad, Kyuhyun’s paying. So don’t worry…” Hyukjae smiled victoriously and Sungmin laughed.
After a while, Hyukjae and her dad were finally left alone in the room.
“I am so glad that you’re back here Hyukkie.”
“I’m glad too Dad… I’m sorry again…” I promise we’ll be together often from now on. Hyukjae didn’t voice it out, but she came up with a decision. She’s giving up modeling.
“Get some sleep.” Her father patted her head before closing his eyes.
-
Hyukjae didn’t know how long she’s been sleeping on the bedside. She immediately checked if her father was already awake and gave out a sigh of relief when she found him still sleeping.
She rummaged through her carry -on bag, which contained several pieces of clothes and her toiletries and went to the room’s bathroom to take a quick shower.
She was already done when she heard a knock on the door and expected a nurse to come in, but the knock, though light, was insistent. She went to the door and found a delivery man carrying a basket of get-well-soon flowers and a bouquet of red roses.
“Good morning, delivery for Mr. Lee?”
“Oh, That’s my father…” The flower guy handed her the basket and asked her to sign something.
“Thank you.” She smiled a little.
“T-There’s a-another one…” The delivery man stuttered as he looked at his list. “Uhm, for Ms. Lee Hyukjae…?”
“That’s me…” Hyukjae frowned. She has no idea who would send something for her.
The guy handed her the bouquet of red roses.
“Who is this from?” she asked, hoping to somehow get a clue. In the back of her mind, she’s hoping for one person to be the one sending her that.
Donghae.
Impossible.
“I’m sorry Ma’am but the client refuses to be known…”
“Oh…” She just nodded. “Thank you anyways,” she said upon signing the paper.
-
Donghae was on the same spot he was on last night, carefully watching her every expression. He felt rewarded when she smiled and smelled the flowers.
At least he was able to do something that made her smile.
-
Hyukjae read the small, type written note on the flower she received, she was so absorbed that she didn’t notice her father was already awake and was watching her.
“I think you know what red roses mean, Hyukkie?”
“True love.” Hyukjae shrugged.
“Who sent you that?”
“I don’t know Appa…”
“Whoever it is, I think he’s very much in love with you.”
“I don’t think so… I mean…”
“US is different from Korea Hyukkie. Just like how American guys are different from Korean guys.”
“Doesn’t matter actually, Appa…”
“Hyukkie, you know that I want you to be happy…”
“I am happy.”
“I mean a deeper kind of happiness…something that will remove the sadness in your eyes that people find so bizarre. I know there’s only one person who can give that to you.”
“Appa…”
“I don’t hate him, so if it’s still him, I won’t be against it.”
“He’s forgotten about me.” Saying it was more painful than just thinking about it.
“You can never be sure Hyuk…”
“Let’s not push it the topic Appa.”
“I’m not getting any younger Hyuk. Before I leave this earth, I just want to see you happy and settled with your own family…”
“Don’t talk like that! You said it yourself! You’re still strong!”
“I am, but we never know what the future holds for us.” Her father said meaningfully.
“I’ll start dating. If I do that I might just find a suitable son-in-law for you…”
‘That’s not what I mean, princess…”
“But that’s what you want, and I’m done being a headache to you Appa.”
“Never said you were,”
“Yeah.” Hyukjae exhaled “You never said anything Appa. You’ve always supported me, and even if you were honestly feeling disappointed, you didn’t say it…” Her dad only shook his head in disagreement, and that made Hyukjae feel even more awful.
-
Tiredness took over Hyukjae and she felt all the fatigue catch up to her as she and her father dropped their conversation. She thought of her family, her father, in particular, and thought that she definitely made the right decision to come back home. She was tired, and her family wanted her to go back home, but she insisted in staying with her father to be his personal nurse. She fell asleep with that thought in mind.
Hyukjae’s father smoothened the crease that appeared on his daughter’s forehead. Although, she was right, at times he rather felt disappointed with her decision, it was because he wants her to always, always follow what’s in her heart. Because he knows that sometimes, it’s better to become a disappointment to other people than to be a disappointment to yourself. And Hyukjae actually proved that she had made the right decision. She became successful. However, it seems to him that when it comes to the more important decisions, particularly with matters of the heart, she lets her head rule.
And he doesn’t want her to have the mistake of getting into relationships just for the sake of having them. Or worse, for having them for him.
Unknown to everyone, he had everything investigated and he absolutely, absolutely commends Donghae for doing what he did. It might have hurt Hyukjae, but to him, the fact that he didn’t risk his daughter’s life was more than enough for him to respect the younger man. To him, that was enough proof that Donghae indeed loved his daughter.
But he doesn’t want to interfere with their happiness. All he can do were little pushes in the right direction, because in time, he knows that everything will be revealed.
Closing his eyes, he tried to relax, but hearing the soft click of the door, he peeked through his slightly open lids.
He opened his eyes and saw Donghae who was looking at Hyukjae with longing in his eyes.
-
Donghae was about to go home that night, he was sure that Hyukjae won’t be going out of the room anymore, so might just as well go home to finish some work as he plans to spend the following day again by, well, stalking.
Donghae shook his head for being a lovestruck teenage boy following his crush around. Only, his situation was far more complicated than that.
But as he passed the room’s door, he felt that he doesn’t want to deny himself the satisfaction of seeing Hyukjae one last time for the night.
So he threw caution out the window and opened the door to the room where the love of his life was in, and found her crouching by the bedside. There was a couch that looked more comfortable, but she probably chose to sleep beside her father.
He didn’t know how long he had been staring, but his little reverie got cut when he noticed movements on the bed. His eyes met with Hyukjae’s father’s own eyes.
Fearing that the old man might get mad, he bowed down hurriedly.
“I’m sorry sir. I-I don’t intend any harm… I’ll be going -“
“Kindly come in Donghae,” Hyukjae’s father smiled and Donghae felt the warmth in his eyes.
Before a verbal response could be spoken, his body had been quick in moving forward inside the room. His mind raced. What if she wakes up? Just how will he face her?
“Don’t worry, she’s too tired to care,” The old man assured Donghae. “Do you mind putting her in the couch? She’s so stubborn, insisting she wants to sleep like that…”
“She’s just worried about you…how are you sir?” Donghae carefully lifted Hyukjae off of her seat. His throat and chest tightened at their proximity. It’s been so long since he had a feel of her skin against his. His eyes watered at the emotions that were consuming him that very moment.
“I’m perfectly fine actually, just that my doctors won’t discharge me.” The man watched Donghae as he stared at Hyukjae. He’s quite sure that Donghae was no longer paying attention to him.
“You know you could have visited me earlier…” The old man continued.
“I don’t think she’d be happy to see me…” He settled her on the couch and fixed the small blanket she had wrapped around her.
“Who knows? You can’t actually know unless you try…”
“Maybe once you’re out sir…”
“Aish. My doctors, they enjoy keeping me here!” Donghae smiled at how bluntly the old man put it.
“I’d just like to let you know, whatever happens, you have my vote.” The man said, making Donghae give the man his full attention.
Donghae was left speechless. Hyukjae’s father’s words were like a potion that made him want to believe that there was a chance for him.
“Thank you…”
“No, I should be the one thanking you. I wasn’t able to say this before, but thank you for choosing to protect her.”
And it struck Donghae. Hyukjae’s father knows the truth. That’s why he never showed contempt towards him.
Donghae opened and closed his mouth, but no words would come out.
“Have a safe trip home Donghae. Visit me soon.” The old man closed his eyes.
A drop of tear escaped from the corner of his eyes. A happy tear if he might say.
He turned to Hyukjae who seemed to have relaxed more. He stepped and crouched down until his face was leveled with hers.
“We’ll talk soon… I love you…” He dropped a small kiss on her forehead.
They say that there’s always light at the end of a tunnel, no matter how many turns one has to take. Donghae just hopes that he finds the right way to that end.
He stationed himself at the waiting lounge of that particular level of the hospital and from his position, he can clearly see who goes in and out of Hyukjae’s dad’s room.
For the succeeding hours, Donghae kept his eyes on the room, not missing any of the moments the door opened and closed due to the scheduled round by the nurses and Doctors.
His slouched posture immediately straightened upon seeing the figures of four people approaching the room. His eyes automatically locked themselves on one of them. Hyukjae.
Mixed emotions flooded Donghae; all of his senses became oblivious to everything else but the girl - no, woman that he had his eyes on. He was happy to see her again, but he was not happy to see the distress she was in. The dark glasses she wore did nothing to hide it. She was biting her bottom lip, and the way she was clutching her bag was too tight, as if she was trying to gain some strength from it.
They reached the front of the room, and Hyukjae extended her hand to open the door, but it seemed like she doesn’t have enough energy to open it. From where he was seated, he can feel the tension burdening Hyukjae, and he can see how her shoulders were trembling. He felt a very tight squeeze in his chest.
-
“I can’t…I’m scared to see Appa…” Hyukjae shook her head, and then she looked up helplessly to Kyuhyun. Tears raced their way down her chin. Kyuhyun exhaled softly and took the shades off her face. He wiped her tears with the sleeve of his shirt, just like how he used to when they were younger. Sungmin gave Hyukjae a light squeeze on the shoulder.
“If there’s someone Appa wants to see the most right now, it’s you. I’m sure your presence will be enough to energize him. So be strong, because if he sees you stressed like this, he’ll be more worried.” Kyuhyun told her gently.
She nodded and took a deep breath, wiping the traces of tears on her face. She forced a smile to show on her face.
“That’s better” Kyuhyun patted her head.
___
Donghae didn’t know that he was holding his breath, until the sight of her back disappeared behind the now closed door. The brief moment of seeing her smile and how she put it on to pretend that she’s fine told Donghae that it’s been exactly what she’s doing for the past seven years: pretend.
And Donghae couldn’t help but blame himself for bringing such misery upon her. He had been weak, and helpless. But if he can go back to that time, he’d still probably do what he had done, simply because he could not risk her life.
It had been tough for him too; there was no other soul who knew his exact reason for doing what he did years ago - except for Yesung. Not even his family knew why that just crashed right in their faces. All those years, he carried his own fair share of agony. He was hurting and it hurt him even more to know that Hyukjae continuously hurt because of him as well.
He’d give anything to take that pain away from her.
If he’d be so lucky and Hyukjae would give him a chance, he’d make sure that he’d love her and make sure she knows just how much.
Because if he’d be given a chance, he’d make sure that nothing stands in their way. He’d never let them fall apart again. He’d protect her and cherish her.
But he knew that that wish was too big, too ambitious.
He’s open to the fact that after all those time, her love for him already faded into nothingness, that the only thing he can remember of him is how cruel he had been to her. How he broke her, probably beyond repair.
He’s open to the fact that her love for him might have already turned to hate, as painful as that may seem.
If being given another chance would be impossible, maybe her forgiveness would be enough.
If she would deem that her happiness is no longer with him, he wouldn’t stand in her way. The idea was already killing him, but it’s something that he had accepted a long time ago.
A sad smile formed in his lips. Just a little more, he thought. He would not want to take advantage of her vulnerability at the moment; he can be like how he has always been when it comes to Hyukjae, just watching over her from afar.
--
As the door closed Hyukjae fell behind Kyuhyun and Sungmin who walked straight to their parents. Her guilt was still tripping on her. She hated the fact that she had to see her father in the hospital bed; although he doesn’t look that sick, signs of stress were already on his face. He had aged from the last time she saw him.
Probably noticing that she wasn’t moving from her spot, her father tilted his head to look at her. A wide smile crept on his lips as he opened his arms, inviting Hyukjae for a hug.
Hyukjae’s lips quivered; the smile she was trying hard to maintain vanished. She took hurried steps and ran towards the old man.
“I’m so sorry Appa… I’ve been a bad daughter…” she cried hard while his father just rubbed her back comfortingly.
“You are not. In fact Appa’s proud of you, very, very proud of you.” Hyukjae realized just how much she missed having her family whole like that.
“I’m so worried about you…” Hyukjae said upon releasing herself from her father’s embrace. His father chuckled lightly.
“Aish. It was nothing serious.” He then eyed his wife lovingly. “Let’s just say, that lovely lady over here… blew things out of proportion.” He held his wife’s hand and squeezed it. “I told you not to call them…” He said glancing towards his wife.
“Not to call us?! Appa!”
“Hyukkie, your voice…” Kyuhyun reminded her gently. “But that’s an absurd request Dad. You know we have to know if anything happens.”
“This is something minor. I mean, look at me, I’m healthy as a horse.” Their father whined. “You’re here meaning you cancelled your trip… I’m sorry Sungmin” He eyed her daughter in law.
“You’re more important than any trip Appa.” Sungmin smiled to assure the old man.
“Now that you kids know that I’m fine, go home and take some rest. Our little girl needs her bed. I’m sure the trip was long and tiring.” He told them. “You too, honey. You haven’t taken a rest since yesterday. Go home and have some sleep…” He kissed his wife’s hand and Hyukjae smiled at the sight of her mother blushing.
“No, I’ll stay here.” Her mother pouted.
“Umma, go home. I’ll be the one to look after Appa, I’ll make sure that he won’t flirt with the nurses.” Hyukjae joked. Her dad was the epitome of the word faithful.
“Omo. Lee Hyukjae, don’t go feeding your mom ideas, and no, you’re not staying. You’re going home.”
“Am not Appa, what do you want me to do, go back to US already?” she said, feigning a hurt expression.
“I didn’t mean that. Aish, you know I’d be the happiest if you’d stay here.”
Hyukjae’s mother heart swelled upon seeing her daughter and husband bickering. Her husband often told her just how much he was missing their daughter. She figured that this can as good a time as any; the two can finally spend some alone time together.
“Old man, just enjoy the presence of your daughter. I’ll go home with Kyuhyun and Minnie, but I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“You know what’s better? Let’s just all go home together. I’m fine!” Hyukjae’s dad said in a hopeful tone.
“The only time you’re going home is when your doctors clear you of any problems and that’s final.”
“Aish, they’re just prolonging my stay here so we will have to pay more!”
“So stingy…” Hyukjae’s mother crinkled her nose.
“Dad, If you’re worried about that, I’ll pay for everything. I’m super rich now, you know.” Hyukjae said, half joking. Of course it was known that the money she got from modeling was no joke.
“You know what Hyukkie, I need some financing for the new business I’m putting up. Mind investing?” Kyuhyun joked.
“Invest your face. You have a lot of money! Maybe more than mine and Dad’s combined!”
“Not true!” Kyuhyun shook his head.
“Hear that Dad, Kyuhyun’s paying. So don’t worry…” Hyukjae smiled victoriously and Sungmin laughed.
After a while, Hyukjae and her dad were finally left alone in the room.
“I am so glad that you’re back here Hyukkie.”
“I’m glad too Dad… I’m sorry again…” I promise we’ll be together often from now on. Hyukjae didn’t voice it out, but she came up with a decision. She’s giving up modeling.
“Get some sleep.” Her father patted her head before closing his eyes.
-
Hyukjae didn’t know how long she’s been sleeping on the bedside. She immediately checked if her father was already awake and gave out a sigh of relief when she found him still sleeping.
She rummaged through her carry -on bag, which contained several pieces of clothes and her toiletries and went to the room’s bathroom to take a quick shower.
She was already done when she heard a knock on the door and expected a nurse to come in, but the knock, though light, was insistent. She went to the door and found a delivery man carrying a basket of get-well-soon flowers and a bouquet of red roses.
“Good morning, delivery for Mr. Lee?”
“Oh, That’s my father…” The flower guy handed her the basket and asked her to sign something.
“Thank you.” She smiled a little.
“T-There’s a-another one…” The delivery man stuttered as he looked at his list. “Uhm, for Ms. Lee Hyukjae…?”
“That’s me…” Hyukjae frowned. She has no idea who would send something for her.
The guy handed her the bouquet of red roses.
“Who is this from?” she asked, hoping to somehow get a clue. In the back of her mind, she’s hoping for one person to be the one sending her that.
Donghae.
Impossible.
“I’m sorry Ma’am but the client refuses to be known…”
“Oh…” She just nodded. “Thank you anyways,” she said upon signing the paper.
-
Donghae was on the same spot he was on last night, carefully watching her every expression. He felt rewarded when she smiled and smelled the flowers.
At least he was able to do something that made her smile.
-
Hyukjae read the small, type written note on the flower she received, she was so absorbed that she didn’t notice her father was already awake and was watching her.
“I think you know what red roses mean, Hyukkie?”
“True love.” Hyukjae shrugged.
“Who sent you that?”
“I don’t know Appa…”
“Whoever it is, I think he’s very much in love with you.”
“I don’t think so… I mean…”
“US is different from Korea Hyukkie. Just like how American guys are different from Korean guys.”
“Doesn’t matter actually, Appa…”
“Hyukkie, you know that I want you to be happy…”
“I am happy.”
“I mean a deeper kind of happiness…something that will remove the sadness in your eyes that people find so bizarre. I know there’s only one person who can give that to you.”
“Appa…”
“I don’t hate him, so if it’s still him, I won’t be against it.”
“He’s forgotten about me.” Saying it was more painful than just thinking about it.
“You can never be sure Hyuk…”
“Let’s not push it the topic Appa.”
“I’m not getting any younger Hyuk. Before I leave this earth, I just want to see you happy and settled with your own family…”
“Don’t talk like that! You said it yourself! You’re still strong!”
“I am, but we never know what the future holds for us.” Her father said meaningfully.
“I’ll start dating. If I do that I might just find a suitable son-in-law for you…”
‘That’s not what I mean, princess…”
“But that’s what you want, and I’m done being a headache to you Appa.”
“Never said you were,”
“Yeah.” Hyukjae exhaled “You never said anything Appa. You’ve always supported me, and even if you were honestly feeling disappointed, you didn’t say it…” Her dad only shook his head in disagreement, and that made Hyukjae feel even more awful.
-
Tiredness took over Hyukjae and she felt all the fatigue catch up to her as she and her father dropped their conversation. She thought of her family, her father, in particular, and thought that she definitely made the right decision to come back home. She was tired, and her family wanted her to go back home, but she insisted in staying with her father to be his personal nurse. She fell asleep with that thought in mind.
Hyukjae’s father smoothened the crease that appeared on his daughter’s forehead. Although, she was right, at times he rather felt disappointed with her decision, it was because he wants her to always, always follow what’s in her heart. Because he knows that sometimes, it’s better to become a disappointment to other people than to be a disappointment to yourself. And Hyukjae actually proved that she had made the right decision. She became successful. However, it seems to him that when it comes to the more important decisions, particularly with matters of the heart, she lets her head rule.
And he doesn’t want her to have the mistake of getting into relationships just for the sake of having them. Or worse, for having them for him.
Unknown to everyone, he had everything investigated and he absolutely, absolutely commends Donghae for doing what he did. It might have hurt Hyukjae, but to him, the fact that he didn’t risk his daughter’s life was more than enough for him to respect the younger man. To him, that was enough proof that Donghae indeed loved his daughter.
But he doesn’t want to interfere with their happiness. All he can do were little pushes in the right direction, because in time, he knows that everything will be revealed.
Closing his eyes, he tried to relax, but hearing the soft click of the door, he peeked through his slightly open lids.
He opened his eyes and saw Donghae who was looking at Hyukjae with longing in his eyes.
-
Donghae was about to go home that night, he was sure that Hyukjae won’t be going out of the room anymore, so might just as well go home to finish some work as he plans to spend the following day again by, well, stalking.
Donghae shook his head for being a lovestruck teenage boy following his crush around. Only, his situation was far more complicated than that.
But as he passed the room’s door, he felt that he doesn’t want to deny himself the satisfaction of seeing Hyukjae one last time for the night.
So he threw caution out the window and opened the door to the room where the love of his life was in, and found her crouching by the bedside. There was a couch that looked more comfortable, but she probably chose to sleep beside her father.
He didn’t know how long he had been staring, but his little reverie got cut when he noticed movements on the bed. His eyes met with Hyukjae’s father’s own eyes.
Fearing that the old man might get mad, he bowed down hurriedly.
“I’m sorry sir. I-I don’t intend any harm… I’ll be going -“
“Kindly come in Donghae,” Hyukjae’s father smiled and Donghae felt the warmth in his eyes.
Before a verbal response could be spoken, his body had been quick in moving forward inside the room. His mind raced. What if she wakes up? Just how will he face her?
“Don’t worry, she’s too tired to care,” The old man assured Donghae. “Do you mind putting her in the couch? She’s so stubborn, insisting she wants to sleep like that…”
“She’s just worried about you…how are you sir?” Donghae carefully lifted Hyukjae off of her seat. His throat and chest tightened at their proximity. It’s been so long since he had a feel of her skin against his. His eyes watered at the emotions that were consuming him that very moment.
“I’m perfectly fine actually, just that my doctors won’t discharge me.” The man watched Donghae as he stared at Hyukjae. He’s quite sure that Donghae was no longer paying attention to him.
“You know you could have visited me earlier…” The old man continued.
“I don’t think she’d be happy to see me…” He settled her on the couch and fixed the small blanket she had wrapped around her.
“Who knows? You can’t actually know unless you try…”
“Maybe once you’re out sir…”
“Aish. My doctors, they enjoy keeping me here!” Donghae smiled at how bluntly the old man put it.
“I’d just like to let you know, whatever happens, you have my vote.” The man said, making Donghae give the man his full attention.
Donghae was left speechless. Hyukjae’s father’s words were like a potion that made him want to believe that there was a chance for him.
“Thank you…”
“No, I should be the one thanking you. I wasn’t able to say this before, but thank you for choosing to protect her.”
And it struck Donghae. Hyukjae’s father knows the truth. That’s why he never showed contempt towards him.
Donghae opened and closed his mouth, but no words would come out.
“Have a safe trip home Donghae. Visit me soon.” The old man closed his eyes.
A drop of tear escaped from the corner of his eyes. A happy tear if he might say.
He turned to Hyukjae who seemed to have relaxed more. He stepped and crouched down until his face was leveled with hers.
“We’ll talk soon… I love you…” He dropped a small kiss on her forehead.
They say that there’s always light at the end of a tunnel, no matter how many turns one has to take. Donghae just hopes that he finds the right way to that end.