CURTAINS: Chapter 5 (END)
CURTAINS
Chapter 5 (END)
Pairing: Jonghyun/Minho
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Angst
Home was unusual to Minho. There was a suffocating silence that hung about the air. He spent the day idly, working on homework that he hadn’t gotten to in the hospital, and thinking of Jonghyun. He wanted to go visit, but Jonghyun’s words held him back. The day stretched on for what seemed like forever. As soon as the sun came up the following day, Minho was ready to set off. He had a desire to go see Jonghyun. He grabbed the first bus going in the direction of the hospital. There was this strange, anxious feeling in the pit of his stomach making him want to see Jonghyun as soon as possible.
He was walking to the hospital from the bus stop when he passed a flower stand. Normally, he wouldn’t have given it a second glance, but one of the bouquets caught his eye. He stopped in his tracks and looked at it. It was breath taking- an emerald green flower. Green was Jonghyun’s favorite color. He pointed at the bouquet, catching the vendor’s attention as he pulled out his wallet.
“This? Oh you have a good eye. This is an Anastasia Spider Green Chrysanthemum. Very rare indeed. Who are you giving it to?” she asked as she wrapped the bouquet in green paper and handing it to Minho. He pointed at the hospital, giving her the money and rushing off.
“W-what? Wait honey- Chrysanthemums are for-“
Minho had already run out of earshot by then, rushing into the hospital with flowers in hand. As soon as he entered, the nurse who had checked on him every day stood up- as if she was waiting for him. Minho caught his breath as she came up to him.
“Jonghyun,” Minho mouthed, trying to indicate to the nurse that he wanted to see the older boy. She put her arm around him, sobbing quietly as she told him the news.
Minho broke free at once, running up the stairs to the room. He burst through the door. The two beds were empty and the curtain was gone.
“He passed away. Yesterday morning- after you left. He didn’t want you to know I’m so sorry Minho, I’m so sorry…” the words echoed through his head as he sat down on his old bed, looking at the one that once belonged to Jonghyun. He looked at the flowers in his hands, dimly realizing something. Chrysanthemums symbolized death. He threw the flowers to the floor, disgusted with himself.
“Minho.” Minho didn’t even turn around- his full attention on the empty bed. “Minho- I have something for you,” Dr. Park continued. “It’s from Jonghyun.”
Minho sat in Dr. Park’s office stiffly, looking at the hastily folded piece of paper in front of him. He unfolded it carefully, looking at the messy handwriting.
“Minho. If you’re reading this, I’m no longer with you. Or I have ran away to Canada. I’m just joking- so get that frown off your face. You may have beaten me fifteen times in a row during Wii Tennis, but you can’t lie. I don’t want to leave right now. I really like being with you. But my time’s up. Don’t be sad- I’m probably somewhere really happy right now. And I’ll be watching you okay? So don’t try to cheat during video games. I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t be joking. And I’m sorry for trying to push you into getting your voice back. I will always believe that you are and will be the best singer ever. I love you- and good-bye.
- Jonghyun”
Minho almost couldn’t read the last few lines, his vision blurred by tears rolling down his cheeks.
“The day before yesterday, I let Jonghyun out because he said that he wanted to make you want your voice back. He said ‘even if I can’t live- I want Minho to live. And I think that singing is his life.’” Dr. Park paused, taking off his fogged up glasses and wiping them. “He knew he was going to die, you know.”
Minho didn’t look at him, eyes still focused on the note.
“Actually- we all thought he was going to die almost a month ago. You remember that don’t you?” Minho did remember. Jonghyun clutching the curtains, trying to stand up while Minho looked on helplessly.
“It’s a real miracle.”
The words rang in Minho’s head. Miracle. Miracle. Jonghyun’s words began repeating themselves in his head.
I’ll stay with you until you leave
Ohh right. You don’t believe in miracles do you? Then you’re missing all the fun in life.
Minho- get your voice back. If not for yourself- then for me
I want to hear you sing. More than anything.
“…I know that it’s a bad time, but can we please try to fix your voice? It is Jonghyun’s last wish, is it not?” Dr. Park’s voice broke Minho’s reminiscing. He nodded, slowly.
He wanted to be a singer. He would be a singer. For Jonghyun. A tear slipped down his cheek and into his lap.
He looked outside the window. It had started raining sometime while he was in the hospital.
Not all tears have to be bad.