It Started With A Dance (part 7)
Eun Ji sat nervously. She sat in the living room of Hankyung's mother. When they arrived, Mrs. Han immediately hugged Eun Ji when Hankyung introduced them. Despite the language barrier, Eun Ji could feel the love and sincerity from Mrs. Han. Hankyung just smile watched from the side.
Hankyung and Siwon helped Mrs. Han in the kitchen. Eun Ji wanted to joined them. But it seems Hankyung had sixth sense. Before Eun Ji could speak, he shouted from the kitchen, "You better stay where you are! You're not welcome here because you are my guest!"
Heard that, Eun Ji return to her seat and pouted. Siwon took the dishes from the kitchen and arranged the table. "He's always like that. When I first time came here, he did the same thing," said Siwon. Eun Ji nodded her head.
Dinner preparation finished and they all gathered in the dining table. Hankyung acted as translator between Eun Ji and his mother. Siwon also helped translate a little bit. When the dinner finished, Mrs. Han asked Siwon to helped her clean the table. She wanted to give Hankyung time alone with Eun Ji. After said thank you, Hankyung took Eun Ji's hand and pulled her toward his room.
Once they inside Hankyung's room, Hankyung suddenly fell to the floor. Sound of pain heard from his mouth. Eun Ji locked the door and took Hankyung to his bed. Hankyung still groaned in pain. There’s a bottle of water on a table, so Eun Ji took it and asked Hankyung to drink. After he drank, Eun Ji lay beside Hankyung and hugged him.
“I know you don’t want your mother to know. Just hold on, Oppa. It will be alright,” Eun Ji soothed him. Hankyung could only groaned in agony. Eun Ji tightened her hugged.
***
Eun Ji stayed in Beijing for a week. She stayed in hotel near Mrs. Han’s house. Every day she visited her and helped her in dumpling restaurant. Hankyung always visited her after his schedule, no matter what time he finished. When she must go back to Seoul, Hankyung and Siwon accompanied her to the airport. They said their goodbye in the car.
Once Eun Ji in Seoul, she remain contact with Siwon regarding Hankyung’s condition. Several time Siwon called her and told her Hankyung’s faint again. Eun Ji very worried with his condition. Every day she sent support and encouraging words to Hankyung.
Even when Hankyung and the rest of Super Junior M back to Korea, he didn’t look better. Eun Ji thought that Hankyung got paler everyday they met. Hankyung often spent his free time in Eun Ji’s place or just locked himself in the room and called Eun Ji.
“Oppa, please take care of yourself. You look pale today,” said Eun Ji when Hankyung called her. Hankyung just sighed, didn’t say anything. “Oppa?” Eun Ji called again. “Eun Ji-ah, please forgive me if I do something stupid in the future,” said Hankyung.
Eun Ji gasped. “What? You don’t mean to…” before she can finished, Hankyung cut in. “Of course not! It’s just… I guess whole world will hate me with my stupidity,” he said. Both of them fell in silence.
***
Eun Ji was on her way to kitchen when her phone rang in her hand. One message came. From Siwon. Eun Ji eyes widened and opened the message.
Eun Ji-sshi, me and Hankyung-hyung on our way to hospital. We need treatment.
Without hesitation, she grabbed her bag in kitchen counter and went to the hospital. She typed a message to Siwon asked him which hospital they went. Siwon replied when she’s at the lobby and Eun Ji called the cab to go to hospital. On the hospital, she typed a message to Siwon, asked him where they went. Siwon reply was short. ICU.
Eun Ji searched for ICU room. When she found it, the room is crowded with activities. Carefully she checked each curtain try to found Hankyung and Siwon. She noticed, the last curtain was guarded with two people. “Bingo!” she thought. Eun Ji walked carefully passed the guards. Luckily, a nurse opened the curtain and for a second she could see Hankyung lay in the bed. Hankyung noticed Eun Ji’s presence just before the curtain was closed.
Eun Ji’s heart beat faster. She started to walk out of ICU when her phone rang. She took her phone and there’s a message from Hankyung. She bit her lips and opened the message.
Eun Ji-ah!!! What are you doing here??? How do you know I’m here???
Obviously Hankyung didn’t expect to see Eun Ji, not in his current condition. Eun Ji typed a message to Hankyung.
I visited my friend earlier. When I’m waiting for a cab, I heard some girls said that they saw you and Siwon-sshi in ICU. I went to ICU to check and you were there.
At least half part of the message was true. Eun Ji did hear some girls in the lobby said that when she arrived. She sat in front of ICU room, waiting for the reply. Her phone rang again. Hankyung’s message.
I’m very tired but we have schedule in the next 2 hours. That’s why I’m here with Siwon.
She choked when she read his message. She felt her eyes a bit watery. She typed a reply again.
Remember that I love you, Oppa. Please hold on there. Everything will be okay.
She waited reply from Hankyung, but there’s no reply. Eun Ji prayed silently for Hankyung and also Siwon. One hour later, her phone rang. There’s a message from Hankyung.
We’re going back to the car. Our car waiting in front of ICU room, where ambulance drop the patient. I want to see you.
Eun Ji immediately ran to the place Hankyung meant. Eun Ji headed to the lobby. She bumped several people along the way. She bowed and apologized few times until she arrived outside of ICU room. She stood few meters from the door. Instead of an ambulance, big van waited there. Five minutes later, she saw Siwon climbed to the car. From her spot, Eun Ji could tell that Siwon didn’t feel good. Then she saw Hankyung.
Before he entered the car, Hankyung dropped his phone. While his manager pick up his phone, Hankyung saw Eun Ji. He smiled a little and climbed to the car. That’s enough for Eun Ji. She turned around to the lobby and wait for a cab to go back home.
In the car, Eun Ji’s phone rang again. She opened a message from Hankyung. His message was very short.
Thank you.
***
It was Golden Disk Award. Super Junior gave an excellent performance. They also won the award. Every member cheered when they heard the name, including Hankyung. Eun Ji watched the scene. She saw Leeteuk received the diploma, Hankyung received the trophy and Heechul received the medal. Leeteuk gave an emotional speech, mentioned the two members who couldn’t join them that night.
Eun Ji should be happy for Hankyung. But somehow, she felt something was not right. She noticed how pale his face. How tired he looked. The way he held the trophy with unreadable expression in his face. She couldn’t tell why she had this strange feeling, but sooner or later she will find out why.
***
Hankyung was in Taiwan with Super Junior M. They attended an award ceremony they were nominated. Hankyung looked outside of the window. He sighed, turned his gaze to his members. Each and every one of them looked tired. Donghae and Henry fell asleep. Ryeowook’s shoulder became their pillow. Kyuhyun still played with his PSP, while Zhou Mi tried to tell him to rest. Siwon, he wasn’t sleep but he closed his eyes.
Hankyung’s phone buzzed. One message.
Everything is ready.
Hankyung sighed and typed the reply. He pressed the SEND button and put his phone back to his pocket. He blinked and took out his phone again. He looked at his wallpaper, Eun Ji’s picture smiled back at him. He decided to send a message to her.
Eun Ji-ah. Thank you for everything. If tomorrow you hate me because of what I did, I’ll understand.
Back in Seoul, Eun Ji sat silently in the couch. She clutched her phone and started to cry.