The hospital room's sterile scent wafted through the air, mingling with the sweet aroma of fresh flowers on Bora's bedside table. She gazed out the window, mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of colors painting the evening sky. Soft pinks, fiery oranges, and deep purples swirled together, a breathtaking sunset that seemed to pulse with life.
"Bora, dear, come back to bed, you need to rest," her mother, Lee Ahn, urged, concern etched on her face. "You shouldn't exert yourself."
Bora nodded, her eyes still fixed on the sky. "Just a minute, Mother. I want to watch the sunset."
Lee Ahn smiled, her eyes understanding. "Just for a minute, then."
As they watched, the colors deepened, casting a warm glow over the hospital room. Suddenly, the sound of rushing footsteps and urgent voices broke the tranquility.
"What's happening?" Bora asked, her curiosity piqued.
Lee Ahn's grip on her hand tightened. "It seems someone's being rushed to the operating room."
A hospital bed whizzed past Bora's room, surrounded by a team of medical professionals, screaming and bellowing. Bora's heart raced as she caught a glimpse of the patient's pale face, blood had made a wafted over his skin like a gentle breeze.
"Let's hope they can save him," Lee Ahn whispered, her voice laced with worry.
Bora nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. The hospital, once a place of healing, now seemed fragile, a delicate thread separating life from death.
Later that evening, as the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Bora's Father, Lee Hyun, arrived, his face filled with a bright smile.
"Hey, kiddo! How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice warm.
"I'm okay, Father," Bora replied, trying to sound cheerful.
Jeong Mi's phone rang out, disrupting the silence, and his expression turned serious. "Mmm (okay), I'll be there soon." He turned to Bora and sighed, "I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer, but I have an urgent meeting at the office."
Bora nodded, feeling a pang of disappointment. Her mother, sensing her distress, enveloped her in a warm embrace.
"I'm here for you, Bora. We'll get through this together," Lee Ahn whispered, her voice soothing.
Bora felt a surge of gratitude towards her Mother, but her emotions were short-lived. A remark about her father's absence sparked a disagreement, and Lee Ahn's expression turned stern.
"Bora, remember your promise? You agreed to do everything I say from now on," she reminded her daughter, her voice firm but gentle.
Bora nodded, feeling a mix of guilt and frustration. "I know, Mother. I just wish Father could be here more often."
Lee Ahn's expression softened. "I know, dear. But your Father has responsibilities. We'll get through this together, all of us."
As the night wore on, the hospital's corridors grew quieter, the only sound being the soft sobs of the patient's family members, who had received the devastating news of their loved one's demise.
The fragile threads of life had snapped, leaving behind a trail of sorrow and regret. Bora felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized how fleeting life could be.
As the soft sobs of the patient's family members faded into the distance, Lee Ahn's gaze turned to Bora, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and concern.
"Bora, dear, I want to talk to you about something," Lee Ahn said, her voice gentle but firm.
Bora looked up from her book, sensing the seriousness in her mother's tone.
"What is it, Mother?" Bora asked, her voice cautious.
Lee Ahn took a deep breath before speaking. "That patient who was just rushed to the operating room...he didn't make it. The family is devastated."
Bora's eyes widened, a pang of sorrow hitting her chest, "I know, Mother. I saw them rushing past my room," Bora replied, her voice soft.
Lee Ahn's expression turned stern, her eyes boring into Bora's. "That could have been you, Bora. That could have been me and your Father, sitting in that waiting room, praying for a miracle that never came."
Bora felt a shiver run down her spine as her mother's words hit home.
"But it wasn't me, Mother. I'm fine," Bora protested, trying to reassure her.
Lee Ahn's grip on Bora's hand tightened. "That's exactly my point, Bora. You're not fine. You're still recovering, and you need to take care of yourself. If something had happened to you...I don't know what I would do."
Bora saw the fear in her mother's eyes, the what-ifs that haunted her.
"Mother, I'm sorry. I promise to be more careful," Bora whispered, feeling a surge of guilt.
Lee Ahn's expression softened, her eyes welling up with tears. "I just can't lose you, Bora. You're all I have. Your Father may be busy with work, but as long as I'm around, I'm here for you, always. Feel free to talk to me about anything."
Even if Lee Ahn knew that Bora might never see her as confident as much as she sees her Father, she still wanted to hear Bora's reply. Even if she knew it was going to be a lie.
"I know Mother. I appreciate it, but I'm feeling alright, it was just an accident," Bora replied nonchalantly.
Lee Ahn's gaze intensified. "Bora, I know you think you're invincible, that nothing can happen to you. But life is fragile, and we never know what's around the corner. That's why I want you to promise me you'll take care of yourself, no matter what."
Bora nodded, feeling a lump form in her throat. "I promise, Mother. I'll be more careful, I swear."
Lee Ahn's eyes searched Bora's face, ensuring she understood the gravity of the situation. "I mean it, Bora. No more taking risks, no more pushing yourself too hard. You need to prioritize yourself more, your well-being should be above all else."
Bora nodded again, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. "I will, Mother. I promise."
As they hugged, the hospital room faded into the background, leaving only the two of them, wrapped in a warm embrace, their hearts beating as one. In that moment, Bora knew she had to cherish every second, every breath, and every moment with her loved ones.
Bora, feeling a sense of relief wash over her after their emotional conversation, tried to lighten the mood.
"Hey, Mother, don't worry so much. I'm not going to die anytime soon. Come on, Mom, I'm not exactly ancient,' Bora said, rolling her eyes and trying to lighten the mood."
Lee Ahn's expression turned stern, her eyes narrowing. "Bora, this is not a joke. Your life is not a game. You need to take your health seriously."
Bora rolled her eyes, feeling a sense of frustration. "I know, Mother. You've told me a million times. But come on, I'm fine. I just need to rest and recover. Like I said, I'm still young"
Lee Ahn's voice rose, her words laced with anger. "Fine? Bora! You're still recovering from a serious accident, and you're already making jokes about it. What if something had happened to you? What if the worst had happened?"
Bora shrugged, trying to downplay the situation. "Then I guess I would have been a martyr or something."
Lee Ahn's face turned red with anger, her eyes flashing. "How dare you, Bora! Do you think this is funny? Do you think your life is a joke? You're still young? Sonya, Min Su...." Lee Ahn sniffled, her voice breaking, as she tried to control her tears, "They, they... They were young too you know?"
Bora realized too late that she had gone too far. Her mother's expression was furious, her body tense.
"I'm sorry, Mother. I didn't mean it like that," Bora tried to apologize, but Lee Ahn was having none of it.
"No, Bora. You never mean it. You never think about anyone but yourself. Well, let me tell you something. I've had enough of your lackadaisical attitude, you never think of me.. you're going for therapy right after you are released from the hospital"
Bora's eyes widened in shock. "What? Mother, no!"
Lee Ahn's eyes flashed with anger as she stood up, her bag slung over her shoulder. "I'm not asking for your permission Hyun Bora, you're going to therapy, Bora, and you're going to listen to what the doctor says. No more excuses, no more pushing yourself too hard. Do you understand me?'"
With that, Lee Ahn turned and walked out of the hospital room, leaving Bora feeling shocked, scared, and alone.
Bora's eyes swelled up with tears as she begged her mother to stay. "Mother, please don't be annoyed. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I was just joking."
But Lee Ahn was resolute, her anger and frustration evident in her stride as she walked out of the room.
As the weight of her words settled in, Bora's regret deepened, suffocated by the silence of the hospital room, where the only sound was the soft hum of the machines.
As night fell, Bora gazed out the window, the city lights twinkling like diamonds against the dark canvas of the sky. The moon, a silver crescent, hung low on the horizon, casting a gentle glow over the world.
As she stared out into the night, a shooting star streaked across the sky, its trail blazing like a fiery finger. Bora's heart skipped a beat as she made a wish, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Please, I crave happiness... Help me find it."
The star vanished into the darkness, leaving behind a lingering sense of hope. Bora smiled a small, tentative smile, feeling a sense of peace settle over her.
As she gazed out into the night, she knew that she had a long way to go, but with her mother's love and guidance, she could learn to cherish the fragile threads of life.
In that moment, she knew she had to cherish every second, every breath, and every moment with her loved ones. Little did she know, her life was about to take a dramatic turn, one that would test the strength of those fragile threads.