SOOJIN'S POV
The thing about secrets, is that the more you keep them to your self the more they weigh down on you...and the more you spend alot of time not revealing them to the people you need too then the more affected they will be when they finally find out.
" You will be receiving an IV drip every three days a week...and then make sure you take the tablets every day..the time and prescription has been allocated so make sure you don't mix up the medicines.." Dr Park said..." which three days will you be available?" He asked..." can we go from Friday to Sunday..that's when Iam less busy.." I replied..." okay then...." He replied as I looked around his office.." Haven't you told any of your family members...about your condition?" He asked..." No not yet..Iam still looking for the right time.." I replied.."The right time never comes when it comes to such things...you need to alert them sooner...and you can't go through this on your own....you need a support system..if you worried about telling your family right now then tell a friend...I've seen patients slip Into depression for having to go through this alone.." he explained..." Don't worry about me..Iam stronger than I look.." I said.." Even the strongest people crumble when the weight gets too much for them to bare..." He said as I quietly listened.
" Where are you?" Mr song asked as I made my way to the drive way.." I told you I had some where to go in the morning.." I replied to him.." Well you should hurry and come to the office...you need to sign the variety show contract.." he replied.." Right...I should call Minho and remind him.." I said as he stopped me.." I've already called him..he's on his way so make sure you come soon as well.." he replied.." Called him? How did you get his number?" I asked.." That's non of your business just make sure you get here soon.." he said as he hung up.
As I quickly rushed to the office, I nearly tripped..." Be careful!" A voice yelled as I turned and saw Minho.." Why are you in such a rush?" He asked.." I didn't even realise how fast I was walking.." I replied.." Well let's go.." I added as we walked into the building together.
When we arrived, Mr song read through the rules and clauses and made sure we understood perfectly and then told us to sign which we both did..." well that's done..Ill mail the contracts to the variety show director.....and then schedule a day for you to film the episode.." Mr song said....." That will be all...thank you for your time.." he said as he shook hands with Minho..." You welcome.." Minho replied.." If that's all then I'll head back to work.." Minho added.." I'll see you out.." I said as I stood up.." The both of you need to be careful when hanging out from now onwards...I don't think we have any more variety show productions to use as excuses.." he said as I chuckled softly.." Don't worry...Mr song.." I said as I playfully tapped his shoulder and headed out with Minho.
" You don't have to walk me to the entrance...I'll take the elevator from here.." Minho said.." You sure?" I asked.." Iam..you should get back to work as well...I'll call you later.." he said as he entered the elevator.." bye.." he mouthed as he waved.
As I turned to go back, I received a call from my father..." Hello!" I said.." Hey Soojin!" He replied.." Are you back in Han city?" He asked.." Iam..what's wrong?" I asked.." I wanted to invite you for dinner at our house tomorrow...Aunt Miao will be cooking.." he said.." I can't..Iam busy tomorrow.." I replied trying to brush him off.." Can you please come..we need to complete our conversation from last time..and Aunt Miao is already preparing to cook all your favourite dishes...it will be disappointing for her if you didn't show up..so please come." He said as he hung up before I could even reply...
" That was wierd..." I said to my self...forget inviting me for dinner..I know Miao( my dad's wife ) well and she would never cook meals for me..does she even know my favourites...what are they planning to do..?
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The next day I went for the dinner..not because I liked but because I was curious about what they were planning..." Soojin!" My dad said as I handed him the bottle of wine.." Is that soojin?" Miao said as she came and smiled at me..that alone was really wierd as well..I remember her being grumpy all the time I spent here after my dad bought me back from Xiying..." Come on in.." they both said as they led me to the sitting room.." You should have some rest here..I'll set the table." Miao said as she left...I looked around the house and not much has changed..." How was your granny? You went to see her as few weeks before right?" He asked.." She's okay..." I replied.." Oh you had something to tell me the last time but I was busy...can we talk about it now?" He continued to ask.." It's okay...I already got it resolved.." I replied as we both sat back in silence....
My dad and I have never been close..so we barely have any conversations between us...
In a while, the table was set and we were called to have dinner...." Here you go.." dad said as he pulled out a chair next to him..." Isn't Kang ha around today?" I asked...Kang ha was my step brother..." No he had something to do with his friends...he will be staying over.." Miao replied as she placed Infront of me a bowl of Rice.." Go on start eating.." they said as I took a bite...." How is it?" She asked..." it's tasty.." I replied as I continued to eat.
The both of them were even wireder at the table..the way they both picking out side dishes for me to eat..the way they all seemed interested in my life and work and even more.
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" I'll bring out the desert..." Miao said as she left....it wasn't long before dad followed her too.." What are they up too?" I asked my self but also didn't care so I just sat back...as I waited for them to return, my dad's phone rung and I stood up to take it for him and that's when I heard the both of them taking.
As I overheard my dad and Miao talking, my heart raced with anxiety. "When are you going to tell her?" Miao's words echoed in my mind. Dad's response only fueled my unease, "Give me a little time... I'm building a conversation, we can't just directly ask her for money...you know her temper she will just get angry stand up and go...these things take time..." he replied The tension in the air was suffocating. I could feel my anger rising as they discussed me..." I woke up early to prepare all these meals...my back is aching.." Miao added.." I know Iam sorry...I'll get to the point this time.." my dad promised as I quickly ran back to my seat and acted like nothing happened.
When my dad finally approached me, his fake smile made me sick. I couldn't hold back my frustration. Miao's attempt to distract me with dessert only added to my irritation. "Just say what you want to say," I snapped, unable to contain my emotions any longer...." What are you talking about..?" My dad asked as I stood up and scoffed.." Don't you need money..ask for it directly..you don't have to go through this charade..." I replied.." What are you talking about soojin..?" They continued to play dumb.." So it isn't money that you want..then I guess let's wrap up this dinner...I have work tomorrow.." I replied as I turned to leave when my dad grabbed my arm..." My business is facing some hard times...I took out a loan and it's now over due and they are threatening to seize the house...I can't let them do that to us..." He said as I took a deep sigh before turning to him.." And?" I asked..." In what position do I help you...?" I asked angrily..." You have never been family to me....even when you first bought me all the way to Xiying to here...it wasn't because you cared and wanted to make up for the time you weren't around..it was because my mom said that I could access my account and her savings for me if I reached 20...that's the only reason why you bought me here.....have you ever really cared about me...as your daughter maybe...have you ever been there and worried about me..even when I got fed up and ran away from home..back then did you care to look for me..did you care how I was surviving... Dad! " I yelled with tears welling in my eyes...." I don't care about how Miao treats me..she's insignificant....but you..." I said..." You are heartless and inconsiderate and for some reason I keep hoping that you finally understand...that last time I called to talk to you...did you care to find out exactly what I needed to say...you were so destructed by your other child's birthday party that you couldn't tell that your child was sitting right In front Of you seeking for comfort...even if it was just words...do you have any idea what Iam going through...that Iam scared leaving in fear because I have a time bomb right here in my head that is going to go off at any time..."I asked as tears rolled down my cheeks...." Look Soojin I know you angry but we could be homeless soon..are you going to help us or not?" Miao asked shamelessly and that was mt last straw...I looked back at my dad who didn't even stop her...." Wow...the two of you really do suit eachother...one is shameless and another is ignorant....hope you have a fun life together..." I concluded as I turned to leave..." Iam going to ask my manager to wire some money for you...I hope with that Iam able to buy my way out of this family..don't contact me again.." I said...my words filled with resentment and hurt....as I walked out of the door...my eye sight started to feel foggy and before I could out two on two together....I blacked out.
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I woke up groggily, my head pounding as I slowly opened my eyes. The sterile smell of the hospital room hit me, and I realized I was lying in a hospital bed. Panic set in as I frantically searched for my phone. As I unlocked it, I saw numerous missed calls from Minho. With trembling hands, I dialed his number, and he answered quickly, his voice filled with worry.
"Hey! Soojin, are you okay?" Minho's voice was laced with concern. He explained how he called earlier, only for a stranger to pick up and inform him about my fainting spell. Tears threatened to spill as the memory of the argument with my dad flooded back, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
"Minho," I managed to utter, my voice shaky. "Can we meet and talk?" The desperation in my voice was evident. Minho agreed, asking for my location. "The hospital...Han city hospital," I replied softly, relief washing over me as he promised to come as soon as possible.
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MINHO'S POV
After soojins call I quickly rushed to the hospital...I texted her to ask where she was and she told me that she was at the rooftop..where I quickly went to find her.....
I walked in on her seated....and lost in thought..." Aren't you supposed to be resting..?" I asked as she turned and faintly smiled at me.." How did you get here so fast?" She asked.." You called so I had to rush here at lightening speed..." I replied as I slowly sat down besides her and took off my jacket..." why are you wearing so light when it's this chilly?" I asked as I placed it on her...." The stars are really beautiful today..." She said as I looked back at her...and realised that she seemed to have alot on her mind...she also kept fidgeting with her fingers.. something she only does when she's stressed out or nervous..." Are you okay?" I asked....." I want to be....I want to be okay but Iam not.....it feels like I swallowed a lump and it's not leaving my throat....like no matter how much water I take it just isn't sliding down my throat....it hurts so much..." She replied in a shaky voice..." I thought that I would be able to do this on my own but I don't think I can...." She added as I quietly listened...." Remember when you told me that when you keep a secret on your own for long then it weighs down on you....well it hasn't been that long for me but I already feel tired..." She added..." That's why I called you here....I think it's time I tell someone and maybe then the burden will lighten up a bit...I just hope it doesn't make me seem selfish...." She added..." You can tell me everything Soojin..if the burden is alot for you then Iam okay with helping you take on part of it....consider me your diary...tell me your secrets and your pains....what's really wrong?" I asked anxiously...." Iam sick Minho..." She said in a shaky voice..." Sick?" I asked...
"I have temporalis swellum, a swelling in my brain..." she explained her words hit me like a ton of bricks, and a lump formed in my throat. "What are you talking about, Soojin?" I managed to ask, my voice trembling with nervousness. Her revelation left me reeling, torn between pain and shock, as she continued to explain the situation she had been facing for weeks...
"Soojin!" I called out to her, my voice barely above a whisper, trying to process the gravity of her words. The mention of surgery with such slim odds of survival sent shivers down my spine..." That's my big secret Minho..." She concluded as she turned to face me...her vulnerability piercing my heart... "I'm really scared, Minho... I'm so scared," she confessed, breaking down in tears.
I held her close in a tight embrace, trying to provide whatever comfort I could amidst the overwhelming news. Her fear and pain were palpable, and in that moment, all that mattered was being there for her, holding her through this unimaginable ordeal. The weight of her words settled heavily on my shoulders, and all I could do was offer her solace and support in this daunting time.