I waited patiently as the girl was getting treated. What could she possibly have been doing there, what did she own them, who were those men, what did they want from her. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't notice the doctor coming.
"Kim Aera," The doctor announced.
When no one replied he announced again. That name is familiar too, I glanced around to see why no one was responding.... Oh.... That's me, I stood up raising my hand slightly.
"It's me" I said standing up.
"You're....." He spoke trying to guess my relation with the patient.
"Her friend" I say, clasping my hands together.
"Okay. Well... The patient is not in critical condition anymore, I've prescribed the medication she needs to take and also.. she needs to be under care 24/7" he said handing me a prescription.
"Can I meet her now"
"You may, but please avoid any sort of loud noises"
I nodded before excusing myself to her room. As I entered I saw her laying on the bed. Machines were attached to her making soft beeping sounds.
"How are you feeling now?" I asked her.
"Much better"
I pulled up a chair sitting beside the bed where she laid.
"What were you doing there?" I asked with a hint of anger in my voice that I found hard to push down.
"Huh?"
"I asked a simple question Ye-Jin, what were you doing in the alley"
"I- I"
She stuttered looking scared as if someone was threatening her not to speak.
"You know you can trust me right? There's no other person in this room, it's only me and you" I spoke, pushing the agitated edge of my voice down.
"Ofcourse I know, you're my best friend" she finally spoke, sipping water as if her throat was dry.
"Then tell me what were you doing there cause I clearly remember you never went on that route nor have you ever used that route"
"I- Yea.... But i may have used that route"
"For what purpose Ye-Jin, you live miles away, and-" I was getting irritated by that extra talk now.
"I know but…"
"Speak up before I do something I'll regret" "Okay, okay, calm down…. That.. Uh…. Do you remember I once told you I was being bullied, but I never told you about the boys"
I nodded in slight response.
"Well those were the two boys who bullied me. I was just walking home from college when I got a message from my mom saying she wants me at the convenience store, you know the one that is near that alley.. "
"Mhm".. boys? I thought those were men.
"I went to the store only to find she wasn't there. Then I called my mom and she told me she never went to the store"
She took a deep breath, fidgeting with her blanket that surrounded her hospital attire before continuing.
"Thinking someone might have hacked my phone and probably sent me the message, I started going back. The alley comes in between, just when I reached the alley someone pulled me inside"
"You could've told me earlier that the bullying was serious, the way you always loosened me up I thought it was just some boys irritating you"
"I'm sorry, I just didn't want to tense you up, or worry you, cause not gonna lie but you break bones"
A tiny chuckle broke through me before I was abruptly cut short when someone came into the room without even knocking. Tch, talk about having some manners. Oops! Spoke too early, it's Mrs. Song, Ye-Jin's mother.
"Ye Jin-ah my love what happened!?"she rushed in clasping a hand over her mouth in extreme exaggeration.
"Honey look at her soft hands, they look so damaged" she continued.
"Aww My sugar plum fairy, you must've gotten hurt" and… she continued.
I wouldn't be lying if I say I wasn't feeling disgusted, this was too much for my skull to take in, my organs were churning just from her voice, She went on and on about her sweet sugar plum fairy. I was having problems getting myself together and I was damn sure my face expressed it all, get yourself together Aera we have to respect our elders, even those who are cloyed.
"She's absolutely exhausting with all that drama." I mumbled to myself. Mentally slapping myself afterwards.
"Did you say something sweetheart"
"Not that name again, I whine internally, no Mrs. Song"
"Umm so I should take my leave then, I'll come visit you someday Ye Jin-ah, oh sorry, sugar plum fairy" I spoke looking at my sick friend and murmuring the last part grinning slightly so only she could hear.
"Yea sure see you around at college tomorrow" she said rolling her eyes.
With that I made my exit from there. I walked out the hospital gate finally breathing some fresh air. I placed my hand in my jeans pockets, taking out my mobile that was beeping indicating a message, or maybe several.... looking down at my phone I had gotten several messages from my brothers asking where I was. Sighing, I put my phone on silent and placed it back in my pocket before walking.
I had just taken a step forward and I had successfully bumped into someone.... My life is the best.. Couldn't be better.
"I'm sorry" we both apologized at the same time.
In a split second that I had before he walked away, I took a brief note at that person. He was probably 3-4 years older than me and damn was he handsome. His hair were black in color with silver highlights, they were messy and at the same time combed, it was like a mixture of them, they were similar to mine. Being the month of February he was wearing a black hoodie with black jeans, and from my analysis he clearly looked from a rich family.
"It wasn't your fault I wasn't paying attention" he spoke, but I didn't miss the slightly amused tone he had in his voice.
"No, no, I wasn't paying attention either, was just too lost in my mobile"
"Happens sometimes, anyway I'm kinda in a hurry see you around"
"Sure"
With that we both headed to our own paths. I was already hoping we meet again.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _🦋
"Where the heck were you, do you have any idea how worried I g-, I mean we all got" Suho snapped at me. Not even giving me a chance to explain myself.
"I was just at the hospital"
"Hospital? What were you doing at the hospital!?" Seojin questioned me.
"Helped my friend from two thugs in a dark alley and took her to the hosp-"
"You fought two thugs!?" Seojin asked in disbelief.
"Yea what's the big dea-"
"You mean like two actual men and YOU fought them alone!, like fu-"
"Can't you let me finish first!" I was the one cutting his sentence, my voice was raising, taking a familiar edge to what he had.
"Let's sit down and talk," Suho suddenly said, rolling up his sleeves.
After I told them the whole thing that happened they both just stared at me, Seojin was eyeing me in disbelief and Suho started laughing. I knew they didn't believe a word that came out of my mouth.
"You sent them flying across in the dumpster," Suho chuckled.
"Yea I di-"
They both erupted into laughter before letting me finish, and yet again I was left waiting for them to get serious again. I stare at them with a stoic face.
"You're not joking" Seojin said, fixing his appearance looking at my stoic expression.
"Do I look like I am"
"Well then what are you, super women?, that sounded just like it would in a movie, sent them flying across the dumpster.. " Suho joked.
"Aera, we need a real story" Seojin joined in.
"I am telling you the truth"
They both looked at each other before staring at me again.
"Fine, I'll believe you if you win against me" Suho said.
"And what will I get if I win"
"Nothing" he said, getting up.
"Fine then I won't fight"
"Fineeee I'll take you out to eat"
"Now that's what I'm talking about"
We both stood in the middle of the living room away from all the appliances. We looked each other straight in the eye, not moving a single muscle.
"Where will you send me flying, let me guess the couch?" Suho grinned.
"How about out the window." I spoke, my eyes narrowing with slight anger.
I launched a punch at him which he swiftly dodged. He then launched at me but his powerful kicks and punches were met by my swift blocks and counterattack. Only one of them landed straight to my gut, I recovered quickly feeling fire rise in me. The room echoed with the sound of our clashing skills.
I wouldn't let my years of training waste here. It's not like my brother's didn't have any but let's just say I had a couple years more than them, or maybe the matter was something else.
We both stopped again, painting hard looking each other in the eye. Suho, taking advantage of this situation, suddenly went down and slipped his leg through mine, causing me to fall hard on my butt. He then picked me up from my waist and made a samoan drop.
Damn! I felt like I broke all my bones. He then picked me up again, ready to make another drop... Hell nah.. I can't break any more of my bones, so I quickly turned my waist upwards, wrapping my legs around his neck and twisting them. We both ended up on the floor, resulting in him being down and me on top of him.
"That was a good one"
He remarked before getting up, but I am not going to let him win, as soon as he was on his feet I launched a flying round-house kick at him, sending him flying to the couch.
"Owww" Suho groaned, as he barely managed to pull himself to the seat, he glared at me through the pain in his eyes.
I took several deep breaths to control my breathing. I looked over at my elder brother, who was clearly in shock.
"She wasn't lying. I believe it" Seojin raised his hands in defeat.
"We're going out to eat" I said while dancing around.
"A little help here" he said grumbling.
"Oh sorry, it wasn't supposed to be that hard"
"I think I broke a rib or two," Suho said in pain.
"You're going to be fine" I rolled my eyes.