Returning from his lonely battle by the bushes, Joonah was leaning heavily on Songchul, his breathing shallow and his face gray. Senghi gently helped him to lay down in the trunk space, while Songchul got behind the wheel. As they left for the hospital, Senghi slowly exhaled, trying to stay calm, as she attempted to wipe Joonah's wet face and hair with a make-up towel from Hana's bag.
"If you need to be sick again, let me know, I have plastic bags. Do you feel up to changing into a dry sweater?"
Senghi looked at his clothes, they were soaked in rain and his sweater stained with vomit.
Joonah replied with a weak nod, shivering from the cold.
"Yeah, I need to change. Can you pass me the sweater?"
He tried to sit up, but the movement made him queasy all over again. Putting a hand over his mouth, he fought to hold back another wave of nausea.
Senghi quickly handed him a plastic bag and forced herself not to look away, her head spinning. The convulsions that rippled through Joonah's body looked so terribly painful, they cut through her as if she felt them herself. In a spontaneous act of compassion, she reached out and gently touched the back of his neck, her voice soft as she spoke.
"Gosh, Joonah... you poor thing. Breathe."
As the vomiting finally stopped, Joonah let out a weak sob, trying to focus on the comforting feeling of Senghi's fingers grazing his neck.
She couldn't help but notice the defeated expression on his face, or the tears that started to prickle the corners of his eyes. She tied the plastic bag before discarding it on the floor, then turned to him, her face calm and her voice gentle.
"Please, Joonah... don't cry. You did good today. Here, let me help you so you don't get dizzy again."
Joonah nodded and took another deep breath, trying to compose himself. He leaned forward and let her help him take the wet sweater off. As cold air hit his skin, he couldn't help but shiver, feeling vulnerable and exposed.
Senghi silently pulled the dry sweater over his head, listening to his small sigh of relief as the soft fabric enveloped him and brought some much-needed wamth.
In a natural movement that neither one of them reflected over, Joonah leaned into Senghi's arms. She pulled the blanket over his shivering body while holding him steadily, focusing on providing warmth and comfort.
Joonah buried his face against her shoulder, feeling the bitter tears of failure welling up in his eyes. He tried to hold back, but the dam had already broken. Senghi could feel his body heaving with each sob as he leaned heavier against her.
"I'm so sorry, Joonah", Senghi whispered into his hair, feeling his dispair and fatigue through the soft sobs. "You've worked so hard today..."
Joonah clang onto her as if his life depended on it, desperately seeking comfort.
"I just... I don't know what I was thinking. I feel so stupid. I ruined everything."
Senghi stayed quiet for a moment, letting him cry while browsing her mind for the right words to calm him down.
"You didn't ruin anything, you just got sick", she finally said, her voice low and soft. "It happens to us all." She gently lowered him down on her lap, sliding the first aid pillow under his head.
"Are you comfortable like this, Joonah?"
He nodded, snuggling into her lap while feeling a strange sense of comfort and safety. Senghi's presence was warm and soothing, like a safe haven in this nightmare of a day. Calmed by the feeling of her fingers gently grazing his hair, he closed his eyes and let the motion of the car lull him into a light doze.
Much later, when Songchul finally pulled up at the parking lot of a small local hospitaI, Joonah stirred slightly, groggy and disoriented. He blinked his eyes open and took in his surroundings, slowly realizing that his head still was resting on Senghi's lap.
He looked up at her, feeling embarrassed and a little disoriented.
"Sorry... I must have dozed off."
"I'm glad you did, you needed the rest", Senghi replied, giving him an almost shy smile. "Songchul-ssi went to get the hospital staff."
Joonah nodded, relieved that he wouldn't have to walk. Even lying down like this, his body felt incredibly weak and wobbly. He let out a sigh and closed his eyes again.
"Thanks for taking care of me... it's not your job, but you did it anyway."
Senghi scoffed slightly, shifting under his weight.
"It IS my job to take care of you and make sure you're ok. I'm your manager. Stop talking nonsense."
Joonah chuckled weakly, knowing that she was right. But there was something in the way she had taken on the challenge, something that went beyond mere professionalism.
"That's true... sorry, I guess I don't make much sense right now."
Senghi bit her lower lip, suddenly feeling embarrassed. Did she do too much? If so, why? Why did she feel so strongly about comforting Joonah, soothing him...? She pulled her hand away from his hair, suddenly feeling like she had no place touching the damp, soft strands.
Shortly after, the trunk opened. Songchul and two male hospital nurses, holding a stretcher between them, eyed them curiously.
"Hello, Goodwin-ssi. I'm nurse Park Sedong. My daughter is a big fan of yours, so I'll make sure you get into the ER safe and sound", one of the nurses said, his voice slightly amused.
The other nurse nodded towards Senghi and Songchul .
"Hello, I'm nurse Lee Bo-hyun. Can the two of you help him get on the stretcher and wrap him into the emergency blanket? He looks a bit cold there."
Joonah attempted to sit up, but his limbs felt like they were made of lead. A groan escaped him as he sunk back down into Senghi's lap.
With united efforts, Senghi and Songchul managed to get Joonah onto the stretcher, then wrapped the shiny emergency blanket around his shaking limbs.
Senghi turned to nurse Park, the older one of the two nurses.
"Will he be OK?"
Park gave Joonah a quick assessment and patted his shoulder lightly.
"Yes, he'll be ok. We'll run some tests, and medicate for the nausea and to stabilize his electrolyte levels. Are both of you coming along?"
Both Senghi and Songchul nodded.
"Are there any VIP rooms available?" Senghi asked as they approached the ER intake. "His agency will decapitate me if I allow him being foodpoisened in public."
Nurse Park chuckled.
"Of course. There's one on the top floor that's usually available. He will be secluded and comfortable."
Songchul suddenly gave a little laughter, lifting his camera and focused in on the miserable scene.
"Sorry guys, but this is actually comedy gold. You should be proud of yourself for making such sacrifices to be funny on the show, Goodwin-ya."
Joonah slowly shook his head. He realized the absurdity of the situation, but was feeling far too unwell to find it hilarious.
"Laugh all you want", he said weakly, his voice hoarse and raspy. "I'm going to kick your ass once I feel better."
"Don't worry, Goodwin-ssi, you'll feel better in no time", nurse Park chuckled. "I know you must feel uneasy in your condition, but at this point, it's important to let the body cleanse itself and to not regulate the symptoms too much. To begin with, we'll give you an IV that will restore your fluids."
After proceeding to the private examine room, the two nurses gently assisted Joonah to sit up.
"OK, first thing's first", nurse Park said, eyeing Joonah's pale face closely. "Do you need to go to the bathroom? This is no time for holding back."
Joonah simply gave nurse Park a defeated glance in reply. Senghi picked up on the situation and grabbed Songchul's arm, starting to drag him with her out of the room.
"Joonah, me and Songchul will wait outside for a while."
Joonah gave a small nod, feeling a bit embarrassed as the nurses supported him to get out of the bed.
"Yeah, you do that..."
He suddenly froze, a wave of irrational panic rising within him.
"Wait - you'll be right outside, right?"
Senghi felt a strange flutter in her chest as her and Joonah's gazes met. He was obviously in deep distress, but the way they connected in a moment of mutual understanding, made her feel... something.
"Of course we will", she replied, her voice firm. "Just let us know when you feel a bit better, and we'll come back in."
Joonah's shoulders sagged in relief.
"Okay. Thank you."
Senghi and Songchul sunk down on a bench in the hallway, checking their phones for the first time in a while.
"Aish, PD Han wants me to come to Boeun and join the crew for tonight's filming. We need to return the rental car, too." Songchul rubbed his neck, seemingly uneasy about having to leave his close friend and colleauge behind in such a state. "You'll stay with Goodwin and make sure he gets home tomorrow, right? I know he seems like this tough guy and all, but he's really kind of sensitive."
Senghi nodded, her back straighening a little.
"No problem."
After Songchul left, Senghi leaned back against the wall, her mind scattered. She felt weak from stress and fatigue, her legs suddenly trembling.
A sound from the examine room made her peek in through the crack between the door and doorframe, and she saw Joonah coming out of the restroom, supported by nurse Park. He looked pale and miserable, but as he lifted his head and their eyes connected, he smiled weakly and gave Senghi a little wave.
She tentatively waved back and got up from the bench, walking into the room just as nurse Park hooked Joonah up to an IV. After drying Joonah's wrist off, he bowed his head slightly at them both and quietly left them alone in the room.
"Hey, you", Senghi said softly. "How are you feeling now? Songchul had to leave for Boeun."
Joonah nodded.
"My head's spinning and my stomach still feels weird, but I think I'll live."
Senghi could tell he was trying to keep the tone light, but his eyes betrayed him. He looked scared and confused.
"You're staying, right?" He suddenly blurted out.
"I'm your manager. Where else would I be? I'll make sure you get home safe and sound tomorrow, too. I texted the agency and they will sort out the transportation." Senghi smiled, hoping she sounded reassuring enough.
Joonah sank a little deeper into the pillow, a look of slight relief on his face.
"Thank you. I'm glad you're staying."
He shifted a little on the bed.
"Hey, uh... Can I ask you something?"
Sengh slowly sunk down in the chair next to his bed, noticing the hint of plead in his eyes. S
"Of course. What is it?"
Joonah fidgeted a little. He knew the question he was about to ask could come across as weird, but his need for reassurance still got the better of him.
"Can you stay by my side? Like... overnight?"