*In the hospital room*
Date :- 4 December 2023
I am Kang ji won , a patient of last stage cancer. my so - called In- laws did'nt even cared visiting me in the hospital not even my husband. It's just my best friend jeong soo - min who visited me and took care of me.
Leaves falling off from the tree. Cold Breeze felt strangely comforting. A flower floating in the wind fell inside my room , before I could pick it up ... my best friend came.
"Cold wind isn't good for you"
She shuts the window and came near me cupping my cheeks softly "You know ji won , you are still as pretty as always" "I won't forgive you if you leave me ! Don't forget you have me" "you have to live a long life for me !"
Her words felt so comforting. I'll be always grateful that I got a friend.
*Nods* "thanks, jeong su min" "I got unlucky in my marriage, but I'm glad I have you."
"Why would you say that ? Min - hwan's a good husband."
"He's cheating on me."
"What ?"
"He texted me - "I love you" and "I miss you" but then he deleted it right away" "I'm sure it was sent by mistake".
"Don't get sensitive".
*Beep beep* she had a notification.
I looked around and by chance I saw soo - min's heels. They were red , shinny and totally stunning.
"Do you want me to talk to min - hwan ?"
"Forget it. I just need you"
"I only need you, Too. Let's only think good thoughts. Okay, my other half ? "
"Ms. Kang ji - won, it's time to go to the transfusion room."
"This medicine won't hurt at all. You'll get better once it's done. never give up ! " She gave me enough courage but to be honest I still felt weak and helpless. I am scared. Except soo - min I don't really have a family who understands , suppors and loves me.
"In transfusion room*
Time - 11:22 date - December 4 2023
I am lying in the hospital bed looking outside the window.
I can't remember the last time I was happy. I don't know when was the last time I laughed freely. What kind of life is this ?. I can live maximum 6 months or I guess twelve months , if there was a miracle. That means everything was just meaningless.
______*** FLASHBACK ***_________
*In Kang ji - won's wedding with park min - hwan*
I threw bouquet and soo min catched it. Everyone was clapping and so was I.
Min hwan came near me.
"Great job. You look so beautiful today."
I smiled. then my mother - in - law came beside me.
"You look beautiful. I picked the perfect dress for you !! " And She hugged me.
She saw the empty chairs that were meant to bride's parents.
"Forget it. You are part of our family now. You are my daughter ." " Aww you poor thing , it's not your fault that you didn't receive proper household discipline." "As your mother I'll teach you know." "You pitiful girl" she hugged me again parting my hand softly.
Everyone clapped.
*At home*
I was sitting infront of my mother - in - law at dinning table.
"Min - hwan's the third generation of families with only sons." "Third generation !!" She said tapping the table. "How dare you sever that ?"
"I'm sorry"
"I took in a worthless girl like you. Why can't you have kids? "Do you even know how to do anything ?"
She stood up pressing her head.
Min hwan came sitting beside her.
"Mom, bear with her." Min hwan said.
"Let me go"
Min hwan was trying to take her hands down and calm her but she was so angry and between that she spilled the hot coffee on my skirt.
"What a waste mom. Sit down. Why are you so angry."
_×_×_×_×_
*Another day___ evening*
"What ? You quit your job? " I asked in a shocking tone.
"I'm going into stocks." Min hwan was confident saying that.
"Do you remember roijental? Look. *He pointed to his laptop*
"A few more trades, and it could change our lives" "but I can't when I need to because of work, that's why I left job "
"We have monthly loan payments !" "We should've discussed this"
"Hey! Are you messing with me?" "Why would I have to discuss this with you ?"
He yelled at me and went to his mom lying in her lap. "Mom , do you think I'll do well ? Do you think I'll hit it big ?"
"Ofcourse. My son can do anything."
*In office*
Manager threw papers on me.
"Issues at home ?, does this world revolve around you ?" "Everyone has issues at home." "This is why married woman shouldn't work."
I was picking up papers he threw. Suddenly my body felt weak. It's was as if I couldn't breath. My legs went numb. My nose started to bleed.
"What are you doing ?"
"I'm sorry sir" I covered my nose and came out of manager's cabin. Soo - min and others were watching me but then Walked away.
I came home late from overtime working. Lock was still broken so I just went inside. Min hwan was playing video games and the whole house was a mess.
"You said you'd fix the lock today."
" Do I look free ?" "Working overtime doesn't mean you're good at you job" "you're so busy running around because you're bad at it.know your place !"
"Don't you hear the washing machine?" "I started it so you could've take out--
" Stop it ! I've been working all day, and I just sat down. Jeet "
He left tapping his feet on the floor and kicking objects angrily.
I felt a sharp pain in my stomach again. So, I did a check up.
*At hospital*
Doctor - "you have stage - 4 gastric cancer. Thing don't look good."
*At home*
"Aww poor thing , my poor son. Why did you have to marry her ?" "This is why you have to pick people carefully".
"I thought things were getting stable. How could I be so unlucky?" "Mom, if ji - won has cancer, who will make my food ?"
"You're too nice ! Why would you Worry about that ?" " People need to work to overcome illness" "technology is advanced these days. She'll be fine."
"Am I right?"
She asked me as If I could say anything ... I was listening to all of that.
"Don't think about telling your company. Work until you can." "Don't think about acting emotionally just because you're sick.its nonsense ! "
Those words felt like knives digging inside my body.
"Can't we just cut her cancer and remove it?"
"It'll be fine. We've got technology. Cancer is no big deal nowdays".
I was crying non - stop. It just felt like I really wanted to die.
________***FLASHBACK ENDS***_________
Turns out what my in - laws did had became my nightmare.
Nurse - "your therapy is completed , you should rest now."
I was walking around in the hospital hall talking the glucose bottle trolly with me.
"Don't worry about your husband's affair" "it's better off without them when you're older.don't think about bad things , you are not in a condition to do so ."
A lady passing by me said. It was right though , it's better to have peace in last moments of life than fighting with them and making bad memories.
"You've got a nice friend who cares about you , not everyone is lucky like you !" She said.
"You're right, only lucky people have friends like her. She is hardworking that's why she became manager at U & K" "I also worked there." " To be honest , I lack so many things" .
*Soo - min in her car applying lipstick*
*She went to Kang ji won's house*
*She went inside*
"Darling !!!" Soo - min said and jumped on min - hwan. they kissed....
" soo - min was the only one who stayed by my side" it's true.
*Soo - min kissing Kang ji won't husband*
"She always been... And she always will be by my side." I am confident saying that.
"Miss Kang ji won ?" Said hospital's staff.
"Well....your guardian must come if you want to continue treatment " "they to came and pay or take you home"
"I'm really sorry".
"Please settle it by the end of the day."
*The person you are trying to reach isn't available...*
*Beep beep*
"Pick it up , please."
| Did you take the deposit ? | *Message sent*
| Pick up the call ! | *Message sent*
| I'm begging you. Pick up the call | *Message sent*
you quit your job after we got married, so I had to support us , forget that , but atleast pay the hospital bills.| *Message sent*
In anger I took my hospital jacket off and saw that wound mark in my hand.
*Outside the hospital *
I wore my jacket on hospital clothes and went out. It was sunny outside , pink sakura leaves were falling down. I decided to ho home. A taxi was passing by so I stopped it hopped on.
Taxi driver started talking to me .
"Goodness. You must be very sick." "You'll get better" "spring has come."
"I won't get better". "I'm dying". I was counting my last days.
"Stop that. You can't say bad things like that."
"The doctors told me. It's true." "Nothing good can come from living". It is really better dying than living in a condition I'm loving currently.
"Why would you say that ?"
I was just thinking where to start from. I randomly just looked at driver's certification.
|Name - Choi nam - hyeon | taxi driver certification.
The car had some changing coins and decoration quite lovely right , I thought same.
"My dad passed away. I don't have siblings. "I barely have husband". " No." "It would've been better not to have one. Then... I wouldn't have any debts , and I'd be able to pay my hospital bills."
"You need to follow your path until the very end to know for sure" driver said while giving a warm smile.
Suddenly he turned the car very fast that I was about to fall but I controlled myself.
"Excuse me. This isn't the way."
"I'll take you down a good path. Just trust me."
We entered a tunnel. There was only a dim lightings I could barely see anything clearly.
I was feeling a bit shocked and scared.
We came out of the tunnel and the road was full of .... SAKURA TREES. the tree I saw outside the hospital but this time it looked so heavenly. The whole path was covered in sakura flowers. It was just something so magical that hinted god's presence.
"See ? we're here." "I told you. The path you know isn't the only one. There are other paths which could be better."
The car stopped in front of my apartment. HAEYEONG VILLA.
"Thank you so much" I said giving money for the ride to the driver.
"Wait just a moment." He was looking for something. I stepped out of the taxi without waited infront of the window. I glanced at out floor's window.
"Ma'am, actually today is my last day as a taxi driver." "Take it. Think of it as an allowance from your dad". " you'll gain energy in no time". "around making big money in no time. You'll meet someone who would die for you and have a good life. " He said while handing me some money.
"No, you don't have to do this." I said hesitatingly. The driver chuckled softly. He looked so much like my dad.
Sakura flowers were suddenly started raining around.
"Come on now ! You're hurting an old man's arm !" He said smilling warmly.
I took the money bowed and him and he left floating his hand out of the window to as if saying bye.
I started climbing the stairs but due to my weakness I fell many times but still I got up and just like that I reached my flat.
Lock still was'nt repaired so I just got in. I saw red shinny heels infront of the door , those felt so.... Similar. I got inside. I heard someone talking in my bedroom.
"But I think you're really smart , babe." "How did you think of cancer insurance?"
"Her dad died of cancer. She kept getting thinner. I thought it was time, so I took out a policy."
I was getting more and more numb as I heard the converstation while walking from the hall to bedroom.
"Amazing, you did a great job" she said.
I reached the bedroom door which was a bit opened and saw a girl lying next to my husband. Today I was going to see my husband's mistress.
"We'll get 1 billion won right ?"
"Yeah if she dies, I already got the diagnostic insurance and bought you that desiger bag. I out the rest in stocks to buy you a better bag."
They both chuckled.
"You're so sweet. Let's but a house after ji - won dies."
"That sounds nice. But that bitch is holding out longer than I thought. I even didn't tell her to got to a doctor after I took out the policy."
"She won't die that easily. Maybe I'll take her out for some air and push her off somewhere."
"No. What if you fall too ?"
"Why not ? I can push her gently. No one would know "
"What the hell has she been eating ? Why is she so strong to live this long ?"
I was turning pale as I heard their conversation from the bedroom door, my bestie is my husband's mistress . is this what I deserve in my life ?
"You should eat whatever she ate."
"I don't need to. I am already strong."
I was so shocked that I regretted marrying this man. I looked around and saw a photo frame of me and my dad which they ruined. This was it.
I slammed the door to open it.
"You crazy bastards !!!" Min hwan fell from the bed. He choked a grape.
"Ji - won ? Babe. Are you alright ? Spit it out ! " Soo - min said while looking at min hwan.
I started throwing objects at both of them lying birds.
"You cheater." "Fuck you" "bastard" "fucking liars". I started losing my control and I felt a bit dizzy. I nearly collapsed. Min hwan didn't cared about getting caught or me nearly collapsing but his mistress.
"Are you okay , babe ?"
"I'm okay."
I couldn't hold my tears back.
"This is insurance fraud." "I'm going to report you !"
"Hey ! What the hell" he shouted. "Are you okay , babe ?"
"Yes, I'm fine"
"Are you sure ?"
Every single sweet spoken words flashed in my mind, "I won't forgive you if you leave me" that was all just a Lie ?
"Jeong soo - min." She wasn't making an eye contact with me.
I took the wedding photo frame and threw it on soo - min but min - hwan protected her from it.
"I'll kill you !..... Ahhghhghhh...". "I'm going to kill you both !" "I'll kill you both !" *crying*
"Hey ! That's enough !" "Aren't you sick of this ?" He came closer to me with soo min putting his hand on her shoulders. "Come on."
"You little.... ( He took his hands up to slap me )
I was just crying and waiting for him to slap me but he stopped mid way and just tapped my head not sweetly but arrogantly.
"Hey. What the hell can you do now ?" "Let's go. Move out of the way" he pushed me.
I collapsed on the floor crying.
Min hwan went inside the hall with soo min. "Hey !"
I threw a box of candies on min hwan.
I collapsed on the floor as I gave all my energy in throwing that box.
"Come on!" Min hwan said while coming angrily near me.
"Wait" soo min said stopping him.
With so much efforts I sat up. Soo - min came near me. Min hwan stood aside irritated.
"Ji - won" "I'm sorry."
"You're sorry ?"
"That's enough." " We can't do anything about it now." "This life is for living person, you're going to die anyway." "You always think about yourself"
Die anyway ? I wouldn't have became what I am if it was'nt you , who became my husband's mistress. Is this what we ever had from childhood? Best friends are for this ? I didn't knew what to say. My most trusted person is now giving me a very hard time.
I looked at her. That innocent face of hers really looked so terrifying after knowing the truth.
She stood up to go but I snatched her purse and stopped her. She collapsed. I felt a sharp pain in my heart. I was no more able to even feel my body , I really was just a living dead body.
She stood up again but I snatched her purse and made her fall again.
"You think you won't die ?" "You don't think it'll happen to you ?" "It'll happen to you !" I said pulling her hair and shaking her head.
"Ji - won Stop! "
Min hwan came and pulled my hand.
"If you are going to die , just die already. Get lost !"
He pushed me backwards.
I suddenly fell on a GLASS TABLE. My head got hit by the corner. The room was covered in glass particles and blood. My head was continuously bleeding.
I longed for the happiness I've never had, yet here I am, with my good old friend and unhappiness.
"I think she's dead."
"She was going to die anyway. Does it matter how she dies ?"
"What happens to us ?"
"Stop talking ! People with cancer faint often. She tripped and died. And we founder her like this. We know nothing. What if we don't get paid ?"
"What now ?"
"Well"
I was given six months. Twelve months , if there was a miracle. I didn't even get to live that much. I just died.
APRIL 12 , 2023.
I was crying suddenly someone asked -
"Babe, What happened to you ?"
I suddenly opened my eyes in shock .
But couldn't see anything clearly , everything was blurred, I can just see a man infront of me.
"Why are you spacing out ?"
"Why aren't you wearing your glasses ?"
I wore my glasses and saw.....
It was MIN - HWAN !