Withered - Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Chaeyoung closes the door behind him, sighing as he heads downstairs. He first takes a first aid kit with him then goes to the bathroom. Roughly, he treats the wound and cuts, cleaning the dry blood on his nose. He splashes the cold water on his face then looks up. Forcing a smile as he stares at his reflection at the mirror. But slowly his smile fades, and his vision became blurry when his eyes wet with tears. He quickly regains himself and wipes it while having difficulty to breathe. It's suffocating.
"Just stop. Stop crying." He mumbles with an irritated tone. Frustrated at himself for being so stupid. Though he tries, it's out of his control when the tears keep flowing.
"Stop already!" He slightly yells, slapping his cheeks in an attempt to wake himself but to no avail. It's useless.
"Stop...." Slowly, he sits on the floor with his already clenching fist then hitting his chest for nonstop. It's painful, the burning. He cannot breathe. There's that certain heaviness, he wants to get rid of. He put his hand on his mouth, bitting it hard. He doesn't want to make any sound, stopping himself to shout and let everything out. The flare of flame in his chest keeps him wheezing for air. Keeping the hurt to pile up inside of him. As much as he hates the feeling of pain, he somehow likes it because he believes he deserves it. Both the physical and emotional.
Unknown to him, someone is standing behind the door. Silently listening to Chaeyoung's whimpering, gasping and low sniffle. After a minute, the person blankly walks away and ignores everything she heard.
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Chaeyoung stares at the meals he just cooked, sitting on the dining table. It's morning and he remembers Mina hasn't eaten anything since yesterday. Concerned, he rings Sana and asks for help to persuade Mina to at least grab a bite knowing the girl won't eat even if he begs.
Sana arrives and exchanges small talk with Chaeyoung. She gives him an apologetic smile before she makes her way towards Mina's bedroom, carrying a tray of food that Chaeyoung has prepared.
She knocks before she gets in, witnessing Mina who's still asleep. Sana sits on the bedside chair as she places the tray down. She stares at her sister who looks disturbed, sweat forming on her forehead while her eyes closed tight. Sana starts to panic when Mina's hand shaking uncontrollably. She hurriedly wakes the girl up as she sits on the edge of the bed. Mina jumps up with a gasp and snaps her head towards Sana. She sighs in relief realizing it's her sister. Sana pulls the latter into a hug, gently rubbing her back to calm her down.
"It's just a dream Mina-ya. Only a dream. You'll be okay. Unnie is here, lean on me, kay" Sana assures.
"I-I'm sorry. It's all my fault. I-if only I'm strong enough. If only I went straight home--" Mina mumbles between her sobs before Sana cut in.
"Sshhh, it's not your fault" She faced her little sister, flashing a motherly smile as she wipes Mina's tears while caressing her hair. They stay hugging as Sana waits patiently until Mina collects herself. She helps the latter with morning chores and hesitantly starts the conversation after Mina finished eating. She lied that she brought the food from home.
"Mina-ya, I'm really worried about you. See, you're not eating much" Sana says pointing at the leftover or more likely in a glimpse, an untouched meal. Mina only shrugs and shakes her head as she leans against the bed headboard. Sana comes close and holds the younger's hand.
"I would feel a lot better if you'd be willing to see a doctor or a therapist to get some help with this. And for your own good too"
Mina looks up and stares at her sister in disbelief. "Therapist? I'm not crazy why should I meet them? I can take care of myself" She snaps.
Sana heaves a deep sigh. She sees this coming. She knows Mina won't agree but she still wanted to try. "That's not what I meant, Mina-ya. I'm trying to help. Really. Until when are you going to continue this? If you refuse to treat yourself, then you can never be better."
Mina keeps her mouth shut, planting her gaze to god-knows-where, completely ignoring her sister. Definitely, she's mad and disappointed that her own sister will think that she is like someone who suffers from mental illness and can't even properly taking care of themselves. That's what she thought.
Sana takes the silence as an opportunity to let out what's her point of view after the incident and from what she observed. She carefully pulls Mina's chin so her eyes meet hers "Both of you are hurting. Can't you tell he's also brok--"
"I like to be left alone...please" Mina interjected.
Sana for the ninth time, sighing quietly as Mina's eyes plead. She smiles and taps the latter's hand before she walks away. She turned her heels and glance at Mina before closing the door. "Just call me if you need anything. Take some rest"
*  *  *  *
It's midnight already when Mina feels her throat dry. She heads downstairs to grab a glass of water, her step stops when she notices Chaeyoung sleeping on the couch. She drinks first then goes back to her room. She takes a blanket with her, and again head downstairs. She slowly covers him with the blanket, afraid to disturb his sleep. She sits on the floor, sighing as she stares on Chaeyoungs face. Unknowingly, she pulls her hands, trailing the cuts on his face, hardly touching his skin. She stands and takes a first and kit and properly treat his wound. When she's done, she turns around, leaning against the couch. She brings her legs and hugs her knees as she buries her face.
"How can you fall asleep......while I'm breaking... "
*  *  *  *
A knock wakes Chaeyoung up. He groans while rubbing his eyes and slowly get on his feet. He goes to the front door, wondering who's the intruder early in the morning. He smiles awkwardly as the stranger stands in front of him. It's a fine young woman. Her long dark hair is sweeps into an up-do and her make-up is well applied just at the right hint. She wears a white knee-length dress and a brown handbag hangs on her left shoulder. She has a lovely voice, dulcet when she introduce herself.
That's when Chaeyoung remembers that, a maid will start working today which also means that college starts. He quickly snaps his head up, glancing on the wall clock. Cursing under his breath when he only has 30 minutes to get ready. He invites the maid enters the house and waits for him until he finished.
He peeks inside Mina's bedroom and successfully tiptoeing to take his clothes from the walk-in closet. In no time, he's done within a few minutes then sits across the maid.
"Umm, you only have to clean the house and take care of her, she's on the second floor. If there's an emergency, please call me or this numbers" He hands a piece of paper containing his phone number and Mina's sisters "And, every 30 minutes, please keep me updated, you can just text me about what she's doing or if she's throwing tantrum. She's pregnant so, yeah her mood swings kinda severe" He chuckles while scratching an imaginary itchy on his nape.
"And...I'll cook for breakfast and you can do for lunch. I don't think I can manage to get home before lunchtime." Chaeyoung stands and walks towards the kitchen. Though he's late, he still wants to cook breakfast himself. The maid only eyeing him from the back, laughing quietly when he takes a full 10 minutes to slice a carrot.
He's done after placing his signatures, a craved penguin eggplant above the meal. "When she awakens, give this to her. She will most likely ask you to throw it away and won't eat it. She might lose her tempers or something, hope you can bear with it." Chaeyoung only laugh awkwardly then bows "I'm sorry for the inconvenient"
The maid automatically shakes her head saying that it's originally her job and there's nothing to apologize at. Chaeyoung again bows before he takes his leave. She sends him outside and just before Chaeyoung enters his car she stops him, lightly pat his shoulder from behind. He swings around and both surprised when their face just an inch away. They quickly step back as the awkwardness start to take over. She turns her head to the side to avert her gaze, but the sudden rosiness of her cheeks give her away. Chaeyoung clears his throat as he rubs his nape, staring into nothing but the girl's eyes.
"Umm, do you need anything else" He starts. The maid stares at him then smile.
"No, it just..you've got something on your face. There" She says pointing at something on his forehead near his eyebrows.
Chaeyoung shyly touches his face, trying to get rid of whatever the girl is pointing at. She chuckles watching the now nervous man, more likely a kid struggle by himself. She takes a step forward and leans towards him. Chaeyoung stops breathing when again her face just barely touch his.
"Right there," The maid says as she pulls away, showing him a carrot peels maybe from earlier. Chaeyoung sigh silently, feeling a bit uncomfortable from the sudden move. The maid reads his mind and realizes that she might just cross the line. She back away and stoop 90 degrees, stuttering as she keeps apologizing for her action.
Chaeyoung feels guilty and assures her that it's nothing and he's not really affected by it. Even thanking her for helping him out. He bid his goodbye and again reminding the maid to update him about Mina's condition.
The maid nods then smile as she watches Chae leaving the house with his pickup truck. She has never met anyone who's as polite as him. Thinking that he's definitely a good and kind man.
Mina's eyes narrow and unwillingly grinding her teeth. She takes a deep breath before she closes the curtain.