Withered - Chapter 49: Chapter 49

Mina accepts the call, her mouth feels dry, and that is swallowing slightly hurt as if something stuck in the throat. She tested her voice before putting the phone in a loudspeaker.
"Hello?" She waits for any response but the other line is quiet, nothing could be heard except the howling wind "This is Mina. M-may I ask who's calling?" Minutes pass. Nothing happens, no answer coming. Mina sucks a deep breath that seems to be caught in her windpipe choking her from the inside. She's about to end the call and ring her sisters since she can no longer bear the pain, seeking for help. But the thought terminated by the familiar deep-toned voice that comes from the phone; a voice that she has been waiting to listen to. Her face stuck in an incredulous expression. She doesn't expect his appearance at all, she's supposed to be happy and relief, isn't it? But she has zero thought going inside her mind, zero emotions.
"J-jeongyeon"
The almost soundless murmurs of her are caused by nervousness and surprised. But those feeling soon overshadowed by another torture as her body slowly tearing apart. She arches with the pain locks inside, her body trembling as her lungs struggling to inhale. Thick bright red liquid dripping out of her, tracing her thighs down to her calf, like the trace of a slug on a leaf. Mina yells, giving up the pain as the only things she could hear is her own heartbeat, failing to notice the constant question over the phone. Black then fills her vision, blinding her. Her heavy breathing also stops and there is silence. The agony has come to an end.
"Mina!? Hello! Answer me! Are you there?!" Jeongyeon tightens his grip on the rail of his balcony when there's no sound coming from the other line, it's complete silence. He heard the dense breathing and notice Mina stutters behind the phone when she first called out his name. He knows something is wrong thus he keeps asking but receives nothing more than unrecognizable sounds, shriek, and lastly, her yells mean danger. It terrified him of her condition or what might happen to her.
He goes out to his car, hand shaking as he tries to open the car door; shake so much that he drops his key. "Dammit!" He bends down and picks them up but no matter how hard he tries, he's unable to get the key into the lock, regretting that he locked it before. He gives up and leans her arm on the roof of his black Mercedes, his forehead rest against the window as he closes his eyes. She's fine. She'll be fine. He chanted inside his mind and try to calm himself. Jeongyeon exhales slowly and succeed in opening his car door then rush towards Mina's house.
*  *  *  *
"The store is robbed around two at night. The criminals are armed with handguns, wearing all black, face covered with masks. She doesn't recognize anyone but notices a snake tattoo on their arms. She've drawn it" Chaeyoung gives a piece of paper to the police then glance towards Irene who sits on a plastic chair in front of the convenience she's working. The girl is staring blankly on the ground while swinging her legs that are currently bleeding due to her own stubbornness; she won't let the robber takes the money easily thus she fights, alone. She could've died if it's not because of the pepper spray and emergency button she plugged under the cashier desk that produces fake police sirens.
The police slips the paper inside his book. He steps inside the store and scans the damage while Chaeyoung follows behind. "Please tell the clerk to hands the money when this happens again. It's dangerous to fight alone especially if it's an armed robbery" Chaeyoung nods and sigh as he walks through the broken pieces of glass on the floor, cans that come out from the broken drink machine and the fallen shelf countertop.
"Then, I will leave you with your investigation, please ring me if you've found the robber" Chaeyoung hands them his name card and bows before he takes the first aid kit that sits in the corner of the store then started towards Irene. He kneels with one leg before her, opening the kit and treats her wounds on her knees. "Are sure we don't need to go to the hospital?" He asks while applying ointment causing the maid to wince.
"I'm okay" She whisper, amused that Chaeyoung is really coming when she first called him; she thought the opposite. She bit her smiles, thinking that she's not just a mere stranger to him, that she probably means something to him.
"If it's happening again, don't fight and give them the money" His voice is calm but firm that doesn't match his usual self. She gulps from the uneasy feelings, never she had heard him sounding intimidating and scary. When he's done putting the bandage around her knees, Chaeyoung looks up and stares at her "Your life is much more important than two million won" His face is stern and serious, mouth tight-lipped as Irene nods her head. Embarrassed that she looks like a child being scolded by her brother when in fact Chaeyoung is younger than her.
Chaeyoung smiles when Irene avoids his eyes, knowing fully that she might feel it unfair that people are against her action and lecturer her when what she did is just fighting the evil. But, it's all for her own safety; it's a genuine move to fight crime but a smart move to save oneself. He looks at his wristwatch then to the maid "Come, I'll take you home. The police will take care of this place. You have to rest" He stands and offers his hand which Irene hesitantly accepts. He supports her to walk to his car and open the door for her as she couldn't bend her wounded knees.
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Chaeyoung pulls up to the bridge, the same bridge where he once helps Irene with her groceries and separated there. He glances at the digital clock on the stereo then faces the girl, smiling as he takes a pamphlet from the car stowage then gives it to her. "I've been thinking about it throughout the ride and I think it's better if you quit the job. My friend owns a restaurant and I can introduce you to him, you can work there. I know you're interested in cooking"
Irene opens the folded paper and it's one of the most popular and high ranks restaurants as it runs by a chef celebrity. She examines the owner's pictures and thought to herself that she had seen the chef appear in a lot of cooking show, and there's no doubt that he is skilful and deserve the honour. Irene brings her eyes back to Chaeyoung and shakes her head. "Thank you for the offer but I like my job now and the restaurant is.....too far from me. I want to make myself qualified without anyone help" She explains, it's a high-class restaurant and she knows that no one can work there without any high education records. She drops her studies in her first year of college to support her family causing her lack in the area. To be a chef has been always her dreams and she still has the passion to achieve it by her own hard work.
Chaeyoung flash a small smile and nods "Alright then, if you change your mind, just tell me"
Irene smiles and unbuckles her seatbelt. Before she gets off the car, she musters her courage and turns around "Do you..want.. umm, would you like a cup of coffee?" It's an invitation to thanks him for the help, and although she only has instant coffee that may not be a taste for a wealthy man like him, she still wanted to shows her gratitude for his kindness.
Chaeyoung gaze at his wristwatch and rub his nape as he chuckles awkwardly "Thanks for your invitation but I have a moody penguin to take care of hahaha she's alone at home and I'm worried" He raises his eyes and gives an apologetic look "Maybe next time"
Irene looks down and nods slowly. When she lifts her head, she has a forced embarrassed smile touching her features "It's okay, I'll take my leave. Drive safely" She bows a little and close the car door, ignoring the reply from the guy that murmurs "Be safe". She keeps walking, determined to endure the muscle pain and cramps on her legs. When she's on the middle of the stone bridge that arched over the clear river, her mind thought to a question and thought if she does really stand a chance. To clear her doubt, Irene carefully turns around. Surprised that Chaeyoung is still there, watching her from his rolled-down car window. The guy waves and gestures her to continue walking which she does after her lips form a silly smile.
Chaeyoung waits until Irene safely cross the bridge while making sure she's capable enough to walk on her own. When the maid is no longer in sight, he stomps on the stater and the car moved down the street, fully depress the clutch pedal and shift into a higher gear as he adds the speed.
*  *  *  *
Mina wakes up to the pungent smell of hospital disinfect that invades her nostrils. She slowly blinks, feels powerless and heavy. She could not move her hand, her head or her body. As the blinding light slowly subsided, she takes a look around her surroundings. The room is pristinely clean and spacious, and the light comes from the warm glow of the bedside lamp. Her eyes catch a tube running into her arm from an IV bag on a pole that sits beside the bed.
How long have I been here? She tries to remember what has exactly happened and how she ended up in the place. Then it all hits her with a bang. Mina gasp and quickly sit up while bringing her hands to her stomach. She sighs in relief when she can feel her bump and lie back slowly on the bed when she feels dizzy.
Mina looks up to the glass window and from the small gap of the curtain, she can see the sky fills with blended tones of rosy pinks and sandy yellows. The dawn has come. And at that moment she wonders where he might have been now, what is he doing or if he's still with the maid. The guy that she's thinking? No other than her best friend. A friend that has always been on her side, cared for her and most importantly love her unconditionally.
Best friend? Mina stares at her wrist, specifically to the friendship bracelet she's wearing. She takes it off and traces the small metal penal that has her name and Chaeyoung's carved on it. In a minute, she's lost in a transitory evocation of her childhood.
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|Flashback|
Mina and Chaeyoung hanged out at the park they usually met, both were still in their school uniforms. She, who was thirteen at the time, sat on a swing and pushed it as far back as her legs would allow. She lifted her legs on the ground and pulled herself into the seat. Leaned back and pushed, leaned back and pushed. She hadn't been able to swing herself at the beginning of summer because she injured her legs when performing ballad and now she missed it. She was patiently waiting for Chaeyoung that was in the convenience store, buying ice cream for them.
Her eyes soon landed on the biggest tree in the park, it was in the centre of a million grassy wands. She approached the oak tree and was in awe with the beauty of her green bounty and earthy browns. Mina took some time to appreciate the dancing leaves, choreographed by the gentle wind. She turned around and smiled as she watched Chaeyoung walking closer to her and they stood in front of the tree.
"Let's take an oath, a promise for each other, witnessed by the tree" She suggested, smiling at him. Chaeyoung smiled back and nodded as he took a step forward, how could he refuse her? He could never. The young boy then put his palm against the trunk.
"To my best friend, I vow to promise the best of myself. I'll always be on your side, never hurt you and....I'll love you.." Chaeyoung breathed out and glanced at Mina who already had her eyes on him, and those orbs were waiting for the continuation and he had guessed what it meant "...As your friend and brother"
Mina forced a nod and brought her eyes back to the tree, she did the same and promised the exact same words. And by the third promise, she succeeded saying it without stuttering knowing fully well that she regretted the idea.
"And I'll love you as a friend and sister" I lied.
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Recalling memories that bring out the deepest spark of nostalgia of the soul. A gentle smile graced her lips. Isn't it always like that. She thought.
Her thought cut off when someone enters the room. Their eyes meet and Mina has totally forgotten about him. 'Jeongyeon'. She leaves speechless as he walks closer and as if in slow motion, her gaze follows his action while their eye contact remained unbroken. For a tremendous reason, Mina can feel her anger building up as she grits her teeth from the effort to remain silent. It's been there a while now, this anger and unstable emotion escaping when she's away from someone who she once loved.
It's a belief,
That waiting for your partner is the right thing to do since the relationship hasn't broken, that she's naively thinking that the connection they once shared is too valuable to be abandoned, not realizing how she neglected and overlooked what her heart is telling. And now, when the man is right there, in front of her, she becomes conscious that she's waiting not because she still in love with him, but because she wanted to end their relationship properly. Wanted an explanation for his sudden disappearance, wanted to let out her rage toward him and wanted to apologize. She just wants to be freed.
The guy sits on the chair then lowers his gaze to her growing bump. His face changed drastically to a surly look mixed with a sense of sympathy. Jeongyeon shut his eyes and masked his feelings with a smile then look up. "Are you feeling better?" He asks in a quiet voice, breaking the tense silence.
"Cut to the chase. Explain yourself" She throws a stern look at him, but her voice is calm.
Jeongyeon presses his lips and looks down, letting their fingers brush as he avoids her fiery gaze "I don't have anything to say except, I'm sorry" He murmurs. Accepting the fact that he failed in an attempt to forget the girl and regret his decision to leave and think that work can divert him from her.
Mina takes a deep breath and lets her muscle relax under his touch "Accepted, now leave." She break the gentle gaze of their hands and brings her hand to her bump "We don't have any more connection"
"Mina ple---"
"You left me for months, vanished without any explanation. You weren't there when I needed you the most" She spit out venomously.
"Have considered my feelings? I'm mad, confused and hurt the moment I know you're carrying someone else's child. But I'm willing to accept the child and raise the baby together with you...yet, your father wanted you to marry him. I took it as a cue that I need to back off, that I need to let you go and forget about you, but I failed- miserably. In those months, there was never a single day, I'm not thinking and missing you" He honestly tried to forget her and focused on the grudges he held. He wanted to leave her behind, untouched, unbothered from the messy and sinful destiny. He realizes he shouldn't blame and despise her for someone else wrongdoing. But, things had happened, she threw herself into the fire. Now, everything is tangled and there is no way for him to free her from the havoc. After all, he needs her to succeed.
Mina leaves vacillated
between disbelief and disappointment by his words, "When we love someone, we work it out, we fight together, not throwing me away and run. Then you come so sudden to pick up the litter, it doesn't work like that"
"Give me a second chance and I'll prove myself to you and your family, and we can fight together again, just....please" He holds the younger hand gently squeezing it as he pleads.
Mina stares at their intertwined hand then to the guy. Her eyes now filling with tears glistening in the light as it bounces sadness through the atmosphere. She smiles apologetically causing a single tear escaped at the corner of her eyes. "I'm sorry" She whispers.
Jeongyeon swallow hard, turning away as he sits up straight and stands "I'm too late, Am I?" Not waiting for the answer, he walks towards the door. Before he could leave, he stops when he heard her voice calling out for him.
"I'm really sorry for ruining us"
Jeongyeon turns around and smile, it's a pure sincere smile. "No, the apology is all mine" He turns the doorknob then disappears from Mina's sight.
*  *  *  *
Mina press a button at the control pad hooked to her bed to raise the head of the bed as it makes her breathe easier and be more comfortable. She sits up and smiles as she rubs her bump "I thought I'll lose you" She whispers motherly to her baby.
The moment distracted by a knock and she lifts her head then smile seeing a familiar doctor walking closer to her. "How's your feeling?" The doctor asks she placed two fingertips gently in the groove of Mina's forearm, down from the fold of the wrist.
"Better, Elly Unnie" Mina smiles to Jihyo's aunt which she reciprocated then check on Mina's pulse. Elly's face turns to a frown as she moves her hands then press into the soft groove on the side of Mina's windpipe. The doctor sigh and take out her stethoscope from her white coat and listen to Mina's heart rate. After a couple of times, she draws away and tucks her stethoscope around her neck.
"I barely heard your heart beats" The woman who's in her mid-20s sit on the chair and smile sadly at Mina. "I've ring Chaeyoung and looks like he doesn't know a thing, he's on his way" She sees her patient nod and they are back into silence. She holds the younger's hand, earning her attention. "Mina... there's something we called Brady----" She trails off then presses her lips as she let out a quiet sigh. "Nothing. Just rest. You haven't eaten breakfast aren't you?" She asks, changing the topic.
Mina smile and turn her head, facing the front. "I know, Unnie. Heavy bleeding in the first trimester and now in the second. As someone who is born premature, I already have poor health" She breathes out and caress her bump.
"I'm not going to survive the labour, Right?"