summer cold
_
My eyelids felt heavy. I opened them half-heartedly, frowning at the light seeping through the curtains. Here we go again. This tiresome morning.
I wonder if it's my imagination that makes my body feel heavier today. I struggled to raise my upper body. By 12:04, I was certain to be late.
No, the problem was something else. My body didn't feel like a body. The squeaking sound wasn't the cicadas outside the window. It was rumbling in my head. A hot sensation of heat crept through me, drenching my entire body in sweat, and every breath I took felt a sharp sting. It seemed like it was a bit much.
I find it difficult to get caught
It's clear that I have a summer cold.
It seemed like class was already late, and since I had never missed a class before, I wasn't worried about getting an F if I missed one.
12 missed calls recorded on my phone, Myung Jae-hyun
Perhaps because there had been no contact until now, Myeong Jae-hyeon's worry was immediately apparent in the 12 missed messages.
Are you awake?
9:00AM
babe??
9:01AM
Why can't I call?
9:05AM
What's going on?
10:01AM
huh??
10:02AM
...under,
The urgency was palpable in the messages, which were sent minute by minute.
I sent him a message as soon as I read it. As expected, the number 1 disappeared as soon as I sent it.
Sorry, I just saw it
12:10PM
Why aren't you answering the phone?
I was worried...
12:11PM
I think I have a cold
12:12PM
cold??
Are you in a lot of pain?
Where's the hospital? Where's the medicine?
12:12PM
As I spoke, Myung Jae-hyun added a few more words. The text chattered before my eyes. I closed my phone with a final word: "I'll get some rest." I didn't even have the energy to go to the hospital, but I was on the verge of collapse, so before it was too late, I dragged my heavy body to the hospital, got a prescription, and returned home.
As soon as I got home, I threw myself on the bed. I threw the prescribed medication onto the desk and closed my eyes, overcome by the dizziness. I needed to eat and take my medicine...
Before I knew it, my vision had become blurry.
.
.
.
Some time later, when I regained consciousness, my ears became sensitive to clanking sounds. It was coming from the kitchen. The gas stove, the chopping of a knife on a cutting board, the bubbling of a pot. For a moment, I thought it was my mom, but then it dawned on me that this was my studio apartment. I straightened up. Something cool was stuck to my forehead. A cool patch on my phone screen...? Just then, the door opened to the sound of footsteps approaching from the kitchen.
"Are you awake?"
It was Myung Jae-hyun. He came in wearing a pink apron and carrying something on a tray. Porridge and a bag of medicine.
“When did you come?” The female protagonist was dumbfounded by Myung Jae-hyun’s sudden appearance. As he said “just now,” Jae-hyun shoved the porridge into me.
“You haven’t eaten, have you? Hurry up and eat and take your medicine.” Myung Jae-hyun’s hand shoved it into my mouth, and I opened my mouth without realizing it. When did I do something like this again? It’s a bit surprising. I thought Myung Jae-hyun was terrible at cooking, but he cooked all the porridge for me. It was a bit bland, lol, but it was edible.
After finishing the bowl of porridge, I swallowed the cold medicine I was prescribed. Every time I swallowed it, I felt a pang of relief. Myung Jae-hyun, who was always slapping my hand, was a little annoyed. Treating me like a child was a bit much; my pride wouldn't allow it. Yeo-ju frowned at Myung Jae-hyun. Myung Jae-hyun stared intently. Seeing his serious face, I blurted out the words. (...What...are you staring at?)
"Why, what. What."
"Don't be sick, I'm upset."
"..."
I changed the subject.
"...Isn't it hot? You could at least turn on the fan."
"It's okay, I like it hot."
"..."
Lies. I can see the sweat beading on his forehead, but what? Myung Jae-hyun just smiles. I feel bad for no reason...
"But you look cute today."
"what?"
"It's like the cool patch for children is their personal color."
"..."
Sorry, I'll take it back.
I was just kidding. That giggling, nefarious man is my man. I held back from hitting him on the head.
“I don’t want to do this,” I said, placing my hand on the patch on my forehead.
“Oh, I understand. I won’t tease you. Look, okay?” Myeong Jae-hyun quickly took off a patch and stuck it on his forehead.
A smile spread across Myung Jae-hyun's forehead as he saw the Pororo cooling patch. It suited him quite well.
"Oh, but this is really cool."
"I'm a little cold"
"okay?"
Myung Jae-hyun pressed his forehead against mine.
"How is it? Is this cool?"
Myung Jae-hyun pushed his body into mine, his forehead pressed against mine. He pressed his forehead against my cheek, then crawled up the back of my neck and into my arms. More than the feel of the Cool Patch, it was Myung Jae-hyun's hair that tickled my skin. That's why I burst out laughing.
"Ah haha where did you get that nonsense?"
"town"
I grabbed Myung Jae-hyun's head as he was digging in. Myung Jae-hyun, who had been blocked without resistance, peeked out at me. His eyes sparkled like a dead puppy.
"I caught a cold"
I gestured for him to go away.
"It's okay, I like colds."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"Honey, you get better faster if you spread a cold to someone else."
"so?"
"I'll move you." Myeong Jae-hyun suddenly climbed on top of me. In an instant, I was pinned down, and covered my mouth tightly. I glared at Myeong Jae-hyun from below with a look that said, "Absolutely no kissing." But Jae-hyun calmly blocked my hand, bringing his lips to mine. He kissed me lightly and smiled as if nothing mattered. My face flushed, not knowing if it was because of the cold or that guy, and I turned my head and shut my eyes tightly.
Myung Jae-hyun stepped back slightly and asked.
"You don't like it? If you don't like it, I'll stop."
"..."
I hesitated. If I opened my tightly shut eyes, I felt like I'd be caught up in Myung Jae-hyun's pace. I felt a sense of crisis, like I was about to lose my sense of reason. Still, I couldn't shake off this temptation. I gently put my hand down. Then, slowly looking at him, I continued speaking.
"..just this once"
Side -
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***
The general public is really a mess.
I'm so busy with my current life that I just can't bring myself to write in general.
Short stories are light and easy to write..😅
Are you all still alive?🕺🏻