Love is better than pain
28. Whispers between just two people late at night
Late at night. Only a quiet breeze blew past the window.
The air inside the hospital room was warm and quiet.
Only the sound of their breathing filled the silence. Siyeon fidgeted with the blanket and looked at Myeongho.
강시연
“…How did you come, really?
Myeongho tilted his head and smiled.
디에잇(명호)
“…I don’t know. Maybe we’re really meant to be.”
강시연
“How did you know…?”
디에잇(명호)
“…I don’t know that either. And you should have told me that first, not your friend.”
강시연
“…How is that…”
디에잇(명호)
“Siyeon.”
At those short words, Siyeon had no choice but to meet his eyes again.
Myungho spoke without avoiding eye contact and looking straight ahead.
디에잇(명호)
"love you."
At those words, Siyeon's eyes became moist again.
강시연
"It's foul play..."
small,
Thump— Siyeon slaps Myeongho's arm.
디에잇(명호)
“I don’t care how long you live or what your condition is. Just let me be by your side.”
At those words, Siyeon's eyes wavered. Her heart slowly but surely sank.
강시연
“…How is that… It doesn’t matter…”
디에잇(명호)
“I know why you left me.
디에잇(명호)
But I— I really thought about it a lot. No matter how hard it was, it was harder without you.”
강시연
“… …”
디에잇(명호)
“So… please let me stay by your side. I want to be with you.”
***
Upon hearing that, Siyeon quietly leaned against his shoulder.
Myeongho carefully stroked her hair. Warmth filled the tips of his slender fingers.
Then— the hospital room door opened.
???
“Ms. Jang Si-yeon, you will receive your next injection.”
The nurse came in and checked the Ringer needle and said.
???
"Now that you've finished this round of payments, I'll let your spouse know what's next."
Siyeon turned her head.
강시연
"Huh??? What? I haven't put it away yet...."
???
“Oh, my spouse did it.”
The nurse said nothing and then closed the door and left.
강시연
"to??"
Siyeon looked blankly at Myeongho.
디에잇(명호)
"…haha…"
강시연
“No… who’s going to pay the hospital bills…!! My spouse… what are you talking about!”
Myeongho shrugged his shoulders proudly.
디에잇(명호)
“No, I said I would take responsibility?
디에잇(명호)
“Well, and… you’re going to marry me, so I’ll be your spouse.”
강시연
"…yes?!!"
Siyeon's face instantly turned red.
강시연
“What… what are you talking about…”
Demonstration of lowering the head and pulling up the blanket.
Myungho looked at her quietly and smiled faintly.
At this moment, love was no longer just words, but proof.
***
강시연
“If you really fall asleep, you’ll go right away…?”
디에잇(명호)
“Yeah, I got it.”
Siyeon forced her tired eyes shut as she spoke. Myungho smiled slightly and stroked her hair.
디에잇(명호)
“I’ll just watch you sleep and then go. That’s all.”
강시연
“Really…”
A brief but deep silence fell between the two.
Siyeon closed her eyes, and Myeongho sat on the chair and quietly looked at her face.
Just… being there for me was okay.