The boy next door

Part 36 (Filler chapter)

I week later-- Sunday

'Promise me that you will be strong, okay?' I clutched Haneul's hand as she lay on the hospital bed, ready to go in for her surgery. 'Even if you don't have any hope to live, you have to think about us okay? We love you always. Don't even think of giving up. The surgery is risky as it was told to you...but the doctors said that you can do anything if you have hope. Please, Haneul, promise me?' I asked her as I fought back my tears. What if I loose her again?

'I promise okay? Don't worry Hyerin. Is d-dad here?' she stuttered as she looked back up at the ceiling, a few tears leaving her eyes. Things haven't exactly been going on smoothly among uncle, I still call him uncle, it's weird, and Haneul. They both aren't exactly on speaking terms. I used to see uncle sometimes crying at night when Haneul wasn't there. They both miss each other immensely but they won't show it. 

'Yes he is here, should I call him?' I asked as Haneul shook her head. 'Don't,' she quietly murmured. But to her surprise and my relief, uncle walked into her room in a few minutes. Guess he couldn't stay away any longer. 'Should I go? I'll go,' I said as I got up. 'No, Hyerin stay. You are our family now,' uncle said as I nodded and took a seat at the back on the couch. 

They both sat still, Haneul on her hospital bed and uncle on the seat beside the bed. After a few seconds, uncle put Haneul's hands in his as she looked to her side, not showing uncle that she was crying. 'W-what are the chances?' uncle stuttered as Haneul looked at their intertwined fingers. '50-50,' she looked at me as I gave her a reassuring smile. 'O-okay,' uncle started playing with his fingers as the atmosphere got awkward again.  

There's this thing about parents. Some show immense love and some show the minimal. Uncle chose the second option. While his heart ached to hug Haneul and tell her everything will be okay, deep in his mind he thought that Haneul still could not forgive him for leaving her mother. But when their child is in danger, they are ready to do anything and everything. 

'Why didn't you tell me?' he asked as tears fell out his eyes. 'What?' Haneul pretended to not understand. 'Everything. How you had this disease, how much you wanted to meet your grandparents, how much you wanted to go on a trip. I could have arranged everything. You are my only daughter, Haneul. And I can't loose you.' For the next minute, both of them tried to not cry. But they were not successful of course. Haneul soon hugged her father, taking in the warmth which she missed. 

I decided that it was time for me to leave. To give the people who have been recently reunited some time. Although I don't know for how long. 

'Are they okay? Are they talking?' Felix asked as I exited the room and closed the door behind me. 'Yes they are,' I said as Felix sighed. 'Is she okay? Haneul?' oppa asked as I raised one of my eyebrows. There is also this thing about who you like. You try to pretend to not care, giving off a cool swag vibe but deep within you know you care. And oppa knew that more than anyone else. We also had hints. The time when oppa worriedly told me that Haneul had red cheeks seven years ago. This time when oppa forced to come along with us for Haneul's surgery day. 

Oppa and I both sat down on one of the chairs each. 'You should have told her that you like her seven years ago oppa,' I chuckled. 'W-who? Who do I l-like? I like no one,' he nervously said as I laughed even more. 'You are evil,' he laughed as he shook his head. 

The next fifteen minutes went in a rush. All of Haneul's family, uhh sorry, my family went to talk to her one by one. And in a second, two nurses went in as they transferred Haneul to a bed and carried her out the room. I held her hand till the time she almost got in. 'You are going to be great,' I mouthed. 'Promise me that you will come out of this room?' I asked as those tears I have been long suppressing left. 'I promise,' she mouthed back. 

The red button at the top of the operation room went on, so did my heartbeat. Two hours. That's how long it was supposed to take. But it took more than that. Three and a half hours later, a nurse came out and said that Haneul had gone into a serious state and they'd need to perform another surgery. That's when I lost it. I had difficulty breathing and my anxiety kicked back in. I walked around the corridor as I kept biting my nails. What if she doesn't make it? What if something happens to her? What if she di--

'Hyerin, hyerin, it's going to be okay,' Felix approached me and pulled me in for a long and warm hug. That's exactly what I needed right now. No one would have given us weird looks, a boy hugging a girl. I'd just show them my wedding ring. That's what I'd have thought any other day, but today, my mind was far too preoccupied. 

'Is it Felix?' I asked, tears draining my eyes. 'Of course. She is my sister, your sister-in law and most of all, your best friend. Everything will be alright,' he hugged me again. How did I get so lucky? 

Forty minutes. I counted the time. The red light closed on top of the OT room as the doctor walked out. We held our breaths, waiting for the news. 

'She wouldn't have made it. Her condition was critical,' the doctor said as he looked down at his feet. I looked at Felix who eyes widened. Did we just...loose Haneul?

'But your girl was very brave. She made it.'

                               (END) 

I'll be posting an epilogue sometime today or maybe tomorrow. But yes, this is where our journey ends :)