𝙎𝙄𝙇𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙍𝙏𝙎 𝙎𝙋𝙀𝘼𝙆 || Yang Jungwon

15. 𝙂𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙍𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙨

The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow across the city as Bora and Jungwon found themselves in the park once again. The gentle breeze stirred the leaves, creating a soothing rhythm that matched the cadence of their breaths.

Bora had mustered the courage to ask the question that had been lingering in her mind. "Jungwon, can you tell me about your past? About what happened with your family?"

Jungwon's gaze remained fixed on the horizon for a moment, as if he was gathering his thoughts. Then, he turned to Bora, his eyes carrying a mixture of vulnerability and resolve. "It's not an easy story to tell, but I think you deserve to know."

He began to recount the tale of his childhood, of growing up in a household marred by constant arguments and fights. He spoke of his younger sister, Jiwon. You could hear the pain in Jungwon's voice.

"The fire," Jungwon continued, his voice quivering. "It was a terrible night. Jiwon was sleeping in her room, and the flames spread so quickly. I was frozen, unable to move as the fire consumed our home. I managed to escape, but Jiwon..."

Tears welled up in Bora's eyes as she listened to Jungwon's heart-wrenching confession. She could feel the weight of his guilt and pain, the burden he had carried for years. She reached out and placed her hand on his, offering silent comfort.

"I blamed myself," Jungwon confessed, his voice barely above a whisper. "I felt like I failed her, like I should have done more to save her."

Bora squeezed his hand gently, her heart aching for the young boy who had suffered such a traumatic loss. "Jungwon, it's not your fault. You were just a child."

Jungwon's eyes met hers, a mixture of gratitude and sorrow in his gaze. "I know that logically, but the guilt... it's hard to let go of."

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of Jungwon's confession hanging in the air. Bora couldn't begin to imagine the pain he had endured, the years of carrying a burden that wasn't his to bear.

"You don't have to carry that burden alone anymore," Bora said softly, her voice steady with determination. "You have people who care about you, who want to help you heal."

Jungwon looked at her,

"I want to be there for you, just like you've been there for me."

Tears shimmered in Jungwon's eyes as he gazed at Bora, a mixture of emotions playing across his face. In that moment, they both knew that their bond had deepened, that their shared struggles had forged a connection that transcended the challenges they faced.

As the two of them walked home, the evening sun cast long shadows on the pavement. Bora's steps began to falter, her stomach churning uneasily. It felt as if the world around her was spinning, and suddenly, her vision went black. She collapsed onto the ground, her body giving way beneath her.

Jungwon's heart raced as panic surged through him. He knelt beside her, trying to gently rouse her, his voice tinged with concern. "Bora? Can you hear me?"

Frantic, he realized he'd left his phone at home. He carefully lifted her into his arms, his steps quick and determined as he rushed towards the nearest hospital. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he held onto her, his mind racing with worry.

Fifteen long minutes later, Bora's eyes fluttered open. She blinked, disoriented, trying to piece together what had happened. "What... What happened? Why am I here?" she murmured, her voice weak.

Jungwon's face appeared in her line of sight, his relief evident. "You fainted," he explained softly, his concern deepening the creases on his forehead. "You were unconscious for a bit."

Confusion clouded her features as she tried to remember the moments leading up to this. He filled in the gaps, recounting how she had fallen suddenly, and how he had rushed her to the hospital.

A doctor entered the room, assessing Bora's condition. The doctor looked at Jungwon, assuming he was her boyfriend, and offered some advice. "She needs proper rest and nutrition. Make sure she's taking care of herself."

Jungwon nodded, his gaze fixed on Bora as the doctor left the room. When they were alone again, he turned his attention back to her, his eyes filled with worry. "You need to take better care of yourself, Bora. Lack of sleep and not eating properly... you can't keep going like this."

He gently brushed a strand of hair from her forehead. "You really scared me," he admitted, his voice low.

Bora offered a weak smile, her voice equally soft. "I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

Jungwon shook his head, his fingers lingering against her skin. "Don't apologize. Just promise me you'll take better care of yourself."

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Later that evening, as Jungwon returned home, his mother stood at the door with her arms crossed, her expression stern. "Where have you been?" she demanded, her worry mixed with frustration. "I've been waiting here for hours."

Jungwon's eyes flickered towards the table, where empty soju bottles stood as silent witnesses. He sighed, his tone tinged with exasperation. "I was at the hospital."

His mother's gaze softened as she noticed the weariness in his eyes. She sighed, her voice gentler. "Jungwon, I know you care about that Bora girl, but you need to think about your future too. You can't keep getting entangled in her problems."

A mixture of frustration and genuine feeling surged within him. "Mom, you don't understand," he began, his voice firm. "Bora... she's been through a lot. And it's not just her problems. She's my friend."

His mother's expression softened, a hint of understanding crossing her features. "Jungwon, she killed her own brother.. What is something happens to you too?"

Jungwon continued, his voice tinged with emotion. "She's not like you think. She's struggling, and I can't just turn my back on her."

With that, he turned away and walked upstairs, his emotions in turmoil. He lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Eventually, exhaustion claimed him, and he drifted into an uneasy sleep.

In the midst of the night, rain tapped against his window, its rhythm soothing. But even in slumber, the turmoil in his heart remained, a constant reminder of the tangled web of emotions he found himself in.

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Thank you so much for reading!

lots of love,

Emy