SAVE ME - CHOI HYUN WOOK a.k.a AHN SOO HO

13. The way love is spoken

"They had laughed. They had leaned on each other and laughed until the tears had come, while everything else―the cold, and where he'd go in it―was outside, for a while anyway."

From "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" by Raymond Carver

Subin lay her back on the headrest of her hospital bed, feeling bored. Her hand held tightly onto her phone, and as she scrolled through Instagram, a notification popped up. It was Oh Beom Seok who had just followed her. Subin's face scrunched up in confusion as memories flooded back.

"Oh Beom Seok? So, he's the kid I helped when he was being bullied," Subin muttered to herself, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and concern. Lost in her thoughts, Subin couldn't help but feel a surge of empathy for Oh Beom Seok.

From the corner of her eyes, she could sense her boyfriend's head popping up behind the door. Suho, arrived at the hospital, looking exhausted from his part-time job. Suho spotted Subin and rushed towards her, embracing her tightly. Subin chuckled and said, "Naega manhi bogo shipeotna bone. (Looks like you've missed me too much.)"

Suho playfully responded, "O, ttak deulkyeotne! Nan neorang hansungando tteoreojyeo itneun geol gyeondilsu eobseosseo. (Oh, you caught me! I couldn't bear to be away from you for even a moment.)" They both share a lighthearted laugh, momentarily forgetting the worries and exhaustion they've been through.

Subin gazed at Suho, contemplating whether she should tell him about the unexpected confession from Young Bin earlier that afternoon. Sensing Subin's inner turmoil, Suho gently cupped her cheeks, looking at her with a tender expression. He asked, "What's wrong? Is there something you want to say?"

Subin paused, locking eyes with Suho, and then shook her head, saying, "Ani, geunyang eolgul bogo sipheoseo. (No, I just missed seeing your face.)" Her words are filled with a mix of affection and hesitation, unsure if she should burden Suho with it.

A mischievous smile spread across Suho's face as he leaned in and surprised Subin with a gentle kiss on her lips, catching her off guard. The unexpected gesture momentarily took Subin by surprise, but soon a smile formed on her face, and she melted into the warmth of Suho's lips.

But as they pulled away, Suho sensed a hint of doubt in Subin's eyes. As they remained in each other's embrace, Suho couldn't help but feel a slight pang of concern. He gently brushed his thumb against Subin's cheek and asked, "Is everything okay? I can sense something on your mind."

Subin hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting between Suho's eyes and her own thoughts. She took a deep breath, taking his hand from her cheek, and finally decided to open up, trusting in their relationship. "Actually, something happened earlier today," she started, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

Subin told him about what had happened between her and Young Bin as she took a glimpse of him, afraid of his reaction. She told him everything except the one who put the drug on her.

As she spoke, Suho's expression remained calm and understanding, his eyes filled with empathy.