Paperclips - YJH

Nineteen

I was woken up by knocks on my door. The sun shone brightly through the window, indicating it was morning. I groggily made my way to the door, wondering who could be visiting me at this hour. As soon as I opened it, I saw Mr. Lee standing there with a concerned look on his face. He didn't even let me speak before he made his way into my hotel room.

He sat on my bed as he looked at me. "I was worried."

I looked at him with confused eyes and sat on a chair beside the bed. "Why?"

"You didn't come for the jungle adventure, and your phone was turned off. It made me so worried, you know." He explained with a stern face.

I awkwardly smiled. "I was just tired. Don't worry." Mr. Lee nodded, still looking concerned. "Next time, just let me know if you're not feeling well. I was about to send a search party out for you." I chuckled nervously, not knowing where he was going with this.

"I did message you that I wouldn't be coming, though." I added, trying to ease his worry. "I must have missed it," he replied, visibly relieved.

He stood up and walked towards the door to leave, but stopped, turned back to me, and pulled me into a hug. The hug took me off guard, and I tried to push him away, but his grip was strong. "Don't make me worry like this ever again." I started feeling uncomfortable at the intensity of his hug and the seriousness of his words. I quickly nodded and pulled away from the hug and bid him a goodbye before closing my door. 

What was that?
____

Today was the second day of shooting, and this day would last long and maybe extend into the night, so we all came prepared for a long day of work. The only relief was that we were on the country side, surrounded by trees and rivers and cool breezes at times, making the work more bearable despite the long hours ahead. The natural beauty of the location helped to ease the tension and stress of the day. 

I sat down on a chair near the small coffee truck that was parked at our shooting location as my stomach had been feeling a bit gassy since the morning. I assumed it was because I skipped dinner and breakfast because I had no appetite. Maybe I should've ate something. The budget for these Korean variety shows never fails to amaze me; they really go all out and care so much about the staff. I bought a coffee and comfortably sat myself on one of the chairs kept there, ready to peacefully enjoy my coffee. It's a break, so I didn't have to worry about working for some time.

However, I couldn't bring myself to drink the coffee. My stomach ache didn't seem to be getting any better, and I started to regret not bringing any medicine with me. I decided to take a short walk around the area in hopes of feeling better before the shoot resumes. I walked off into the nearby forest while keeping my hand on my stomach. Walking around when you have an upset stomach will apparently help with the pain.

As I wandered through the trees, enjoying the subtle cool breezes and the chirping of birds, a sudden pain shot up my stomach, making me stumble and fall down. I tried to get up again, but the pain was too intense, and I realised I wouldn't be able to make it back on my own. Panic started to set in as I wondered how I would get help in the middle of the forest.

I quickly took out my phone and dialed Soonyoung,  my hands shaking and my eyes closing shut due to the intense pain. 

Ringgg.... Ringggg... Ringgg... Rin—

"Hello?" A familiar voice answered, but it wasn't Soonyoung's.

"Jeo... Jeonghan..?" I croaked out, making sure it was him.

"Yes. What is it? Hoshi isn't available right now—" He retorted with a heavy sigh. I mentally cursed him but this wasn't the time for it, the pain was increasing. 

"J-jeonghan..." I trailed off, panting heavily.

"Y/N?" He paused, concern evident in his voice, "Why do you sound like that—"

"I n-need help," I managed to get out before the pain overwhelmed me, causing me to drop the phone.

"What? Are you hurt? Where are you? Y/N!" Jeonghan's voice was filled with worry as I struggled to respond, the pain becoming unbearable. 

"I'm in the forest... I don't know where exactly," I whispered while trying to observe my surroundings while slowly losing consciousness.

I heard Jeonghan's panicked voice calling my name before everything went black. 
____

My eyes slowly opened, struggling to adjust to the bright lights above me. I studied my surroundings as I looked around, realising I was in a hospital room. There were tubes connected to my palms to a drip bag, and I could hear the beeping of machines nearby. I looked at the couch beside the bed and saw Jeonghan sleeping soundly, along with a few other members and staff. I tried to sit up but felt a sharp pain in my side, causing me to wince.

Jeonghan stirred in his sleep, his eyes fluttering open as he noticed me awake. He quickly woke up the others before leaving the room. My smile faded as I watched him leave the room, some part of me was hoping he would stay by my side. 

The others who were now awake quickly stood up, ran towards me, and embraced me, their concern evident in their eyes. I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me, knowing that I was surrounded by people who cared deeply for me.
____

"You have gastroritis. Have you been drinking too much alcohol or stressing yourself out a lot lately?" The doctor explained with a question.

"I don't know. I think I've been a little stressed." I admitted it, to which the doctor nodded in understanding. "You'll be admitted to the hospital for a week." He stated this before walking out of the room. I sighed, looking around my now empty room. The silence was deafening, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of loneliness creeping in.

I heard a creak and looked in its direction to find the door slowly opening and Jeonghan wandering with a plastic bag in hand. I felt my face light up without even realising it. I watched intently as he carefully placed the plastic bag on the bedside table and sat himself down on the couch next to the bed. Nobody spoke, and an awkward silence was setting in.

"It's gatroritis, they said." I spoke up, trying to ease the unknown tension.

He looked at me and nodded. "Does it hurt?"

I shook my head. "Not really, just uncomfortable." Jeonghan's expression softened.

"I bought some fruits. I heard they're good." He explained as he saw me eye the plastic bag on the table.

I nodded with a small smile and said, "Thank you."
____

As Jeonghan left Y/N's hospital room, he couldn't help but feel relieved after seeing how much better she was feeling.

"Do you feel better now that you talked to her?" Soonyoung questioned Jeonghan with a smirk as they sat together on the car ride back to Seoul.

"Huh?" Jeonghan pretended to be confused by the question.

"Oh, come on, everyone saw you drop everything and run into the forest frantically. Then, after we brought her to the hospital, you were by her side the entire time she was asleep. You couldn't even eat! Man, just admit—ow!" Soonyoung was silenced by Jeonghan kicking his feet. "I was just worried as a colleague. That's it." Jeonghan replied, looking away. Soonyoung rolled his eyes, a knowing grin that spread across his face.