Love Me

46. Hope

The distant voices asking him if he can hear seemed like a dream in his head.
Blood flowing from her head onto the road,
a hand asking for his help as she finally closed her eyes....Sumi!

A high-pitched gasp left Hoseok's lips as his eyes shot open. He looked around the room worriedly, but all he can see is people dressed in white coats. The shattering pain spread all over his head and arms but his eyes were still searching for his wife.

With the help of a nurse, he immediately rushed out to see Sumi. The room she was in has a low light and an electronic machine sitting on a cart with odd wires leading from it. Heart monitor signaled a steady beep. She was lying on the bed with an IV in her arm, unresponsive, wrapped in bandages. Dried blood flaking from under the bandages, her face pale with chapped lips.

He slowly walked to her and took her cold hand in his, eyes teary, body trembling.
Every heartbeat sent a surge of pain as if his chest was being torn apart.

He tried waking her up but she wasn't opening her eyes. Never in his life has he experienced such intense agony, crushing every nerve in his body. He groaned from the intense pain as he broke down in tears at his wife's body.

***

Days pass and his wounds heal but he still waits every day beside his wife, hoping she would wake up.

Hoseok puts on a smile on his face as he places a bouquet of white roses that Sumi loves on the table beside. He cleans her body with a warm damp cloth telling her stories of his college days which he believes she is listening.

He goes out of the room to call Sumi's father and that's when Jimin walks in. He was waiting for Hoseok to leave the room as he can't look in the eyes of his best friend anymore. Jimin still can't forget the look Hoseok gave him before he ran to save his wife. He broke his trust, his friendship and he feels miserable.

Seeing Sumi like that broke his heart. If it wasn't for his brother he wouldn't have done any harm to his best friend or his family. He feels terrible for taking away his best friend's love which he was waiting for all his life.

He could hold the heartbreak no longer and he fell to the floor in a disheveled heap as his grief poured out in a flood of uncontrollable tears.

"I-I'm sorry Sumi, I'm so sorry!" He bleeds the salt of his soul and it pours from his eyes.

He pulls his hair harshly and beats his chest, trying to hold back his tears but he can't leave them in anymore.

Jimin stands up, ready to leave but as he turns back, he sees Hoseok standing at the door, sobbing softly. Hoseok walks towards Jimin and hugs him, constantly sniffling.

Jimin hugs back his friend as he cried loudly. Deep emotions stir with no other outlet but through his long-lasting sobs.

"I'm sorry Hoseok, please forgive me" He chokes on his sobs and Hoseok pats his back.

She can hear it, Sumi can hear and feel everything that's happening around her. Tears spilled over the sides of her eyes and her fingers pull on the white blanket.

Sumi slowly opens her eyes and her vision seems blurry. She blinks a few times and looks at her husband crying with Jimin. She lifts her hand calling out to him and Hoseok's red swollen eyes widen when he saw Sumi awake.

"Sumi!" he runs to her while Jimin calls for a doctor.

He kisses her cheeks thanking God for saving her life. She smiles at him softly and he smiles back at her. Her hand creeps onto her stomach as she looks at her husband.

"Th-The baby..is okay right?" she whispers quietly and the smile on his lips faded.

"We'll talk about it later Sumi" he fakes a smile.

Sumi grabs his hand and places it on her stomach, staring into his eyes deeply.

"Please tell me.."

Hoseok shook his head while biting his lip, a tear trickling down his cheek.

"I-- I need my baby back, please...please!" She cries, screaming loudly, the pain in her heart and body taking over her. A flood of tears gushed down her ashen cheeks as the doctors tried to calm her down.

Hoseok couldn't do anything. As much as he wants to stay happy with his wife, he can't seem to get anything he wants. He wanted to protect her and keep her healthy but she ended up in a hospital bed again.

Hoping everything would go back to normal, Hoseok takes Sumi back home and she gets better as the days pass but, she turns back to her old self. Staying away from people, not showing her emotions, she's changing cold-hearted again and this time, Hoseok is afraid that he might lose her forever if he doesn't do anything.

"Sumi? Are you okay?" he asks, knocking the bathroom door, but she doesn't answer.

He slowly pushes it open and peeks in to see Sumi curled up into a ball, sitting in the tub while the hot shower is running on her skin, leaving red marks all over the body.

"Sumi, what are you doing?!" Hoseok turns off the shower and screams at her as he lifts her head, only to see her watery eyes filled with pain.

His fingers brush her soaked hair back while staring into her eyes.

"Stop doing this Sumi-" his voice cracks.

It's been so long since the couple showed any affection towards each other. Even though Hoseok tries to be close, Sumi stays away, afraid of getting hurt again.

"Please, love me again," he asks, cupping her face and her eyes soften.

She tugs on his shirt and pulls him closer, snuggling into his chest as he pats her head. Her naked body against his, soaking his clothes.

Hoseok wraps a towel around her and carries her to bed, placing her gently on it.

Lying beside her, he caresses her cheek before kissing her forehead.

"Everything happens for a reason Sumi. If we lose something, we might get something better" he smiles at her and brushes his lips against hers in a soft kiss.

His words leave a hint of hope in her and she tries to see life in a positive way again.

Hope is like the sun, as we go towards it, it casts the shadows of our burden behind us.