Those days - txtzy

part 4: 四

But it was hard to avoid the topic. Chaeryeong visited the cafe a lot less, and when he spotted her in school she often looked frazzled and worried. She could be seen not paying attention and constantly glued to her phone, even in class. That made him intrigued, considering Chaeryeong was known as one of the star students of the school, who was never distracted and would certainly not break school rules.

So he couldn't help but ask.

"Is something wrong?" Taehyun asked carefully one day, as Chaeryeong leaned against the counter and absently shredded napkins. The girl sighed, her fingers still working on the tissue, "It's...nothing, it's personal, and maybe I shouldn't be telling you, but my friend...he was in a coma for a couple of months, and the doctors weren't really sure if he would wake up, but he did. And everyone is in absolute shock, I guess. "

Taehyun guessed right, and he was mildly pleased with himself. Chaeryeong seemed to have snapped out of her reverie and instead frowned at the pile of ripped up napkins. "Did I do this?" She scoffed lightly, slapping her palm against her head, "Ugh, I'm acting like a scatterbrain." Suddenly, her attention turned to the clock, which made her exclaim, "Damn, I'm late."

"Late for?" Taehyun asked as he raised an eyebrow.

"I'm gonna meet Do San, I've been seeing him since he woke up. We have a lot to catch up on," Chaeryeong paused for a second, before quickly saying, "If it isn't too much, could you have drinks delivered to the hospital? I need to go, and I think Do San and his family would appreciate it. I'll pay you now."

As the girl deposited a couple of notes and coins, Taehyun hurried to write down the address and room number, barely getting the chance to bid the girl goodbye as she flung the door open.

Heaving a massive sigh, Taehyun looked at the long order and got to work.

-

The owners insisted he go and deliver the drinks, despite the fact that it was peak hour and they usually had delivery men to handle deliveries. But nevertheless, he plucked the drinks stuffed into the carrier and headed off towards the hospital.

It wasn't difficult to make his way through the hospital, thanks to the nurses full of hospitality (sorry bad pun), and he found the ward and room easily.

Chaeryeong was sitting by a large hospital bed, a boy their age lying down beneath the pale white sheets. The boy looked frail and tired, with beeping monitors attached to him with clear tubes. The girl perked up when she saw Taehyun, gesturing for him to place the drinks on the bedside table.

Though he was quite happy to leave immediately, Chaeryeong had cut in with, "Why don't you stay? Do San likes making new friends!"

Do san managed a weak smile, so Taehyun took that as a green light to take a seat. Chaeryeong caught sight of some people that looked like they may be Do San's parents, so she got up with a quick "Be right back". Once she left the room, a tense awkward silence ensued.

Do san let out a cough, so Taehyun cautiously offered him a drink. "Thanks," Do San feebly said, and after a few sips, he asked, "Are you a friend of Chaeyoung?"
"Chaeryeong," Taehyun corrected, mildly taken aback that Chaeryeong's friend didn't know her name.

"Oh, yes, of course," Do San hastily covered up. The boy pressed a button on the remote on his bed, and he was propped up slowly.

"Are you close to Chaeryeong?" Taehyun decided to ask since the silence was becoming suffocating.

Do san hung his head, not saying anything for a while, before softly saying, "I hope you don't tell her, because it would be awkward if she knew, but I have no idea who she is."