With trembling hands, I lifted Chunghee's helpless body and rested his head in my arms very carefully. The first thing I did was check the pulse on his wrist. And, as soon as I could still feel his pulse, gratefully I almost cried.

"Chunghee... hang on... I'll take you to the hospital."

​​

Without lingering, I immediately covered his body with a blanket and took him to the hospital as soon as possible.

At the hospital, Chunghee had just been transferred to the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). He wasn't conscious yet. The doctor who treated him said that his condition was critical. So I stayed here waiting for him awake anxiously.

Sitting on the chair limply, I kept staring at the letter from Donghwa — I found this when I took Chunghee to the hospital by accident. He held it and I only noticed it when a nurse was about to take him to the ER (Emergency Room).

I thought this was the reason why Chunghee collapsed.

I thought that Donghwa shouldn't have to write anything for him. If he really loved him, he should have known that leaving things like this would only hurt the person he left behind.

But, he had done it, and for what?

I felt irritated, but it wasn't allowed to curse the dead. So, I just folded the letter, placed it on the table with no intention of throwing it away.

Holding Chunghee's hand tightly, I looked at Chunghee's quiet face and continued to wish him the best. Suddenly tears fell in the corners of his eyes, glistening in the light of the lamp, revealing a deep sadness on his face.

It seemed he had been crying all day, his eyes were too swollen .… he should have stopped crying over anything.

I knew that losing someone important was the most painful thing in our lifetime. People who had never experienced it might laugh, thinking it was too much, while those who had been in the same situation would cry with him. This was the empathy of those who had been hurt.

However, if one day I had to lose Chunghee, would I cry or even go crazy?

For now, how much I loved him, my father even said that I was crazy and needed a mental hospital.

Suddenly the door opened, a familiar man in a white coat walked in with a smile.

"Long time no see, Mr. Kim."

It's Dr. Jeong. He looked at Chunghee for a while before sweeping away his eyes to me, saying, "Looks like Mr. Park's condition is bad after a long time not seeing him. But, I think he is quite lucky, though. Without medicine and treatment, but he can still survive until now."

I didn't please hearing the words but I didn't give any rebuttal. He just didn't know how Chunghee fought the pain almost every day.

Dr. Jeong said again, "The neurologist will be here soon. I will discuss whether or not to have surgery."

Hearing about this, I, who was indifferent to Dr. Jeong's presence previously, immediately lifted my face, asking seriously, "Why not just go for the surgery right away?"

Dr. Jeong shook his head. He replied calmly, "There are many factors to consider. We couldn't be careless because patient safety is paramount. And since this is brain surgery, the neurologist has more authority. Mr. Park has already taken a CT Scan, so the doctor only needs to analyze it to determine the point of removal of cancer cells, what percentage can be removed, and what the risk is."

"What about chemotherapy or radiotherapy?" I almost yelled.

"Sir, chemotherapy is very difficult to reach the head. It won't be effective. Neither will radiotherapy. That's why I suggested surgery first." Doctor Jeong took off his glasses, and smiled but expressed regret. He said, "Now, it's in the final stages."

Hearing this, my body instantly went limp. I looked at Dr. Jeong lifelessly, feeling that my hopes were dashed in an instant. I couldn't say anything more. Dr. Jeong seemed to have just said to me, "Wait for a miracle even if the probability is only 0.001%."

Dr. Jeong sighed heavily. "I have to go. In five minutes the Doctor will be here."

I was still speechless; my mind was blank; my soul disappeared from my body.

I didn't know if I lived or died now. I didn't even realize that Dr. Jeong had already left this room.

Until Chunghee's voice was heard, I was instantly surprised.

"Where ... am ... I ...."

I felt so grateful. I stroked his head gently, and said, "Hush, don't talk just yet."

Chunghee weakly turned his head sideways with great difficulty as if his collarbone was about to shatter. He then looked at me for a long time, until he said softly, "I can't see ... your face clearly ... but, I can recognize your voice. You're ... Daehyun...."

I smiled. The simple words made my heart melt. How could I not, usually, he always thought of me as Donghwa. Now, as soon as I heard him say my name, I struggled to suppress the joy in my heart.

"Thank God."

"Daehyun, I thought you'd never come back. I thought we'd never meet again ...."

"Shh ...." I gently caressed his lips and smiled, "I promised, didn't I? But, still, I must apologize for making you wait so long ...."

Chunhee smiled weakly. "This smell is familiar ... am I in the hospital?" he asked.

I didn't immediately give an answer. There's a pause to think that I should have sent him to the hospital a long time ago. However, what could I do? He kept refusing.

Then, I replied, "About two hours ago."

"I feel like a dying person here … I feel … helpless …."

I could only respond to the words with a smile. I actually wanted to ask why he was lying unconscious on the bed, but immediately gave up after remembering the letter. So, I was about to ask him something else.

However, as soon as I opened my mouth, Chunghee spoke first with pain as if his voice was coming out of his torn vocal cords, "Hoonsik brought Donghwa's stuff after he was cremated. He shouldn't have brought them to me ... that ... I can't see them."

He paused for a moment as if mustering up the strength to speak once more, "I feel guilty ...."

"No, no, no." I replied disapprovingly, "It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself."

As soon as I finished saying, a nurse came in. "Sir, Dr. Jeong would like to talk to you."

After the nurse said that, she then immediately left. I smiled at Chunghee, saying, "Is it okay if I leave you for a minute?"

"It's okay."

I showed him a button, then said again, "If you need anything while I'm not back yet, click this nurse call button, okay?"

Chunghee nodded slightly. After that, I immediately stood up. I stared at him for a moment, not having the heart to leave him alone. However, since this matter was important, so I must leave immediately. Then, I walked out and rushed to Dr. Jeong's office and kept hoping for the best.