{ 42 }

TOP, Jiyong, and the Park family were all anxious as they wait for Dr. Cheon’s assessment. He was currently inside Dara’s room, checking if Youngbae’s and Dr. Nam’s assumptions were true. Jiyong asked for Bom to take care of Yuri for a little bit since he doesn’t want to stress his sister anymore. There was still the issue with Jaejoong, and honestly, he couldn’t even grasp the idea of Yuri being Kim Yuri.

When Dr. Cheon went out of the room, Jiyong raced to him. “What happened, Dr. Cheon?” He asked. His heart was hammering inside his chest in fear that their assumptions were right. That Dara really doesn’t want to see Jiyong, and even Yuri. He was hoping against hope that it was just shock and disbelief which drove her to do that.

Unfortunately, Dr. Cheon’s face already told tales. When he opened his mouth, Jiyong’s hope vanished. “Ms. Park Sandara is currently diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD. Because the event had deeply scarred her, her mind wanted to withdraw from all the things, events, or people which will remind her of the accident.”

Jiyong’s mindset was crushed. He was left speechless, which is why Mr. Park took the initiative to speak. “What should we do to help her?”

“Well, we will let her undergo therapy so that she will overcome this. However, the family and friends’ support will be better for her. You have to make her feel that she’s not going insane and that you will always be there to help her.”

“We’ll do that, Dr. Cheon.” Mrs. Park replied. “Can we see her soon?”

“You can visit her now, but she’s still asleep because of the sedative we put on her medicine. She’ll probably wake up later in the evening.” He said. The doctor bowed lightly. “I’ll be on my office if you need anything.”

“Certainly, doctor.” Mrs. Park swiftly answered, and soon enough, the six of them were left on the waiting area outside the private rooms.

Jiyong slumped on one of the chairs. His head was aching and his eyes were bloodshot. He hasn’t eaten anything yet and he hasn’t slept thinking about Dara. Now that he knew that she was diagnosed with PTSD, what were his chances left of being with her?

“Jiyong-ah,” Mrs. Park lightly called. He tilted his head to see Dara’s mother better. She let out a tender smile as she spoke. “You can go in.”

Surprise was shown on his face. “Jangmonim, you know Dara will pro–”

“I know,” Mrs. Park answered. “But that’s only if she’s awake. She’s asleep now, so seize your chance, Jiyong-ah.”

Hearing that, he quickly jumped to his feet, walking towards Dara’s room in steady strides. However, as soon as he held the steel handle of the door, he felt his knees getting week and his eyes tearing. He couldn’t push open the door in fear that he wouldn’t want to leave as soon as he gets to her side.

To his surprise, another hand held the handle and opened it for him. When he turned, he saw Sanghyun, awkwardly staring at his shoes. “Listen to omma. Now that Dara noona’s condition is like this, you have to take every moment when you can spend your time with her.” He said, his voice soft.

Jiyong held up his head and stared at the sleeping form of Dara on the hospital bed. He wasn’t even sure when he stepped in and sat on a chair next to her bed. All he was sure of was that he loves her so much, and he wouldn’t dare leave her.

He cautiously held Dara’s hand, afraid that she’ll wake up and their tranquil will end. However, she stayed lying motionless and he sighed in relief. He stared at her face. It was full of scars, and he could still see the faint red of a hand mark. He gritted his teeth in rage that those men touched his Dara and beat her up like she wasn’t a woman. There was a pinch on his heart on every wound that he lays his eyes on.

“Noona...” He breathed, his voice barely a whisper. “I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. I’m the reason why you’re hurt right now. I know, I understand that you want me to leave... but I’m sorry again because I can’t do that. You can ask me anything else, but leaving you is out of the question. It’s impossible. You’re the only one I’ll ever love. Kwon Dara always, remember?” His voice cracked as he uttered their promise. Now, all their good times together seemed like a distant memory which happened in the last lifetime.

He wasn’t even aware that he had fallen asleep while holding Dara’s hand. When Dara woke up, she was surprised to see Jiyong’s head placed on her side while he was still holding her hand tightly.

She felt a rush of fear as she remembered who he was related to. However, she bit her lip hard to the point that it bled so that she won’t have another outburst. She closed her eyes and tried to relish all of her and Jiyong’s good memories together, wanting to overshadow the dark event with Madame Kwon.

She didn’t even notice that her hold on him was tightening, and soon enough, it woke him. When Dara heard her shuffling, she quickly pretended to be asleep.

Jiyong, feeling Dara’s tightening hold on him, was scared once again. He thought that maybe she was having nightmares about what happened, and he almost pushed the emergency button. He did what he always used to do to make her fall asleep.

I’ll call you by your name, no matter what you say

So that you can feel me as a man, I’ll hold you tightly

I’ll call you by your name, no matter what you say, I don’t care

Don’t be surprised

If you really look, you are a young girl

Jiyong started singing softly to Dara, thinking that she was having a nightmare. He didn’t know that Dara was only faking being asleep, but Jiyong’s voice was starting to make her recall all of their good memories together. She fell asleep to his voice and to their memories playing like a movie inside her head.

When he noticed that she was calm once again, he decided to leave. He softly kissed her forehead. “I love you, noona.”

--

Dara woke up the next morning. Although her limbs still felt like they were ran over by a bulldozer, it’s a no-brainer that she was actually feeling better now than she was the other day.

“So, how are you, Dara?” Dr. Cheon asked.

“I feel better, doctor.” She answered truthfully.

The doctor engaged her in a light conversation, trying to extract information slowly from her. However, Dara doesn’t want to go slow. She wants to get the PTSD away from her. I love Jiyong, she thought. I can’t allow this to ruin us. I shouldn’t always think of what his... mother did to me. He didn’t even know about it! She tried reasoning with herself, but she was still traumatized a little. She knows in her heart that she’s still in love with Jiyong, but when she sees him, her fears suddenly gets in the way, producing ideas and events from her traumatic experience which makes her scared and wary of him.

“Doctor, I saw Jiyong yesterday.” She confessed.

Dr. Cheon’s brow rose. “Really? Did this happen after your meeting in the morning?”

She slowly nodded.

“What happened last night, Dara?” He asked, curious. There were no reports of another outburst from Park Sandara, and the doctor wanted to know why even though she confessed that she saw Jiyong.

“I... I was about to panic. Again.” She sighed deeply. “But I... I thought of all our memories together. And he was holding my hand, singing me to sleep...” She averted her gaze from the doctor. “And he told me he loved me.”

“And you forgot about your outburst just like that?” He clarified.

“Yes.” She sensed the disbelief in the doctor’s voice. “Is there something wrong with that, doctor?” She asked, unsure.

Dr. Cheon was surprised. Normally, PTSD patients took a few therapy sessions before being able to face their fears head-on. However, Park Sandara’s case seemed to be special. Her first outburst occurred when her mind was still hazy, but soon, when she was already level-headed, she was able to face Jiyong later that evening without trying to make him go away. Is this the power of love? The doctor amusedly asked himself as he looked at Dara.

“It’s not a bad thing, Dara, no need to worry.” He assured. Dara sighed in relief. “I was only surprised that you did that after only one session. Overcoming your fears was no easy feat, Dara. But maybe I underestimated your love’s power too much.” He added while smiling.

“What should I do now, then?”

“It would be better to attend a few more sessions so that we would be sure if the PTSD is really under control. You should also help yourself and try to control it. Don’t let your fears control you, Dara. You are the person.” The doctor stood up. “You’re doing great, actually. A therapist can’t fix a person. Only you have the power to do that. I’m merely here to guide you.”

He smiled gently at her. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Dara.”

--

Dara was getting better and better with each session. However, Jiyong still doesn’t want to take the risk of stressing her out, so he only sneaks in whenever she’s asleep. He would always talk to her and tell her about the things which he did that day, not caring if she hears it or not. He was contented with holding her hand and talking to her even though she was asleep.

Two weeks later, Dara was released from the hospital. That day also marked her last session with Dr. Cheon as she requested.

“Congratulations, Dara.” The older man warmly smiled at her. “Your improvements were truly remarkable. You were so keen on making yourself better that you’re okay now.”

Dara smiled back. Her wounds and bruises were starting to heal, and she only has to use a crutch for another week. After that, her leg would be as good as new. “You’ve been a big help too, Dr. Cheon.”

“Where’s Mr. Kwon, by the way?” Dr. Cheon asked, changing the topic. “You’re being released today, right?”

Dara’s smile faded and she let out a sigh. “Jiyong only sees me when I’m asleep. He still thinks that I’m going to be distressed once I see him, so...” Her voice trailed off.

Dr. Cheon patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Dara. I’m sure Mr. Kwon will come around soon. He was just so scared to lose you.”

“I hope so, doctor...”

--

On the other hand, Jiyong’s problems were enough to last him two lifetimes. Ever since the issue of Madame Kwon and Jo Pil Guk– two direct relatives of the CEO and President of Kwon Group of Companies Kwon Jiyong– being arrested and put to jail, everything went wild.

KGC’s stocks went down, and Jiyong was busy trying to regain the company’s position as the number one in Asia. They fell down to being the fourth, but Jiyong only wanted the best. He worked day and night to be back on top, but it’s proving to be hard since he hasn’t cleared up the issue.

Jiyong never said a word to the media. All of the news were speculations. He made the police swear in secrecy that everything which he will reveal to them will be in utmost confidentiality. Being professionals, the police agreed.

Also, he was having a hard time with the company’s board of directors. Some were actually trying to pull out their investments. Even TOP, who was working for a rival company, moved to KGC to help out his friend.

“Damn,” he cursed as he looked over the files once again. They were brainstorming, him, along with TOP, and Kim Kibum to think of new and improved ways to put out KGC to the business market. Kibum asked for a dinner break, since they’ve been in his office for three hours straight and they haven’t eaten anything yet. Mr. Kwon was so keen on doing a lot of projects. Also, Kibum was jumpy because it was his first time to be in the dragon’s office for a long time.

“Man, you need a break.” TOP commented. He was a witness to how Jiyong worked so hard especially the past few weeks. The issue about his mother’s and uncle’s arrest was taking its toll on the company.

“You know I can’t hyung.” He answered grumpily. “I have two million problems left and I only solved a few.”

“Jiyong, you know that’s not true.” The older guy answered, his brows furrowed. “You’ve done a lot. Why don’t you just tell everyone the truth about Jo Yuhee and Jo Pil Guk?” He asked in disgust. When Jiyong told them thr truth, Bom wanted to go to the prison cell of those two to claw their eyes out. Fortunately, TOP was able to stop her, or else World War III will ensue.

He was silent for a while before he spoke. “I can’t.” He answered in a quiet voice.

“Why?!”

“No matter what, Jo Yuhee is Yuri’s mother. And Yuri’s my sister, hyung.” He sighed. “I know Yuri’s feeling bad about all these. The issue with Kim Jaejoong doesn’t help too. My sister’s confused as hell.”

“Jiyong, maybe you should let Yuri talk to Jaejoong.” TOP suggested lightly. When Jiyong found out that Yuri went out with Jaejoong once, he went berserk and asked Choi Minho to strictly follow her around and not let Jaejoong talk to her.

“And what? Allow him to take away my sister?” He sharply asked. “No thanks, hyung.”

“Jiyong, you’re being narrow-minded.” TOP scolded. “No matter what you say, you can’t change Yuri’s DNA. She’s a sister to Kim Jaejoong!”

“Hyung–”

“She has the right to meet and talk to Jaejoong. The poor man worked his ass off for you, Jiyong. He earned the trust of Jo Yuhee and Jo Pil Guk just so he can save you. And he saved Dara noona! If it weren’t for him, Dara noona would have di–”

“DON’T. SAY. IT.” Jiyong’s steely voice boomed through the whole office. “Don’t even try, hyung.”

TOP sighed. “All I’m saying is that you should give Yuri a chance. She’s a big girl now, Ji. Besides, it’s not like she’s going to leave with Jaejoong and leave you to ruins. You know your sister won’t do that.”

Jiyong hates it the most when TOP makes sense. He knows that he’s being narrow-minded, but he can’t help it. Dara was slowly slipping away from his fingertips, and he couldn’t manage to lose another person close to his heart.

“Talk to Dara noona, Kwon. She’s just waiting for you.” Those were TOP’s last words before he went out of the office.

Jiyong leaned to his seat, pressing the heel of his palm on his forehead while he closed his eyes.

What if she just wants to say goodbye?

___________________________________________________

Err, if there are some of you who cannot believe that the PTSD can be managed that fast, I researched about it and it said that if the patient was willing to get over his/her PTSD, it is possible. The therapist doesn't exactly "cure" the PTSD, they only guide the patients on the certain things they can do to manage their PTSD :) At the end of the day, it all falls down to the patient's will, and of course, from the support he/she receives.

The ending will come soooon! 2 more and we're done... ;3

-X