❀ In those moments of uncertainty, when you don't even know if all your efforts aren't just a waste, Haechan decides to stick with it. Even if everyone has seemed to lose hope and he may be starting to lose hope as well...
He aimlessly traced patterns on her palm all the way to the centre of her hand trying to drown out the conversation outside the room. He really did not want to eavesdrop, but it wasn’t like he had the choice. The shouts were drilling into his ears like an unwelcome guest forcing their way in.
“As her grandmother I feel like I have the right to have her near before I won’t be able to see her at all!”
“Oh! Now you want to step up and be a grandmother? After shunning me for marrying a foreigner! You wanted nothing to do with me or my family and now we want nothing to do with you!”
“How do you know she doesn’t want me in her life? The whole reason she is in this hospital is because you made her feel unwanted!”
Haechan closed his eyes as if that would help him block the discussion. When that didn’t seem to work he let his gaze fall on Jiho. She looked like she was sleeping peacefully. Too peaceful to Haechan’s liking, but he couldn’t do anything about it.
“Eomma, I know I messed up as Jiho’s mother, but– I want her to be with her family in France. If… if she doesn’t wake up, I want her to be with the people she loves.” Jiho’s mother pleaded with her own mother.
“And what about her members?”
“Do not act like you care about them! This is only about you. You want to seem like a great grandmother, but you couldn’t even be a good mother.”
Jiho’s grandmother scoffed, almost amused at her daughter’s words. “Seems like we have a thing in common after all-”
“Just leave! Jiho’s coming to France with me and her dad and that’s that!”
Although it sounded like that’s where the conversation would end, the mother and daughter pair continued to shout at each other. Haechan could hear the nurses come by multiple times and try to get them to quiet down, but the two were in their own world and didn’t pay any mind to anyone else. Luckily Jiho’s room was in a more private sector of the hospital and despite the noise, Jiho’s mother and grandmother weren’t causing too big of a disturbance.
Resting his head on Jiho’s shoulder, Haechan continued to absentmindedly trace patterns on Jiho’s palm. He made sure not to put too much weight on Jiho’s shoulder or hand, but enough to let her unconscious body know he was there.
“I’m sorry you have to hear them fighting…” He mumbled tiredly. With a quick glance up, he saw the clock nearing the end of the visiting hour. “I wish they could stop as well.”
As if in response to his words, Jiho’s hand softly twitched. Her fingers tensed slightly, making the motion as if closing her hand into a fist before they relaxed again and returned to their normal state.
This movement would have Haechan jumping up, his heart rate would quicken, he’d be speechless before yelling for a nurse or doctor causing a whole commotion in this part of the hospital. If it was the first time he definitely would’ve done those things. He would’ve because he did. A bit over a week ago, that same exact thing happened. Those same exact movements happened and then he did those same exact things. Now, almost two weeks passed and Haechan knew he shouldn’t be excited to see her hand move. Sure, it gave him some hope, but after the fifth time, Haechan knew this wasn’t a sign of her waking up. It just was a sign she was still alive and at least not getting worse. She wasn’t getting much better either.
A hand suddenly appeared on Haechan’s shoulder and his gaze shot up to meet the green eyes that resembled Jiho’s so well. Jiho’s father — adoptive, not biological — looked at him with a soft yet sad smile. He eyed the clock and Haechan gave him an understanding nod.
The idol gathered his things and walked towards the door before stopping at the sound of Jiho’s father’s voice. “Thanks for continuing to come as often as you can…”
Haechan’s English wasn’t perfect but he understood enough to get the gist of his words. These past few weeks Jiho’s father often said a few words whenever seeing Haechan at Jiho’s side. Even when Haechan didn’t fully understand, he always felt the gratitude the father held for Haechan’s actions.
“I know the others are slowly losing hope… I can imagine it must be just as hard for you to stay hopeful as it is for me and my wife, but we thank you for visiting still. Whatever happens to Jiho… she will know you were there for her. She might not be able to say it, but I know she knows.”
A few heavy moments passed after he said that before Haechan responded with a quiet nod. That was enough for the father as he turned away, trying not to show the emotion in his eyes. He turned to his daughter, sitting next to her and fixing the stuffed animal Haechan had gifted her to sit snugly under her arm. Haechan couldn’t make out what he started whispering to Jiho — it was probably in French anyway — so he decided to make his way out of the hospital room.
It was almost funny how now that Haechan was in the hallway where the two women were still bickering and yelling at each other, Haechan couldn’t hear a single word. They were so loud when he was in another room, but now that he was in the same space, it was absolutely quiet. He bowed at them without much thought and intention behind it before leaving. The two women barely noticed Haechan go as they continued to yell loudly at each other. Still Haechan didn’t hear. He wished Jiho didn’t have to hear it either.
