[DUJUN]
“Miinah?” The room was dim. I opened the door widely and entered the room. There was even no
one lamp turned on. I removed my shoes, and wore the slippers that used to be
mine. “Miinah?” my voice echoed the dim room. “Are you here?” I asked louder.
“Miinah?!” no one answered me when I heard the sound of water flushed on
toilet. I sighed in relief. “Miinah, are you okay?” I walked toward the
bathroom slowly. The door opened slightly, and I could see a thin figure stood
there, but suddenly she was back to the bathroom while gripping her stomach.
“Miinah?” I ran toward her.
“Hoeeekkk… ugh…”
I saw her throwing up everything in her stomach to the toilet. “Ugh…” She was
on her knees while doing the stuff, and I rubbed her back, trying to help her. “Ehmm…
Dujun-ahh…, Help me take my medicine please…!” she said while wiping her lips.
“Ugh… I want… hoeeek…” she threw up again when I reached the table on which her
medicines were. I took a glass of water on the side of them while walking fast
to the toilet.
“Miinah…” I
helped her to sit and flush the toilet. “Are you okay?” She nodded. “These are
the medicines.” I handed the pills and the glass.
“Thank you.” She
tried to reach my hands, but I could see her hands were trembling.
“No. I will feed
you.” I said, short. “Open your mouth.” I saw Miinah widened her eyes. “I don’t
have time to argue with you.” I demanded. She slightly opened her mouth; I took
the medicines and helped her to gulp down the water. “Now, let’s go to bed.” I
said, held her shoulder. She tried to stand up on her feet while gripping her
stomach. “Do you want to throw up again?” I asked. She shook her head.
“No.” she said,
“I…,” before she ended her words, I could feel her body shivering so badly.
“I will carry
you.” Without any agreement from her, I carried her in a bridal style, I saw
her eyes which eyed me, she lingered her hands on my neck. “How about you live
with my family in Ilsan?” I asked her, trying to sound not so demanding.
“Why?” she asked
in a low voice after landed safely in her bed.
“Because I can’t
let you live alone like this.” I said, sitting on the edge of the bed. “You
know, you will have Duri nuna, or eomma to help you.”
“I don’t…,” she
held her breath, “need help.”
“What?” I looked
at her moist eyes, “After what happened just now? If I were not here, what will
you do?” I frowned.
“I…,” she
uttered, “But your mother, your sister, they will get burdened of me.”
“They will not!”
I yelped.
“Why did you
yell to me?” she said every words with pressure.
“I did not!” I
stood and looked at her.
“Go out, Dujun!”
she pointed the door, “I want to sleep.” She continued.
“Miinah-ah… I am
sorry…,” I walked toward her, “I am just so… tired.” I said, couldn’t find the
right word.
“I said: GO OUT.
LEAVE ME ALONE!” she yelped and covered her body with the blanket. “I don’t
have energy to argue with you.” She mumbled.
“Miinah-ahh…” I
tried to squeeze her shoulder.
“Please….” She
said. “Me too, Dujun-ahh, tired as well.”
---
[MIINAH]
How come he said he was tired… in front of
me just now. How come…? I knew he was tired. I knew it perfectly… that I
was a burden for him. How could… he yell to me…? I knew his schedule was no
joke, and he still needed to take care of me. What kind of girlfriend I am…?
I wiped the
tears that formed on the corner of my eyes, and pulled the blanket closer to my
body. This night was as cold as my heart. I hated myself for being so fragile. I
sighed. I couldn’t shut my eyes off. It must have been an hour after Dujun
closed the front door and left me alone. I felt want to throw up again that
made me hastily kick the blanket and ran to the toilet.
When I finished
the stuff, I heard the door knob being opened. I stiffened on my feet. I saw a
tall figure wore the slippers; he brought a black plastic bag. He walked slowly
to the kitchen while unbuttoning one or two of his shirt. He didn’t notice me
standing here because of the dim light I guess. Or, probably he was to absorb
with his own thoughts. I saw him took a glass from the cupboard. Soju? I tried to get the better vision
but it failed. I could hear he took bowls as well, and a set of spoon. He
opened the plastic bag while trying to turn on the light.
“Dujun.” I
whispered, and walked to the kitchen. He turned on his body to face me.
“Hi.” He faked
smile, “you wake up already?”
I just nodded.
“What are you doing?” I eyed the stuffs he bought.
“These are
abalone porridge for you and herbal medicine.” He said, not looking at my face,
and back to his work, put the porridge to the bowls and poured the medicine to
the glasses.
“Why you bought
two of each?” I asked, got closer to him.
“It seems I need
it too.” He smiled, “And… I am sorry for earlier.”
“Why don’t you
go back to your dorm?” I said, helped him prepare the late supper. “You should
take a rest. You are tired.” I said, trying to sound calm.
“Miinah… sorry
for earlier… I am not tired at all.” He said, lying to me.
“Liar!” I rather
yelped. “Why must have you always lied to me?” I shed tears.
“Miinah…!” he
tried to reach me. “What happen actually with you?”
“Why, Dujun-ahh?
Why?” I couldn’t handle this feeling anymore. I cried while gripping my skirt.
“Why you need to lie to me every time?” I wiped my tears. “If you are tired,
say it to me, loudly!” I patted his chest. “Why….” I crawled to the floor.
“Why….”
“Miinah….”
“I am sorry for
coming to your life…” I cried; let the tears of mine fell to the floor. “I am
sorry….”
---
to be cont
