The New Beginning (Final)

Description: Sequel to The True Legend (http://www.asianfanfics.com/story/view/2823/the-true-legend-jonghyun-shinee)

Rating: PG-13

Characters: SHINee and fictionals

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in the fiction.  The story is only a narrative and does not involve any real life situation.  The whole plot of the story is written originally by myself.  If there's any similarity to other fictions, it is totally a coincidence.

That boy, a normal human, runs happily beside the lake, without knowing that it was once a bloody site.  Not that I am going to feed him that information.  But the reflection of the red, autumn leaves on the lake, remind me a lot of that time.  The time when I was in a bad state, when we were in a very bad state.  The fight will last forever in my mind, but that boy shouldn’t know how horrible it was.  That little boy shouldn’t know how horrible it was when his father was confirmed dead.  But, that was all passed, long ago.  And the promise is made, it will never ever happen again.
I don’t hope my life will be like a fairytale, ‘living happily ever after’ kind of stuff.  Life is impossible to be all excited and happy, but, this is the life that I want, peaceful and harmonious.  At least, it is peaceful, without fight, killing and those stuffs you couldn’t imagine living in.  Peaceful and harmonious, we deserve this life after those things happened.
We’re at the front yard, having a sort of party it seems.  Jiyeon and Jinki with their cute little adopted baby, are having a good time together.  It seems like Jinki doesn’t want to turn his wife into a vampire.  He doesn’t want to kill Jiyeon by making her carry a vampire child as well.  So, that is it.  Adoption is the best.
Hyun Joong and Hyori are talking to some guests who have made an early arrival to this party.  They look happy.  Being grandparents to the boy change their lives a lot.  They try to act like oldies oftentimes, but they remain as young as ever, because of the Serum of Immortality.  I can’t imagine I will look older than them in a few years.
Taemin and Seraphina are arranging the candles on the cake, looking so good together.  I brought my own sister to this life.  Seraphina talked to me about being a vampire, so that she could be with Taemin and have their own children.  I have nothing against the idea, but I will miss the human in her if she really decides to do that.
The newlywed, Minho and Sooyoung are having the dining tables ready.  Looking at them remind me of twin towers, they are just so tall.  Minho helps Sooyoung, whose arm is injured, after being shot in a mission a few days ago.
“You don’t need to do this.  Just let me do all.  You need your rest,” Minho says.  But, Sooyoung is just as stubborn.  She is strong girl though, so she is.
The others: Ji Woo, Lee Minho, So Eun, Seunghyun, Ji Eun, and the trio, Minji, HyunA, and Uee are getting the food ready.  Seeing smiles on their faces make me happy.
But, I would be happier if Jonghyun were here.  I would be happier if Jonghyun were with us.  I would be happier if Jonghyun were here for our son’s fourth birthday.
But, he is not.
“Hey,” Key walks to me, with a wrapped present in his hand.
“Hey,” I reply.
“The party will start very soon.  The guests keep coming.  You might want to smile and cheer up a bit,” he says.
“I wish I could,” I say.
“Sabrina…”
“It has been three years my son celebrates his birthday without his dad.  This year, it would be the fourth,” I say, a bit pissed off.
“We don’t have a choice, do we?” asks Key.
“I guess not,” I say.
“Then, let’s go.  Joong Chan is waiting for you to cut the cake together,” Key says.
I nod and go to the big table, where Joong Chan is ready with his pointed birthday hat.  He is so cute.  I just hope he won’t be as short as his dad.
We sing a birthday song for him and we clap our hands.  Soon, I help him cutting the cake right after he makes a wish.
“What is your wish, Joong Chan?” asks Minji.  My little boy looks at her.
“Same as last year,” he says, with cute accent, barely understandable.
“Awww…you wish your dad will be with you on your birthday?” Minho asks.  Joong Chan nods.
It pierces my heart, so painfully.  Ever since Joong Chan could think and speak, it will always be about his dad.  It will always be about Jonghyun.  Not that I am jealous he doesn’t think of me, no.  It is just that we could not fulfil his birthday wish.  I kiss him in his cheek.
“Your dad will always be proud of you,” I say.  He smiles, showing lines of small teeth.
“I want to eat cake,” Joong Chan tells me.  I laugh.
“Yeah, it is about time,” I say.  I cut the large cake into pieces and give it to the guests.  Seraphina helps me with it.  Joong Chan eats his part happily.
“Eat and grow tall kid.  You don’t want to be like your father in terms of height,” says Taemin while spoon the cake into my son’s mouth.  He eats, unable to understand what Taemin means by that.
“Now, this is my present for you.  I am a good uncle, am I not?” Taemin says while giving a toy gun to him.
“And this is from me,” Seraphina says while giving him a set of spy gear for kids, “I just thought you might want to be like your parents,” she says.  He doesn’t understand of course, but takes the toy happily.
“Now you are a perfect, handsome mini spy,” says Taemin.  Joong Chan smiles.
“Enough of violence, Taemin,” says Jinki.
“Joong Chan-ah, I have a better present for you,” Jinki gives a set of children story books, “Be smart like me when you are older,” he says.
“That’s vain,” says Jiyeon, “Smart like you?  Joong Chan, I have a Barney for you,” Jiyeon gives a large Barney stuffed toys to him.  Joong Chan looks at it and he smiles wider.
“Told you he will like mine,” says Jiyeon to her husband.
“Nah…Joong Chan.  Here, Uncle Key gives you the best present after all.  A set of cowboy suit.  How is it? You like it?  The hat is cool,” says Key, while taking off the birthday hat and replacing it with the cowboy hat.  Joong Chan takes it off and replaces it back with the birthday hat.
“Hahaha! You are rejected by both the mother and the son, Key,” HyunA cracks a joke.  Now, that’s embarrassing.
“Bad joke, HyunA.  Bad joke,” says Key while shaking his head, trying to get rid of the awkwardness between us.  The others are laughing.
“Jiyeon, hold the baby, please.  I need to go to the bathroom for a while,” says Jinki.   Jiyeon takes their baby from him.
The trio starts to introduce their weird presents to Joong Chan, but every year, Joong Chan seems to like their presents so much.  I don’t mind at all.  I just hope that my son won’t be as weird as them.
Suddenly, a car arrives.  Might be another guest, since I have never seen the car before.  A guy comes out from the car and walks towards us, with a present in his hand.  That looks like a big box.
“I am here by invitation from Mr. Lee Jinki,” he says politely.
“Oh, yeah.  You’re his friend?” I ask.
“Oh, yes.  A good friend,” he says.
“I’m sorry he is in the bathroom.  But, you can sit down and have a piece of cake while waiting for him,” I say.
“No, it’s okay.  I’m in a rush.  I just want to wish the birthday boy and give this present to him,” he says.
“Oh.  Alright.  Joong Chan, come here,” I say.  Joong Chan runs to me.  I hold his hand and take him nearer to the guy.
“This is Uncle Jinki’s friend.  He comes to wish you a happy birthday,” I say.  Joong Chan turns to look at him.  The unknown guys crouches down to the same level as Joong Chan.
“Right.  Kim Joong Chan, happy birthday,” he gives the wrapped box to him.  Joong Chan holds it tightly.  That box might be a little heavy for him.
“You are a very healthy and strong boy.  Your dad will be very proud of you,” he says.  That guy hugs my son and after a while he let go and kisses him on his cheek.  He seems very fond of my son, like they have a connection.  I start to become suspicious.  The guy stands up before I even try to examine him.
“I guess I have to go now,” he says and smiles at me.  I nod.  Somehow, I know this guy.  I really know him.
He walks to his car.  I still look at him, try to confirm his identity.  I know him, really.  His eyes are familiar.  His way of walking, speaking, they are so familiar.
“Who is that, Sabrina?” Jinki appears out of nowhere and asks.
“Well, I thought you know him.  He said he came by your invitation.  He said he is a good friend of yours,” I say.
“I…really don’t know anybody look like him,” he says.
I look back at that guy, who almost reaches his car.  This is weird.  I know him, definitely.  He seems to have this connection to my boy.  His way of walking, his way of speaking, his height…wait…his height?  That is Jonghyun’s height.
I take out a phone from my pocket.  A phone that Jonghyun gave me just before he went to an undercover mission a week ago.
“This phone…I’ve secured the line.  I have the same phone.  It is a private number and nobody can trace the call.  I can assure you that.  Call me if you need to do so,” I could still remember what he said when he gave me the phone a week ago.
I quickly press the speed dial and the line is connected very quickly.  I look at the unknown guy again.  He is taking out his phone from his pocket.  He presses a button on the phone and just then I could hear his voice again, in my earpiece.
“Yes?” he answers.  I swear I saw he smirks at me just before he gets into his car.
“Jonghyun, is that you?” I ask through the phone.
“Take quite a while for you to notice me,” he says.
“You’re in disguise.  Even your voice is different,” I say, defending myself for not knowing my own stupid husband.
“I am still on my mission.  Cannot have my cover blown and put my family in danger,” he says.
“Damn you, Jonghyun.  You could just tell me,” I say.
“You’re cussing in front of our kid?” he asks back.  I roll my eyes.
“Your mission is not yet over.  And you’re wasting your time by coming here,” I say.
“Well…I can’t miss my son’s birthday every year just because of stupid undercover missions.  I seriously will kill Jinki for sending me to a mission every time it is my son’s birthday,” he says.  I laugh.
“Well, you say you are the agency’s best agent.  So be it,” I say.
“Best agent cannot have time with family?” he asks me.  I laugh.
“Well, you are the so-called country’s first line of defence.  I guess your wife and your son just have to bear with it,” I say.  He laughs.
“I just need to finish this, alright?  It is almost over.  I’ll be back in two days at most.  I expect you’ll be waiting for me?” he asks me.
“You wish. I will be with Joong Chan.  You don’t have to go back,” I joke.  He laughs.
“I’ll see you again.  Tell Joong Chan I am really proud of him,” he says and we hang up.  The car moves and leaves the yard right after.
“So, that short guy is Jonghyun?” asks Jinki.
“Yeah. And he says he will kill you right after he comes back.  That is the price you have to pay for sending him on an undercover mission every time it is Joong Chan’s birthday,” I say.
“Whoa!  I better be ready for that,” he says.
“You better be,” I say.
“Mommy, open this,” Joong Chan says while trying to tear the wrapper off.
Jinki and I quickly help him with it.  We open the box and we see 4 books in it.  They are entitled ‘A Whole New World’ and there are photos of Joong Chan growing up in those books.
“Oh my God. This guy is really hopelessly romantic and cheesy,” Jinki says while laughing.
“Mommy, it is me, daddy and you,” Joong Chan points to a photo in the book.
“Yes, my son.  You dad is really proud of you,” I say.
It is a perfect moment.  Like I say, I don’t really believe in a fairytale’s happily-ever-after style, but, we deserve to be happy sometimes.


___________
Finally. ^^

The Lazarus Rises

Description: Sequel to The True Legend (http://www.asianfanfics.com/story/view/2823/the-true-legend-jonghyun-shinee)

Rating: PG-13

Characters: SHINee and fictionals

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in the fiction.  The story is only a narrative and does not involve any real life situation.  The whole plot of the story is written originally by myself.  If there's any similarity to other fictions, it is totally a coincidence.

We’re at the hospital after a great turn of event; Jonghyun rose from being dead.  Hyori and Ji Eun made quite a fast decision in taking him to the hospital for further treatment.  It was shocking but I’m more than happy to see my husband alive.  God, he is alive.  All of us are very anxious in the waiting room.  Only Key is allowed inside to see Jonghyun, for an unknown reason.  I am jealous, but Hyori and Ji Eun must have a pretty good reason on that, don’t they?
Onew plays with his finger while Taemin still look very stunned.  Minho on the other hand remains calm but I could see that his shoulders are a bit tensing.  Seraphina has her head on my shoulder and I play with her hair.  We still couldn’t be sure of what happens especially when I was one of the people who admitted Jonghyun’s death.  It just doesn’t make sense.  We are lucky that Key could hear the faintest beat of the heart or otherwise Jonghyun will be buried to death, knowing that we kill him.
“Sabrina!” Hyori says my name.  I couldn’t be so sure when she gets here but here she comes with the news.
“Hyori,” I say.
“Thank, God!  He’s alive!” Hyori says and hugs me.  I hug back, still in need of a certain explanation on how this thing could happen.
“I know, Hyori.  I’m happy.  But, I would appreciate if you could give me the slightest idea of how this could be happening right now.  We approved his death.  I swear I could not hear any heartbeat back then when he was dead,” I say.
“Oh, that.  That should be a Lazarus phenomenon, if we approach it scientifically.  But, I’m not sure if it has something to do with half-vampire thing,” she answers.  I nod.
“Explain Lazarus phenomenon,” I say.  I don’t want to be so sure that he is alive and then let the hope crash again later if he will suddenly leave me again.
“It is the spontaneous return of circulation to the body after failed attempt at resuscitation.  The cases of Lazarus syndrome are rare,” Ji Eun appears out of nowhere.
“How does it happen?  What is the cause?” I ask, anxious.
“The causes of this are not well understood.  But, we have a theory on that,” she says calmly.
“Enlighten me, please,” I say, rather strictly.
“The build-up pressure as the effect of the CPR, or we think so.  You know, Jonghyun received quite a long CPR after his heart stopped working.  From me, Hyori, you and of course, Key, the longest attempt.  So, yeah, the theory is the long CPR might have trigger the heart to work again after a few hours,” she explains.  I nod again.
“So, he is really alive, isn’t he?  You’re not just giving me hope, are you?” I ask her.
“He’s alive, Sabrina,” Ji Eun’s face is quite tensing.
“He’s not going to leave me again, right?” I ask, as the hope keeps building in my small heart.
“No one knows.  But, for now, he is alive.  And very weak.  I suggest if you want to see him, one person at a time is enough.  You can go in after Key, okay?” she tries to be gentle.
I nod.  She walks away.  I look at Siwon, and at Seraphina.  Then, I hug my sister tightly, letting go of the sorrow that has been buried in my heart for days.
“Trust me.  He’s not going to leave again.  You have my words,” says Min Yee.
I know she takes quite a lot of courage to say that.  Pledging on things that we are unsure of can be very burdening.  But, she takes the risk, just to calm me down.  I feel thankful that I have her as a sister.
“Thank you, Min Yee.  Thank you very much,” I say.
“Don’t be.  Things are quite hard on you,” says she.
The moment we break the hug, Key comes approaching.  He look a bit happy, from the last time I saw him before Jonghyun was admitted.  At least, he knows how to give a thin smile.
“Hey!” he says, full of spirit, although not joyful.  I wonder what Jonghyun and Key talked about in the room.  I know they have had argument a few days before the war even started.
“Hey,” I reply casually.
“He is okay.  But, weak and tired.  But, you know what, he wants to see you,” he says before looking at Siwon, “And you,” he tells him.  Siwon nods, but I can see that he is slightly uncomfortable with the fact that Jonghyun wants to see him as well.
“Come, Siwon.  We have to see him now, so that he can rest later,” I say.  He hesitates for a while before following my trail.  On our way to the ward room, nobody speaks anything.  Silence accompanies us all the way there.
“Siwon, hey.  You are not going inside with that face,” I finally break out when we reach the door.  He looks at me.
“Tell me how should face him,” he says.
“He is not blaming you, of course.  He saved you because he wanted to, not because he needed to,” I say.
“You stick to that, okay,” he says before forcing a smile on his face and turns the knob for us to get in.
The beeping sound sounds very clear inside the room.  There, on a bed, Jonghyun is lying down, sleeping, typically white skin and looking very fragile, as though he would just break apart when somebody touches him.  Siwon gestures me to the sit at the side of the bed.  I take the seat, careful not to wake him up.  But, he moves to the slightest sound I make.
“Hey,” he says and he smiles to me.
“Hey,” I reply, my voice cracking.
For a while, we don’t speak to each other.  We just let the silence do its job in creating the mood.
“You left me, you know,” I say, at last breaking the silence.
“That was before.  Now, I’m back,” he says.  I nod and a single tear stains my cheek.
“What did you think of doing back then?” I forget that Siwon is together with us until when he speaks.  For a while, Jonghyun loses his words.  He looks into Siwon’s eyes and tries to find out what he thinks.
“Saving you,” Jonghyun says at last.
“No.  You got yourself killed.  That was what you did,” Siwon says.
“Can’t do anything much, can I?  Because if you die, I will die as well,” says Jonghyun.
“No, Jonghyun.  We’re not stupid.  You died, before, but I didn’t.  You knew how to disconnect our soul, but you still got yourself killed in the battle.  You risked your life for me, and I think you did that on purpose.  You know what?  You can just disconnect our soul and the kill me, not yourself,” Siwon bursts not with anger, but disappointment.
“I can’t do that,” Jonghyun replies calmly, but I could sense that he is breaking down.
“Why?”
“I think Sabrina needs a father more than she needs me.  And the closest person she has as a father is you,” he explains.
“You think?  Have you ever consider what she really wants?  She wants you to be by her side.  That is what she wants,” Siwon almost screams.  Jonghyun looks at him for quite a long time.
“I’m sorry,” Jonghyun says at last.  Siwon sighs.
“No, Jonghyun.  You say that to her.  I’ll leave this room to both of you.  You sort it out,” he nods to Jonghyun, with care evidence in his eyes.
He leaves, giving the room to both of us.  There we go, moment of silence again.  I’m still processing what Siwon had said to Jonghyun just now.  Jonghyun intentionally sacrificed himself to save Siwon for me.  If it is true, then, I feel really bad. And Siwon must feel worse.
“Really?  Is it real, what he said just now?” I ask.  He looks deeply into my eyes.
“I saved him because I wanted to, Sabrina,” he says.
“But, you risked your life for it.  You knew how to disconnect your soul to Siwon, Jonghyun.  You sacrificed yourself on purpose, didn’t you?” I ask; my tone strict.
“Let’s drop this.  I am not being alive to have a fight with you,” he says.
“Are you doing that on purpose because you know that you will come back to life?” I ask him again.
“Sabrina, all of us know that no one comes back to life after the death comes.  I don’t expect this to happen.  It is a pure luck,” says he.  I look at him, choosing whether to believe him or not.
“So are you saying that you got yourself killed with a thought that you really going to leave me?” I ask, desperately finding my strength to talk.
“Yes, I thought it’s over.  That I will be gone for good,” he says, very carefully and very slowly.
“Jonghyun!  How could you?” I start to raise my voice.
“Sabrina, I know that you need Siwon-”
“But, I love you!” I shout to him.  He winces and I feel bad at once.  He should be resting, not discussing about this.
“I know you love Siwon too,” says he.  I look deep into his eyes and try to explore his mind.
“But, I love you more,” I go.  He explores my eyes.
“I know,” he says.
“Then?  Why did you get yourself killed in action?”
“I was thinking the best for you,” he gives the lamest excuse ever.
“The best for me?  You decided what best for me?  Jonghyun, I decide what best for me and what best for me is you stay alive,” I start to fume with anger.
“I’m alive,” he replies.  I don’t know whether he is playing with me or what, but I certainly not in the mood of playing.
“You were dead, Jonghyun,” I press my voice to emphasize my point.  He sighs.
“Look.  I’m really sorry, okay?” he says.  It is my turn to sigh.
“Hey, you know what I think?  Maybe Siwon thinks differently, but I think you did this for the Key’s sake, weren’t you?  You were willingly getting yourself killed to make Key look after me, am I right?” I ask him, very scarred inside.  He smirks, despite being so fragile and weak on the bed.
“So, both of you know.  Being in the intelligence service makes it hard to fool you, Sabrina,” he says, and I am sure I heard guilty is his voice.
“Key had this sorted out with you, right, just now?” I ask.  He nods.
“I don’t know what he really wants actually.  I know that he loves you the way I do,” he says, very gentle and calm.
“The feeling is not as strong as having you as his brother.  You came to his life as his brother and you make the family perfect.  Key would pay anything to have that, Jonghyun.  He won’t sacrifice you no matter how much he loves me.  You can see it, Jonghyun.  He even has the strongest sense that you’re still alive, or you’ll be buried to death by now.  You can see how strong his sense towards you,” I try to put the sense into him.
“But, I feel guilty.  I came to his life and since then, he has to share Hyori’s and Hyun Joong’s loves with me.  He has to share his mom and dad with me.  He sacrificed that.  And when we fell for the same person, I feel like this time, I must sacrifice.  But, you chose me over him.  That’s something that I couldn’t control, not even Key.  Because your feelings are belonged to you.  So, I thought that if I’m gone, you and he would have no choice,” Jonghyun voices his thought.  I sigh. I don’t like people toy with my feelings.
“You know that our feelings are belonged to us, Jonghyun.  No matter how things change, the feelings can’t be changed.  Your feelings and mine are mutual Jonghyun, but not him.  I am very sure that out there there’s someone who has the feelings mutual with Key’s.  He’ll find his woman one day.  Do not worry about that Jonghyun,” I say.  Jonghyun nods.
“Hey, I’m really sorry, for everything,” he says.  I smile.  That sounds really sincere.  I stroked his head and I could feel that he leans to the touch.
“Thank you, for being alive, Jonghyun,” I say.
He smiles back.  I know this unexpected event means something for us.  To make it back, to cherish each other and to make a family.  Nobody expects he would come back alive, not even Jonghyun himself.
“How‘s the baby?  I think you put too much pressure on it?” he asks me.  I laugh at that.  He’s the sense of humour when the condition is as critical as this.
“Well, I am sure the baby is okay,” I say.
“You didn’t tell me that you are pregnant before the war,” says Jonghyun.
“I thought you could sense it,” I test him.
“Well, maybe I was too busy preparing for the war.  But, I noticed that you smelled different indeed.  Even now, you smell different than always,” he says.
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“Maybe it is the smell of the baby,” he smirks.  He holds my hand.
“Okay.  How does it smell?”
“Dunno.  But, I am not sure I would say it is pleasant.  Or maybe this unpleasant odour is not the baby, but your unstable hormones in your blood, since you’re quite hormonal,” he laughs at his own joke.
“I’m not hormonal!” okay, now I am.
“You’re more sensitive,” he says.
“But, that doesn’t mean that I’m hormonal!” I say.
“See, you are,” he says and I hit him lightly at his shoulder.  He shouts and winces at that the pain and I become so panic at that.
“Hey, are you okay?” I ask him.
“Look at how panic you are.  I told you.  You’re hormonal,” he says again and I laugh so long to that.
“Fine, then.  I’m…not hormonal.  But, just over-sensitive,” I still deny the hormone thing.
“Whatever you say, dear,” he goes.
“I’m happy now that our child has its father,” I say.  Jonghyun strokes my hair.
“How were the others coping when I was died?” he asks.
“Not good.  You know Key blamed himself, for he shot that arrow.  Siwon was blaming himself as well, saying that if it is not because of him, you would not have to save anybody and can stay alive.  Hyori cried as if there will be no happiness again.  Hyun Joong was not doing any better.  Min Yee felt bad as well.  Ji Eun was not herself, as though she was blaming me for what happened,” I try to remember the details.
“Ji Eun blamed you?” he asks.
“Well, yes.  Who won’t?  I think she likes you, and is jealous of me.  To make her feel better, she put the blame on me.  It’s not her fault though.  She just wants to love you like I do,” I say, feeling a bit proud of myself for being chosen by him.
“Now that’s funny.  Ji Eun is a friend, Sabrina.  There’s no such feeling between us,” Jonghyun tries to say that he is not having any affair behind me.  I know that, but I know that Ji Eun likes him as well.
“I am a girl, Jonghyun.  Just like you said.  You’re a guy and you understand Key’s feeling towards me.  So am I.  I’m a girl and I am more than understand Ji Eun’s feeling towards you.  Maybe it is not mutual, I trust you, but she does like you very much,” I say.
“Well, in that case, I can’t blame her as well because I am perfectly aware that I’m too hot to resist,” he says in vain.
I roll my eyes straight away.

__________

heaDeVil^23

Mood: Alive but not fully awake =.=

Final Chapter: The Good End

Jonghyun is trying very hard to help his patient.  He saved that boy a few weeks ago, after he was said to be best died.  He did the operation, it was a success, but the boy never had woken up.  Jonghyun has been hoping for weeks since then, to see the boy wakes up and speaks again, but he never wants to imagine the condition.

            Right now, he is struggling to keep the boy under control.  The boy’s heartbeat increases rapidly and his breathing is uneven.  Looks like the boy is suffering, but he is actually trying to wake up.  This is the second time after he arrived just in the afternoon.  But, just now, the condition of the boy is not as exaggerate as this.

            While the boy’s relative, Lee Jinki is waiting anxiously outside, feeling very nervous of the unknown condition inside the room.  But one thing he is very sure, there is one doctor that is very reliable.  Jinki pust all his trust and believe on him, hoping for the best, and never has expecting the worst from him.  He keeps praying, tireless.  He only wants one thing, Minho is safe.

            He somehow still feels very restless, maybe because his girlfriend is still not there, just yet.  He hopes that she will arrive very soon, because he believes she has the power to keep him calm although in a very difficult situation.  However, keeping his faith on the young doctor, he is still able to stay calm.

            Little did Jinki know that the young doctor in the room is putting himself into cardiac arrest.  Jonghyun is trying his best to help the boy to gain his consciousness.  He has to admit that the boy’s condition really is challenging his professionalism as a neuro doctor.  He really panic sometimes, but to keep his reputation and to save the boy, he keeps himself under control.

            Jonghyun has to tell himself that if anything unexpected happens, he has to get ready.  Anything, including death.  But, he keeps that as the least possibility to happen.  Based on Minho’s medical report from the operation until now, Jonghyun could tell that Minho is a very strong person that really wants to hold onto his life.  He believes that Minho will wake up eventually.

            The condition in Minho’s ICU room is a chaos.  The doctors, lead by Jonghyun, are trying their best to save Minho.  While the nurses keep helping them and stay by their sides.  Minho’s case is extraordinary.  For someone who should just be dead, survived, and now are struggling to wake up, it is just a miracle.  They really want to see him alive and speak to them.

            That’s why Jonghyun is trying his best.  Not only him, Jessica and his other mates are also putting a very high hope in Minho’s case.  In addition, Jinki and Emma are also really depending on the medical specialists to bring Minho to life.

            And finally, after a few minutes of worry and chaos, condition comes back to normal as Minho’s heartbeat and breathing is under control.  And for the first time after a few weeks, the eyes open by itself, revealing the dark brown iris of the owner.





            Emma is scared to death by the sudden event that occurred just now.  She doesn’t want to believe it.  But, she has to.  It is very abrupt, and that is too much to absorb by Emma.  Just now Eunhyuk checked on him, telling her that there was no pulse can be detected.  Emma started to worry.

            Donghae was unsatisfied with Eunhyuk and checked on Minho himself.  Then, his face turned white, as white as snow.  He looked petrified.  He shook his head, and told Emma something that made her worried even more.

            “I think...I think...Eunhyuk...was right,” Donghae stuttered when he told that.  Emma couldn’t stop her tears anymore.  She took her phone and dialled the ambulance, straightaway.

            And now, here she is, in the ambulance, together with Minho and the medical assistant.  She couldn’t chase away the thought that Minho is already died.  She doesn’t want to.  But, half of her heart says that Minho’s dead, which makes her hate it so much.

            The medical assistant did say that Minho has died just now.  But, after he called the hospital, he changed his word.  He told her that Minho is just in a very weak condition.  He is supposed to rest enough before he can play sport as usual.  Emma could feel that he is lying, but she just keeps that at the bottom of her heart.

            When they reach the hospital, the medical assistant takes Minho to the emergency room.  Emma could only watch Minho been dragged away with her eyes.  She sits on the chair provided there.  She could only think of one person, her brother, Jinki.

            “Yes, Emma?” he answers straight away after it rings.

            “Jinki...” Emma’s voice trails away.  She tries to hold her cry, but fail.

            “Emma...why?” Emma could hear Jinki’s voice sounds worried at the other side.

            “Minho...” again, Emma speaks only one word.

            “Why?  What happened to Minho?” Jinki’s voice suddenly is raised to the highest volume.  She doesn’t know whether he is worried or surprised, maybe both.

            “He collapsed...” Emma says.

            “What?!” Jinki shouts on the line, and that almost makes Emma’s eardrum torn.  But, Emma doesn’t care.  She wants to speak to her brother.  She wants him to be by his side.

            “Jinki...” she calls his name.

            “Emma!  Where are you right now?” Jinki asks.

            “I’m at the hospital,” Emma says.

            “Emma-” Jinki is about to reply when Emma cut his words.

            “Jinki!  Please!  I need you here...please...” Emma seems to beg to Jinki, thinking of he might be busy with works.

            “Yes, Emma...I’m coming.  I’m coming over there.  Don’t worry...” Jinki says in a very soothing voice.  Emma calms down.

            “Okay...I’ll wait here,” Emma says.

            “Emma...” Jinki calls her.

            “Yes?”

            “Promise me you won’t do anything that harm yourself.  Please...I love you,” says Jinki.

            “No...no, Jinki.  I have you...” Emma says.

            “See you in a minute,” Jinki says and cut the conversation.

            Emma sits there calmly, at least after talks to her brother.  She really wants him to accompany her as soon as possible, because she doesn’t know how to act already.  She just sits down alone passively.  But, like a miracle, exactly one minute, she hears a voice.

            “Emma?” his brother calls her name, and there he is just a few meters away from her.  She stands up immediately.  It is weird, Onew can be here just in a minute time, but, she needs him.  She doesn’t care.

            “Jinki!” Emma shouts together with a few people.  Both Emma and Jinki turn towards the unknown voices.  They are Taemin’s and Key’s.  Emma looks at them.

            “Sorry, Emma.  But, can we have a talk with Jinki?” Taemin asks.  Puzzled, Emma nods slowly.

            Taemin and Key drag Jinki to a place out of Emma’s hearing.  Key brought Taemin to the hospital right after Taemin called and told him that Minho’s microchip experienced short-circuit and malfunctioned.  Taemin detected that through his own laptop.  Key immediately called Jonghyun after that to inform about that.

            “Jinki!  Minho...I mean the cyborg’s microchip malfunctioned due to heavy uploaded information,” says Taemin.  Jinki looks at him.

            “Then?” asks Jinki, also confused.

            “It ‘died’ right in front of your sister!” Taemin says.  Jinki’s eyes open very wide, but then he nods calmly.

            “How’s Emma?  She’s okay right, at least from my observation,” Key is more concern about Emma.

            “She’s okay, Key.  Now, both of you have to listen to my story,” says Jinki.

            “What?” Key and Taemin say synchronously.

            “Minho is waking up.  Jonghyun is trying to keep him under control right now,” says Jinki.  Now, it is Key’s and Taemin’s turns to be surprised.

            “Really?” Taemin says.

            “That’s great.  Emma will be okay!” Key says.

            “But, I’m still waiting for Jonghyun’s call,” says Jinki.

            “Right...while waiting...erm...I think Emma needs you,” Key says.  Jinki nods and quickly walks towards Emma.  Emma immediately hugs him and cries.  Jinki comforts him, doing his best as a very loving brother.





            “Minho...” Jonghyun says once he opens his eyes.  He looks confused.

            “Jinki...Emma...” Minho says the two names first.

            “Yes...Minho.  They are here, but outside the room.  I have to check on you first,” says Jonghyun.

            “Dr...Jonghyun?” Minho asks confusedly.  Jonghyun smiles widely and then looks at Jessica who smiles brightly.  Then, he looks back at Minho and nods.

            “Yes, Minho,” says Jonghyun gently.

            “I hear you everyday...” Minho says with a very soft voice.  Jonghyun chuckles.

            “I’m glad you make it.  I’m glad you wake up,” Jonghyun smiles.  Minho smiles back.  It is a very weak smile, yet, very genuine from him.

            “I hear you everyday...how can I not wake up?” Minho says.  Jonghyun smiles.

            “This is Dr. Jessica,” says Jonghyun while showing Jessica.  She nods and smiles sweetly.

            “She saved you after the accident,” says Jonghyun again.

            “No, no.  He’s the one, I was helping,” says Jessica while secretly punching Jonghyun at his back.  Jonghyun winks at her.  Jessica chuckles.

            “Okay...I want to check on you first before I can allow the others to come in,” says Jonghyun.  Minho nods.

            Jonghyun asks him to move his left body side and right body side to check whether he has nerve malfunction.  Luckily, he has no other problem accept that his left body side response is a bit slower.  Jonghyun says that it will get better over time.  Then, Jessica helps him to check on his pulse and blood pressure.

            After a few minutes checking, both of them satisfied with Minho’s condition.  Jonghyun nods to Jessica and Jessica quickly calls Jinki’s phone.  It is prohibited to use phone in hospital, but none of them obey the rule anymore.  The excitement gets over their professionalism.

         



            “Come on!  Minho is waiting for you!” Jinki says excitedly.  Emma is confused, but still following his brother to the respective room.  Taemin and Key are also following, being more excited than her.

            “Oh!  I can’t wait!” says Key while walking as fast as he can.  Taemin only smiles, but Emma could tell that he is happy.  But, why is everybody so excited while she is alone in this confusing mode?  They enter the room to see Jonghyun and Jessica waiting beside Minho’s bed.

            “Hey, Jinki!” Jonghyun comes to him.  Jinki hugs Jonghyun immediately.

            “Thanks.  Thanks a lot!  I don’t know how I can thank you!” Jinki says.

            “OH MY GOD!  Is that you Minho?!” Emma shouts in surprise.  Minho nods and smiles towards her.  Emma rubs her eyes a few times.

            “I thought...I thought....you were died...It was like...right in front of me just now?!” Emma says.  That makes the condition even worse.  Minho is puzzled too.

            “I’m here...just wake up...I don’t understand...” Minho says softly but it is enough for the whole room to hear that.  A very tense situation is created throughout the room.

            “Anybody want to explain this?” Emma asks with a very threatening voice.  Jinki swallows hard.

            Jinki looks at Jonghyun.  Jonghyun looks at Key.  Then, Key look at Taemin.  Taemin looks at Jinki.  They end up looking at each other, sending signs through their eyes on who should explain.

            “Let me explain,” a very soft voice says.  Jessica comes to rescue.  All of them sigh.





            At last all their problems are solved.   All of them keep going on with their lives, living towards a better life.

            Emma and Minho are cleared about the real situation, about the robot and everything.  Emma almost fainted when she heard about that.  But then, that was the reality.  Minho starts to follow Emma to work, captures photos of artefacts and archaeological materials.  They work together and that makes Emma very satisfied with her life.

            Moreover, her relationship with her brother is getting better.  Onew has been very good towards her and knows how to divide his time between works and family.

            Speaking of which, he is going to marry Taeyon very soon.  Emma feels happy for him.  At least, there’s someone very reliable to take care of Jinki.  Emma is glad that Taeyon will be her soon-to-be sister-in-law.

            Jonghyun and Jessica are now together.  They confessed their feelings towards each other and accepted each other.  They are now working together happily and they plan to join the medic team of the World Aid to help at war or at place of natural disaster.  They want to contribute towards the humanity.

            Key is pursuing his Master in Psychologist, specifically in women psychology.  He is going to University of Leicester in United Kingdom to get his Degree.  Amber is not following.  She continues her study at Netherlands in Engineering.  They promise to get married right after both of them get their Master in study.

            Taemin is now a well-known student and soon-to-be a robot engineer.  He is known widely throughout the world for his cyborg.  It is a hit, for him to create a very human like robot that is controlled only by a small microchip in the brain.  Making ‘Minho’ as his first prototype, it shows a success.  As promised by Onew, he gets his own satellite to locate all robots invented by him.

            He is very young, yet talented and many companies are ready to hire him to the topmost rank.  The most important is, no girl can resist his hotness.  Girls always try to attract him, but only one managed to catch his heart, Suzy.

Chapter 14: The Game

“Are you sure you want to do this?”

            “Very sure, my dear.”

            It has been about the thousandth times, Emma asks the same question, and Minho gives the same answer.  Minho calls Eunhyuk for a soccer game and they promise to meet at the usual place and time.  Last time, it was humiliating for her, but Emma doesn’t care anymore.  She just cares about Minho.

            She asks again and again whether he is really sure with the game, but seems like Minho’s answer is always staying with the game.  Emma is worrying about him.  For a person who is recuperate after a major surgery, that type of sport should be too risky.  Emma is now no longer encircled in her own stupidity and sane enough to understand the real situation; the pro and contrast if Minho involve with the game.

            “I...I’m just worried about you,” Emma says.

            “Why?” Minho asks with his brows knitting.  He doesn’t understand.

            Emma looks at him.  She sighs.  She thinks she has back to normal, but seems like Minho is not in his real self.  Minho, the real Minho always thinks rationally before he does something or making a decision.

            “Minho, you just undergone a major surgery...no...two major surgeries...a few weeks before.  It is risky to play again in this meantime,” she says rationally.  Minho sighs.

            “Emma, please.  Just this one.  I want to prove to you that I can play this, please.  I failed to make it last time, and I know you were unhappy,” says Minho tenderly.

            Emma looks on the grass, thinking the best way to speak to him.  She knows that last time was her mistake.  She was not in her right state of mind to think clearly on the consequences.  At that time, all in her mind was too childish, wanted the real Minho to come back to her without concerning about the risk.  But, not now.  She is completely sane.  No more destructive behaviour.

            “Look, Minho.  Last time, it was my fault.  I was insane, I had to admit that.  I gave so many problems to you, to Onew, and to Key.  So, I hope you just forget what I said right after you woke up from your coma until the last meeting.  I’m...very sorry,” she says.

            “No...Emma.  No.  It was nobody’s fault,” Minho says calmly.

            “So, can you just forget the game?  I’m afraid you’re not in your best condition to play any sport yet,” she says.

            “I won’t.  I’ll continue with the game,” Minho says while looking at nothing.

            “Minho-ah...” Emma tries to persuade him in the best way.

            “Emma...just this time...I play today because I want it.  I love soccer and lost to Eunhyuk last time was a nightmare to me.  So please...just this time.  If I win this time, I will dedicate the winning to you.  If not, you’ll stay with me, right?” asks Minho, while looking deeply into Emma’s eyes.

            Emma looks at him with watery eyes.  She nods.  How can she leave him, when he is one of her sources of happiness?  She is happy that she can see more of the real Minho here; his competitiveness, his drama and all that.  But, she is also worried that he is really up to the game.  What if something happen?

            “I’m glad...I’m happy that you want to win for me, but...I am happier if you would just forget it.  I am more worried about you.  You are not in your best condition to play,” says Emma.  Minho looks at him.

            “Emma...please...just trust me this time,” Minho says.

            Emma wants to counter his words, but then, Minho does the only thing that can shut her up.  He kisses him.  Emma is shocked by his action.  He uses her weakness.  Emma will never speak again once Minho kisses her.  She just nods to agreement, to trust Minho this time and let him go on with the game, although her heart disproves her nods.





            Jonghyun moves as fast as he can.  He was about to sleep just now when suddenly his phone rang from his bedside table.  The sound was annoying, but he was sure, a life was waiting to be saved.  Tiredly, he pushed himself up and took the phone, and brought it to his ear.

            “Doctor,” a nurse voice came into his ear as his brain interpreted it.  He shook his head to overcome his sleepiness.  The voice was calm, or pretended to be calm Jonghyun could tell, made him more anxious.

            “Yes?” he asked patiently and professionally handled the situation calmly.

            “Your patient, Choi Minho made a sign of waking up just now.  I just want to tell you this.  Perhaps you want to know.  But, after all, the situation is under control,” the nurse said.

            “His breathing and heartbeat?” Jonghyun asked, calm but worried.

            “It went out of control a few times, but otherwise, he is still in a stable condition.  We are still watching over him,” the nurse said again.  Ignoring his tiredness, Jonghyun got down from his bed.

            “I’ll come over,” he said before he ended the conversation.

            His thought drifts away as the light turns green, indicating permission for him to go on.  He is driving as fast as he can, still obeying the rules on the road, including the speed limit.  Once in a while, he glances at his watch.  It’s afternoon, but he feels so sleepy.  The only thing that he was able to do before he went out from his house just now was to drink a full mug of coffee.  Staying at the hospital for last night to finish his shift makes him so tired.

            He enters the gate of the hospital and parks his car at his respective parking place, available only for doctors.  He sighs before he turns off the engine and gets out from his car.  After carefully closing the door, Jonghyun is now walking towards the main door of the hospital.  He immediately goes to Minho’s room and he could see many doctors and nurse are there, ready for any abnormal sign that can brings to death.

            Minho is fighting to wake up from death.  He is struggling his best, but too much can bring his breathing and heartbeat to abnormal and the result may be fatal.  The doctors and the nurse are getting ready if there is anything dangerous to the patient.

            “Jonghyun, I thought you just left the hospital,” says Jessica, who is staying among one of them.

            “Yeah...and now I’m back,” Jonghyun says while shrugging.  Jessica nods, understanding the situation of the doctor.

            “How’s he?” Jonghyun asks.

            “He is under control.  Don’t worry, will you?” asks Jessica then.  Jonghyun smiles and nods, but says nothing.  He turns to a nurse.

            “Can you please contact his relative by the name, Lee Jinki?  The number is in the file,” Jonghyun says.  Jessica looks at Jonghyun calmly.  She believes Jonghyun is able to handle everything.

            Jonghyun looks again at Jessica.  He smiles very assuring and that is enough to tell her that everything is okay.  But then, the calm situation is broken by the sudden loud beeping sound from the machine.





            It is afternoon and yet, Emma is spending her time outdoor.  It is just beyond her control.  She wants to be there, cheering for him while he is playing.  She ignores the hot sun and the uncomfortable sweat, just for him, only for him.

            But, today is different from the day before this.  She is almost thinking that she is dreaming.  She thought before that Minho is still recovering and needs time to be all out, like himself again, but, she thought wrongly.

            “Minho-yah!  Go!” she shouts on top of her lungs.  She is happy for being able to see him in this sport again.  Her worries are flushed away by the extravaganza show from Minho.  Emma could see the real him.

            Emma watches the real Minho today.  Minho plays like a World Cup player today.  Sometimes, Emma doesn’t even believe her eyes.  Minho is just too excellent.  Emma continues shouting as Minho is now bringing the ball towards the goal.  It looks like he is going to kick it and make another goal.

            “Minho!  Minho!” everybody is shouting right now.  Oh God, her boyfriend is so famous that everybody knows his name.  Emma is proud of Minho’s performance today.

            Minho plays some tricks in front of the goal.  The other players are getting confused, but otherwise still defending their goals with all their might.  But, somehow, Minho is unexpectedly great.  He shoves the ball into the goal and that’s it.  Even the goalkeeper is failing to guard the goal.  It is already 5 to 0.  Four goals from Choi Minho.

            After a few minutes, the game ends with the victory on Minho’s team.  Emma cheers loudly, proud of his boyfriend, or the least she could say, more than proud.  She doesn’t know how to describe how happy she is.

            “Yah, congratulation!” she says excitedly once Minho is right beside her.

            “Thanks,” Minho says.  Emma gives him a bottle of water and Minho quickly grabs it from Emma’s hand.  He takes a big gulp and Emma gives him a few seconds for him to quench his thirst.

            “Hey, good game.  I mean, fantastic!” Emma says joyfully.  Minho smiles widely to the compliment.  But, that is not enough for him.

            “Is it the game or is it me that is fantastic?” Minho asks, as the main purpose is to tease her, and to see her blushing.

            “Fine, Minho...it’s you.  The game is fantastic but you’re damn fantastic!” she says while her cheeks flush a red tomato.  Minho smiles at her, convinced by the words.

            “Thanks a lot, sweetheart.  Thanks,” says Minho as he pinches her cheek.  Emma looks on the green field to control her heart from fluttering even worse.

            She is embarrassed even worse when Minho’s friends including the other team come and congratulate him.  Emma hides her face by looking at another place.

            “Yo, Minho!  Congrats!  That’s the real you man!” Eunhyuk high-fives Minho.  Minho does the same.  They exchange a very happy smile.

            “Yeah!  You did great this time!” Donghae says while does some hand gestures with Minho.  Emma just looks at them, doesn’t understand guys’ body language.  So, she just keeps herself in silence.

            “Thanks guys, for giving me the chance to play again.  You know...I was suck in the last game.  So, this is sort of paying back your time,” Minho says.

            “It’s okay, Minho.  Actually, you don’t really need to pay back our time.  We know that you are recovering,” Donghae says while smirking admirably.

            “Yeah.  I don’t think there’s any need of paying back time.  But, yeah.  Still, great performance today, Minho!  Hope you’ll keep it consistent,” says Eunhyuk.

            “Sure!  It was great playing with you guys!” Minho says excitedly.

            After a while talking, laughing, joking and congratulating each other, Eunhyuk and Donghae walk to their team.  Minho walks towards Emma stunningly.  Emma waits for him with a smile.

            “Looks like you are a hero today, dear,” Emma says sweetly once Minho reaches her.

            “I’ll take that as compliment?” asks Minho.  Emma chuckles.

            “Sure.  You deserve that,” Emma says while shoving a towel to Minho.  Minho smiles sweetly and takes it from Emma.

            “Emma, thanks a lot,” Minho says in a very deep voice.

            “Why?” she asks.

            “For your patience and staying with me, have faith in me.  Thanks a lot.  Not all girls are like that,” Minho says.

            “I’m glad staying by your side,” says Emma.

            “I’m glad that I know you,” Minho says.

            “Minho...of course.  I’m glad too.  I mean...I love you,” says Emma.

            “I love y-” without finishing his words, Minho ends up with sudden unconscious.  Emma almost pulls herself into cardiac arrest.

            “Minho!”

Chapter 13: Relationship

“Emma, you alright?” asks Onew during their breakfast.

            “Yeah, I am.  You?” she asks back.

            “I’m great,” Onew says, trying to cheer up the morning mood, which he believes will help to make their days.

            “Where are you going later?  Work?” Emma asks again.

            “Yeah.  I’ve been on holiday for a few days already.  It is better for me to get back to work,” Onew says while feeding himself a toast.  Emma nods.

            “Yeah, sure,” she says with a smile, showing that she is okay that he is going to work.  Onew tries to capture her eyes, to make sure she is okay with it.  They show the same thing as she says.

            “Good.  What about you?  How is your work?” Onew asks her sister.  She has been working as an archaeologist for two years already, and being a really good archaeologist.  She stops for a while after the accident, but then she get back to work when she stops her frequent meeting with Minho.

            “It’s great, get back to work.  Well, at least I can see my friends again.  And I love it when I found something valuable to the history,” says Emma.  Onew knows that his sister has this sort of passion to history.  But, too deep into history can cause calamity especially when she always reminisces her dark past into her memory.

            “Well...that’s great.  But, you have to know that sort of work...going to cave, climbing hills and mountains just to find artefacts, historical buildings or fossils...that works are belong to guys.  I mean they suit guys better,” Onew says.  He never really agreed when Emma said two years back then that she wants to be an archaeologist, but seeing her passion, he had to.  And Emma warned him not to raise the matter again.  But he just did.

            “Onew, we promised not to br-”

            “Yeah, yeah, sorry.  Yeah...you can enjoy your work.  I know you like it.  I just...well... Expressing my thought.  So, my words just now...just forget it, will you?” Onew tries to calm his sister when he receives a death glare from her.  He knows her sister is sensitive when it comes to her work, but he just want to tell his opinion, that’s all.

            “It’s okay.  You don’t have to worry too much.  Currently, we just stay in the lab and study the artefacts found.  You know...carbon-dating classification.  That sort of thing,” says Emma.

            “Owh...when are you going today?  You want me to send you work?” asks Onew.

“Well...I’m on a leave today,” says Emma while eating her cereal.

            “Really?  Then, what are you planning to do?” asks Onew.

            “Perhaps...going out with Minho,” Emma says excitedly.

            “You guys okay?” Onew asks.

            “Yeah...we already talked to each other a few days ago.  Through phone though, since both of us are busy,” Emma says.

            “Oh really?  So you are dating this evening?” Onew asks, hoping that this time, there won’t be anything happen.

            “Onew...I think you are already late for work,” Emma tries to change the topic as her cheeks are flushing red due to Onew’s question.  Onew chuckles seeing her act.

            “Emma...I’m the boss.  So, it is up to me when I’m going to be at the office.  Moreover, I don’t have meeting this morning, or anything important,” Onew says while laughing a small laugh.  Emma rolls her eyes.

            “Whatever, Onew,” she says.



                                                       

            “You know?  He survived the surgery.  But, his life after that was different.  Brain tumor isn’t good.  There’re many things he can’t do.  But, he continued to live on, to move on.  And he succeeded in his life,” says Jonghyun while holding Minho’s hand.  He receives a squeeze from the patient and that makes him smile.

            As usual, everyday, Jonghyun would check on his patient, and he is the special one.  Jonghyun will always spend his time to speak to him, and tells him story about survivors out there, giving Minho an everlasting inspiration.  He wants to see the younger stay alive and wakes up one day.  He isn’t expecting for a thanks though, he just wants his patient survive the hard life.

            “You’ll wake up, won’t you?” he asks.  Minho squeezes back.  Jonghyun feels relieve, because of the boy’s spirit, even though he isn’t yet fully gain his consciousness.  Anyhow, he doesn’t want to put in too much hope.  Not that he doesn’t trust the boy, he just prepares.  Anything can happen, even at the very last minute.

            “I want to see you wake up one day.  Because you’re the only one that can correct the things here.  It has been a bit chaos these days,” Jonghyun says while chuckling.  He knows Minho cannot see him, but he hopes the sound will be able to make him know what he is doing.  And when Minho squeezes his hand, he knows he is right.

            “It is time for me to go.  See you tomorrow, okay?” he says and he puts back Minho’s hand on the bed.  He gives the chance for his eyes to look at Minho for another time before his legs make a move.

            He walks towards the door.  He opens the door and steps outside.  Then, he closes the door with a sigh of relief.  He never has been feeling this relieve for a while.  But, now he believes and keeps up the faith in seeing Minho comes back to life.  While he is thinking about that, suddenly he hears sobs.  Someone is weeping.  He looks at his left and finds Jessica is crying.

            Jonghyun could tell that Jessica is tired, due to her work, but he believes that is not the thing that makes her legs very feeble.  She is weeping while she walks, and it looks like she is going to fall on the floor very soon.  With much concern, Jonghyun runs towards her and holds her in his arm.  He gently drags her to the nearest waiting seat.  He seats together with her.

            “Jessica...” he calls her while she continues crying on his shoulder.  No answer.  Not a single word comes from the female doctor.  She weeps.  Jonghyun is getting confused.  He never sees her in this condition.  Jessica never cries.

            “Jessica, why?” he asks.  He wonders why a strong girl like her cries in a sudden, and looks very weak.

            But, there’s no word from her.  She continues with her sob.  Jonghyun let her cries.  Her face is still on his shoulder, and Jonghyun could feel his white coat get wet.  He just let her be in that way, cries until she feels strong enough to speak.  He strokes her head, trying to calm her down.

            After a while, Jessica stops weeping.  Jonghyun stops stroking her hair.  She lifts her face and wipes the tears with her hands.  Jessica knows that she looks messy, but she doesn’t know, in Jonghyun’s eyes she looks adorable.  He smiles while looking at her face.  Without Jonghyun asks for it, Jessica starts to tell the story.

            “The kid that I am supposed to save, he died, after a few days unconscious,” she says with a cracking voice.  Jonghyun knows Jessica can cry again anytime, but he knows that he will be there for her.  Jonghyun stays in silent, as a sign that he will hear anything that she wants to tell.

            “I know...we have to be professional, but seeing the boy died at such a young age, I’m getting emotional.  You know...he is my patient and seeing him dying is heartbreaking for me.  I...I just can’t bear with it,” says Jessica.  She starts to cry again, but not as bad as before.

            “Jessica...yes, as doctor we have to be professional.  But, we are just human.  We have the right to feel sad.  You can cry if you want, cry until you feel all the grief gone,” Jonghyun says gently while looking at his mate.

            Jessica has been working in ER unit for years.  She faces with a lot of death of her patients.  Working is Emergency Room is a disaster; because your patient can even die while operating.  But, all this while the sweet girl is so professional, especially in handling her own grief.  Jonghyun can see the sadness all this while, although she forcefully carved a smile on her face.  She hides her sorrow, always been like that.

            But today, Jonghyun see a different side of her.  She is crying unhide.  She is so weak that Jonghyun could see her legs are trembling.  She will not make it even to stand up.  Her knees are too feeble.  The boy must mean a lot to her.

            “Who is that boy to you?” he asks Jessica while gently wrapping his arm around her shoulders.  Jessica looks at him.

            “A brother, who supposed to be finishing his elementary school soon,” she says while tears are fighting to stroll down her fair, smooth cheeks.  Jonghyun nods.  It is hard, he knows.

            He has been thinking the same thing when he got Minho as his patient.  A brother who still have a lot to explore in his life; the thought makes Jonghyun really want to see him wakes up want day, and continues his journey of life.  Thus, he tries very hard to keep him alive, although his case is very rare; one in a million.  Minho should have died, he knows, but he saved the boy because he really thinks Minho is his brother, that is still young and has to experience life.

            “It’s hard I know...and it is not a crime to feel sad,” Jonghyun says and goes on, “But, if a doctor continues to weep like this, how would the other survive?  Jessica, you have other patients to look after.  You have to move on.  Their lives are depending on you.  You wouldn’t want another patient to die, would you?” Jonghyun asks, in attempt to soothe her down.  The only thing wrong is he is soothing her in a very ‘doctor-ish’ way.  Jessica managed a small laugh.

            “Jonghyun...you never really know how to persuade a woman, aren’t you?” Jessica says, now managed to give a sad, yet genuine smile.  Jonghyun looks at her, confused.  Then, he chuckles while scratching his head.

            “I...just doing my job as a friend,” Jonghyun says.  Jessica smiles, while her heart shouting to be more than Jonghyun’s friend.

            “Yeah...thanks a lot for your concern.  How about your patient, huh?  How is Minho right now?” she asks.

            “He’s alright.  Hey!  You know what?  He started responding to stimuli yesterday,” Jonghyun says.  Jessica’s face turns bright.

            “Seriously?” Jessica asks animatedly.

            “Yeah.  And he responds too.  Hold his hand and speak to him, he will squeeze your hand,” Jonghyun tells her.

            “Really?  I’m going inside,” Jessica says while standing up.  She quickly walks towards Minho’s room, but suddenly her wrist is grabbed by somebody.  He turns to see Jonghyun.

            “Thanks...err...thanks...you helped me a lot...from operating Minho till taking care of him.  Thanks a lot,” Jonghyun says.  He tries to make it professional, but he doesn’t know what makes him really shy to thank the girl.  He feels something different with this girl.  Jessica smiles a very sweet smile.

            “Thanks for making me happy too.  Jonghyun...” Jessica says while walking nearer towards him, “I love you, Kim Jonghyun,” she kisses him on his cheek and runs to Minho’s room, leaving Jonghyun in shock.

            He holds his cheek and can feel the warmness, as he let Jessica’s last words processed by his brain.  He looks at her as she enters the room, with a smile carved on his face.





            “Emma!” Minho calls her.  Emma turns to him and he quickly snaps a photo of her.  He then smirks naughtily.

            “You are photogenic.  Your photo comes out very nice even though you’re not yet ready,” Minho says, praising Emma.

            “I know, right?” says Emma, jokingly.  She smiles at him.  Emma is going back to her old self, little by little.  She slowly becomes the sweet Emma after she gets back to work.

            “How is your work, dear?” asks Minho while stroking Emma’s long hair.  Emma is still smiling.

            “Great...I feel happy to be with friends again.  And I don’t feel really depressed anymore,” says Emma.

            “I’m glad to hear that you’re happy.  That makes me happy too,” Minho says.  Emma chuckles.

            “Minho...I’m sorry for our last meeting.  I’m really sorry.  I was emotional,” Emma is seeking for forgiveness.  She has gone far extreme.  Just because of soccer, she left him behind.  When she thinks back about it, she feels embarrassed.  She was acting crazy last time, which is far from herself.

            “It’s okay Emma, it’s okay.  I don’t mind.  You have the right to feel that way,” Minho says while looking at her.

            “No, no, Minho.  I’m serious.  I’m really sorry...” Emma says very tenderly.

            “If you really want to hear that I forgive you, then yes...I forgive you.  But, there’s nothing to be sorry okay?  I understand,” Minho says soothingly.

            They walk together and find a place to sit.  Then, they sit together on a bench, under a shady tree in a park.

            “Days have been great for you?” asks Minho while snapping a few photos of birds on the tree’s branch.

            “Yeah...I enjoy my life,” Emma says.

            “How is Onew then?”

            “He’s great too.  He got back to work this morning,” Emma tells him.  Minho nods and then looks at his camera.

            “See?  These birds.  They are couple,” Minho shows a picture of two birds together on a branch.  Emma smiles widely to the photo.

            “This is nice,” Emma says while taking the camera from Minho’s hand.  Minho gives it to Emma.  While Emma is admiring his photo, he takes out his laptop.  He still has a few photos to be edited.  And the photo of the birds will be his masterpiece too.

            He scrolls down the album to see the photo he has edited.  Just to make it as sample.  He loves seeing it, not because of the perfect photo; with perfect angle, focus and light, but because of the person in the photo.  He never captures picture of other girls, it is only Emma.  Other than that, no picture of human.  The others are picture of scenery, plants and animals.

            He opens one by one photo, browsing the file.  He smiles alone when he sees the photos.  He loves the girl in the photos.  He doesn’t know since when he loves her, but he is sure about his feeling.  He knows exactly that the smile makes up his day, the eyes drive away his grief and the lovely face opens up a bright day for him.  He smiles to himself, forgetting that the girl is right beside him, watching him looking at her own pictures.

            Emma is touched.  She can see that all those pictures are her pictures.  She loves the fact that Minho captures only her photos, but seeing him admiring the photos makes Emma’s heart flutters.  She feels glad and that brings out the tears of happiness.

            “Minho... Are you really in love with those photos of mine?” asks Emma.  Minho is shocked when he knows Emma is watching him and that makes him feels the heat fills up his face.  He looks at her calmly though, hiding the tingling of his own heart, showered with love.

            “I’m not in love with the photos,” he says calmly and he could see Emma’s cheeks flush red, maybe because she thinks she is wrong, but Minho continues, “But, I’m in love with the person, Emma,” he says.  The words consciously hit her in her head, and send the chill down through her spine.  She feels her cheeks are already hot.

            “Prove it,” Emma says, while Minho is getting closer to her.

            “I will.  I’ve gain my strength.  Let me play soccer again and this time, I promise to win for you, only you,” Minho says while getting closer and closer.

            Emma closes her eyes and before she could say a word, she feels his lips touch hers.  She feels grateful and thanks God for another good day she had.

Chapter 12: Hope

It has been two days after Onew had a high fever, but he still doesn’t get back to work.  Putting full trust on his secretary, Taeyon, he tries to solve some other matter that is more important to his life right now.  Everything is involving his only and beloved sister.

            Onew thanks Taemin for helping him in making the robot, and in order to make it perfect.  A few days ago, he was told by Emma that Minho didn’t know how to play soccer.  Isn’t it weird and suspicious enough?  It is his skill and yet he forgot how to play soccer?  That should be impossible, because skill is not something to remember.  But, he could still breath in relieve because his sister doesn’t notice that?  Or does she?

            However, it is Taemin again who get the headache.  Working day and night, just to make sure everything is under control and won’t raise any suspicion in her sister.

            “Taemin, I’m sorry,” says Onew when he sees Taemin yawns for the umpteenth times.

            “It’s okay...why should you say sorry?  I’m okay, really.  You’re the one who should rest,” Taemin advices him while getting back to his work.

            “You’re the one who work, why should I rest?” says Onew politely while looking at the younger boy.  He wishes he could help, but the cyborg is not in his proficiency.

            “Onew, you just recovered two days ago.  I’m afraid you may collapse again if you push yourself to hard,” says Taemin with a slight hint of laughter.  His fingers are dancing vigorously on the keypad of his laptop.

            “I’m okay, really,” says Onew with his dazzling smile.  He watches the younger works really hard to make the cyborg perfect.

            “Do you really need to make him great at soccer?” Taemin asks without looking at him.

            “Huh?”

            “Do you really need to make him great at soccer?  Or just as good?” asks Taemin again, looking at his laptop’s screen.

            “Minho is great at soccer,” he says as he shrugs, “But, if you think that is a burden, just make it good.  That is more than enough,” Onew continues with a pity gaze at the younger.  He works really hard.

            “I’m just okay with that.  I’m just afraid the cyborg will collapse,” says Taemin.

            “Huh?” Onew couldn’t understand.  Why would the cyborg collapse?

            “Well...the microchip...if there’s too many information uploaded, I’m afraid there will be short circuit,” Taemin says.

            “What will happen then?” Onew asks nervously.

            “The robot will ‘die’.  There’s nothing controlling the brain, the most vital organ in human’s body,” says Taemin.  Onew lost his words.  That will make it worse for his sister.

            “Then?”

            “If this Minho ‘die’, the only way is to implant new microchip with the same data again,” Taemin says expertly while shrugging.

            “What can we do now?” Onew asks nervously again.  What if there is no other way?  Minho won’t be good at soccer.  And then, her sister will get more suspicious and eventually find out the truth behind this.  Then, she’ll know the real Minho is fighting to live.  She’ll probably commit suicide again.  Shoot.

            “I’ll compress the file.  That is the best way.  But, I don’t know how long it will last.  This is my first try though,” he says while looking at Onew.  Onew nods.

            “Whatever it is as long as she won’t get suspicious by it,” says Onew, giving up.  Taemin nods.  He gets up to attach the wire to Minho’s head.  Then he clicks a few buttons before the information uploaded to Minho’s microchip.

            He inserts everything; basic skill of soccer and many World Cup videos of soccer.  He hopes the information will help Minho to get a grip at soccer.  If not, Emma can get suspicious and eventually knows the real thing.  She will know that the Minho is unreal.  That is when the whole problem will start again.  He just wants to help Onew to prevent it.

            After a few minutes of information transfer, the cyborg is ready to get back to work.  Taemin looks at Onew, as though asking for permission to switch on the robot.

            “Onew, you want to switch it alive now?” asks him.  Onew thinks for a while.

            “No, I don’t think so.  Keep it that way until I call Emma.  For now, I want to go to the hospital to visit the real Minho,” says Onew.  Taemin looks at him innocently but at the same time, giving a hint that he wants to follow.

            “Can I go with you?  I want to see Jonghyun,” says Taemin while cutely scratching the back of his head.

            “You don’t have class?”          

            “No,” he shakes his head vigorously.

            “Okay then,” says Onew with his brotherly smile.

            They walk out from Taemin’s house, stepping to the desolate highest floor of the creepy, old apartment.  Till now, Onew still wonder why Taemin chooses such a place, but thinking rationally about it, it will help Taemin to concentrate on his work.

            Onew drives them to the hospital.  He drives carefully and Taemin is amused on how careful his driving is.  He feels protected and safe with the older guy.

            “Emma sure is very fortunate to get a brother like you,” says Taemin suddenly, breaking the silence among both of them.  Still focusing on the road, Onew frowns at Taemin’s words.

            “Why suddenly?” asks Onew.

            “Well...I feel safe with you.  Well...you know...all this while I only have Jonghyun,” says Taemin.  He admits himself that he loves to act childish when he is with Jonghyun.  That is because only Jonghyun will treat him well although he behaves very badly.  Onew chuckles to Taemin words.

            “Yeah...he’s good though, I admit that.  A very dedicated doctor and brother,” he says.

            “You too...very good brother,” says Taemin.  Onew chuckles.

            “We’re here,” before Taemin has the opportunity to voice his words, Onew previously informs that they have arrived at the hospital.

            “Oh,” he ends the conversation with that only word and they get out from the car.





            Key walks towards his brother’s room.  Nothing to do, he is not as busy, thus he comes to have a chat with his brother, only if he is not busy.  He arrives in front of the room.  A plat written with his brother’s name, Kim Jonghyun and his position, Head of Neurological Department, is attached to the door.  He knocks on it, just to ensure whether he is in or not.

            “Looking for me?” a voice suddenly comes out from his back.  He turns to see a tired face smiling at him.

            “Jonghyun!  Oh yeah...I’m looking for you...in case you’re not busy,” says Key excitedly after seeing his brother.

            “Yeah...I’m free...Well...at least for now,” Jonghyun says jokingly and both of them laugh.

            “Jonghyun!  Key!” another voice comes from nowhere calling their name.  They recognize the voice, and synchronously turn their head to the owner of the voice.  They find out what they think are true, it is Onew.  But, he is with Taemin, the engineer boy.

            “Hey!  Guys!” Key exclaims while Jonghyun just smiles.  Taemin runs when he sees Jonghyun and throws himself towards him.  He gives the older a big warm hug.

            “Jonghyun!” he exclaims as he hugs him.  Jonghyun hugs back.  After a while, Taemin could sense Key’s envy gaze and he let go of him.

            “Well...urmm...J-Jonghyun...you look so tired.  Are you okay?” asks Taemin a bit stuttering.  Key feels guilty knowing the boy stutters because of his prey gaze, but he couldn’t help.

            “I ask you when is it he is not tired?” Onew jokes and they laugh together.  It is true though, being a doctor is tiring, especially when you are a specialist.  You will always be needed.

            “We want to visit Minho, can we?” asks Onew.

            “Sure, let’s go,” Jonghyun replies with his dazzling and melting smile.

            “Can I join you guys?” asks Key.

            “Why not?  Let’s go Key,” Jonghyun says while pull his brother’s hand to walk together with him.

            They enter the room and the first thing the register is the sound of the machine.  It is beeping but otherwise, the room is very quiet until they almost believe there’s nobody inside.  But Jonghyun knows the most what is inside.  A boy is lying lifelessly on the bed, without any real effort could be seen physically for him to get up.  But, actually is mentally fighting to live.

            The sight of him always touches him deep into his heart.  The boy is strong though, to be able to live until that day.  Supposedly, he dies in the first place when the accident happened.  It is so terrible, that he shouldn’t have survived.  He doesn’t know what odd the boy carries with him but, all Jonghyun care is the boy is alive, and it has been his responsibility to make sure he will wake up.  For now, he is still unable to do it.

            Jonghyun sighs and feels the sudden headache stabs him, very acute, but he is still able to handle.  He stops walking out of sudden, closes his eyes and massages his temple.

            “Hey...are you okay?” asks Taemin.  Jonghyun opens his eyes.

            “Yeah...I am,” says Jonghyun as he smiles and walks towards Minho’s bed.  He tries to sound as cheerful as he can and he wrings Minho’s hand, squeezing it, hopelessly thinking he will transfer some strength for the boy to wake up.

            “Hye...there.  It is me, again, Jonghyun, your doctor.  This has been...I don’t know how many times I’m here already.  I want to see you wake up.  Hey, you know what, I bring someone here,” Jonghyun says, pathetically.  The others hear that.  Onew’s tears are threatening to fall.  Taemin is touched although he doesn’t really know the guy.  Key is already having his tears on his cheeks.

            “Hey, the day is bright today.  I’m sure you’ll see it one day,” Jonghyun says again.  He doesn’t want the solemn and sorrowful condition around the room affecting his patient.  As a doctor, he shouldn’t be so emotional, especially when it comes to his own patient.  All this while he had been so professional, but not Minho.  But still, he doesn’t tear up though.

            “Let me check you today,” says Jonghyun.  He starts his work.  Checking on the blood pressure, the breathing and the heartbeats of the boy.  While doing his work, he tells Minho some story of other patients, who recover, hoping that will inspire the boy.  He did that almost every day.  Finishes with his work, he pulls Onew and asks him to sit at the chair beside the bed.

            “Talk to him...as cheerful as you can,” Jonghyun whispers into his ears.  The other watches silently.  Onew looks at Jonghyun with teary eyes.  Jonghyun nods, telling him to do it.  This is the first time he gains strength to visit Minho here, and just in a second he feels all his strength gone seeing Minho’s condition.

            “Hey...this is Onew.  You remember me, right?  I miss you, so much.  Please brother, wake up, please...” unintentionally, tears breaks down and strolling down his cheeks.  He squeezes the hand harder.  Jonghyun pats his back, signalling him to be patient.

            Onew feels his heart sinks.  He cries.  He brings the hand to his lips and kisses it.  He doesn’t want to lose Minho.  He is hoping he will wake up.

            “I...I miss you...w-wake up...please...tell...m-me...you’re a-alive...” he says with his sobs contaminating his words.  Jonghyun watches the scene tranquilly, while Key and Taemin already sobbing silently at the other side of the bed.

            Out of sudden, Onew feels somebody grabs his hand, no, replying his squeeze.  The hand squeezes back.  Onew is shocked by that but says nothing.  He stops all his movement to make sure the squeeze is from Minho.  He looks at Minho carefully.  The sudden strain in Onew’s movement catches Jonghyun’s eyes.  He notices the older guy.

            “Is there anything wrong, Onew?” Jonghyun asks as he narrows his eyes.  Onew looks at him clueless.

            “I...I feel like Minho...” Onew’s words end there.

            “Minho what?” Jonghyun asks again as Onew’s words faded.  His mind excites to the highest alert point, but he maintains calm.  The others, Key and Taemin are straining too, noticing there’s something to do with Minho.

            “He...squeezed my hand, just now,” Onew says, still clueless and with his eyes fixed on Minho.

            “Excuse me, Mr. Onew,” the sudden formality in Jonghyun’s words cause Onew to know the need of him to let go of Minho’s hand.

            “Minho...I’m your doctor, Jonghyun,” says Jonghyun as he squeezes Minho’s hand.  Then, electric shock runs down his spine, as Minho squeezes back.

            “God, he can hear me...and respond,” says Jonghyun.  As fast as lightning he grabs a small torchlight from his white coat’s pocket and opens Minho’s eyelid.  He torches Minho’s eyes and he could see the respond.  The pupils decrease in sight, to avoid excess light entering the eye and damage the system.

            “He responds.  The activity of his brain is enhanced!” Jonghyun exclaims as a smile decorating his handsome but tired face.

            “Huh?” the three of them look at the young and genius doctor in front of them.

            “Glasgow Coma Scale...Scale compromises three tests: eye, verbal, and motor.  It is used to monitor a coma patient.  Minho shows responses in motor.  His body starts to move, and respond to stimuli, although he still doesn’t open his eyes or produce any sounds.  That is a good sign of recovery,” states Jonghyun, while happily squeezes Minho’s hand again.

            “Minho...you’ll try your best to wake up, won’t you?” he speaks to Minho gently while squeezing his hand.  Minho squeezes back.

            “See?  I told you.  He responds to the stimuli.  He hears me and could sense my touch,” Jonghyun says while looking at the three of them.

            “It is a good sign, isn’t it?” asks Onew, voice cracking but with a very contented face.  Jonghyun nods calmly and let go of Minho’s hand.

            “You’ll continue encouraging him, promise me.  He starts to respond to your voice and your touch first,” says Jonghyun.  Onew nods before he runs to Jonghyun and hugs the younger tightly, until it is a bit suffocating.

            “I...I don’t know how to thank you...I just...don’t know,” says Onew with his cracked voice.

            “Hey...Onew...it’s not me.  It is Minho himself.  He is the one who fight,” says Jonghyun humbly.

            “But, you play your role very well,” says Onew.

            “Yeah Jonghyun.  It is true that Onew’s voice triggers his response, but it is you that gives him the zest to live, to hold on.  You speaks to him every day, and inspiring him to live,” says Key.

            “And Jonghyun, not to forget, you saved him from death.  You operated him and keeps him fit until now,” Taemin says.  Jonghyun is moved by that.

            “Well...urmm...Taemin, Key, don’t you want to try?  With Minho?  I mean try to get the respond?” asks Jonghyun, quickly changing the topic.  He is not used to be complimented.

            “Yeah!” Taemin says excitedly as he runs towards Minho.  He holds his hand gently.

            “Minho...I’m Taemin.  A new friend.  Huhu.  You have to wake up to see me, your new friend,” he says.  Minho squeezes back.  Taemin almost jumps out of contentment.

            “He responds to me!” Taemin says excitedly.

            “Yah!  Let go!  It’s my turn,” Key says, pushing Taemin away.  Key quickly grabs Minho’s hand and squeezes it gently.

            “Hey...I’m Key.  A new friend too,” he says and receives a squeeze from Minho.

            “He responds to me too,” Key says.

            Key and Taemin starts to act immature.  They are pushing each other, trying to talk to Minho and tell story to him.  Onew laughs seeing their act.  Jonghyun just smiles.

            “Be careful.  Don’t harm my patient,” Jonghyun says as he shakes his head.

            “We won’t,” Taemin and Key says synchronously.

            Onew laughs again and shakes his head.  He never thought the other two prodigies would act immature.  All this while, they only show their professionalism.  But, somehow, Onew get to learn the other side of him.  He chuckles again.  Then, he turns to see Jonghyun almost fall asleep while standing.  He quickly catches him.

            “Hey, doctor.  You need rest,” says Onew with a slight hint of worry.  Jonghyun chuckles when he knows that he almost fall asleep.

            “Yeah...I think so.  If you want to be here...you may stay.  I’m going back to my room,” Jonghyun says while looking at his watch, “My shift is over today.  So, I think I want to sleep,” Jonghyun says again.

            “Why don’t you just go home?” Onew asks, frowning.

            “It’s the same.  I always have to run back here when I’m on-call,” he says.  Onew shakes his head.

            “Let me accompany you to your room.  I’m afraid you’ll fall asleep while walking.  That will be a very big problem,” Onew says while puts his arm on the younger’s shoulder.

            “I’m okay...really,” Jonghyun says with a smile.

            “Don’t be stubborn, doctor.  Just follow,” Onew says.  Jonghyun keeps quiet, smiles and just follows the older.  The two of them leave the other two who are still talking happily to Minho.