Chapter 123 - Free will

Pain— that was the only thing Jinhee felt. Sharp pain pierced through her entire body, and Jinhee let out a groan feeling that. The smell of disinfectants of entered into Jinhee's nostrils.

"Are you awake, Jinhee-ah?"

Jinhee heard a familiar voice ask her that, and mustering up her courage, Jinhee slowly attempted to open her eyes.

The bright light hit her eyes, and Jinhee immediately shut close her eyes tightly. Once again, Jinhee opened her eyes gradually, and this time she was successful.

White ceiling was the first thing that she saw, and turning her head slowly, she stared at the direction where the voice came from.

Blinking her eyes multiple times, Jinhee tried to focus her vision. Seated on the chair beside her bed was Han Taehee, and her appearance was all disheveled.

As most of the times, it was Taehee who saved her in her time of need. Looking at Taehee, Jinhee could guess that she hadn't slept the entire night.

Looking down upon her body, Jinhee saw that she was covered with bandages and let out a sigh. 

Even though she tried to be careful in this life, she still became a victim in the end. Jinhee was disappointed with herself.

"Thanks." Jinhee managed to voice out.

"It's alright, Jinhee-ah. How are you feeling?" Taehee questioned in a caring tone.

"I'm feeling alright," Jinhee spoke out, "I don't want to act strong and say I could've handled it on my own. 

I could've probably died if it was not for you, so if you need anything in return, please state it."

"I won't ask for something you're not comfortable with. Stop thinking that you owe me. I did this with free will. Now, rest," Taehee spoke out with a sweet smile on her face.

Nonetheless, instead of her words bring relief to Jinhee, it only bought guilt to Jinhee, and unable to look at Taehee, Jinhee turned the other way.

"I am not efficient in many things. But  no matter what the situation is, I'll lend you a hand," Jinhee vocalised.

Patting Jinhee's head, Taehee voiced out, "I only need you to be happy."

Jinhee just closed her eyes and tried to bring her emotions into control. That's when, something hit her. Opening her eyes wide, she turned to face Taehee.

"The tests! They were supposed to be held today!" Jinhee exclaimed.

She prepared really hard for the exams this time, and for an accident, she did not want to miss any of the exams. This exams were the only way to prove herself for now.

"What's the time now?" Jinhee questioned whilst desperately praying that it was not that late yet.

"Are you at a condition to write an exam?" Taehee asked.

"I can manage. Let's hurry up, Taehee-ah! Let's not waste any longer," Jinhee stated.

"You right wrist is sprained, and you can not use it for a while," Taehee voiced out.

Despondently, Jinhee stared towards at her right hand that was bandaged up and tried to move it. 

Feeling the sharp pain, Jinhee realized that Taehee was right and let out a sigh. Missing these monthly exams won't make anyone stay back a year, but Jinhee was looking forward to this very much.

Closing her eyes, Jinhee tried to slip into the darkness and stop thinking about everything else. She was not at the mood to face anyone at this moment.

Understanding what Jinhee was going through at this moment, Taehee patted her head, hoping to deliver some comfort to her.

°°°

Absorbed in self-condemnation and unhappiness, Jinhee was not aware of when she fell asleep, and when she opened her eyes, she was not aware of how long she had slept for. 

Opening her eyes, Jinhee could see that Taehee was talking with a male in white coat, whom Jinhee deduced to be the doctor. 

It surprised her that Taehee was still here for she expected her to leave. All of Taehee's action managed to warm Jinhee's heart, and slowly and subconsciously, it became to soften up towards Taehee.

Jinhee could not hear what both of them were talking about, and soon enough, the doctor stepped out of the door.

Taehee turned to face Jinhee, and when she noticed that Jinhee was awake, a smile formed on Taehee's face.

Jinhee recalled something, and as she was about to open her mouth to ask, her throat felt parched.

"W-Water?" Jinhee managed to voice out.

Listening to Jinhee's words, Taehee moved towards the small table beside the bed and picked up the glass of water.

Jinhee was about to sit up, and as she pressed her hand against the bed, a sharp pain went through her wrists and back. Her entire body felt sore at that instant, and she winced.

"Careful," Taehee spoke out.

Placing the glass of water down on the chair, Taehee supported Jinhee up by placing her right hand behind shoulder and then picked up the glass of water with her left hand.

As Taehee bought the glass of water closer to Jinhee's lips, Jinhee raised her head up to stare at Taehee. 

As the cold glass touched Jinhee's lips, she opened her mouth to drink down the water. The entire time, Jinhee's eyes were on Taehee, observing her expression.

Joy, relief, concern, and anger played on Taehee's face, and noticing that hint of anger in Taehee's eyes, Jinhee had an idea on where it was directed at.

After Jinhee finished drinking the water, Taehee placed the glass on the chair, and taking out the handkerchief from her pocket, Taehee wiped the corner of Jinhee's mouth.

Jinhee did not mind being taken care in this way and infact, liked it. Light pink coated her cheeks at the thought of that, and Jinhee turned the other way.

Although Taehee noticed her coloured cheeks, she did not comment anything about it, and gently, she placed Jinhee on the soft bed.

"Thank you, Taehee," Jinhee voiced out.

Remembering the question Jinhee wanted to ask earlier, Jinhee voiced out, "You didn't go school or give the exam today?"

"Do you think I had the mood to go to school when you're laying on the bed this way?" Taehee smiled.

Although Taehee's action touched Jinhee, Jinhee was ashamed of feeling this way. Instead of content about the matter, she should be guilty.

"The doctors were here, and my wounds were not enough to cause something serious," Jinhee spoke out.

"It's better to not give the exam then receive a big zero," Taehee expressed.

Jinhee just shook her head slightly at Taehee's actions; She was truly one of a kind. 

That's when, Jinhee remembered about the anger in Taehee's eyes— that she noticed previously— and asked, "I presume you've found the one behind this?"

Taehee nodded.

"Yes, it was Im Jieun and two of her lackeys," Taehee voiced out. 

In her eyes was rage and a desire for revenge, which was noticed by Jinhee.