Chapter 74
I stood frozen behind the curtain, my heart pounding in my chest as I listened to the conversation. Hyun Min had insomnia, and it all made sense now – why he asked me to room with him at the camp. But the doctor's words sent a chill down my spine: "You are depressed."
My eyes widened as I peeked through the gap in the curtain. Hyun Min's expression was a mix of fustration and desperation. "I just need pills," he said, his voice laced with a hint of pleading. But the doctor was firm. "Pills will do nothing. You need to address the root cause of your depression."
As Hyun Min turned to leave, the doctor's voice stopped him. "Your mom needs to know about this." Hyun Min's eyebrow arched as he turned, a hint of defiance in his eyes. "Are you planning to tell her?" he asked, his tone dripping with skepticism.
The doctor nodded, her expression unwavering. "Yes, I need to. She needs to know what her son is going through."
I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. Depression? Hyun Min was depressed? I couldn't believe it. Suddenly, a fly buzzed past my face, and I let out a startled scream, jumping out from behind the curtain.
The doctor and Hyun Min's gazes snapped to me, their eyes locking onto mine. I felt a wave of embarrassment wash over me. "Hi," I said, trying to play it cool despite my racing heart.
Hyun Min's eyes narrowed. "What were you doing there, and how much did you hear?" he asked, his tone firm but controlled.
The doctor's eyes were filled with shock.
"Were you there all this while?" she asked, her voice gentle.
I hesitated, unsure of what to say. I didn't want to lie, but I couldn't reveal the truth either. "I...I promise I didn't hear anything because I fell asleep," I said, trying to sound convincing. Even as the words left my lips, I knew they sounded ridiculous. Who would believe that?
I took a step forward, my gaze lingering on Hyun Min's retreating figure. The urge to chase after him was palpable, to confront him about the secrets he'd kept hidden beneath his charming facade. But the searing pain in my waist served as a harsh reminder of my own needs. Painkillers became my immediate priority.
As I turned to the doctor, her expression softened with understanding. She scribbled out a prescription and handed me a small packet of medication. "Take two tablets every six hours as needed," she instructed, her voice gentle. "These should help manage the pain."
I took the packet from her, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. The doctor's eyes sparkled with kindness as she added, "Take care of yourself."
I nodded, As I turned to leave, her voice stopped me. "Are you two friends?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
I hesitated, the question catching me off guard. Friends? Was that even the right word to describe our relationship? "Yes, we're friends," I said finally, "but we're not really close." The words felt like a half-truth, and I wasn't sure why I'd chosen to phrase it that way.
The doctor's expression turned grave. "I'm really worried about him," she said, her voice low and serious. "He's struggling with depression."
The concept felt distant, something I'd only read about in books or seen in movies. "What causes it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
The doctor's eyes clouded over, her expression thoughtful. "Depression can stem from anything," she said. "Unhappiness, stress, trauma... it can creep in when you least expect it." She paused, her gaze locking onto mine. "But I think you could be a great support system for him. Just being there for him, letting him know he can talk to you... that can make all the difference."
Depression was a complex beast, one that required patience, empathy, and understanding.
I stepped out of the doctor's office, the sterile smell of the clinic lingering in my nostrils as the weight of Hyun Min's struggles still lingered in my mind. The soft rustle of the plastic bag filled the air as I rummaged through it,My fingers trembled slightly as I pulled out the packet, and I was greeted by rows of Korean characters - the names of the drugs were written in korean language. A shiver ran down my spine as my heart sank, but thankfully, the doctor had included a detailed note with instructions in English, her handwriting neat and precise.
As I scanned the note, my head bumped into someone's back, and I felt a surge of embarrassment. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" I apologized instinctively, my eyes welling up with mortification. But as I raised my head to offer a hasty apology, my gaze met a familiar face, and my eyes widened in surprise. My mouth dropped open, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe. The world around me seemed to freeze, and all that existed was the shock of recognition.
As our eyes met, the world around us melted away, leaving only the intensity of the moment.
Before I could process the whirlwind of emotions, Hyun Min's arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a warm, gentle hug. His tall frame leaned down to accommodate mine, and I felt a sense of safety in his embrace.
My arms instinctively wrapped around him, holding him tightly as my hand came to rest on his back. The warmth of his body seeped into mine, and I could feel the tension in his muscles begin to ease. In that moment, I knew he needed this –The weight of his depression wasn't something I could fully understand, but I could offer my presence, my empathy, and my support.