Beautiful Goodbye
CHAPTER 4: Broken Wings

     Gigi Jaehyun cursed after seeing the results that had just come out. An X-ray taken of Sohyun's legs. In the room the orthopedic doctor, from an X-ray film viewer, shows an asymmetrical fault that has not fully recovered. Sohyun who looked over from the wheelchair, just silently stared at the more dominant image of white around his leg bones. He would not waste energy just asking. The explanation of the two doctors in front of him was more than enough to digest. The most important thing for him right now, was to make sure the two doctors did not complain to Yoon eun.

     Jaehyun got up from his chair, followed by Doctor Shin who specializes in orthopedic surgery. The two men of different ages looked at the only woman in Doctor Shin's office.

    "You should be more careful. What exactly happened until you were this frivolous?" angry Jaehyun who was still stricken was annoyed.

    "Doctors blame me?" Sohyun. There was absolutely no look of regret or fear on his face.

    "Who else is it? The guy who hit you?"

     Jaehyun's answer made him nervous. A flash of Taehyung's face swirled back, slipping into the memory of Sohyun's memories. Should he blame Taehyung who doesn't even know anything?

     "No ..." Sohyun answered softly. The woman's gaze slumped, looking at her legs that could not be moved. The more he was forced, it would only add to the unbearable pain.

     "Don't be too hard on her, Doctor Kim." Doctor Shin who noticed a small change in Sohyun's facial features, advised his juniors to be able to keep the patient feeling.

     "Leave it. This woman must be encouraged so as not to do anything." Jaehyun deliberately raised his voice. But it was not Sohyun by name, if it responded to Jaehyun's innuendo in the usual way. He looked like he was listening to his ears, pretending he didn't hear anything.

    Shin Wonsuk alone until the head gurgles saw their non-friendly interaction. He then crouched down in front of Sohyun, stroking the girl's hair like a real child.

    "You're still lucky, Miss Kim. If it's a little wrong, your bones are already I'm sure they will be hollowed out on the operating table again. Of course you don't want your mom to know, do you? You can't force yourself. For the next few days, use a wheelchair and follow therapy."

     A gentle message from Doctor Shin touched Sohyun's frozen heart. The girl nodded slowly, agreeing.

     "I'm gonna do it. I should be able to walk normally before that person gets home," she said firmly.

🔔

     They pass through the hallways of hospitals that are still crowded from work activities. Everyone is busy with their own business. Sohyun chose silence, letting Jaehyun push his wheelchair towards the hospital, which was far from the noisy noise created by the patient screaming in pain. Occasionally several sisters who passed by greeted Jaehyun. The friendly known doctor did not hesitate to return their warm greeting, and as usual, Sohyun did not budge. His eyes are always straight and focused forward.

     "Actually I'm still curious about the person you're referring to. You should be mad at him, he left you and when he came he hurt you."

     "He did not intentionally do it. Anyway, he's already said an apology."

     Jaehyun snorted long. Sohyun, although it looks cold and indifferent, it is easy to forgive people. He was happy, but on the one hand, he did not like that kind of view either.

     "You are, at least try to show your expression," he gerundel continued pushing.

     "Stop acting like this, Doctor." Sohyun held back the pace of his chair wheel. He was tired, tired of facing the attitude of the doctor who had a fleeting look like Taehyung's.

     Jaehyun immediately turned his body, standing in front of Sohyun who was looking at him with a careless look.

     "Why really? What is wrong with treating patients like friends. Usually kids will like it this way."

     "But I'm not a kid."

     The man was mangosteen listening to Sohyun's flat reply. He patted the girl on the shoulder while whispering in her ear."Yes, Miss Kim is no longer a child."

     He pushed back slowly, passing one by one each health unit in SeonGyu hospital, before entering the elevator to the fifth floor.

     "You hear anything?" Sohyun asked Jaehyun.

     "Sound what?" Jaehyun asked back.

     Sohyun's gaze led to one room. Unexpectedly, Sohyun flipped directions, turning the wheel of his own chair.

     "Hey, what are you doing?" Jaehyun stopped Sohyun by holding the handle of the chair. Almost made a sudden heart attack due to the sudden act of Sohyun.

     "Can I go in there?" Sohyun pointed to a room, a children's health unit.

     Jaehyun chuckled at the strange request of the patient. "You said it yourself, you're not a child. But asking for admission to the pediatric unit?" He shook his head, not expecting.

     It took a few minutes for Sohyun to hear all sorts of throttling coming out of Jaehyun's mouth, until the man allowed himself in.

     "What are you gonna do here?" jaehyun asked after going inside. He shrinks the volume of his voice so as not to disturb the rest of the patients of children who have slept.

     "Where are you going?" ask again, tailing behind.

     Not heeding Jaehyun's words, Sohyun continued to push his wheelchair towards the last empty ward. His hand held the bed iron, slightly bowing his upper body.

     "Comeout. Don't hide anymore."

     Jaehyun should give praise to Sohyun's sharp sense of hearing. The man gasped and was surprised to hear Sohyun's cheerful voice. A gentle tone is like a mother calling her child.

     "Are you a good man?"

     The question came from the mouth of a child who was still reluctant to move from under the bed. Sohyun who was asked smiled faintly.

    "Maybe I'm not a good person, but I'll try to be nice to you." Sohyun answered very honestly.

    The girl finally burst out, rushing out until her head hit the body of the bed on it. His hands touched whatever surface was nearby. Looking for something as a guide. Sohyun swiftly helped, reaching for his trembling palm.

     Sohyun was stunned to see the face he had just seen today. A little boy with a blank look. Who accidentally met under the bed in a condition of crying with a careless face.

     "You who?" The boy felt himself. "Your face is small and very thin" he commented.

     "The stranger who accidentally heard someone crying," Sohyun replied.

     "Jang-so-Yoon. Your name is Jang Soyoon."

     The little boy nodded his head in excitement after Sohyun spelled out his name.

🔔

     The three of them walked slowly after exiting the room. Sohyun brought Soyoon along because the boy kept whining to come along. Using uncomfortable reasons to be in the pediatric room, Sohyun finally agreed after getting permission from Jaehyun. Sohyun did not stretch his hand grip on Soyoon's tiny fingers, even upon their arrival in the elevator.

     Jaehyun who from the beginning observed more, remained consistent with his position. He was still curious, what would a Kim So Hyun do to a child like Jang Soyoon who lost her sight. Since half an hour ago, their initial meeting, Sohyun's expression was still the same, only the intonation of his voice had turned softer. Even Jaehyun did not find a look of pity concerned in Sohyun's eyeballs. That girl is hard to guess.

     "You don't know the actress, Han Seri?"

     "No."

     "He's very famous, don't you really know him? If CEO Jang Kyun Ok, you know, right?"

      "No."

     "Not knowing either!" Soyoon gnawed on a small. "Is it home you don't have a tv?"

     "Are they good parents?"

     Soyoon's mouth opened in shock. Grasping Sohyun's palm was strong. "Where do you know they're my parents, not even a single person has known!"

     Sohyun rang, patting the cheek of the seven-year-old boy. "You who lured me first."

"Am I a fish?" spray Soyoon was a bit upset. Accidentally touching Sohyun's wheelchair.

     "You're in a wheelchair? Can't you walk?" The question that had been stored since then was finally able to come out of Soyoon's mouth. It had been a few minutes that they had become acquainted, and the little boy had only realized.

     Soyoon exhaled, nodding after hearing it. Sohyun who saw the change in facial water of the little girl next to him also made a sound again.

     "Do you think I'm disabled?"

     Quickly Soyoon looked up. "T-no. It's just, I think someone will understand me if we both have limitations," he replied, then bowed.

     "You're like a lonely person," Sohyun said heartlessly.

     "What's so visible?" Soyoon is becoming. His expression was so sweet. Jaehyun to glare at Sohyun who seems heartless to care. Enough himself, why with the children alone, Sohyun still act as he likes.

     "You often hear words like that, don't you? You should be much stronger because you're used to it. If you still feel lacking because of your limitations, you will never know what your happiness is like. You'll never know what your advantages are."

     "I'm saying this so you can be stronger against it. Cause you cried, reason you asked to come along, until your question just now. Soyoon-ah, stop thinking you're a burden to others."

     Soyoon remained silent, her lips trembling not knowing what to say in self-defense. Not because he lost, Sohyun's speech made him realize his dark side that always felt alienated. During this time he was angry because both his biological parents did not recognize his disability. People treat themselves who can do nothing. And the insults made him feel even more useless.

     "Sister..." He hugged Sohyun tightly.

     Jaehyun watched until he was amazed. Sohyun—the cold woman he knew had her own way of treating others.

🔔

     Both of them lay in one bed. Soyoon had fallen asleep, hugging Sohyun's waist who remained awake even though the night had passed by changing in the morning at two in the morning. His eyes were still unwillingly closed, staring into Soyoon's tiny, shady face that lay in front of him. The sleepiness has not yet come near. Insomnia suffered, plays a role as the cause of the difficulty of the girl to fall asleep. Incidentally, the sleeping pills he used to take every night were left behind. And his mind wandered far away.

     "How does it feel? What's it like to be unable to see the world through your eyes?"

🔔

     The wheels of the car run slowly tracking the streets deserted. Taehyung who was sitting behind the wheel split the focus between the highway and the pedestrian on his right side. Where in that place, is the location of him hitting a woman yesterday.

     Putting aside his vehicle, Taehyung got out of the car. He walked slowly, looking around. There are very few people walking. The rest are just four-wheeled vehicles that pass by. His hands were still faithfully clutching the red scarf that he thought belonged to the woman who was wretched by it.

     Taehyung lasted for half an hour, wailing to and fro looking for his red-shawed woman. The time runs until the next hour, the woman he is looking for still does not appear as well. Taehyung started giving up, wanting to leave. His head looked up for a moment, looking at the cluster of clouds up there. Looks beautiful and ...

     "Wait on! That's..." His gaze led to a small object hanging on the wall. A surveillance camera. Attached to one of the small shops on the side of the road.

🔔

     His feet stepped into a store, greeted by the sweet aroma of cakes lined up on well-ordered shelves and storefronts in front of the store. Taehyung was wailing, looking around at the many sides of the room, hoping to meet someone who could deliver himself to meet his red-shawed woman.

     He went around for a while, calling the owner of the cake shop. "Excuse me! Is there anyone inside?" he said half screaming.

     There was no sign of an insider yet. Taehyung grunted softly, feeling his efforts were fruitless.

     "Maybe next time." Taehyung held the door stalk, preparing to leave.

     "Sorry, make you wait."

     Taehyung immediately turned around. Closing the new door a quarter opened. In front of him, there had been a middle-aged woman of her mother's age, wearing a green apron full of flour stains.

    "You're the first customer today, thank you for coming." The owner of the cake shop once knew there was a buyer. No longer able to cover her happy hue. While Taehyung can only scratch his neck while laughing forcibly.

     "Ginger cake is very good to enjoy in cold weather like this. How, you want to?" The woman gave her recommendation. Offers some snacks that are suitable for Taehyung.

     "Before I buy a cake, may I ask for your help?" Taehyung said carefully.

      "If I'm capable, there's no reason for me to refuse."

       Taehyung commented on his big smile. The woman's reply grew her hopes of apologizing better. Without a doubt, Taehyung explicitly explained his purpose to come to ask for help from the owner of the 'Momoori' cake shop'.

🔔

     His eyes could not be seen looking at the computer screen that showed the events of yesterday. Everything is recorded clearly. Taehyung's expression turned grim, after seeing the girl who got hit by him in distress.

     "I've seen him go through my shop front a lot."

     Taehyung turned to Aunt Jung Mi. "really? Then does Auntie know her home address?"

     Unfortunately the woman nodded. Taehyung who was initially very happy again scowled disappointed.

     Jung Mi smiled faintly, looking at Taehyung's cute expression. "But if you look at the direction of his return, I'm sure he lives around the hills. On the hill there are only three house buildings, one is empty because it is rarely inhabited by its owner. Maybe you can meet him in the two remaining houses."

     Taehyung has a beard, glad not to be a bitch. He rushed out of the store looking for the address of the woman he was looking for after buying a basket of cookies as an expression of his gratitude.

🔔

     The breezy mess of the wind gushed lightly, gently lunging at Sohyun's unraveling hair. The girl sat on her wheelchair, alone. While Soyoon had come home to be picked up by her caregiver this morning. There's no Soyoon, it doesn't change things. The girl had been friends for a long time with loneliness, not something that was difficult to adapt to the solitude she created.

     Sohyun likes to spend his free time in the hospital park that is not visited by many other patients. On his lap, the sketchbook was open. The man's face was still there, smiling as if looking back at him.

     His laughter appeared, though a small. No one can guess the reason. Sohyun did not need a reason even though there was something that made him suddenly want to do it.

     Seen from a distance, Jaehyun stood watching the behavior of his patients with Eunjung whom he contacted to come to accompany Sohyun.

     "Sometimes he looks like a lunatic."

     Eunjung nudged Jaehyun's arm. "Don't fuck around. Keep your word about Miss!" his sweat doesn't like.

     "Why are you so sniffy? After all, your Young Miss won't hear it, will she?"

     "Look at you, Kim Jaehyun!" dumel Eunjung, nudge Jaehyun's arm harder.

     Instead of being upset, Jaehyun chuckled. Then turn to Sohyun who remains solemn in his place. "It's been three years, since I replaced Doctor Lee. I still don't really understand him."

     "Don't you .I, who's been almost five years old, haven't been able to tear down his fortress."

     Jaehyun nodded slowly.

     "You take care of Sohyun. Watch him, lest he jump off the roof again just to escape. I can't imagine. Maybe his leg is not just broken or paralyzed. his leg will be amputated if it repeats again. Not only physical injuries, his psyche is equally wounded."

     Eunjung. His hands squeezed his clothes, remembering the events that befell Sohyun until he had to jump from the hospital roof. There was another reason, one that was even hard to believe by him.

     "Regarding that, actually ..."

     "Oh, don't think about it. I'm concerned to see Mrs Hwang, I hope she stays patient with her daughter."

     An Jaehyun passed before giving him a chance to speak. Eunjung let out a deep breath, watching Jaehyun move further away. "You don't know anything about him, Kim Jaehyun."

     Eunjung's gaze was fixed again on Sohyun who did not leave. True said Jaehyun, his task only needs to watch over Sohyun who does not know when it will be finished. There is no time limit for him, watching women who will spend time together alone until the satisfaction channeled. It will sit—note—for as long as possible.

     "You must come, Kim Taehyung. If not ... I'll come to you myself."

     Sohyun closed the book. Lekas raised his head, looking at the canvas of the sky which was filled with cloud cloud.