Just A Professional Relationship
Episode Thirty Nine

That afternoon in the autumn, the sun shone with excitement. Water a variety of plants that thrive in the middle of the yard— in front of someone's room window.

The man was sitting limp on his bed. With a pale white face and sunken cheeks, and eyes that have lost their light. Her body was wrapped in dark blue pajamas, which she still wore too quickly. An old gray knit hat was perched on his head that had no hair.

‘Why do those flowers keep swinging cheerfully out there?’ ask in the heart. A little upset because what was outside the window of his room seemed to rejoice at the time when he had to endure the sadness.

The swaying clump was as if mocking him who was no longer able to move freely like normal people.

‘Tok-tok.’

Someone knocked before raising his face from behind the door. A beautiful old woman. Walking in while forcing a smile behind the sadness that felt.

“You're up, Juna?” ask the woman. Take a step and sit on the bed. Rubbing the back of the child who does not respond. “Mom's going to come out for a minute. You want something?”

The man nodded weakly. Still looking out the window.

Finally, the woman left, and closed the meeting room door. However, the sound of knocking was heard again, shortly after.

Juna thinks his mother came back because she forgot something. But he spontaneously turned his head when he heard the sound of a heavy object falling. At that time, how surprised he was because what was seen was not the figure of the mother, but another woman who of course he knew.

Nadin was silent as he had just stepped into the room. His eyes stared at the man who was also looking at him with disbelief.

Without being able to say anything, Nadin immediately walked over quickly, and hugged Juna who was unmoved. Then, start crying. Caused by the feeling of haru, homesickness, sadness, and fear.

For a while, Juna was still unaware that he was not dreaming. The figure that was hugging him was completely real. It was no longer the shadow that always appeared in the middle of his sleep.

He put his hand on Nadin's back. She held the woman tightly, and began to shed tears.

Juna's mother, who was standing outside the room, wiped the tears with her hands, and smiled. He chose to leave, and gave time to the two people who were letting go of each other's longing.

Nadin took off his embrace. She looked at Juna's face which made her heart slit. I don't know what the man has been through, but the look on his face does not seem to show the slightest happiness.

Nadin stroked Juna—'s cheek which instantly closed his eyes. Enjoying the warmth of someone she should no longer meet.

“This really is you yes..” said Juna slowly. He held Nadin's hand still attached to his cheek.

“Iya, Brother. It's me...” replied Nadin while somewhat forcing to smile. “I'm here..”

Juna opened his eyes. Giving a smile that has not changed at all. Looking at the woman before him with eyes full of affection. And kiss his lips slowly.

It feels strange to Nadin. As she felt Juna's dry lips touch hers. All the feelings of affection that had been buried, immediately scattered out. It made him realize that all those feelings never go away. Just holding on and waiting for someone to lure him back.

Similarly, Juna, who thinks his feelings for Nadin are slowly lost in time. But all of those thoughts were immediately refuted.

***

Juna and Nadin sat on the bed, looking at the same spot. Beautiful view outside the window. Now it all seems so much more beautiful. Even Juna who had hated it, immediately began to enjoy it.

Nadin leaned against Juna's shoulder. The two unceasingly joined hands, as if reluctant to let go of each other.

Nadin chuckles when he sees Juna wearing a ring similar to him. It turns out that his lover made a pair of rings, which he actually prepared long ago to propose to Nadin someday. Because things had messed up, Juna finally gave the ring as a birthday gift. And chose not to tell it to Nadin.

Nadin nodded. “Iya. It's beautiful..” he said, smiling. Juna knew very well that Nadin always wanted to pass the autumn season in Japan. Looking at the momiji leaves that are falling beautifully. As they now see through the window.

“You must be disappointed after reading my letter. Because I was so silly it was planning something so stupid.”

“But, I do not want to understand why Kak Juna did all that. If you remember, I was disappointed. But once I knew the truth, I somehow felt a little relieved. Because it turns out that Kak Juna did not really change,” explained Nadin. He paused his words for a moment. “But..what is not outrageous to involve others. She means... Does Mala know about this?”

“Iya. He and I are just under agreement. Although maybe he's starting to believe that I really moved his heart to him. Though I have already explained that I will do everything he asks, as a requirement because he wants to help me.”

"Did he know brother was here?"

"Not at all. No one knows where I am other than my family. After I went here, I cut off contact with him."

Nadin was silent for a moment. A shadow of Mala and Juna appeared in his mind. Close your eyes for a moment to forget.

“I'm not asking you to believe it all...”

“I believe, really. I always believed in Juna.”

The next few tens of minutes, they spent telling me all the hidden things during this time. From starting over a year ago when Juna was just aware of his illness. Chronic Myelogen Leukemia, which for so long had been eating away at his body involuntarily, began to make his life uneasy.

Not only from Nadin, Juna even hid the situation from his own family. Until all of that really can not be covered and make him have to tell the truth to his parents.

However, the usual treatment that Juna lived at that time was not enough. Until the cancer cells in his body grow rapidly, and make him slowly lose the opportunity to live.

Of course, Juna felt devastated when he was convicted would not live long. But he was more tormented when he imagined Nadin's reaction if he knew all that.

Desperation made him think of devising a plan that was too rash. But he thought that was the quickest way to get Nadin out of the way, before he ran out of time.

At that time, Juna remembered a co-worker he had ignored after expressing his feelings. Mala not only once tried various ways to make Juna turn to him, but always failed. Until one day, he once cried to beg Juna to want to see him for a moment. That's why Juna met Mala to do his plan.

Only, Juna never intended to give more burden to Nadin. He never thought that all of that would provoke something much bigger. Until he himself was tortured for having to make the woman he loved bear such a huge burden.

But Juna has no choice but to continue on his journey. With a heavy heart, he left. To a place that is very far away, so as not to get the slightest chance to see the figure of Nadin again. With the thought that he will be able to forget the woman quickly.

Unfortunately, it's all wrong. Juna actually felt that his heart condition was much worse compared to his physique. There was not a single day that he passed without thinking about Nadin.

Is he happy?

Is he not crying?

Has he found someone who can always keep his smile?

Sometimes the feeling of longing makes him wake up in the middle of sleep. Forcing his legs to step away to meet Nadin. But his mind managed to force him to shut up. And waiting for his death to pick him up in the midst of solitude. Allowing the woman to live without having to feel the pain of loss again. Even though he himself had to accept. A sad death, in the midst of an unhealed longing.

Actually, there is one person who knows all the stories, namely Nadin's mother. That day, when Juna visited the hospital for the last time, he told her everything. Hoping for Nadin's mother to understand, why she couldn't keep her promise.

At that time, Juna was really scared and felt guilty. He even begged Nadin's mother to forgive him. Crying like a child in front of the mother.

However, the woman only smiled sadly. He said that Juna did not need to apologize. Because he himself felt he would make the same mistake. Made Nadin again bear the sadness, because he had to leave it first...