The Subtle Hints

"Looks like your wound heals up pretty quickly." Doctor Lin, the attending doctor said with a assuring smile.

"Give it another week or less and you won't be needing to have bandage around your head anymore."

Seunwo just hummed, still not used to the cloth being wrapped around his head.

The cool air doesn't seemed to went through it.

"Thanks." He said looking at the nurse as she puts back the bandages and ointment on the tray.

The nurse simply nodded, getting shy under his stare.

Just as his mind started to wonder her whereabouts, a soft knock was heard.

"Morning."

He heard her voice dance through his ears to which he unknowingly straightened up his posture, anticipating.

When the door was pushed open, he felt his day grew brighter. A soft smile plastered on her face the moment she walked in the private ward.

As dramatic as it sounds, he noticed a lot of things that she do that made his life better ever since the break up.

"Miss Leira, you look better today."

"Oh please, don't say it like that." Leira scrunched up her nose when the doctor teased her.

"I'll take my leave first." Doctor Lin chuckled, patting the girl's shoulder before leaving the room with the nurse tailing behind her.

Leira had her palms over her face, embarrassed. Recalling back to the night she came to the hospital, overdressed while being a crying mess really makes her want to dig a hole and hide herself in there.

It was certainly something that would happen in romance drama.

"Let me help-"

"No-no, you stay there doctor now patient. This is just food and some of this and that, its not that heavy." She said shaking her head.

"My legs and hands are fine. Just some small cuts. I still can help you." Seunwo sighed as she put down the big bags on the table.

"I insist. You stay rooted to your bed, sir."

He hummed, watching Leira rummaged through the bag and took out the essentials.

"What did you bring? You don't have to burden yourself for me."

She ignored him and reached to the tablet in the bag, lifted it with a big grin.

"I know for a fact that you're dying inside right now because you have nothing to read."

Seunwo's cheek dimpled.

"Thanks."

"It has my books though. You could just add your books later. I thought about taking your tab but I forgot Kai doesn't live with you anymore so you're just going to use mine." Leira said handing it to him.

"Don't you-" He stopped himself from saying further that could hurt both of them.

She left the keys when he break it off with her that day.

"Hm?"

"Ah, nothing. I just suddenly felt dizzy for a moment." He said shaking his head.

The frown immediately appeared on her forehead. She went to his side.

"Should I call the doctor? You-"

"No, it's fine. It happened from time to time so it's normal." He squeezed her hand.

"You sure?" Leira looked at their held hands.

"Yes."

Looking up to his eyes, she felt how he had gently interlock their hands.

"U-um Seun-"

"Lei, you left your phone in the car." Kai came in through the door.

She pulled back her hand and turned to the newcomer who had just arrived.

Seunwo would be lying if he said that he wasn't upset with her response.

"My bad. I think it slipped out of my bag." She smiled sheepishly, taking the phone from Kai.

"Your mother called. Is she bothering you again?" He asked taking a seat at the sofa.

"Hey there, doc. Heard you would be here for a week."

"This dude. The doctor said two days, Kai." Leira answered for her ex, ignoring his question. She tucked her phone back in her bag securely.

The handsome teaser just shrugged.

"Get well soon, Han Seunwo. Leira worried about you too much, my heart can't take it."

"Yeah, yeah. I too want to get out of here before that devil comes."

"Seunwo, you should know better before mentioning him." Kai snorted.

Just in cue, the door swing opened revealing the devil.

"I am here!"

Seunwo sighed loudly.

"Mr popstar Taejin really knows when to make an entrance." Leira giggled, enjoying the sight of Seunwo being annoyed.

As they chatted, her phone rang interrupting their conversations.

"I have to take this call. You boys continue on." Leira said apologetically and left the room.

The door closed and Seunwo felt the popstar's eyes on him, setting him on the pedestal.

"What is it?"

"Did you rekindle?"

"...No."

"Bro, why?" Taejin asked confusingly.

"You're free, she's back in town. What's stopping you? I'm actually surprised Kai didn't try to swoop in when you two broke up." Taejin said adding fuel to the fire.

"She's hurt that time. It would hurt her more if I court her." Kai said meaningfully. Seunwo how his expressions changed for a split second.

"So you're saying you're courting her now?"

"If you wont, yes I will."

"I...need time." Seunwo said shortly.

"Sure. Anyways, like I said before. I can't properly court her if you still hold feelings for her." Kai sighed defeatedly.

"Thanks."

"You're lucky I'm your friend first before I came to liked her."

"Gah, these two. Why don't you date each other instead?" Taejin asked making the two best friends sighed.

"Just say you're jealous and go." Kai snorted.

::

"Don't-"

"What? Test you? I've heard that a lot. Try another catch phrase, mother." Leira scoffed.

The call finally get to be answered as she had expected it to come sooner or later.

She knows her too well despite their sour relationship.

Her mother's way of threatening her.

"Since you've been repeating what you said to me, let me repeat myself to you too." She sighed, leaning to the railing at the rooftop of the big hospital.

"You may started the war but I won't be the one at the end of one's blade."

"Fine, daughter. Let's see how long can you hold on with-"

"Hey, how are you holding up?" Kai's voice interrupted her.

Leira ended the call in instant and turned to him. A small smile appeared on her face.

"Yeah. Super."

"Your mother is bothering you."

"Yea-yea. If you know, you know. Let it go this time, Kai."

The male pinched her cheeks making her yelp, frowning at him. Seeing her the way she is was painful for him.

"I can't bear letting you feel this way. Not when I'm right beside you." He leaned his forehead on hers.

"Kai..."

It would be a lie if she said she wasn't scared of how far her mother would go to make her obey her.

Showing it will only make her weaker.

"I will tell you when I get through this." She said more clearly this time. Kai just sighed, pulling away.

"If that's what you want Lei, I can't really force it out of you. "

"Your understanding is very much appreciated, Kim Kai." She plastered her best teeth smile.

Walking back inside the hospital, she noticed how the warm smile on his face started to dissappear when he received a text message.

Curious, she hold back from asking and just gave him the space that he would want.

They entered the elevator and when the door shuts, she immediately felt the atmosphere change around him, the longer he stared at his phone.

"I hate to ask but you're making it hard for me to ignore. Is everything alright?"

"Looks like I have to go back to the office today. Just text me when you're done here. I'll send you back." He said tucking his phone in his back pocket.

The boyish smile came back to his face, completely wiped out the serious face he had just seconds ago.

She nodded and chose to keep her curiosity to herself.

Elevator's doors slide opened, she stepped out of the elevator and waved at him before making her way to the particular ward.

As soon as the door closes, the male clenched his jaw briefly, dialing the number on his phone.

"I need a full report. Find that man at all cost."

::

The room was quiet with only the sounds of low volume breezy music dancing around their ears. Leira sighed in content as she had finished reading her favourite book for the tenth time. Her eyes darted over her tab gazing at the man that was focusing in his book.

His slanted eyes, tall nose, pale skin, the dimple that always made her smile, is one of the reason she asked him out that day during their campus life.

She missed this feeling with him.

Just being together, doing the things that they like, enjoying the peacefulness.

As she was thinking about that, the eyes that she adored met hers. Not looking away, she smiled fondly making Seunwo mirrored her smile.

"Are you getting bored?" He asked, putting down the tab.

His focus is now on her.

She shook her head, lifting her head from the side of the bed and propped her elbows under her chin, resting her face on her palm.

"This reminds me of the time when I used to sneak into your dorm just to watch you analyse a robot skeleton or just chilling on your bed reading books."

Seunwo smiled remembering those times

"I'm sorry for being such a nerd."

"I liked that part of you, silly." Leira said mindlessly and stretched out her upper body. She checked her phone briefly. He chuckled.

"Now that you mentioned it, you do sneak in a lot. I don't know how did you always get away with it. Have you get caught before?"

"Just once, I think." She hummed.

"Kai. Kai caught me but he just acted like he didn't see anything. Back then, I don't even know him." She grew amused at the memory.

"He's always a reliable friend. Still is." Seunwo said smiling to himself. She looked down to her hands.

"I'm glad I didn't ruined your friendship with him."

"You would not, Lei. If it ever happened, it's between us guys. It is never your fault." He reached out to pat her head.

For a brief moment, she had forgotten the very fact that they had broken up.

"I should probably go now.. Do you need anything before I go?" She asked.

"Are you going to come again tomorrow?"

"Do you want me to?"

"I like you being here."

Leira blinked at his reply. The heart squeeze made her breath stop for a brief moment.

"Another book reading sesh?" Seunwo plastered his boyish smile. She returned the smile, nodding.

"I would love to."