Chapter 12

The world came back to her in flashes. She saw a white ceiling, a green blanket, a painting hanging on the wall. But she also saw other things, things she wouldn't have expected to see. She saw an orange jacket, a brief flash of the ocean, a strange movie theater with moving seats. She was hot and cold at the same time. She was vaguely aware of someone constantly leaving and reentering the room. Maybe they were doctors? Had she been brought to the hospital again? That would probably be best. If she was in a hospital, someone was bound to notice that she hadn't taken her medications. She felt safe in whatever hands she was in and decided not to cling to consciousness.

But when she woke again, she found she was not in a hospital at all, but a normal room. She must be in someone's house, but whose? She carefully got out from under the covers and stood up. The world was spinning around her, but she managed to keep her footing.

She recognized the place, but wasn't sure where from. She must have been here before her accident. She was sure she was in someone's bedroom and from the décor; it was most likely a man's. Had the stranger who picked her up brought her back to his house? She needed to get back home if for no other reason than to get her meds, but as soon as she took a step forward, she was on the ground.

She tried in vain to stand back up, but her legs simply wouldn't support her. She sat on the ground helplessly; she wasn't quite desperate enough yet to call for help though. She laid her head back against the mattress and shut her eyes. Maybe the next time she opened them, she would awake in her own sleeping and bag and discover this was all a dream.

But when she opened them again, she was still on the floor in the same familiar room. Only this time, there was someone kneeling in front of her with his hands on her shoulders. She blinked a few times to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.

"Enrique," she said slowly, "what're you-"

"Thank God," he said. She gasped as he pulled her into a tight hug. Her first instinct was to wrap her arms around him too, but he let go before she got the chance, "Sorry," he said sheepishly.

Dok Mi looked down at the ground, "It's alright," she said softly, "But… where am I?"

"At my house," he replied, "I saw you faint and I brought you here. I thought about taking you to the hospital, but I know how they make you nervous. I thought you'd feel better if you just had to deal with me"

Like dealing with you is easy, she thought, "Well thank you," she said as she attempted to stand up again, "I'll be leaving now"

She was unsteady, but she managed to stay standing, "At least let me walk you home," Enrique said. Dok Mi wanted to refuse, but she was in no shape to find her way home by herself. She didn't even know where she was.

"Yes…please" she said. Enrique smiled. It was the first genuine smile she'd seen out of him. She couldn't help but smile back.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" he asked, "Maybe have some food?" Dok Mi's stomach betrayed her by growling before she could say no. she hadn't eaten since before she started working last night.

"Thank you," she said, "But I need my medication," she hesitated before continuing, "I fell asleep before I could take them last night"

"You can't do things like that, Ahjumma," Enrique said. He was trying to wound stern, but she could sense the worry in his voice.

"I know" she replied, "It was an accident. I was working and next thing I knew it was morning"

"Did you fall asleep at your desk again?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, "How did you-"

"That's really bad for your back, y'know," he continued, "that plus the fact that you sleep on the floor. You're going to be hunchbacked old woman by the time you're 40"

Dok Mi couldn't help but laugh at that, which caused Enrique to grin again. Dok Mi smiled shyly, "I really do need my meds though"

"I can go get them," he said.

"You don't need to-"

"Ah" he said, "You don't remember how close we are. You live right across the street, Ahjumma"

"Really?" she said.

Enrique nodded and opened the curtains. He pointed across the street and said, "Fourth floor, second window from the left"

"Huh," she said, "Well, I guess I can walk home by myself"

"No, Ahjumma," Enrique replied. There was no room in his voice to be persuaded, "I'll go get your medicine and you will stay here and rest"

"But-"

"No buts," he said, "Get back in bed and sleep"

She nodded solemnly and sat back down, "Where's your house key?" he asked

"I think the door's unlocked," she replied.

He nodded and pulled the blanket over the top of her, "Promise me you won't run" he said.

"I promise" she replied.

He patted her on the head once before turning away. Dok Mi sat in silence for a few minutes. She could still feel Enrique's body heat from when he'd hugged her. She still felt the urge to hug him back even though the contact was long gone. Dok Mi normally hated physical contact, so why was this time different? And why was she so comfortable in his house? She was always nervous whenever she went not someone else's home. But here… she felt strangely at peace.

And the head pat. It was such a familiar and affectionate gesture. She lay back down on the bed and let herself drown in the warmth on the blanket.

Enrique Geum means nothing to you, Dok Mi thought. Maybe if she kept repeating it, she would eventually believe it.