Ch- 19

Sora’s breath hitched as she burst through Yeji’s door, the panic in her voice shaking the walls more than her footsteps.

"He- he's not calling. It's been two days, and the calls... none of them are going through!"

Yeji, slightly startled from her book, stood up immediately and reached for her.

"Hey- hey, Sora, breathe" 

She said calmly, placing her hands on Sora’s arms and guiding her gently to sit at the edge of the bed.

"It could be something small. Maybe he lost his phone? Or something critical happened back there. Don't jump to conclusions yet."

Yeji reasoned, and Sora nodded with tears in her eyes.

But deep down… she knew this was the last time, she was going to comply.

_________

The ninth month arrived quietly, like a slow ache building behind silence.

They had just returned from her appointment, and the doctor had mentioned a timeframe. 'Around 25 days, maybe a little sooner" she had said, gently smiling at Sora.

Yeji helped her back to the room, steadying her as she walked, but there was something different about Sora today.

Her eyes were distant. Her steps, slower than usual. Once she reached the bed, she collapsed to her knees beside it and laid her upper body against her bump, curling in as if to protect the baby from the weight of her breaking heart.

"Sora.. no, don't lie like that. It's not good for the baby."

Yeji rushed over in panic, trying to lift her slightly, but Sora didn’t move. Her sobs were quiet, but her body trembled.

Yeji could feel her throat tighten. She had been calling too. Every day. Every hour, but there was never a response, just... silence.

Yeji knelt down beside her and slowly eased her up, placing her hand behind her back, as Sora sat up with her face buried into Yeji’s shoulder, still sobbing, and Yeji could no longer keep her own tears at bay.

She just held her, no words, because there she had nothing to say this time. Just a steady hand rubbing Sora's back, the other combing through her hair softly.

That night, she cried with her.

________

The days passed... slowly, painfully.

Yeji became everything. Caretaker, nurse, cook, sleepless guardian.

Sora, now so close to delivery, still waited by her phone. Even a few days before her admission date, her eyes would flick to the door every time Yeji walked in.

Maybe today he’ll show up.

But he never did.

And then the day came.

Sora was admitted to the hospital, clutching Yeji’s hand through every painful contraction. Her body was tired, whimpering in pain, but her eyes stayed wide, scanning for something… or someone.

Yeji stayed by her side, whispering quiet encouragement.

"You're doing great, Sora. Just hold on, you've got this."

And then everything blurred.

Nurses rushed around the room. The pain reached its peak. And her voice was gone, drowned in agony as her baby came into the world.

_________

Hours Later, the world was quiet again.

Sora blinked awake in the hospital bed. The nurse nearby noticed and quickly came over.

"You're doing okay, everything went well.

She said with a smile, doing a quick checkup around to make sure everything was good.

"The.. baby?"

Sora whispered, breathing a little heavily, her lips barely moved.

"Wait a moment"

The nurse walked out, and moments later, Yeji walked in, cradling the small baby carefully in her arms.

"He's healthy. Surprising really"

Yeji said softly, a tearful smile on her lips.

Sora reached out with trembling arms, and Yeji gently lowered the baby into them.

It was a boy, his tiny fingers, soft little yawns, the faintest fluff of hair.

Sora stared in awe. Her lips curled into a small, broken laugh through fresh tears. But then her eyes drifted to the door.

The smile faded.

No one was coming through it. Imagining how she had pictured Jungwon's face when he'd first held the baby, caused something to break inside her.

She held her son tighter and cried again, shoulders shaking, whispering apologies he would never understand yet.

Yeji sat down near her, wiping her own tears away, and whispered.

"You're not alone."

_________

A few days passed with Yeji still by her side, looking after the baby at the hospital, never once leaving her alone.

Finally, the discharge day arrived.

They returned home, and Yeji helped Sora settle in her room with the baby, preparing soft bedding, warm clothes, and feeding supplies.

Sora took a long shower, washing away the last of the hospital scent, the sweat, the grief. Yeji helped her dry her hair gently after.

"You've done so much, I don't know how I'll ever repay you."

Sora whispered, and Yeji smiled, tucking a strand of damp hair behind her ear.

"You don't have to repay me. You're like my sister, Sora. I'm more than happy to help you through this."

Sora returned the smile, and there was a quiet pause. Comfortable and warm. Then softly, in a barely audible tone, she asked.

"Did he call?"

Yeji paused, remained quiet for a moment, then sat down beside her, sighing.

"I tried again this morning.. I think his number doesn't exist anymore, and I don't have his parent's contacts. Sora... I never imagined Jungwon would do something like this."

Sora looked down, eyes shining and lips trembling, as Yeji placed a hand on hers.

"But listen to me, from now on, no matter what.. you have me. You can lean on me without worry, I'm not going anywhere."

She said gently, but firmly. Sora looked up, her eyes were tired, but filled with quiet gratitude.

She smiled. A soft, trembling smile. And then they hugged. Tightly and quietly.

Sisters not by blood, but by everything else that mattered.

_________