[7:00 AM]
The bedroom was still dark.
Only the faint morning light slipping through the curtains hinted that dawn had arrived.
A phone suddenly buzzed against the nightstand.
Taekyun's eyes opened immediately.
For a moment he looked disoriented.
Then he noticed the screen.
" Hospital...."
His heart stopped.
Beside him, Haneul remained asleep.
Curled slightly toward him.
One of Taekyun's arms was still wrapped protectively around his waist.
Without wasting another second, Taekyun grabbed the phone.
His thumb shook slightly as he answered.
"Hello?"
The moment he heard the hospital line connect, only one name escaped him.
"Haru?"
A brief pause.
"Hello sir....."
The nurse's voice sounded unusually hurried.
"Is this Mr. Taekyun?"
"Yes."
Taekyun was already sitting upright.
His heartbeat quickening.
"What's wrong?"
The nurse hesitated.
"Sir, could you come to the hospital as soon as possible?"
Something inside Taekyun dropped.
His chest tightened instantly.
"Haru."
He was already pushing the blanket away.
"Haru is okay, right?"
The silence on the other end lasted less than a second.
But it felt endless.
"Sir, please come quickly."
Taekyun was already standing.
His hands trembling.
"I'll be there."
"Bou could you tell me what happened...."
"Sir actually....."
Fear exploded through him.
Immediately Taekyun shoved his feet into his slippers and rushed out of the room.
The bedroom door slammed against the wall.
The sudden noise jolted Haneul awake.
He sat up immediately.
Still half asleep.
Confused.
Then he heard it from outside.
"What ..... Haru..."
Taekyun's voice echoed from outside.
Panic.
Pure panic.
Haneul's heart skipped.
His voice came out weak.
"Haru....?"
Outside, Taekyun was already moving through the condo.
"I'll be there."
"I'll be there right now."
The front door area became a blur of movement.
Lin Meiying rushed out of her room after hearing the commotion.
"Sir?"
She stared at him.
His hair was messy.
His face pale.
Still wearing his night clothes.
"Sir, what happened?"
Taekyun wasn't listening.
His eyes searched wildly.
"Keys."
His voice cracked.
"Where are the keys?"
Lin froze.
"The drawer."
She pointed immediately.
"The drawer beside the door, Sir."
Taekyun yanked it open.
Grabbed the keys.
And headed straight for the entrance.
"Sir!"
Lin called after him.
"Is everything alright?!"
But he was already gone.
The front door slammed shut.
Leaving the condo completely silent.
For several seconds Lin didn't moved.
Then Haneul appeared in the hallway.
One hand holding his stomach.
The other gripping the wall for support.
His face had gone white.
"Lin..."
His voice trembled.
"What happened....?"
"Was it... Haru?"
Lin looked at him.
she didn't know what was going on.
And Taekyun's reaction had frightened her too.
"I don't know."
"But it seems like sir headed to hospital."
The answer immediately made Haneul panic.
His breathing became uneven.
"No....."
His eyes filled with tears.
He shook his head repeatedly.
"Something happened."
His voice cracked.
"Something happened .....to Haru."
"Haneul."
Lin hurried toward him.
"There's nothing like this .... don't say this ."
But Haneul wasn't listening anymore.
His hands were shaking.
His eyes fixed on the door Taekyun had disappeared through.
"Take me there."
His voice broke.
"Please."
Lin's heart clenched.
"Haneul-ah, calm down first."
"Please."
The tears were already falling now.
"I need to see her."
His hand tightened protectively around his stomach.
"Please take me to the hospital."
"Please take me there."
His voice cracked.
"Please..."
Lin immediately held his shoulders.
"Haneul, calm down first."
But Haneul only shook his head.
Tears were already falling.
"I need to go."
His fingers tightened around the fabric covering his stomach.
"I have to see her."
"What if..."
The words got stuck in his throat.
His lips trembled.
"What if something happened?"
Another tear rolled down his cheek.
"What if we're too late?"
"Haneul..."
"Please."
His voice broke completely.
"Please take me to her."
The moment those words left him, Lin's own eyes stung.
She gently held his shoulders.
Trying to steady him.
Trying to keep him calm.
"It's okay..... I'll contact with Sir first."
After driving without stopping even once, Taekyun finally pulled into the hospital parking lot.
The car hadn't fully stopped before he grabbed the keys.
His hands were shaking.
The moment the engine died, he pushed the door open and ran.
He didn't even remember locking the car.
All he knew was the sound of that phone call repeating inside his head.
The hospital doors slid open.
Taekyun hurried through the hallway.
Past nurses, patients.
Past everything.
His heart pounded so hard it hurt.
When he reached Haru's room, he barely had time to catch his breath before a nurse stepped out.
The woman smiled brightly.
"Congratulations, Sir."
But Taekyun couldn't process her words.
His mind was already imagining the worst.
Without answering, he pushed the door open.
And froze.
Inside, two doctors stood beside the hospital bed.
One of them was checking some charts.
The other was speaking softly.
And Haru now was sitting on the bed...
Awake.
Taekyun's entire body went still.
For a moment he genuinely forgot how to breathe.
His daughter was sitting up.
Looking around curiously while the doctors examined her.
Her hair had grown longer over the months.
Soft dark strands almost covered her eyes.
The same round eyes he had missed every single day were open again.
Alive.
Looking at the world.
Looking at him.
The female doctor smiled.
"Look who's here."
She pointed gently toward the door.
"Your Abba came, little one."
Haru slowly turned her head.
The second she saw him, her eyes widened.
"Abba..."
Her small voice trembled.
As if she was about to cry.
Confused and lost.
Only an hour ago she had opened her eyes after what felt like a normal sleep.
And there had been nobody beside her except nurses.
Now her father was standing there.
Messy hair.
Night clothes.
Slippers.
Looking as though he had run through a storm.
Taekyun took one slow step forward.
Then another.
His hands trembled so badly he had to hide them.
The doctors exchanged a glance.
Neither interrupted.
Haru tried to move toward him.
Immediately wincing when the IV line tugged at her hand.
The doctor gently stopped her.
"Easy, little one."
Before she could try again, Taekyun was already beside the bed.
He sat down.
Close enough to see every detail of her face.
Close enough to hear her breathing.
For several seconds he simply stared.
Unable to touch her.
Almost afraid she would disappear.
Then slowly,
He reached for her hands.
Holding them carefully.
As if they were the most precious thing in the world.
One of them still had the IV attached.
Taekyun lowered his head.
And pressed a trembling kiss against it.
His eyes immediately burned.
"Abba..."
Haru whispered again.
Looking worried now.
As though she sensed something was wrong.
The doctors quietly stepped back.
"We'll wait in the office."
As Haru's doctor spoke gently.
"Mr Taekyun"
"You talk with her first."
Taekyun nodded.
But his eyes never left Haru.
The doctors quietly excused themselves.
The door clicked shut.
Leaving only father and daughter behind.
Silence filled the room.
A long silence.
Then Taekyun finally spoke.
"Are you okay?"
His voice cracked.
He cleared his throat.
"Does anything hurt?"
Haru shook her head.
"I'm..... ottay."(okay)
Her tiny answer nearly broke him.
She looked around the room.
Still confused.
Still trying to understand everything.
Then she looked back at him.
"Umma..."
She blinked.
"Umma..... eo-di-ya?"
Where is Mom?
Taekyun's fingers moved through her hair.
Carefully brushing it away from her face.
A smile appeared.
Small and fragile smile.
"He's at..... at home."
Haru nodded as if that answer made perfect sense.
And somehow that made it worse.
Because she didn't know.
Didn't know how much time had passed.
Didn't know how many nights he had sat beside her bed.
Didn't know how many times he had begged her to wake up.
Taekyun looked at her for several more seconds.
Then finally gave up fighting himself.
Slowly he lifted her.
Careful of the IV.
Careful of every wire.
And settled her gently onto his lap.
The moment her small body rested against him, something inside him broke.
His arms wrapped around her immediately.
Holding her tightly.
As tightly as he dared.
As if letting go would make her disappear again.
Haru blinked.
Surprised.
But then she quietly wrapped her arms around his neck too.
And leaned against him.
Like she always used to.
Taekyun buried his face against her shoulder.
His eyes closed.
For the first time in months, she was warm in his arms.
Real,alive and breathing.
For a moment, everything felt like a dream.
Maybe things could still be fixed.
Maybe the pain would finally end.
Maybe....
His thoughts stopped there.
Because another face appeared in his mind.
Haneul.
The one person still preparing to leave.
The one person he still couldn't reach.
His grip around Haru tightened slightly.
One hand moved gently through her hair.
The other rubbed small circles against her back.
"Abba... missed you."
His voice came out broken.
Barely above a whisper.
"I really missed you."
And this time.....
He couldn't stop the tears.
Taekyun slowly buried his face against her small neck.
Carefully.
As though he was afraid even this moment might disappear.
Haru stayed still in his arms.
Confused.
She could feel her father's shoulders shaking slightly.
Could hear the strange tremble in his breathing.
After a while, Taekyun finally lifted his head.
His eyes were slightly red.
Haru stared at him.
Her little lips trembled.
Nothing made sense.
The room.
The doctors.
The IV attached to her hand.
And most of all....
Her father different behaviour.
Why did he look like he had been crying?
"Abba..."
Her small voice wavered.
"I... waa... do ome..."
(I want to go home.)
The words almost broke him again.
Taekyun gently cupped her cheeks.
His thumbs brushing away the tears gathering in her eyes.
"We'll.... go."
His voice came out soft.
"We'll definitely go home."
Slowly he tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear.
Then kissed her forehead.
"Now tell me."
His lips curved into a tiny smile.
"Do you want something to eat?"
"Should Abba buy you something?"
"Anything you want."
Haru blinked at him.
Taekyun carefully settled her back against the bed.
Adjusting her blanket.
Making sure the IV line wasn't tangled.
Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead once more.
"I need to talk to the doctors."
His voice trembled slightly.
"But I'll be back soon."
"Can you wait for me?"
Haru immediately reached for him.
Her small hand wrapped around one of his fingers.
Holding tightly.
"Mee...go...you."
(I want to go too)
Taekyun's heart squeezed painfully.
But this time he managed to smile.
A real smile.
"I'll be back."
He rubbed her hand gently.
"Wait for me."
"Okay?"
"And don't get off the bed."
Just then the nurse entered carrying a few toys and activity books.
She immediately smiled.
"Good morning, Haru."
"Finally....you woke up."
"Do you know who i am?"
Haru shacked her head innocently.
"N-o"
"Then I'll you okay...."
Haru looked between the nurse and her father.
Then slowly nodded.
Her round eyes sparkled with curiosity.
She didn't look like a patient who had been unconscious for months.
She looked like a child who had simply woken from a long nap.
The nurse sat beside her.
Showing her colorful stickers and asking simple questions.
Soon Haru's attention drifted toward them.
Only then did Taekyun finally leave.
A faint smile remained on his face as he quietly closed the door.
For the first time in months.....
Hope felt real.
Halfway down the hallway, he suddenly stopped.
Haneul.
Immediately, he pulled out his phone.
(Back at the condo)
Lin and Haneul were just about to leave.
Haneul could barely stand.
His dizziness had worsened.
But he refused to stay behind.
The phone suddenly rang.
Lin quickly answered.
"Hello, Sir?"
A pause.
Then her eyes widened.
"What?"
The panic instantly vanished from her face.
Instead,
Pure shock.
And relief.
"Haru..."
Haneul immediately turned.
His heart dropped.
"What.....what happened?"
His voice shook.
"What happened?"
Lin stared at him.
Still trying to process what she had just heard.
But the moment Haneul heard Haru's name.
He grabbed the phone from her hands.
"Taekyun."
The name escaped him before he realized it.
Taekyun froze.
For a second, he couldn't speak.
It had been months.
Months since Haneul had called him that way.
Not Sir.
Not avoiding him.
Just,
Taekyun.
"Haru..."
Haneul's voice cracked.
"Is she okay?"
"What happened?"
"Please..... tell me."
Fear poured from every word.
"I want to .....see her."
"Take me to the hospital."
"Please."
Question after question.
No pauses.
No hesitation.
Only panic.
Only fear.
For a moment Taekyun simply stood there listening.
His heart started pounding.
Because for the first time in six months.
Haneul sounded alive.
Not empty.
Not distant.
Just terrified.
"Haneul..."
Before he could finish.
"I'm coming."
Haneul's voice trembled.
"With Lin."
"Don't worry."
"I'll be..... there."
Beside him Lin looked completely helpless.
Trying to find a chance to explain.
But Haneul wasn't listening.
His entire body was shaking.
On the other end of the line, Taekyun finally managed to speak.
His voice quiet.
Almost stunned.
"Wait for me."
A pause.
"I'll come pick you up."
"No."
Haneul immediately answered.
"Tell me....first."
"Haru..."
His breathing became uneven.
"Tell me."
Lin finally took the phone back.
"Sir."
She sighed.
"I'll explain."
A brief pause.
Then she nodded.
"Yes, Sir."
"Okay."
"We'll wait."
After ending the call, she turned around.
Haneul was staring at her.
His eyes full of fear.
His hands trembling.
"What happened?"
"Tell me."
Lin's chest tightened.
Then finally,
She smiled.
"Haru woke up."
Silence.
Everything stopped.
Haneul blinked.
As though he hadn't heard correctly.
"What...?"
His voice barely existed.
Lin nodded immediately.
"Haru woke up."
The words repeated softly.
"She's awake."
For several seconds Haneul simply stared at her.
Unable to breathe.
Unable to think.
Then his knees suddenly weakened.
Lin quickly grabbed his arm.
Guiding him toward the nearby chair.
"Haneul."
"Careful."
But he wasn't listening.
His eyes had already filled with tears.
"Haru..."
The name left his lips like a prayer.
"Awake.....?"
Lin nodded again.
A smile breaking through her own tears.
"Yes."
"She's awake."
The tears finally spilled from Haneul's eyes.
Not panic.
Not fear.
But pure relief.
Pure overwhelming relief.
One shaking hand covered his mouth.
As if trying to stop himself from crying.
But it was impossible.
For months.
For endless painful months.
He had prayed for this.
And now...
Haru was finally awake.
Haru was finally awake.
Which meant it was time for Haneul to close this chapter of his life.
And which meant the promise he made to himself and his mom had to be kept.
His time had come too.