The hospital room was quiet except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor.
MK lay on his side, staring at the folded note under his pillow.
He hadn't moved for what felt like hours.
The door opened softly.
His mother stepped in first, holding a thermos of soup.
His father followed, quieter than usual.
And then Sandeep, who tried to act casual but looked like he hadn't slept all night.
"Hey, man," Sandeep said, pulling a chair close.
"You scared the hell out of us yesterday."
MK smiled faintly.
"Sorry. Guess my timing's bad."
His mother set the thermos on the bedside table and sat by his pillow.
"You don't need to apologize," she said softly.
"Just get better. Please."
MK turned his head away.
He didn't want them to see the tears pooling in his eyes.
That night, after everyone left, the room felt too big.
Too empty.
His phone buzzed again.
Hands trembling, MK picked it up.
> Mi-un: "I've been thinking about you all day.
I didn't mean to hurt you like that.
Please… just tell me you're okay."
MK stared at the words.
His chest ached.
He typed slowly:
> MK: "I'm in the hospital."
He hesitated, staring at the blinking cursor.
Then he hit send.
Almost immediately, the reply came.
> Mi-un: "Hospital?! What happened?!"
MK didn't answer right away.
He turned his head toward the window.
The moonlight spilled across the room, pale and cold.
"I wish you were here," he whispered.
The heart monitor beeped steadily, but each sound felt louder than before.
MK pulled the note from under his pillow, unfolded it, and read the words again:
> I am dying.
He pressed the paper against his chest and closed his eyes,
letting silent tears slip down his face until he finally fell asleep.