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She catches her breath and forces her eyes to stay open while he holds her in his arms. Her blood continues to drip and he uses his one hand to stop the flowing a little.
"Byeonhosanim."
Her tired eyes turn to him. "Byeonhosanim, hold on. The paramedics will be here in five minutes. Let's hold on until then," he says, he pleads. His voice almost shaking with the thought he might lose her like before, again.
She opens her mouth, trying to talk. It is hard, but she still manage. "B-byeonho.. b-byeonhosanim.. my whole b-body aches right now.. "
He nods as he tries to fix her position and wipe the cold sweats in her face. "I know, I know."
With her hand, she tries to reach his face. She tries to but she can't and he notices so he takes her hand and puts it on his cheek. She smiles.
"T-thank you..."
"...thank you for e-everything."
He painfully looks at her while she's talking. She caresses his face and wipes the little tear that is wanting to flow more, not even noticing that her tears are already falling down.
"Hong Cha Young..." he reaches for her face and wipes her tears. She closes her eyes tightly, feeling his hands on her because this might be the last time she can do it.
"I-I'm really tired right now, byeonhosanim... I'm sorry," she weakly says. He tightly closes his eyes. He knows deep down where is this going, he just doesn't want to admit it, not yet.
He looks at her and smiles. "It's okay. I understand. It's my turn now to wait for you," he softly speaks while shaking his head, telling her it's alright. He wants her to know he won't have grudge and he won't be mad if she goes, just like what she did to him that night. She gave him permission to go. She told him it's fine. And she waited for him. Now, it's his turn to do that.
They stare at each other, communicating through their eyes. Words don't need to be vocally said when it's them.
Cha Young buries her face to Vincenzo's chest. He tightens his hand on the back of her head and hugs her tightly.
She coughs as she attempts to speak. "Byeonhosanim..."
"Mhm?" he replies, holding her tighter.
She faces him, looks at his eyes once again. "I'm sleepy... I'm... I'm really sleepy. Can I sleep now?" she asks. She fights the heaviness of her eyelids. She can't close her eyes, not until she hears his approval. Not until she hears his voice one last time.
He forms a little smile as he slowly nods. "Okay. You can sleep now. Good night, byeonhosanim."
Vincenzo leans in and kisses her forehead. Cha Young's grip on his arm slowly loosens up as she finally closes her eyes after she lets herself see his face for the last time. He watches her die in his very own arms.
Mr. Nam, who is impatiently waiting for the paramedics to come since earlier, enters the room to tell them that the ambulance is finally here, only to find out that it's too late. "Byeonhosanim..." he looks away and covers his mouth as he sobs.
"Shh, lower it down. She's sleeping," Vincenzo says. He caresses her now cold and pale but peaceful face carefully. It is now his turn to wait for her, indeed.