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It’s almost midnight by the time Minji arrived at the apartment, her footsteps echoed throughout the hallway. She put her remaining strength on her hand that leaned against the wall. Minji’s footstep stopped at four steps away from her room, taking some deep breaths before she continued.
Just a little farther.
Minji’s clenched fist knocks weakly at the door. As soon as the front door opened, Minji stumbled upfront. Bora wrapped her arms around Minji’s back.
“Jesus Christ, Minji!” Bora’s eyes grew wide as she held Minji’s weak body in her arms. “Come on now, hang in there. Stay with me.”
Bora wrapped Minji’s arm over her shoulder, giving her support as she brought the dark brown-head to the sofa. Minji could barely feel her hands. Her muscles and joints had gone stiff from using her remaining strength to drag herself all through the streets.
Bora switched her position, with one hand under Minji’s armpit, she slowly lowered Minji’s body to the sofa to make her more comfortable. Minji’s breaths grow even more shaky. She lets out a growl as she shifts her positions to get more comfortable despite the wound on her hip.
The dark-haired girl’s fingers unbuttons Minji’s shirt one by one, followed by a gunshot wound on the hip shortly after. It was a sight to see. Considering how painful it would be for Minji, Bora needs to take care of it as soon as possible. “Stay right here, okay? I’m gonna patch you up.” Bora gently tapped Minji’s shoulder. She just nodded weakly.
Minji hissed as her hips took a painful sting each time she took a breath. “ Fuck ” Minji cursed under her shaky breath.
I could’ve died out there, if I didn’t move my legs and push myself, Minji told herself. … No. If it wasn’t for Bora… I wouldn’t have made my way through.
Her eyebrows arched. Minji bit her lower lip as she struggled not to let out a painful sob. Minji knows she could have dealt with the wound better; but her body refused. God knows what would have happened to her hadn’t Minji pushed herself to go back. She could’ve been lying on the streets, slowly dying as she ran out of blood. All alone.
With the medkit bag in her hands, Bora came back to check on Minji’s condition. The sight of Minji trying to fight back the pain almost made her teared up. But Bora couldn’t let herself be weak, she needs to take care of Minji. Minji needs her.
“Alright, Minji, I need you to stay with me.” Bora commanded. “I’m going to take care of the wound now. You’re going to be fine, I’m right here.”
Minji nods slightly, head resting against the sofa. Her eyes shut tightly. Bora shuffled her hand inside the medkit bag, pulling out a bottle of disinfectant, pressure bandage, some cottons, and a pair of gloves.
Bora’s fingers carefully unbuttons Minji’s suit pants. And there, she saw the dried out blood leaving it’s trail. Bora couldn’t imagine what kind of pain and the horror of Minji holding it within herself. Almost flinching from the view of the wound itself.
She wiped the area near the wound gently within her two fingers in a circle motion. Bora took the pressure bandage, ripping off the plastic cover. Putting on the pressure bandage gently and covering the wound, Bora then put a little strength to the bandage to help it stop the bleeding. Minji’s body flinched and she gripped Bora’s shoulders firmly.
“I’m sorry, did it hurt?” Bora asked worriedly. Minji’s head hung low as she leaned on Bora’s body. Minji rested her arms on the back of Bora’s body. She brought Bora closer to her as her arms gently pulled Bora over.
Minji rested her face on Bora’s shoulder. “Bora..” Minji whispered, her lips were muffled but Bora could hear them close and clear. “…Can you stay still just like this?” She pleaded.
Bora ran her fingers through Minji’s hair, brushing them gently. One hand patting Minji’s back to reassure her. “I’m here, Minji,” Bora kissed the side of Minji’s head. “I’m here. It’s okay.”
“I’m sorry…”
Bora pulled herself away. As her gaze met Minji's eyes, Minji had already teared up a little. Tears fell one by one. Bora cups Minji’s cheek and wipes the tears gently. She tilted Minji’s head slightly and asked, “What are you apologising for?”
She bit her lower lip, quivered as she tried to hold back her tears. Minji choked on her tears. It’s not like Minji hates herself for feeling vulnerable in front of Bora. She’s been putting on a strong face and persona in front of everyone else, holding them in tight fists. Being all perfect and flawless and emotionless. Just as what Minji is being told to.
But Bora knows better. Behind that perfect yet emotionless Minji, there are piled up feelings that only Bora could see. Bora is the only person that Minji can express herself freely without any fears. The only person that she allows to see her being vulnerable. The other girl loves Minji for who she really is, not for or what Minji looked like in front of everyone else.
“I’m so sorry,” Minji said, lips quivering with a weak sob. “I’m so sorry, Bora. For myself, for everything else.” Tears fall once again.
Bora shook her head. She pulled Minji closer. “Nonsense. You know you shouldn’t apologise for things, right?” Bora pressed her lips on Minji’s forehead softly, to settle her.
Her hand ran through Minji’s hair and tugged some behind her ear. Minji leans into Bora’s hand. It makes her feel safe, so warm that Minji feels that she could show some emotions that she only wanted to show to Bora and Bora only. With Bora, Minji can be herself, being vulnerable and letting herself feel some feelings.
Bora took Minji’s hand. Their fingers intertwined tightly with each other’s. She brought the other girl’s hand and kissed the back of it gently. Bora then held Minji’s other free hand. She took a look at Minji’s eyes softly and said, “Minji.” Bora squeezed both Minji’s hands. “Thank you for everything.”
“Thank you for these hands that protect me from any harm, that hold me close when I need some love, that make me feel safe whenever I hold them.” Bora’s lips curled into a small smile. “Thank you for being someone that makes me feel safe whenever I’m with you, Minji. Thank you for showing me what love is.”
Minji wrapped her arms around Bora’s waist whilst Bora wrapped hers around Minji’s neck. They leaned against each other’s faces and kissed softly. Their gazes locked with one another once again.
“I love you, Bora.”
Bora nods, “I love you too, Minji.”
fin