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Little Suryong coughs...
The child trembling beneath the blanket continues to cough, coughing so hard that the child felt his insides—especially his lungs, are being beaten black and blue. Tears pouring out of his eyelids as he drools on the bed sheet, small, delicate fingers holding onto his father's shirt for dear life.
"Dad..."
It was as if his throat was scratched raw by his coughing fit, yet Suryong called out to his father who is sitting by the bed, hovering over his small figure as he fixes the wet cloth on his head.
"There, there Suryong. Don't worry son, you'll be fine after this okay? You'll be fine, just hang on.."
He feels his father's calloused hand softly parting his front hair and slightly leaned to it. He looks up to his dad's face, obviously concerned but he doesn't really show it in his face. With his dad's image, his hold over the shirt tightened with frustration, he feels another cough about to rise from his chest.
That's what dad always says every time he got sick, and he always gets sick... It didn't matter how minor the cause was, it's because he's weak.
When will he ever get better?
"Dad...cough!"
Despite the pain in his throat, Suryong called out to Muheun, who continued to comfort him.
"Yes Suryong, Dad is here. Is there anything you need?"
"I'm... Sorry..."
"Huh? Sorry? What are you sorry for?"
"Today is.. your-cough!!!"
Suryong's word unfortunately gets caught up in a coughing fit, yet Muheun held his son's tiny, trembling hand— knowing what his child is meant to say. Then Suryong’s cough got so violent that the child ended up wheezing, gasping for air.
Muheun then turned the child onto his side to gently pat his small back. As the fit subsidised, Baek Muheun reassured his son who is still breathing heavily.
"Suryong, son, what matters to me the most is you alright? Just stay still and let's wait for the medicine to take effect."
"But Dad..." Suryong gasps before continuing. "Didn't you say that... Birthdays are.. Important?"
Neither of them expected for the day to start like this when the sun had not yet reached its peak. Suryong wanted his dad to have this day all for himself, and stop coddling him all the time and then have fun.
That's why he tried to stay still the last few days, avoiding running around so he wouldn't catch anything. So why is he sick again?
"This.. Is supposed to be your day..."
Suryong ducked his head away from his father's sight, as if to hide his shame.Sniffling, he feels his eyes go teary again but this time for another reason. Its dad's birthday... Dad is the one who needs attention—he's not supposed to be tired from taking care of him, all the time.
"Dad, so-sorry..."
"Suryong, Suryong.. Son, look at me..." Muheun gently held his son's head to face him, though seeing Suryong’s face all red and teary, riddled with guilt, made his heart ache.
This child should focus on his own health and happiness yet he wants me to focus on my birthday?
He wants to cry to the heavens until Yakbing hears him.
"Yes, today is my birthday but do you know what's more important? It's you, Suryong."
He moved his hand to hold up his son's body and hugged him tightly. "I could go on without any birthdays in my life but I can't bear to carry on without my little boy, hmm? You are far more important than a birthday."
He gently patted Suryong's back while reassuring him, feeling the tremor of his child's body.
"Besides, who said that I can't celebrate with you? Whether you're sick or not?"
"Sniff....Aren't you mad?"
Hesitantly, Suryong turned his head to peek at his father's face—who is smiling softly at him.
"And why should I be mad?"
With his father's question, he looks down again and starts fiddling with the shirt he's been holding.
"Well, sniff, I'm always sick and running around..."
"Oh so you're very aware that you're such a knuckle head?"
"..."
Then Suryong, to his credit, turned his face away—
"Well, yeah. I'm mad at you."
And immediately snapped his head back in shock, his teary, round face is riddled with both hurt and offense. The child is then greeted with his father's face, which is full of mischief.
"Haha, just joking~!"
"Wh-what the!? Stop messing around!"
Muheun laughed out loud as Suryong's tiny arms swung at him. It barely had any strength, especially when against someone like him, but the way Suryong glared at him with those dear blue irises he got from his beloved mother, made him certain his boy got his spirit back.
But apparently this only made the little gremlin even more upset.
"Why are you, Sniff, laughing!? It's not funny!"
"Hahaha! There we go, that's the boy I know."
He catched Suryong’s swinging hand, "Suryong, I have no reason to be mad at you." He then started stroking his son's hair, while the child poorly maintains his grumpy expression.
"..."
"Suryong, son... You are your mother's greatest gift to me."
With that Suryong's expression changed into something unsure, and sad as he slowly looks away again. Seeing this, Muheun sighed and cupped Suryong’s cheeks— still wet from tears. Their eyes locked into each other.
"You matter to me, Suryong. So much that I will do anything for you to be healthy and happy alright? Don't I always do that?"
Suryong nodded hesitantly, hands moving up to touch the big, rough hands that are holding his face gently.
"Yeah...sniff..."
His dad never got impatient with him, especially like this when he's sick. He would always find time to buy fruits from the market and a doctor when he could see one. Dad is there whenever he reaches out to him, no matter how weak his voice is when he called out.
"It doesn't matter when you got sick on my birthday or not, I'll always take care of you. Because you are my son, remember this."
Muheun smiled and leaned down to give his son's warm forehead a kiss.
"Mhmm..."
Suryong tugged his hand away and moved forward to hug him. Muheun looked down to see his son's face, fatigued but there seems to be no signs of any negative thoughts. Finally, he held back his son and patted his back.
They stayed there for a while, appreciating each other's warm embrace when neighbours had come down knocking on the door, looking for Muheun.
Apparently, they brought him food and gifts. Then the Baek family had a hearty lunch that reached into dinner time because of how much they were given.