"Hey! Wait for me!" a girl shouted as she laughed while running. Her tiny hand held a kite. She was the last one among the kids. She smiled as she saw someone wait for her.
"Hurry! " Kim Jang-ill waved as a bright smile covered his lips.
"Slow poke!" She screamed as she run past him.
"Who?" He said running after her and grabbing her before flinging her in the air.
A laugh escaped her lips as she screamed . He threw her slightly in the air before turning around. She laughed even more.
"Me next!" Somone shouted and soon a group of kids were near his feet holding up their hands for him to grab.
It was always like this when they went to the annual picnic in the hills. He never missed it despite how busy he was.
They were his happiness.
He placed her down and slouched down to the children's level.
"Who wants to be caught by the green monster?!?" he said as he turned from them before turning to face them with a mask he had hidden.
The kids screamed as they started scattering.
" I am going to catch you! " He grawled as he started chasing after them. Laughter filled the air. As they run.
It was during the time he was struggling in his work and just being with them felt worthwhile. It felt like everything he was doing was worth-while.
They gave him strength.
In fact they were his strength.
He turned on the bed facing away from the door just as it opened.
Mrs Kim walked in holding a plate of food.
Despite it being daybreak the window curtains were still drawn.
She let out a sigh when she saw the last plate of food still in place and untouched.
"Ha-ru. " She said turning to him. Her voice was gentle.
But again no word.
It was like he had frozen in place.
It had been three days since he came drenched and three days since he left his room.
She had thought he was playing his games like he always was but instead she found him in bed his face sullen and his eyes tired.
He wouldn't tell her what was wrong.
She had sent Mae-rin to talk to him since they were closer in age she thought it would be easier for him to confide in her but he didn't.
He was just silent.
So she thought it was because of the tournament. Mae-rin had told her he missed the big tournament he had been proudly telling them for months. She expected him to go through a heartbreak but she didn't expect it would get to this extent.
She wanted to help him. She tried everything but it all seamed vain.
She replaced the food and left the room.
She had tried giving him space maybe that was all he needed but the longer he stayed in that state the more worried she became. She had researched and even asked her doctor friend what she could do. But there wasn't a satisfactory answer.
She wasn't the old fashioned type so she didn't shun away from the advancement in medicine expecially in psychology. She knew she would have to take a step for him if he didn't get any better.
"He didn't eat again." Mae-rin said placing her phone down.
"I don't know what to do anymore." Mrs Kim said defeat evident in her voice.
"He is always like this after he loses a match he probably just needs time."
"But it usually doesn't take this long." She said with a sigh.
Suddenly they heard the door creak open as feet shuffled against the floor. Mrs Kim peaked at the hallway and saw Jang Ha-ru run towards the bathroom.
Concern formed on her face as she rushed towards him. Mae-rin sensing something wasn't right quickly stood up and rushed in the same direction.
Jang Ha-ru was kneeling against the toilet hurling as he tried to throw up.
"What's going on?" Mrs Kim asked as she rushed beside him just as he sat on the floor as he breathed heavily.
"Ohh my goodness you are burning up!" She gasped as she touched his forehead.
" I am taking you to the hospital. " She said standing up as she held his hand trying to make him stand up as well. But he tried to protest.
"Does it look like I am asking." She said angrily. He weakly stood up as she wrapped her hand around him to support him.
"Mae-rin get his coat and my car keys." She said leading him towards the front door.
**
They rushed to the hospital and he was diagnosed with dehydration plus the rain drenching his body didn't help either.
They had him stay for some hours under observation and administered an IV drop.
It was only after some hours that his eyes opened after a nap. His eyes adjusted to the bright light before he looked around. The sun had already set.
He saw Mrs Kim at the side of the bed. She had fallen asleep while her head was leaning on her hand. She didn't wear any jacket and her feet only had slippers on while one of her hands held his hand.
He felt his heart sting at the sight of her.
She must have been so worried for her son.
"I am sorry I didn't take care of your sons body." He whispered as tears stung at his eyes.
Somehow he felt jealous at the sight. He never really had anyone who stood at his side like that. Who would brave the cold night to make sure he was fine. He was jealous Jang Ha-ru had someone who cared so much about him in his life.
He must have felt so loved.
A tear drop fell on the side of his face.
He felt guilty for making her worried to that extent.
Suddenly her hand gave in making her head drop, startling her as she woke up instantly. Her eyes immediately looked at jang Ha-ru and a look of relief rested on her face seeing him awake.
"You are awake! The doctor said you need to eat something is there anything you would like. "She asked her face full of anticipation, worry and relief.
"Noodles. " He whispered.
A smile lit up her face and it reminded him of that little girl from so long ago.
"I will get it." She said rushing out before coming back some minutes later.
"Come." She said helping him sit up on the bed. " when we get home I will cook your favourite for you." She said in anticipation watching him pick up the chopsticks.
He picked up some noodles and just as he was about to eat he felt it burn his lips making him wince as he let the chopsticks along with the noodles fall back into the cup.
"Be careful it's hot!" She scolded as she inspected his lips. " here I will feed you. " She said grabbing the cup of noodles.
"I know we don't see eye to eye about spending your time playing games." She said while trying to cool off the noodles. " but if you need anything please tell me." She added not making eye contact with him. But he could sense the desperation in her voice.
She must have been so lost watching her son in that state.
Then and there he vowed he would
wouldn't make her feel like that again. She had been so kind to him she loved her son. Although he occupied his body now he felt like he had an obligation to take over. To be her son for her.
"Is it okay if I ask you something. "
"Of course!" She said immediately her ears peaked up.
"I really want to go somewhere. " He said a small smile on his lips