6 Sand Clock

I woke up to five faces looking down on me. Five worried faces against white walls. This is definitely not where I was before I woke up.

"Oh thank God you're alive." Hyunju threw herself at me knocking all the air from my lungs and caging me in a very tight hug.

"I just might die with what you're doing" And they all giggled.

"Yeah, she's alright. She can still make jokes even though she passed out in the middle of the fake fanmeet."

Oh damn! Yeah, PDnim was able to setup a small fan gathering for our group with the fans that watched during our recital. This was the fastest thing they could think of given the fact that my string is turning black very fast. The last thing I remember was a fan telling me I looked cute up close and that he will surely watch out for our debut. Oh dear Lord, I must've scared him suddenly losing my consciousness like that.

"Holy shit! We need to call them back soon. I would have to say sorry to that oppa. We didn't even finish talking. And he even said that he will support us and that he will wait for us to debut. Oh God! I already failed him today. Fuck! No…."

They silently watched as I broke down in tears realizing the impact of this goddamn soulmate business in my career. And what's worse is that, it's not only me but also my groupmates who will suffer the consequences. I can't keep on dragging them like this.

"Glad to know you're awake Eunjung-ssi." That voice. "I am so sorry if we thought the fanmeet would solve our problems." That sweet, angelic voice belongs to our CEO. I can't believe I'm even worthy of her time, she is a busy person and her being here means she must've delayed some of her schedules.

I do my best to sit up right but my world suddenly started spinning.

"Oh no, please lie still. The doctors told us everything we need to know so we can take care of you. Not all of it is good news though." Her beautiful regal face still looks ethereal even if it was clear she was quite distraught. Was she reconsidering my contract as a trainee? Is she letting me go as a member of the group? If I were her, I definitely would. We can't have someone dragging the team down when we're so close to debut.

"We, unfortunately, need to move as fast as we can to assure your health and safety. The experts assured us that as soon as we find your mate, you'll be okay. However, they said your life transmutation is happening quickly which is why you might be blacking out more often. We need to find your mate as soon as possible." I just nodded along to what she was saying not clearly grasping the idea that my life line is like a sand clock. Too short to take chances.

"Don't worry Eonnie. We have rescheduled the fanmeet to resume tomorrow." Yuri was trying to put on a brave smiling face but all that came out was a contorted ugly one.

"We have also called the companies of the trainees you met last week and they have graciously accepted the invitation to meet with us on Tuesday." Jess PDnim added.

"Thank you for taking care of me PDnim and I'm sorry for being a burden. I promise I will work harder once all of this passes." She just smiled warmly at me and ran her hand over my head.

"Eunjung-ssi, you just worry about yourself for now okay? Atleast everyone gets to rest for a while. We need to make sure you're safe. We're family, right? We don't leave anyone behind." And I can't help but cry again, ashamed that I thought so lowly of her. She really is a great woman and there's no wonder why everyone in the company loves her. "Everyone take a rest okay? I'll be going for now, we have to prepare for the meetings tomorrow and on Tuesday."

"PDnim, I think we forgot something." Jin Ju eonnie's forehead was creased.

"Yes, Jin Ju ssi?"

"As far as I remember, we were on a meeting with BTS Sunbaes that day too."

"Oh…. Byung Ho ssi might have forgotten that detail." It was obvious that we might not fit in their schedule as PDnim massaged her temple and sighed. "I'll do my best to setup a short meeting with them. Anyway locking hands is just what you need to confirm it. Though, there maybe bigger implications if it's really one of them."

"I understand PDnim. I know we may not be able to get in their schedules soon given their shoots and all. I can hold on. I'm actually feeling quite better right now being able to rest." I assured not only our CEO but everyone in the room.

"You don't need to feign strength Eunjung-ssi." Jess PDnim walked back to my hospital bed and took my hand in hers. "You're still young and I know this is all very confusing and frustrating and scary and no one's stopping you from feeling exactly that. Just trust that we will do everything we can to protect you and make sure you make it. I believe in you and your group and I hate not being able to see you debut."

"Uh, I can actually ask some of the trainees to go and visit you here today, I know a couple of them. Would that be okay PDnim?" Everyone was shocked at what Sooyong-eonnie just said. She "knows" some of those trainees?

"You know some of them?" Even Jess PDnim was surprised.

"Yes PDnim. From the arts academy I attended during highschool. Our teachers were very supportive of us and just like me, they got assistance in getting auditioned for other companies. I saw three of them during the recital and I think I may be able to ask them to bring their groupmates too." Why does Sooyong-eonnie have a soft blush on her cheeks though?

"If their schedule permits it then I think it will be fine. Though I hope they don't get the wrong idea by our Eunjung-ssi trying to lock hands with them." A soft smile was now on PDnim's lips. And as I looked down on her hands, I noticed that slight glint of a gold string against her gold wedding band.

"Oh, I didn't think of that."

"It's okay to tell them what happened Sooyong-ssi. I know those trainees also know how to be discrete about news. I just hope we find him soon. I don't want to see you suffer more than now. You're body's not declining food, is it?" I was caught off guard by this question. My body? Declining food? Food is my most favorite thing in the world and… oh god! I've never felt hungry since that meeting. And when was the last time I ate?

"I…. I'm not entirely sure PDnim. I haven't really felt hungry and I can't really remember taking in anything edible for the past 24hrs." All of them had their own version of "what" after what I said.

"That's the effect of starting the soulmate life. Your body won't feel hunger since you will feel full as you share your life force with your mate. Try taking in lots of food and water specially. It will help in retaining strength though your health will still continue declining until you complete the bond." She was about to say more but her phone started ringing. "Sorry girls, I need to take this. I'll be taking my leave too. I'll be seeing you guys tomorrow, okay? Rest well Eunjung-ah." Sooyong-eonnie followed her out the door, phone on her ears too. The others settled on the mini receiving area in my room.

Choonhee took this opportunity to cuddle with me. She has been awfully quiet while we were discussing company matters.

"Something the matter, Hee-ah?"

"I just feel so useless right now. I can't do anything to help. And the fact that this is all happening too fast is scary for me." For some reason she feels cold. Is she sick?

"You heard our boss, right? They will do anything to help me and I just need to make sure to take better care of myself so I can keep my strength up. I'll be fine." She pursed her lips and tightened the arm the was around my torso. There's something else she's bothered about.

"What is it?" she just pouted, sighed then shook her head like she was trying to wipe an idea away from her head.

"Seriously, you think I don't know how your brain works? We grew up together Choonhee, you can't hide anything from me." To that she sighed one more time, removed herself from the bed and sat on the bed side chair. She looked me straight in the eyes while holding my hands. She really feels cold. She must be really nervous about this.

"Okay, listen. Promise not to laugh or roll your eyes at me okay?"

She sounded like the 6 yr old Choonhee who cried after I laughed at her eventhough I made a pinky promise not to. So, I raised my right hand then crossed my heart.

"Yah!" And that was the first time I heard her laugh since Saturday and I felt quite relieved.

"But yeah, I'm serious. Please don't laugh."

"Okay, okay, I promise. Now, tell me."

"I know it's stupid and yeah, it's really stupid but I'm starting to feel jealous."

"Jealous? Of what? I mean, of who?"

"Your soulmate?"

I had to cover my mouth to stop myself from doing a full chortle but she still hits me a couple of times because I was already snickering and my eyes began tearing up too.

"Yah! You promised not to laugh!" That was it, I just lost it. I was rolling on my bed laughing my ass off.

"What the hell are you laughing about?" Hyunju approached the bed with my groupmates.

"Choonhee's jealous." And all of them scrunched their faces trying to decipher why my best friend will get jealous of anyone.

"Jealous? Why?" Our leader has one brow cocked up halfway thru her forehead.

"I… Jungie! This is your fault!" Choonhee was red like a tomato now.

"But why are you jealous eonnie? You're the closes person to Eunjung eonnie. No one else can take your place." Yuri said what I wanted to say.

"It's just. You know. When you complete your bond, you and your soulmate would need to be together. We don't know who he is but I'm quite sure you'll be busier than now so most likely, I won't be seeing you as much anymore. I don't know where I'll fit in the picture. I've lived almost my whole life with you Jungie. I'm terrified of losing you."

Her eyes were already welling with tears. I've never really thought of it that way but as I digested her words, I start to feel a dagger in my chest. Her fears are valid. Who knows how much my soulmate will need me, much more me needing him. As much as I would love to just bawl and be cranky about it, I can't let Choonhee see me weak. She deserves to be cherished and I will make sure that even fate won't get in the way of our friendship.

"Hee-ah, come here." And as she plopped her ass on my bed, I gave her the tightest hug ever.

"I will never leave you. I know that my soulmate is now my lifeline. My key to life but that's just it. You, Choonhee, have filled a void so big I can't just remove you from my life. Cause if I do that, it's like not living at all. I know the future's quite uncertain but if there's one thing that I would want to keep, it's our friendship."

There. I made her cry. The bawling, sniffing, hard breathing crying. She's still cute though. My ray of sunshine.

"Promise?" She put up her pinky finger matching a childish pout. I humor her by locking my finger in hers.

"I promise. Now wipe your snot away and sing me a lullaby so I can sleep."