Beneath The Surface

*Beep! Beep! Beep*

The monitor in Bora's hospital room continually beeped. Everything was fine, her Mother and Father hadn't gone home, and they hadn't eaten anything in over 10 hours.

Lee Ahn sat beside her daughter, she had been sobbing so much, that her eyes had turned pale red, she grew eye bags overnight, and she felt like her world had turned upside down.

She was lost in thought when her husband's voice brought her back to the moment, "Lee Ahn, give her time she needs rest," her husband, Jeong Mi said

"I cannot but blame myself," she said, "I feel like it's all my fault, Jeong Mi." Tears filled her speech, "I-i-i'm not a good Mother."

"Andwae (never say that), you're the best Mother anyone can ask for, Bora's accident wasn't your fault," Jeong Mi replied trying his best to sound convincing and reassuring.

"Bora said she needed space, and, and I gave her too much to use, she said she didn't want me to control her life, do you think it turned out this was because I tried to control her life?" Lee Ahn asked.

Jeong Mi took off his glasses and sighed. He cleaned his glasses with the hem of his shirt, "Lee Ahn, giving Bora space isn't wrong, she's a teenager, she's in college she ought to enjoy. But now we know that it's not the best of things for her, and I know Bora would see that now too. She's too pure and vulnerable for the outside world." Jeong Mi took his wife by the hands and hugged her as tight as he could, "You're a good Mother and wife, if I had a thousand reincarnations, I'd marry you in every lifetime."

Lee Ahn felt a sudden relief wash down her spine, she started remembering why she fell in love with Jeong Mi in the first place, he came from a rich background just like hers but he was very different in his approach to people, he wasn't condescending and he was welcoming. As kids, they were taught to look down on people who were not in their class, Jeong Mi decided to go the opposite direction. "Salangae (I love you) Hyun Jeong Mi."

Jeong Mi smiled like it was his first time hearing Lee Ahn say those words to him, "I know that already, now let's get something to eat, you look like a scary movie," he laughed and headed out of the room Bora was in.

Lee Ahn chased after him, "Ya! Hyun Jeong Mi! Did you just call me a scary movie?" Lee Ahn said chasing her husband around the hospital like high school lovers in class, their laughter erupting into the sky like fireworks.

*10 minutes later*

Slowly, the world started unfolding, everything started becoming clear. Bora's eyes opened, she tried to open them faster but she was too weak to control her whole body, so she just closed her eyes and lay in her bed senseless.

She opened her eyes fully and when she came to her senses, she was met with the beeping of machines and the antiseptic smell of a hospital. Panic set in as she tried to move, but the pain in her stomach made her cry out again.

Her heart rate immediately started rising, how did I get here? What happened? Why am I in a hospital bed?

A gentle voice soothed her, "You're safe, Bora. You've been in an accident, but you're going to be okay."

Bora's gaze fell on a kind-faced nurse who explained that she had just gotten out of surgery after being in a deadly accident. Relief washed over her, followed by a wave of fear. What would her Mother say?

There was a burst of happy laughter coming from outside the door, Bora could recognize it was her Mother and her Father laughing, "Do I really mean nothing to them?" She sighed.

The nurse opened the door and stepped outside, "Your daughter is awake now, you can go see her."

Suddenly, the door swung open, and her Mother stormed in, a look of fury on her face. "Bora, what have you done?"

"Yeobo (honey), calm down. Bora, Gwaenchana (are you feeling okay)?" Her Father asked

Bora nodded her head in affirmation, a little smile playing over her lips.

"You see, she's still smiling... We thought we had lost you today, and you're smiling?" her Mother raged

"You'll receive due punishment. And this time, I'm with your mother on whatever she sees fit," her Father uttered in a commanding voice.

Bora's heart sank, she bent her head down in remorse. She was used to getting into arguments and being scolded by her Mother, but the look on her dad's face wasn't saying anything good either, he was unhappy with her.

"Eoma, appa," Bora called out with tear-filled eyes, "mihane (I'm sorry)."

"Bora, how could you be so reckless?" her Mother demanded, her voice stern and disapproving. "You know how dangerous it is to drive without proper supervision. And what were you thinking, speeding like that?"

Bora tried to defend herself, but her mother cut her off. "No excuses, Bora. You're going to have to face the consequences of your actions. You're lucky to be alive."

As her Mother lectured her, Bora couldn't help but feel a sense of resentment. Why couldn't her Mother just be supportive for once? Why did she always have to be so critical?

The nurse returned with a gentle smile. "Bora, I'm going to change your bandage now. Can you please sit up for me?"

As the nurse changed her bandage, Bora winced in pain. She knew she had to get out of there, to escape her mother's suffocating grasp. But how could she, trapped in a hospital bed?

Another nurse pushed open the door and walked in, a friendly countenance playing on her face. "Bora, I have some good news. Your friend Ri Ta is here to see you."

Bora's heart skipped a beat. "Ri Ta? Here?" She hadn't seen her since after their argument at Sonya's, plus Ri Ta isn't the kind to check up on people, she especially.

"Are you sure?" Bora asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

The nurse nodded. "Of course, dear. I'll send her in."

"Wh-what did she say her full name is, H-Han Ri Ta?" Bora stuttered, her voice filled with confusion.

"Yes, Han Ri Ta," as the nurse left.

Her Mother's expression turned icy, her gaze piercing, and she frowned. "Bora, I don't think that's a good idea. You need to rest, I'd just tell her you're resting."

But Bora was insistent. "Please, Mother. Just for a minute, I want to see if this is true."

"What do you mean if it is true, for Christ's sake, it's Han Ri Ta, you guys have been friends since the day you were born." Her Mother growled.

Bora looked at her Mother, she probably wasn't aware of Ri Ta's animosity towards her over the last two years.

Bora made an effort to maintain a good relationship with Ri Ta, even though she didn't visit as often as before. She still acted friendly and casual whenever their parents met, and Ri Ta did the same. But hey both knew it was all a facade.

Bora held out her hand and placed it on her mother's own, "Please, just a minute."

Her Mother hesitated, then nodded curtly. "Fine. But just for a minute."

As Ri Ta walked in, Bora's heart raced. So it really is Ri Ta, What would she say? Is this just part of the "we're still on good terms" script? So our parents don't get suspicious.

But Ri Ta's face was kind and concerned. "Bora, I'm so glad you're okay. I was worried sick about you."

Bora felt a lump form in her throat. "Is this just an illusion, am I dead?" She slapped on her cheeks, "Wake up Hyun Bora, wake up from this nightmare."

As Ri Ta approached her bedside, Bora's gaze drifted to the window, where the sunlight filtering through the blinds cast a warm glow.

The hospital room's antiseptic scent mingled with the faint aroma of fresh flowers from the bouquet on her nightstand. The sterile scent of the hospital room enveloped her, a harsh reminder of her surroundings. Bora's stomach growled, reminding her that she hadn't eaten in hours.

Ri Ta's gentle voice broke the silence. "Bora, are you alright, where does it hurt?" Her eyes, usually bright and mischievous, now shone with genuine concern.

Bora's heart swelled with emotion, her chest tightened as she struggled to contain her emotions. "Ri Ta, w-w-what are you doing here? You're not exactly the hospital-visiting type, you always said you hated hospitals."

Ri Ta smiled wryly. "I know, but I couldn't just sit back and do nothing. Besides, I feel guilty, and you'd feel suffocated, you also hate hospitals."

Bora snorted, a weak laugh escaping her lips. "You have no idea."

As they chatted, Bora's Mother stood rigidly by the door, her eyebrows knitted together in disapproval, casting a sharp and disapproving glare. Bora sensed her tension, like a palpable force in the room.

Ri Ta stretched out her hands and held onto Bora, "you'd be fine, okay?"

A warmth spread through Bora's chest as Ri Ta held her hand. Even if Bora was finding it hard to comprehend why Ri Ta was being friendly, Ri Ta's words were like a balm to Bora's frazzled nerves. She felt a sense of gratitude toward Ri Ta for the first time in a long while.

The nurse walked in, a warm smile on her face, "Time for your meds, Bora. And don't forget to rest – you've got a long recovery ahead of you."

As the nurse administered the medication, Bora's Mother stepped forward, her eyes flashing with a mix of concern and annoyance.

Bora's eyes narrowed, trying to read Ri Ta's intentions. "Why are you being so nice to me, Ri Ta? You're not exactly the caring type, especially not to me," she whispered.

Ri Ta's smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "Let's just say I'm making an exception for you, Bora. Just for today."

Bora raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "Save it, Ri Ta. What do you want?"

As Jeong Mi opened the door with the tray carrying Bora's meal, both Bora and Ri Ta saw a familiar face. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting an unforgiving glare on the sterile white walls as the faint scent of disinfectant wafted through the air.

As if on cue the person looked towards the door, right into the room they were, his face natural and his presence strange.

"Mun Yeorin?" Both Ri Ta and Bora echoed.