Rose gently fed Jungkook slices of apple as he ate them with a pout, clearly bored with his second day in the hospital. Their parents had promised to come in the morning for the discharge formalities and to talk to the doctor, but they had not arrived yet.
" Come on Kooki don't pout."
" Noona it's boring here."
" Then what do you want to do ?"
" I want to go out to the hospital garden for a bit. The fresh air would do me good."
"Are you sure you're up for it? We shouldn't be too far from your room, and Mom and Dad will be here soon to take you home."
"I will be fine, noona, I just need a little break from these walls. Plus, I promise to stay close."Jungkook said confidently.
After a moment of consideration, Rose relented with a small smile. "Alright, but we have to be back before Mom and Dad arrive, okay? They will worry if they don't find you here for discharge."
Jungkook grinned. "Deal. Let's go!"
As they made their way outside, passing a vending machine, Rose suggested getting some snacks for themselves.
"Ooh, snacks!" Jungkook exclaimed, his eyes lighting up. "What are you gonna get, noona? Another bag of chips or maybe some candy bars?"
Rose rolled her eyes playfully. "Hey, I like my snacks, okay? But I might mix it up today and get some chocolate covered pretzels."
Jungkook chuckled "Ah, the classic Rose move. Can't go wrong with sweet and salty, I guess."
Rose grinned, pretending to be offended. "Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it! ."
" Alright alright, I will wait for you at the garden." He said as he strolled towards the hospital garden.
Jungkook was lost in thought while walking and suddenly someone bumped into him, nearly causing them to fall. Reacting quickly, Jungkook reached out and steadied the person, preventing them from tumbling to the ground.
"Whoa, careful there!" Jungkook exclaimed, a mix of surprise and concern.
The person looked up, grateful for Jungkook's quick reflexes. "Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going. Oh Jungkook !"
"Yubi, Hey it's you!" He exclaimed, pleasantly surprised to see his classmate.
Yubi returned the smile, relief evident on her face. "Yeah, it's me. Thanks again for catching me."
Jungkook chuckled. "No problem. What are you doing here?"
"Just visiting a relative. What about you? Are you alright ?"
" Oh yah, I am fine. My cousins are students here, that's why I am here." Jungkook lied as he doesn't want to tell the true resion.
"Ah, I see," she said with a teasing grin, "You know, I got a bit worried as I thought you were admitted here. Take care of yourself, Kooks," As she gently caressed her cheeks in a flirtatious manner.
Jungkook, taken aback but playing along, raised an eyebrow with a smirk. "Well, someone's feeling bold today."
His classmate chuckled, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Just trying to make an impression, you know?"
"I see that. But I am afraid your charms won't work on me that easily."
"Oh, really? But I tried my best though."
Jungkook chuckled, shaking his head. " Yah but didn't work."
With a charming wink and a friendly pat on the shoulder, Jungkook turned to leave just as his phone began to ring. It was Rose, calling him back to his room.He sighed and went to his boring room.
As he entered, the sight that greeted him was Taehyung and Jimin stood side by side, arms crossed.
Jungkook looked at Rose who was sitting on a chair her hands thrown up in a gesture that screamed, 'I am out of this.'
Before he could process the scene fully, Taehyung and Jimin got closed in on him, and playfully hits him.
" Oou hyung."
" What hyung hun ?" Jimin said pulling his cheeks.
" You have been here all this time and didn't think to tell us?Taehyung said crossing his arms.
"Seriously, Kooki ? What were you thinking, keeping this a secret?" Jimin asked.
Jungkook, slightly overwhelmed but touched by his cousins worries, they all do care for him and love and pamper him and he likes it.
"Hyungs, I was out of it in the sickbed. How could I have told you?"
They paused, considering his point, then turned their gaze to Rose, who seemed to be trying to make herself as small as possible in her chair.
"And what about you, Rose? No messages, no calls?" Taehyung raised her eyebrows.
Rose opened her mouth to respond, but before she could get a word out, an apologetic voice filled the room, diverting everyone's attention.
"We're so sorry, everyone. It all happened so quickly..."Yoosun said entering with Hakyun.
Jungkook, upon seeing his parents, rushed to hug them as they hugged him back. Rose also received a grateful hug.
"We should have informed you, Taehyung, Jimin. It was just...everything was so chaotic."Hakyun said.
"Not even a text? We're family!" Taehyung pouted dramatically.
"Yeah, we could have been here sooner!" Jimin said nodded at Taehyung.
Jungkook's parents quickly assured them.
"We promise, if anything like this ever happens again, you'll be the first to know."Yoosun said warmly.
"Yes, we are all in this together."
"All rights " They said together and they moved forward to embrace their aunt and uncle.
As Jungkook's parents completed the necessary paperwork for his discharge, They were saying their goodbyes to Taehyung and Jimin. But the moment was interrupted by the sound of urgency in the corridor.
The sudden commotion drew their eyes towards a scene as nurses rushed towords the ER.
"What happened ?"Jungkook asked.
As Jimin and Taehyung looked at the nurces.
One of the nurses, catching her breath, replied, "A girl was found in the washroom. It looks like her head hit the mirror."
The group fell into a stunned silence.Taehyung, with a furrowed brow, asked, "Did someone do this to her?"
The nurse nodded gravely, "It seems like that might be the case. The hospital will conduct an inquiry into it."
"I hope she will be alright."Yoosun said softly.
"Yes, let's wish her a quick recovery."Rose added.
With heavy hearts but hopeful spirits, Jungkook, Rose, and their parents made their way home.
After the doctor finished taking care the girl, He noticed she was awakeand. She was Yubi, the classmate of Jungkook.
The doctor checked if she was okay. Yubi managed to nod, letting him know she was somewhat alright.
Right then, Eunae walked into the room.
"And you are?" The doctor asked her.
"I am her friend, Eunae."
Doctor looks at Yubi for confirmation and Yubi nods again.
"I am concerned about your injury. It doesn't seem like an accident. We might need to involve the police for an investigation." The doctor said to Yubi.
"No, it was an accident. I slipped and hit my head."Yubi said hurriedly.
"But—"
"Please, it really was just an accident. I don't want any police involved."
The doctor pauses, then sighs "Alright. I will leave it for now. But I'll be back to check on you later. Please, take care until then."
The doctor then exits the room, leaving Yubi and Eunae alone. Eunae sits beside Yubi and gently caresses her cheeks, causing Yubi to gulp nervously.
Eunae leans in closer and said " You know, Yubi, I don't want to see you near Jungkook again. What happened today? That's nothing compared to what could happen if I catch you near him in the future."
Yubi Trembled and said nervously" I-I understand, Eunae. I won't let you down."
" Good. I expect you to keep your distance." Eunae smirked releasing Yubi's cheeks." I should go now."
Yubi nodded at her and Eunae stood up to leave.
But before she leaves she looks back at Yubi .
"Before I go, remember, what happened today stays between us."
" Y-yes, Eunae. I won't say anything, I promise."
Yubi said fearfully.
" Good girl." She said sweetly, such like nothing happened and left leaving Yubi visibly shaken.
To be continued........