Hold My Hand
The moment I woke up in the morning, I heard some shocking news that made me jump.
"What? A cold?"
"Yeah, the flu. So she doesn't have to come today."
Seung-min Jeong had called me first thing in the morning. To let me know that Na-eun Jeong had caught a cold.
I was flustered, but guilt washed over me too. I should've stopped Na-eun yesterday when she tried to eat so much ice cream... It felt like partly my fault.
"Should I bring some medicine or porridge?"
"Huh? Mom's taking care of everything."
"Still, isn't there something I can help with?"
"Nah, don't worry about it."
Even as Seung-min said that, I desperately wanted to look after her. I wanted to go over and do something.
...Maybe I could at least get her some sports drinks? Porridge might be pushing it.
"...How about porridge, then?"
"Porridge? Uh... yeah, that'd be fine."
"Okay... hold on, are you at home right now?"
I asked just in case, and sure enough.
"Nope? I've got plans today, so I'm heading out."
"...That's why you called me, huh?"
"Busted lol."
Seung-min started chuckling smugly.
I held back. Patience is a virtue, after all. With that in mind, I told him,
"I'll handle it, so go have fun without a worry."
"Feels great even without you~"
...I could suddenly see why Na-eun always gave Seung-min grief. Come on, your little sister's sick—that's too cold, isn't it?
But Seung-min must care in his own way. That's why he called me to tell me about his sister being sick.
I felt a little played, but my plans didn't change.
"Guess I'll head over."
I had to visit Na-eun. And pick up some porridge while I was at it.
*
After grabbing porridge from the porridge shop and sports drinks from the convenience store, I headed to Na-eun's family home.
It was 11:30 a.m.—perfect timing.
-Ding dong~ Ding dong~
I rang the doorbell, and a moment later, the door opened.
There, as expected, was Jeong Na-eun's Mother.
"Oh, Seonwoo."
"Hello, ma'am."
"Didn't Seung-min tell you? Na-eun's—"
"He did. She has a cold."
I showed her the porridge and drinks I'd brought, and she nodded.
"What do I do with you? So thoughtful."
"It's nothing. I wanted to."
I handed over the porridge and drinks, ready to leave, but she stopped me.
"Hey, Seonwoo. Want to come in for a bit?"
"Pardon? Suddenly?"
"Na-eun would love it."
I hesitated at that, but decided to go in.
Sure, might as well see Na-eun's face too. That's all it was.
And so, I stepped into Na-eun's family home.
Not as Na-eun's tutor, Seonwoo Lee, but as her big brother Seung-min's friend, Seonwoo Lee.
Thinking of it that way actually made me feel more at ease.
Lately, coming to Na-eun's house had me on edge. As her tutor, I had a duty to boost her grades for sure.
And it wasn't like I was getting paid peanuts, so the pressure was even heavier than I'd expected.
But today, I was just the friend of the house's eldest son, bringing porridge for his sick little sister. No stress.
At least, that's what I thought until I entered Na-eun's room.
The room was way hotter than usual, thick with the unmistakable vibe of someone sick inside...
-Snore... snore... snore... snore...
The girl who normally greeted me with boundless energy was sleeping soundly, breathing raggedly.
But she looked so pained, so exhausted, so pitiful.
One glance, and all that ease I'd felt vanished.
In its place? Guilt.
I sat by Na-eun's side, watching her.
She had no idea I was there, just kept sleeping—sweating profusely, coughing now and then.
Seeing her like this, I realized just how fragile her health really was.
Na-eun never struck me as super sturdy.
Her long attention span was pure talent, not stamina.
So seeing her laid up like this hit even harder.
Maybe I should put a damp cloth on her forehead? I stood up quietly.
Then headed out to the living room to call for Jeong Na-eun's Mother.
"Um, ma'am."
"Yes, Seonwoo?"
"Do you have a damp cloth by any chance?"
"A damp cloth?"
"Yeah, thought it might help on Na-eun's forehead."
She smiled warmly and nodded.
"I don't think my girl needs that much, but hearing you say it makes me want to anyway."
This family really runs on a hands-off style. If it were me, I'd lose it the second my daughter got sick and hover nonstop.
Of course, it could just be their way of showing love. Hands-off in words, but the spotless room proved she'd cleaned while Na-eun slept.
Jeong Na-eun's Mother went to the kitchen and soon returned with a freshly wrung damp cloth.
"Here, take this."
"Thank you."
I bowed and took it, then hurried back to Na-eun's room.
And placed it gently on her forehead.
-Twitch!
Na-eun's body jerked sharply. The cloth must've been too cold.
But what could I do? Waking up to a sudden cold cloth on your head would startle anyone.
Still, I hoped it'd bring her fever down as I watched over her.
About an hour passed like that...
-Rustle...
The cloth slipped off Na-eun's forehead.
I picked it up to go wring it out and bring it back.
But...
...Na-eun was staring at me, eyes wide open.
"...Oppa?"
Her voice was completely different from usual.
Na-eun normally spoke in this super high-energy tone that matched her bubbly personality—fast-talking, brimming with joy and excitement.
But not now.
The pitch was still high, but slow, dazed. Still half-asleep, probably.
Even so, she'd called for me, so I sat back down and looked at her.
"Yeah, Na-eun."
"Hehe... it's Oppa... Seonwoo Oppa..."
Seeing her beam sleepily at me stirred something different from her usual vibe.
Normally, Na-eun's cheer made me happy too—excited, pumped.
But now? It hurt to look at her. Straight up, I hated seeing her sick.
"...I'll go wring out the cloth."
"Okaay..."
"You hungry at all?"
"Yeah..."
"Got it."
I gently straightened her hair, then stood.
Na-eun grabbed my sleeve—weakly, pleadingly.
"Where... where you going...?"
Her grip was so frail, but I couldn't shake it off.
That whimpering "where you going?"—no way I could leave.
Her actions, her voice, so desperate and earnest, I just couldn't.
Instead, I sat back down and stroked her gently.
She let go of my sleeve then and smiled brightly.
What a pretty, cute smile. If only she were healthy and full of energy...
Thinking that, I tried standing again.
"I'll get the porridge and medicine, so stay put, okay?"
"Okaay..."
I stepped out, warmed the porridge, grabbed side dishes, water, drinks, and medicine, then returned.
And fed her.
"Na-eun, ahh~"
"Ahh..."
Her mouth, usually wide open with gusto, parted just a little.
I spooned in the porridge; she chewed slowly.
"How's the porridge? Good?"
-Nod
Her small nod eased my worry.
I'd picked what I thought was the tastiest, and she was eating it well—satisfying.
I kept feeding her, helping her get some nutrition.
She made her wants clear too.
"Oppa... that one..."
"Braised beef? Got it."
"Hehe..."
She'd point right at whatever side dish she wanted.
Yeah, that's perfect. Clear communication makes caregiving a breeze.
Once she finished eating, I returned to her side.
Confirming I was back, she fidgeted and reached out.
"...Um, Oppa."
"Yeah, Na-eun."
"Hold... my hand."
"Sure."
I took her hand.
I'd held it a few times before, but never this tight.
Her hand was so soft, smooth, small.
"Oppa... stay... till I sleep...?"
"Got it, got it."
"Hold... hand too...?"
"I will."
"Hehe..."
Her bright smile faded into soft snores soon after.
Quiet, but deep.
Confirming she was out, I gently released her hand, said goodbye to Jeong Na-eun's Mother, and left.
I didn't want to disturb her sleep anymore.
The next day, the message from Na-eun read...
The usual Na-eun.
Pretty, cute, full of energy—the Na-eun I knew.