Pretty Blush | Kang Mira

He tucks a white daffodil in my hair.

"Pretty." he murmurs near my ear, his warm breath tickling my neck. An unknown feeling blooms inside my ribcage, its petals growing wider around my heart and putting me in ease.

"Your eyes." I whisper, as he leans back and catches my gaze. "They are... they are so..."

"They are what?" he hums while tilting his head, quirking his eyebrows at me.

"I-I don't know how to say it." I speak breathlessly. "At a moment, they look like a constellation, surrounding by the void of whole universe. Then another time, I can see myself. Taking in the beauty of the world, and every secret that was kept hidden from me. I want to stare and stare, as long as the miracle in your eyes stays."

My fingers fume in warmth, chest heaves up and down, breaths come ragged as I inch closer to his face. His skin looks so soft, so mesmerizing, and like porcelain. I'm allured, I'm completely immersed, I'm taken; I can feel it in my bones.

"Mira." he mutters, gaze bored deep into mine. "I wish I could know why there isn't hope inside your eyes."

.

My eyes burst open at that moment and I sit upright on my bed.

"Ah." a moan escapes my lips, hands immediately turning toward my waist. Sweat drips down to my neck, soaking my hair wet. The nightgown is latched on my skin, which feels sticky and drenched.

But it doesn't concern me. I look around, heartbeats drumming and banging near my ears. I have no idea of what I'm looking for while searching the hall, clutching my chest and blinking at the patients sleeping on their beds. I wipe off drops of sweat under my nose and lean against the pillow.

What kind of dream was that?

I have never seen something like this. Everything feels like a rush of freshness to me; the humid air of the hospital suddenly feels welcoming, the moonlight peeking through the curtains whispers a gentle lullaby. Even the sheets have turned unrealistically soft. Am I still in my dreamland? Since when has life looked so endearing, and peaceful?

I put a hand on my thumping heart. It feels like jumping out of my throat any moment now.

Calm down, my heart! I take deep and fast breaths, feeling extremely stupid in this kind of situation. Calm down, calm down!

My nightgown is giving me itches. I look beside my bed, noticing Yurin is not here. Clicking my tongue, I massage my temple and stare at the open door absent mindedly. I need to change my dress, but I can't see anyone near me to ask for help.

Right then, it looks like my prayer has been heard.

A man appears at the door while holding a lantern in his left hand. He raises it to the level of his face, and the soft golden light illuminates his pale skin. The rays coming from the lantern flicker on his hypnotizing black eyes, and glint like a tiny diamond on his lower lip.

I'm again put under an enchantment.

He steps in, and walks through the aisle while looking around the sea of beds, his footsteps light like feathers. I hold my breath as the light lands on me. Yeonjun blinks, his mouth parting.

"Mira? What happned?" he asks worriedly, watching me slowly hiding my face under the blanket. I sink into the sheets more. I don't want him to see how red my cheeks are.

"Nothing." I mumble, and turn aside. There's a sound of lantern being placed on the floor, and a shifting of the sheets. My eyes widen as I feel the blanket is snatched away from my grasp.

"You're sweating like crazy!" Yeonjun looks down at me while holding the blanket in his hands. "Do you feel nauseated? Or pain anywhere? Gosh, look at your cheeks! Why aren't you telling me what's happening to you?"

"I- um... I-" looking down on my lap, I whisper. "I couldn't sleep. It's very hot here."

"Then why are you even wearing the blanket?" he asks in disbelief. "You should have pushed it aside!"

It's because I certainly don't want to look like a half eaten moth.

"It's still hot!" I squint my eyes, huffing. "I'm sweating like crazy!"

"Well, now you talk." Yeonjun places the blanket on the chair and sits on the bed. I immediately shrink and scoot away from him. Shivers, shivers. These are a warning.

Yeonjun puts a hand inside his apron's pocket. He takes out a bright red stick. I watch curiously, as he extends the stick which turns out to be a handmade fan, with golden patterns near the corners. Then to my utter bewilderment, he starts fanning me by himself.

"W-what are you doing?" I let out a gasp, my eyes growing large like an elephant. Yeonjun looks nonchalant about it. He continues sending cool air toward me.

"What? I'm just fanning you."

"Why are you doing that?" I ask, perplexed. "Stop- I- you don't need to-"

"I'm fanning my wife. What's the problem in that?" Yeonjun states in a cool tone. My mouth hangs open by that particular word. He lets out an amused chuckle.

"What? Aren't you my wife? Or am I sitting on the wrong bed?"

I throw him a glare then hit his arm, fuming redder than ever. "Where did you get that from?" I take the fan from him. "And what are you doing here at this late night?"

"My grandmother made it for me." Yeonjun replies proudly. "And I'm on my night shift. Better get going."

He bents lower to take the lantern, then stands up.

"You keep that, Mira. But don't lose it, okay? It's very special to me."

"Okay." I nod, while looking around. "But... where's Yurin?"

"I told her to get some rest. She's sleeping upstairs."

"Oh." I say curtly. Sweat on my body has dried, but now the gown feels more uncomfortable than ever. Yeonjun seems to notice the trace of discomfort on my face.

"Why? Do you need anything?"

I look at him, contemplating whether I should ask for help or not. Yeonjun stays on his spot to hear my reply.

"I need Yurin." I mutter, eyes shifting toward my lap. "I need to change my dress. It's itching."

I have no idea what he has thought- but he ends up mouthing a soft 'Oh'. Yeonjun puts down the lantern again, and dives under the bed. I watch him opening the bag full of my cloths. He pulls out another gown after a brief moment, stands up and holds his hand at me.

"Come on. Let's get your gown changed."

"Wha- what?" my eyes widen for the umpteenth time. "Why you?"

"Then who else do you intend to ask? A ghost? For your information, we do have some records of ghost insights at the top floor. The patients call him 'Bloody Handsome Freak'. Should I call and tell him to accompany you?"

"Fine!" I give up at his sarcasm. "I don't want to see ghosts at the moment."

"Good choice." he chuckles, and I can see a smirk at the corner of his lips. I swallow, taking his hand.

At the moment our fingers intertwine, warmth rises inside my stomach, making me feel lightheaded. His skin is rock hard, unlike what I have felt in my dream. My eyes trail on the faded scars on his wrist. I feel so tempted to touch them with my other hand.

"They are nothing." Yeonjun mutters, as I look at him while getting down from the bed.

"Are they from the war?"

"Just like yours."

I stand beside him, my eyes crane forward to look at him closely. Yeonjun looks gigantic from my level. I mutter in disbelief.

"Why are you so tall, Yeonjun? I can't even reach to your shoulders!"

"Hold my arms, that will do the work." he says while putting his arms around my own shoulders. Thousands of fluttering butterflies inside my stomach- these are all I get. My ribcage dares to burst open, my body feels like burning on flames.  

Alert! Alert! This man can steal your heart and you will never be able to get it back, Mira!

"Walk slowly." Yeonjun looks down at my feet. "No need to rush."

"Okay." I nod while gripping his arm tightly. We step outside the hallroom after some moments. Yeonjun looks handful right now; with my gown swung over his left arm and his hand holding the lantern for light. I suppress a giggle at his posture.

With the moonrays dancing behind our steps, we drag our feet on the silent corridor and let the wind caress our faces. A beautiful fragrance of lavender reaches to my nose. I inhale the fresh air, feeling content.

"Mira." Yeonjun looks at me, then asks hesitantly. "Can I ask you a question? You don't need to answer if it feels too much personal."

"Yes?" I stare at him with curiousity. He breaks away his gaze, looks down at the lantern, seeming to arrange his words.

"Did you ever- um... well- okay, I- what's your favourite food?"

He blabs, looking out of breath. By the look in his eyes, I can definitely say it isn't the question he wants to ask. Having no choice, I answer.

"Fish. Baked fish."

"Oh, wow." Yeonjun blinks in surprise. "I don't eat fishes at all."

We share fake smiles between us.

"What's the thing you fear the most?" he asks again, looking hopeful now. I take some moments to answer.

"Darkness. I fear darkness."

"As if...?"

"Any kind of darkness." I sigh. "I don't like when it's dark. What about you?"

"I hate spiders." Yeonjun takes no time to blurt out. I almost laugh at his fast reply.

"Why?" I ask in a teasing voice. "What did it do to you?"

"Well, Beomgyu once pulled a prank on me when I was fifteen." he grimaces, looking around to see if anyone is eavesdropping. Then Yeonjun drops his voice. "He left a spider inside my shirt. I had rashes all over my baby skin. And yes." he clicks his tongue, twisting his face at his memory. "I couldn't sleep on my bed that night."

"He did horrible! Why did he annoy a good kid like you?" I pout and cock my head to get a clear view of his face. Yeonjun looks frustrated.

"Soobin is the worst. He once locked me inside a room full of them."

"I will scold him if he comes tomorrow, don't worry." we stop in front the washroom. Yeonjun opens the door, and passes me the gown.

"Don't you need help?" he asks at the very moment I'm about to close the door. I stop and look at him incredulously.

"What kind of help?"

"Like- taking off your gown?" he runs fingers through his hair, trying to look as innocent as possible. My cheeks fume crimson, and I hit him with the gown I'm holding.

"No!"

"I don't mind though."

"You're a pervert, Yeonjun!"

"Too bad. You're already married to me. So, you will have to endure it!"

He gives me a sly wink, laughing at my tomato red face. I'm shocked by his sudden change of behaviour; having nothing else to do but gawk at him.

Oh no, this is definitely not going to be fun. 

a.n. : I swear I wanted to write a 'kicking the air and giggling' type of chapter, but it turned out to be a boring piece of writing (-_-) 

answer me a question, though. Do you guys love short or long chapters in general? Or medium, like this?

21.07.2023.