Room 97

Chapter 12 [TW]

Two weeks had passed ever since Jennie she started Jungkook’s treatment. She could proudly say that Jungkook was improving well and might be discharged anytime soon.

In the past couple of weeks, Lisa was beginning to hate their new ‘routine’. Jennie used to check on her every now and then but ever since Jungkook arrived, Jennie only visit her when she got a chance, except when it’s time to eat. Even though Jennie always remind her that Jungkook needs her more, Lisa couldn’t help but be envious of Jungkook, he got to spend more time with Jennie and Lisa just wanted to spend more time with her and get to know her more and the other way around.

Lisa had been thinking of getting rid of Jungkook but she thought it would look like she has a serious mental problem which she didn’t really have and she also realized she was being possessive and selfish of Jennie. And being possessive and selfish looked a bit...creepy in a way. She was tired of being creepy. It’s not her.

Meanwhile, Jennie entered Jungkook’s room and he greeted her with a smile.

“Jennie.” Jungkook said.

“How are you?” Jennie said as she smiled back and sat across him.

“I feel great. Thanks to you.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Jennie softly chuckled.

“So, what are we doing today?” Jungkook asked.

“Today, we’re doing hypnotherapy. All you have to do is lie down and close your eyes.” Jennie said and Jungkook did what he was told. “I want you to relax, breath in slowly through your nose.” Jungkook followed Jennie’s command. “Then breath out slowly through your mouth.” Jungkook breathed out. “Now, tell me what you see.”

“I’m holding a bouquet of flowers.”

“What kind of flower?” Jennie asked as she opened her notes, preparing to write something.

“Tulips. White tulips.” Jungkook said as he knitted his eyebrows.

“Does it mean anything to you?”

“No.”

“Can you tell where you are?”

“At a park. Everyone around me is happy. Birds singing, bubbles floating in the air, ice cream stand.”

“Are you waiting for someone there?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Try looking around you.” Jennie said and she saw how Jungkook’s face softened. “Do you see anyone you know?”

“Yes. Sana. She’s here, wearing that familiar smile I loved. She’s waving at me and she’s walking closer to me and gives me a hug.” Jungkook described. “I give her the flowers and then she drags me to the ice cream stand with her. And then we sit on a bench near the ice cream stand.”

“Is she saying anything to you?”

“She says...she loves me.” Jungkook said as his expression began gloomy. “And she says nothing lasts forever. She wishes me well and hoping to see each other in another lifetime.” Jennie saw a tear escaped his eye. “She kisses me and caresses my face as she says ‘be strong’.” Jungkook began to sob silently. “She flashes me that smile again and then...” Jungkook paused as he stopped sobbing.

“And then what?” Jennie asked, intrigued.

“Butterflies appear in front of me, and as they slowly fly away from me, Sana was gone. I look around but no one is in the park but me.” Jungkook’s eyebrows met again. “I stand up and walk to the exit, but...” He paused again.

“What did you see?” Jennie asked and Jungkook opened his eyes and then glanced at Jennie. He sat up without breaking his stare at her.

“I...saw you.” Jungkook said. “Jennie?”

“Yes?”

“You are my friend, right?”

“Of course I am.” Jennie smiled.

“Can you untie my sleeves?”

“Jungkook, I don’t—”

“Just for today. And besides, I’m getting better, aren’t I?” Jungkook said and Jennie sighed.

“Alright, but just for today. I’ll give you five minutes, fair enough?”

“Fair enough.” Jungkook nodded. Jennie stood up and went behind Jungkook to untangle his sleeves. “Jennie?”

“Hm?”

“Thank you.” Jungkook said and Jennie smiled as she finished untangling his sleeves.

“For what?” Jennie returned to her seat. Jungkook stretched his arms first before speaking.

“For being there for me, for helping me.”

“Well, it’s always been you and me since your first day here and no problem. It’s my job to help you.” Jennie said and Jungkook looked at her straight in the eyes, slowly leaning forward to her.

“You and me...” Jungkook repeated in a low voice and Jennie’s guts were telling her something was not right. Jennie looked at her wrist watch.

“You only have four minutes left.” Jennie said, trying not to get distracted by his stare.

“Couldn’t you make it longer? Five minutes is too short.”

“We had a deal and you agreed to it.” Jennie said and Jungkook scoffed, Jennie stood up as she prepared herself to go for the door.

“I saw you in my trance for a reason.” Jungkook stood up as well. “Don’t you know the meaning behind it?” He slowly walked closer to Jennie but the latter took a step back to keep her distance.

“I don’t think it means anything, your mind is probably just playing with you.” Jennie tried to sound as brave as she could. She didn’t like what was happening. As she was slowly walking backwards away from Jungkook, she felt her back hit against the door.

“But what if I tell you it means something to me?” Jungkook slammed his hand against the door. “Jennie, when I’m finally discharged from here, let’s live together.” He leaned closer to Jennie’s ear. “We‘ll be happy together.” He whispered as he nibbled on her earlobe and Jennie twitched from Jungkook’s action.

“Jungkook, stop.” Jennie sternly said as she clenched her fist.

“I won’t make the same mistake that I did with Sana before. I’ll be more protective so no one would steal what’s mine.” He breathed against Jennie’s neck.

“I’m not yours.”

“Then I’ll make you mine.” Jungkook said and he sucked on Jennie’s neck, surely leaving a mark.

“Stop!” Jennie pushed Jungkook away from her as she was catching her breath. “Know your boundaries Jungkook. I’ll tell the supervisor about this.”

“Go ahead, tell them. If I won’t be discharged immediately, you won’t like what would happen next.” Jungkook warned as he began walking towards her again. But before he could even lay a finger on her, Jennie had opened the door and walked out immediately, slamming it hard and locked it as fast as she could. “Jennie! Come back here!” Jungkook shouted as he was banging on the door.

Jennie felt like crying. No one had ever done that to her before. She felt disrespected.

“I thought I’m healing you. I thought we’re already making progress.” Jennie said, loud enough for Jungkook to hear at the other side of the door as her tears began to blur her sight.

“You are healing me. And if I’m with you then I wouldn’t be experiencing what I did before!”

Jennie shook her head disappointedly and walked away from the door, ignoring Jungkook’s nonsense remarks. As she was passing by the doors, she heard a knock and she stopped in her tracks, glancing at the door.

“Jennie?” She heard Lisa at the other side of the door and she sighed in relief.

“Lisa.” Jennie walked closer to the door. “How did you know I was passing by?”

“Lucky guess, I guess.” Lisa chuckled. “That was intense.” She said and it made Jennie’s eyebrows furrow in confusion.

“What’s intense?” Jennie asked.

“Well, these walls aren’t soundproof. I heard your voice and that...jerk yelling.” Lisa said and Jennie softly chuckled, wiping the tears that finally fell from her eyes. “What happened back there?”

“A crazy person becomes even crazier.” Jennie lightheartedly said.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Lisa suggested.

Jennie was about to get the key from her pocket when she remembered what Jungkook did to her neck. How could she hide it? She had her hair done in a bun that time. Jennie sighed and decided not to pull the key out of her pocket.

“I’m fine, don’t worry.” Jennie lied. “I’ll see you later.” She said and started walking away.

“Jennie?” Lisa called, urgency was evident in her voice and Jennie stopped walking to turn her head to the door.

“Yes?”

“I miss you. I wish I could talk to you and spend time with you. Like the old times.” Lisa said and Jennie felt her heart melted.

Jennie walked back to the door and pulled the key out of her pocket to open the door. If only Jennie could see, Lisa was smiling behind the door. Lisa stepped back so Jennie could open the door. But her smile faded when Jennie threw her arms around her and started crying. Lisa slowly and carefully wrapped her arm around Jennie as she slowly closed the door with her free hand.

“I thought you said you were fine?” Lisa softly said.

“Every ‘I’m fine’ lies a lie.” Jennie sobbed. “Tell me, am I a bad nurse?”

“You’re not.” Lisa said as she brushed her hand on Jennie’s head. ”What did that jerk do to you?”

“I just thought he was getting better because the progress don’t lie, but it turns out he’s still the same him when he first got here.”

“And you’re crying because of it?”

“I thought I was being a good nurse and a good therapist.” Lisa pulled away and lifted Jennie’s chin.

“You are a good person, you are brave and have a good heart. Not all the nurses have that.” Lisa smiled and wiped Jennie’s tears. But something caught her eyes that made her furrowed her eyebrows. “What did he do to you?” Lisa said with a hint of anger in her voice.

Jennie gulped as she brought her hand on her neck to cover the hickey.

“It’s nothing, don’t worry.” Jennie dismissively said.

“He assaulted you, didn’t he?”

“I got this, you have to trust me.” Jennie assured as she looked at Lisa’s fiery eyes.

“What else did he do?” Lisa said in a cold tone.

“Just this.” Jennie sighed as she brought her hand down.

“If he ever did this to you again, don’t be afraid to tell me, okay? He needs to be taught a lesson.” Lisa said as she clenched her fists.

“Hey, calm down.” Jennie calmly said as she brushed her hand on Lisa’s arm down to her clenched fists and Lisa relaxed at the contact. “I’ll handle this.” Jennie said.

“You are so brave, I really adore you.” Lisa smiled.