Jina jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat. Her heart pounded in her chest, the lingering terror of her nightmare still affecting her.
Breathing heavily, she clumsily tried to get out of bed, her body weak and trembling. In her daze, she didn't notice the IV needle slipping from her hand.
Hansu, who was already awake saw her, "Nana, what are you doing?" he asked, quickly standing up.
Jina, still lost in the haze of her nightmare, didn't respond. Her vision blurred, her head dizzy.
Before she could take another step, her legs gave out.
Hansu lunged forward, catching her just in time. "Hey! Nana, wake up!" he called, lightly tapping her cheek.
Jina blinked up at him, her breath shaky. "Mom… I saw Mom…" she whispered weakly.
Hansu's expression shifted, his usual indifference replaced with concern. "You're drenched in sweat… Why is your body so cold and shaking" he muttered, feeling her forehead. He quickly pressed the emergency call button.
A nurse rushed in moments later. Seeing the disconnected IV and Nana's pale face, she immediately set to work, reattaching the drip and checking her vitals.
"You shouldn't be moving around like that," the nurse scolded gently. "You need to rest."
Nana barely heard her. Her mind was still trapped in the nightmare, her mother's final words echoing in her ears.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay quiet.
Hansu, watching her closely, sighed and pulled a chair next to her bed. "Nana what's wrong? Why did you suddenly get up"
Jina didn't respond, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Was that dream a vision of the future? Is that what happened in her past life? Her mind swirled with confusion, flooded with questions about what she had just dreamed. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't even realize that she fell sleep.
...
Jina stirred awake to the soft murmur voices around her. As her vision cleared, she saw her mother standing by the bed, speaking quietly with her brother.
She sat up suddenly, her voice raspy as she called out, "Mom?"
Both her mother and brothers turned to her in surprise.
Mama Su quickly stepped closer, concern evident in her eyes. "Nana, you're awake. How are you feeling?"
Nana blinked, still disoriented. "I… I had a dream… a terrible dream," she whispered, her hands gripping the blanket tightly.
Hanyu raised an eyebrow. "Was it about me finally winning an argument against Hansu?" he asked dryly.
Hansu and Jina shot him a look, but before she could respond, Mama Su gently placed her hand on her forehead. "You were burning up earlier. Don't push yourself too hard," she said softly.
Jina hesitated, staring at her mother, unsure if she was real. Her dream had felt so vivid and frightening. She wanted to ask if everything was okay, but the words wouldn't come out.
Mama Su smiled kindly. "It's alright, sweetheart. You're safe."
Jina took a deep breath and nodded. In her mind, she thought, "I can't let that happen again. I can't let my past repeat itself."
Mama Su brushed a strand of hair from Nana's face. "What did you dream about? Was it scary?"
Nana nodded, hesitating before saying, "It felt… like it wasn't just a dream."
Mama Su's smile faded a little. "Sometimes, dreams show us our fears. But they don't control us."
Jina looked at her shaking hands. "What if it's not just fear? What if it's a warning?"
"Then we listen closely," Mama Su said. "But we don't let it stop us from living."
Jina leaned into her mother's comforting embrace.
"Mom, do you have other patients?" Nana asked.
Mama Su raised an eyebrow. "Why do you want to know?"
"I'm just curious," Nana replied.
Mama Su gave her a soft smile. "Curious, huh? Well, I have many patients, most of them just like you—people who need care and support."
Nana looked up at her mom. "Do you have a patient like me, but a boy?"
Mama Su glanced at her. "How did you know?"
"I'm bored here, and I want some friends," Nana explained.
"Why a boy, though, if you just want a friend?" Mama Su asked.
"I feel more comfortable with boys because I'm not great at making friends with girls, thanks to my brothers," Nana said, glancing at her brother Hanyu.
Hanyu rolled his eyes. "How is it my fault if you can't make friends with girls?"
Hansu, overhearing, snorted. "Blame your face."
Hanyu shot him a glare. "What are you snorting about? What's wrong with my face?"
Hansu ignored him, pretending he hadn't said a thing.
We have the same face, remember? We're twins," Hanyu pointed out, trying to make his point.
"I don't look anything like you at all," Hansu responded with a shrug.
"Mom, they're bullying me!" Hanyu complained, looking at his mom.
Mother Su chuckled. "Alright, alright, stop teasing your brother."
Jina giggled at the sight of her brothers bickering, then turned back to her mom. " Mom where's dad and brother Muge?"
Mother Su looked at her and replied, "Your dad and brother are at the company."
Jina nodded in understanding.
"Alright, my lunch break is over. You two, take care of your little sister and make sure nothing happens to her," Mother Su said as she stood up and headed for the door.
Hanyu waved at her. "Don't worry, Mom."