One year. One year had gone by and now I Priya Kapoor was standing on the roof top of one of the buildings at the Asan Medical Centre, in Songpa-gu, South Korea.

Trees and short bushes left bare and dark in the winter were covered by the enchanting white of snow. I folded my arms and stared into the distance. I could see the partly frozen Han River and the glowing rays of the Olympic Bridge from where I stood.

Fireworks sparkled on the night sky from miles away and the chants of crowds could be heard. The words ‘Happy New Year’ were displayed in iridescent lights across a starless sky.

That’s right. It was a new year.

After Tae Min was taken to the hospital I realized that it was the first day of the New Year and the worst day of my life.

I took the unlit cigar in my mouth from my lips. The jacket I wore was given to me by Tae Min on our first visit to Seokchon Lake Park. I remember how he placed the hoodie of the leather jacket on my head. I remember how much I blushed. Tears left my eyes.

I placed my hands over my ribs. They hurt.

My phone vibrated and I took it out. My father called. I picked up and listened to my old man pour out his anger.

“Priya! What have you done?! You didn’t come home for Christmas and now the Singhs are disappointed!!

My business plans are going to crumble because of your selfishness!! The Singhs will be going to Mumbai but they’ll be back at Spring!

Thankfully their son still has feelings for you and he has done his best to soothe his father! You get one more chance Priya!

You get one more chance to prove yourself worthy to be called my daughter!! You have a month to return to Boston!!

Return back or I’m cutting you off and if our family name is ruined because of you, assume you have no parents!! Don’t let me down Priya!!”

My father ended the call after his long threat speech. I wondered if his attitude would change if he knew I was kidnapped. I wondered if his words would be kinder if he knew I was almost killed.

More tears left my red eyes. My heart felt compressed by the walls of my ribs. My limbs ached and a terrible headache played Ping-Pong within my skull.

I looked down and saw reporters and vans around the hospital. Cameras clicked. A few reporters fixed their makeup and others practised their lines.

“They’re vipers in situations like this. The news of the idol Kim Tae Min, who went missing for days and is now in surgery at one of the best hospitals in Korea, is a punch line they can’t resist. Just ignore them. It’s a good thing no one knew you were with Tae Min. The cops and paramedics couldn't recognize you. So you can leave whenever you want to.” Eun Ji said from few steps away. She buried her hands in the pockets of the white trench coat she wore.

“Pree are you sure you’re okay? You haven’t said a word since we found you and Tae Min.”

“Thank you.” I said.

“What?”

“Thank you for saving Tae Min and me. If you hadn’t found us on time, Tae Min’s condition would be worse.” I told Eun Ji between tears.

“Please don’t thank me Priya. Your bravery saved my brother. After I was taken home, Jae Hyun locked me up in my room. It was then I knew he was behind everything. I slipped out a window and ran to the cops. I had to stay with Jin Sol during that time. We searched for you and Tae Min for days but we couldn’t find you. Fortunately, one of Tae Min’s guards showed up at the Police Station and told us your phone had been turned on. With the tracker in the guard’s phone we knew you were brought here to Songpa and thankfully we found your exact location.” Eun Ji said.

“It’s my fault. It’s my fault he got hurt. I don’t belong here. I should be back at Boston. I shouldn’t be here. My father’s right. I’m a selfish idiot. I should have left Seoul after the sponsored trip was over but I stayed. It’s my fault Tae Min’s hurt. I killed him.” I wailed. My legs gave way and I sat on the floor.

“Priya, Tae Min will be fine. One of the doctors just told me that the surgery is going well. My brother is a fighter. He’ll be fine. And none of this is your fault. It’s a result of my father’s greed.”

“Priya I don’t know how you did it but if you hadn’t turn on your phone, the press would be out there announcing Tae Min’s death. If you weren’t part of Tae Min’s life, his addiction would’ve been worse. Honestly, I’d never seen my brother smile or laugh as much as he did when he was with you. So Priya, I thank you.” Eun Ji said with her hands in mine.

I knew she tried her best to comfort me but I only felt guilt and sadness.

“You shouldn’t thank me yet Eun Ji. He’s not awake yet…”

“He’ll make it through this Priya. I know my brother. He’s a fighter. Do you really think Tae Min would leave this world knowing he’s hurting the people he loves?” Eun Ji asked with tears in her eyes.

I was so concerned with myself that I forgot how much the poor teenager loved her older brother.

She also wept but she was braver than I.

Eun Ji was always optimistic and I loved her for that. I would have comforted her but her tears only sent arrows of pain to my heart.

I did my best not to think of a world without Tae Min. I did my best to eliminate the thoughts of a funeral being held for him. I tried to erase the memory of his face when I saw him on the gurney earlier.

I stared at my right palm and the dried blood on it filled my heart with dread. I bit my lips hard until they bled.

Eun Ji hugged me while she whimpered. I placed my hand around her and told her Tae Min would be fine. It was the only thing I could do for her at that moment. After all it was my fault her brother was in surgery.

“Why don’t we go in? It’s getting cold out here.” Eun Ji said and with her arm on my shoulder we walked down a few stairs to the floor where Tae Min received surgery. Eun Ji seemed taller now.

I visited one of the doctors in the hospital after Eun Ji insisted. I got a few stiches and took pain killers. I felt quite relieved after I had a few snacks and a bottle of water. Eun Ji brought me a change of clothes and a driver to accompany me. Still, I refused to leave the hospital. I couldn’t leave Tae Min.

While Eun Ji slept off in one of the waiting rooms, one of the doctors approached me. I quivered with fear.

It was the short brunette doctor I met earlier that night. He took off his surgical mask and smiled at me.

“Hello, we met earlier. I’m Dr Mo Tak. I do hope you’re feeling better now Miss?” He asked.

“Yes I am. Thank you.”

“I have some news about Mr Kim. I would’ve told his sister but she’s fast asleep. You do seem closely acquainted with him so I trust I can tell you instead. I guess you’re Priya.”

My eyes grew wide. I was shocked.

“How…who…”

“Don’t be surprised Miss Priya. I’m sorry if I scared you. I’m Tae Min’s doctor and I’ve known him since he was a kid. I also helped him several times when he tried to quit the drugs. I was the only one he could open up to, well that’s until he met you. He spoke about you a lot and I must say I’ve never seen him smile as much as he did whenever he brought you up in a conversation.”  Dr Mo Tak smiled. He was the second person to say such a thing.

“Is this the universe trying to take Tae Min from me in a kind way? Is Tae Min dead?” My thoughts troubled me. I felt dizzy.

“I’m sorry if I shocked you. Please take a seat.” Dr Mo Tak said.

Fear gripped my heart. My skin disrespected the cold weather and sweat escaped the pores on my epidermis.

“Miss Priya, Tae Min was in a critical condition sadly. The bullet didn’t do any major damage but it did bruise a small part his spinal cord. We removed the portions of his vertebrae that were broken to relieve any pressure on the spinal cord. Then we did our best to stabilize his spine. We added a combination of rods, metal screws and plates to help hold the vertebrae together and aid stabilization until the bones heal.”

Dr Mo Tak held my hands and looked into my eyes. I feared the next words that would leave his lips. Tears gathered in my eyes.

“Miss Priya, Mr Kim would be in coma for a few days and when he wakes up he might never be able to walk again. He’d be paralysed until a miracle saves his spine. Miss Priya, Mr Kim would need you more than ever. He’d need you by his side and you have to be there for him. I feel pity for him. All that young man has done is dance his way to success. If there was anything that saw him through after his mother’s death, it was his love for dancing. Having that taken away from him might shock him.” Dr Mo Tak said with teary eyes. I cried.

“You have to stay strong for the both of you Miss Priya. I fear he may face depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder but with you this might be easier for him. You’ll both be fine. Stay strong.” He said and tapped my shoulder twice. Then he was gone.

I wept like a child. I placed my hands over my mouth and did my best not to wake Eun Ji, but my whimpers were loud. I ran back to the roof of the hospital.

With watery eyes and a blurred vision I gazed at the dark sky. Snow fell silently in pretty flakes.

On that cold night I prayed. I prayed with all my heart. I prayed for a miracle. A miracle for Kim Tae Min.

Word Count; 1801

-Asan Medical Center, Songpa-gu, Seoul.

-Asan Medical Center.

-Asan Medical Center (interior).

-Olympic Bridge, South Korea.