Chapter 195 - Compulsion (2/2)

"You're safe," Taehyun voiced out.

Jinhee voiced out no words and leaned against Taehyun's chest. More tears left her eyes. Han Taehyun had protected her this time around as well; Taehyun did not abandon her completely. The warmth that Taehyun's arms gave her could not be found anywhere else.

Taehyun took a step back, and turning Jinhee around, Taehyun stared at her face. His eyes showed how worried and scared he was at this moment. Lee Jinhee looked at Taehyun with tears glistening in her eyes.

Touching Jinhee's face and then her hands with his own trembling hands, relief spread across Taehyun's face. He smiled softly and pulled her into a tight hug. Jinhee did not wrap her hands around him.

"You're safe. You are really safe. You did not get injured. I am happy. I am really happy and relieved. I am relieved that you did not slip down those stairs. Jinhee-ah, I don't know what I would do without you," Taehyun voiced out.

'You're saying these words now. Why did you ignore me back there then? If I had done something wrong, just scold me or even yell at me. Please don't ignore me. I can't bear it.'

Lee Jinhee lacked the courage to voice those words out loud and her tears did not stop falling down her face. Lee Jinhee wanted for them to stop. However, her heart felt extremely heavy, and this was the only way for her to lighten her heart at this moment.

"Jinhee-ah, don't leave my side ever again. No, I won't allow you to leave me again. I am sorry. This is all my fault. I should not have tried to ignore you. I went too far. This is all my fault," Taehyun voiced out.

Raising her hands, Jinhee wrapped them around Han Taehyun. Jinhee had no idea why she did it. It was as if she had a compulsive urge to do so. Tightly gripping onto Taehyun's shirt, Jinhee mumbled, "Don't leave me."

°°°

As the both of them sat in one of the empty classrooms, Jinhee stared at the floor. The tears had stopped flowing out of Jinhee's eyes. Due to her crying, her headache further intensified.

Taehyun sat opposite to Jinhee, and his eyes scanned Jinhee. On his face sat a stern expression— holding a hint of concern— as he reprimanded, "Lee Jinhee, can you not be a little more aware of your situation? How many times do you have to slip on a regular basis?

If I did not support you on time, you could have slipped down those stairs and ended up in the worst possible situation! Can't you watch your surroundings before you walk and why did you not take Shin Soyeon with you? Soyeon was assigned to be with you for a reason!"

Taehyun groaned and added, "I swear, Jinhee, I will get wrinkles from worrying about you."

Staring at Taehyun's eyes, Jinhee said, "Then, don't. No one told you to care. Just go to those new friends of yours. Even if I die, fall into a coma, or am paralyzed for life, how does that concern you? You might be sad for a few days, but soon enough, you will move on and make new friends. It's not like your life revolves around me and besides, everyone has to die one day."