Ban chan

There was no time for sleep that night. You sat on the couch, nervously fiddling with the edge of the blanket, every sound at the door made your heart beat faster. Chan usually came home on time, but now it was almost three in the morning and he was gone. You couldn’t help but think anxiously. “What if something happened to him?” - not even realizing that outside these walls, he was torn apart by the fatigue and pressure he had been fighting all day.

Finally, the lock clicked. You jumped up and walked to the door, your heart pounding in anticipation. When the door opened, Chan stood there, his legs unsteady and his eyes tired. You felt your breath catch when you realized he smelled like booze. Chan had never been this drunk. He was generally sober.

He seemed oblivious to everything around him, and before you could say anything, he fell into your arms. You hugged him tightly, feeling both relief that he was finally home and sadness that he was so drained. His body was heavy and warm, and you felt all the tension melt away with his presence.

• What happened? Chan, I was worried - there was a lump in my throat that didn't let me speak calmly.

“Forgive me, darling, I’m just tired, I can’t do this anymore,” he mumbled, not very clearly.