"Dr. Jang!" Nurse Huisu grinned at the female in front of her, "Good Morning! Are you here for Yuk GwiHwan-ssi's Reports?"
"Good Morning! No," GyeoUl shook her head, "I'm here to settle Mr. Ji's bills."
"The maggot patient?"
"Yes," GyeoUl nodded, "He's set to be discharged in a few days."
"Another one of your 'noble, public-spirited missions' ?"
Huisu smiled, looking at her computer. GyeoUl looked embarrassed. Huisu's addressal of her works as 'noble public-spirited missions' never failed to embarrass the lady. It just felt uncomfortable calling her work, noble. GyeoUl's phone pinged, a message from an NGO.
"Nurse Huisu," She called, typing a message back. "There's a truckload of toys coming for tomorrow, can you please let Dr. Hwang know when it arrives?"
"Of course, Dr. Jang!" Huisu nodded happily, "Do you want to get Janchi Guksu tomorrow? My treat! Dr. Bae is free too."
"I'm going to meet my parents tomorrow," GyeoUl said, pulling out her wallet. "Maybe next time?"
"Ayy, Dr. Jang! You always pay for our meals... Everytime I try to treat you back, you don't come!"
"Next time, Nurse Huisu."
"Yuk GwiHwan-ssi," GyeoUl called as she entered the ward. "You are getting discharged today. You can go home." She said, lips set in a thin smile, showing her dimples.
"Ah, Doctor." The man and his wife smiled at her. "Thanks to you and Professor Lee!" He grinned, "We owe it to you!"
"No, Mr. Yuk," GyeoUl said, looking through his reports. "It is our duty, and it was a simple laparoscopic cholecystectomy." She let out a breath.
"Can I check your wounds?" She asked. The man nodded, laying down. "I'll disinfect your wounds and wrap them in waterproof bandages. You can take a shower right away, that way." She said, as she set to work.
"Your wounds are healing fine, Mr. Yuk." GyeoUl informed, "We'll set you an appointment in a week. You can eat normally, and try not to over eat. Please walk as much as you can and don't overexert yourself." She continued, as she wrapped the wounds.
"You won't have any post-surgical complications, but once your biopsy comes out, which should be within a week, we'll be sure of it." She added, looking into the reports once again.
"Nurse Song will help you with everything," GyeoUl smiled at the couple, feeling more comfortable smiling at them, delivering happy news.
"Thank you, Dr. Jang…" His wife held her hands, "You saved my husband!"
"Ah, it was a simple surgery, Mrs. Yuk," GyeoUl discreetly slipped her hands out, "Moreover, Professor Lee performed the surgery… He's one of the best in our hospital… country even. If anything... you should be thanking him." She added, awkwardly.
"Of course, we should be thanking him and you." The wife was stubborn. "Thank you for the toys too.. WonJun loved them!"
"GyeoUl-ah!" YunHo made an appearance, "I've handed some toys to the kids leaving today!" He said, walking up to her.
"Ah, My pleasure, Mrs. Yuk." GyeoUl gave a smile, "Please take care of yourself!" She bowed and left, dragging a very happy YunHo out.
"Yah! Hwang YunHo, do you not know how to lower your voice?" GyeoUl rolled her eyes, dragging YunHo to the storage rooms. "We work at a hospital, for heaven's sake!"
"People are trying to sleep and heal!" She added, throwing him a glare.
"Jang GyeoUl, I-" He started but stopped when he saw IkJun happily walking towards them.
"Professor Lee!" YunHo bowed to him, GyeoUl too, "You seem very happy!"
"Yeah, I'll see you later!" He grinned as walked away.
"He's too happy," YunHo noted, "Did something happen?"
GyeoUl shook her head, she didn't know.
"Is his wife back home?"
"Maybe?" She shrugged. "Are you done giving out toys?"
"No, I just gave some to kids leaving today!" YunHo said, "We can give it to the others tomorrow, you can even join me!"
"No, I can't do that! I scare kids! They scare me! The last thing I want is for them to cry!" GyeoUl rolled her eyes.
"But you like kids!" YunHo argued.
"Yes!" GyeoUl nodded, "When they are laughing and playing!"
"Jang GyeoUl, you really should interact with kids more… you, a doctor being scared of harmless kids is honestly embarrassing!" YunHo looked at her funny.
"Shut up!" GyeoUl muttered, trying to change the subject.
"You'll join us tomorrow, right?" She asked, getting into a lift, "Appa and Omma want to see you,"
"Yeah, I'll bring wine." He said, pressing a button. "Will Han Hyung join us?"
"I don't think so," GyeoUl shook her head, "He said he was busy with things.."
YunHo nodded, "Did you call the orphanages?"
"I didn't," GyeoUl muttered, "I'll call them around evening. The gifts will reach them by then."
"Let's get lunch now," YunHo said, when they reached the ground floor. "We can check on other things later!"
Before GyeoUl could even answer, she was dragged to the Caféteria.
Around evening, she called up the orphanages. The Head of this group of orphanages was a sweet, middle-aged lady, Mrs. Kang. She had worked with Chairman Ahn before his death and knew and handled all his donations.
"Ah, Yes, Dr. Jang! How are you? I just received the gifts you sent, really. Thank you so much! The kids will love it!" The lady told her, her voice warm and grateful.
"I hope so, Mrs. Kang. I called to let you know about the monthly donations that the Late Chairman used to make… I know, after his passing, I don't think any donations were made." GyeoUl said.
"Of course, you are supported by YulJe but the one that he used to do using his children's name. I'll be taking over those. The names will remain the same, just the one donating it will be me."
"But, Dr. Jang.. His son already donated." The lady said, making GyeoUl confused.
"I thought his family didn't know of his off-the-record donations?"
"He did that last month too, actually since the passing of the Chairman. Of course, he didn't tell us his name, but the Chairman's secretary was the one who helped us in the transaction. I assumed you knew it, so I never made any calls." She continued.
"His son?" GyeoUl asked, wondering if her hunch was true. Chairman Ahn has three sons after all and two of them were priests. Maybe they had a rainy day fund?
"Yeah, he's a doctor too." GyeoUl's heart warmed at the words. Ahn JeongWon.
"That's great, , but I'll send the cheque anyway. I hope we can continue to work together." GyeoUl said into the phone, wondering how JeongWon found out about the donations.
The conversation had been short yet very impactful. Ahn JeongWon knew of his father's donations and he was actually donating. How could she possibly not like him more? A bright smile adorned her lips, as she thought more of him.
"GyeoUl-ah?" IkJun asked, as he walked in on her piling toys on a cart. "What are you doing with so many toys?"
"Distributing them, Professor."
"Distributing them?" IkJun looked confused. "To the kids?"
"It's Children's Day," GyeoUl answered.
"And parent's day too." IkJun reminded her.
"I'm going to meet my parents today, Professor." GyeoUl said, making him smile.
"You aren't on call then?"
"Yeah," GyeoUl nodded grinning, "I'll be back tomorrow morning."
"Why not take the whole day off?" IkJun asked, "You are always so busy being a workaholic,"
"I have work tomorrow, Professor, I'm assisting Professor KangMin in his surgery." GyeoUl answered, making IkJun roll his eyes.
"GyeoUl-ah, enjoy life a little! My God, you are worse than JeongWon!" GyeoUl felt a sense of embarrassment at how fast her interest piqued.
IkJun gave out a laugh, when he noticed her sudden interest in his words.
"Aigoo… GyeoUl-ah," IkJun laughed. "What do we do about you?" He laughed harder at the blush covering her cheeks and the pout on her face.
JeongWon was in the Children's Ward, when he noticed the children being more rowdy than usual. The kids were playing, with toys he was sure didn't belong to the Hospital.
"Nurse Jin," He called, and the Nurse came to him, smiling.
"Yes, Professor?"
"The kids…" He seemed lost for words.
"They are being rowdy," She smiled at him, "It's all thanks to Dr. Jang!"
"Dr. Jang?"
"Yeah, she brought them these gifts for Children's day and now, she's their favorite! Like she didn't have enough admirers, now these little ones are her fans too!"
"Ah," JeongWon was at a loss for words, the woman never failed to screw with his head.
"It's her tradition of sorts," The Nurse added, "She does this every year, but don't you know-"
It looked like she had a lot to say, but JeongWon wasn't in the mood to listen to people showering GyeoUl related information on him. So, he made a lame excuse for a conference and walked away.
On his way out, he saw her.
GyeoUl, in all her messy and attractive glory. She looked tired but very uncharacteristically happy about something only she knew. GyeoUl was talking to a middle-aged man, who was smiling at her very sweetly. JeongWon felt his brows raise as he kept his eyes on them.
GyeoUl was talking, giving a small smile of her own, as she gave him a bow. JeongWon felt a weight lift off his heart, their relationship seemed formal.
JeongWon forcefully turned his eyes away from her, and walked away from her hoping to run away from the thoughts regarding her clouding his mind.
"Professor?" GyeoUl called as she knocked on IkJun's office door.
"Come on in," His voice came but it sounded off, without his usual cheer and energy.
"Are you okay?" GyeoUl asked, entering in. She noticed his crestfallen face, wondering what had happened to him.
"You look …" The Resident trailed off, studying his features again. His eyes were red, his hair mused and voice thick.
"I'm a little sick, GyeoUl-ah." The man laughed, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Nothing to worry about."
"Did you-"
"Yeah, I did." He laughed, "I'm a doctor too, you know. I did take medications." GyeoUl stared at him, trying to coax the actual reason out.
"Really, I'm just feeling a little under the weather. That's it." He pressed on, until GyeoUl nodded. She knew she couldn't press too hard. It was his personal affairs. She was an outsider.
"Tell me now, why are you here?" He looked at her hands. She was holding a toy. "Is that a toy? For me? GyeoUl-ah, I admit I act a little childish at times, but I'm not really a child, why would you give me that?" He asked, faking hurt.
"It's not for you, Professor." GyeoUl gave a small smile, "This is for your son, Genius Lee UJu."
"Really? Thank you." IkJun received it from her, "I'm sure UJu will love it. He really loves such toys. And Jajangmyeon." He sighed, "I really should buy him more of these from now on."
He looked lost in his thoughts for a few seconds, before he looked back at her.
"Is this your tradition? Giving out toys for Children's Day?"
"Not mine really," GyeoUl shrugged, "Someone I truly admired used to do this, after him, I'm just continuing his legacy."
"Okay, who is that?"
GyeoUl smirked slightly. She wasn't one to meddle into others' business, but Professor Lee and her were friends now. He did take care of her, despite the short amount of time they've been working together, she could at least make sure he was okay. She'd give it one try. If he didn't budge, she'd drop it.
"I'll tell you, if you tell me, Professor," She gave him a conspiring smile, "What's bothering you?"
"You said you have dinner plans with your family. Bye!" IkJun shot her down, "Have fun. Good Night!" He smiled, waving at her.
GyeoUl rolled her eyes. At least she tried.
"I do, Professor." GyeoUl nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow. Happy Parents' Day." She smiled at him, walking away.
"Good job today, GyeoUl-ah!" She smiled at him.
"Professor," She called, looking at him as she reached the door. He looked at her expectantly, "Whatever is troubling you, I hope you talk to your loved ones about it."
He looked stunned for a second, but soon, gave a feeble nod.
"Good Night, Professor." And she was gone.
Chairman Son grinned at his daughter's car driving through their gates. His smile remained as he quickly walked to the foyer to welcome her.
"Appa~" GyeoUl drawled out in a fake tone of agony, as she got into their home. She had driven for a whole hour across the city to reach her parents' home in her hospital get-up still very tired and very famished. "I'm hungry!" She complained, at the sight of her father.
"Aigoo~" He laughed, embracing her. "You see me in months, honey and all you can complain about is your hunger?"
"What else do you want me to complain about?" GyeoUl asked, "You sending too much furniture to my apartment? Asking my brother to spy on me? Bribing YunHo into making me take a leave?"
"You can complain about that too," He added, pressing a kiss to her temple. "But first, freshen up."
GyeoUl nodded, gingerly moving away from her father and making her way to her room.
Her room in her Parents' house wasn't really her room. It was just a space for her in their home whenever she came to Seoul. It didn't have her study table in it, it didn't have her collection of albums, it didn't have her DVD collection or her medals and awards she received throughout the years of her being a hard-working individual. It was a basic room that didn't remind her of anything; No memories of her studying too late, no memories of late night birthday parties, or those of falling to sleep after a tiring day.
If anything, coming here reminded her of her actual room in GwangJu. She sighed at the mere thought of going back to GwangJu, she missed the place and it's serenity so much. In the hustle and bustle of Seoul, even the thought of GwangJu was calming.
As much as GyeoUl wanted to sit down and reminisce her memories of GwangJu, she couldn't. Her stomach had grumbled, it had been too long since she had eaten. She cast the room one last look, before going to shower. She wore one of her long flowy dresses that went to her ankles and let her hair loose to airdry.
When she came downstairs to the kitchen, she realized that she hadn't seen her Mother since her arrival.
"Where's Omma?" Her father looked at her, giving her a fond smile.
"You look pretty," He said, pulling her into a hug, "but you've lost a lot of weight,"
"Impossible!" GyeoUl scoffed, "I probably gained a few pounds honestly!"
"No, you look unhealthy! You should eat more!" GyeoUl laughed, but let it be anyway.
"Sure, sure," She obliged, "Where's Omma?"
"She went to buy you those roll cakes you really like," Her father said, handing her a glass of water. "Where's YunHo?"
"He's caught up with something," GyeoUl sipped on her glass of water, "He said he'll bring your favorite wine as an apology."
Her father laughed, "How's work for you, honey? I hope YulJe's not overworking you."
"It's great… We have new professors, they are great! It's nice!" GyeoUl said, trying not to divulge anything. Her dad was very good with reading her minute actions and expressions.
"New professors, huh?" JiYong nodded to himself, smiling like he was onto something.
"Yeah," GyeoUl muttered, gulping her glass of water.
"Tell me about them,"
"Who?"
"At whose mention you are squirming and blushing." JiYong gave her a knowing look. He knew his daughter enough to read deeper into her short sentences.
"I'm not blushing!" GyeoUl denied, scoffing.
"Yes, you weren't" JiYong smiled, pinching her cheeks. "But now, you are." He added calmly. He looked on, almost coaxing her to spit out her secrets. GyeoUl was sure he would get everything out of her, but YunHo came to her rescue.
"Samchun!" YunHo had come, bearing a bottle of wine. "Hello!" He grinned, running up to the older man to hug him. "Your favorite wine!"
"You mean, YeoReum's favorite wine." JiYong smiled, hugging him back.
"Hey, I need to live a long life!" YunHo said, "If Imo was here and she realized that I was late, she'd have my head!"
"Yeah, she would." JiYong nodded, "But she's out to buy roll cakes for dessert."
"What about JiHoon?"
"He sholld be here soon." JiYong took off his apron, "Help me set the table, we are having dinner at the outdoor table."
The two chorused in obedience, as they went to get out the things.
The day's menu as per YunHo's request, was Dak Galbi, NaengMyeon and Mehmil BibimGuksu. By the time, the table was set, JiHoon and YeoReum had arrived.
Hello, everyone!
I graduated! So I'm officially back into writing. So, please expect more and frequent xhapters! Let me know your thoughts on this chapter! I wrote this like a long time ago and no matter how many times I rewrote it, I couldn't get the air of awkwardness out of it! Is it just me? I don't know! Please let me know your thoughts, ? ﾟﾒﾕ