The Darkest Hour Is Just Before the Dawn / 2
"Of course, but when i did, he was kinda red.. was that embarrassment or something?" before Jun hee could add more to her sentence, Subong came in with a cart, Jun hee locked eyes with him and they both nodded. Subong sighed, placing the cart where It's appropriate to place it, he then returned to his desk, adjusting the way he sat on the comfortable chair this center has.
Then a phone rang where Nurse Kang Sae byeok was, she picked up. "This is Unit 53" Both nurses looked at each other, not minding. "Yes, understood." Said Sae byeok as she finally cut the call, "The doctors are coming to do rounds." She informed to other nurses.
The doctors were making their way to the Psychiatric unit, going pass Mr. Yong sik getting the patients back to their room.
"Keep up the great work, everyone."
"Good morning" Greeted Semi,
The Head doctor, Looked at the tall man behind the nurses. "Oh, are you our new nurse we heard?" Other doctors looked at his way, some were smiling, some recognizing him.
"Yes, Dr.. Seong." Subong replied, thanking himself for remembering the name.
"I look forward working with you then."
He smiled, bowing at the man. "Thank you, Doctor." Then Semi pointed at a female doctor, a beautiful woman that seems to be tall and her long hair framing nicely with the structure of her face. "This is Dr. Cho Hyun-ju."
"I'm Cho Hyun ju." bowed the woman.
Semi then looked at a man with a slight chubby figure, "Dr. Park Jung bae." the man happilly bowed. "I'm Park Jung bae, nice to meet you." coming in to reach for a handshake with Subong. "I'm Choi Subong, nice to meet you too.." shaking his hands for a moment.
"And this is-" "Kang Dae ho! I'm Kang dae ho." said the guy with neck length and a half tied hair, seeming to be a bit too excited for all of this. Subong liked his enthusiastic behaviour, not the type you see commonly in Doctors, as they're mostly stern and more composed.
"Let's have a welcome party soon." Dr. Seong Gi hun suggested, as Semi agreed at the suggestion, as well as other nurses. party... doesn't sound bad now. Subong thought to himself, reminiscing the past.
The Doctors made their way to another, leaving the nurses there. Subong overheard a thud, he decided to check it out only to find out a doctor tripped due to his hemorrhoids coming back. he had to close his eyes and walk away. He cannot be laughing at doctors, he can't. Smiling as he made his way to his desk, giggling. He's still immature. Semi looked at him, "What a child."
As Subong and Jun hee finished treating the patients, they went to the front desk, seeing Mr. Yong sik on his. "Well, how do you like it? do you think you'll adjust?" She asked, "Duh, of course." He replied in english, Jun hee looked at him like It's her first time hearing him speak in english. "Oh how could i forget.." She laughed while Subong's face drips with confidence. "looks like your english pronunciation improved!"He nodded, crossing his arms.
"wait, do you want a mandatory onboarding quiz?"
"Keep your word, you said It's mandatory.." He smirked, nodding.
"I always keep my word! Okay okay, A patient is complaining of severe stomach pains, and another patient is acting out at the same time." Subong raised one of his eyebrows, "Which patient should we prioritize?" She ended with her head slightly tilted on the side, waiting for his answer. "I guess it would be obvious to prioritize the one acting out first? i mean.. a stomach ache can be dealt later but acting out needs to be dealt with first."
"It's always the patient who is acting out." Yong sik joined, Subong and Jun hee looked at his back, the curly headed man still on his computer. "Patients who are acting out could pose a threat to others.. as well as themselves." He added.
"I'm right!"
"Your reason was different!"
"My point still stands." He stuck out his tongue at Jun hee, making a bleh sound mock. "So what else do you have in store for me?"
"Ask the patients how they feel and address the emotions hidden behind their words." Subong's confident expression faltered, "Difficult, yeah?" She added, smirking. "The most important thing is to avoid Ms. Won Semi at all costs."
"That beauty? wha-" Subong's sentence was cut off when Nurse Semi entered, Jun hee eyed her then to the papers in the table. "Ms. Kim, you look excited." Semi shot up then added, "You must have been gossiping about people." Jun hee rolled her eyes but not too much for Semi to notice. "ooohh get wrecked bro." Subong leaned in and whispered. "Nah, i wasn't." She muttered, looking at Subong like she was itching to punch him right here and now.
when Semi finally got what she was here before, she left, earning a sigh from Jun hee. "Now you see why? bastard, don't play, she's scary."
"Kinda my type" The woman infront of him glared, "You know i was just joking" She sighed, "You are still single?"
"No shit, been hard to get one for me recently, but hey! maybe that could change. Been 'courting' a woman from the Internal Medicine unit, hasn't answered me yet.." Jun hee's jaw dropped, standing up from the chair and looked at him up and down. "You hurt me greatly." He rolled his eyes.
Semi returned, but at the front where there's little windows. Sae byeok went to the front, "Ms. Han Minyeo's guardian is here and is currently speaking to the doctor." Sae byeok looked at room the patient was in, then back to Semi. "The patient who was admitted in a manic state last night?"
"Yeah, that would be right." Semi called out to Subong, "Mr. Choi!"
"Oh uh, Yeah?" Subong got up from his seat, coming near the nurse. "Ms. Han is in a single room, why don't you take care of her as an orientation to the unit?"
Subong nodded, "Alright, Ms. Won."
"My daughter wouldn't even sleep." The woman nervously said, looking down. "She keeps saying things that don't even make sense." Dae ho flipped his papers, reading the files. "Then suddenly she gets undressed and starts dancing!" He started to write on the paper, written on to that was to what the woman's daughter's interests are. "My daughter.. she used to do ballet when she was younger."
"Ms. Han Minyeo?" Subong called out to the patient looking at the window, she looked gloomy, depressive even. She looked at the male, smiling that made Subong go cold.
"And she.." Groaning the woman couldn't look at the Doctor. "It's so embarrassing that I can't even say it." she admitted, her face sweating, almost crying. Dae ho gulped as he nodded, completely understanding. "From her symptoms, It sounds like a bipolar disorder." He bought up to the mother. "Excuse me?" She, now looked at him. Bewildered to what he just said. "Well, You've heard of manic-depressive disorder, right?"
"You know I'm not sick. We both know." Ms. Han spoke, still keeping the unsettling smile to Subong. "Do you also see a sick person when you look at me?" Subong gulped, "The thing is I came along because my mom made such a fuss, but.. i am leaving. I can't handle being in this room. So please, do me a favor and process my discharge, young man." He looked at the tablet he was holding, looking at it and then to her "Ma'am, there was an agreed admission-" 'I came in voluntarily." She interrupted. "As far as i know, I'm allowed to leave whenever i want, no?"
"Your case was an agreed admission. But like.. that doesn't mean you can be discharged right away." He answered, seeing her smile disappear. "If the doctors decides that you need treatment and uh.. protection, and whoever's taking care of you gives consent then you will be listed as a patient.. in.." Subong looked at the ceiling, the woman stared. "oh yeah! then you will be listed in protective admission. Which would make it very hard for you to leave so.." Han scoffed. "Are you joking? what do you mean?" Her tone defensive, "I said what i said ma'am, you will be staying here for a while.." He puts his hand on his hip, looking at the tablet again.
"Please sign this form" Dae ho handed a form to the Ms. Han's mother. "Eh? but I already signed one?" She said, looking at the form then to the doctor infront of her. "The thing is that Ms. Han Minyeo asked to be discharged, so we're switching to protective admission."
Dae ho tapped on the form placed on the table, "Legally, protective admissions require the signatures of two guardians. And since she's married, her husband's signature would do." He added information, the woman's face was full of uncertainty. "But.. the thing is, my son in law is a busy person." She fiddled with her fingers, "I'm not sure that he has the time.."
"Ahh.. well, I'm afraid we'll need his signature within 72 hours. We'll have to discharge Ms. Han if we don't get the signature."
"Here's the consent form for protective admission." She handed to Subong from the front desk. He stood up and took the form, inspecting the signature. It looked too much of a copy, Subong looked at the guardian. Who seemingly been eyeing him up and down the form, her expression unsure and movements jittery. He then walked to the Head nurse, feeling a bit too suspicious, "Hey Ms. Jang, could you take a look at this?" She looked at it, then went to the guardian of Ms. Han. "Ma'am, you have to be honest with us." Placing the form on the desk infront of her, pointing at the suspicious signature. "Did your son in law really sign this?"
She fidgets, "Why won't you believe me? Of course, he just came and signed it."
Bullshit he thought to himself, who would believe such a blatant lie?
"It's an important matter invovling your daughter's rights." Ms. Jang Geum ja reminded her. "he really did sign it.." she muttered on her breath, The head nurse smiled. "Then you'll have no issues with us calling your son in law?"
"This stupid form would take like mere seconds to complete! He has a busy job so i can't just call him over.." Her excuses made him snicker, Ms. Jang shushed him. "But your son in law still has to come and sign it in person."
"Mr. Choi." He tensed up.
"Show me the consent form when she brings it back." "Understood, Ms. Jang."
"Goodbye, Ma'am" Said Ms. Jang as she left. "You're really bad at lying, geez." he mumbled, earning a glance from the woman. "What did you just say?" squinting her eyes as she gazed on him. "huh?" He played dumb, not bothering to leer at her. "..nothing, nevermind." She groaned,"Then, please give this to my Minyeo." She placed a bag, walking away to the opposite direction.
"Yo wait we still need to.. check.. bro rude." His words became a whisper, still checking the bag that he was given. Taking out a lunch box that had slices of apples. "Pfft what's this? An apple keeps the doctor away?"
Subong went to Han Minyeo's Room, having the lunch box at hand. He saw the uneasy woman looking outside the window, getting startled at his visitation. Walking up to him to hear his long awaited response. "Sir, you met my mom, right? tell me, right?" Minyeo impatiently asked, though sounding more like an assumption. "Yeah, these apples are from your mother." "Did you tell her? did you tell her that i said i wanted to leave this place?" Interrupting Subong once again. "Yeah, sorry bro. Doesn't look like an option, so sit tight and eat these from your lovely mother." Her eyes widen, her face almost baffling. "One thing to say is that your mom seems very worried about you so-" "AS if." Subong raised a brow, does this gal also have issues with her mom? huh, not much different then. "It's all for show, just for show. you know? do you know the real reason my mom brought me here?" He sneaked a slight smile but faltered it immediately. I am curious.
Minyeo started to tear up and grabbed his hands, the hands where he has a hand tattoo on the back of his palm. "To tell you the truth.. I have a sweetheart." His brows furrowed. "Your husband?" He asked, backing away a step. "No, not my husband." Her breath getting heavier and tears flowing down. "but someone else." "Oh?" A genuine sound came out of Subong's mouth.
As soon as Subong was out of that crazy woman's room, he spotted Dr. Dae ho.. the doctor also in charge of Ms. Han Minyeo. Right, that woman was having an affair, doesn't seem like others know this fact..
He sprinted towards Dae ho, "Wait, You're Dr. Kang right??" Subong pants, Dae ho pauses. "Oh you're that new nurse! yes I am, no need for formalities just call me Dae h-" "Okay great yap man, uh i have something very important to tell you so just follow me on this one." He said, grabbing Dae ho's right arm, tugging him to the staircase.
"Okay.. so.." Dae ho adjusted his sleeve. "Ms. Han Minyeo is your patient too right?" Subong then immediately asks. "That would be correct! What about her?"
"Dude she's having an affair! she told me herself!" He exclaims, a bit too excited to share this interesting information he just looted from that woman. "huh? That wasn't mentioned when taking her.. history." Dae ho puts a hand under his chin. "Check again.." Subong gritted his teeth.
"Did I have Minyeo admitted against her will?" The mother of Minyeo defended herself. "What's this nonsense? huh?"
"We heard Ms. Han has another lover besides her husband." Dae ho spoke first, the woman's eyes widen, though her movements are still jittery as ever. "Minyeo told you about that guy?" Subong and Dae ho looked at each other, Subong's face screamed "told you"
"Well.. uhh, Ms. Han is saying you had her admitted against her will to keep her away from her lover."
"I swear to you It's not like that." The woman almost throwing a tantrum.
Ms. Jang watches her actions, "Is your son in law aware of Ms. Han's Hospitalization?" Dae ho slowly looked at the guardian. "Did you perhaps keep everything a secret from him?" Dae ho continued, The woman looking uncomfortable and not maintaining eye contact. "If that's why you can't get the form signed.." The woman quickly and aggressively took a paper out of her purse, slamming it on the table. "Take a look at this."
All of them looked at the folded paper, Dae ho then hesitated to take the paper, unfolding it only to see a restraining order. "..It's a restraining order against her. Minyeo.. was stalking the guy." Most of their mouth went agape, especially Subong, who took the restraining paper from Dae ho's frozen hands. "Do you mean Ms. Han's feelings were not mutual?"
"My son in law doesn't know anything about this." Her voice growing louder, Subong's hands were at his mouth. "How could I tell him that my daughter's lost her mind? that she's been obsessively stalking some gang loser?" Her voice losing volume, she looked close to bursting to tears, but nothing came out.
After the counseling, Subong then needed to take Ms. Han Minyeo's blood pressure. Gulping as he entered her room, seeing her pack her things already. When the girl spotted him, she immediately went up to him. "I can leave now right? hey hey!" "Don't be too excited, Imma need to get your BP first, lady."
"Look, young man, you absolutely have to believe me! you believe me, I'm telling you. I'm totally fine."
"I have to go meet my darling, he probably misses me, even worried sick with me disappearing into thin air and you know." Subong takes her blood pressure, her words creeping the shit out of him. "Wouldn't exactly believe you since your mother-" "What on earth did my mom tell you." sounding nothing like a question but a demand. Subong pauses, pondering if he could tell the truth behind her delusions, then a hand grabbed his arm once again. "Young man."
"She said that you were mistaken, and that It was like.. one side-"His words got cut off, feeling a sting on his cheek. She fucking slapped him. Looking at her again while holding his reddening cheek, "What? one sided?"
"What the fuck do you mean, one sided?" Subong was speechless, a tinge of pain he felt when the woman slapped him hard was numbing. "Did my mom brainwash you too?" He took one step behind, "So you could keep me locked up in here?" "Ms. Han calm the fuck dow-" A hand grabbed him again, this time on his sleeve, wrinkling it. "You! Go and bring my darling here. Right. Now." "What the fuck-" Subong cussed under his own breath. "RIGHT NOW!" Minyeo yelled at his face, getting spits on him at the process- the crazy woman pushed him against the wall, hitting his head. Subong was definitely panicking. The woman rushed out of the room, escaping the room she left Subong.
He was breathing heavily, flashbacks of his mother returned. Haunting him like an old friend, He tries to regain himself, his patient that he was supposed to be looking after for- was gone. "I am so fucked."
Han Minyeo panted, trying to find her way while running away. After some steps, she leans herself against the wall. Feeling the need of taking off her clothes, to be what she truly feels, to be free in her own world. She first clumsily took of her cardigan, shirt and the pants, leaving them on the tiled floor. She had no undergarments to begin with. After she was bare, she ran away, roaming at every corner like this was all hers.
"Minyeo, tell me.." Her mother's voice emitted from her mind, as she dance. Feeling the intensity of her sole freedom. Discarding her mother's voice haunting her as she was content, unexplainable positivity Minyeo was feeling. It was just as like last time she did this. There's no more other way to feel like she's in the right place. She needed this.
Han Minyeo's life was what you could describe as perfect, or atleast, that's what what her mother made her feel like that way. Everyone was so envious, so jealous of what she has that she doesn't even want. Her mother got her into one of the most top high educational and prestigious schools for her, got her a husband that makes a good salary, and she's a housewife watching the house after. Minyeo's mom does nothing but spoils and babies her, and she's considered lucky.
I basically have everything.
"are you crazy?"
"are you just gonna throw away your husband and kids!?"
She laid on the floor. Deflated like an used car wheel that has been through a rough road. "My sweet girl, why are you acting like this?" Her mother's voice pounded on her mind again, her thoughts filling with comments of her, now negative. She slowly gets up, her naked figure dragging along amongst the floor. Probably full of dirt, but she doesn't care. Sitting up, Her head down and hands on her hair slowly making way to her face.
A crowd of patients at the end of the hallway was looking at her, she crawled towards as she stood up and ran. Meeting the gazes of patients either cheering her on or just completely unbothered, but most importantly. Subong was infront of Minyeo. Full of concern and shock from what he just witnessed, and the expression on her face was nothing but expectation to applaud her performance. She reached for Subong's cheek, specifically the side which she slapped him at. She froze, like she was just realizing what she had done. Minyeo's smile slowly dropped, retreating her hands from reaching out.
Tearing up, her grin was like a flicker, her eyes becoming watery and having some droplets come out and on the floor. Looking at Subong again, she turned around and sprinted like what she did moments ago on that room.
"Out of the way!"
"MR. YONG SIK!" Semi bumped on Subong's body, without his senses coming back, unaware. He fell back, one of the patients checked up on him. "Are you okay, Mr. Choi?" Mr. Yong sik asked, checking up on him as he tried to stand up.
"MR. YONG SIK!" Semi shouted as she covered Minyeo's body with a big blanket, Yong sik hurriedly came to help, "Hey, you're okay. It's fine." He reassured, Minyeo yelped. Subong only watched as they both struggled to keep Minyeo in place and covered. "Please calm down-" Yong sik once tried again, Semi and him bringing her to the ground, "Bring me my darling Deok su! Get him here now!"
Other staffs came to help, Dae ho quickly tugged on Sae byeok. "Inject 2 mg of Ativan via IV drip." He ordered. "Yes, sir." She obliged, rushing. "Ms. Han, this must be so hard for you, let us help you, we will help you relax." Dae ho said, trying to calm her down as she shouted even more.
Jun hee was backing up patients that were watching, telling them to get back to their rooms. "Go go, let's get you back to your room, Namgyu."
"I want to see what's going on here." Namgyu stated. "That would be too bad, it will be resolved so don't worry- Hey, go go. Seon nyeo, go back to your room."
Namgyu eyed Subong, sparking a familiarity. He was then pushed further away before he could fully scan that man's face. "Let's go everyone. Back to your rooms!" Jun hee announced again. Subong stood, frozen.
Minyeo was getting guided by Yong sik and Semi, as well as other staffs behind. Minyeo, being limp after an episode, urinated on the floor near Subong.
"What are you doing, Mr Choi!?" Semi yelled at him, Subong hesitantly, quickly turned around "Oh, uh wait comin-" He yelped, tripping on the urine. Leaving his scrubs be wet by it. "augh.."
"Manic patients do have a tendency to expose themselves.." Yong sik admitted. "But to get slapped then get covered in urine on your first day.. i feel bad for you, Choi." Subong looked at him, already tired. "Just like what Jun hee said on your ehem.. well, mandatory onboarding quiz. You have to look out for their emotions not words." Yong sik patted his back. A knock from the men's dressing room earned both of the men to look at the door. Yong sik opened the door to find Semi on the floor, clearly showing worry on her face. "Is he okay? Mr. Choi i mean" Gripping on the water bottle she had bought. Subong then showed up on Yong sik's side, "I'm fine, I deeply apologize for this. This is all my fault." He apologized, "Patients with delusions can turn violent on a dime, if you deny their claims.. but don't worry about that now. here, take it." She handed the water bottle, "you have some extra scrubs didn't you?" Subong nodded.
"Don't look so down now." The taller man beside him ruffled his puffed hair, "Everyone makes mistakes on their first day, just don't make it happen more than twice from now on, kay?" Subong smiled, "Yeah, still sorry though."
As semi was about to leave, "Ms. Semi, what happened to that.. area? you kno.. the.." Subong was finding appropriate words for the situation he was describing, "Don't worry about it. Jun hee and Sae byeok are cleaning and sanitizing that area now." Yong sik then went out the dressing room "Make sure to get some rest!" He said as he was now gone. "Well, i'll be taking my leave too. Rest easy now like what Mr. Yong sik said." Semi snickered, leaving Subong be.
He definitely needed some more knowledge about this.
"Dr. Dae ho, can i have your time?" Subong asked the man who is stupidly smiling at nothing. "Ah ah! Yeah, why?" Tilted his head. "Since you're a doctor, i need how some things work here."
"You want me to.. explain the concepts of BPD? Dae ho repeated. "Yeah but ehh.. what exactly is a bipolar disorder?" They're both outside the Myungshin University Hospital, sitting at the benches as they both sip their drink. "Shouldn't you know about that now?" Dae ho asked him obviously. "Hah.. what'd you think I'm here, asking what it is for?" Subong looked at him, raising a brow. "Yeah.. you're right. To put it simply, Bipolar disorder is a condition where a patient has both manic and depressive states." He listened attentively, the drink warming up his hands "So.. Han Minyeo, the patient we both are looking after for, what state is she in?" Asked by the hunched backed man.
"It is to say that she's in a manic state right now.. Ms. Han Minyeo never really disobeyed her mom, she grew up like an elegant swan. But when Ms. Han started showing symptoms of BPD. Her personality did a one eighty."
Subong gazed at him, imagining the woman. "Manic patients have an overabundance of energy so they never stop talking. They're also quick to switch topics and are easily distracted. They can be overly social and outgoing."
"-Or become prone to impulse buying and lose their sense of judgement. They could also get drawn to unusual sexual behavior. In that case Ms. Han admitted to having a so called affair right?" Subong inclined. "Ms. Han slipped a name, Deok su. She was stalking this guy out of sexual behavior."
"In severe cases, they may experience hallucinations or delusions, for us to prevent that. We'll have to prescribe proper meds and keep an eye out for Ms. Han." Dae ho finished, seeing Subong's face surely full of curiosity "Any questions?" "Yeah, well If I'm right and I surely am, when i read her files, It said that she has a wealthy background and a great upbringing. How does something living in luxury could've possibly triggered such illness?" Dae ho smiles "Does abundance prevent one from developing a mental disorder?" He thought even deeper, but still confused. "Or is it a result of a lack of abundance?" "I don't know.. no, probably not."
"That's probably what people told her whenever she said she was sick. '' How could you be sick when you have everything? '' " Dae ho sipped his drink before continuing, "Psychiatry is for those whose mental immunity has been weakened. Like going to orthopedics for a broken bone, or Internal medicine for colds. Any of us really, can find ourselves in a weakened mental state."
Subong hummed, understanding where he came from. "I guess that makes sense. Damn.. really need to study for these huh." Stretching his arms out, he threw the empty cup he had finished from listening to Dae ho. He stood up, bowing at Dae ho, "Thanks, like a lot." Subong thanked. "It's my pleasure! I better get going too, It's getting late yeah?" Both men thanked and said their bye's. Atleast there's something you learn everyday.
On the way to his apartment, He hummed a music he created years ago, somehow makes him forget everything embarrassing he did on his first day. Is he really meant for this unit just like what Mina said to him? must be, he's talking about mina. When he arrived at his apartment, he collapsed right at the doorstep, not moving a muscle as the floor greets him a comfortable welcome. He hugged the floor. "I misseddd youuuu...." He said in english, turning to his back. "I'll get up later. I deserved this, okay?" Taking a deep breath.
Second day to this unit, He has to bring meds for Ms. Han. Hesitating to open the door leading to Minyeo's room right infront of him, rubbing his cheeks. After a moment, he opened the door, light only emitting from the small wet window, raining pours down on the panels. Minyeo is sleeping.. well, half asleep. "Ms. Han, It's time for you to take medication." She slowly turned to see him, her appearance more gloomier when Subong first met this woman eye to eye. "By any chance.. did i ever slap you?" He made eye contact.
"Yes, you did." She broke the eye contact between them, slowly rising from the bed as Subong assisted. The woman stared at nothing before saying "So It wasn't a dream." She then looked at him up and down. "I'm sorry." she paused. "I guess.. i really am losing it." "It's fine brodie, You do me a favor and take your medication so you won't lose it, yeah?" Subong handed her a cup of water.
"Ms. Han Minyeo, age 49. was admitted for bipolar and manic episodes. We've also observed symptoms of delusion while monitoring her." Dae ho finishes, "How's she doing now?" Jung bae asked. "We've prescribed 600 mg of lithium and 2 mg of risperidone."
"Ms. Han looks and acts like a different person now." Subong said to Sae byeok, they were both monitoring the therapy room. "She must be going from mania to depression now then."
"Thankfully, the drugs seem to be working. But given her history of depressive episodes, and a strained relationship with her family, we believe she has insufficient social support. There is a high chance she will have another depressive episode."
"Why did my wife.. end up like this?" Mr. Byeong gi asked, completely bewildered at the news. Dae ho looked down, "It's hard to say conclusively at this point, but we believe environmental factors played a large part in Ms. Han's case." Now looking both at the guardian and husband of Ms. Han Minyeo. "Environmental factors? like what?" The husband, now his brows furrowed. "We run many tests when a patient visits the psychiatry unit. And our tests revealed that Ms. Han has very low self esteem." He gulped. "It's a defense mechanism."
The mother blinked, her expression, worried. "People can start developing persona's to mask their self esteem." Both the husband and mother looked down, unsure. "Our goal is to treat your daughter, wife. Who is hiding behind the mask." Mr. Byeong gi scoffed, reaching for the application for protective admission. Signing it with his signature, after he was done, he slid the application towards Dae ho. Getting ready to leave.
The woman chased after him, "Mr. Byeong gi." Holding his arm, stopping at his tracks. "Please don't hate my daughter- Minyeo. It's all because I raised her the wrong way." Her hands sliding to his hands as Byeong gi continued not to gaze upon her. "Couldn't you forgive her this once?" the husband returned the hand, leaving without a word. She looked at the doors be opened while he left, looking lost.
"Ms. Han's mother is here again." Jun hee whispered to Subong
"They're organic apples, fresh as ever. Minyeo likes them very much." Ms. Han's mother looked at the lunch box as Subong opened it "The farmers put meticulous care into looking after every single apple." She bragged. Subong having none to say at all.
"Ms. Han." Subong knocked, coming in "Your mother brought you some sliced apples again." Looming over Minyeo's figure, trying to sit up. Seeing her struggled, He came over to help, putting the lunch box full of apples beside her pillow. But she laid back down. "I'm sorry, but could you put them in the fridge?" He looked down, bobbing his head. "Yeah, okay" Taking the lunch box from the bed, to the fridge which is just across the room. Opening it, Subong stumbled upon many lunch boxes of apples still untouched. "Have you not even touched these?" Turning to look at Minyeo, limp at her bed. "Truth be told, I fucking hate apples."
.
"She's loved apples ever since she was little." She happily said. "So much that the first word right after she said ''Mom'' was ''apples.'' " then she chuckled, He looked at the apples on the table.
.
"I've hated apples, ever since i vomited on them when i was little." Minyeo sighed. "But I was told that I had to like them because they're good for me." He isn't even surprised anymore, He could say the same about his mom too. He understands. "and yeah, same went for everything else.. clothes, bags, and even my husband. I had been told to like all of them."
.
"I wanted her the happiest girl alive, and give her the best of everything." Her joyfulness gone now replaced with the same face when she found out about her daughter's condition. "What could've possibly have caused her illness?" Her voice stammering.
.
"All i had to do was listen to my mom, so i tried to like it all..." pausing, Subong let her speak. "But it didn't work."
While on Subong's way home, he couldn't stop thinking about those two. The mom and daughter, He is not the type of person to think about someone else's problems but this did made him have some questions wandering around his head. "All they say are the exact opposite. Are they even related?" Muttering to himself, while he kicked a rock. "bruh." He has no one else to talk about this to, He grabs his phone in his pocket, scrolling through the numbers he had saved. There's one particular number that he could ramble things about. Pressing on his contacts, he clicked on the call option. "Ring ring"
"Bro, please answer" having his both of his hand fingers crossed. "Hello, this is Hwang In ho."
"Yoo what's up!"
"Thanos?" The man on the other line voices' vibrated through the phone.
"The one and only! so i need your help realll bad..!! I just got off my work on that unit i told you the other day."
"lucky you that you're already out of work. A shame, I'm still at my desk. but yeah uh huh, psychiatric unit thing you were talking about switching in cause some girl you are smitten to suggested that you fitted in? yeah what about it?"
"Was that description necessary? you certainly deserve to be still in work." Subong frowned, hearing the man on the other line chuckle. "OKAY as i was saying, today is like my second day, and i have a patient who has BPD and possibly delusions- and she has like a very weird relationship with her mother."
"BPD.. delusions, weird relationship how?"
"well how do i say this? let me think of an analogy bro wait" saying the last word in english, clicking on his fingers as he thinks. "Okay, there's a cock alright!"
"Use another one, keep using that and I'll hang up."
Subong snickers, "You're so immature, my in ho bro, It's just a cock."
"We both know you did not mean the animal."
Him sighing, "I'll be serious okay! There's a duck, she was originally a duck but her mother dolled her up and made her out to be an elegant swan, all so she could become happy like one.."
"Her mom made her marry a wonderful swan husband too, so of course, naturally all the other ducks envy her! But this particular duck, she keeps getting sick.."
"The duck just doesn't seem happy. Why is that?" Subong sat on a bench nearby under a post.
"I mean, did she ask to become a swan?"
"What"
"Get my point here, Subong. Others' praise for her swan like beauty doesn't mean anything if she doesn't want to become like one. That duck life might just be more up her alley, happiness isn't complicated."
"Then what?"
"Thought you knew this already. Being free to do what you like, that's literally happiness."
"Wowie.. Old people like you really do know their words huh."
"I'm hanging up."
"BROOO NOO DON'T GO!"
"Mr. Choi" Ms. Geum ja called out, "Ye?"
"Dr. Kang allowed Ms. Han to have visitors. You can let her know later" The old woman went to do her thing, "Ms. Jang?" She stared up from Subong. "Is there anything to generally help the lady? i mean, Ms. Han." Ms. Geum ja went near to Subong. "In Internal Medicine, all we had to do was to help our patients feel better was prescribe medicine to those in pain." unbeknownst, Subong actually paid attention during when he felt bored at the time in the Internal Medicine unit. "But I am exactly not familiar with how to help the patients feel and get better." She sat down on the available seat next to him, "You're right, It can be tricky." facing Subong now, "Figuring out what's right or good for the patients."
Smiling at his puzzled face, "Then why don't we ask her? about what's bothering her the most. Let's start from there."
The man beside her agreed, what she was saying was just common sense. It's better to ask directly from that person anyway.
"Why do I need to get better?" The tone was monotonous, a direct question. "At the end of the day, It won't change my situation." Subong stood next to Ms. Jang, who was sitting infront of the gloomy Han Minyeo. "Nothing."
"And I'll just become sick again."
"Anyone can get sick, and treatment can take a while. But as they say, the darkest hour is just before dawn." The expression painted on Minyeo's face never changing. "And this much is certain. No one is born a patient, and no one stays a patient until the end."
My point still stands. Old people have a way with words. Subong thought to himself.
Minyeo, now having the strength to look in the direction of Ms. Jang, "The darkest of nights cannot go on forever."
"Soon enough, morning light will shine."
"Do you think... morning will come for me too?" Her eyes gleaming with sudden hope. "If you're ready to face morning, then surely. All we do is send some positive influence.. rippling into our patients' hearts." Subong, now gazing upon Ms. Jang, also observing her every word and tone, mentally keeping to note in mind. "As to where those ripples go and what changes they bring, that's up to our patients."
Minyeo's thoughts wandered, opening the fridge on her room filled with untouched, unwanted lunch boxes her mother gave, those filled with probably cutely small designed bits of fruit patterns and coming in with a neatly sliced apples, that's how her mother was anyway. "Ms. Han." Subong called out on the door. "Your mother is here to visit you, though she also have brought cute apples again."
"Minyeo, you're feeling better now, right?" Her mother, always so full of affection in her voice that Minyeo is starting to get tired of hearing at.
"Yeah." Her response cold.
Her mother teethed a smile, "What a relief. You have no idea how hard I prayed for you." Eyeing the lunch box, she opened it, "Have some of this."
The lunch box's contents were indeed apples, it came with lovely healthy flowers as well some leaves. It's just as the young man's words said. "I went all the way to the farm to buy these, okay?" Her mother, pushing the apples towards her where she could reach it, glaring at the contents, she hesitated to pick a slice. Gripping on the apple, having some of the juice drip down her arm. Her mother smiled, that stupid smile. "Try them while they're still fresh." she suggested, unbeknownst to her. Minyeo settled the slice down, leaving a trail of juice on the counseling table.
The mother, completely surprised, her eyes going from her daughter then to the lunch box back and forth. "Minyeo.."
"I won't eat them."
"But you like apples."
Minyeo shook her head, "No."
her mother scoffed. "Of course you do. You;ve always loved apples."
"That's not true." shotting back.
"Minyeo-"
"No. i don't."
"I DON'T LIKE THEM!" She yelled at a high pitch, quickly standing up that startled her mother at the back of her chair, Also with her own chair falling at the process. Subong and other staffs were watching them from a camera footage, with this scene unfolding, Subong stood up and hurriedly made his way to the counseling room. Dae ho rushing and stopped him, shaking his head no.
"I've told you so many times I don't like apples."
"Why do you keep doing this, Mom?"
"Why do you keep suffocating me?"
"I've lost myself. No, I've never once hand a chance to be myself." Her mother looked at her daughter still holding the same bewildered emotion. "Just who am i?"
"i did everything you told me to my whole life. I went along with the clothes, the friends you picked out for me. I even married that Doctor you told me to marry."
"I held it in, telling myself that i owed this privileged life to you. That if i did as you said.. I'd be the envy of all. That I'd be happy." The mom, mustering her emotions turning into uncomfortableness, "So tell me, Mom." Her eyes building up tears. "Why do i keep hurting?" "Why am i so unhappy?"
"I just did what i thought was best for you." Her mother said, her voice little. "You know what you mean to me."
"I'm 49 years old. But I can't even order a coffee for myself." The woman infront of her, almost bursting to tears. "Because I don't even know what It is I want to drink! Youve turned me into an idiot. That's baffled by the simplest things at this age of mine!" Shouting, her cries filled the room, her mother's mouth agape.
"But do you know what's funny?"
She grinned, tears glistening. "For me, the happiest moment in my life.. was when i took everything off and danced."
"The moment when people were judging me, calling me a lunatic, was.. the first time I felt like I could breathe properly."
"I'm not happy when I'm with you." Her mother couldn't look at her, Minyeo dead eyed stared at her. Subong came and opened the door, "Ms. Han, get some rest."
Coming to assist Ms. Han himself. "Sweetie.." She stopped. "I'd do anything in my power to help you stop hurting..-" Minyeo then rushed out of the room, having to Subong rush after her. Leaving the mother sobbing.
"Get my point here, Subong. Others' praise for her swan like beauty doesn't mean anything if she doesn't want to become like one. That duck life might just be more up her alley, happiness isn't complicated."
"Thought you knew this already. Being free to do what you like, that's literally happiness."
It's night, Minyeo was resting. She looked at the fridge, her body shot up, getting up, opening the fridge. Looking at those lunch boxes, she grabs a handful of them, throwing the contents of already drying, rotten apples in the trash bin.
"I won't meet my mom." Minyeo bought up, earning Subong a glance. "..Sure, I'll let her know when she comes." He straightfowardly spoke.
Ms. Han's mother came in with a bag, pressing the call button on the psychiatric unit's double door. Subong greeted her, "Sorry for telling this, but your daughter.."
"What do you mean my daughter won't see me!? what kind of treatment have you been giving her?" She angrily demanded, "This won't do, I'm taking her home so call her doctor-" she quickly tried grabbing her bags, "Ma'am"
She stopped her tracks, coming to meet the eyes of the young man. "I may be overstepping in telling you this.."
"What is it."
"You're kinda like my mom, my mom's awfully like you. Telling me the things she's been doing for me was for my sake. And truth to be told, I never liked it."
"Jesus.. See? this is what having a child is like." The woman groaned, coming back again to take a seat. "They just don't understand that we're doing it for their own good!" Sighed.
"You have to understand our perspective too, you know. I guess, you're the type of mom to love your daughter more than anyone." Her head turned. "You think so?"
"Yeah. kind of.. I didn't really fully grew up with a mother you see." Subong scratched his nape, "But, sure. I'm confident Ms. Han knows that fact as well."
"Typical mothers mostly does it out of love and care. I also used to think that maybe it would be easier to just follow what my old gal told me." Leaning in closer to the woman, lowering his tone. "I didn't have this but, a lot of people commonly likes about their mom, wanna know what that is?" The mother slightly leaned in. "and.. what would that be."
"It's when they believe in their children, supports them no matter what. That simple, really."
"Can you find yourself to support and believe in her? your daughter?"
She went to the market, glancing at the different types of fruits. Walking towards a store where she's most familiar at. "Oh, ma'am, you're here." The young woman pointed, "These just came in, They're fresh at best. Your daughter likes apples right?"
Looking at those apples, she hesitated. "I'd.. actually like something else today."
"Your daughter is here." Informed Mr. Yong sik.
"Minyeo."
Minyeo sat down, glaring at what seems to be a lunch box, again. "Try it." convinced her mother. "Go ahead."
She brought the lunch box closer to her, opening the lid just to find different types of fruits in it. Dragonfruit, tangerines, grapes, cherries and more. Including apples. She looked at her mother, "The apples are just there to add color. No need to eat any if you don't want to." Minyeo snickered, laughing as she looked at her mom, finally a genuine smile plastered on her face. The mother soon smiled, "Try it." While pushing the tissue towards her.
"By the way, I asked someone in internal medicine." Sae byeok said, "And i would be lying if i said he didn't have any issues there." she added. "I knew it! that guy is too good to be true!" Jun hee exclaimed, "I don't think that's a thing you should be celebrating at, Jun hee. He might caused some trouble at that unit for him to transfer here." Semi spoke, stern as always. "Yeah.. sorry." She apologized.
"Ms. Kang, Ji hoon in the closed ward is choking." One of the patients informed by the window. The nurse were on alert mode. "Mr. Yong sik!" Semi called out, Yong sik quickly rushed to the drawer to grab scissors, "I'm on it." said as he sprinted across the hallway. The nurses were getting the equipments ready, as Subong just came in, he was already slapped with a task. "Take Kim Nam gyu for joint treatment." Looking back, "To colorectal, right?"
"He will talk nonsense by the way, no need to respond." Jun hee warned.
..Now he's here with a patient with a shoulder length hair and with circled shaped glasses, staring intensely at Subong while fiddled with his hair.
He met the eyes of the colorectal doctor, He seems too familiar but can't wrap his head at the moment. "Are you here for joint treatment? just one moment.."
"yeah.. okay.."
"Thanos."
Subong's eyes widen, snapping his head towards to the handicapped patient. "Excuse..?" one of his brow raised.
"You're Thanos, that underground rapper."