Do i wanna know?
────୨ৎ────
The vibration of your phone woke you up; it was Bryan letting you know he was downstairs waiting for you with a tray of coffees you knew you’d need for the days ahead.
The sun hadn't risen yet, so you threw on a coat to go down and pick up your vice.
"Thanks," you said sleepily. "I'm going to need this." You took a sip of the bitter coffee on an empty stomach and a bite of the chocolate-filled bread.
"I always find it funny how doctors and medical staff are the least healthy people possible," Bryan said, laughing at your breakfast choice.
"Shut up and take my money," you said, handing him some crumpled bills. Who else would bother bringing you supplies and coffee this early? This guy was really important to you. "I have to go back, thanks, Bryan," you told him, and both of you laughed at your choice of sandals. Could you afford to be comfortable in there? After all, you had already broken some professional codes from the start.
"Nice slippers," Bryan teased, and you both laughed and chatted a little more before you headed to the elevator.
As you entered the apartment, a delicious scent of vanilla incense wafted from the kitchen, blending with the sound of a pan sizzling and a chopping board in use… Had Hyunju woken up this early? You checked your watch—6:15 a.m. You walked into the kitchen to put your supplies in the fridge, and your eyes met hers.
Hyunju stood at the kitchen counter, serving two plates of food. She had a hair clip in place, a loose black T-shirt, and gray sweatpants.
"Good morning," Hyunju said as she finished arranging the plates, catching you off guard.
"Aren't I supposed to be the one doing this?" you asked playfully. "Just kidding, thanks for breakfast," you quickly corrected yourself when you saw Hyunju’s mood slightly drop at your comment.
"My military days made me an early riser," she said, sitting down at the kitchen counter and gesturing for you to take a seat. You were curious to ask more, but you hesitated, afraid of invading her personal space or asking too much.
Hyunju noticed your interest through your expression.
"I was in the military for 12 years… It's not easy getting rid of old habits."
"Of course, it’s not easy," you replied as you sat down to eat with her. You took a bite of the eggs she had prepared.
“Mmm, this tastes amazing. You have an incredible touch, Hyunju," you said instinctively.
"Thanks, I really enjoy cooking," Hyunju admitted. "It helps me stay present. Especially desserts."
You raised your eyebrows in response—it seemed like the sweetest and most endearing hobby.
"I’d love to try one of your desserts someday, Hyunju," you admitted as you took another sip of your coffee.
Hyunju nodded. "I'd love to make you something as a thank-you for your hard work."
You simply smiled at her, your mouth still full of food.
𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼
"So, one day after a long shift, a stretcher just floated up into the air. Can you believe it? It was ridiculous, Bryan and I nearly shit our pants!" you told Hyunju, sharing one of your favorite internship stories. You were feeling more comfortable with her every day, and you were happy to help her get distracted for a while.
"How is that even possible? Are you sure it wasn’t a prank from one of your friends?" she replied.
"No, no, believe me, weird shit like that happens all the time—"
Your phone rang, cutting you off.
"Excuse me, I have to take this."
Hyunju nodded politely, and you stepped away to answer the call.
"Hello?"
"I want to know… how she is…" a woman's voice whispered.
"Excuse me? I think you have the wrong number—" you said, about to hang up.
"No. Cho Hyunju. Her. I want to know how she is."
The voice spoke again, making your stomach turn.
With the phone still pressed to your ear, you looked at Hyunju. She was sitting quietly on the couch, waiting for you patiently.
"I-I…" Before you could respond, the call had already ended.
You wouldn’t have been so shaken if you didn’t know that not a single person had shown any interest in your patient—not on the day of her surgery, and certainly not after. That was exactly why you were here.
"Is everything okay?" Hyunju met your gaze.
"An unknown number called… asking about you," you blurted out, worried about her reaction.
"Ah, I see." Her expression darkened, and her smile faded.
"I shouldn’t tell you this… But I will, because I like you," she said, gently squeezing your hand.
"I served as a First Sergeant in the Special Forces… for 12 years, like I told you. I worked tirelessly to climb the ranks, and I did it. I had an apartment (this one), a girlfriend, friends, and a family who supported me. People admired me, constantly praised me…"
Hyunju spoke slowly, carefully choosing each word. Your hand instinctively rested on her shoulder, the other on her knee, offering her a sense of security to open up to you.
"I had even bought an engagement ring for my girlfriend back then… But deep down, your heart knows when something isn’t right with you. And I always knew. I just didn’t want to face it."
Hyunju’s voice broke, and a part of your heart did too.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered, tears falling onto her cheeks.
"Don't apologize. Take all the time you need to tell me," you said, handing her a napkin to wipe her tears.
"I decided to tell everyone who I really was. My family stopped speaking to me. My girlfriend tricked me into attending conversion therapy behind my back. And the hardest thing to let go of… was my job. Well, I didn’t leave it. You know, they kicked me out."
Hyunju explained, avoiding going into too many details. She didn’t want to relive her past.
You couldn’t take it anymore—you hugged her.
You couldn't bear hearing about all those injustices… How could her family do something so cruel? Her girlfriend? And her job—her damn job, her life’s purpose?
You both stayed in silence, in a comforting embrace. But then, it hit you—this could hurt her. You had completely forgotten about her surgery, and you abruptly let go.
"Oh my God, your wound! Hyunju, why didn’t you tell me I was pressing on it?" you cried out, completely embarrassed.
Hyunju, on the other hand, was caught off guard. The hug had surprised her.
How many years had passed since someone had held her like that? Only God knew…
She melted into your touch, her head resting against your chest, feeling your heart pounding rapidly—so much so that she forgot about the pain in her stitched-up chest.
"It’s okay, I needed that hug anyway," Hyunju reassured you, fixing her hair and wiping the dried tears still on her cheeks.
You didn’t want to press further about her wound, so you made a mental note to write her an encouraging letter before you left her apartment. Instead, you changed the subject.
"So… the person from the call…?"
────୨ৎ────