While You Were Gone

Sixth Month

After avoiding two picnic invitations from her friends, Mo Yeon finally agreed to go on one weekend. She thought she needed it too, rather than closing herself from the world. She had friends who loved and cared for her, going to their picnic invitations was her way to thank them.

So, on Saturday morning, Mo Yeon's group were seen sitting on a public park with foods and drinks with them. Chi Hun brought his wife and son and Mo Yeon was happy about it. It had been a while since she saw Chi Hun's son after he was born. Mo Yeon never really thought about having a family, but she loved children. She still has good memories of playing with them when she did volunteering in Africa and then, when she was in Urk, resulting she had one girl who became her responsibility.

Chi Hun's son was nearly one, and just started to learn to walk, making him as the object of the doctors and the nurses' attention. At one point, Mo Yeon carried him and showed him a tree with her friends watching her from behind.

"She looks happy," Nurse Ha commented.

"I think so too," Nurse Choi piped in.

"She tries to be happy, at least she's not so depressing when she first learned about Captain Yoo's death," This time it was Dr. Song.

Jang Hee Eun, Chi Hun's wife, smiled grimly. "Dr. Kang is good with children. She could be a good mother."

"And I don't think that will cross on her mind anytime soon, about having a family," Chi Hun said, a bit sad.

After that, they continued their picnic with Chi Hun's son sleeping on his mother's arms. Mo Yeon stood a bit far from the group, her eyes had the faraway look. She looked up to a tree and realized the season changed again, but Si Jin would never come back to her.

Her heart ached.

Time indeed flew so fast and without she knowing, it was already six month since she was left alone. Another six month, it would be the mark of her lover's anniversary. She never thought before, but now, Mo Yeon started to think what she would do to mourn the one she loved.

What would Si Jin love her to do?

He lost his life to serve his country as an honor as a soldier.

Maybe she could do the same thing as a doctor?

To give respect to her comrade?

Mo Yeon felt someone stood next to her and turned her head to see Dr. Song smiled at her and handed her a cold drink. The female doctor smiled and took the drink before taking a gulp.

"Thank you for asking me to go picnic with all of you," Mo Yeon said in gratitude.

Dr. Song shrugged. "Don't thank me. Thanks to you now we finally can go on picnic."

"What happened to the other one before?"

"We don't go, of course. It was meant to you anyway."

Mo Yeon chuckled and taking another sip of her drink. "You all are my very best friends. Thank you for putting up with me when I don't even know how to deal with myself."

"That's what friends are for," The senior doctor said.

They both turned silent with Mo Yeon looked up to the sky.

"The season has changed again. He promised to return when it changed and yet, he doesn't," Mo Yeon said in low voice, taking another big sip on her drink.

Dr. Song looked over to Mo Yeon and patted her shoulder. "At least you're not easily burst into tears whenever you remember him."

Mo Yeon shook her head. "I'm just holding it down. Time will come when I will have tears for him for the last time."

The senior doctor blinked. "The last time?"

Mo Yeon nodded. "His death anniversary is coming. I decide to let everything go when I give him my respect and then, to continue my life just like before I met him."

Dr. Song sighed deeply. "What are you going to do for his death anniversary?"

The female doctor shrugged. "I have no idea yet. I was thinking to do my job properly as to prove myself to him, but I don't know."

"If that so, I'll let you know if there was any volunteerings in the next six months. I heard about one in Albania, but I'm not so sure."

"Thank you, Senior."

Dr. Song smiled. "How's Liutenant Yoon? Is she alright?"

Mo Yeon blew a breath. "I think so. I haven't met her since we heard the news. She sent me a message once, but that was all. She needed more time. I know she wants both of us to be strong when we finally meet with each other again as a soldier's girl."

The senior doctor sighed and looked over at the scenery in front of him. "There's no sadness that lasts forever."

Mo Yeon smiled and taking another gulp from her drink. "I know."