The Odd Doctor Out | A Drama | S. 2

248 🩺 Not In The Mood

Sitting on the bench in the locker room pulling on his boots, Mingi sighed heavily. Shifting his phone from one ear to the other and lifting his shoulder to hold it in place as he pulled on his other boot, he bit his lip, feeling his chest ache.

'Min, we should talk about it.'

'San I really don't want to talk about it. What is there to talk about? Whether he's seeing the girl or not-'

'- which he's not-'

'- it still doesn't change anything. I'm never going to get over him if I keep seeing him. It's hard enough avoiding him at work.'

San's heavy sigh floated through the phone, pained and torn. 'Okay... It's your choice... I'm worried about you though, Min... I'm not saying you have to see him... Just that you should talk about it...'

Mingi smiled sadly. Standing up and holding his phone with his hand instead of his shoulder, he stepped forward and pulled his bag and keys from his locker...

'Uh, San... Why have I got your dorm keys?'

'Hmm? No I've got them.'

'Yeah, and that's why I'm staring at them, in my hand.'

Scuffling sounds drifted through the phone, before a short and sharp 'fuck. It's fine. Are you heading home now?'

Mingi shook his head even though San couldn't see it. 'I was headed to Hwa's...' He closed his eyes in defeat. 'It's fine, I'll drop them by the pub on my way.'

'No Min, Yunho will be here...'

Mingi sighed heavily. 'I know. But Hwa was going to help me with my ethics assignment and you're locked out...'

'I can drop by Hwa's on my way home...'

Mingi rolled his eyes. 'San, the pub is on my way to Seonghwa's. Seonghwa's apartment, is the opposite direction of home.'

'Ugh Min I'm trying to help you here.'

'I know. But it's okay. I was bound to run into him anyway. It wouldn't be the first time since everything happened.'

He heard San's pained breath through the phone. 'Aww Min... Shit I don't know what to say...'

'Nothing~. Don't worry about it~. I'll be fine.'

Just then, Mingi heard a scuffle, and an 'oh, you're here.'

And Mingi's heart throbbed. 'I'll see you soon, San-ah,' he said softly.

'Okay... You can still change your mind...'

Mingi laughed. 'Be there in a bit~.'

~~~

Pushing into the pub, Mingi's eyes almost refused to look up to the bar. Leaving it until the very last moment however, he realised how much he regretted that decision.

Because if he had looked up, then he would have seen Yunho alone at the bar, with just San's jacket beside him.

Yunho looked up as he noticed Mingi approaching him, and his eyes... they softened, so much... His lips parted as if he was pleading to speak, but no words came out, and Mingi didn't know whether he could hear them anyway.

It hurt, badly, to look at him. His dark hair falling over his forehead, those tired and stressed eyes... those lips...

'Where's San?' he asked instead, forcing himself to look away. His heart throbbed, and as he glimpsed his hands, Mingi's memory of the coffee shop flashed before his eyes and his chest ached.

'He went to the bathroom...'

'Ahh...' Mingi nodded. Walking up on the farthest side from Yunho, Mingi dug his hands through San's jacket sitting on the bench and put his keys inside the right pocket.

'Mingi...'

'Please don't.' Taking a long breath, Mingi closed his eyes, trying to calm his inner pain. 'San already told me, but it doesn't change anything.'

Opening his eyes, he saw the sheer pain in Yunho's expression, and it was like a knife to his soul.

'But Mingi, I don't want to date-'

'People go on dates, Yunho.' Mingi sighed; his heart aching. 'It's normal. You don't have to feel guilty and you don't have to explain yourself.' He took a shaky breath, each word tearing him further and further apart. 'I just need more time...'

Just then, his phone started buzzing in his pocket, and the distraction was more than welcome. He didn't recognise the number as he raised his mobile to answer. 'Hello? Song Mingi speaking.'

'Hi Mingi, it's the clinical placement facilitator. I just got a call from a student that they can't make a shift and I'm trying to swap students around. Are you able to start at eleven tonight? I know it's only just eight hours after you last shift but I-'

'I'll do it. I'm catching up on hours anyway. Thank you for that.'

'No worries. Have a nice night and get some rest before you start.'

And with that, the line ended.

Sighing heavily, Mingi turned to Yunho; albeit reluctantly. 'I've got to go,' he said, thanking God for the excuse to leave. 'Have a nice night.'

And with that, Mingi turned on his heels and left, each step that took him away from that man both liberating and agonising at the same time.

Pulling out his phone, he texted San that he'd left his keys in his pocket, and then Hwa that he had to go back to the hospital and sleep for a night shift.

And for once, the thought of working was enough to make him want to get down on his knees and thank God for the excuse to distract himself.

Thinking was the last thing he wanted to do, and if he had to stay up all night, until he was tired enough to drop and sleep a dreamless ten hour block, then so be it.

~~~