De Novo

Chapter 21

"E-Eric?"

Yongsun woke up with uncertainty about her surroundings. She was lying on a queen-size bed, particularly a hospital bed, with a man standing happily beside her fragile frame, his face full of smiles. He was slowly caressing yongsun's cheeks with care, as if he was afraid he would hurt her.. afraid that he would lose her again.

Yongsun tried to lift her head to look around the room. Though she had a hard time moving every inch of herself, she still managed to do so. Her eyes scan the area with furrowed eyebrows, trying to discern where the hell she is right now. She had a hunch about where this place was, but she didn't want to draw any conclusions without examining it further.

After some time of wandering her head left and right, she had concluded she was indeed in a hospital. Not just because of how the place looks, but also because there is a huge oxygen tank beside her and she's wearing a clothing of what she considers a hospital gown.

"Yongsun, can you hear me?"

Yongsun's eyes locked instantly on the man hovering above her. Her eyebrows raised even more at the presence of the guy. If she's not imagining things, or if she's truly awake this time, she's certain this is her ex-husband, eric.

"W.."

"W-Wa..ter."

The only word that came out of yongsun.

Eric immediately complied with what the woman requested, running to the other side of the room to get a glass of water. When he got back, he helped yongsun lift her body, before he guided her hands to hold the glass and drink its contents without spilling any tiny drops.

Yongsun's throat was so dry that it only took her a second to empty the full glass. She asked for another batch and eric was so fast to comply, rushing back to the table and poured water into the empty glass. Just as he was about to walk back to yongsun, the door opened wide, revealing the doctor in charge and two nurses tailing behind his back. They're not the only people to enter the room though. Behind the nurses were two women, their eyes red from crying, entering the room with the medical professionals.

Yongsun recognized the two.

It's Hyejin and Wheein.
-----

Yongsun

The doctor instantly got his stethoscope and instructed the nurse to get on with their job. They've been carrying a file that I assume was my data, as they examined my weak body. I remained seated without muttering a single word, just trying to understand what was happening. When they are done with what they're doing, the doctor talks to Hyejin for a second before smiling at me.

"Mrs.Nam, how are you feeling?"

Mrs.. what?

He was looking straight into my eyes and that's a sign he was talking to me. I glance at wheein first, next to hyejin whose eyes are red, and lastly, at the man I didn't know I'd see again after 9 years, eric, attempting to read their emotions so I could tell what exactly is happening right now.

Is this some sort of a dream? If it is, please.. wake me up.

My eyes traveled back to the doctor in front of me and he just slightly nodded and smiled. He might have deemed he wouldn't get a reply from me that he just lift the file he was holding and write something to it.

"Just as I expected, you have been asleep for a long time so I assumed talking is hard for you yet. For the time being, we'll just check your vitals and let you rest, and I'll let your husband call me when you're able to communicate with us again."