In These Arms [mxm]

Chapter 23 - A different chapter

It appeared that I had drifted to sleep soon after laying my head on the pillow, but as I woke and slowly took in my surroundings beyond the warm cocoon I created for myself, I noticed that Chanyeol was no longer beside me. On his bedside table, I could see a small yellow sticky note beside a glass of water with the words, I have gone to work. Please continue resting today and drink lots of water. See you later.

Lunch time had only just passed, to which my stomach grumbled with protest. If father-in-law's habits had not changed too much over the years, then perhaps he was still a late lunch-goer who usually opted to eat long after everybody else had. If that were the case, then perhaps he had not yet eaten and would choose to do so sometime in the next hour or two.

Well, since I had no military service nor job, the idea of cooking and sharing a meal with father-in-law seemed like it would be worth the while. My head felt dizzy and light as I sat up and climbed out of bed, but the glass of water left by Chanyeol helped to ease the discomfort, if only a little. I walked carefully to the kitchen and began rummaging through his fridge and cupboards, finding only bits and pieces, but just enough to put together a decent meal.

Perched on the kitchen counter was a stereo that displayed neon blue and red colors, which was more advanced than anything I knew to exist before enlisting in the military. I turned the nozzle and listened to the voices of both familiar and unfamiliar artists play hit modern songs I had never heard before. They were calming and pleasant tunes that I found myself adapting to quite nicely, humming along as I pulled out glass noodles and wagyu beef strips to cook japchae.

Everything I learned about cooking and other life skills were from father-in-law, since he was the one who raised me. He promised Chanyeol and I both that once we returned from our mandatory service, that he would teach us to drive and help us to obtain our own licenses. He was able to fulfil that promise to Chanyeol, but of course, I got no such opportunity. But to be able to cook a meal for him, I was grateful for the time he took to teach me growing up.

The smell was pleasant as everything came together nicely. There were several stacks of store-bought containers left in their original packaging. I felt a little guilty as I opened one and lifted a couple of containers out from the top. Since I prepared enough japchae for more than a couple of meals, I set a portion aside for Chanyeol so that he may eat when he returns home. After filling a plastic bag with two separate containers for father-in-law and I, it was time for me to set off.

The waiting time for the bus was a short one and I arrived at the hospital within fifteen minutes. Even though I still felt some drowsiness from the sedation, I felt too excited to be deterred by it. So many years had passed, and I wondered how he might have aged since we said our last goodbye. When I arrived to the reception, it was just after one PM. It would not be long until father-in-law's usual time to eat if he had not already.

"Hello, Mr. Bom," the desk clerk said, offering a small bow. "Have you had any issues since your MRI?"

"Not at all," I said, shuffling slightly so that the plastic bag ruffled. She glanced down at it then back up at me. "Actually, I am here to visit with Mr. Suk Woo Han."

"Are you a relative?" she asked. "Is he expecting your visit?"

"Actually ah, he raised me. We lost touch for a few years... as you can imagine, so I came to surprise him."

Her eyes widened as she cusped the collar of her shirt. "I see." She looked down at her computer and tapped on the keyboard. "Then, you will find him in the stroke rehabilitation unit a level above Mr. Choi's where you stayed. He is located in room B213, an executive suite. He will be required to permit you access, so you can speak to him through the intercom."