Finding My Way Back to You (Again) || 20th Century Girl

CHAPTER 6

He's pulling up an incoming patient's file online when his phone buzzes. It burns a hole in his pocket, branding into his thigh a multi-needle shot. Persistent, it rings for exactly eleven seconds.

He ignores it. He cannot neglect his work.

It buzzes again a minute later, and Dr. Oh sighs. Whoever is calling him has some nerve.

Once again, the call goes ignored.

Thankfully, his phone doesn't buzz again during the appointment. Only when he's finished does he pull that blasted thing from his pocket, and he slides it open.

2 missed calls from LEE SUHYEOK

The discovery is made with a laugh. He wonders what the bastard wants now.

Dialing the number, he holds the phone to his ear.

"Joonyeong-ah! Sorry—I know I shouldn't be calling you at work, but it's kind of urgent. No, let me rephrase that—it's very urgent."

The amusement drains from Dr. Oh's system.

"We just got a patient who needs a serious liver transplant. You're the only guy I trust to do it and not screw things up. It's a man in his fifties, and his son's the donor. We've scheduled his surgery for Saturday."

Shit. That's when he's supposed to take the patient to Cheongju.

"Okay," says Dr. Oh. "I'll head over tomorrow morning."

—

"Woo-jin-ah, are you up for another trip to Cheongju? Su-hyeok called today. I have to head over to Seoul to do a major liver transplant."

"Why not?" His partner's tone is light. "Soowi would love to see Heejin again."

"Yah. She loves you, too," snaps Dr. Oh. "But it's for a different reason." He leans closer. "The patient thinks he might've been there."

His partner straightens.

"That's why he asked me to put the beach painting in his room."

"Leave Friday night and return on Sunday. That should be enough time." He pauses, placing a hand on his partner's shoulder. "Make the most of it, all right? I really wanted to go myself, but there isn't enough time. I want to make as much progress with him as possible."

"Yeah, I understand." His partner gives him a kiss. "Do what you need to do. And say hi to Suhyeok, Namra, and Heesu for us."

Dr. Oh nods.

"I will."

—

He barely enters the hospital before he's hugged with a strength that could move mountains.

"Joonyeong-ah!" Suhyeok cries. "I really missed you."

"Woojin—and Heejin—say—hi," Dr. Oh gasps, his voice muffled by Suhyeok's chest. He can barely breathe.

Suhyeok lets go, stepping back.

"How are they?"

Dr. Oh gulps.

"Woojin's making good money from his art. Heejin's at the top of her class."

Suhyeok claps his shoulder, leading him further inside.

"Heesu would've said hi, but she's doing an emergency delivery right now."

Dr. Oh nods.

"Tell me about the patient."

—

"Are you Baek Hyunjin?"

A young man—the donor—nods. They're in a small outpatient room. On two other chairs, an older man and woman sit, huddled close. The woman laces her fingers with the man's. Their son wears a steely expression.

Dr. Oh browses through the record. He looks at the father.

"You've gotten a transplant once, but it's not being accepted by your body. We'll check you in today so you can be ready for tomorrow."

The father smiles. He bows.

"Kamsahamnida."