I FELL IN LOVE WITH A STRANGER

TWO: Stay

"WAS IT A DREAM? I think I saw you. WHEN I OPEN MY EYES, THE ROOM IS EMPTY AGAIN."

It was about a 25-minute car ride back. When we got back to the house, it was 6:30.

Yoongi helped me with my luggage and belongings before leading me to the room where I would be staying.

"Nami, this is your room; Minjae's room is right next door, and mine is across from yours."

I nodded and said, "Thank you."

I entered the room and sat on the king-size bed, placing my phone on the bedside table. I scanned the room and couldn't help but sigh. My hectic life will soon change into a very quiet one. From seeing 10–12 patients a day, that will drastically change to just 1. I'm not complaining; I hope I don't become bored. 

Despite being sick, Min Min is a spunky little busybody. Dr. Kang and Yoongi briefed me earlier regarding Minjae's illness. She was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a congenital heart disease in which the left side of the heart was underdeveloped at birth and the right side of the heart had to pump twice as hard to compensate for the left. They found out about it when she had sudden fainting episodes that started when she was barely three years old. She also experienced cyanosis (purplish or gray lips and nails), a sign of a lack of oxygen. Her breathing can be shallow and weak as well. I became acquainted with LHS during my internship at the UCLA Medical Center in the United States. Dr. Kang explained that Minjae is not an exact hospice case, but she is so fragile that they treat her as one. They are waiting for her to be a little older to get the advanced treatment. She already underwent several surgeries to correct the anomaly, but she still gets sick at times. Yoongi has not decided if she will have a heart transplant since she's still too young, but she is already on the list as a possible heart recipient.

I was hanging my clothes in the closet and stuffing my shirts and undergarments when MinMin barged in. She sat by my bed, staring at me with those lovely eyes. It occurred to me that she resembled me when I was her age. The only difference is her adorable, gummy smile, inherited from her equally handsome father. I smiled as I turned to face her.

"Princess, do you need anything from me?" I asked

"Nothing, Mommy."

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"You're so pretty, Mommy."

"Baby, you're prettier," I told her.

I was about to close my door when I heard a faint knock. "Come in." I know it was Yoongi.

He peeked in and slowly walked in the door. "Is Minjae bothering you again?

"Appa, it's not Minjae; it's Min Min," the little girl said.

I chuckled at what she said.

"Oh, OK, Princess Min Min," the little girl laughed as her father said it.

I asked Yoongi if other people lived in the house. He said it's just the three of us; two household helpers come on Wednesday and Friday to clean the house and do laundry.

"You're welcome to cook your food or order from outside. I have supplies in the fridge, but if you want anything else, just put it on the list I have in the refrigerator. I usually order online and have it delivered, but Ahjumma and her daughter occasionally do the grocery shopping for us. You get a food and clothing allowance as part of your benefits package for working here."

"Thank you, Yoongi, but I don't need a clothing allowance; I just need a food allowance. And I'm not fond of fast food either, so I like to cook my food. Also, is it OK if I shop for my groceries?