Love Beyond Expectations

Chapter 43: Hearts Afloat

As Zuri sat quietly in the cafeteria of her internship hospital, picking at her meal, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the surprising prevalence of English speakers in Korea. It eased her transition, albeit slightly, making her feel less like a fish out of water. Her late-night binge-watching of Korean hospital dramas had also paid off, providing her with unexpected insights into the culture and work environment she now found herself in. She chuckled to herself, thinking back to the last episode of her current favorite drama, where Min-Ho, the brooding yet irresistibly charming doctor, finally confronted Hwa Young with the truth about her brother's misdiagnosis. "Why can't all men be straightforward like Min-Ho?" she mused, "Asshole or not, at least he's honest."

Korean hospitals, she noted, operated quite differently from American ones. The hierarchical structure was more pronounced, and respect for seniority was paramount. "Damn, at least in America, you can speak up a bit more without worrying about breaking centuries-old traditions," she thought, admiring the efficiency around her but missing the familiarity of back home.

Despite her efforts to fit in, Zuri found making connections difficult. Her attempts at speaking Korean often led to more confusion than conversation, and Joon, Suho's older brother, was no help. His comparison of her Korean pronunciation to a "demented parrot trying to recite Shakespeare" was both creatively insulting and disheartening. Joon was an enigma to Zuri; his demeanor and views were reminiscent of the worst stereotypes, making him seem like a villain straight out of the dramas she loved. The fact that he had a wife was a mystery to her.

Zuri sighed, frustrated by her inability to connect and longing for the comfort and support of her family. Checking her watch, she calculated the time difference in her head and began a quick video chat with Jordan, the only person who could truly relate to how she was feeling.

His face barely lit up the phone, and was shrouded with shadows, making it difficult to make out his surroundings. "The hell, Zur, it's the middle of the fucking night."

"Well, yes it is, but are you too good to hear from your older sis every now and then?"

Jordan grunted and quickly began yawning in exhaustion. "Touche, you have a point there." He sighed deeply and shifted, making it a little clearer as he held up the phone and Zuri's bleary-eyed but awake-looking face popped into view. His satin bonnet, was slowly slipping from his hair, and his eyes, lined with red from the sleep and tears that threatened to escape, betrayed a pain and vulnerability that belied his youthful bravado. "What's up?" He finally uttered.

Zuri softened immediately, her brother's rare show of emotion stirring memories of the nights they used to stay up talking on the living room couch. "It's lonely here... you're the only person I can confide in. Don't get me wrong, I know this is my path and this is where I have to be for now, but sometimes the world's too big... the distance, the newness of the everything, it just sucks." Zuri's voice broke as her admission spilled out like an open dam.

Jordan's expression turned somber. "I mean, yeah. I wish I was there with you, but..."

"What is it?" She prodded.

"Zuri," He cocked his head, "What the fuck are you doing?"

Zuri shook her head confused, someone glanced at her from the profanities on her phone that her brother was spewing. "Talking to you."

Jordan rolled his eyes. "Zuri, I'm even confused that I'm having this conversation with you." His voice dropped to a whisper, "You know, what you're doing. You're just doubting yourself."

Zuri drew in her breath sharply. She closed her eyes and told herself that she needed to hold her tongue. He was right.

"I can't help but see doubt," she confessed.