STITCHES OF THE HEART🫀|| FIRSTKHAOTUNG

STOH: CHAPTER THREE

It was a busy day. First had three surgeries, back to back. He had performed two surgeries, and assisted another. His head reeled as he walked out of the surgery room, each bone in his body aching. He had been hungry before the surgeries, but now he could barely eat anything. As he closed his eyes, all he could remember were the insides of a human body. His stomach grumbled, as if wanting food, and First groaned.

"Doctor First, we are going to eat. Do you want to come with us?" First turned around, looking down to meet the eyes of Nicha, a surgeon. First shook his head. Partially because he couldn't digest anything solid at the moment, and also because the entire hospital had a rumor going that Surgeon Nicha had a crush on First. First had no interest in adding fuel to the fire.

"No thank you Doctor Nicha. I am not hungry." He said, hoping that would get him out of the conversation. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw some nurses staring at them, whispering something to each other. First narrowed his eyes at them.

"But P'First, working on an empty stomach can be quite harmful." Yes, First knew that, he didn't need to be reminded.

"And I know this excellent Mu kratha place nearby. We could go there, it's very good." First's eyes widened. Mu Kratha after a surgery?

"Umm, thank you for the invitation Khun Nicha, but I..." Thankfully his phone rang, and he picked it up, not even caring who it was.

"Excuse me." He excused himself, literally running, as he speed walked down the hallways, getting away from that woman altogether.

"P'First?" When the call connected, he could hear Sammy's voice through the speakers.

"Yes Nong?"

"Dr. Prakarn requested you to his office. The two new doctors have arrived." First breathed in a sign of relief. Atleast now, he would be able to get home early.

"Alright. I'm coming." He disconnected the call, slipping his phone into his pants pocket, walking towards the elevator. He only hoped Khun Nicha wouldn't be there too.

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The fifth floor was were all the meetings were held. It was usually not busy, and definitely not a place for visitors. So, when First stepped onto the fifth floor, rounding at one the corners, he was surprised to see a teenager lurking about.

Now First knew that sometimes doctor's families came to visit them in the hospital. First, although cold and stern, was aware of all the family members of his colleagues. So, it was shock to see someone else loitering the halls.

The teenager wore a black hoodie, with white pants. His hair was gelled back, giving him the perfect emo boy look, which seemed to be a fashion trend going around in Bangkok. He had a bag slung over his shoulders and he had a few piercings on his ear. He looked not older than seventeen, and First was distinctly reminded of those rebellious teenagers who opened YouTube channels just to prove the existence of ghosts in a hospital. Well, too bad, he wouldn't get a ghost, but sure as hell, he would get a stern doctor who would kick him out. He only hoped the brat wasn't part of any gang. It would be a hassle fighting some hooligans of his size. Not that he was too tall either. He looked so short, First markedly thought whether he and Babe were the same height or not.

"Hey you" His voice must have dropped down because the other turned around and for a moment, First was stunned. Dark black eyes, with a chiseled face, and pouty lips that shone with something...was that lipgloss? Damn it. Whatever it was.

"Sawasdee khab Phi. Are you a doctor here?" The teenager asked, his voice having a very strong northern accent. Probably not from Bangkok then.

"Yes, I am. What is your business here?" He hoped that his harsh tone would drive the point home that the teenager was definitely not welcome in this private space.

"Phi, can you show me the way to the Director's office? I can't find it." First stared incredulously at the boy. He had some guts.

"Why do you want to meet the director?" He asked, as he stepped forward towards the young boy who looked up at him. When First stepped closer, he realised something.

Dang! He is really very small.

"The director asked me to be here today. I am late, so I'm lost. Could you please help me?" The teen said, his lips drawn in a pout as he looked at the older Cardiologist. First gulped a little at being the centre of attention.

"Are you a relative of Dr. Prakarn?"

The younger looked confused at First and said, "Who is Dr.Prakarn?"

First sighed. So, he was right. This teen was definitely not someone of this hospital.

"Get out of here." He muttered, loud enough so that younger could hear. The younger one only shook his head.

"I can't get out of here Phi. I need to meet the director." He pursued his lips at the older and First had the idea to smack him on his head.

"Absolutely not. Either you get out of here, or I ask some of the interns to drag you out." He threatened. He was at the end of his wits now, and he had to meet the new doctors.

"I will only get out of here if the director asks me to." The younger stood his ground, fiercely looking into First's eyes. To the older however, he only looked like a kitten trying to assert their dominance.

"Listen kid, I will...."

"Ahh, there you are Doc First." First looked up to see Saint, rushing towards them. First heaved a sigh of relief. Now he would be able to throw this teen out of here. However, before he could open his mouth, Saint beat him to it.

"Sawasdee Khap. You must be Khaotung Thanawat, am I right?" He directed his question to the younger emo teenager who nodded his head enthusiastically. First felt his jaw drop.

"Yes, I am. And you are...." The younger hesitated for a moment.

"Saint Suppapong, Head Surgeon of the Orthopedic department. Welcome to Bangkok National Hospital." The surgeon smiled his infectious smile, and the younger smiled back, his eyes disappearing as he nodded his head gently, capturing the older's hand in a handshake. First noted that the younger's hand was small as well. But he couldn't say much. He was rooted to his spot, shock apparent in his system.

"Thank you for the welcome Phi. I was hoping you could show me the Director's office?" The younger smiled at the Surgeon.

"Sure. Go straight and turn right. You will see a glass door. There is only one that you will find. And then, You will be at your destination." The younger wai ed at the senior as he walked away. As he rounded around the corner, Saint turned to look at First.

"Well....what just happened here?" Saint raised an eyebrow at First.

"He is a doctor?" First whispered, his eyes blown with disbelief. Saint rolled his eyes.

"Yes he is. How many Khaotungs do we know?" First shook his head at the older.

"You don't get my point. HE is a doctor? He doesn't look older than 15." Saint huffed under his breath.

"Maybe it's because of his clothes. Or his skincare. He is the new doctor who will be working in the Emergency ward, so suck it up." He started walking ahead, leaving First reeling in his head.

First scoffed at the Surgeon and followed him. This has got to be some joke.

"But he didn't recognise when I asked whether he knew Dr.Prakarn." First countered. Saint turned to look him dead in the eyes.

"Because outside the hospital, Dr. Prakarn is addressed by his surname, Dr. Rattanamongkol."

"Oh. Yes, right.." First sheepishly smiled, nodding his head.

Great, this was surely an amazing way to welcome a new colleague, First thought as both of them entered the Director's office.

Writer's note: Hope you enjoy reading and do comment your thoughts. I would love to read your thoughts on this story!