Strings & Stitches

Chapter 15

Today was finally the big day of Gahyun's operation. As one could imagine, stress was high for certain individuals in the hospital. Bora, Siyeon and Gahyun had the most reason to be stressed, but the less obvious people were Yoohyeon and Minji.

Yoohyeon--because she had gotten pretty close to the patient in such little time, and Minji-- because she had been the observing surgeon assigned to Gahyun way before Siyeon arrived at the hospital.

The intern already felt the heavy air and anticipation for the high-risk surgery when she got to the changing rooms and got into her work clothes. She had no role in the operation, but she was thankful for that. There was no way she'd be able to handle it.

To her surprise, when she started doing her early morning rounds, she found Minji alone in the hallways, mindlessly staring at the board, that seemed to be... quite empty. And that wasn't normal behaviour for the usually professional and focused woman.

Yoohyeon hadn't talked to the chief normally after the project was done, both of them being busy with other things at the hospital and sometimes, days would go by where the intern couldn't even spot Minji anywhere.

Because of that, Yoohyeon was pretty nervous about striking up a conversation with the woman, but this time, it seemed that Minji maybe even needed some company. So without thinking too much about it, she slowly walked closer to the chief and when she still didn't notice her, gave her shoulder a little pat.

Minji got way too startled in response, basically showing Yoohyeon that she had been lost in deep thought. "C-could you not warn me?" She asked, her voice a little meaner than she would've liked it to be.

Yoohyeon immediately dropped her hand to the side, frowning. It was her first time hearing Minji stutter, and her first time being this sensitive hearing her mean tone. "I'm sorry..." She said in a quiet, regretful tone.

Not wanting to sound angry, the older woman took a deep breath before speaking. That usually helped her regain her composure. "No, I'm sorry, Yoohyeon. You have done nothing wrong."

The intern scratched her forearm, feeling even more awkward than she thought she would be just a few seconds ago. "I just wanted to ask if you're... feeling alright" She said without looking directly into Minji's eyes, and when she didn't get a response instantly, she added. "I- I mean, I know it's not my, uh, business. It's just... worry? I guess" Yoohyeon said with a sigh, disliking the words she chose to use.

Knowing this came from a genuine place of concern, Minji was honestly happy that Yoohyeon decided to talk to her. Most people here only held conversations if it was connected to work or themselves, never the Chief. So just for that courage, the intern also deserved a genuine answer. "I'm not feeling alright, no... I'm surprised you noticed."

Yoohyeon nodded, thinking that it's not hard to notice even slight changes in someone you tend to intently watch every day. Of course, she didn't say that thought out loud. "Well, if you want to talk..." She shrugged with her head tilted to her side, giving Minji a small smile. "I'm here"

"Thanks" Minji smiled, patting Yoohyeon's shoulder to thank her. She intended to walk away and continue with her day... but then some part of her decided to stay and actually talk. Something which probably wasn't too 'normal' for a chief to do with an intern. "It's Gahyun. I was her supervisor before so... I'm connected to that girl, in a way."

"I actually understand that well" Yoohyeon started to say, getting all of Minji's attention on her, but then she remembered she was still talking to the chief, could she possibly say how she got to be close friends with a patient while working? She chose other words instead. "I have been assigned as her nurse for a while, so I also got to know her a bit. She's the sweetest."