The Time When Our Path Someday Cross Again

Chapter 3

Ryu Sunjae had taken care of hundreds emergency patients, some of them even in life and death situation, racing against time and slim chances of survival. He survived the entrance exam, a tense nine years in med school, and another four years of residency in the hospital. Despite of that, nobody had taught him what to do for such a sudden encounter.

The hospital was a little bit too quiet tonight. The silence along the hospital's corridor a little bit too intimidating than it should be. Its quietness made him wondering if anyone could hear the rapid thumping sound from his heart. No matter how Ryu Sunjae was about to speak, his tongue tied. It seemed no words felt suitable enough in this situation.

All of his 'what if' scenario that had just played a while ago in his head suddenly vanished. He tried to recall some of his favorite 'what if' game, especially in the chapter of 'what if I finally have the chance to meet Im Sol again.' He remembered it was something about being more courageous, being confident, relax, and especially, being a 35 years old real adult. Being a real man. But in front of her, his body was possessed by the 19 years old Ryu Sunjae.

Lost in his thoughts, Sunjae quietly pushed the wheelchair towards the elevator. Without words, he automatically pressed the button to the 8th floor. Im Sol lifted her head, she tried to look up at Sunjae. She looked confused.

"Oh, I'm heading to 8th floor too." Im Sol murmured.

Sunjae's eyes dilated. Oh, no. I should have been asking where she's heading to. Sunjae gritted his teeth. Be on your guard, Sunjae-ya.

"O-oh, really?" Sunjae pretended to being surprised at the 'coincidence'. "Me too!"

Im Sol's voice had somehow brought back his right mind. When he finally took a good look at her, he realized that Im Sol's head was still drapped with his white robe. Sunjae cleared his throat, then moved his body to stand in front of Sol's wheelchair. He took his robe gently, as if the robe was covering something so fragile. "Sorry, I forgot to take off this."

Im Sol chuckled. "Oh, me too! Thanks for the... suit? It kept my hair dry."

Sunjae smiled awkwardly, trying to stole a glance at the woman who just gave him a little smile. He wanted Sol to take a good look at him, him under the light. What if she couldn't recognize him earlier because it was too dark in the rooftop? What if she's going frantic after she saw him clearly?

He inhaled deeply, gathering all the courage left in his body to face the beautiful face in front of him. He should not let the nervous and coward 19 years old boy in him took over. He wanted to make Im Sol see him completely, clearly. Finally, he lifted his head, and look at exactly her big and loving eyes.

In a few seconds, Sol answered at his gaze. When their eyes finally met, Sol's little smile appeared on her lips again.

"You look young for a doctor."

She really, did not recognize him.

Somehow, a strange feeling suddenly crept onto his heart. A strange feeling like.... relieve.

Sunjae looked away, he secretly smiled. Though he didn't sure what is so funny- Sol who thought that he is young enough, or the weird relieve of irony that he felt after confirming his first love really could not recognize him.

"Well... thanks, I guess? Many people said so," Sunjae wore his white robe back.

The elevator's door opened. A nurse spotted them when they went out, she then tried to took the wheelchair from Sunjae. Sunjae gave a small wave to the nurse, gesturing a sign that she didn't have to take over. The nurse quickly understood Sunjae's gesture, she smiled at Sol and withdraw herself. Sunjae pushed the wheelchair through the quiet corridor, he pretended to ask Sol which ward she belonged to.