The Way I Loved You

Diving Into The Past

Hyunwoo tapped his foot impatiently, checking his watch every few minutes. It had been close to thirty minutes now, the doctor had assured him that it was a quick procedure, fifteen minutes at most. So where was she? Why hadn't she come out to go home with him yet? Did something go wrong? He couldn't sit still not knowing the answer.

When the doctor from earlier walked out with a worried expression, his heart dropped into his stomach. That look could never mean good news. What was wrong? Did she have an allergic reaction? Did they find out that her tumour had progressed even more while they were enjoying their time together in Germany?

"Ms Hong disappeared."

"What?" He felt the blood drain from his face.

"It looks like she went outside the hospital from the security cameras."

And he was off, running as fast as he could out of the hospital while his mind whirled in a tornado. Where could she have gone? Why did she leave the hospital on her own right before she was going to receive the procedure? Did she run away because she was scared? She should have come to him if she was. Why would she run away in her condition? She could be lost, or worse hurt.

He ran through the streets, his eyes darting between the pedestrians that passed him, his eyes trained for her beautiful luscious locks of hair that he always associated with her. No matter where she was, her hair that was always combed to perfection stood out as much as her strong aura. Where could she be? She didn't even have her phone on her since the hospital gown didn't have pockets. Her phone was now nestled in the pocket of his jacket so he couldn't even call her.

His heart pounded, the blood rushing in his ears as the world seemed to quieten around him, leaving him with nothing but the sound of his own heartbeat thundering in his ears, the sound morphing into one of a ticking clock, a striking reminder of the time slipping between his fingers as he struggled to find her. It was a beautiful sunny day, there were people all around him taking leisurely strolls, enjoying the golden sunlight, but here he was in another world of his own, fearing for Haein's safety.

Hyunwoo didn't know how long he spent running through the streets, stopping occasionally to peer over the crowd, his eyes searching for her familiar silhouette. More than once, he'd thought he saw her, but it turned out to be someone else. Was he so desperate to find her that everyone was starting to look like her?

It was only when he stood at the traffic crossing, waiting for the light to change that he noticed a commotion on the other side. Between the crowd of people, he could have sworn he spotted a flash of purple that looked terribly similar to the hospital gown Haein had been wearing.

His heart rate accelerated. Was that her? Did she get lost and faint in the streets?

He ran across the road the moment the light changed, desperate to get to her. He shoved his way through the crowd, stopping when he finally saw her face.

Thank god, it isn't her.

He shouldn't be this happy that someone else was hurt instead of Haein, but he did regardless. He was just so relieved that it wasn't her lying on the hard ground alone without anyone she knew by her side.

Standing there in the crowd, he was at a loss of what to do. His heart bore mixed feelings at the moment; relief that it wasn't Haein in trouble, and worry because he still hadn't found her. At least if it had been her, his search would be over. But now he had to start all over again. Was it even possible to find her at this point? So much time had passed, she could literally be anywhere for all he knew.

There was the smallest tug on the back of his jacket and he turned around, expecting it to be someone trying to ask for directions. His heart jumped when he saw her, looking completely unscathed, a tiny pout on her lips.