The sterile lights of the operating room buzzed softly overhead as Jungkook stood at the scrub sink, his hands working mechanically through the motions. He was distracted, mind elsewhere, frustrated even. He had hoped to be assisting with a heart transplant surgery today-a major operation that could've cemented his skills as a surgeon-in-training. Instead, he had been assigned to an appendectomy in a child, one of the most basic surgeries.
"An appendectomy?" Jungkook muttered under his breath, scrubbing his hands with exaggerated force. "This is practically med school 101."
As he finished scrubbing in, Dr. Im Nayeon, the lead surgeon, approached him, already wearing her surgical mask and gloves. Her eyes, though partially obscured by the overhead lights, carried a certain sharpness, a readiness to execute the task at hand.
"Are you ready, Jungkook?" Nayeon asked, her voice steady.
Jungkook sighed, trying to mask his disappointment. "Yeah, sure. Ready as I'll ever be."
"Good. Keep your focus sharp," Nayeon warned, her tone neutral, yet with a warning edge. "A basic surgery doesn't mean it's without risks."
Jungkook nodded half-heartedly, but in his head, he was still picturing himself inside the cardiothoracic operating room, overseeing a much grander procedure. How could an appendectomy compare?
They entered the OR, the sterile environment almost suffocating with the mixture of antiseptic and the hum of machinery. A child lay on the table, small and fragile, surrounded by the array of medical instruments. Jungkook's gaze swept over the child before turning toward the instruments. Nayeon took her place on the opposite side of the table, gesturing for him to begin assisting.
"Scalpel," Nayeon said calmly, her hand outstretched.
Jungkook handed her the scalpel and stood beside her, watching as she made the first incision into the child's abdomen. The appendectomy was progressing smoothly, each step precise and methodical. Jungkook's hands moved almost on autopilot, following Nayeon's instructions, but his mind kept wandering. His frustration grew with every simple maneuver, every routine suture.
_"This isn't a real challenge,"_ Jungkook thought. He could be doing something far more complex, proving his worth.
But then, his hands slipped.
"Jungkook!" Nayeon snapped. Her voice cut through the haze of his distraction like a sharp blade. He froze, eyes wide. He had almost severed an artery, dangerously close to turning a routine operation into a life-threatening situation.
Time seemed to slow as Nayeon swiftly took over, her hands working deftly to correct the error. She worked with the skill of someone who had performed this surgery countless times, stabilizing the child's vitals as sweat beaded on Jungkook's forehead. His heart pounded, realizing how close he had come to a catastrophe.
When the surgery was finally over, and the child was safely wheeled out of the operating room, the silence between them was deafening. Jungkook kept his eyes down, stripping off his gloves and mask with shaky hands.
In the hallway, Nayeon turned to him, her eyes now sharp with reprimand.
"What the hell happened in there, Jungkook?" Nayeon's voice was low but intense, the kind of tone that could strip away any false bravado. "You were completely distracted."
Jungkook opened his mouth to speak, but she continued, not giving him the chance.
"You almost cost that kid his life. Over what? You weren't interested in the case because it wasn't some grand surgery you wanted to assist on?"
"I-I'm sorry, Dr. Im," Jungkook stammered, feeling the weight of his mistake. "I just-"
"You just what? Thought an appendectomy wasn't worth your time?" Nayeon's voice grew sharper. "Do you think heart surgeries just fall into your lap because you want them to? Let me tell you something, Jungkook. It doesn't work that way."
Jungkook swallowed hard, feeling smaller with every word.
"If you can't handle the basics, how do you expect me to trust you with something more complex?" Nayeon continued. "Every surgery, no matter how routine, matters. Every patient, no matter how simple the case, deserves your full attention. That child's life is just as important as the patient waiting for a heart transplant."
Jungkook clenched his fists, feeling the sting of her words. He knew she was right, but admitting it made the guilt weigh even heavier on him.
Nayeon took a deep breath, her voice softening slightly, though still stern. "You want to be a great surgeon? It starts with the basics. You need to earn the right to perform those 'cooler' surgeries by proving you can handle every case with care and precision. If you can't do that, you have no place in my OR."
Jungkook lowered his head, his cheeks burning with shame. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was careless."
Nayeon studied him for a moment, her gaze softening slightly. "I don't want an apology. I want you to learn from this. Surgery isn't about glory or prestige, Jungkook. It's about saving lives. Don't forget that."
Jungkook nodded, the weight of her words sinking deep. "I won't."
"Good," Nayeon said firmly. "Now, go reflect on what happened today. I expect you to come back tomorrow with a clear head and ready to focus. If you can't do that, you won't step foot in another OR under my watch."
Jungkook nodded again, this time with more conviction. "I understand. I'll do better."
Nayeon gave him one last look before turning to walk away, her footsteps echoing down the hall, leaving Jungkook standing alone in the aftermath of his mistake.
