DISTINCT LOVE || TaeGyu

Chp 32

Months passed, and I became well-known in the hospital. News spread quickly that I was the first patient to wake up from years of coma and exhibit behavior and maturity matching my age. I’ll never forget how ecstatic my parents were when they heard the news. They even spent the whole night praying under the moon.  

As I slowly walked through the hospital garden, I stared at the yellow flowers, where monarch butterflies kept fluttering around them. As I gazed at the scene, sweet memories from my dream began to resurface again.

I remembered how the man I wanted to see, how he protected me from every danger.

I couldn’t believe how he managed my silliness and clumsiness, after all.

Even in the present, I still wanted to be with him.

I missed him—every day.

But where could I find him?

Before I could start thinking negatively, I decided to focus on the positive side. Maybe he was my guardian angel, rescuing me everytime I struggled to fight for my life.

I learned from my parents that I had consistent heart attacks while I was still in a state of coma, it's like I'm having a nightmare, and perhaps they were connected to what I experienced in my dream.

Maybe he was the light who led me to escape from the darkest tunnel.

My hero.

Strength doesn’t make a hero, as I believe. A true hero is someone who stands for what they believe in.

That’s what he taught me to become.

I never forget it.

"Hey, be careful."

My thoughts were interrupted, as I instinctively glanced at the hand on my arm. When I looked up at him, my heart melted, and I found myself yearning for the comfort of my long dream once again.

"Choi? Are you okay? You shouldn’t be wandering around in such thin clothes. You might catch a cold." The man said, steadying me just before I stumbled over a rock.

"Mr. Kang..."

I whispered out, my voice trembling as I looked at him. His expression turned to one of pure shock when he noticed the light tears forming in my eyes.

It hit me then.

Everything in this world was so different from my dream.

"You know me?" he asked, placing a hand on his chest. "Do you still remember the night I rescue you in the past?"

Rescue me?

I remained silent, trying to piece together his words. He must be referring to something else—perhaps the accident.

"I’m the cop who rescued you when you got drowned in the river, Young Choi." Mr. Kang explained gently, smiling at me. "I came to visit you after hearing the big news. You grown up so much. I couldn’t forget how small you were back then."

A cop.

Tears welled in my eyes. Even in this reality, he was the one who had helped me survive.

"T-Thank you..." I stammered, bowing at him. "I... I wouldn’t be here without your help, M-Mr. Kang!"

Mr. Kang laughed heartily and patted my head.

"You’re very welcome. You’re so brave, Choi. Just call me Minhyuk. I’m retired now. My wife is kinda scary—"

"Hey, Mr. Kang! You really came to visit him, huh!"