Gary sneaked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He sniffed her hair at the nape of her neck, breathing in the sweet scent, then pecked her on the cheek.
"Good morning," he whispered.
"Morning," she mumbled.
"What are you making?" He asked, noticing a packet of flour and a box of chocolate chips on the counter.
"Cookies," she replied as she took a small ice-cream scoop and used it to portion out the cookie dough on the baking tray. He kept one hand on her waist and reached into the mixing bowl with the other hand and steal a pinch of the dough in the mixing bowl and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Yah! It's raw!" She shouted as she turned around to look at him, giving him a frown. When he caught her stare, he pull her closer to him and kissed her pouting lips then pulled away.
"Should we go somewhere later?" He asked.
"I've somewhere in mind." She smiled and playfully dabbed flour on his nose, leaving a white mark there.
***
"Where are we going?" Gary asked as they walked through the basement car park of a building. There were a few cars scattered throughout the lot. Jihyo pushed open the door to the lift lobby then while waiting for the lift, she rummaged through her purse and took out a name card and passed it to him.
He took a look at it then stared at her blankly. It was the name card of the counseling centre that he had tried to persuade her to go to, and something which they ended up having a fight over. A little ding sounded and the lift door opened. Jihyo went in and pressed the button for the fifth floor. She looked up to see him still standing in the same spot.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked quietly, studying her expression.
"You will be with me throughout right?"
"Of.. Of course." he replied, and made his way into the lift.
They alighted at the fifth floor and followed the direction sign to the centre. Gary held the door for Jihyo to enter. A lady in her mid twenties, greeted them from behind the counter. Jihyo took out her identity card in her wallet and placed it on the counter and pushed it towards the receptionist.
"I've made an appointment under the name, 'Song Jihyo.'" She said.
The receptionist looked through the computer system then stood up and passed her a few forms. "Please fill up these forms and return them into this box. Dr Hyun will see you in ten minutes."
***
The moment they stepped into the room, they could smell a lovely lavender aroma. It was coming from the scented candle sitting atop the table.
"Oh Gary!" Su Jin greeted.
"Hey," Gary replied as Su Jin got up from his chair, went around the table and gave him a hug.
They pulled away then give each other a fist bump. Su Jin turned to look at Jihyo, realising that he had forgotten to introduce himself to her.
"Oh Jihyo ssi, pardon me for my rudeness. We met at your wedding but I don't think you recognise me since there were so many guests that day. Anyway, nice to meet you. I'm Gary's high school friend."
Jihyo smiled and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you too, Dr Hyun."
"Just call me Su Jin. Take a seat over there and we shall begin with the evaluation." Su Jin said
Looking through the forms that she had filled up, Su Jin started asking her questions related to the incident. Gary noticed how nervous she was even though she tries to hide it by breaking into smiles occasionally. She was gripping the edge of the chair with both hands so tightly, her knuckles turned white.
It wasn't easy for her to recount the unpleasant history, and having to tell a complete stranger something so intimate was like putting her through the pain for a second time.
Gary placed his hand over hers, looking into her eyes as she turned to face him. His silent encouraging assurance brought a sense of calmness over her, and she was glad to have him by her side.
"Jihyo ssi, today is just a consultation," they both turned to face Su Jin as he start to explain. "All your symptoms point towards post traumatic stress disorder. It develops when one experience something shocking and sudden, and in this case for you, it would be the miscarriage. Since this is a psychological issue, there won't be any medication to treat it. The only way to overcome it is through attending psychotherapy sessions, and it would be best for Gary to accompany you to the therapy sessions. Family support is the most important."
"How long will it take for her to recover entirely?" Gary asked.
"It may take a few months or even years, depending on how severe it is. The mindset and willpower of the patient also plays an important role in the recovery process. You can arrange the schedule of the therapy session at the counter."
"Thank you, Su Jin ssi." Jihyo said before they exit the room.
After they were done with the payment and scheduling the appointment, they went for a stroll at the park.
"Why didn't you tell me beforehand?" Gary asked.
She smiled dryly. "I don't want to disappoint you," she stopped walking and turned to look at him, "even the night before, I couldn't make up my mind. I was afraid. I don't want to raise your hope then only to disappoint you when I change my mind. It happened so many times that I feel so upset with myself. But this morning, I thought it through and because of you.." She looked down and her voice trailed off.
He raised her head with his thumb beneath her chin and asked, "what about me?"
She gazed into his eyes quietly for a moment. "You did so many things for me without ever complaining. And I feel that this is the only way for me to show you how much I appreciate you being there for me, to repay you for everything that you did and because I love you."
A soft smiled appeared on his face. "There's no need to repay me," he said, "if it concerns you, I'll be willing to do anything. And honestly, I'm glad that you went for the counseling. Thanks for doing that, yeobo."
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his body, leaning her head against his chest. "Thanks for always being there for me, Kang Gary."
