Walk slowly (edited)

Chapter 5

I turned off my phone as soon as I finished talking with Mrs Tuan.

I know the reason that I left the ward room yesterday was not even logical, but what else can I say to deny that I left them without a word because of the presence of Irene. I also promised to visit Mr Tuan today after work, to convince them. Now I’m bound by my own promise. I will keep my promise, but I hope I will not meet Mark later. I need more strength to meet him and I’m just not ready for it today.

As soon as I finished my work, I drove to the hospital. The rain had been pouring for a while, now becoming heavier. After nearly fifteen minutes of searching for a parking slot at the hospital ground, there is finally space for my car. After turning off the car engine, I tried to reach for the umbrella in the back seat, only to realise that it was not there. I sighed, I had forgotten that I lent it to Jaebum.

“What should I do?” I started talking to myself.

The rain showed no sign of stopping soon, the sky was getting dark. Like it or not, I had to wait in the car until the rain slowed down.

I looked at the clock on the dashboard. Almost seven o’clock. The rain became heavier, with the occasional loud boom of thunder. Not wanting to keep waiting, I finally decided to step out and go into the hospital. Using my palm to cover my head, I quickly got out of the car and jogged to the hospital entrance, as a result my clothes were wet. Even so, I breathed a sigh of relief. At least I’m no longer just sitting and waiting in the car now.

I rode the elevator to meet with Mark’s parents in their ward as I had promised. A man in his forties shook his head as he looked at me. Maybe because I was drenched. There were also people in the elevator moving away slightly from me, maybe they didn’t want to get wet. I could only bow as an apology.

As I exited the elevator, my heart started to beat fast. I pray that Mark was not there. But deep inside, I hope to see him even though my heart still aches from what happened yesterday. But somehow my longing and love for Mark overcame my anger towards him.

The ward door was not closed properly when I got there. I recognised, from outside, those who were in the ward one by one through the door that was slightly open. Mark! My heart beat more quickly once I saw Mark. I took a deep breath to gather strength and push the ward door to go in.

“Why don’t you just wait for him? I do not have time to wait any longer. Besides, I’ve promised Irene that I’m picking her up.”

I could clearly hear the words Mark said. His voice was something I would never forget. I stopped pushing the door. I did not want to believe what I had just heard. No, I do not want to believe it. Mark wouldn’t be willing to do that to me. Right?

“It’s up to you son, but don’t blame me if anything happens.” Mrs Tuan replied to Mark’s words. I still stood there, not moving even an inch.

“Mama… papa, I’m going first.”

The clatter of feet became closer to the door, but I still stood frozen on the same spot. Eventually, Mark opened the doors and our eyes met.

“Jinyoung, how can you be this drenched?” Mark was clearly surprised to see me. It was clear from his tone that he was not happy with my presence there at this time.

I gazed at him for a long time before I gave him a fake smile.

“By the way, I have things to do. We can meet sometime later okay. Erm... can you move a little?”

It felt like Mark was the same with the strangers in the lift earlier. Does he not feel sympathetic towards me? Not even a little? I still moved to the side giving space for Mark and without waiting for a moment longer, Mark left without looking at me.