The Backside Story

The Story From Yeong Jo's POV

After a few hours of travel, I finally reached Doldam Hospital. As I stared at the façade of the hospital, I asked myself "What am I exactly doing here?" As I glanced upon the busy ER, I immediately found the answer "Right. I need to save this Chinese-Korean friend of mine".

Now, it's time to look for the only person who can help me.

I turned to look for the information desk, if they have one here... but Lo and Behold! He is already standing in front of me – Boo Yong Joo – the man whom, ten years ago, I ended my five-year relationship with because that is the only way for us to be happy and live uncomplicated lives.

He looked as if he had seen a ghost, so I guess, I should do the talking first – anyway, I was the one who showed up here unannounced.

"Hi! Its been a while" I told him. But he didn't gave me an immediate reply, he just stared at me. I think I saw hurt in his eyes, but I just brushed the thought aside and smiled at him.

"How?", "Why?" he finally spoke.

"This place has a charm of its own, I thought it was a haunted mansion." I began, as I take small steps towards him. Then I continued... "I've been hearing news about you since the end of last year; I heard about the artificial heart surgery too and then I found out you're here at Doldam Hospital. Have you been well? I asked him, but instead of giving me an answer, he invited me into his office.

Inside, I made myself feel at ease and looked around. I noticed his old cassette player.

"You still have these?" I asked him.

He glanced at what I'm referring and gave me a short reply. "Yeah. I've been listening to them" he said.

"Music is very funny. It turns back time doesn't it?" I said again, trying to make a conversation with him.

"Yes." He said and I noticed the look on his face that seems to avoid the past. And suddenly, I wanted to know what happened to him during those moments I wasn't in his life. But I shouldn't go there, I don't have the right anymore.

"Anyway, when did you come back?" he spoke again. I can feel he's slowly getting comfortable at my presence.

"Its been about three years. No, it might be four. I look old, don't I?" I joked.

He shook his head and smiled at me before answering "You still look the same. You look pretty cool."

"I know you were lying, but it still sounds good. I heard you definitely aged if you like hearing those things." I smiled at him and took a good look at his face. I didn't expect that comment from him and it made my heart flutter, but it also made me realize that I missed him – and the sad thing about that is the truth that I am feeling this way because he is already gone from my life.

I was lost in that thought when I noticed what he's doing. "What's this? Do you make coffee?" I asked.

"Yeah. It's like a habit" he said.

I couldn't hide my surprise in his answer "what? A habit?" I laughed at him. Looking at his eyes, I seem to have read his thoughts and added before he can speak "You hated things like this."

"Did I?" he said, as if trying to recall.

"Watching movies, going to restaurants. And you specially hated sitting at café's and chatting. And you are here making coffee for yourself?" I tried to hide my thoughts in that comment. Maybe, this is one of the many things that has changed in him since we broke up.

"Was I like that?" he questioned again.

"You always give me a hard time when we went out on dates. I can write a whole paper about it." I teased him.