The Listener

Hospitals always felt alive. Machines beeped in steady rhythms. Nurses hurried through polished hallways with practiced urgency. Doctors moved from one patient to another, carrying both hope and heartbreak. Every day, lives changed within those walls. For Ayan, however, it was just another working day. She adjusted the files in her hands before glancing at the time on her phone. Almost closing hour. Ayan worked as the Human Resources Manager in one of the biggest hospitals in the city. Although she wasn't a doctor or a nurse, she played an important role in keeping the hospital running smoothly. Ironically... Being a doctor had once been her biggest dream. When she was little, she admired doctors more than anyone else. She wanted to wear a white coat, save lives, and become someone people could depend on. But childhood fears have a funny way of changing dreams. She had always been terrified of ghosts. The thought of walking through dark hospital corridors at night frightened her so much that, little by little, she convinced herself medicine wasn't for her. By the time university came around, she no longer knew what she truly wanted. She was admitted to study Human Resources. At first, she had no idea what HR even meant. Then someone casually told her, "You can work almost anywhere with HR." Those words stayed with her. If she couldn't become a doctor... She could still work in a hospital. And somehow, that dream came true. Six months ago, she was employed by one of the city's most prestigious hospitals. Although her cousin, Dr. Kyunmin, had recommended her for the position, it was her qualifications and performance during the interview that earned her the role. Outside work, Ayan lived a completely different life. She loved writing. Every free moment she had was spent creating stories filled with emotions, broken people, and second chances. She wasn't chasing fame. She wasn't writing for money. She only wished for one thing. A listener. Someone who would patiently read every chapter. Someone who would understand the emotions hidden between her words. Her stories barely had readers. Sometimes only one person viewed a chapter. Sometimes no one did. Yet... She never stopped writing. Deep down, she believed that one day, someone would find her story and stay until the very last page. With that familiar thought lingering in her mind, she placed the files inside her bag. The office had already begun to empty. Employees were saying their goodbyes. Chairs scraped lightly against the floor. Another workday was over. Finally... Home. Just as she reached the office door, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen. Aunt. A gentle smile appeared on her face before she answered. "Hello, Ma." "Ayan, how are you?" her aunt asked warmly. "I'm fine, Ma. How are you?" "I'm good." There was a brief pause before her aunt continued. "I've been calling Kyunmin, but he isn't answering his phone. Can you please tell him to come home before six? There's something important he needs to handle." Ayan smiled knowingly. That sounded exactly like Kyunmin. He could save lives... But replying to messages? Almost impossible. "I'll tell him, Ma." "Thank you." The call ended. Ayan slipped her phone back into her handbag. "I guess I'll have to find him myself." She walked toward Kyunmin's office and knocked twice. No response. She waited another few seconds. Still nothing. She frowned. Either he knew it was her and was deliberately ignoring her... Or he was busy with a patient. Knowing Kyunmin... Either option was possible. She gently pushed the door open. The office was empty. Ayan looked around before her eyes landed on his desk. His phone. She laughed to herself. "Predictable." Without his phone, there was no way he would know anyone had been trying to reach him. She stepped back into the hallway. Just then, a nurse carrying a tray of medication walked past. "Excuse me." The nurse stopped. "Have you seen Dr. Kyunmin?" "Yes," the nurse replied politely. "We were assigned to a patient together in the VVIP ward. I finished my rounds, but Dr. Kyunmin stayed behind." "Oh." Ayan smiled. "Which ward?" "Ward Twelve." "Thank you." The nurse nodded before continuing on her way. Ayan headed for the elevator. A soft chime echoed as the doors slid open. Inside stood two women. One wore a hospital gown. She was clearly a patient. "Good evening," Ayan greeted politely. "Good evening," they replied together. She pressed the button for the sixth floor. The elevator doors closed. For a few moments, silence filled the space. Then one of the women spoke excitedly. "I still can't believe I actually saw him." Her companion laughed. "He's even more handsome in person." "He really looks like an angel." "I heard he's staying in the VVIP ward." The patient sighed dreamily. "He looked so thin." "I heard he got sick because of that scandal online." Her sister nodded. "People are saying it's because of drugs." "You know how celebrities are." "Maybe..." The patient looked disappointed. "But whatever happened..." "I hope he gets better." Ayan quietly listened to their conversation without interrupting. A celebrity? In this hospital? Before she could hear anything else... The elevator stopped. The doors opened. The two women stepped out, still chatting excitedly. Ayan followed a few seconds later. She watched them disappear down the hallway before smiling to herself. "Now you've made me curious." She glanced at the ward numbers. Then she found it. Ward 12. She walked toward the room. Standing outside, she waited patiently. One minute passed. Then three. Then five. Still no sign of Kyunmin. Curiosity slowly replaced patience. She leaned slightly toward the narrow glass panel on the door. Inside... Kyunmin was sitting beside a patient's bed. He wasn't checking charts. He wasn't examining anyone. He was smiling. Actually smiling. Ayan blinked. "What's going on?" She had never seen him look that relaxed around a patient before. Unable to contain her curiosity, she knocked gently. From inside, Kyunmin's familiar voice answered, "Who's there?" "It's me." "Ayan." A smile spread across Kyunmin's face. He glanced toward the patient. The patient simply nodded. "Come in." Ayan immediately opened the door. As she walked in, the privacy curtain blocked her view of the patient. She instinctively moved closer. Kyunmin noticed. He gave her a knowing look. She responded with an innocent expression that clearly said, What? He almost laughed. "Ayan..." "You're here." "Yes." She took another step. One more. Then... She finally saw the person lying on the hospital bed. Everything around her seemed to fall silent. For one brief moment... She forgot how to breathe.