The Past They Couldn't Escape
846 Words
The hospital remained as busy as ever.
Doctors moved from one ward to another while nurses hurried through the hallways carrying patients' files and medications.
Miah walked calmly along the corridor, her white coat flowing behind her.
Just as she was about to turn into another hallway, two nurses' voices caught her attention.
She stopped.
Not because she intended to eavesdrop...
But because one name reached her ears.
Dr. Kyunmin.
"The patient Dr. Kyunmin spends the most time with is recovering now," one nurse said excitedly.
"I heard he's a celebrity."
"I've been dying to get assigned to Dr. Kyunmin's shift just so I can see how handsome the patient is."
The other nurse laughed.
"Me too."
"I heard he's one of the highest-paid models in the country."
"And both of his parents are famous models."
She paused before adding,
"But ever since he was admitted here, I've never seen either of his parents visit."
The first nurse nodded.
"Now that you mention it..."
"I've never seen anyone visit him except Dr. Kyunmin."
"I wonder what kind of relationship they have."
The second nurse shrugged.
"Maybe his parents are busy."
"You know how celebrities are."
"I even saw online that his fans celebrated his birthday last week."
"Apparently, Nurse Moonsua shared the birthday cake with all the staff."
The first nurse sighed dramatically.
"I wasn't on duty that day."
"I missed my chance."
The two nurses laughed as they continued walking, their voices gradually fading away.
Miah remained standing where she was.
Her expression didn't change.
"...And now..."
"I'm the only one left alone."
With that, she quietly continued walking toward her assigned patient.
---
Inside the ward...
Miah finished checking the patient's chart before examining him.
"How are you feeling today?"
"A lot better, Doctor."
She nodded.
"Good."
After giving a few instructions to the assigned nurse, she turned to leave.
As they stepped into the hallway together, Miah spoke.
"The celebrity patient..."
The nurse looked at her.
"Yes, Doctor?"
"What ward is he in?"
The nurse immediately understood who she meant.
"VVIP Ward 12."
Miah gave a small nod.
"Thank you."
She walked away.
---
A few minutes later...
The elevator doors opened on the VVIP floor.
Miah walked down the quiet hallway until she stopped in front of Ward 12.
She glanced through the small glass window.
No one else was inside.
She knocked gently.
"Come in."
Miah opened the door.
Chang Wook was resting against the headboard, his phone in his hand.
The moment he looked up, surprise flashed across his face.
"...Miah."
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Hi, Chang Wook."
She walked closer and sat beside his bed.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm doing better."
She nodded.
"It's been a while."
Chang Wook smiled faintly.
"Yeah..."
"It has."
Before either of them could continue...
The door suddenly opened.
Kyunmin entered with his usual warm smile.
"Chang Wook—"
His voice stopped midway.
The smile disappeared from his face the instant he saw Miah sitting beside Chang Wook.
Silence filled the room.
Chang Wook noticed it.
So did Miah.
Neither of them spoke.
The atmosphere suddenly became unbearably heavy.
Miah slowly stood.
"I should get going."
No one stopped her.
She quietly walked past Kyunmin without sparing him a glance.
The door closed softly behind her.
- - -
Outside the ward...
Miah walked toward the elevator.
The moment the doors closed...
She finally let out the breath she had been holding.
Her hand instinctively clutched her chest.
Tightly.
Tears slowly gathered in her eyes.
"...Everything..."
"...falls apart in just one moment."
Her voice trembled.
Unable to hold herself together any longer...
She silently broke down.
---
Inside Ward 12...
Neither Kyunmin nor Chang Wook spoke.
The silence stretched between them.
Finally...
Chang Wook sighed.
"Sit."
Kyunmin seemed to return to reality.
He quietly pulled the chair closer and sat down.
Chang Wook studied him for a moment.
"...Are you okay?"
Kyunmin forced a small smile.
"I'm fine."
Chang Wook shook his head.
"You still haven't let her go..."
"...have you?"
Kyunmin remained silent.
Chang Wook lowered his eyes to his hands.
"...Stop this."
His voice softened.
"I'm already dying."
"Go back to her."
"You know..."
"...she's still the one in your heart."
He swallowed before continuing.
"If I had never been born..."
"...the two of you would still be happily married."
Kyunmin immediately reached out and held Chang Wook's hand.
"Don't ever say that."
"It was never your fault."
His grip tightened.
"If anyone should be asking for forgiveness..."
"...it's us."
Chang Wook looked at him before smiling sadly.
"Let's not talk about the past anymore."
"You promised me."
"You said you'd help me forget everything."
A faint smile returned to his face.
"So..."
"Let's make whatever time I have left..."
"...filled with happy memories."
Kyunmin looked at him for a long moment.
Then...
He smiled.
"A promise is a promise."
The two friends smiled at each other.
For just a brief moment...
The weight of the past didn't disappear.
But it became a little easier to carry.
- Writer
