Birthday
1009 Words
Ayan stepped into the elevator, her handbag hanging from one shoulder while carefully balancing a birthday cake and a tub of ice cream in her hands.
"This is harder than it looks," she mumbled to herself.
Just as the elevator doors opened, someone was already waiting outside.
Ayan narrowed her eyes the moment she recognized him.
"It's been a while, Ayan."
He looked at her with a faint smile.
"Yes, it has, Taejoon."
"You here?" he asked. "Why?"
She frowned.
"Why? Are you investigating me now? Can't I be here?"
"Oh, sorry. My bad." He smiled politely. "You can. I was just surprised. Your work doesn't usually require you to come to this floor."
"Since I work here, I can come wherever my work takes me."
She stepped out of the elevator.
"You can go in."
As Taejoon entered, he chuckled.
"You really haven't changed a bit."
Without looking back, Ayan replied,
"And you still haven't stopped poking your nose into other people's business."
The elevator doors closed between them.
Ayan smiled to herself before walking toward Ward 12.
---
Standing in front of the VVIP room, she adjusted the cake in one hand and the ice cream in the other before knocking gently.
"Come in."
She entered.
The first thing she noticed was the room itself.
Bouquets of expensive flowers filled almost every corner.
Several beautifully wrapped cakes sat untouched on a nearby table.
"Wow..."
She blinked.
"So many flowers..."
Chang Wook looked at her with obvious confusion, wondering who she was and why she had entered his room.
Ayan quickly placed the cake and ice cream on the table before letting out a long breath.
"Finally."
Without waiting for permission, she pulled a chair over and sat down.
Only then did she notice the confused expression on his face.
"Oh!"
She laughed awkwardly.
"Sorry. I'm not a kidnapper."
She pointed at herself.
"I'm Kyunmin's cousin. I came here the other day. If you remember."
She pointed toward the things she had brought.
"Kyunmin asked me to bring these to you."
Chang Wook remained silent.
His phone rested comfortably in his hand.
Ayan's eyes accidentally landed on the screen.
"You're reading a novel?"
Her eyes sparkled.
"You like reading stories online?"
"I can recommend some."
She smiled brightly.
Still...
No response.
"I actually write stories online too."
She scratched the back of her neck shyly.
"But nobody really reads them."
"I'm trying to find one unique reader who can give me an honest review."
"Kyunmin always praises my stories because he's my brother..."
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
"...but I'd really like to hear an opinion from someone who doesn't know me."
For the first time...
Chang Wook finally spoke.
"Can you pass me the ice cream?"
Ayan immediately leaned closer.
Her eyes widened.
"So you can talk!"
She stared at him in amazement.
"I thought you couldn't speak."
She smiled from ear to ear.
"Wow..."
"Your voice is just as beautiful as your face."
Without waiting for another word, she opened the ice cream, removed the spoon, and handed it to him.
Chang Wook accepted it quietly and began eating.
Ayan simply stood there...
Watching him.
After a few moments, Chang Wook slowly raised his eyes.
"Why are you still here?"
She answered without hesitation.
"I want you to read my stories."
"I'm not forcing you."
"I just think you'll like them."
She smiled proudly.
"My pen name is DTK_22."
"My nickname is Meant_To_Be_22."
"I have quite a few stories."
"Could you write it down and maybe read one whenever you're less busy?"
Chang Wook simply looked at her for a moment before returning his attention to his ice cream.
No answer.
Ayan sighed softly.
Her eyes wandered around the room again.
"You received so many flowers."
"They're all beautiful."
"And you haven't touched any of the cakes."
Chang Wook slowly lifted his eyes.
Their gazes met.
For a brief second...
Silence filled the room.
Ayan thought to herself.
He probably thinks I'm crazy...
She smiled awkwardly.
"I should get going."
She picked up her handbag.
Walking toward the door, she stopped one last time.
"My nickname on the app is Meant_To_Be_22."
"And my username is DTK_22."
She pointed at herself with a grin.
"Don't forget."
Then she walked out.
The door closed.
---
Chang Wook stared at the closed door for several seconds before shaking his head.
"Very noisy..."
"And unbelievably talkative."
A small smile unknowingly appeared on his face.
"I've never met anyone like her."
He looked down at the ice cream in his hand.
"I forgot to tell her to thank Kyunmin for me."
He glanced at the untouched birthday cakes surrounding the room.
"And..."
"She never even explained why Kyunmin didn't come himself."
He sighed.
"She probably forgot."
"She talks too much."
He continued eating his ice cream before pressing the nurse call button.
---
Meanwhile...
Ayan walked slowly toward the elevator.
She couldn't stop talking to herself.
"He barely speaks."
"It's like he carefully counts every word before saying it."
She tilted her head.
"Wait..."
"Is he from a really rich family?"
She remembered all the flowers.
"So many bouquets..."
"So many expensive cakes..."
"What a waste of money."
A second later she laughed.
"Come to think of it..."
"I'm not poor either."
She burst into laughter.
"But I really do ask the silliest questions."
"He's staying in the VVIP ward..."
"And I was standing there talking nonstop."
She laughed all the way to the elevator.
Once inside, she pulled out her phone and sent Kyunmin a message.
Ayan: Your mission has been completed. I hope the operation went well.
She smiled after pressing send.
---
Back inside the VVIP ward, the nurse arrived.
"You called, Mr. Chang Wook?"
He nodded.
"Can you share all these cakes with everyone?"
He pointed around the room.
"Leave only the one Kyunmin brought."
The nurse smiled warmly.
"Of course."
A few minutes later, the cakes were divided among the nurses and hospital staff, while Kyunmin's cake remained untouched on the table beside Chang Wook's bed.
- Writer
