The Man Behind the Curtain
1094 Words
Kyunmin noticed the dazed look on Ayan's face and couldn't help but smile.
"Ayan."
She didn't respond.
"Ayan."
His voice was a little louder this time.
She blinked and finally looked at him.
"Huh?"
For a brief moment...
The patient had made everything around her disappear.
"You okay?" Kyunmin asked.
Ayan quickly cleared her throat.
"Yeah... I'm fine."
Almost.
She forced herself to look away from the patient.
"Aunt called."
Kyunmin nodded.
"She said you should be home before six. She tried calling you several times, but you didn't answer."
She folded her arms.
"So I went to your office."
"You weren't there."
"I asked one of the nurses, and she told me you were here."
Then she pointed toward him.
"You even left your phone on your desk."
Her eyes drifted back to the patient without realizing it.
Kyunmin noticed.
"Ayan."
She looked at him again.
For a second, the two cousins exchanged a silent conversation only they understood.
Behave.
I'm trying.
"I've been busy," Kyunmin said with an awkward smile.
Then he turned toward the patient.
"I should get going now."
"I'll be on night duty tomorrow..."
"So you won't have to miss me too much."
The patient simply smiled.
He didn't say a word.
Yet somehow...
His smile alone carried warmth.
Kyunmin stood up before gently taking Ayan's wrist.
"Come on."
Without giving her another chance to stare, he led her out of the room.
The door quietly closed behind them.
---
The two walked toward the elevator.
Neither of them spoke.
The silence lasted only until the elevator doors shut.
Ayan immediately turned toward him.
"Brother."
"What?"
"Who is he?"
"Patient."
She frowned.
"I know he's a patient."
"I mean..."
"...who is he?"
Kyunmin finally looked at her.
"Why are you asking so many questions?"
Ayan hesitated.
"I don't know."
"It's just..."
She couldn't explain it.
Something about the man felt strangely familiar.
Not because she had met him before...
But because his presence lingered in her mind.
Kyunmin chuckled.
"I knew something was wrong with you back in the ward."
Ayan looked at him with pleading eyes.
"Brother..."
He sighed.
"I don't have an answer for your question."
"Brother!"
Her voice echoed inside the elevator.
Kyunmin deliberately looked away.
Ayan grabbed his arm.
"You know you're my favorite person."
"I've never been this curious before."
Kyunmin laughed.
"You?"
"Never curious?"
"Stop pretending."
The elevator doors opened.
Without another word, Kyunmin slipped his hand free and walked away.
"Oh no, you don't!"
Ayan ran after him.
Before he could react...
She jumped onto his back.
"Yah!"
Kyunmin nearly lost his balance.
Around them, several hospital staff laughed.
No one was surprised anymore.
Everyone in the hospital knew the two.
They weren't biological siblings.
But they argued, teased and cared for each other like they had grown up in the same house.
Kyunmin finally helped Ayan down before making a run for his office.
He quickly stepped inside and locked the door.
Click.
Ayan reached it a second too late.
She knocked loudly.
"I hate you, Kyunmin!"
From inside, his voice came almost immediately.
"I hate you more."
His teasing tone made her roll her eyes.
She leaned toward the small glass panel on the door and glared at him.
He only grinned.
"You'll pay for this," she muttered.
Still smiling to herself, Ayan finally turned and left for home.
---
A few minutes later...
Kyunmin packed his bag and left the hospital.
Instead of driving home, he headed toward his mother's house.
As soon as he stepped inside, he called out loudly,
"Mom!"
"I'm home!"
Before another second passed, his mother appeared at the top of the staircase.
"You've been here for less than thirty seconds," she laughed.
"And you're already shouting for me."
Kyunmin walked over and hugged her tightly.
"You know I came because I missed you."
His mother smiled warmly.
"I know."
She gently patted his shoulder.
"Come and sit."
The two settled into the living room.
"I actually planned to visit you this week," Kyunmin admitted.
"Really?"
"Yes."
His mother smiled proudly.
"Thankfully you came today."
She looked at him.
"I tried calling you several times."
Kyunmin scratched the back of his neck.
"I was with a patient."
"You know how work is."
She nodded.
"I do."
"I've walked that path before."
For a brief moment, both of them smiled.
"Would you like something to eat?" she asked.
He shook his head.
"No, Mom."
"I'm fine."
"I should head home soon."
Then he remembered.
"Oh..."
"Ayan said you told her there was something important."
"There is."
His mother's smile slowly disappeared.
"I wanted to tell you something."
The atmosphere suddenly became heavier.
She stood up and moved to sit beside him.
Then she gently held both of his hands.
Kyunmin straightened.
Her expression alone told him this wasn't ordinary news.
"Mom..."
"What is it?"
She looked directly into his eyes.
"Miah..."
"...will be joining your hospital."
Everything around him seemed to stop.
"...Miah?"
His mother nodded.
"Yes."
"Your ex-wife."
Kyunmin stared at her in disbelief.
"Why?"
"You know how powerful her family is," she answered quietly.
"Her brother is the hospital director."
"And her father owns the largest share in the hospital."
"We can't oppose them."
Kyunmin lowered his eyes.
"But, Mom..."
She gently interrupted him.
"I know."
"I know why you left your previous hospital."
"I know how much it hurt."
"But you can't keep running forever."
She squeezed his hands.
"Working in the same hospital doesn't mean you have to be part of each other's lives again."
"Treat her like a stranger."
"As though she never existed."
Her voice softened.
"Please..."
"Don't leave this hospital because of her."
For several seconds...
Kyunmin remained silent.
Then a small smile appeared on his face.
"I'm not leaving."
"I'll be okay."
He stood up.
"I should get going."
"Good night, Mom."
His mother rose with him.
Although she smiled...
Her heart still ached for her son.
She walked him to the front door.
Outside, Kyunmin looked back and gave her a reassuring smile.
Without saying another word, he climbed into his car.
His mother waved.
"Drive safely."
He responded with a playful flying kiss before driving away.
---
Later that night...
Kyunmin lay quietly on his bed.
The bedside lamp was the only light in the room.
His finger repeatedly pressed the switch.
On.
Off.
On.
Off.
The room alternated between light...
And darkness.
His thoughts drifted to one person.
Miah.
He closed his eyes.
"What happens..."
"...when you come back?"
The room fell silent once more.
- Writer
