Episode 2. Destiny rather than coincidence (2)
As I came outside, a cool breeze passed by my cheek.
If the nurse knew that Do-hyeon had come out alone, she would have been criticized, but it didn’t matter because she planned to come out quietly and go back in quietly before she was caught.
Dohyeon walked to the park he often went to.
The small park near the hospital was a place where hospital patients often walked.
I was glad that no one was interested in the white hospital gown.
While walking along a small path, Do-hyeon sat down on a bench and watched the people passing by in front of him.
The faces of the family leaving with friendly smiles.
A frowning face as if something is not to your liking.
A very tired and tired face.
The faces of lovers laughing and playing with each other.
Dohyeon’s expression changed in various ways according to the faces of the people he encountered.
His expression changed in an instant, as if he were changing his mask at will.
It was a strange sight to see the boy’s expression constantly changing, but no one noticed it because the street lamp next to the bench was broken.
Dohyeon’s expression, which was constantly changing, stopped when he heard the sound of the cell phone vibrating in his pocket.
[mom]
Dohyeon’s expression turned cold when he saw the caller’s name on his phone screen for the first time in a month.
Dohyun pressed the blue phone icon and held the phone to his ear.
– … ah. Dohyun, you got it.
Even though he was calling, his voice was somewhat shaken.
Dohyeon answered calmly.
“yes.”
There was silence for a moment beyond the receiver.
– okay. How are you feeling?
Do-hyeon couldn’t even get out of bed a while ago, but he knew that his mother wasn’t asking because she was genuinely curious.
Dohyeon gave the answer the other person wanted without much inspiration.
“are you okay.”
– How are you and Kaylee?
“yes.”
– okay. I am relieved to hear that you are doing well. I’m lucky to have a good person by my side. Because she’s far away, her mom and her dad can’t be with her.
Dohyun did not respond to those words.
In response to Do-hyeon’s reaction, words came out from the other end of the phone like an excuse.
– Mom and Dad are very worried about Dohyeon and want to stay with him, but you know they can’t do anything because of work, right?
“… yes. “I know.”
– okay. If anything happens, call me… .
The voice trailed off a little and paused for a moment, then continued talking a little later.
– Well, Mom has some work to do, so I have to go, Dohyun.
“yes.”
– that… Well, I’ll stop now. Take care.
After saying those words, Dohyun slowly lowered the phone to his ear as the call hung up.
Then, he stuffed it in his pocket without any hesitation, got up from the bench, and continued his walk.
His expressionless face looked the same as usual, but after moving about five steps, Dohyun stopped dead in his tracks.
The feeling of wanting to take a walk disappeared.
‘I should just go back.’
As I turned to go back to the hospital room, a man staggering into view came into view.
‘Are you drunk?’
Because it was evening time, there were quite a few people drinking and walking around.
It’s a common sight, but strangely enough, I couldn’t take my eyes off the man.
It felt like something strange was pulling me.
Feeling this sensation for the first time in his life, Dohyeon unconsciously moved a little closer to the man.
Dohyeon’s face stiffened a little.
The movements of the man I thought was simply a drunk man were strange.
Before I knew it, my steps became faster.
“hey! are you okay?”
The man raised his head, and their eyes met.
Dohyeon’s eyes widened.
The man was Asian like Do-hyeon. Moreover, his face and neck were completely wet and white with sweat.
Dohyeon said urgently.
“Can you hear my voice? The hospital is right in front. “I’ll call someone, so just wait a moment.”
“… “Don’t call me.”
“yes?”
“Don’t call anyone or anything else.”
Dohyeon hesitated with an embarrassed expression.
I didn’t know what to do as he looked like he was going to collapse at any moment and was told not to call anyone.
I was so embarrassed that I forgot that I was caring too much about other people.
Ugh.
I woke up to the sound of a man moaning.
“Then, I will help you, so let’s go to the hospital.”
“Okay… uh.”
The man’s words made me feel uncomfortable.
The man, seeing Dohyeon’s serious expression, laughed. Dohyeon was dumbfounded by that laugh.
“Are you laughing now?”
“No, your expression is too serious. Ugh. direction… “It’s funny because you have a serious expression on your face.”
Dohyeon furrowed his eyebrows at those words. It was useless to say that while I was out of breath.
‘person who is abnormal.’
The man laughed once more, wondering what was so funny about Do-hyeon’s strangely distorted expression, and wrapped his arm around Do-hyeon’s shoulder.
Dohyun stiffened like a stone at that sudden contact.
“What are you doing? “You said you would help me?”
“… Ah yes. Then to the hospital… .”
Do-hyeon awkwardly grabbed the man’s arm and tried to move, but the man’s words stopped him.
“No, not the hospital. ah. That bench over there would be nice. “Take me there.”
“What about the hospital?”
“You just need to rest a little.”
Dohyeon didn’t trust the man’s words, but he didn’t think the man would give up his stubbornness easily, so he helped the man and brought him to the bench.
Because the height difference between the man and Do-hyeon was large, they were almost able to walk on their own.
The man, who saw Do-hyeon moving his feet eagerly without noticing it, secretly suppressed laughter.
Slurp-
The man sat down on the bench.
Dohyeon hesitated in front of him.
‘Shouldn’t we take him to the hospital right now?’
That’s how bad the man’s complexion looked.
While Do-hyeon was thinking about such things, a man knocked on the seat next to him.
“You too, come and sit here.”
Dohyeon, who was a little worried, sat down a little away from the man.
Sitting on the bench and belatedly taking a closer look at the man’s face, Do-hyeon realized that the man was younger than he thought.
I think he was in his early to mid 20s.
He was staring at me, amazed that a stranger was close to him, but after a while, his eyebrows, which had been distorted in pain, regained their neat shape.
“Thank you for your help. I didn’t expect to see fellow Asians here. I’m Jeong Hee-seong. you?”
Do-hyeon was a little surprised to learn that Jeong Hee-seong was Korean. Do-hyeon stopped speaking English and answered in Korean.
“I’m Dohyun Lee.”
Jeong Hee-seong reacted one beat slower to the sudden sound of Korean.
“… uh? Are you Korean too?”
“yes.”
Strictly speaking, I had dual citizenship, but it wasn’t wrong to say I was Korean.
“It’s a coincidence. The kid I met at the park is of the same nationality. “It’s the first time I’ve felt glad to hear Korean.”
Do-hyeon also felt a little strange because he didn’t know that he would be speaking Korean here.
“But why are you here…” ah.”
Jeong Hee-seong belatedly found Do-hyeon’s clothes and became speechless.
Dohyeon was accustomed to that reaction.
“What an interesting coincidence.”
“why?”
“I’m a patient at that hospital too.”
Do-hyeon’s eyes widened at Jeong Hee-seong’s words.
Jeong Hee-seong thought that his expression looked like a surprised rabbit.
Do-hyeon’s eyes landed on the hem of Jeong Hee-seong’s pants.
I didn’t realize it because he was wearing a long coat, but the hem that was visible had the same design as Dohyun’s.
“Why were you hospitalized?”
“Because of illness. Because I have a rare disease. Oh, I’m not moving it.”
At those words, Dohyeon realized.
A person who Do-hyeon, who has been in the hospital for a long time, has never seen before and who is said to be suffering from a rare disease.
‘This is the man Benjamin was talking about.’
In that case, it was understandable that Do-hyeon had never seen Jeong Hee-seong. This man must have been here not long ago.
As Do-hyeon continued his thoughts, he realized that he was paying too much attention to this person.
Because it looks painful?
Because we suffer from the same disease?
Do-hyeon, who was thinking about various things and trying to reason about his actions, stiffened when he saw Jeong Hee-seong sitting comfortably next to him.
For not avoiding me.
Jeong Hee-seong did not mind Do-hyeon at all.
Yes, it bothered me so much because he treated me so naturally.
Dohyeon asked with a look of disbelief.
“Aren’t I uncomfortable?”
After speaking, Dohyeon felt a little bit like it was a mistake.
‘I’d be embarrassed if you suddenly asked me a question like this. It’s hard to answer.’
Do-hyeon added and settled the matter.
“I was just saying that if I was uncomfortable sitting next to you, I would leave your seat.”
Now I’m going to ask you to leave.
Do-hyeon waited for Jeong Hee-seong’s answer, but the answer he received was completely different from what he expected.
“why? “Just sit there.”
A grumpy tone of voice, a grumpy expression.
Do-hyeon looked at Jeong Hee-seong blankly to gauge his sincerity, but eventually said what he wanted to say.
“I feel uncomfortable. “I don’t mind being honest.”
“Huh?”
Jeong Hee-seong looked at Do-hyeon with a puzzled expression.
“I’m not so trash that you hate the little girl who helped me?”
“It’s not that problem.”
“I don’t know what the problem is, but one thing is for sure: I don’t hate you, and I don’t mind if you keep sitting there.”
Rather, I’m more amazed… .
Jeong Hee-seong muttered in a low voice.
Do-hyeon, who didn’t hear that, asked back, but Jeong Hee-seong didn’t answer and instead smiled strangely.
Dohyeon blinked, suppressing a strange feeling.
A child that even parents are reluctant to share.
That was me.
Benjamin, who was trying to treat Dohyun’s illness, did not want Dohyun to get closer than a certain distance, let alone Kaylee.
Kaylee was a caregiver before her, so there was nothing to blame her for.
In that situation, I gradually gave up on being accepted by anyone.
however.
Suddenly, I felt a warm feeling above my head.
Dohyeon’s thoughts, which had continued to expand, were forcibly stopped.
Jeong Hee-seong, who was ruffling Do-hyeon’s hair, raised the corners of his mouth and smiled.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking so hard about, but a child doesn’t think seriously.”
The moment Dohyun was about to answer that question, his cell phone rang.
Do-hyeon took out his cell phone and reflexively squinted at the name that appeared on the screen.
“Aren’t you answering the phone?”
At those words, Dohyun slowly lifted up his cell phone.
As soon as I answered the phone, I heard a familiar voice.
– Dohyeon! Where have you gone?
“I’m at the park, Helia.”
– I told you I shouldn’t walk alone.
“sorry.”
I was planning on going back without getting caught, but it was completely ruined.
– Ha, really… . Did you say park? Stay still! I’ll go there.
“no. “I’ll go in right now.”
Do-hyeon, who managed to persuade her by saying that he would go quickly, was a little discouraged at the thought of being caught by Helia and nagging her when he returned.
“Did you sneak out?”
“… yes.”
Although his face was still expressionless and his tone was calm, Jeong Hee-seong somehow seemed to have a drooping tail.
Jeong Hee-seong said in a laughing voice.
“Go in quickly before you get scolded further.”
“What about that one?”
His complexion has improved now, but he was a person who almost collapsed just a moment ago.
Because I was suffering from the same disease, I knew full well how excruciating the sudden pain was.
Sometimes the pain disappeared instantly, but there was no guarantee that it wouldn’t come back.
Jeong Hee-seong thought about Do-hyeon’s question for a moment and then said.
“Shall I go in with you, then?”
“yes.”
Jeong Hee-seong burst into laughter at the answer that came without a moment of hesitation.
“Okay, then. Come with me.”
Jeong Hee-seong stood up with a “sssssssssssssssssssssssss.”
He looked so fine that it was hard to believe he was someone who had been in so much pain that he was breaking into a cold sweat.
‘Is it okay?’
Do-hyeon looked at Jeong Hee-seong with slightly suspicious eyes, but he calmly talked about various things as if nothing had happened.
It was Do-hyeon’s first time having a normal conversation with someone without negative emotions, and at some point he forgot about Jeong Hee-seong’s condition and became absorbed in the conversation.
As we talked like that, we arrived at the hospital in the blink of an eye.
Was it this close from the park to the hospital?
Dohyeon’s expression darkened.
‘I want to stay a little longer.’
But it seemed like Dohyun was the only one who thought that way.
Jeong Hee-seong, who was already on the elevator, looked down at Do-hyeon.
“What floor are you on?”
Dohyeon, who felt a little sad, answered in a slightly droopy voice.
“On the 7th floor.”
“7th floor? “I’m also on the 7th floor.”
“… is it so?”
Dohyeon’s face brightened again.
“What issue is it?”
“Room 714. you?”
“Room 703.”
“Not only was it the same hospital, I never thought we would be on the same floor. that’s interesting.”
“I see.”
Dohyeon said a little excitedly.
The elevator stopped on the 7th floor and Do-hyeon, who stopped in front of his hospital room, looked back at Jeong Hee-seong.
When Do-hyeon looked at him a little hesitantly, Jeong Hee-seong slowly waited for Do-hyeon.
“that… .”
“huh. why?”
Dohyun took a deep breath for a moment and asked carefully, trying to hide his trembling heart.
“… “Can I visit the hospital tomorrow?”
Jeong Hee-seong froze for a moment at the completely unexpected words. In response, Dohyun regretted saying what he said.
‘I said it for no reason. I was so excited that I could just pass by like usual… .’
While Do-hyeon was blaming himself in his heart, Jeong Hee-seong, who had been as frozen as ice, suddenly laughed cheerfully.
Dohyeon was momentarily speechless as it was his first time seeing someone smile at him.
“Yes, come and play.”
Dohyeon somehow felt like crying.
And strangely enough, I thought that the man in front of me also seemed to want to cry.
‘That can’t be possible.’
I guess a lot of strange things happened today and I became very emotional.
Dohyeon struggled to shake off his thoughts.
“There is a condition instead.”
“What are the conditions?”
Do-hyeon became a little nervous at Jeong Hee-seong’s words.
Conditions?
I had no idea what they wanted from me.
Jeong Hee-seong smiled when he saw Do-hyeon like that.
“Call me brother. “Don’t say it that way without any affection.”
“… “Aren’t you your uncle, not your brother?”
Jeong Hee-seong’s conscience felt a little pricked by the look in Do-hyeon’s eyes, but he steadfastly expressed his opinion.
“Then don’t come to play.”
Dohyeon blinked.
‘It’s childish.’
Dohyeon, who had thought that way without realizing it, said with a slightly ambiguous expression.
“I understand, bro. see you tomorrow.”
“Uh oh. okay.”
After saying hello, Do-hyeon entered the room and Jeong Hee-seong, who had waved to see Do-hyeon off, lowered his hand.
Jeong Hee-seong thought as he looked at the tightly closed door.
Could it be that he looked pitiful? ?
Jeong Hee-seong looked at the tightly closed door with a dumbfounded expression on his face.
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