NEW YORK

     Dara is sitting on her hospital bed anxiously... it’s been weeks since she was confined,  and her body is getting weaker day by day because of the treatments, blood tests that are needed before her operation... And Jiyong is making her restless because he’s not answering her phone ever since she woke up from coma... she knows he’s mad again and she knows all the misunderstanding will be cleared up  if she will just tell Jiyong the truth, but she doesn’t want to see him in pain like her... she knew he will be sad if he found out the truth and that won’t help her....

     A sudden knock on the door snapped her out from her thoughts... then the door open, revealing her doctor... he smiled at her while walking towards her... “Good Morning Dara....”

     Dara smiled weakly... “ Good morning...”....

    ....“I have a good news to you...” Doctor Kim stood beside her bed... “your vital signs these past few days are stable and all the blood tests and laboratories are all good, so that means we could now proceed  to the operation sooner than expected...” he gladly informed her...

     “Really?” Dara asked, trying to sound lively... “that’s good... I want this operation to be done so that I could back to my normal life...” her voice hinting sadness............

     Doctor Kim’s forehead creased as he noticed how pale Dara’s face is... “By the way, are you okay???... do you still feel weak?” he asked worriedly...

     Dara only gave him a small nod as an answer... she doesn’t want to talk because too much talking will just drain her energy...

     .......... “Mianhe.....” Doctor Kim apologize, his voice is full of worry... “I know the treatment is hurting you already, but you know why we’re doing it right...” he asked earning a nod from Dara again... “ you still have one session left for the treatment... one more Dara so please bear the pain hmmm?...”

     Dara softly laugh... “arasso... don’t worry Doc, I told you I can make it, right?”, she assured him... she knows Doctor Kim really cares for her and she doesn’t want to worry him anymore... she could still take the pain without being a burden to the people who cares for her...

     Her doctor sighed in relief believing her lies... he frowned when his gaze landed on her eyes that shows sadness... “Dara, I noticed these past few days that you’re not on your usual self... you look sad? Why is something bothering you?” he asked

     Dara shook her head... “Nothing...” she softly answered... “it’s just that I been calling Jiyong but he’s not answering my phone... I’m just worried...”

     .... “Dara don’t stress yourself too much, you very well know that it’s not good for your health right now... we should be very careful Dara...” he reminded her... “ before you worry for others, you should worry for yourself first...”

     “I know... I just can’t help to get worried... he always picked up my calls immediately everytime I call him... or he’ll call me back....” Dara replied, her voice is full of worry and sadness... She missed Jiyong so much....

    .........“Dont worry Dara, maybe he’s just busy on their company...”

     .........“arasso...”.....

     “well, I need to go...” Doctor Kim told her... “you should also take a rest now....” ... he then leaned down to help Dara lie on her bed...

     “Doctor Kim...” Dara called out as she reach for his hand.........

      ... Doctor Kim meet her eyes with confusion... “hmmm?”....

     Dara smiled... “thank you...”..........

     “for what?”... Doctor Kim frowned

     Dara held his hand tightly... Doctor Kim is like a second father to her, and she’s very thankful for everything that he have done for her... “thank you for doing everything just to save me...” she told him, her eyes b with tears... “ thank you for pushing through this operation knowing how risky it is for me,...”

     Doctor Kim clenched his fist knowing what she’s trying to say... “Dara why are you saying this?” he asked innocently... he knows Dara since she’s just a kid and he knows when she’s using her mask... a mask to hide her true feelings...  and he knows Dara is using that mask to hide the pain she’s feeling... and he respects that, if she’s more comforatable with that

     “I just want to thank you in advance...” Dara answered... “you were there for me from the start, you don’t know how lucky I am to met you, to have a doctor like you...” she continued with tears falling from her eyes...

     Doctor Kim wipes the tears on her face with his hands shaking.......... “you don’t deserve these tears Dara...”.......“Dara...”... he wanted to comfort her but he knows even words can’t give comfort on the pain she’s feeling...

     “I’m not saying my goodbye Doc, you know I can’t die, someone is waiting for me...” Dara told him bravely... “I just want you to know that you’re a very very good doctor...”

     Doctor Kim stared at Dara with so much warmth in his eyes... “I’ve been friends with your father Dara... and you’re like a daughter to me...” He paused and took a few deep breaths... “ I will do everything Dara, I already failed once and I’ll make sure I won’t fail this time...” he said remembering the painful past that will forever break his heart...

          ...“Doc...  they’re already happy in the heaven, so stop blaming yourself...” Dara tried to open up the sensitive topic that made him feel a useless a doctor...

     Doctor Kim smiled bitterly... “Yes they are happy there, but I hope you won’t come with them to join them on that paradise...”

     Dara shook her head... “ I wont, dont worry doctor...”

     Doctor Kim heaved a deep breathe, trying his best to act bravely... “Dara, you know very well that I will do everything to save you, but please don’t give up during the operation... if you feel like giving up just think of Jiyong and your sister... hmmm?” he pleads... “just bear all the pain Dara, because in the end, it will be worth it... you will live happily with Jiyong, so please trust me... and I will trust you...” he asked, his voice came in as firm but a little shaken….

     Dara nodded in response...

     “good...” Doctor Kim placed her hand on top of her stomach and smiled... “ now take a rest...” he said before turning around to leave with a heavy heart...

     Dara looked at the ceiling and sighed... “I know you’re watching me, and I know you know how much I wanted to see you, but please not now... I can’t leave the people I love... I can’t leave Byul unnie and Jiyong... so please help me....   please help me to get through  this dreadful stage.... please help me survive...” she tho