August 14, 2013

Yoon Jihoo woke from his sleep still in his previous night’s clothes. He had slept on the premium futon in his office like he did often. He ran a hand down his face to wipe the sleep away.  Having poured over emails and patient files most of the night until his eyes were strained (regardless his reading glasses), at which point he finally gave up and tried to sleep. He had several meetings that day and it would not look good if the ward head doctor fell asleep during one of the meetings.

Ilana woke early that morning and slipped out for a walk. She had visually mapped a route the night before and tracked its mileage on a website she had found. She remembered her promise to take care of herself and didn't push herself too hard. Nana was just stirring in her room upon Ilana's return. Her absence had gone unnoticed and her morning routine was right on schedule; Ilana smiled to herself.

 - "Buenos días (good morning), Nana," Ilana kissed her on the cheek.
 - "¿Y esa sonrisa mi vida (why the smile, my dear)? ¿Dormiste bien (You slept well)?"
 - "Si (yes), Nana."
 - "Buenos Días!" Kike and Brendon called out as they entered the door. Kike greeted his sister and Nana with a kiss.
 - "Ha! I beat you today," Ilana beamed at her brother.

 - "There was traffic," Brendon defended their tardiness.
 - "You're in a good mood this morning? Our walk last night must've given you a good night’s sleep."
 - "Mmm," was her only comment before digging into the omelet Nana had just served her.
 - "I see, should we go for another walk tonight?"
 - "Oh, can we?" Ilana asked excitedly.
 - "I'll have to ask Abigaíl how you behave today."
 - "Actually, Uee and Shan Cai were also fighting over you, so I might just have you ask them too. I'll take any of the three for a sister-n-law."
 - "Oh, really? Well, remember, you say your cousin hasn't any say in your life?  But I do; I am your older brother and I might just sell you to the highest bidder. Let's see, who will it be, YoungSaeng? Maknae? Maybe even KyuJong."
 - "Oh! You wouldn't dare! ¡Vas a ver malcriado (you’re going to get it, brat)!" She wadded up her napkin and threw it across the table at her brother. He immediately returned the favor and threw it back at his sister.
 - "Dios mío, gracias por dar me vida para ver a mi niña sonreír y reír de nuevo (thank you, Lord, for giving me life to see my girl smile and laugh again)." Nana offered up her silent prayer of thanksgiving for the miracle she was witnessing.

Jihoo didn't waste time getting to work in the morning. He'd had a quick pancake breakfast from the cafeteria. They weren't the greatest, but they weren't that bad. He smiled remembering the cuisine at Shinwa during their school years. The school only employed top chef's to prepare the student's lunches. "That was not real life", he said to himself. His military service quickly cured him of that notion. He enlisted right after graduation and Gu JunPyo and Guam JanDi's wedding. He needed a change of scenery, one that didn't include his best friend and his wife. He loved them both and desired for them all the happiness in the world. Unfortunately, too much exposure to them brought back the question in his heart: "What if she had been mine?"

Having obtained his specialty during his military service and thanks to Jae Kyung’s parents who donated a building to the hospital; he came to work at NYP and quickly distinguished himself enough to rise through the ranks. Jihoo shook his head slightly, to ward off futile memories. He set to work making his rounds.

Ilana arrived at the hospital and was slightly disappointed that she didn't see Abigaíl or any of the other girls; she'd even settle for ShiYoon. She walked slowly towards the stairs but not seeing her co-workers, decided to head on up to her floor. Taking the stairs slowly, she decided, was worse. At least this time she had a bottle of water with her. She sat on one of the stairs to drink and slow her heart and once Damage control was done, she walked to her desk. Shi-Yoon walked in just after her; Uee and Shan-Cai were already at their desks.
 - "Good morning," Ilana said still slightly breathless.
 - "Morning!" Everyone greeted.
 - "Did you take the stairs again?" Uee asked.
 - "Yes, I haven't quite caught my breath."
 - "Give yourself a few weeks, your body will adjust."

Ilana hoped so or KyuJong would kill her if the stairs didn't. Putting her belongings away, Ilana noticed she had a message; Abigaíl was going to be late. Once logged in, took the first task from Abigail’s list. She needed to create a patient ID and set up the file. Ilana hoped she remembered how to work the machine. A few minutes later, she had the ID in hand and was walking to the patient’s room. Rounding the corner she saw whom she presumed to be one of the Doctors walking out and away from her. He was tall, slim, and with wavy somewhat short hair; she wondered momentarily if he was one of the ones she needed to worry about or one of the nice ones.

Ilana walked back to her desk after taking care of the patient’s information. The patient was not conscious and she had to speak to the family instead. She was slightly nervous but one of the nurses helped her out. She was very nice but Ilana forgot to ask her name. Because of varying schedules, she hadn't been introduced to everyone on the floor yet. Sitting back at her desk, she proceeded to code some files that had been marked as urgent. They were for Dr. Jihoo, "The weird one," she thought to herself.  Remembering Abigail’s description, she really hoped he wasn't assigned to her; she didn't need anyone hearing her thoughts.

So intent on her work; Ilana didn't hear SungRyung walk over to their cubicles.
 - "Good morning, my dears!" SungRyung greeted her staff startling Ilana and making her jump. "I'm sorry my dear, did I startle you?"
 - "That's alright; I must have been completely absorbed in work." Ilana was embarrassed.
 - "Listen up dears, Abi will be here any minute. When she does and I've rounded up our doctors, we'll have a quick meeting to introduce Shi-Yoon and Ilana."

Abigaíl arrived shortly after, just as SungRyung had said she would.
 - "Why don't you guys go ahead to the meeting room and I'll call the Doctor's in?”
 - "Just follow us, Ilana, Shi-Yoon." Everyone filed out of their station after Abigaíl.

In the meeting room, Dr.’s Jihoo and Jaejoong arrived just as SungRyung's staff did. Dr. Jaejoong wasted no time introducing himself to Ilana.
 - "Abi-ya? Who is this lovely creature?" Jaejoong took Ilana’s hand and did a formal ninety-degree bow.
Ilana panicked and didn't know what to think. "Isn't this harassment?"  She thought.
 - "Jagiya, you don't need to be nervous in front of me? Your delicate hands are so cold. If you ask me nicely, I will warm them for you."
 - "I would appreciate it if you removed your hand from mine," Ilana said in a low, but authoritative voice. What her friends called her Ajumma speech. If he didn't let go, she was going to have a panic attack. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest.
 - "Let go of her Dr. Jaejoong, you're not being funny," Abigaíl jumped in to help.
 - "You're frightening her," Dr. Jihoo told his friend and colleague in a low monotone voice. The doctor released her hand and Ilana sighed in relief.
 - "Yah! Dr. Jaejoong, why are you frightening my employees?" SungRyung came in followed by the other two doctors, with hands on her hips. Standing up straight and as tall as her heels would take her, she marched up to the 5'11(1.80 m) doctor and slapped him hard on the arm.
 - "Ah! Noona!  I was just playing," his aegyo usually charmed SungRyung when he’d done something stupid, but she didn’t even crack a smile, this time.

 - "Dr. Jaejoong, you're going to get yourself in big trouble one day, find yourself a nice girl and settle down," Dr. David teased the younger doctor.
 - "The right girl will come along and Casanova will be reduced to a bumbling fool in love," Dr. Patrick added.

Jihoo was reminded of how his friend Yi-Jung wore the Casanova title until his now wife, Gaeul saved him from himself. He was brought out of his reverie by SungRyung's shrill voice. She was seldom upset, but don't mess with her staff or she turned into a true Ajumma.
 - "What are you waiting for? Go on, apologize!" Dr. Jaejoong was still rubbing his arm; she had not been shy in hitting him.
 - "Jwesonghamnida," he bowed to Ilana, contrite.

Ilana betrayed no emotion as she turned and was about to take a seat when Dr. Jihoo sighed and spoke.
 - "Please overlook Dr. Jaejoong's impropriety; he really has no idea that his joking is not humorous to everyone." His voice was the same emotionless monotone as always, but Ilana heard a hint of impatience.

Turning to see who had addressed her, "Kim Hyun…" Her face betrayed astonishment. Thankfully no one really had heard her; she had muttered it quietly and quickly. "Forgive me, doctor, for a moment I thought you were an acquaintance." She looked down to get a grip on her emotions. Between Dr. Jaejoong and the Kim HyunJoong look alike, she knew her face was flustered. "Pabo, pabo, pabo!" Ilana scolded herself. She hadn’t noticed Dr. Jihoo when she had walked in. "What would Kim HyunJoong be doing here?  Okay, maybe their eyes and shape of their face are similar but really, one has short straight dark hair and the other blond wavy hair. They really could pass for brothers."
 - "Dr. Jihoo must have one of those commonly handsome faces," Uee said with a grin on her face. "He looks just like one of our Korean idols, Kim HyunJoong. I'll show you a picture when we get back."
 - "I'm more of a Lee MinHo fan, myself," Abigail said.
 - "We made Abi watch 'Boys over flowers' and she hasn't been the same since." Shan cai told Ilana. "By the way," Shan cai lowered her voice. "Don't be too hard on Dr. Jaejoong; he's a player but he only goes as far as you let him. The rest of the time he's a harmless flirt. There are plenty of women who are willing to let him go as far as he wants; he doesn't need to force himself on anyone."
 - "Maybe we should grow our hair out and wear makeup, eh Dr. David? Perhaps our wives will treat us with more respect?" Dr. Patrick asked.
 - "My wife prefers my cool masculinity." Dr. David was a tall and gangly man without much muscle on his body.
 - "Yeoja, chincha? What's great about Kim HyunJoong and Lee MinHo anyway?" Dr. Jaejoong was annoyed.
 - "What's so good about Miss Korea or SNSD?" Uee shot back.
 - "Well..." Dr. Jaejoong was cut off by Dr. Jihoo.
 - "Noona, I'm sure you gathered us here for something other than to talk about Kpop Idols.

The girls, although annoying at times, were harmless. They had stopped comparing him to Kim HyunJoong a long time ago. "Uee must've been reminded about it when the new girl also confused me for someone else." He thought. Jaejoong still acted like a kid sometimes. He was a cross between his friend Gu JunPyo and So YiJung. He never knew him when they were at the Shinwa schools. Jaejoong's family moved to the states just after graduation. Now as fate would have it, they worked in the same hospital ward.
 - "Thank you, Dr. Jihoo dear," SungRyung had interrupted Jihoo's mental wandering.
 - "I know we all have work to do," unlike Jaejoong, he spoke only English in mixed company.

 - "Right, first of all, doctor’s Jihoo, Jaejoong, David and Patrick (she gestured to each when she spoke their name), I want to introduce the newest members of our team: Shi-Yoon and Ilana." Applause went up around the table for the two newcomers. "Second, as I already discussed the new procedure, one clerk will be handling your patient’s files from start to finish. I've thought long and hard about who the team pairs will be." She had been praying about it since she hired Shi-Yoon and Ilana until she felt comfortable with her decision. "Dr. Jihoo, Ilana will be your admin, okay?"
 - "Oh no!" Ilana thought. "The weird one! He won't be able to read my thoughts. I could handle Juan Carlos; I'll be able to handle this guy." Ilana didn't look at Dr. Jihoo; she just continued to look at her boss. "Yes, Unnie." Ilana noticed Dr. Jihoo inclining his head at her boss. "He really doesn't say much."
 - "Dr. Jaejoong, Abi will be your admin, okay?"
 - "Noona! I'll treasure her always, kansamnida." Dr. Jaejoong joked.
 - "You'd better, if you know what's good for you," SungRyung warned.
 - "Okay boss," Abigaíl would never argue with their boss, no matter how nice she was, so she put on a fake smile even though she was screaming inside. "Why him?! If he thinks I'll let my guard down just because he's cute...wait did I just think he's cute...?"
 - "Dr. Patrick, your admin is Yu-Jin, okay?"
 - "Dr. Patrick can call me Uee; I'll do my best," she smiled.
 - "No problem," Dr. Patrick said.
 - "Dr. David, your admin is Shi-Yoon, okay?"
 - "Dr. David, I'll do my best," Shi-Yoon inclined his head to the doctor.
 - "Thank you, Shi-Yoon; I'm sure I won't be disappointed."
 - "That leaves Shan Cai…I've already discussed it with her; she'll be leaving us for another floor. She will be the new lead on the fifth floor, so she won't be too far." All the girls were sad to lose Shan Cai, even Ilana whom had only known her for three days.
 - "Unnie, when does Shan Cai have to move?" Uee asked.
 - "She will be moving Monday."
 - "Can we have a farewell party on Friday?"
 - "As long as it doesn't run too far over your lunch hour."
 - "We're invited too, right?" Dr. David asked.
 - "Sure!" Shan-Cai said. "The more the merrier."

Already, plans were being made amongst the girls and some of the doctors, until SungRyung broke up the planning party.
 - "Alright kids, I'm sure all of you have work to do."

Slowly everyone dispersed back to their workstations. Abigaíl hung back; she wanted to talk to Dr. Jaejoong.
 - "Abi-ya? Were you waiting for me?" Dr. Jaejoong asked mischievously when he and Dr. Jihoo had exited the meeting room to find her standing by the door.
 - "Yes, can I have a word with you?" Jihoo raised an eyebrow at his friend and with a wide grin, decided to not wait around.  His colleague was about to get a talking to about his conduct; he knew how fierce and loyal Abigaíl was when it came to her co-workers.

 - "Jagiya, what can I do for you?"
 - "Your harassment of Ilana before the meeting was uncalled for." Abigail had waited until everyone had left before speaking. "She's quiet and very private and I'm sure she was made uncomfortable by your advances. And don't you dare think you can try anything with me. I know your tricks." She really didn't know why his behavior bothered her so much.
 - "I apologized to her! I was only playing around." Dr. Jaejoong was slightly hurt at Abigail’s accusations. "I would never try anything with you. You're a nice girl, I respect you. Why do you always think the worst of me?" He didn't know why he cared what her opinion was, but he did and it bothered him.
 - "You should know better, that's why." With that, she turned and left. He said she was a 'nice' girl. Should she take that as a compliment or an insult? "Ugh! Why does it matter?" She shook her head to clear it, muttering to herself.

Meanwhile, Ilana was still a little rattled about Dr. Jaejoong and having embarrassed herself in front of Dr. Jihoo. At least Dr. Jihoo had the decency to apologize for his friend’s behavior. Abigaíl hadn't returned yet, she wondered what was taking so long. Needing to clear her head before being able to work again, she decided to take a break.  "Uee, I'm going to take a break, is that alright?"

 - "Sure, go ahead."

Before Ilana knew it, she was on the rooftop garden. No one was around again. Chillier than the day before, she was glad for her sweater and the gloves she slipped back on after the meeting.  Kike had bought them for her; they were fingerless so she could still type; the air conditioning had been all but numbing her hands. She looked out across the skyline and took a picture; it looked so peaceful. Why did she let silly things fluster her so? Tears began to form.
She sat down at the same table from the day before and posted the picture on Twitter. "How do you say annoyed in Korean? I want to be as calm and peaceful as the sky. It just moves along pleasantly in the gentle breeze, why can't I do that?" She rested her head on her arms as she sat on the table. She was still crying slightly when her phone rang. It was YoungSaeng. Wiping her tears, she took a steadying breath before answering.
 - "Yeoboseyo? Oppa?"
 - "Gwenchana? Have you been crying?" He could tell by the tone of her voice she had been.
 - "Jogeumyo (a little bit)."
 - "Wae, and wae are you jjajeungna (annoyed/irritable)?”
 - "Na paboya?" She smiled; just hearing her favorite Oppa's voice always made her feel better.
 - "Wae?" He heard her smile and continued asking her 'why?'
 - "This pabo uissa (doctor) got me all flustered and then I almost called another uissa by your Sunbae's name. Oppa, only the hair is different. He looks just like him. Do you know how embarrassed I was? He was trying to apologize for the other uissa's behavior and for a second I thought he was someone else. To top it off, my boss made me his admin. Oppa! I'll never be able to face him, plus I've been told he's a little odd. What if he's upset with me?"

YoungSaeng was laughing at her story.  "Does nae Cinderella want me to beat up the first uissa?"
 - "Anieyo gwenchanayo, my boss already did. It was daeback! She went right up to him and smacked him hard on the arm and made him apologize. He used a different word."
 - "Jwesonghamnida? It's formal."
 - "Deh, that's the word. Je-sang-nida? I'll have to practice that one," she laughed at her pronunciation.
 - "You'll get the hang of it. As for the second, if he can sing and dance, Sunbae can use him as a double so he doesn't have to work so hard." Ilana laughed at the mental picture.
 - "I'm not about to try and find out. Aish Oppa! I gotta go." Ilana checked the time. "I've been up here for like twenty minutes. Gomawoyo, Oppa’s always there when I need him.”

 - "And I always will be. I hope the rest of your day gets better."
 - "Komapta, now it will." She terminated the call using his same words from the day before and ran back to the elevator.

Ilana returned to her desk and apologized for taking so long.
 - "I'm sorry I took so long, I received a phone call and lost track of time."
 - "No worries, I just got back myself," Abigaíl reassured her. "We're still on for lunch, right?"
 - "Yes, I'm looking forward to it." Both girls soon dove back into their work.

Dr. Jihoo headed straight for the rooftop garden after the meeting. He needed some quiet time with his thoughts. Seldom did he ever see anyone there and even if he did, there was a spot against the wall where he couldn't be seen. Sitting in his favorite spot, he thought about his day. First of all, he had bad news to deliver to a family. That was the worst part; he'd been in critical care for several years and he learned soon enough that his money and sometimes not even his skill could save someone. This was the case now; all he could do is keep his patient comfortable and let nature take its course. It still hurt and he hated to see the families grieving. He went through that at a very young age and didn't wish it upon anyone.

The second thing on his mind was Jaejoong, still annoyed at him for bothering the new girl or he should say:  his admin. Jaejoong had really frightened her, he could tell.  She was just frozen, while most girls would have immediately pushed him away but he saw her face pale and fear in her eyes. When she recovered sufficiently, the tone in her voice had just enough edge to it, momentarily stunning Jaejoong. He had to be impressed at the girl’s composure, despite her fright. He did feel for the girl, on top of Jaejoong’s ridiculousness, she confused him with someone else. She couldn't possibly know who Kim HyunJoong was; although, he is known worldwide.  She had confused him with an acquaintance, so it couldn’t be; he shook his head at the impossibility. The comparison didn't really bother him anymore, after all, Jihoo existed first since he was older. He also got confused with one of the ER doctors. They had learned to shrug it off; that doctor was even more reserved than he was.

He was still smiling to himself when he heard footsteps. It was his admin, he pushed himself further into his corner, where he could see but not be seen. After staring at the sky for a while, he saw her take a picture and walk over to a table and sit. She typed something on her phone and then lay her head down on the table. He was almost certain she was upset, probably still at Jaejoong. When her phone rang he saw her wipe her face. She had been crying. He really should leave her to herself but he couldn't leave his spot unnoticed. What happened next was a complete surprise to him. She answered the phone in Korean. She wasn't fluent he could tell, but still, her pronunciation was not bad. He heard her say ‘Oppa’; she must have a Korean boyfriend. That explained it. She very well could've confused him with the idol, and was too embarrassed to admit it. But then she told her boyfriend he looked like the boyfriends Sunbae. So that couldn't be it.

He entertained himself listening to her conversation. It made his heart feel lighter somehow. He saw her smile, it was only a half-smile, but it changed her profile. When she laughed, he noticed, it lit up her entire face. She was a pretty girl; he hoped her boyfriend treated her well. "Pabo!" scolded himself. "What's it to you how her boyfriend treats her. She looks like a smart girl; she wouldn't let anyone mistreat her." watched Ilana terminate the call and run back to the elevator.

He came out of his hiding spot still laughing to himself. His new admin had told her boyfriend that she was told he was odd. "Have you changed that much since you've been away from JanDi? Oh well, why are you surprised?" He told himself. Guam JanDi, now his best friend’s wife had changed him and all his friends for the better. He had never cared about anyone other than himself before she came along. He wondered if he was reverting back to his old self. He shook off his thoughts and headed for the elevator. He had to see his patient and hope that the family was there. If not, he'd have to call them and find out when they would be in.

Jihoo entered the elevator and suddenly remembered the girl exiting the elevator on his apartment floor. It was Ilana. She looked familiar because he had seen her twice before. Did she live on that floor, he wondered? That floor had the most expensive units in the building, which was one of the most expensive buildings the hospital owned. She must have several roommates, he thought. Again, he wondered why he was giving any of this thought. His friends were right; he needed to get out more.

Abigaíl and Ilana took lunch at a nearby sushi restaurant. Ilana thankfully had worn flats and they were able to walk to their destination.
 - "I'm sorry about this morning. I don't know why Dr. Jaejoong acts that way. He thinks just because he's kind of good-looking, he can get away with treating a woman like an object to be used or discarded whenever he feels like it." Abigaíl was getting herself worked up again.
 - "Maybe, he hasn't found the right girl yet?" Not that she wasn't still angry at Dr. Jaejoong but thinking about it reminded Ilana slightly of Jung Min.
 - "What do you mean?" Abigaíl asked.
 - "Well, my friend’s boyfriend was the biggest flirt until he got up the nerve to ask her out." She then remembered how Dr. Suave got reduced to a teenager again, scolded by Mom. "Unnie was great, though." Ilana laughed. "Is she always like that?"
 - "Yes, nobody messes with her staff and gets away with it." Abigaíl laughed. "Plus, since Dr. Jihoo and Dr. Jaejoong are still fairly young, she treats them like little brothers. That's why they call her Noona. It's supposed to mean older sister."
 - "Mmm," Ilana stuffed a roll in to avoid accidentally blowing her cover. She'd stuck out like a sore thumb enough for one day. Her plan was supposed to be blend in; not bring attention to herself.

The rest of the day was blessedly uneventful. Kike greeted his sister as soon as she walked up to him.

 - "How was your day?"
 - "Terrible," she pouted.
 - "It couldn't have been that terrible, you're still standing."
 - "Kike, I just came here to work and not bring any attention to myself. What happened today? I totally embarrassed myself at my first meeting."
 - "And you lived to tell about it, remember how many times I made mistakes when I was new in the band? Come, I'll buy you an ice cream after dinner.

 - “If you insist,” she smiled at him and took his arm while they walked back home

Thank you to my faithful readers, I only know who you are if Comment, Vote, or Subscribe. To my faithful subscribers, Saranghae!