Christmas Day - 2011

“Jongin!” Jongdae called out his friend who was about to go out of the hospital. Jongin stopped on his tracks and waved at Jongdae, “Hyung, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you all day.”

“I assisted Dr. Lee on his surgery. Took us more than 10 hours. Man, I hated working on Christmas day,” he said as he massaged his temples. Jongdae was the only intern available that time, so he had no choice.

“And whoa whoa whoa, you look like you’re going on a date or something,” Jongdae looked at Jongin from head to toe, and the latter was prepped up.

“You’re going to meet Ji Hyun?” Jongin shyly nodded. Jongdae knew what his friend will do next. He has been gushing about Ji Hyun recently----how he suddenly felt sparks fly and butterflies in his stomach when he’s with her. He almost gagged because he’s never seen Jongin so cheesy and sappy like a high schooler.

“And tell her you love her,” Jongin pursed his lips and nodded again.

“FINALLY!! Took you two years to realize she’s the one. Funny thinking that it’s been her all along…but totally worth it.” Jongdae fist pumped in the air. “Alright, I won my bet against Minseok, pwahahahaha.”

“Really, hyung? Betting on my lovelife?” The younger one crossed his arms.

“We were bored, that’s all. But really, I’m happy for you, buddy,” he patted Jongin on the shoulder. “Stay in love, okay? Opportunities like that only comes once in a while.”

“Thanks, hyung. And say that to yourself as well. That was something I learned from experience. It’s almost 6:30. I should get going,” Jongin said as he looked at his watch.

Jongdae waved his friend off, “Yeah yeah yeah don’t lecture me and just go where you should go. I’ll see you around.”

“Hyung, you should find your soulmate too,” Jongin winked at his hyung as he trailed off. Jongdae could only shake in head in amusement.

She was long gone, Jongin. Long gone.

New Year's Eve - 2011

Jongdae knitted his brows when he saw a box in front of his desk. Again. He has been receiving small boxes frequently and at the top of it, was a note attached: Thank you :)

He opened the box, and saw some chocolates. He smiled at the kind gesture. Whoever this person is, he or she is planning to give him diabetes. He picked one and ate it. Heavenly, he thought.

He looked around, only to find out he was alone. It was silent at the hospital, and to make things worse, he was working alone. Not that he was scared, but was not used to working alone. He thought he was being pranked again, but Minseok took a day off to spend it with his sister, Jongin was out with Ji Hyun, and Sehun went home to spend the new year with his mom.

From an earshot, Jongdae could hear the people partying outside, getting ready for the new year countdown which is happening a few hours from now. He looked over the list of patients he needs to tend to that night, and there were 10. He puffed a breath.

“Jongdae-shii,” Jongdae looked around and saw Dr. Lee walking towards him. He bowed as soon as he saw his professor, “Good evening, Dr. Lee.”

“Why are you here? All the students took the day off for the New Year festivities.”

“I don’t feel like partying this year, seongsaengnim.” Minseok left all his patients with me. Jongin was out with his girlfriend, and Sehun was doing his son duties for his nagger mom. Just great, my best friends left me here.

“Doesn’t suit someone who has a bright personality as you. No wonder you were put in the pediatric section. Kids love you,” Dr. Lee smiled at his junior.

“Thank you, seongsaengnim. I’d rather spend my time with the kids than go outside. It’s much peaceful here.”

“Have it your way, then. Happy new year to you, Jongdae-shii,”

Jongdae was doing his usual rounds at the pediatric ward, checking the vital signs of the children there.

“Ahjussi, can you read to me a story so that I could sleep?” the kid asked.

Jongdae pouted, “Ahjussi? I won’t until you call me oppa.” The little girl giggled, “Araseo. Jongdae oppa, can you read to me a story so that I could sleep?”

He smiled then sat down after pulling the blanket up, “What story do you want, Min Ji?”

“Anything,” The kid with big eyes beamed at him as she flapped her feet like a mermaid. Min Ji is one of Jongdae’s many patients in the pediatric ward. She has pneumonia, and she has been in the hospital for over a year because her lungs are very vulnerable and weak.

Min Ji is a very jolly kid, she never blamed anyone for her sickness and she always tried to make the other kids in the ward happy. She and Jongdae got along really well, and he treated her like his little sister.

He felt really bad about her because she was only 8 years old. Her parents were often abroad because of business, and as someone who experienced the same thing, he could relate to Min Ji, and maybe that was the reason he was so fond of her.

“Okay then, but you should take your medicine first. That’s the deal.” he wiggled his eyebrows, which kept Min Ji giggling.

“Deal!!” she squealed. Jongdae couldn’t help but pinch her baozi-like cheeks. Minseok hyung must be this cute when he was a baby. Jongdae poured the syrup into the measuring cup and handed it to Min Ji. Min Ji chugged it down like soju, but then she started coughing again.

“UGH it tastes terrible!!” Her face was unpaintable and full of disgust. “It’ll help you get well, Min Ji. Now here, drink some water to make the bitter taste disappear.”

After drinking water, Min Ji started clapping her hands in anticipation,“Yay I’m done! So, Jongdae oppa will now tell me my bedtime story.”

“Okay, I will tell you the story of Cinderella. Once upon a---”

“You already told me that story.”

“Oh… what about… Sleeping Beauty? or Snow White?”

“You also told me that story.”

Jongdae scratched his head. “Oh.. hmmm. Let me see… uhmmm, Rapunzel? Little Red Riding Hood? or The Little Mermaid?”

“That was the story you told me three days ago. Aishhh ahjussi is becoming forgetful. Should I call you harabeoji, then?”

“Aigoooo~ sorry, Min Ji. Jongdae oppa did a lot of things recently that’s why he forgot what story to tell you today. And yahhhh~ I’m not a harabeoji!”

“Just tell me any story, oppa.”

Jongdae tapped his chin, thinking of what story to tell the kid. Something popped in his mind.

“Once upon a time.. in a kingdom far far away, there was a young prince who was loved by the people. Everytime he goes out, he would always greet the townsfolk and they would always reply to him with a smile. He enjoyed mingling with ordinary people and despite his status as a prince, he was very humble. He loved eating street food and playing with kids. Everyone was happy whenever he was around because he is a very funny prince.”

“One day, as he was walking by the field, he saw a girl. The girl was very beautiful----her long hair flowed freely on her shoulders. She was admiring the flowers, smiling and talking to them like little kids. The prince couldn’t help but be drawn to her beauty. He approached to talk to her, and the girl was surprised when he saw the prince approaching her. She shyly greeted the prince and bowed to him. The prince told her not to be scared because he only wanted to make friends with her. The girl hesitated at accepting the prince’s friendship because she’s just a commoner, but she changed her mind because she felt the prince’s sincerity.”

“The prince and the girl got along really well. They always played with children in the park, ate street food together, and watched plays downtown. They enjoyed watching and playing with fireworks on New Year’s Day. But one day, the prince had to leave the girl because he had to study in another place, and that made the girl really sad. She cried for days because her only friend will leave her. The prince assured that he will always write a letter to the girl, so the girl held on to that promise.”

“The prince wrote several letters to the girl, telling her how beautiful his new school is, how high the mountains are, and how clear the river was. He told her he missed her, and how he wished to go back quickly so that they could go out again. The girl sent her replies through the palace messenger, and the prince was also happy to know that the girl misses him too. The prince didn’t know how it happened, but suddenly felt that he was in love with the girl. He felt he was incomplete when he’s not with her. He wanted to be with her that very instant.”

“Because the prince was so busy at school, the letters he wrote decreased in number, until the girl did not receive letters anymore. She waited for days, weeks, months, and years, but the prince never returned. She felt really sad, because she thought their friendship will last forever, but it seems like the prince already forgot about her. She decided to forget about him too, and went on with her life.”

“When the prince returned, the first thing he did was to look for the girl, but to his disappointment, she was not living in her house anymore and when he asked her neighbors where she is, they told him that she was already married. The prince was so heartbroken, that he decided to live in another place to forget her.”

“The end,” Jongdae sighed as he closed the book and heard Min Ji sniffing, and when he looked at her, he saw her crying.

Min Ji rubbed her eyes which were swollen with tears. “Oppa, I feel so sad for the prince. He loved the girl, but she married someone else.”

“The prince partly blamed himself for not telling the girl how he feels, so he was also wrong. He made the girl wait for so long without telling her anything.”

“But still… it could have been a happy ending, right?” Min Ji finally lied down on her bed and hugged her Bambi stuff toy.

“Not all stories have a happy ending. People make mistakes and it greatly affects the end result. That’s the reality. Now wipe your tears and go to sleep, it’s almost late.” Jongdae tucked her in and kissed her forehead.

Min Ji touched her favorite intern’s face. “I hope it won’t happen to you, oppa. You deserve a happy ending because you are so kind and funny. I hope you get to be with the one you love under the fireworks. Happy new year and goodnight~” Min Ji kissed Jongdae’s cheeks and closed her eyes.

“Happy new year, Min Ji.”

Jongdae turned off the light and went to the hospital balcony. He saw fireworks overhead, and watched at them in amazement. He hovered his head at the people partying downtown, and saw some couples kissing on under the grand fireworks display. If he had been smart enough to tell her how he felt, maybe he’s not alone on a happy event like this.

I am the prince in the story, Min Ji.

New Year’s Eve - 2012

“Kang Min Ji’s lungs are healthy again, so that means she can go home now. She needs to go back for some more tests but generally, her lungs are functioning well. She can go back to her normal life again,” Dr. Lee announced the good news to the nurses, doctors, and interns at the pediatric department. The announcement was followed by applauses and everyone high-fiving in the air.

“In behalf of her parents, thank you so much for taking care of her. Everyone did a great job. Especially you, Jongdae-shii. You are Min Ji’s favorite,” Dr. Lee patted Jongdae’s back enthusiastically.

Jongdae shyly bowed at his senior, “It’s my job, seongsaengnim. I’m really happy for her.”

Min Ji was to be released that evening, and since her parents were still on their way to Korea from the United States, her legal guardian will be the one fetching her from the hospital. Min Ji rushed out of her room and went to the nurses’ station.

“Where is Jongdae oppa?” she asked one of the nurses. “He’s over there,” the nurse pointed the guy who just finished talking to Dr. Lee.

“Oppa!” Min Ji squealed, causing Jongdae to turn his head at her direction. She hugged Jongdae from the back. Back hugs from kids are really one of the sweetest things.

“Hey, Min Ji! Looks like you’re ready to go out of the hospital, eh?”

She hung her head low, “Not really. Even if I’m already out, I will be missing you big time.”

Jongdae was happy and sad at the same time. For two years, he was one of those who took care of her. They celebrated her birthday, Christmas, and New Year together at the hospital. Jongdae treated her like his little sister.

“Me too, Min Ji. I will miss you and your naughtiness,” he ruffled Min Ji’s hair.

“You’re much naughtier than me, oppa. You kept playing pranks on Minseok oppa when he pays a visit on my room.”

“Believe me, Min Ji, that guy deserves to be pranked. I’ll teach you how to prank next time.” Jongdae giggled. “So, what time is your guardian going to arrive?”

“Hmmmmm… any moment now. Oh, speaking of, you should really meet her! She’s really pretty and nice. I really wanted to introduce you to her but I never got the chance because of your conflicting schedules. And now, nobody can stop me from letting the two of you see each other,” Min Ji clung onto Jongdae arms tightly so that he couldn’t escape.

Jongdae looked at Min Ji playfully, “I never thought you were a matchmaker at such a young age, Min Ji,”

“You will thank me one day for this, oppa. Oh, there she is! Unnie!! I’m here!” Min Ji waved her arms excitedly.

Jongdae looked towards the direction of Min Ji’s guardian, and his heart almost dropped when he saw her.

“Jo- Jong- Jongdae?!”

“Yoo- Yoo- Yoora?!”

“Yah, you two know each other??” Min Ji scratched her head while looking at the two adults beside her.

“We- we used to be friends,” Yoora casually replied, not looking at Jongdae.

“Used to be friends?? Wait, what is happening here?” Min Ji asked, still looking confused and baffled.

Yoora bent down a little to Minji, “I’ll explain to you later. Now, why don’t you pack up first? I’ll fix your papers then we can go.”

“Okay then. The two of you. You owe me an explanation later, araseo?” Jongdae and Yoora nodded at the same time. Satisfied with their answer, Min Ji then trudged off to her room.

Jongdae couldn’t believe his eyes. In front of him was Yoora, the girl he deeply loved and hurt. She was still as pretty as the first time he first laid his eyes on her. Her long hair was now short, and the cute bob really suited her. He saw her holding a box, a box that was very familiar to him. She was the one putting the chocolate boxes with notes on his work desk.

“So.. you were the one who was putting chocolates on my desk,” he hummed.

Yoora hurriedly hid the box behind her back, and she looked flustered, “I-- I--- I didn’t know it was you who was taking care of Min Ji. Had I known it was you, I would have put poison instead so that you’ll be dead by now.” She suddenly raised her voice.

Okay, Yoora is still mad at me. I couldn’t blame her, what I did to her was unforgivable. But well, it’s just fair, she didn’t tell me she was already married.

People started looking at them, to which he just bowed politely, saying, “I’m sorry, we’re okay.”

“Can we talk about this outside?” Jongdae said at the calmest way possible. Yoora sighed as she approached the nurse station.

“Uhm, excuse me, I am Min Ji’s guardian. If she goes out, can you tell her I just talked to that bastard over there? I will be back for her in a short while.” The nurse looked puzzled over Yoora calling Jongdae a bastard because Jongdae was such a kind guy, but nonetheless acceded to Yoora’s request.

She must be Jongdae sunbae’s girlfriend, the nurse thought.

Jongdae escorted Yoora to the rooftop, silence enveloping them as they made their way up through the elevator. Jongdae stole glances at Yoora, thinking how funny fate played on the two of them. Who would have thought that Min Ji will be the bridge leading to their reunion?

He was happy and nervous at the same time. He twitched his fingers inside his pockets. Happy because he got to see the girl he once loved, and nervous because he knew that a confrontation about what happened in the past awaited him.

Foggy air and a noises from a party downtown greeted them as Jongdae opened the door of the rooftop. Funny thinking that last year, on new year’s eve, Jongdae was in the same location, alone, and wishing that she was with him.

“Well, it was nice seeing you again, Yoora. How have you been?” Jongdae said, trying to initiate a nice conversation.

“Seriously, Jongdae? You’re just going to ask how I’ve been? Aren’t you gonna apologize first for leaving me out there?” Yoora shook her head in frustration. She couldn’t believe Jongdae could just strike a conversation like that as if nothing happened in the past.

Shouldn’t he apologize first?

“Whoa whoa whoa there’s no need to be feisty, okay? I want you to calm down and listen to me.” Jongdae attempted to hold Yoora’s arms but she backed off.

“No Jongdae, why should I listen to you? Do you know long I waited for you? Do you know how angry I was at myself for waiting for you to come back? God, I was so stupid doing that!”

Okay, she’s venting out the frustration she’s had for years.

“Will you let me explain myself?” Jongdae said as he raked his hair and fixed his doctor’s gown.

“I know I’m not that rich as your other friends, but it’s not fair that you just left without telling me. You were my only friend that time, Jongdae. Do you know how painful it was to be left by your only friend? I never had real friends, but you showed me that you were one that time.”

“And I liked you, Jongdae. There, I said it. I am hurt like this because I like you.” She finally leaned on the wall and sat down, a few tears rolling down on her cheeks.

Did Yoora just confess to me? Deep inside, Jongdae was smiling, but a part of him was still guilty for leaving her behind.

“I am so sorry, Yoora. I hated myself for what happened, and I still couldn’t forgive myself until now. I was really busy at school that time, and I rarely even get to go out because I was so bent at studying. When I came back, the first thing I did was to look for you, but apparently, you moved out of your old house and your neighbors didn’t know your whereabouts.”

“I totally regret not being able to answer your mails, but believe me, I never stopped thinking of you. I really wanted to go back to see you but my studies wouldn’t allow me. I am so sorry, Yoora. I know I was stupid, but until now, I’ve always wanted to find you and apologize for what happened. I wanted to make it up to you, but here you are, shouting at me. I know I’ve been a stupid friend and I deserve this for making you wait for so long.”

This time, it was Jongdae who leaned at the wall, sitting down and burying his face in his hands.

“I also waited for you, you know. I dropped by your old house everyday, checking if you will come back, but you never did. Your old neighbors also told me that you got married already.”

“What?” Yoora widened her eyes at what she heard.

“They told me that you got married,” Jongdae repeated, then sighed. That was the worst part of everything. He never got to say his feelings for Yoora, and he allowed her to slip away from him.

“I never got married, Jongdae. God, I’m too young for that.”

A bolt of surprise surged up in Jongdae’s veins when he heard that. “You- you were not- not married?”

“They must have mistaken my brother as my husband when he fetched me.” Yoora facepalmed, remembering what happened.

Yoora then looked at Jongdae with sad eyes. “You were my first love, Jongdae. You introduced me to everything. You made me laugh like no one else can. No matter how hurt I was with what happened, I can never forget the good memories we had. I always compared others to you, and none of them will ever live up. When our communication was cut, and when I thought I was okay letting you go, whenever I see fireworks on New Year, I suddenly realize how much I really love you and I’m not completely over you as much as I hoped.”

Both of them looked up in the sky, and saw fireworks overhead.

Jongdae went nearer and held Yoora’s hand. “I was too scared to admit that I love you, Yoora. I thought I would get over that feeling by going away, but it was different. I found myself looking for you, wanting to see your smile everyday. I was scared that you will like someone else, and I’ve been a coward for not admitting my feelings to you. There was never a day I never wished to see you again.”

Everyone started counting. 30… 29… 28...

“I am so sorry for being an and leaving you behind, Yoora.”

“I am so sorry for being selfish, Jongdae.”

20… 19…. 18…. 17...

“Will you still love me despite everything?” Jongdae asked.

“That fact never changed, Jongdae. I never stopped missing you and loving you.”

10… 9…. 8…

Jongdae looked at Yoora’s eyes, “Will you give me another chance?”

5… 4… 3… 2… 1..

“Yes.”

There was a grand display of fireworks above them, and they both admired its beauty and grandeur.

“Happy New Year, Jongdae.”

“Happy New Year, Yoora.”

Just then, Yoora’s phone rang. She stared at it for a while then looked back at him. Jongdae ushered her to answer it, “Go ahead, answer your brother’s call.”

“Hey, Chanyeol. Happy New Year to you, little brother!”