minbongyi

[minbongyi]

WHEN MY HEART STRANGELY BEATING

Live Up to Your Name, Dr. Heo’s Ep. 16 - Extension Part 4

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That morning, Makgae was already in the kitchen. For nearly a month in Seoul, she has grown accustomed to modern kitchen utensils such as electric stoves and even ovens. From the refrigerator she pulled out some groceries to make the sprout soup. She also brought out a meat for the dishes besides sprouts soup. Makgae painstakingly cleanse the sprouts to put in the broth. Not to forget she heats the packaged kimchi that she keeps in the refrigerator and also adds the tofu into the soup. She smiled smugly. She puts the kimchi on the plate, as well as the meat stew. She also checked the soup again and tasted it.

“This is good.” she smiled as she spooned the soup into two separate bowls. She took the soup and the dishes to the table.

Jaeha is getting ready in his bedroom to go to the hospital. He wore his black shirt complete with a gray suit and matching pair of pants. After he felt confident with his appearance, he came out of his room. He saw Makgae was busy scooping rice.

“What are you doing?” Jaeha wondered as he had never seen Makgae as busy as this morning because usually Jaeha will found her sat happily with everything she could find in Jaeha’s fridge while watching TV, enjoying her breakfast.

He came over and saw his dinner table was full of food. He usually only makes instant foods that only being heated or ramen which is more easily cooked. Last night one of his elderly patients, a vegetable seller in the market, gave him some groceries as her gratitude to Jaeha who had given free acupuncture treatment to the elderly in the market. Not only vegetables that he bring, some other elderly also provide various kinds of food and fruit for him. He can not refuse and bring all the food back home. He did not forget to buy meat because he thought of Makgae who loves meat.

Upon arriving home, Makgae was shocked when Jaeha brought home plenty of groceries last night even asked why Jaeha had so much groceries. After listening to Jaeha’s explanation, Makgae only smiled happily while looking at the groceries, but Jaeha never thought Makgae would cook the groceries.

“I prepared a breakfast, please have a seat Naeuri.” said Makgae, pushing Jaeha to sit down.

“You can cook?” Jaeha asked.

“Cooking is easy, my mother taught me a lot. I hope my cook matches your taste.” Makgae gave a spoon to Jaeha.

Jaeha scooped Makgae’s sprout soup into his mouth. He was a little surprised by the delicious taste of Makgae cooking. “Not bad.” he said.

“Thank God.” Makgae took her spoon and ate deliciously. Jaeha smiled as he take a bite of the meat stew in front of him.

“I came home early today, what if we go the supermarket and buy some ingredients for our meals? I'm a bit bored with instant food.” Jaeha said as he spooned the rice into his mouth.

“Ne Naeuri.” Makgae nodded in agreement.

Jaeha went to the hospital after breakfast. Makgae returned to the kitchen and cleaned up the dishes. She tidied up Jaeha’s apartment as well. This is just the only way to thank Jaeha who provides her a place to stay while she was in Seoul.

She was lazing for a while on the sofa where she used to sleep, but she was very bored in the apartment. Then she is decided to take a walk. Makgae is no longer afraid to use the elevator, she’s even very used to it. She went for a walk around the park near Jaeha’s apartment.

“I should often play here.” Makgae muttered with a grin.

When Makgae finished trying swinger in the park, lunch time is already passed. She was very curious about the children’s toys that she saw and did not stop trying it one by one. She decided to return to the apartment when her stomach growling in hunger.

***

At the hospital, Jaeha prepares to go to lunch. Some of his doctor friends asked him to eat together but he refused, he had not met Yeonkyung since he was very busy in the hospital. He rushed to Shinhae Hospital to ask Yeonkyung to get lunch together.

‘The number you are calling is not accessible..’ Yeonkyung can not be reached. Jaeha locked his handphone again.

“Did she busy?” Jaeha took a deep breath as he decided to return to the Shinhae Oriental Hospital.

Arriving at the hospital, one of the nurse who used to help Jaeha reported that his patient changed her therapy schedule. Jaeha just nodded because its means he could go home sooner than he scheduled. He rushed back to his apartment.

“I am home!” Jaeha exclaimed as he entered his apartment. Since Makgae lived in his apartment, he naturally always greeted. Makgae peeked out of the kitchen when he heard Jaeha’s voice while washing the dishes.

“Naeuri is back? I thought you were coming home later?” Makgae asked innocently. Jaeha opened his refrigerator and take a cold mineral water.

“My patient is not coming to therapy, so I can come sooner.” cleared Jaeha.

“I see, have you eaten?” Makgae asked again while looking straight to Jaeha with her wide eyes after Jaeha closes the fridge. Jaeha gasped when his eyes meet Makgae’s as she asked if he had eaten yet. He stared at Makgae until he tried to resuscitate himself.

“N-not yet.” he said as he cleared his throat.

“Go change your clothes, I'll prepared your lunch.” Makgae smiled sweetly and left Jaeha into the kitchen. Jaeha’s eyes trailed Makgae, unaware of his heart pounding. He decided to go to the room to change his clothes.

“Yoo Jaeha, you must be crazy. Why did you fluttering to a man.” he said to himself.

***

In the afternoon, as they planned, Jaeha and Makgae going for shopping some groceries at the supermarket. Makgae so surprised when she is arrived at the supermarket for the first time. She saw a variety of foods products neatly lined up. She also held a shopping cart with wonder because there are wheels to move the trolley. Jaeha just laughed at Makgae’s innocence.

“It’s interesting, you do not have to carry your groceries, just pushed it like this.” Makgae laughed as well.

They go to cashier with plenty of food for the next two weeks. Makgae pushed the trolley with joy because Jaeha also bought her some snacks and ice cream. They took their groceries and placed them in the car. Makgae pats the plastic bag of their groceries before closes the back door. She come and sit in the passenger seats, tightened up her seatbelt.

Once they’re arriving at home, Jaeha and Makgae sits in the living room and enjoying their chicken and beer. Makgae trying beer for the first time because she’s too curious about the taste because Jaeha keep saying that beer is kinda similar to soda, Jaeha just looking at her expression.

“How is it?” he asked

“I don’t think this is similar to soda. But I think I can handle it.” she smiled then puts the can on the table, take a piece of the chicken.

“You never tried an alcohol?” Jaeha also take a piece.

“Never. Once I’m trying soju, but it’s too strong, I don’t really like it.” Makgae tasting the sauce first. “Naeuri likes soju or beer more?”

“It depends on my mood.”

“Mood? Like?”

“When I’m stressed out, I prefer soju. When I’m enjoying chicken, I prefer beer.” he laughed a bit.

“Enjoying chicken is a mood?” she giggled.

“I mean, this kind of mood. You just wanted to relaxing a bit. Soju is too strong for this delicious chicken.” he ate the chicken happily.

“What should we eat with soju?”

“Something with broth, maybe? I usually cook a ramen when I drink Soju.”

Makgae smiled. “Stew?”

“It’s good too.” Jaeha smiled as well as sip his beer again.

“Something good must be happened, right?”

“Mwo?”

“Naeuri said if you stressed out, you’ll drink Soju.”

“Then?”

“When I’m stay with you, I never seeing you drunk. So I guess something good is happened.” Makge sip the beer again, trying to adjusting with the taste of the beer.

“Actually nothing happened. This is my first alcohol this month tho. Hmm.. I think I’m just feel less stress lately? I usually stressed out alone.” He glanced at Makgae and laughed at his confession.

“You can talk about everything to me if you want, Naeuri.” Makgae shakes her beer can a bit.

“Arraseo.”

“Why don’t you seeing your parents?” Makgae pointed to the family photo of Jaeha and his parents. She’s just noticing Jaeha keep his parents photo in his room as well. Once she’s found Jaeha hugging his parents photo tightly when he fall asleep in the sofa after they come home from treating patient nearly his parents age. Jaeha keeps talking about how his patient remind him to his mother in the car. Makgae only stay silent and listen to Jaeha well when they headed back home, observing Jaeha’s expression which looked like he missing his parents. But she is too afraid to ask.

“Both of them are in heaven now.” Makgae looking at him as she’s feels guilty to ask the question. Jaeha look straight to the photo in his drawer besides the TV.

“Mianhao.”

“That’s okay.” he sips his beer again.

Makgae’s eyes tearing a bit because she thinks about her mother again. She’s also tearing up as she’s missing home.

“If only Joseon have this technology to capturing a moment, it would be good. I guess.” she is tearing more.

“Why did you tearing?”

“You can seeing your parents smile through a picture, while I can’t.”

“Why did you cry? Let’s find a way to send you back to Joseon, so you can meet your mother. You’re a man, don’t cry too much.” Jaeha laughed at Makgae become so crybaby. Makgae wipe her tears.

“No one I can addressed as family there.”

“What do you mean?”

“Dr. Heo is the only one I can called as family. I’m an orphan since my late mother died.” Jaeha paused to look at Makgae who was trying to wipe away all her tears. This time Jaeha feels guilty to laugh at her being a crybaby. Makgae took a deep breath before finally smiling at Jaeha.

“Are you okay?” Jaeha asked.

“I’m okay, Naeuri, I’m triggered suddenly because we talked about parents. Do not mind me.” answered Makgae with a small laugh.

Jaeha then laughed as well to get rid of the gloomy atmosphere and finished his beer. The night went down even later as Makgae finished telling him about the swinger she tried this afternoon. Jaeha just laughed at the thought of how people looked at Makgae as she tried the children’s toys alone. Makgae who got drunk after her fourth can then told him about her longing for Joseon, she said she wanted to go back. She started crying again, searching for the remaining chicken. Jaeha laughed at Makgae and start teasing her again being so crybaby when drunk.

“Dr. Heo wants me to be a doctor, but I can not be a doctor there.” Makgae unconsciously mumbling to Jaeha again.

“Why?” he asked, half conscious.

“It’s impossible for low-borns and women like me to be doctors.”

Jaeha looked at Makgae again as he heard Makgae’s words. “Woman?” he asked.

Makgae nodded before finally falling asleep on Jaeha’s shoulder. Jaeha just paused to let Makgae fall asleep on his shoulder, he saw Makgae’s tears fall and makes her smooth cheeks wet. Jaeha’s fingers reached Makgae’s cheeks and wiped her tears, asking her not to cry too much. His low alcohol tolerance makes him drunk in the first sip of his third can. His head can’t functioning well and saying out everything unconsciously. Jaeha’s heart fluttered again, staring at Makgae who already sleep peacefully.

“Makgae-ssi, who are you makes my heart fluttering like this, huh? If you are a woman, I think I already falling to you in this state. You are so beautiful, you idiot.” said Jaeha. He also fell asleep next to Makgae.

At the outside, snow start to falling again and covered Seoul with its white blanket. The temperature dropping so low as the night entered midnight time. One message in come to Jaeha’s phone, it’s from unsaved number. It said that the sender wanted to meet him tomorrow. It also said that the sender is his friend comes from far away.

‘This is Heo Im.’

***

When Heo Im and Yeonkyung return from dinner, they take the time to stop at an operator outlet to replace Heo Im’s phone number which has expired. Heo Im just smiling happy when his handphone can be active again. He also holds Yeonkyung hand tightly when returning home. Arriving at home, he immediately sent a message to Jaeha.

‘Dr. Yoo, how are you?’

‘I’m back from far away..’

‘I’m sorry for just contacting you now because I just activated my new number..’

‘Do you miss me? Hehehee.. ’

‘This is Heo Im.’

‘Let’s meet tomorrow.’

‘:)’

Heo Im just smirking looking at his handphone while rubbing his screen into his gray shirt, clearing it up a bit. Yeonkyung brings warm sweet tea from the kitchen and sits next to Heo Im who smiles to himself.

“Are you that happy?” Yeonkyung gives a pink glass to Heo Im.

“Gomawo Cheoja.” he said, smiling at Yeonkyung.

“Have you contacting Jaeha?” Yeonkyung asked.

“Already but I think he already sleep by now.” Heo Im looking at the clock on his mobile screen then putting it on the table.

“Bongtak-ssi?” Yeonkyung called softly.

“Ne Cheoja?” Heo Im looking at Yeonkyung.

“Are you okay?”

“Mwohae?”

“Is it okay for you being a doctor in a small clinic rather than being a doctor in a hospital?” Yeonkyung asks about Heo Im’s decision to replace Director Choi at the Haeminseo clinic.

“I’m okay Cheoja, why are you so worried?” Heo Im grabs Yeonkyung’s hand and holds it tightly.

“You do not want to work at hospital again? Seeing you decided to take Harabeoji’s place at Haeminseo, it’s somehow makes me uneasy. It feels like you giving up your dream.” Yeonkyung forcing her smile. Heo Im staring at her formed a smile also.

“Cheoja, you think I’m giving up my dream?”

“It feels like that.”

“What is my dream?”

“Having a lot of money?” Yeonkyung laughed as she tried to joked, she overthinking and she knows it well.

“I do not care with money, I’m always penniless in here or Joseon.”

“Fame?”

“I’m a doctor, not idol, it does not matter.” Heo Im makes an annoyed expression, trying to joked along with her.

Yeonkyung gawked. “Ah!”

“Your Harabeoji ask me to take his place because he is trust me. In the hospital there are a lot of great doctors already. So it doesn’t matter if there is no me there. I can makes a lot of money here tho, I’m sure.” Heo Im giggled again while boasting himself to Yeonkyung. They laughed together.

“If you feel it uncomfortable, you can quit and pursued your dreams in a big hospital, okay?” Yeonkyung ensures that everything is fine.

“Ne Cheoja.” Heo Im still staring at Yeonkyung. Smiling broadly.

She’s peeked at Heo Im. “Wae?”

Yeonkyung asked because Heo Im stares at her for so long. She blushed. Heo Im placed his hands on Yeonkyung shoulder before he kissed Yeonkyung’s forehead. Yeonkyung closed her eyes as she let Heo Im kissed her. Heo Im take a long breath between her hair, stay silent for a couple of minutes then cares Yeonkyung’s hair. Yeonkyung looking back at Heo Im and caress his cheek slowly, he loves the way Yeonkyung spoil him as he getting shy at her.

He laughed a bit when Yeonkyung lock her gaze at him. When their smile disappeared, both of them starting to look at each other more deeper as Heo Im being triggered to kiss Yeonkyung’s lips. Yeonkyung caress his lower jaw and gave an indirect permission to kiss her. Heo Im smirked before he press his lips against Yeonkyung’s, a long smooch as a present for their hard work. Heo Im then break the kiss, brushing his pointed nose to Yeonkyung’s nose as he smiling, thanked Yeonkyung for always makes him feel more better.

“Cheoja, thank you.” he smiled gently

“Why you thanked me?” she asked.

“For being my good friend.”

“Only friend?” Yeonkyung laughed too, can’t hide her reddened cheeks.

“Girlfriend?”

“Mwoya, girlfriend?”

“Let’s be friend then.” Heo Im keep looking at her gently, once giggled.

“Are you serious?” Yeonkyung make a disappointed expression. Pouting her lips.

“Ne.” Heo Im keep laughed because Yeonkyung being so cute.

“You are so bad, Heo Bongtak-ssi.”

“Be my friend forever. My one and only friend.” Heo Im just smiled showing his teeth. Yeonkyung keep listening to him. “Let’s live together, grow old together..” he is looking for another words.

“And then?” Yeonkyung’s heart beating fast, hoping for him to say something more.

“Hmm.. this is not right.” he become more serious.

“Mwoya?” she hitting Heo Im chest lightly.

“This is not cool.” he shakes his head.

“What are you doing?” she laughed.

“I’m trying to look cool when proposing you, Cheoja.” he makes a serious face, innocently.

Yeonkyung then laughed so hard. “Which drama are you trying to impersonate?”

“Let’s get married, Choi Yeonkyung.” said Heo Im. But Yeonkyung burst into laugh because Heo Im’s facial expression is too funny, she can’t hold her laugh. Heo Im looking at Yeonkyung annoyed.

“Arraseo. Arraseo. I’ll stop laughing.” Yeonkyung bit her lips.

“Forget it.” Heo Im get more annoyed. Yeonkyung tease him again as he sulking.

“Honey..” she called Heo Im cutely while playing her finger in his chest.

“Cheoja..” he laughed.

Heo Im then taking out a ring from his pocket and put it on Yeonkyung’s pinky finger. Yeonkyung smiling beautifully when looking at her finger. The moon shine brightly outside, it’s almost full moon. Inside the biscuit can where Heo Im keep his needle case, the needle case suddenly have an almost full bamboo’s drawing. The bamboo shines for a wink after drawing another leaves.

[minbongyi]

MY PROMISE TO YOU

Live Up to Your Name, Dr. Heo's Ep. 16 - Extension Part 3

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“Sunbae-nim!”

Yeonkyung turned to the origin of the voice which calling her name. “Minjae-ya!” she called back for the caller’s name.

“Over here sunbae-nim.” it is Minjae. He directs Yeonkyung to the operating room where the patient is located. He was surprised to see Heo Im standing next to Yeonkyung.

“Annyeonghaseyo, Dr. Kim.” Heo Im said with a little bow to Minjae.

“Ooh, Dr. Heo!” Minjae said as he bowed to Heo Im back. He has no time to greet Heo Im more because Yeonkyung has pulled his hand into the operating room.

Heo Im just laughing at the Minjae being drawn by Yeonkyung. “I’ll see you again, Dr. Kim!” Heo Im replied, waving his hand and smiling broadly.

“When are you coming back?” Heo Im surprised to see Nurse Jung already standing beside him. Nurse Jung casually crossed her arms as she saw Yeonkyung and Minjae already disappeared at the operating room.

“Heeh, Kanhosa (Nurse), annyeonghaseyo!” Heo Im continues to smile broadly with a little laugh.

“Come on! You’re not planning to wait for Dr. Choi here all alone right?”

“Alright then.” Heo Im follows Nurse Jung who takes him to the hospital cafeteria. He looked around that nothing changed much as he remembered. They’re still same.

“How are you, Dr. Heo?” asked Nurse Jung.

“Pretty good. How about you, Kanhosa?” Heo Im asked.

“Just good as it used to be, only now I’m tired faster.” Nurse Jung clearly, smiling while holding her stiff nape.

“Do you have too much headache?” Heo Im asked.

“Yes, it’s so annoying because I can not concentrate when my head hurts.” Nurse Jung explains more. They entered a less crowded hospital cafeteria. Nurse Jung asks Heo Im to find a seat for them to talk then she goes to the kitchen, asked for a two cups of hot tea to the head chef. After the tea is finished, she brings the hot tea to where Heo Im sits.

“Ah, thank you Kanhosa.” Heo Im holding a big cup of hot tea while cupping his hands around the cup. The morning air was very cold. Winter is coming soon. Nurse Jung did the same thing as Heo Im did.

“Two years ago, Dr. Choi said you were back in Joseon?” asked Nurse Jung, making Heo Im choke a little as he drank his tea.

“I helped the people and soldiers on the battlefield and healed the king, and I have even been appointed by the king to be his personal physician.” Heo Im replied relaxed, this time Nurse Jung choking on Heo Im’s story.

“I’m kidding, Dr. Heo, why are you so seriously replying? How could you go to Joseon?” Nurse Jung cleans her mouth.

“I’m from Joseon, Kanhosa, and now I’m back because the war is over.” Heo Im keep talks with a serious face, making Nurse Jung give up in the first place for teasing him. They both laughed.

“Are you comeback for good now?” asked Nurse Jung.

“Yeah, I want to live with Yeonkyung Cheoja here.” he replied, sipping his warm tea.

“I hope you do not leave her again, Dr. Heo.” Nurse Jung asks Heo Im.

“I will not do it. I will take care of Yeonkyung Cheoja.” Heo Im smiling at Nurse Jung. Nurse Jung also smiled.

“When you left, Dr. Choi always looked moody, and sometimes she asked me what she should do when she missed someone she could not see.” Heo Im listening to Nurse Jung with a smile. “I always reply to see you with her heart, and every time Dr. Choi asks the same question, I try to find the answer that can ease her heart, until finally I realize the right answer for her is just you.” Nurse Jung sips her tea slowly. Heo Im nods as he wait to Nurse Jung to tell him more about Yeonkyung.

“Aigoo Cheoja..” Heo Im said slowly after hearing Nurse Jung’s story. He smiled while looking at the tea inside his glass.

“Do you know, Dr. Heo?” open Nurse Jung again. “She’s working so hard so she’s not think too much about you.”

Heo Im’s face frown a bit as he knows Yeonkyung’s situation the last two years after he left. “Then?” Heo Im reply asks Nurse Jung to continue her story.

Nurse Jung is now smiling at Heo Im. “Why do not you ask Dr. Choi herself?” she teases Heo Im while she finishes her tea.

“How can..” Heo Im giggling.

“As a friend of Dr. Choi.. ah, eonnie, I ask you to stay with her and keep her. Because of how strongly you see her treatment outside, you must know very well that she is a very fragile person. I can only trust you Dr. Heo.”

Heo Im nods and promises to Nurse Jung to take care of Yeonkyung. “I promise.”

***

Arriving at the subway station, Jaeha directly greet the homeless people who have been waiting for him since morning. Makgae followed Jaeha slowly, looking around. Jaeha smiled as he placed his brown bag near one of his patients.

“How are you Ahjussi?” he asked Mr. Park.

“I’m a lot more better now, thanks to you Dr. Yoo.” Mr. Park patted Jaeha’s arm gratefully. Jaeha just smiled as he took Mr. Park’s hand and check his pulse.

“You’re getting better, I think you just need to take the medicine I give you. This is an extra drug I promised a week ago.”

“Thank you so much Dr. Yoo.”

“It’s okay Mr. Park.” Jaeha replied, asking again. “Does anyone here complain of pain again?”

“Ah, Mr. Lee?” call Mr. Park to one of his friends who had the flu and cough. Mr. Lee turned toward Jaeha, occasionally coughing. Jaeha goes to Mr. Lee and asked Makgae to help him.

“Makgae-ssi, can you please arrange this?” pleaded Jaeha to the Makgae to hold the acupuncture needles box. Makgae sees Jaeha treating his patients with care. Makgae browsed through Jaeha’s bag full of acupuncture and herbal medicines. She’s just aware of some letters she did not understand to write the drugs, the letters of the alphabet.

“Who is this woman, Dr. Yoo?” asked Mr. Lee.

“He’s a man, he’s my assistant.” Jaeha replied with a small laugh as he stuck a needle at some point in Mr. Lee’s hand.

“Why is there a beggars too here?” Makgae murmured to herself.

“Why do you look like a woman?” joked Mr. Lee again while glancing at Makgae.

“I even always get surprised every time I saw him. I always thought he was a woman because he was so beautiful.” Jaeha joked and then stuck his needle in the face area of Mr. Lee.

“I am just kidding, kid.” giggled Mr. Lee on Makgae.

“I’m used to it.” answered Makgae with a smile.

After finished treating Mr. Lee, Jaeha also gave some medicines to him for two weeks. He also invites Makgae to distribute some drugs and vitamins to other homeless people. Jaeha also said goodbye to them and promised to come again.

“Finally our volunteering is finished. Now let’s eat, I’m hungry.” said Jaeha. It was already 12 PM KST, his stomach is growling now.

“Ne Naeuri.” Makgae smiled when Jaeha said ‘lunch’. She happily carried Jaeha’s bag on her back and followed Jaeha out of the subway station.

“What should we eat by the way?” he asked himself. Makgae just looked around her, full of people. Jaeha decided to took Makgae to a nearby buffet restaurant which served a home made meals.

They go hand in hand among the many people who are crowdedly passing by. Makgae occasionally watched them, from clothes to their luggage. She smiled a little while looking at the teenager around her age with makeup and beautiful clothes, laughing together while looking at the phone. She also saw clothing stores lined up along the street, she stopped in front of one of the clothing store that display ivory white dress, complete with matching shoes and leather bags. Jaeha noticed that Makgae was not at his side. He immediately looking around and found Makgae stay silent while looking at the dress in front of the clothing store. He went to Makgae.

“Pretty..” Makgae murmured with sparkling eyes.

“How could you wear this dress?” Jaeha interrupted as he was standing next to Makgae.

“Ooh! Naeuri..” Makgae was startled when she heard Jaeha’s voice. She pouted her lips.

“Yes, how can a man wear a dress? Come on, the restaurant is near here.” said Jaeha. Makgae also left the clothing store with a heavy heart.

“Naeuri, why are your clothes so funny? Is it alright for women to wear a clothes like that in outdoors?” Makgae asked innocently as she pointed to a woman who only wears a tank top.

“In here it’s called fashion.” Jaeha explained.

“Fashion? What’s that?”

“Hmm.. like.. dressing style that is trend? Woman usually wears a Hanbok in Joseon right? It’s Joseon fashion.” Jaeha is looking for the right answer.

“Trend? What’s the trend?”

“Why do you care of trends?” Jaeha tries to stop Makgae to ask more questions, he has no idea how to explain all the things in modern world clearly to Makgae. They entered a restaurant after a while. Jaeha and Makgae queue their turn to take food after paying at the cashier. Makgae saw a various kind of side dishes while queued. Swallowing her saliva and then taking various dishes until her plate was full. She was very hungry. There was one empty table by the window, Jaeha walked first there. Makgae then followed while carrying two glasses and a water jug to their table. Jaeha looked at Makgae’s very full plate.

“Are you sure you can eat it all?” asked Jaeha, surprised.

“I’m hungry, Naeuri.” she replied as she raised a big cut meats. “Thank you for giving me a meat for lunch. I’ve been wanting it for a long time.” she said. Not wasting her time, Makgae devoured her lunch. Jaeha just chuckled to Makgae. He took his spoon and prepared to eat.

***

HAEMINSEO ORIENTAL CLINIC

In the clinic room, Heo Im is cleaning a biscuit can which as big as a shoebox he got from Grandma Kkeot Bun a week ago. Grandma Kkeot Bun brings him some snacks that she keeps in the can and the snacks run out immediately because Heo Im can not stop eating them. He was carrying his Joseon doctor uniform and his needle box to put it in the empty biscuit can.

“I have to say goodbye to you, I will start my new life now. I will miss you very much.” he said with a smile and put his doctor uniform and needle case into the biscuit can. He closed it tight.

“What are you doing?” Yeonkyung peeked through the door. She sits next to Heo Im, who closes the can.

“Aniyo, I just want to keep these things.” cleared Heo Im.

“You do not use your needle anymore?” Yeonkyung asked.

“I’ll make a new one, actually now is much easier with a disposable needle.” Heo Im takes a small needle that is used in modern acupuncture. “So I do not have to bother sharpening a lot of needles, just the big needles I need.” he smiles at Yeonkyung.

“Are you really going to stay here?” Yeonkyung asked again as he hugged Heo Im’s arm.

Heo Im smiles a little before releasing Yeonkyung’s hug. He held both hands Yeonkyung. “Did not I tell you? I’ll stay here with you, Cheoja.”

“I’m afraid you..”

“Hehh! Cheoja, do you see I’m staying with you this month? I’m not back in Joseon when I bumped my head to the floor yesterday.” Heo Im cuts Yeonkyung. He does not want Yeonkyung worried.

“Do I need to stick a needle in your heart so we can sure you do not come back there?” Yeonkyung a little annoyed.

“Heehh, Cheoja!” he caresses his chest while looking at Yeonkyung’s hand that already imitated holding a big needle. “Why are you so worried? I promise I’ll always be careful, even if I go back to Joseon, I’ll come back here again.” Heo Im jokes reminded of the memories when they had to split up two years ago.

“After you comeback, I’ll never forgive you.” joked Yeonkyung back.

“Aigoo Cheoja! Why are you doing this to me?” Heo Im whining funnily to Yeonkyung while waggling her arm.

“I will ask Kim Nam Gil to marry me if you do not keep your promise.” Yeonkyung put on a sullen face.

“Arraseo, you can marry him. I’ll marry Kim Ah Joong then.” Heo Im picks up the can and goes to Yeonkyung’s room. Leaving Yeonkyung alone is still pouting.

“Woah! I lost the words. Geurae Heo Bongtak-ssi! If that’s what you want, get out of here. Ask your Kim Ah Joong there to give you a place to stay.” Yeonkyung stands up and follows Heo Im holding his can and place it on top of Yeonkyung’s dresser.

“Ooh! You’re bluffing me now Choi Yeonkyung-ssi?” replied Heo Im.

“Yes, why?”

“You’re going to let me be a beggars again?”

“Why are you so annoying?” Yeonkyung glances at Heo Im.

Heo Im smiling seductively. “You will not dare, right?”

“Wash your dishes in the sink.” told Yeonkyung.

“Okay.” Heo Im is walking towards the kitchen while mumbling. “If only Lee Young Ae noona was not married, I would have asked her to marry me. Then I’ll have The Great Jang Geum to take care of me and cook a nice food for me every day.”

“Aishh!” Yeonkyung raises her hand getting ready to hit Heo Im. But Heo Im has already run first to the kitchen. He was peeking out of the kitchen after hiding.

“Cheoja?” Heo Im laughing amusedly showing his teeth while calling Yeonkyung.

“Why?” Yeonkyung asked curtly.

“Let’s go take a dinner outside tonight.” Heo Im still smiling.

[minbongyi]

A STRANGE DESTINY

Live Up to Your Name, Dr. Heo’s Ep. 16 - Extension Part 2

———————————————-

Makgae walked alone in Shinhae Hospital’s front hallway where the ambulance usually lowers the patient. Jaeha who had just come out of the parking lot saw Makgae walking pensively as his car passed Shinhae Hospital’s hallway, he ignored her and kept on stepping on the gas. He also saw Makgae from the rearview mirror. Discouraged himself to spur his car even further. But as his car go further and Makgae’s figure disappeared from his rearview mirror, his heart hesitated whether he leave her alone or helping her. Without any command his hand turned the steering wheel and back to pick up Makgae. He stopped his car right beside Makgae who was almost crying.

“Excuse me!” Jaeha called casually. Makgae turned her head to the sound source. She looked at Jaeha and wiped her slightly aqueous eyes.

“Oh! You were the doctor from before right?” said Makgae.

“Yes. Where are you going?” Jaeha asked again.

“I don’t know. I have nowhere to go.” she looked down again, playing the fingers of her hand that had been holding Heo Im’s books. Jaeha saw the shabby state of Makgae. He felt pity and finally decided to take Makgae to his apartment. He remembers how his old friend, Heo Im, having a hard time when he comes to Seoul for the first time and nowhere to stay. He should not be like this to the stranger right? He talked alone in his head. Who knows this person only making up a story? He took a deep breath as he make a bold decision. Deep down, his heart keep telling him to help Makgae.

“Come on! Get in the car.” Jaeha exclaimed. Makgae looked around puzzled by Jaeha’s orders. Jaeha gave up as he understand Makgae can’t open the car’s door and opened the door for her from the inside. Makgae climbed Jaeha’s orange car. Jaeha just half smiled at the thought of Heo Im.

On the way home, they were busy with their own things in the car, Jaeha who busy driving found himself was looking for a topic to start a conversation. He saw the enchanted Makgae at the city lights of Seoul from his car’s window after a while ago she was confused with her new environment and asked him back to back about why his car can moved without a help of any living creatures like cow or horse. She stunned holding to the seatbelt. Half excited, half worried. He chuckled and ventured to ask Makgae’s name first.

“Hey! What’s your name?” he asked to open up the conversation.

“Makgae, Dong Makgae.” she replied, bending her face again. The excitement of the flickering lights of Seoul city disappeared when he saw Jaeha. Makgae regained consciousness that she was in a strange place.

“You’re really.. from Joseon?” Jaeha asked more cautiously.

“You know Joseon? And.. what’s the name of this place?” Makgae asked back. She feel relieved as Jaeha asked about Joseon.

“This is Seoul, S-E-O-U-L.” Jaeha spelled Seoul for Makgae to make her understand.

“Ah, Seoul.” she nodded. She never heard that place name.

“You.. really know Heo Im?” Jaeha asked again.

“Do you know.. our Dr. Heo?” Makgae get interested.

“He’s my friend. He came to Seoul two years ago and back to Joseon.” said Jaeha as he looked at Makgae. “How’s Heo Im doing right now?”

“He’s being promoted to a higher position a while ago..” she paused. “He will served the king in royal infirmary.” she explained more.

“Daebak! And.. how did you know Heo Im? It sounds like you two were close.”

“I’m his assistant. I also.. worked at Haeminseo.”

Jaeha nooded as he’s understand. Makgae looked around again as she saw the restaurants lined up in front of her. Her stomach growled because she had not eaten all day. Jaeha glanced at her and accidentally heard Makgae’s stomach struggling with hunger.

“Where.. are we going?” Makgae asked to hide her growling stomach.

“Are you hungry?” Jaeha asked pleasantly. While driving his car toward a fast food restaurant to buy sandwiches and cola. She nodded embarrassed. Jaeha just chuckled at the shy behavior of Makgae.

Arriving at drive thru, Jaeha ordered a sandwich for two and two cola. After their order was ready, they continuing went back home. The confused Makgae only sees her sandwich without eating it. Then Jaeha told Makgae to open her sandwich coating paper, but Makgae still did not understand. When they stopped in the red light Jaeha opened his sandwich coating paper and ate it. Makgae understood and opened it just like Jaeha do. She also noticed the way Jaeha drank the cola through a straw. She tried it too.

“What kind of water is this?” asked Makgae, surprised by the strange taste of soda.

“That’s soda. You don’t know?” joked Jaeha.

Makgae just shook his head, Jaeha only laughed. She also ate her sandwich slowly unconsciously shedding tears. Jaeha was surprised to see Makgae cried.

“Why are you crying? I’m just joking earlier.” Jaeha asked in panic. But Makgae continued to cry without answering Jaeha’s question.

***

The morning starts as the sun began to force in through the curtains that covered the window in Yeonkyung’s room. Yeonkyung who was still asleep turned around and hugged Heo Im, Heo Im also wrapped his arms and legs also into Yeonkyung’s body. They are still fall asleep.

“Bongtak-ah! Bongtak-ah!” called Director Choi from the outside. Yeonkyung woke up disturbed by the yell of her grandfather.

“Why is it so noisy outside?” she still hugs Heo Im unknowingly.

“I don’t know.” Heo Im half-awake. Yeonkyung just realized Heo Im sleeping next to her. Yeonkyung is a little surprised when she saw Heo Im’s face right close in front of her. Her grandfather will be furious if he found Heo Im sleeping in her room.

“Bongtak-ah!” Director Choi yelled again.

“Bongtak-ssi!” Yeonkyung called softly a little panicked. Told him to wake up.

“Why? It’s a holiday, can’t I sleep longer?” he replied still hug Yeonkyung tightly.

“Harabeoji is looking for you. Bongtak-ssi, wake up!” she tried to letting go his embrace as she heard her grandfather knocking her door.

“Yeonkyung-ah!” called Director Choi from the outside.

She released herself from Heo Im and forced him to sit on the bed. She gave him an accupunture book from her cupboard and hurriedly opened the door for Director Choi. She smiled widely while taking some breath.

“Ne Harabeoji?” she asked. Director Choi looking inside and found Heo Im in the bed sleep with a book in his hand.

“Why is he sleep on your room?” asked Director Choi.

“Sleep?” she asked and turned her head and found Heo Im sleep again. She cursed him in her head for making the things awkward in front of her grandfather. “He’s just sleep for a while Harabeoji..” she forced the laugh. “He’ll be up in a minute I think..” she explained slowly to her grandfather to avoid the misunderstanding. “I told him to sleep here this morning because I’m afraid his back hurt if he sleep on the floor..” Director Choi’s expression still unsatisfied with Yeonkyung’s explanation. “I’m reading some medical books while he were sleeping. I have surgery today.” she forced her laugh again.

“Yeonkyung-ah.” called Director Choi.

“Ne Harabeoji?”

“It’s Sunday.”

“Ne?” she smiling widely. Her grandfather must be knows she’s lying. She rolled her eyes, looking for an excuse. “I thought it’s Monday already.”

Director Choi take a deep breath as he told Yeonkyung to wake Heo Im up. “Let’s have a breakfast together.” her grandfather just walking again to the kitchen, preparing the breakfast.

Yeonkyung’s eyes following her grandfather and close her door again after her grandfather disappeared to the kitchen. She jumped to the bed and hit Heo Im’s back told him to wake up.

“Ya! Wake up! Why you sleep again? I told you to pretend to read a book, why you sleep?” she nagged. Heo Im suddenly wakes up at her nags and give her a peck on the lips. She’s surprised as her eyes widened. Heo Im just wake up from the bed and going to the kitchen casually while Yeonkyung still speechless in her room.

She’s getting so shy because of Heo Im’s sudden morning kiss. Then she followed him to the kitchen to join the breakfast with her grandfather. She keep looking at Heo Im while having a breakfast, running her hands on Heo Im’s lap because he’s so serious to his breakfast. Heo Im cough a bit and takes a glass of water, she laughed again. She loved it when Heo Im getting uneasy at her tease.

After the breakfast, Director Choi asked Heo Im to help him in the clinic. They walked together downstairs. Director Choi sees Byungki who’s still cleaning the clinic, he comes to Jaesook and told her that he’s ready to give a treatment. She’s nodded as she’s walking to the clinic’s front door.

“Please get in Harabeoji, Halmeoni!” Jaesook told the elderly who had been waiting in front of the clinic for accupunture therapy from Director Choi. They entered the large clinic’s courtyard and sat where they used to wait for their turn.

“Bongtak-ah!” Grandma Kkeot Bun exclaimed Heo Im’s alias everytime she visits the clinic. But today she saw Heo Im standing while smiling broadly to her in the door’s bench.

“Eomoni, you’re here!” called Heo Im.

“Bongtak-ah!” she shouted again. Heo Im come to approach her and give her a hug. She didn’t bring Bongsik with her.

“Where’s my brother eomoni?” he asked cutely.

“Bongsik-ie? Where’s Bongsik-ie?” she asked Jaesook who stand near her.

“Bongsik-ie isn’t here. Halmae said he’s go on vacation yesterday. Let’s sit first there.” said Jaesook to Grandma Kkeot Bun. Grandma Kkeot Bun nooded and follows her order to sit with others elderly. “Actually, Bongsik is being sent to the farmers so he can breed. He’s too big for Halmae to be carried around. Soon we will give Halmae Bongsik’s baby once his mate gave a birth.” told Jaesook to Heo Im.

“Ah, I see.” he replied. Heo Im smiling to other elderly then join them. The elderly asked him where did he go for the last two years and he told them that he goes to study. He’s joking around with the elderly that he’s going to Hanyang to save people on war and the king, they laughed happily. Grandma Kkeot Bun laughed as well as she being so happy seeing her son, Bongtak, again.

Yeonkyung come out from the house after washing a dishes and sit in the door’s bench. Looking at Heo Im and her Grandfather treating the patients, she’s smiling at them when her phone ringing. She pick up the phone and talked with the person who called her. It’s from Shinhae Hospital.

“Ne, Dr. Choi Yeonkyung here.” she walked away to talked with person on phone. Heo Im looking at Yeonkyung slightly and continued treating the elderly.

***

JAEHA’S APARTMENT

Makgae awoke early in the morning. She stretched her body in front of the large window in the living room. Her body is a little hurt because she’s sleeping on the couch. She was struck by the view of the city of Seoul from a height.

“Woah! How did they build this place?” she was amazed to see some skyscrapers. Her stomach growling in hunger. She finally went around Jaeha’s large apartment and unconsciously entered Jaeha’s room. She looked around the room. Jaeha who just coming out of the bathroom was surprised that Makgae was suddenly in his room.

“Woah! You startled me!” he screamed covering his half naked body. He took a deep breath before continuing talked to Makgae. “I thought you were a girl..” Makgae only stunned, can’t say a thing. Jaeha keeps mumbling. “Why did you let your hair unraveled like that?” he walk timidly to his wardrobe, take a pair of clothes. He take one of his clothes and give it to Makgae. He told her to change her clothes.

“Mianhao.” she said while bowed her head because her face blushing. She take the clothes that Jaeha gives to her.

“Change you clothes. People will call you crazy if you using your Joseon clothes like that in the outside..” he explained. “And do something with your hair..” Makgae suddenly tied up her hair when Jaeha quipped about her hair. “How come a man looks so beautiful?” he mumbled to himself while dressing.

Makgae decided to go outside before Jaeha catch her red face. She’s looking at other room to change her clothes and found a small room which people used to hang and wash their laundry. She’s feel satisfied with an oversized orange sweater and gray sweatpants as she changed into it. She’s smiling widely then bending her face again while sighing. What will happen to her? Can she survived in the new place? She just remembering how Heo Im used to telling her about future. Now she can witnessed the world once Heo Im told.

After dressing, Jaeha come out from his room and go to the kitchen. Hoping that he still have some milk or bread left. He’s checking at his refrigerator but he found nothing besides an apple. Makgae just came out from laundry room when she’s heard a noisy sound from the kitchen. She found Jaeha squatting in front of the refrigerator and getting curious.

“What are you doing?” she asked Jaeha and feel so strange with refrigerator. Jaeha startled a bit as he looking at Makgae besides him.

“Woah!” he take a deep breath. “Why you always appeared suddenly like that?”

“I think it should be me who ask why you get startled easily. I just come out from that room. You can see me clearly from where you are, right?”

“But I don’t see you. It also feels strange because..”

“What’s this? Why is a cold air came out from this box?” Makgae cuts Jaeha’s explanation and noticed the refrigerator she had seen for the first time.

“It’s a refrigerator, people here use it to store food or drink to avoid spoilage and last longer.” said Jaeha. Makgae just nodded while looking at the apple in the refrigerator.

“May I ask for this?” point Makgae to a big red apple.

“It’s my breakfast.” Jaeha don’t want his apple get taken.

“Do you have anything that I can eat?” Makgae frowned as her stomach growling.

“Nothing.” Jaeha took the apple and wash it as he stood up. He take his brown backpack, ready to go to meet the homeless people in subway station. Makgae just watching him silently.

“Naeuri?” called Makgae politely. Jaeha turned toward Makgae, raising his eyebrows.

“Hmm?” Jaeha murmured.

“Can I borrow money? I promise I’ll pay you back later.” Makgae said carefully.

“How are you going to refund it?” Jaeha asked.

“I can clean up if Naeuri wants to.” Makgae replied quickly. Jaeha just chuckled.

“Come on.” Jaeha replied, throwing the apple to Makgae. Makgae grabbed the apple and smiled, followed Jaeha who had left the apartment.

“Where are we going, Naeuri?” Makgae asked innocently while eating her apple.

“Volunteering.”

“Volunteering? What’s that?”

“You will know later, and today you will be my assistant. If Heo Im trusts you to be his assistant, I can say you’re reliable.” Jaeha glanced at Makgae who was still busy with her apple.

“Ne.” Makgae finished eating her apple as both of them were about to board the elevator. She stopped in front of the elevator because she was still hesitant to ride it. Jaeha told Makgae to hurry in, he assured Makgae that nothing would happen.

He remembered last night Makgae made trouble because she was afraid to ride the elevator. Jaeha then grabbed Makgae’s hand and dragged her in. Makgae was shocked and held Jaeha’s arm until they arrived at down floor. Jaeha just glanced at his arm that was held tightly by Makgae.

“How long will you hold my arm? We’ve reached the down floor already.” Jaeha said as the elevator doors opened. Makgae immediately took off her grip and hurriedly get out of the elevator.

Jaeha walks first, leave Makgae who still breathing deeply in fear. Makgae who saw Jaeha leaved immediately jogged her way with Jaeha. They walked to Jaeha’s car which being parked not too far from the elevator door. Jaeha got into the car first, remembering Makgae could not open the car door, he is going to opened the door for Makgae. But before Jaeha opened his car door, Makgae was already sitting beside him trying to fix her seatbelt.

“Am I right? This is how you wearing it?” Makgae asked as she inserted her seatbelt key.

“You learn fast.” Jaeha just chuckled. Jaeha started the car and headed for the subway station.

***

Shortly after Yeonkyung received a call from Shinhae Hospital, she immediately rushed to change clothes. Nurse Jung asks Yeonkyung to come to do a surgery for traffic accident patient. She picked up her car keys and walked briskly. Heo Im who has just finished treat the elderly meets Yeonkyung on the stairs. He saw Yeonkyung already dressed neatly and was about to leave.

“Cheoja, where are you going?” he asked.

“I have to go to the hospital and there’s a patient who needs surgery.” Yeonkyung replied.

“Ah, wait a minute Cheoja.” replied Heo Im. He rushes to Yeonkyung’s room to change his clothes and get out as quickly as possible.

“What are you doing?” Yeonkyung asked.

“I want to accompany you to the hospital. I also want to see Dr. Yoo. I missed him.” Heo Im replied, chuckled.

Yeonkyung only nodding. “Let’s go then.”

After saying goodbye to Dr. Choi, they both went to the hospital. Like a child, Heo Im smiled broadly as he boarded the car. Yeonkyung was just smiling to see Heo Im carrying her black bag running cutely with his favorite pink sweater.

Meanwhile, Jaeha and Makgae rushed to the hospital as well. Jaeha forgot to bring the medicine that he’s promised to homeless people last night so he needs to pick it up at the hospital. Makgae just sitting silently while holding Jaeha’s backpack. Still trying to figured out what is volunteering means. They entered Shinhae Hospital’s parking lot. From a far, Yeonkyung’s car entered Shinhae Hospital’s parking lot too. After their car getting parked, Heo Im get out of the car as he noticed Jaeha right away because they parked their car not too far from each other. He sees someone followed Jaeha behind when he’s trying to call him. On the other hand, Makgae just cluelessly followed Jaeha.

“Is that Dr. Yoo?” Heo Im asked Yeonkyung after she’s locked her car, making a sure.

“I think so.” Yeonkyung also noticed the person behind Jaeha as they walked faster to catch up with him. Both of them just talking inside their head about who’s the girl behind Jaeha. Makgae looking around the parking lot, but it’s hard for Heo Im and Yeonkyung to catch her face. Unfortunately, Jaeha and Makgae disappeared as the elevator door was closed before Heo Im and Yeonkyung could reach them.

“Let’s call him after I’m finishing the surgery.” she said to Heo Im.

“It’s okay. He seems busy, I can meet him at other time, Cheoja. Let’s go on a date after this.” said Heo Im. He’s smiling to Yeonkyung while his hand already grasping her hands. Yeonkyung smiling as well.

Jaeha and Makgae going to Shinhae Oriental Hospital after getting off from elevator while Yeonkyung and Heo Im go straight to emergency room. It’s so crowd in the hospital because today is Sunday, so many people comes to visit their family and relatives. Makgae still followed Jaeha who already disappeared​ in the crowd. She’s looking around the crowded hospital and thinking about Haeminseo. Making her frown again and accidentally bumped into someone in front of her.

“Ooh! I’m sorry.” she looked at the person she bumped into.

“Are you okay?” he asked Makgae.

“Yes, I’m okay. Choeseonghamnida.” she look at him and see him smiling to her while picking up his phone.

“Ne, Yeonkyung sunbae?” he walked away. Makgae still standing blankly in her place as she heard the name that man mentioned.

“Makgae-ssi?” called Jaeha from afar. Makgae look at Jaeha who ask her to walk more faster by swaying his hand.

“Ne!” she shout a bit and decided to keep followed Jaeha after looking at that man again. He’s nowhere to be found.

The sun going up high as Jaeha’s clock pointed at 10 AM KST. He's waiting for Makgae in the lobby as she's running to catch up with Jaeha. There is an unusual feeling when he sees Makgae running slowly towards him. He suddenly remembered Yeonkyung’s story about her strange destiny with Heo Im. Now Jaeha surely that strange destiny playing its hands again this time. His heart keep saying the same thing since last night. But he don’t know much whether he is ready or not. Is it just a dream? Or real? He took a deep breath to come to his sense and continuing walking to Shinhae Oriental Hospital.

[minbongyi]

AN UNEXPECTED PRESENT

Live Up to Your Name, Dr. Heo’s Ep. 16 - Extension Part 1

———————————————-

‘In your life, there comes a time that you long for something or want something. Then an unexpected present visits you. That is the real reward.’

“Did you miss me?” Heo Im followed Yeonkyung who walked first.

“Are you going to be here for a while?” she asked casually, trying to hide her happiness because Heo Im is back.

“What do you mean, a little while? I am here to live with you.” he explained while jumping cutely.

“Who’s going to live with you?” this time Yeonkyung tries to stifle her laughter.

“Do you have a Namchin (boyfriend) by any chance?” he asked.

“I have many Namsachin (male friend).” she teases him again.

“What is a Namsachin? Namchin, Namsachin,” Heo Im looking for the difference between the two slang words. “What is the difference?” he asked innocently.

“When are you leaving?” Yeonkyung glances at Heo Im.

“I told you already, I came here to live with you.” he hooks his hand with Yeonkyung’s hand.

“You said the same thing before.”

“So I came here again, I am sorry.”

“That’s fine. You abandoned me once. You could abandon me twice then.” Yeonkyung pulls her hand away.

“I have never abandoned you. I thought it was impossible for me to live here.” he blurted out for Yeonkyung to forgive him.

“Forget it.” she kept hide her smile.

“Where else can I go? I can not live without you now.” said Heo Im to Yeonkyung as he hooked his hand with hers. Yeonkyung just tutted while exhaling.

“Don’t touch me, you need to be punished for abandoning me!” joked Yeonkyung again.

“I told you already, I’m not abandoning you, Cheoja!” he whining cutely to Yeonkyung as she tries to untie the hooks of their hands.

Yeonkyung clucking her tongue again at the sight of Heo Im’s usual behavior, just like the first time they met. She can not hold back her smile now. While walking she is just smiling happily because her man finally come back after two years.

“How’s Joseon?” Yeonkyung asked again. She can not take her eyes off of Heo Im who is still smiling broadly as he tries to grasp Yeonkyung’s hand.

“Joseon? It’s alright now..” Heo Im paused as he remembered Makgae. He let go off Yeonkyung’s hand and looked around. She frowned a bit because he letting go her hand.

“What’s wrong?” Yeonkyung asked curiously. Her eyes look for what Heo Im looking for. Her head also mirroring his moves.

“Aniyo..” he replied to Yeonkyung’s question. He convinces himself that he did not take Makgae to Seoul. He smiles at Yeonkyung and holds her hand again, his smile still full flared because finally he can return to Seoul. And Yeonkyung has longed for this man, all this time.

***

HAEMINSEO ORIENTAL CLINIC

“Hello, there!” Heo Im shouting in front of the clinic door. Yeonkyung just laughed silently beside him. “Hello, there!” he yelled again. From inside Director Choi looks confused to hear the shouting voice in front of the clinic.

“Is he out of his mind?” he hurried to open the door when he realized who was shouting.

“Mr. Choi, I’m here!” Heo Im smiling broadly as Director Choi opens the door of his clinic. Director Choi fix the location of his glasses in order to see more clearly.

“Ya! You!” Director Choi yelled. Yeonkyung immediately pulls Heo Im’s hand into the house because she does not want to hear her grandfather preach Heo Im. Director Choi lost of words and followed them from behind after closing the door.

“Hello everybody!” said Heo Im to Jaesook and Byungki. Both of them looks so confused because Heo Im’s sudden advent. He continues to follow Yeonkyung who pulls his hand into the house.

The house is still the same since he left two years ago. The electric massage chair he bought was also there. He smiled a little as Yeonkyung let go of his hand and went into her bedroom. He walks around the house for a while to recall his memory in Seoul.

“Bongtak-ssi!” Yeonkyung called sweetly from behind her bedroom door. The girl’s face lit up as she bit her lower lip. Heo Im goes approached her.

“Ne cheoja?” he asked innocently.

“Change your clothes..” the girl keep bit her lips trying to not smile too wide. She then gives the clothes that Heo Im wearing used to, she’s still kept the clothes neatly in her closet, hope one day this man will come back again. Heo Im takes the clothes that Yeonkyung gave and goes to change his Joseon doctor uniform.

Not long after Heo Im had finished changing his clothes and washing his body, then he joined dinner with Director Choi. He cooked meat for his beloved granddaughter. Heo Im casually piled the meat into his bowl, but Director Choi stopped him while laughing at Heo Im.

Then Yeonkyung takes her chopstick and pumps the meat into Heo Im’s bowl, he laughed out when Director Choi scolded his granddaughter for giving a lot of meat to him.

“You can’t give him that much. It’s for you.” said Director Choi.

“I only giving him a little amount, Grandpa.” she giggled to her Grandfather.

“I’m just comeback from a far Mr. Choi. Please treat me well.” joked Heo Im again.

Under the table, Yeonkyung and Heo Im’s feet tease each other. They just chuckle during dinner, stealing glance to each other. Director Choi smiling widely because his granddaughter laughter.

Director Choi fell asleep after dinner. Heo Im lay down on the carpet near the sofa where he used to sleep. He buffed his head with a pillow and covered his body with blanket, he still could not sleep.

He stared at the ceiling because he still did not believe he was back in Seoul. He picked up the needle case that he placed next to him, the case was intact again like when he come to Seoul for the first time.

He still asks why the needle case came back to him after disappearing two years ago when he decided to return to Joseon. He took a deep breath as Yeonkyung sneaked out of her room.

“Cheoja?” call Heo Im.

“I thought you were asleep.” the girl smiled sweetly as she walked towards him. He is still awoke.

“Are you looking for me?” he asked softly.

She smiled at him and nodded. Yeonkyung rolls her eyes as she pulls his hand to stand up. “Does not it hurt to sleep on the floor?” Yeonkyung asked.

Heo Im shook his head. “Why?”

Yeonkyung immediately pulls Heo Im’s hand and orders him to follow her into her room. He just smiling as Yeonkyung locks her bedroom door after they entered the room.

“Sleep there.” Yeonkyung ordered while pointing at her mattress. Heo Im rushes over her mattress.

“And you?” he asked.

“Next to you.” Heo Im squinted his eyes. Yeonkyung chuckles as she grabs the grey blanket and covering their bodies. She lays and start to sleep.

“Are you serious you wanted to sleep?” asked him.

“What should we do then?” she gets up again and leaning her back on the headboard just like he do.

“I thought you miss me.” he smiled widely and take her hand. He hold it tightly as he saw some of their photo on Yeonkyung’s desk. Their last photo before he leaving Seoul to Joseon.

“I miss you every single day.” she said while also looking at their pictorial on the desk. He smiled again when hearing Yeonkyung keep telling him that she missed him.

“I thought I can move on from you, Cheoja,” he said seriously. “But every single things I do everyday keep reminds me of you,” he looked at Yeonkyung. “What should I do?”

“You trying to move on?” she laughed.

“Meh! I bet you have a lot of boyfriend when I’m gone.” he get annoyed because she laughed at his confession.

“Are you meet another beautiful women in Joseon?”

“You’re still the prettiest.”

“Really?” she raised her eyebrows.

“Are you meet another man who can make your heart beating fastly?”

“Too bad. No one can beat you.”

“Really?” he impersonates her tone. They laughed again as Yeonkyung moves closer to Heo Im and lean on his shoulder.

“But I did meet someone more handsome than you.” she giggled after intertwined their finger. Teased him again.

“Nugu?” he asked.

“An actor.”

“Which one?”

“Kim Nam Gil.” she smiled widely.

“Judging from your smile, he must be so handsome.” he gets more annoyed.

“Are you, perhaps, jealous?” she looking at him up close and keep smiling.

“Hehh! Aniyo..” Heo Im tried to hide his jealous-ness.

“You did.” she laughed because she can teased Heo Im. Pointing at his jealous face.

“Why don’t you asked him to marry you?” he’s still annoyed.

“You don’t want to marry me, Bongtak-ssi? I thought you just said you want to live with me.” Yeonkyung tries to calming him down.

“I’m not handsome.” he calmed.

“I don’t love him..” they looked at each other then laughed.

Heo Im taking a long breath. “I miss you, Cheoja. I’m serious.” he looked at her with his calm eyes. Yeonkyung get locked at his gaze, she cannot tell how happy she is right now. She’s smiling again.

Heo Im lick his lips. Yeonkyung gulped nervously as catching him looking at her lips. She stopped laughing as her heart beating so fast.

“And?” she said. Heo Im hesitate a bit to get closer.

The light is so dim on her room. He looked at her lips once and look at her eyes to asked for a permission. His heart beating faster as well when he decided to get closer to reach her lips. Yeonkyung naturally closed her eyes as Heo Im holds her neck softly, giving a small peck on her lips just like their first kiss. He pulled his head away, taking a deep breath in a shyness between them.

Yeonkyung cursed him in her head and hold his lower jaw. She kissed him back as she get his upper lips, so he titled his head then kissed her lower lips. Trying to get rid off the longing feeling in these two years.

Yeonkyung’s body trembling slightly when Heo Im kissed her more deeper. He take her left hand on his cheek and place it in his chest. Not wasting much time he hold her back neck, pulled her waist close and tight. They sucking each other lips gently while their head titled to the other side.

They pulled away after run out of breath, panting hardly as they tried to catch some air. She can heard his deep breath after pulled away. He leaned his head to her forehead and slowly opened their eyes to look at each other.

Yeonkyung’s cheeks becomes red when she’s smiling after the kiss. Can’t help Heo Im smiling ear to ear while biting his lower lips. He stroke her hair softly and give a kiss on her forehead before they laying on the bed.

He ask Yeonkyung to make his hand as her pillow so he can hug her freely while sleep. She did so. He keep kissed her forehead and sniff her hair. She’s also sniffing his smell and get fall asleep after Heo Im stroking her hair slowly.

The night falling to the dawn outside. Time seems like stopped clicking at this moment. They can’t even think about what will happened next time, this destiny is still strange for both of them. In their dream, they promised each other on being together forever, followed what their hearts want, wherever the destiny will bring them. So nothing would be regretted.