Work Text:
It was a typical day at Yulje hospital. People at the emergency room come and go. The resident doctors attend to the patients’ concerns and nurses are at their respective stations. Jang Gyeo-ul, who just finished her night shift, is preparing to go home and rest when there came a knock at the door. It was Jeong won. It has been three days since they had their first kiss and because both were very busy (Jeong won went home to his Mama Rosa because she was sick and Jang Gyeoul was preparing her grade school best friend’s wedding), they haven’t had the time to actually sit down and talk about the status of their relationship.
“Can I come in?”, Jeongwon shyly asked. She nodded.
He sat down, not beside her, but two spaces apart. They are still so awkward.
“I know we haven’t talked about anything after what happened, you know”. He could hardly finish his sentence when she suddenly interjected.
“Professor, I might have come of a little strong during that time, but after that day, I think I realized how complicated this could be. I am already on my third year residency and will eventually review for the medical exam. And you. My goodness, you are the most amazing and wonderful person I know, you have a loving family, you have your friends. I am not sure if I am still necessary in your life.” She almost choked on the last words.
He could feel disappointment enveloping his heart. He is disappointed not to her, but to himself. Why did I wait for her to feel this way?
“I’m sorry Gyeoul-ah.” That was all he could say. “I will wait until you accept my feelings for you.”
“No, don’t get me wrong Professor, I like you, I really do. I just need to sort out these mixed emotions I have in my mind. Besides, this is a first for me. For the both of us.” She said and held his hand. He looked at his hands being held by the only woman who made him feel like this.
“Okay thank you”, he replied with a sigh of relief. At least they are still on the same page with the “I really like you part”.
They suddenly heard Ik-jun whistle at the corridor so they immediately went back to their usual awkward position.
“Yah, Jeongwon. I was looking for you. Junwan told me you were doing your rounds. I guess you lied to him.” Ah the suspicious Ikjun being suspicious again.
“What do you want?” Jeongwon asked while stealing glances at Gyeoul.
“Don’t forget about the wedding we have to attend to this weekend. I already asked for additional invites so that you and Seokhyung will be there.”
“Tell me again why I have to attend to this wedding?”
“Because, I will perform and you have to support me.”
“Okay fine, but if you mess up with your song, we do not know you.”
Gyeoul laughed at the last remark. Jeongwon smirked.
“You wanna come too Gyeoul?” Ikjun looked at her.
“As much as I want to see you mess up, I also have to attend to an event this weekend.”
The conversation was interrupted by a phone call from Jeongwon’s phone. Well, reality check they have rounds and surgeries to do.
Saturday came.
“You look so pretty, Gyeoulie.” Min ha was tidying up her stuff when Gyeoul went out of her room. She’s wearing a polka dots vintage-style dress and wore high heels. Min ha did her make up because Gyeoul was not confident enough to do her own.
The hotel’s lobby was already occupied by guests so they were asked to enter the hall. Gyeoul was enthusiastically hugged by Sooyoung, one of her childhood friends. She showed her where the others are. Inside the wedding hall, they were welcomed by Young ae and Irene. For them to be complete, they went to the bride, Sunmi.
They exchanged hugs and kisses. Congratulations and thank yous. They haven’t seen each other for a couple of months now because of their busy schedules. Sunmi is a general surgeon at Ehwa Hospital. Sooyoung is a psychiatrist and owns a clinic in Gangnam. Young ae and Irene pursued their theater careers. They practically grew up together so even though they do not talk on a daily basis, they still have a bond thicker than water.
The rest of the guests arrived, including the lacking 5. Yes, it was the same wedding. Apparently, Sunmi was Ikjun’s resident doctor before he transferred to Yulje. Small world huh. Like Gyeoul, Sunmi is close to him that’s why he got invited (well, he had to pull some strings for the other 4 to be invited). They won’t even feel like being out of place since almost half of the guests were doctors.
“Will we be able to perform later with this crowd?” Sooyoung nervously asked Gyeoul.
“Let’s just enjoy our performance, we haven’t done it for a long time, but I guess our practice sessions were effective.”
During the reception, the host went upfront to let the guests know that the reception program will start and that everybody should be seated.
The first half of the program was very lively, with all the performances from the family of the couple.
“I just want to personally introduce our next performances. Many of you knew about my childhood friends. They even thought we would end up being Kpop Idols because of our common interest. Music. Despite the fact that we already have our own lives and worries, our love for music and performing will never fade. Let me introduce the Gapyeong 5. Sunmi hurriedly went backstage to change her wardrobe.
The guests who are at the same table as Jeongwon and the others began to talk about the girls.
“I heard three of them are in the medical field. I wonder how they still manage to do their hobbies, they really are something”, one said.
Jeongwon looked at Songhwa and smiled at the thought that the Gapyeong 5 has the same situation where their busy schedules would never hinder their love for music.
The stage was dark. It was the effect. The five girls positioned themselves. Then light came, RBB of Red Velvet played. Ikjun’s jaw dropped. Songhwa and Junwan were hysterical. Seokhyeong was composed but surprised. Jeongwon? Well, even Picasso could not paint his face upon seeing her on stage. The woman who he assumed to be very traditional and self-preserved danced gracefully and sexily. And her singing, much more professional than some Kpop Idols he’s familiar with.
He held his breath until the last second. They also performed Red Flavor which has much sweeter vibe than RBB. He was smiling, almost teary eyed. He was proud of her.
“I still cannot believe what we saw was Dr. Jang Gyeoul. I think I’m dreaming.” Ikjun jokingly rubbed his eyes.
Gyeoul doesn’t have any idea that Jeongwon and the others are in the audience until, “Let us now introduce our next performer. He was one of Sunmi’s mentors while she was still a resident. Please give a round of applause to Prof. Lee Ikjun.
Her eyes widened upon hearing his name and looked at the back. As expected, the first person she met her eyes with was him. Jeongwon. For a while they just looked at each other, still unsure how to respond next. Jeongwon smiled at her. She did too, but even here smile was very shy. “Did I just perform in front of Ahn Jeong Won?!”. She did. She’s going crazy.
Ikjun, said his congratulatory speech to the couple and performed Aloha. Should have been more precious if the others were included in the performance. :(
Before taking his seat, he found Gyeoul looking at him, and mouthed something but he did not understand.
Lastly, the junior high school batch mates of Sunmi did a musical performance. They performed a piece that earned them the First Prize for the National Glee Club competition - Bohemian Rhapsody.
It is one of the most difficult pieces to perform and yet they did it flawlessly. Gyeoul, talented as she is already, found her way to the classical piano; the others to their respective instruments.
The people are at awe. How could a woman in her 30s do all these things. She’s an excellent doctor, dancer, singer and even plays musical instruments. What more can she do?
“Jeongwon, are you still having regrets coming with me in this wedding?” Ikjun scoffs.
I think? How can I even match her abilities? Come to think, the reason why she is anxious over our relationship is because I am too good enough for her? I feel like trash in front of her.
After the wedding, Gyeoul has bid goodbye to Sunmi and her husband as well as to her friends because she needs to rest. She has to go to work tomorrow.
Outside the hotel, Ikjun and the rest of the group are waiting for their cars from the valet parking.
“Yah, Jang Gyeoul, you deceitful girl. Your image will never be the same after today.” Ikjun said. The four laughed together while Jeongwon just stared at her still in awe.
“Professor Ahn, are you okay?” Gyeoul asked.
“Yes. I am”, then he smiled a little.
Ikjun handed him his car keys, “Jeongwon, use my car and give Gyeoul a ride home.”
“It’s okay Professor, I’ll just take the bus.”
“I will give you a ride home, wait here”. It sounded like she didn’t have a choice. She nervously entered the car knowing it might end up with either an awkward silence or awkward conversation.
After 10 minutes of awkward silence and intermittent inquiries, Jeongwon finally asked.
“Are you still confused?” He looked at her cautiously.
“I am scared Professor. When you gave up priesthood, you gave up your lifelong dream. What if one day you’ll realize it was a mistake abandoning that dream? I will definitely blame myself if that happens.”
Finally an answer as to why Gyeoul is experiencing a cold feet. She was scared that Jeongwon might actually leave him eventually.
Jeongwon parked the car so he could talk. He held her hand.
“Gyeoul, you know what Songhwa told me before? I am the type of person who’s happier seeing others enjoy good food rather than me eating it myself. I realized this was both true and untrue. I felt like I have this obligation to save live. At the same time, for the first time, I wanted to be selfish. With you. For you. Gyeoul, you made me feel all these emotions I haven’t felt before. I tried to refocus myself for the past months, but I always end up looking for you. And if you think you love me more than I do, I’m sorry to tell you, but I don’t think you will be able to reach the love I have for you.”
I love you so much, Dr. Jang Gyeoul. More than you know.