Chapter Text
MARCH 2019
SATURDAY
Jeong Won woke up early and went for a jog right after dawn. It was his day off before going back to the hospital on Sunday. He hasn’t been able to run these days because of the long nights in the hospital. His father is sick, and it doesn’t look good either, and his patient of three years, doesn’t look like she can hold on any longer. He wanted to scream. He needed to let it all out since he can’t talk to anyone, so he decided to go for a run. For once, he can let go of his worries, wake up early and do the things he wants to do, and no phone calls for emergencies.
It was a beautiful morning, the sun was about to go up and he was already at Han River.
The smell of fresh air, the cool wind passing him by, leaving a cool sensation and yet, calming. While jogging, he saw a couple running on his opposite side. They were running at the same pace and had matching hoodies. They look like newlyweds. Something about their smile in their eyes tells a lot of how they love each other.
On his right, he saw a family with two kids. A boy and a girl race their dad to the mark and back. The sweetest thing of all, they raced back to their grandma, who was being pushed on a wheelchair by their mom. They looked happy. Happy by each other's presence. A warm loving picture perfect. “Well that must be nice,” he thought in his head.
Jeong Won suddenly remembers his mother, and he knows how she would love that picture perfect. He got a bit emotional though, cause he was thinking, that perfect little image he saw, was something he might not be able to give to his mother.
As Jeong Won ran further, he started to think, how warm it would be to have someone by his side, to be able to jog together, to share laughs with his own children. But marriage was something that he thought of in the past. But this year, this year, was it. This is the year he will apply to be a priest and not turn back.
He tried to shake the picture perfect as he was running, but more and more moms and dads kept appearing. Trying hard to ignore the fact the world is going against him, Jeong Won finally ran back home.
Jun Wan was already cooking breakfast by the time Jeong Won got back, he was surprised to see his friend back from a jog. “Wise fit life, I see,” said Jun Wan teasing. “You know, for a guy who knows more about hearts, shouldn’t you be running with me?” Jeong Won asked.
“You see, smart people like me, find other sports that don't involve sweat like Golf.”
“Do, they?”
“Yes. And usually, when people go on a run, they’re actually running away from something.”
“What? Where do you get that kind of nonsense?”
“Observation.” Jun Wan said while raising his eyebrows and taking a sip of his coffee, while eyeing his best friend.
“It’s called letting out stress, okay?”
“So you admit you’re under stress?”
Jeong paused and smiled sarcastically.
“You know what, I’m gonna take a shower, and eat your leftover breakfast.”
“Pfft. Cheapskate and lazy,” mumbled Jun Wan.
“I heard that!” Jeong Won shouted.
“Good your ears still function,”
Jun Wan sighed. He knows his friend is going through a lot, but being the person he is, he doesn’t push people to tell him things. Instead, he gives them their space.
Jun Wan was right though. There has been a lot in Jeong Won’s mind lately, but the only person that knows about what’s in his mind is Jeong Won himself. In the shower, Jeong Won couldn’t stop thinking of the picture perfect in the park when he went for a jog this morning. The smiles of a loving wife, the sound of a child’s laughter and the warmth of a family.
hy now? Why is he thinking about this now? Could it be because seeing kids not sick is something he doesn’t see that often? Something that he would like to see more of? Or was his mind trying to tell something else?
SUNDAY
Jeong Won had to drop off Jun Wan today to his rendezvous spot with his girlfriend. He felt slightly annoyed with the fact that he was dropping off his friend as if he was his own child going on a romantic field trip which thankfully he didn’t have to sponsor.
“Are you getting engaged or something?” Jeong Won asked.
“I made a reservation at a romantic place in Busan with an ocean view,” said Jun Wan.
“Good for you. You’re going on a date, while I’m just going to work.”
“Work hard,” teased Jun Wan as he got out of his car.
Jeong Won started to drive to the Kangwon Medical Centre, while he was driving, he wondered; A romantic getaway, huh? Wonder what’s that like. Jeong Won stopped his thoughts. “You want to be a priest, stop it. Stop it,” Jeong Won said to himself.
**
The elevator doors opened and to his surprise someone had to cancel his date. Jeong Won felt bad but slightly relieved he wasn’t the only one alone this week. Until he called Song Hwa to ask her for a favor.
“What are you doing this weekend?” Jeong Won asked.
“I’ve got a date. Dr Jang is free this weekend,” replied Song Hwa
“Date. Everyone is going on a date,”
Truth to be told, Jeong Won’s inner mind was screaming “THIS IS WHY YOU’RE SINGLE. CAUSE ALL YOU DO IS BE JEALOUS OF ALL YOUR FRIENDS THAT HAVE DATES.”
**