3

                                    

                                          
The morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across the hospital room. Yeji's eyes fluttered open, her consciousness slowly emerging from the haze of anesthesia. As she blinked away the remnants of sleep, the presence of her family by her side brought a wave of warmth and comfort.
Her parents stood near the foot of the bed, their eyes filled with a mixture of relief and worry. Yeji's mother reached out to gently brush a strand of hair from her forehead, her touch filled with a tenderness only a mother could possess. Her father's gaze was filled with a quiet strength, a silent reassurance that they had all overcome yet another hurdle together.
Beside them stood her brother, Hyunjin, whose absence had been deeply felt throughout her hospital stay. Yeji's heart swelled with a mix of joy and nostalgia as she caught sight of his familiar face. It had been too long since they had last seen each other, the distance of their separate lives taking its toll. But now, in this moment, their bond felt unbreakable.
"Yeji," her mother whispered, her voice filled with a mix of relief and emotion. "We're so glad to see you awake. The surgery went well. You have a new heart."
Yeji's eyes widened, a surge of gratitude and awe coursing through her veins. She reached for her chest, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat beneath her fingertips. It was a miraculous sensation, the knowledge that her life had been given a fresh start.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she turned to her family, her voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, all of you. Without your love and support, I wouldn't be here today."
Her family exchanged tearful smiles, their love radiating within the small confines of the hospital room. In that moment, Yeji knew that their bond had grown even stronger through the shared experience of fear, hope, and unwavering support.
As the day wore on, Yeji's recovery progressed steadily. The nurses came and went, offering kind words and gentle care. Yet, despite the warmth and attention surrounding her, her thoughts kept drifting back to the girl she had glimpsed, the girl whose tears had mirrored her own longing for a lost love.
With a sense of determination, Yeji yearned to find her, to express her gratitude and provide comfort in the midst of shared grief. But each time she peered through the door, her heart sank as the corridor remained empty, devoid of the enigmatic figure who had captured her curiosity.
Days turned into weeks, and the girl's absence became a silent ache within Yeji's soul. She questioned whether their paths were meant to cross again, or if fate had merely woven their lives together for a fleeting moment of connection.
Nonetheless, Yeji found solace in the knowledge that her new heart was beating strong, a testament to the resilience and enduring love that existed within both her and the girl who had so tragically lost her own chance at life.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the room, Yeji settled back into her hospital bed, her thoughts filled with gratitude and hope. She sent her thanks to the universe for the precious gift she had received and expressed a fervent wish that the girl who had become a part of her in more ways than one would find solace and healing in her own journey.