Dr. Kim

Today morning’s encounter with Shini was considerably startling. I would’ve never, in my wildest dreams, imagine living with her. The security guard informed me about her being my new tenant before I headed to the dining area. I found prepared breakfast on the dining table and it looked delicious just from sight so I doubted it was the guard’s doing. I was coming up with poses and words to use the next time Shini and I converse while enjoying the heavenly French toast. Now that she’s my tenant, I can try to look after her. I don’t like that she’s got to pay me though. Just thinking about it makes me feel uneasy.

“Dr. Kim” one of the second-year residents called out my name, “there is a message in a note left for you on your desk. Don’t forget to check it out. Fighting!” The note:

‘Dr. Kim. We’ve received a donation form from the brain-dead patient, Lee Dong-Hyun’s family. They’ve decided to execute the prolonging process of their beloved. The heart is in excellent condition and we’ve got a few heart patients who are already on the waiting list for a long time. You are inquired to go through these patients mentioned below and make the wise decision of choosing the one in the most need of a heart transplant within the next month.

Thank you in advance.

Director Jin Sung-Ho.’

I hate my job sometimes because I understand that all of the patients deserve to be happy and healthy. So making decisions like these never get easy. Anyway, I have to do it at some point. I better get started.

I took a 15 minutes break after an hour of reviewing the first 4 patients. Let’s see who is next. Oh, Bong Shin-hay is actually a pretty name but she’s only 21 years old with a weak heart? Man, I can’t even imagine- wait. Bong Shin-hay as in Shini? Her name is on the list? I might be hallucinating right now so I check her details and confirm that it is really her.

I knew her heart hasn’t been doing great lately as Dr. Pin told me but reading these documents thoroughly by myself gives me heartache. I haven’t known her for long but these feelings I have for her are making me feel her happiness as well as her melancholy. It’s not that I pity her. It’s just that I’m willing to do all I can to see her in peace and return her lost joy that she tries to hide in her eyes.

After analyzing all the patients, I concluded that Shini’s the one in need of surgery as soon as possible. However, I then called Dr. Pin and from department 2, Dr. Yang, to share their thoughts regarding this case and fortunately, both of them agreed with my decision. “But Min-Joo, why did you call us? I mean you are always accurate and fair when it comes to making decisions like these.” I couldn’t really answer Dr. Yang but in reality, I was perturbed that my feelings would cloud my judgment and so I called them to avoid any uncertainties.

Shinhay~

Oh, man! I can’t concentrate in class. How reckless am I being right now? How can this little scenario shake up my mind to this point? But like who am I kidding right? I mean anyone in my shoe wouldn’t be able to get this picture out of their head either. Just thinking about living with him makes my face hot. “Ahh! Focus Shini” I need to get it together for real.

I didn’t have long classes today so I’m heading home earlier than usual. I have an assignment to complete and make myself some food so I can have my meds later. “Vvrr”, my phone vibrates. I think I got an email but I’ll check it when I get home.

“Hey love”, I’m calling with my mom, “did you eat? Did you take your meds? You need to go for a checkup tomorrow so did you pack some clothes just in case? Oh also do you find cooking a heavy chore? If so I can send the driver with fresh boiled food so you don’t get too exhausted from cooking every day.” “Damn mom”, I thought. “Not her bombarding and attacking me questions.” “No mom. I’m really fine but thank you for checking up on me. How’s dad doing though?” I’m still concerned about his leg but mom reassured me by switching the camera to see him insanely cheering up for his favorite basketball team. “Typical dad,” I say in a murmur then say my goodbyes and hang up.

I almost forgot to check the email. Let me do that now.