Chapter Text
The chaotic emergency room was paradise to Mina. The more patients, the more ambulance conductions she needed to run. The hospital was overflowing with patients needing medical attention, but the facility was already going beyond capacity. The medical director already declared code black – overcrowded and running short of supplies and resources. The medical staff were still doing their best, nonetheless.
Mina being on top of the list.
Surprisingly, she enjoyed the ambulance life more than the actual emergency room experience. The loved how after turning over a patient to a receiving facility, she can have a few minutes – sometimes even hours – to herself during the travel back. Long conductions were the best – it felt like a free trip for her, taking her to far-flung places she would not even normally go to if it was solely up to her. The ambulance crews she worked with were also so chill whatever the medical case, she kept hoping it would all rub off on her.
“Slow down, Myoui!” Jihyo shouted over her shoulder.
Still no chill, Myoui, Mina sighed to herself before turning around to face Jihyo with a smile. “Hey, Hyo!”
Jihyo frowned. “So out of character, Myoui! It doesn’t suit you at all!” Jihyo stuck a tongue out at her as she entered into one of the patients’ decks.
Mina shook her head. The toxic workload did not feel like work at all, and it has been a long time since she felt that way.
It has also been a long while since she thought of Chaeyoung. After deciding to completely cut off the younger girl, not once did she attempt to contact her.
Although she cannot know for sure if Chaeyoung tried to get in touch. Mina developed a habit of ignoring unnamed numbers after everything that happened.
She sat in front of her computer that night, with the sudden feeling of wanting to transfer files from her phone to an external hard drive, her phone memory filling up so fast with all the photos and videos of the ambulance conduction cases she handled.
As she scrolled through her files, she saw a folder named “Telegram Images”. I don’t remember making that folder, she mused. Hesitating, she clicked on the folder, opening it. The icons did not make sense to her, thus she randomly clicked on one file.
It was a screenshot of one of her last conversations with Chaeyoung.
Mina: I’m the one who wants to stay, remember?
Chaeyoung: Yeah, but I also know you’re just waiting for me to be completely cold to you but you know that won’t ever happen.
Chaeyoung: My mom talked to me; you know she loves you. I wish the heart can be taught a great many things, but that’s not the case. I don’t want you to get stuck because that won’t let you find the right person for you. If I go away, I’m sure that person will come along.
Mina: What do you want to happen now?
Chaeyoung: I’m leaving you.
Mina: Because?
Chaeyoung: For you to be happy.
Mina: And you leaving guarantees that?
Chaeyoung: Yes. When someone leaves, someone else will enter your life.
Mina: And if I tell you not to?
Chaeyoung: Will you be happy?
Chaeyoung: Will you be happy while you’re stuck with me? If you let me go, then you’d probably be talking to the one person who really deserves all the love you have.
Mina: Will you be happy if I leave?
Chaeyoung: Your happiness is more important. I’ll be happy if you’ll be happy.
Chaeyoung: I’m sorry for being unfair
Mina: Was it something I said, Chae?
Chaeyoung: No, it was just something that my mom said that I can’t stop thinking about, and I just knew that I’m being unfair to you.
Mina: I meant you leaving is just unfair. I didn’t beg you to stay just for you to walk away.
Mina: I didn’t ask anything from you, did I?
Chaeyoung: That’s the point why I’m unfair.
Chaeyoung: Can’t you see? I’m being unfair with the fact that you stayed without asking for anything in return.
Chaeyoung: This is what’s best for the both of us.
Mina: No, I really can’t understand.
Chaeyoung: You will understand once you’ve already moved on.
Mina: Was I not good enough?
Mina: I told you I love you because you deserve that much honesty.
Chaeyoung: No, I don’t deserve anything so please just let me go.
Mina: What is there to let go when you were never mine?
She blinked, and felt a tear roll down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away as quickly as she shut down her computer. She did not need to read that. She also did not know why she even read through the whole thing.
She stood up and felt an ache inside her chest. Her heart was pounding. She did not need that feeling tonight.
She did not need that feeling at all.
“Glad to see you finally show up!”
Momo ran towards her friend and jumped on her with a giant gleeful embrace.
“You are sweaty and heavy, please let go of me.”
Momo frowned as she took a step back. “Since when did you become so icky about sweat? So not cool!” She grabbed her towel and wiped the sweat off her face and arms. “I’m just really happy to see you, that’s all.”
“Congratulations on your performance! It was a really good show.”
A grin spread across Momo’s face and her face suddenly lit up. Praises always felt good and helped boost her confidence and self-esteem, especially when it came from another person she looked up to. “Thank you! Aren’t you glad you didn’t miss it and finally saw it yourself,” she teased.
The other person rolled her eyes. “You know I didn’t mean to miss any of your shows. You do know my circumstance.”
“Yes, you dated an over-controlling psycho who pretty much imprisoned you and now you’re stuck.” Momo raised an eyebrow. “Does she even know you’re here?”
“Yes, she’s waiting for me at the parking lot.”
“Smart of her not to show me her face. Can’t you at least ditch her tonight so we can hang out? I really miss you!”
“I’m thinking about it.”
Momo beamed. She grabbed Sana’s hand and ran with her backstage. Nayeon can’t do anything about it.
“Stop being a baby!”
“But I am your baby!” Mina pouted her lips, puckering it up to Momo’s direction. “Please?”
Momo rolled her eyes before grabbing a table napkin and wiping spaghetti sauce off of Mina’s face. “I swear you are doing this intentionally.”
“Call it my maknae privileges,” she grinned, mouthing an almost inaudible thank you.
“Being the maknae doesn’t mean you have to act like a five-year old, you know.” Momo gulped down her diet Coke as she shot a knowing look at Mina. “The next thing I know you already have a humongous Lego collection at home.”
Mina smiled sheepishly. “I already do.”
Momo’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped.
“Momo, are you being mean to our baby again?”
Sana plopped down on the couch beside Mina and kissed her cheek. Mina blushed.
“Oh no, I know that move. Does Nayeon want to go home right now?” Momo asked, her brows furrowed with irritation.
“Kinda?” Sana jumped from her seat and sat on Momo’s lap. “Please?”
Mina puffed her cheeks. “Or you can just let Nayeon freeze outside. It’s been a while since we’ve all been together.”
“Minari, baby, you know Nayeon’s really trying her best.”
“To freeze?” Mina and Momo answered simultaneously.
The three of them laughed.