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A tense aura surrounded the GS room as Gyeoul slowly spoke.
“Then…” Jeongwon looked up from his phone to look at the resident.
“I choose HPD.”
Ikjun snaps his finger while the other professors groan in unison.
“But Hemicolectomy is a great choice, too.” One professor complained.
All the professors moved to get up with a sigh while Ikjun hugged Jeongwon as if he won the lottery.
One professor looked at Ikjun and asked, “Why is it you again?”
“I dunno.” Ikjun said, picking up his coat.
“Let’s go. Songhwa ordered some big-eyed herring too.” Jeongwon said as both professors exit the GS room.
“Did you pick Professor Lee’s surgery again?” Nurse Han.
“Yes.” Gyeoul nonchalantly said.
“Jang Gyeoul, do you like Professor Lee?” Dr. Jong asked.
“Yes. I like Professor Lee.” The resident answered while using her pen to keep her bangs out of her face.
The nurse and the Fellow doctor looked at each other.
“H-he has a kid.” Dr. Jong said.
“Why is that relevant?” She asked.
“Nothing.”
Gyeoul looked at her noodles and mixed both with one chopstick.
“I’m going to see Gyeoul.” Ikjun told the two after ending the call. “Wait.”
“Look over here. Look at the camera. One. Two, Three.” A shutter sound filled the room.
“What was that?” Junwan asked.
“What are you doing?” Jeongwon followed.
“Jeongwon will leave us soon. We should leave lots of photos behind.” He said while looking at his phone. “I’ll go then.”
“What the?” Jeongwon said looking with confusion at Ikjun’s back.
“He can’t be having an affair with Gyeoul, right?” Junwan asked Jeongwon, looking at the door.
They looked at each other then looked at the door again.
Nurse Hui-su passed by the garden on her way to the Emergency room and saw Ikjun and Gyeoul sitting together at the bench.
Gyeoul smiled at Ikjun and they move closer to each other as he showed something on his phone.
“That’s strange. I’ve never seen Dr. Jang smile before.” She stopped on her tracks to observe the two.
A few moments later Ikjun kept his phone and they talked animatedly. Gyeoul pouting and Ikjun smiling and laughing a lot. Gyeoul got something from the paper bag beside her and gave it to Ikjun. They moved to the nearby table as the professor enjoyed what Gyeoul brought.
“Don’t tell me…?” The nurse thought to herself. “No. Dr. Jang is the only resident of General Surgery. That’s probably why she’s so close to Dr. Lee.”
She took another glance at the two before proceeding on her way to the emergency room.
Nurse Oh, Nurse Kim, Nurse Hui-su, and Dr Bae were chatting amicably with the new nurse, Nurse Choi, about what they did to celebrate the new year and familiarizing the newbie to the hospital when she asked, “Are there anyone dating here?”
“You mean us nurses? Or the doctors?” Nurse Oh clarified.
“Any employee in the hospital.”
“A lot! You’d be surprise at how many there are. But most of them don’t show it openly. We’re at the hospital after all.” Nurse Kim answered.
“Ohh. Can you tell me about them? Even those that are rumored to be couples.” Nurse Choi asked.
Nurse Kim looked around before saying, “there’s one that is rumored to be a couple.”
The other nurses and Dr. Bae looked at one another before she continued, “Professor Lee and Dr. Jang.”
“Eyyyy that’s not true at all!” Dr. Bae said immediately. “I might not know Dr. Jang that well, but I can tell they’re not a couple.”
“But a nurse from GS told me last year that she kept choosing Dr. Lee’s operations to assist. And she also said she liked Dr. Lee.” Nurse Kim insisted.
“Come to think of it, I saw them a few months ago being too close. They were chatting while laughing too.” Nurse Hui-su said. “But that can also be because she’s the only intern in GS, right? I heard all the professors treat her like their own daughter.”
“That’s true. All of the professors even visited her here when she fainted.” Dr. Bae added.
“Hmm. That’s true but do you remember when a rumor spread that she’s the cause of Dr. Lee’s divorce.” Nurse Oh said.
“Really?!” The new nurse exclaimed.
Jeongwon was looking at the scan of a 7-year-old TA patient in the Emergency room and he didn’t want to eavesdrop on the nurses’ conversation but when he heard his friend and girlfriend’s name, he can’t help but listen to what they were saying.
“I didn’t know you had time to gossip. I was told the emergency room was the busiest part of the hospital. I guess it wasn’t true, then.” Jeongwon said as he looked from the computer to the nurses on the other side of the nurse’s station, giving them a tight smile.
The nurses and Dr. Bae looked embarrassed.
“And to set the record straight, Dr. Lee’s wife cheated on him. Not the other way around.” He coldly said before going back to his patient.
The party dissolved after looking guiltily at one another.
“Professor, I’ve already arranged the OR for you.” Gyeoul told Jeongwon when he arrived at the bed of the patient. “I explained the operation to the guardian and had them sign the consent form. I also called the anaesthesiologist. We can send the patient to the OR now.”
Jeongwon thanked the heavens that Gyeoul was busy and wasn’t able to hear the nurses.
“Great job, Dr. Jang. Send the patient to the operating room. I’ll just change into my scrubs. Call me when the patient is ready.”
“Yes, Professor. By the way, Dr. Jong will be the one to assist you. I’m scheduled to assist Dr. Han with his breast cancer operation in 30 minutes.”
“Got it. Thank you.” Jeongwon took a few steps before looking back at Gyeoul who was working on the patient before hurrying to his office to get changed.
The patient’s ready, Professor.
Sent 8:18 AM
Okay. I’ll go down now. See you later.
Do great in Dr. Han’s operation.
Sent 8:19 AM
Don’t I always, Professor? Haha kidding.
I will, Professor.
Sent 8:19 AM
Jeongwon smiled at his phone before hurrying to the operating room.
The incident remained on Jeongwon’s mind for days. No matter what he does, he still can’t forget about it. He knew it’s possible that people will get the wrong idea since the two were so close, but he still can’t remove the irritation from his mind. It even affected his relationship with the staff of the emergency room. He didn’t want to tell Gyeoul, but he should probably tell Ikjun.
The Lacking Five was eating jjajangmyeon at Seokhyung’s house before their band practice when Jeongwon brought up the incident.
“Did you know there’s a rumor about you in the hospital?” He pretended to nonchalantly ask Ikjun as he mixed his jjajangmyeon.
“Wow. It’s only been a month since I left the hospital and there’s already a new rumor? Also, Jeongwon is listening to rumors now? That’s new.” Songhwa said.
“What new? He knew when my resident went missing. He may actually know more rumors than we do, considering he’s close to the President.” Seokhyung negated.
“He’s right. Jeongwon isn’t as saintly as we thought.” Junwan said already halfway through his noodles and mandu. “So, what’s the rumor?”
“Ikjun cheated with Gyeoul that’s why he divorced his wife.” He said, not even taking a bite of his noodles.
Seokhyung, Songhwa, and Junwan choked on their food while Ikjun just looked at Jeongwon.
“What? Are they crazy?” Junwan asked.
“Don’t they know Ikjun? Waah, I thought you’re friends with everyone in the hospital, my son.” Seokhyung added while Ikjun calmly ate a bite of pickled radish.
“That’s still not cleared up? I thought my patient spread my story already.” Ikjun said while wiping his mouth.
“What? How will your patient know?” Junwan asked.
“It just happened. Let’s talk about it another time. Anyway, I already asked Dr. Chu, Dragon, and my brother-in-law to spread the word out that Gyeoul and I have never dated.”
“When did you know about it?” Jeongwon asked.
“Last November. You’re already 2 months late. How did you know about it? I thought Gyeoul and I did a good job at keeping you away from that rumor.”
“She knew?!” Jeongwon exclaimed. Noodles still untouched.
“I treated her and Dr. Chu to dinner and Dr. Chu told us about the rumor. She said she cleared it up to the ones she heard it from, but she didn’t know who else reached the rumors so I asked the other residents to clear it up if they hear anything. I thought it stopped before I went to Spain. Anyway, answer my question, how did you know about it?”
“I heard a few nurses in the Emergency room gossiping with one another. Aish.” He said, finally picking up his chopsticks.
“Huh. Did you clear it up with them?” Junwan asked.
“Of course! I didn’t want them to misunderstand Gyeoul.” He said, taking a bite of his now-soggy noodles.
The other 4 looked at one another before smirking at Jeongwon. It was always easy for them to read his emotions and they can clearly see his irritation.
“Jeongwon-ah, don’t you have anything to tell us?” Songhwa asked.
“Huh?” The man in question looked at his friends.
“Wait. I have an interesting story.” Junwan interrupted. “I was looking for a nail clipper at our office a few weeks ago. I wasn’t able to find one. But do you guys know what else I didn’t find?”
“What?” Seok-hyung asked.
“What?” Ikjun followed.
“Jeongwon’s religious paraphernalia. I was so scared. We don’t have any protection from evil in our room anymore. What do I do?” He continued while obnoxiously scraping his bowl and looking at Jeongwon who suddenly became silent.
“What do you think, Songhwa? Should I keep a bible on my desk now? Jeongwon’s been doing it for us for so many years. I should, maybe, pick up the slack now.”
Songhwa chuckled before saying, “Yes, do that. Priest Ahn is nowhere to be found. He’s away for a Winter vacation.”
Seokhyung looked at the others. Obviously not understanding what’s happening.
“Dad, Jeongwon likes Gyeoul.” He heard someone whisper on his ear. He moved his head and came eye to eye with Ikjun.
“Speak, Dr. Ahn Jeongwon.” Ikjun ordered.
“Fine! Fine! Gyeoul and I are dating!”
“What?! I thought you only just started admitting you like Gyeoul!!!” Ikjun exclaimed while standing up.
“Me too.” Junwan and Songhwa said simultaneously.
“We haven’t been dating long so I didn’t tell you yet.”
“Heol. When did you start? How come you’re not being obvious? Aren’t you supposed to be in a Honeymoon phase? How come Gyeoul didn’t tell me? I was your bridge for many months. I’m offended for the second time in my life.” Ikjun said in one breath.
“We started after Christmas. We’re sweet when it’s just the two of us, FYI. I don’t know why she didn’t tell you, but we agreed to be lowkey in the hospital. That’s a workplace after all.”
“Huh. Okay.” Ikjun said looking deep in thought.
“Do you know how to stop a rumor about Gyeoul and me?” Ikjun asked, finally sitting down.
“Start a rumor about you and her.”
**********
Gyeoul and Jeongwon was out on a movie date when Jeongwon spotted the group of nurses from the Cardiothoracic Surgery also lining up to buy a ticket a few persons ahead.
When they entered the theatre, he chose to seat a few rows in front of them and made sure to let them get a glimpse of his face before sitting down. He thanked God that the movie theatre wasn’t packed. That way they can see him and Gyeoul enjoying the movie.
**********
“Professor, do you want to join us later? We’ll have dinner in the newly opened restaurant near the hospital.” Dr. Bae asked cautiously, still remembering the incident with the other nurses, as Jeongwon removes his gloves after examining his patient.
“Oh, sorry. I can’t. We have a band practice later. After eating, we’ll head straight to Seokhyung’s house.” He said to the emergency room doctor before turning to Gyeoul. “Dr. Jang, he seems okay now after throwing up and drinking his meds. Tell his guardian that he just needs to rest, and he can be discharged in a few hours.”
“Yes, Professor.” The GS chief resident answered.
“Come to my office once you get changed. Let’s take my car to where Songhwa made a reservation.”
“Yes, Professor.” Gyeoul said once again.
“What was that? You’re allowed to watch them practice? Aren’t you in a night shift?” Dr. Bae asked the other doctor.
“Uhm… Yes, I’m allowed. I asked Professor Ahn and he agreed. There are two new residents so I can take less night shifts now. It’s such a relief.”
An awkward silence fell on the two women, broken by the guardian asking about the patient. Dr. Bae looked at Gyeoul’s back before walking towards the nurse station where Nurse Hui-su was typing on the computer.
**********
Nurse Han was walking her baby at the park when she saw a familiar man, often accompanied by one of their department’s professor holding hands with another familiar woman often accompanied by a certain resident from their department.
She tried to remember their conversation when they were eating sandwiches at one lunch a few months ago.
“Didn’t she say she haven’t had a boyfriend before?” She thought. “Oh well, good for her.”
**********
“Did you pick Professor Ahn’s surgery again?” Nurse Park.
“Yes.” Gyeoul nonchalantly said.
“Sunbaenim, do you like Professor Ahn?” Dr. Yoo, one of the first-year resident, asked.
“Yes. I like Professor Ahn.”
The nurse and the residents looked at one another before returning to their meals.
**********
“Gyeoul-ah…”
Gyeoul looked at his boyfriend, currently at the sofa of her apartment. His brother finally moved out after finding a studio for himself a few days ago and they can finally stay here unbothered whenever they have free schedule.
“Yes, oppa?” She replied from the kitchen.
“Don’t you think it’s time to tell others in the hospital that we’re dating? It’s not like we’re going to be flirting there. Just to let them know we’re together. But if you’re not comfortable with it, it’s okay if we don’t.”
Gyeoul let him ramble while picking up the bowl of popcorn from the counter and walking to where her boyfriend was.
“I’d like that.”
“What? For real?!”
“Yes. Besides,” Gyeoul put the bowl down and sat next to her boyfriend. “I’m getting tired of fuelling the rumors.”
“Huh?” Jeongwon looked at her and she put her head on his shoulder as she started the movie on her TV screen.
“You look cute when you’re acting “subtle” at the hospital and I’ve enjoyed planting a few hints here and there to our residents so they can talk to other residents in other departments, but it’s getting tiring.”
He looked down at her with confusion on his face. She met his eyes and pecked his lips before saying, “You’re not the only one who wants to start some rumors, Professor Ahn.”