Chapter Text
If Na believed in fate, she would certainly also believe that her life was intertwined with bad luck. Maybe she had been a terrible person in another life, and karma was collecting everything in full. Because there was certainly no way it could be a coincidence. In a single day, she had overslept, missed the start of a class where she had to present a project she had done entirely on her own because her partner had prioritized partying the night before. She had been assigned by her supervisor to buy coffee and snacks, who, despite never looking twice at her face, always asked Na, never anyone else. And, as if that wasn't enough, she had also discovered that she hadn't been invited to a birthday party — Nine's, her senior and also her crush of almost two years — because they had written her name wrong on the invitation. It could have been just a bad day for someone else, but for Na, it was part of her routine.
So, if anyone asked this poor student what she thought about soulmates, she would probably answer that she didn't believe she would ever find hers. Not that Na was trying to be pessimistic. She had already gotten used to the idea that her world would always be seen in black and white. Colors had always seemed like a distant dream. In any case, she didn't have time for that. And luck wasn't on her side in any aspect of her life, let alone in love. The portion of the population who managed to achieve such a thing was a small minority. Na wouldn't have that kind of luck in a million years.
Sometimes, in thoughts distorted by exhaustion, Na fantasized that her soulmate would one day be walking through the same corridors. One exchanged glance would be enough to realize the connection, and a kiss would bless her with the ability to see in color. Sometimes, Na allowed herself to daydream even further and thought about the possibility that maybe Nine was her soulmate. But that, without a doubt, was a dream far beyond her reality. And Na was sure that many other girls had the same wish when they looked at him. Na wouldn't be the girl to win the golden ticket. If only.
But thinking about it, maybe Na should find her own way. Despite the incredible number of misfortunes accumulated throughout her life, she was still there, wasn't she? All her goals had been achieved through her own effort and sweat. Why couldn't love be the same? Her friend, Bly, had told her that she needed to create her own luck if she truly wanted to change. Maybe that was all she was missing. Na would have to take action at some point in her life. Her mother had always told her that. It was true that it was already a little late to start listening to her, but Na needed a starting point.
Eight hours of her twelve-hour shift had already passed. Na was on her way to the cafeteria to buy a snack after a long conversation with a stubborn patient about the medication he needed to keep taking. Nine was there, standing right in the middle of her path. It was the opportunity she needed. She could invite him for a drink after the shift or something over the weekend. That was it.
With a quick glance at the camera on her phone to check her appearance and a swipe of her hand through her bangs to fix them, Na moved forward. Nine was engaged in a conversation with another colleague, another senior resident named Phu. Na didn't want to interrupt, but this was one of the chances she didn't want to waste. She approached close enough to get his attention, stopping less than half a meter away. Nine had his back to her, his right hand scratching the back of his neck.
“...you need to try a little harder. Maybe she’s just not interested.”
“Do you really think so? Do you think I didn't treat her well enough?”
Na cleared her throat to get his attention. It didn't seem to help.
“That’s not the point, man. I think she’s just too much for you.”
So Nine had been rejected by someone? Nine was in luck; Na was there to comfort him.
“P’Nine?”
“Very funny.”
Na took a deep breath. Of course everything required more effort for her, but she wouldn't back down so easily.
“I’ll show you how well I treat a woman.”
“P’Nine?” She tried one more time.
Nine remained oblivious to her presence until his friend, who was within Na's field of vision, pointed at her with his chin. Nine turned around, a smile spreading across his face, and Na watched his eyes narrow behind his glasses. Before she could anticipate it, he took her right hand and placed a kiss on the back of it, his smile never fading. The student's mind went blank for a second as she tried to process what had just happened.
“Noom, right?” Nine raised his head slightly, his cold fingers still holding Na's hand.
Of course it would never be easy for her.
“It’s Na, actually,” she tried to force her lips upward, but the result probably looked more like a grimace than a smile.
“Oh.”
“Good one, man,” Phu slapped his colleague on the back of the head.
It wasn't as if Na couldn't have expected this, so why did she have to fall for him of all people? The most popular senior and the one most loved by the girls. Nine was used to receiving attention from many others all day long; Na was certainly just another one in line.
“That hurt, man.”
She slowly blinked as she pulled her hand back, while her beloved senior turned toward Phu with his hand over the spot that had been hit. Maybe today just wasn't the day. Resuming her walk down the corridor, Na began to move away from the pair while they still seemed distracted. Nine's voice called out to her one last time when she was already near the elevator, but Na didn't stop. The humiliation had already been enough for one day. She still needed a little encouragement for the last few hours of her shift.
“This has got to be a joke.”
Na looked at the watch on her wrist. It was already six forty-eight in the evening. She had already reviewed all the charts of the patients she had seen and organized the prescriptions. Her thoughts were already consumed by what she would order for dinner and which series she would choose when she got home. Home. She just wanted to leave. But then the triage nurse placed another chart in her hands before she could leave for the locker room. Na let out a long sigh.
“Seriously, Picha? Why me? P'Sing is working overtime today.”
Picha simply shrugged.
“You're the one who's here, aren't you? I don't see him around.”
Na pressed her lips together. The universe could be a little less cruel sometimes.
“Fine. I'll take care of it.” With a tug, she took the clipboard from the other woman's hands and tucked it under her arm. “Thanks, Picha. I'll always remember that I can count on you if I ever need anything.” Na smiled without showing her teeth and turned her back.
“You're welcome,” she still heard the nurse say behind her, but Na had no energy to respond.
The patient was none other than the annoying idol who had tested her patience during the previous shift. If he was there again looking for an excuse to skip work, Na wouldn't hold back. She looked at the chart one last time to make sure, but the name written there was his. Arthit Chitrarak. He gave Na a small nod and smiled at her from the stretcher where he was sitting. The doctor took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment. He was her last patient, and then she could go home. Na just needed to gather the small amount of patience she had left. Exhaling the air from her lungs, she walked toward the idol. Arthit's chart stated that he was experiencing knee pain after a fall.
“If this is another ex—”
“I swear it's true this time! I fell during rehearsal and hurt myself, look,” Arthit pointed at his right knee.
Na examined the indicated area. There was an injury there, although it appeared superficial. She let out a small hum of confirmation before looking at the idol again. It could've been from anything else.
“Are you in pain?”
Arthit pursed his lips and nodded. The doctor put on her gloves and pressed the injured area.
“It’s a little swollen. I’ll prescribe ketoprofen and dress the wound.” Na took the supplies from the drawer beside her. “I’ll recommend at least one day of rest.”
“I have a recording later and rehearsal tomorrow.”
Na raised her head toward him.
“I don't want to see you here again anytime soon. No rehearsals.” Na didn't want to be rude, but exhaustion had already stripped away all her filters.
The singer let out a low groan. She took it as a reluctant confirmation and focused on her work. In less than five minutes, the dressing was done. Na would never say it out loud to him, but it was far too much drama for a little scrape.
“It’s done. I’ll enter your prescription into the system and then you’ll be discharged.” The idol stared at her without moving. Na crossed her arms. “What is it? Do you need anything else?”
Arthit then smiled.
“I’m still in pain, but not in my knee.” He pointed to the left side of his chest. “I’m hurting right here. I think it’ll only get better if you agree to go out with me.”
Na blinked slowly. That was all she needed to end the day with a flourish.
“Look, I’ve spent twelve hours working without stopping for a single second. I don't think it's a good idea to test my patience right now.”
He raised his hands in surrender.
“Okay, okay. Sorry.” The idol pulled a small card from the pocket of his shorts and took advantage of the short distance to slip it into the pocket of Na's lab coat. “My number, in case you change your mind,” he finished with a wink.
Na let out a small snort and narrowed her eyes. She turned her back without saying anything else. She could order a large portion of salmon don when she got home. Today, she could afford that luxury.
When she finally stamped Arthit's prescription and checked off the day's checklist, a long sigh escaped her throat. Na was free. She stood up and looked at the time on her phone. 7:05 p.m. Twelve hours of her shift had been completed. Her feet were already aching from standing so much, but now she could finally go home. As soon as she passed through the glass doors, the Bangkok night embraced her with the evening breeze. She closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the air outside the building for the second time that day, and let the tension in her shoulders dissipate. She was already mentally sitting on her couch, watching the remaining episodes of Dead like Me, but then a familiar figure made her stop in the middle of the path. Nine was standing a few meters away, distracted by his phone. His white lab coat had been replaced by a gray dress shirt and tailored pants in a lighter shade. He looked even more handsome than usual. The medical scrubs ruined anyone's charm. Even Nine's. Na slapped the palm of her hand against her forehead. Unlike him, she hadn't even taken off her lab coat. How exactly was she supposed to get his attention if she didn't make more of an effort?
Well, she had to keep trying. If the universe was offering her another chance, she needed to take it. With a tight grip on the strap of her bag and a smile meant to convey a little confidence, Na moved forward.
But then, Nine also started walking.
“P’Nine?” Na tried to call out, waving one hand.
He kept walking. His pace quickened, and Na tried to keep up. He reached the taxi stand across the street. Na stopped before she could begin crossing. Nine leaned over to greet a woman who was sitting on the bench at the taxi stand. Na had never seen her there before, at least not that she could remember. But, thinking about it, she would certainly remember her. She was wearing a dark dress that hugged her body, emphasizing her slender figure, with a black blazer draped over her shoulders. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail. Even from a distance, Na could make out her striking features. Her dark, expressive eyes, her full lips curved into a smile directed at Nine. Of course he would be interested in a woman like that. Not Na. Nine couldn't even be bothered to remember her name.
Maybe it was time to admit defeat once and for all. Another sigh escaped her throat, and Na looked up at the sky for a moment. Maybe it would have been better if she had just gone home as she had originally planned. Or maybe not. Her fingers brushed against the paper card forgotten in the pocket of her lab coat.
It couldn't be such a bad idea, could it?
She saved the number and quickly typed a message before she could regret it. The idol was actually kind of cute. If Na showed up with someone new, maybe she could prove that she could be interesting too.
[Na 7:15 PM]: Pick a good restaurant. I'll meet you at 9 pm. Don't be late.