Chapter19: The Speed of Sound and Silence
Seoul General Hospital – Ward 402 – 08:30 AM.
The morning sun pierces through the blinds, casting striped shadows across the sterile white sheets. JUNGHAN stirs, a sharp pain radiating from his temple, but as his vision clears, the fog of the accident lifts. He's bandaged, bruised, but alive.
A nurse enters, checking his vitals. "You're awake. Your guardian has been waiting outside all night. I'll call her in."
Junghan's heart skips a beat. Guardian? The door creaks open. HAEYOUNG walks in. She's still wearing the same trench coat, but she looks remarkably composed, save for the slight dark circles under her eyes. Junghan's jaw drops.
Junghan: "You? You're here? Why are you here?"
Haeyoung: (Pulling up a chair, her voice steady) "Last time you used your phone, you called me. When the accident happened, the receptionist just hit redial. Don't worry—your mother, Hyuna, and the rest of the 'family' should be here any minute. I was just the first responder."
Junghan: (Looking down at his hands, his voice raspy) "But you didn't need to stay. I didn't expect you to."
Haeyoung: "Next time, drive carefully. And about 'needing' to stay... everything in this world isn't always done because it's required. Sometimes, it's just humanity."
Junghan: (A slow, faint smile spreading across his face) "Maybe that's the first time you've ever talked to me with softness."
Haeyoung: (Laughing softly) "My mom always said you should talk with sweetness to sick people. It's like medicine."
Junghan: "Your mom sounds nice."
Haeyoung: (Her expression turning dry) "She is. Yours... isn't."
Junghan: (Becoming serious) "You met her? Is she outside?"
Haeyoung: "No, but we had a 'chat' on the phone last night. She seemed... quite raged. Don't worry, Director. I land flights in storms; I can handle a little bit of people's anger too."
Junghan lets out a genuine laugh, the first one in days.
Haeyoung: "Take care, okay? Rest."
Junghan: "I'll be back at the airport tomorrow. We have the hangar deadline."
Haeyoung: "Don't be ridiculous. We'll handle it. You should stay here and heal."
Junghan: "Still... thank you for coming. And for staying."
Haeyoung: "No thanks needed. My dad used to say you should stay with people during their lows even more than their highs. Highs are crowded; lows are lonely."
Junghan: "Both your parents seem like really great people."
Haeyoung: (With a playful glint in her eyes) "That's why they went to London. Greatness apparently requires a change in climate."
Junghan: "So great people go to London, according to you?"
Haeyoung: "Exactly. That's why I haven't gone yet. When I finally become 'great,' I'll fly there and stay."
Junghan: (Quietly, looking her in the eyes) "Then maybe you shouldn't be great at all. Stay right here."
The air between them thickens for a second. Haeyoung laughs to break the tension, and for a brief moment, they are just two people, not a Captain and a Director.
The Hospital Hallway – 10:00 AM.
The elevator dings. A storm of expensive perfume and clicking heels arrives. MISS LEE, her fiancé, HYUNA, and the Park parents march toward the room.
As they reach the door, Haeyoung is walking out.
Haeyoung: (To Junghan) "I think that's my cue. I should leave. Take care."
She walks past the group with her head held high. Miss Lee stops dead in her tracks, staring at Haeyoung with narrowed, venomous eyes.
Miss Lee: "Wait. Who are you?"
Haeyoung: (Stopping, but not turning around fully) "Didn't I tell you on the phone? I'm Haeyoung Hong."
She doesn't wait for a reply. She keeps walking, her trench coat fluttering behind her like a cape.
Miss Lee storms into the room, looking at her son with a mixture of worry and suspicion. "Who is that girl, Junghan? Why was she here? Don't tell me she's your girlfriend... because I won't accept her. She is arrogant and has an ugly attitude for someone with her beauty."
Junghan: (Voice cold as ice) "Mom, she already told you. She is Haeyoung Hong. And for your information, she isn't my girlfriend... yet. But about 'acceptance'—if I ever fall in love, I wouldn't care about anyone's approval but my own."
Miss Lee sits down heavily, fuming. Hyuna walks to the bedside, her eyes searching Junghan's face.
Hyuna: "Are you okay? We were so worried."
Junghan: "I'm fine. You should go home, Hyuna. You have work tomorrow."
Hyuna: (Biting her lip) "Why did you call Miss Haeyoung before your mom, your dad, or even me?"
Junghan: "I didn't call anyone. It was an accident. But... I feel good that she was the one who came first."
The Hospital Parking Lot.
Haeyoung reaches her car, fumbling for her keys, when a familiar voice stops her.
Jae-won: "Haeyoung!"
Haeyoung: (Surprised) "You're here?"
Jae-won: "Yeah, Hyuna called and told me what happened. Is he alright?"
Haeyoung: "He's fine. Awake and arguing already."
Jae-won: (Crossing his arms, his eyes scanning her face) "I have a question. Why are you here? All night?"
Haeyoung: "Because the receptionist called me. I told you."
Jae-won: "But why you? Out of everyone in his contacts, why were you the last person he spoke to?"
Haeyoung: (Getting frustrated) "Go and ask the receptionist! Why are you asking me these questions, Jae-won? He's our colleague. Of course, if a colleague gets into an accident and I get the call, I'm going to be there. It's common sense."
Jae-won: "Is it? Or is it something else?"
Haeyoung: "Stop it. I'm tired."
Jae-won: (Softening, a happy smile breaking onto his face) "Actually... I wanted to tell you something. I'm officially dating Hyuna. We made it real."
The world seems to slow down. Haeyoung's hand freezes on the car door handle. The "Home" Jae-won was building is finally finished, and she isn't the one with the keys.
Haeyoung: (Her smile dropping, her voice sounding hollow) "Oh. Nice. Congratulations."
Jae-won: "Haeyoung, are you—"
Haeyoung: "I have to go. I'm late for... something."
She climbs into her car and drives away without looking back, leaving Jae-won standing in the exhaust of her departure. As she hits the main road, the city blurs through her windshield. She is "great" enough to handle a plane, "great" enough to handle a mother's rage, but as she realizes she's lost her best friend, she realizes she isn't "great" enough to be alone.