Waking up to the pungent smell of hospital disinfect, invading my nostrils.The room is silent apart from my heavy breathing and the mechanical beeping sounds made by the machinery indicates you"re alive.
Slowly opening my eyes, I squint in attempt to sharpen the blurred images before me.
The world slowly begins to focus, as I glance around the large room, taking in all that the blue and white colour schemed hospital room has to offer.
How long have I been here? I can"t help but wonder, as I shut my eyes, trying to remember what had exactly happened.
Then it all hits me with a bang. The memory of the accident and my life flashing before my eyes starts to occupy my thoughts
Out of impulse, my hand travels to my face, pressing the throbbing area on my right temple.
I feel a bandage covering up a wound and flinched at the pain as I near it.
Trying to sit up, my body is engulfed in pain as if objecting my decision.
Pathetically, waiting for the pain to wash away, I stare at the ceiling, illuminated with a white fluorescent light.
"Dylan... Dylan" A female"s voice interrupts my self wallow.
She"s the one whose been bedside, holding my hand.
The bags under her eyes evidence of how little sleep she"s had.
"Hi there " I barely manage to utter as my throat is horse lacking water.
"You ... are ... awake?" She says excitedly, not knowing whether to hug me or call a doctor.
Hurriedly she runs off to call the physician, as tears roll down her her eyes.
I really want to reach over and wipe them away but my body doesn"t respond.
Moment"s later, she returns in tow followed by a few nurses and a very stern looking middle-aged Korean-American man in a white gown.
After picking up the chart that lays at the corner of my bed.
He steps forward, leaning over me, as his cheap cologne burns my senses. He smells like the inside of a new car.
Flashing a small light into my eyes, he notes down all the changes. As hr then instructs me to follow his finger.
After concluding the basic checkup, he smiles in joy, happy at my recovery.
"How is he ... doctor" The female asks
"He is fine, his actually better than fine miss.... Moon" He says, "It"s surprising how he was able to make it out of that crash with only superficial wounds"
She sighs in relief as he offers her one final compliment, "You did a great job with first response." Patting her on the back.
The nurses and doctor then exits the room to help other patients in need. Hospitals are a busy place.
Like a man under the blazing sun left to die... in the lonely desert land.
I"m extremely parched and after great struggle, I"m finally able to say, "Wa..ter"
"Dylan, what did you say?" She leans forward, bringing her ear directly above my mouth. Unlike the doctor, I enjoy her smell. She smells like powdered sugar ... sweet.
"Can... I get... water, Won-ah" I say with great difficulty
Won-ah hurriedly grabs the jug next to all the flowers and get well cards that stand on the table across from me.
Helping me sit up, she then holds the gla.s.s and let"s me drink a few sips to quench my thirst.
This eases up my throat and I"m able to speak with much more ease than before.
Awkwardness fills the air. I don"t really know what I should say right now.
"Should I thank her for saving my life or ask where My Baechu is?"
"Dylan" She breaks the silence, "how are you feeling"
"INever better..." I pause, "How long was I out for?"
"2 days"
"2 DAYS!?"
She nods, patting me on the back ever so softly trying to alleviate the coughing fit my outburst has caused.
"And you"ve been here the whole time?" I ask
She nods again.
"And baechu? where is she?"
"She...." Tries to collect herself, "She just left 10 minutes ago to get some air. She"ll be back soon"
I grab her hand that is resting on my bed, "Won-ah..... thank you" I say as I bring her cold hand, toward my face and lay in it.
"Dyl..."
I shake my head, telling her not to speak.
While I lay quietly so, I feel every fiber of my body calling to hers.
When suddenly, the door to my room swings open and a female carrying a bag of pastries, rushes in.
"Oppa!" She says as her voice cracks under strain.
Throwing the bag to the wayside, ignoring the compromising position that she sees, she just hurries to lay herself in my chest
"A little to much forceful there Baechu" I groan internally
"Dylan ... Dylan... Dylan... I missed you" She repeats over and over. As if that mantra is the only words she know.
Like a little girl and her favourite stuffed bear, she doesn"t let go. As she just keeps repeating my name over and over and over again.
Slowly I wrap my arm around her and bring my head down, despite the pain in my rib-cage.
Kissing her gently on the forehead, like my mom used too, signalling that it"s all okay