☾┋ 𝔞𝔲! 𝔳𝔞𝔪𝔭𝔦𝔯𝔢 𝖉𝖔𝖈𝖙𝖔𝖗

➳ 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 5

note: 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝕚𝕤 𝕒 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕜 𝕠𝕗 𝕗𝕚𝕔𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟.

And so the day came. The day where we would embark on a journey for service and share our expertise to mankind in this medical mission. Aera had a heart, fueling with kindness, she feels a sense of fulfillment upon helping others.

Together with Seoul National Hospital's medical mission team, they set on a journey, not knowing what lies ahead.

"Touchdown Myitkyina! Thank you for choosing Yangon Airways. We hope that you'd have a nice stay at Myitkyina! Hope that you'll travel with us again!"

Aera sat next to Park Yuna, who's from the pediatrics department. The two have established a good sense of friendship right after the flight.

Afterwards, the team went through immigration processes and got their luggage at the baggage claim. As they wait for the carpool to bring them to their housing lodge, Junho ,as overall-in-charge for this medical mission, announced important matters.

"Team, listen up. So I would like to acknowledge you all for going the extra mile and joining the medical mission team. We all know that in this world, many people have medical needs yet cannot afford it or some may have it on their hands but they do not have quality service and facilities. Only some are privileged. In a span of a month, we don't know what the future has in store. But make sure to listen to my directives and I assert that you all will be in good hands. Our first agenda is to serve in a children's hospital for 2 weeks and for the next two weeks, we will be spending it Kachin Military Grounds. Good luck to us all!"

"We'll be under your command, master!" Kwon Hanbin, a nurse from the triage, replied.

Everyone nodded, agreeing to his message. The three carpools arrived for the 25 medical staffs. Aera and Yuna shared a room. The room had 4 single beds. They had it all for themselves. Consequently, they started unpacking all their luggages and putting all their stuff into place.

"So I heard you're new in Seoul National Hospital, Dr. Jung Aera!" Yuna mumbled, folding her clothes before placing it in the closet.

"Ah yes. It's been very welcoming for me!" Aera affirmed.

"I've been a pediatrician for 5 years now in Seoul National! I get inspired curing and healing children. They are sweet and lovable!" Yuna, puffed her cheeks as she thought about how cute the children were.

"Aw! So is it your first time doing a medical mission?" Aera, tilted her head while asking.

"Honestly yes! I just love traveling! It's a very rewarding experience, don't you think?" Yuna replied.

"Indeed! Being able to help and reach out to people satisfies my heart. "A warm gushy feeling builds up as Aera responds.

Suddenly, their conversation is interrupted by a knock on the door. Gayoung and Hyesoo come in. "We're sharing with you guys too!"

All smiles and cheers filled up the room like teenage girls during a sleepover.

" Hey girls! We should have a girls night out during the weekends or before we leave!" Hyesoo insisted being the social butterfly she is.

"Wouldn't Youngjin mind?" Aera asked, sitting comfortably on the bed.

"No... I bet Youngjin wouldn't mind! It's the Big B who would mind!" Gayoung snorted as she started fixing all her belongings.

"Big B?" Aera asked.

"Big Boss!" All three of them replied, laughing out loud.

"So who's the big boss?" Aera asked again!

"Kim Junho!" Hyesoo started laughing, hitting the sheets due to her immense emotions.

"He's very systematic and controlling. He's a strict leader. He won't let us out for sure." Yuna replied, sighing.

Aera felt awkward talking to Junho since the time she left him waiting at the beach. Since then, they have stopped talking. There were no more endless banters but thin air surrounding them.

Aera and the girls had endless topics through the night until they all start falling into deep lumber.

The following day was the start of their immersion.

"Goodmorning team. Today is the first day at Yan Children's Hospital. So here are the assignments. Hyesoo and Gayoung you will be dealing with the vaccine department. Youngjin you will be in the child neurology department. As for Park Yuna and Kwon Hanbin, you'll be needed in the intensive care unit. "He continued stating the roles of each staff before sending them off to the hospital.

"And um.. Aera, you'll help out in the General surgery department." His tone shifted into a colder tone, not looking at her.

As they all reached Yan Children's hospital. Warm smiles from the staff welcomed them.To usher them around, Dr. Ko Myo from the emergency department came.

"Welcome to Yan Children's Hospital. We are so delighted to have you here! I'm Dr. Ko Myo at your call! I'm inclined with the rushed life because of being on call in the emergency department. I will gladly tour you all around."

"I am Khun Zhenji. I practice pediatrics in the intensive care unit and I have café named 'Azure' near the hospital's lobby. Nice to meet you. We will bring you around!" She gave a wide smile, showing her teeth.

Dr. Ko Myo and Zhenji brought them to each department in the hospital. It wasn't as big and as luxurious as Seoul National Hospital but it had enough facility for the services would offer. Lastly they brought all the staff to the children's play area. The Burmese children were delighted to see the volunteers, evidently their smiles were reaching their cheeks. Through a child's eyes, one can grasp a vision of innocence, purity and a kind heart.

A cute little girl in a red dress approached Junho. " Phay." She mumbled in Burmese which literally translates to " father" as she was asking for a hug.

"Eh?" Junho was flustered, he held the girl in his arms like his own child.

"She called you 'dad'. " Khun Zhenji smiled. Junho's smile radiated the whole room. Everyone knew him as a tough man however he was the opposite when it came to children.

"What is your name, baby?" Junho asked sweetly.

"Cynthia." The kid replied.

"Youngjin look!" Hyesoo carried a little boy in her arms. Youngjin, ruffling the child's hair.

"Aww. Youngjin junior!" Youngjin pinched the child's cheeks. The light bay was rocked gently in Hyesoo's arms.

Aera sat on the floor singing nursery rhymes for the other kids. Cynthia, the little girl dragged Junho next to her. Forced to sit next to Aera, he goes along and sings for the children. They didn't bother looking at eachother due to the awkward tension reoccurring between them. Ambiguous as they may say but their relationship is back to square one. The stage of being strangers again.

"Cynthia, let's go play somewhere else now!" Junho stands up, not looking back at Aera, as he heads to the puzzle area of the play room.

The following days, all reported to their respective designations. It was Junho's routine to go around and check on each of his staff. He started by visiting the ICU where Yuna and Hanbin were. In the intensive care unit, Park Yuna and Kwon Hanbin were busy checking up on a patient with Severe malaria.

In Myanmar, Malaria has been a common case around rural areas. Malaria is a disease caused by a Plasmodium parasite that is transmitted to humans through mosquitoes. It causes fevers, headaches and vomiting. Severe malaria with symptoms such as convulsions, fevers, impaired consciousness and jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin) could lead to morbidity. As cited by a study entitled "Malaria in the Greater Mekong Subregion", "Myanmar is reported to account for the vast majority of Malaria cases and deaths in the Southeast Asia".

Yuna, seeing the patient's condition, ordered Kwon Hanbin. "Check the vitals."

Hanbin uses the digital thermometer, putting it on the patient's mouth. " 37.5 normal."

"Blood pressure is 120/ 80. Normal" Kwon Hanbin

"Give the medication to stabilize his vital signs. Chloroquine pills." Park Yuna instructed.Junho was proud of Yuna and Hanbin's hardwork. He continued walking around the hospital corridors, heading to the operating room to check on his other staff. A glass window was separating him and Aera. Through it, he stares at her. Eyes meeting for a split second like magnets locking into eachother and repelling again. An eerie and unsettling feeling sinks in for both of them.

Aera was diverting her attention. She focused on her Thoracentesis procedure on the patient with Pneumonia.

Pneumonia is an infection and inflammation of the air sacs of the lungs, making it difficult for a person to breathe. These air sacs contain fluid and pus causing cough and phlegm to block the lungs and chest cavity triggering one's breathing pattern. Thoracentesis surgery focuses on draining the infected fluids that are blocking the lungs and chest cavity. She starts the procedure by taking the catheter and needle to puncture the thoracic wall.

"Syringe." Aera commanded.

"Yes ma'am." The nurse replied, handing it to her.

Taking the syringe into her hands, she takes all the fluids inside the body through the needle, liquids falling into the drainage bag. It was a quick procedure for Aera who is a fully experienced general surgeon and a specialized cardiothoracic surgeon.

Junho was watching her until the surgery has come to an end. Dr. Ko Myo was walking towards the operating room when he noticed Junho.

"How is the team manager doing?" Dr. Ko Myo tilts his head, facing Dr. Kim Junho.

"Ah I was just doing my rounds, checking if they're all doing their work." Junho replies, his left hand reaching his neck, scratching his nape.

"I'm heading inside. Want to check if the surgery has gone well?' Ko Myo asked.

"Ah. I know she will do well..." He nodded, having faith in Aera's skills.

Suddenly Junho's phone starts ringing. "Excuse me." He muttered, taking his phone out.

Ko Myo waved goodbye and went inside the operating room. Aera and Ko Myo talked about how the surgery went. He praised her for her hard work. She bowed to him before she left.

As she walks out in the hospital corridors, she disposes her white gloves in the trash bin beside the water dispenser. Being the keen person she is, she overhears another conversation. She hears a voice— a voice that wasn't foreign to her ears.

"Yes sir. I'll inform you when I'd a track vampire cult here in Myanmar. I'll make sure to bring all those fiends to the Hellsing Headgrounds in Seoul." Junho cleared his throat.