I was in heaven. The sky above me stretched in a brilliant shade of blue, so close I felt I could reach out and touch it. Wispy white clouds floated beneath my feet, forming soft platforms for me to stand on. They swirled and danced around my toes like puffs of cotton candy, playful yet serene. A gentle sunlight caressed my cheeks, while a light breeze carried whispers across my skin, teasing loose strands of hair. I stood there alone in this vast, silent world. There were no shadows, no signs of life—just endless peace.

So calm.
So cool.
So comforting.
So soothing.
So—

Ttrriiiinnnnng!

The jarring shriek of my alarm shattered the illusion. “Aish, this stupid thing!” I grumbled, smacking the offending clock into silence. Blissful quiet returned, and I drifted back toward tranquility. My eyes fluttered closed, heavy with the promise of sleep.

Knock knock!

I groaned. Another interruption. Seriously?

“Yes?” I snapped, my voice sharp with irritation.

A muffled reply came through the door. “Just checking if you’re awake. Breakfast in ten minutes.”

The sound of retreating footsteps and the faint clack of heels echoed in my ears. I glanced at the clock: 9:00 a.m. A pout formed on my lips. I had to get up now.

Outside my window, a chorus of chirps caught my attention. My morning visitors had arrived. Tiny sparrows—probably some species of Passeridae—perched on the windowsill, chirping away. They came every morning, except during monsoons. Not that I was some kind of Cinderella. Let’s not get carried away.

Reaching for the jar of sesame seeds on my shelf, I scattered a handful on the sill. The sparrows eagerly pecked at their treat, their tiny beaks clicking in rhythm. When I was with these little creatures, all other thoughts seemed to fade away.

I was lost in their company until the clock struck 9:03. Oh no.
“Breakfast in ten minutes,” my aunt’s voice echoed in my head. Now seven minutes. Crap.

I rushed to the bathroom for a quick shower. Emerging in a bathrobe, I didn’t waste time deliberating over my outfit. I grabbed the first thing I saw—a pair of black ripped jeans and a red floral shirt. A quick hair tie later, I was out the door.

At the dining table, Taepung was already there, locked in a heated battle with a bowl of noodles. Or, more specifically, with the string beans hidden beneath them.

I pulled out a chair and sat down. My aunt immediately took charge. “Wait. I’ll get your plate,” she said, bustling back to the kitchen.

Taepung, meanwhile, was on the verge of a meltdown. Using a fork, he dramatically pushed the string beans to the edge of his plate. “I hate these stupid beans!” he muttered under his breath. “Why do people even eat this mess?”

“Gross or not,” I said, eyeing his plate, “they’re good for your immunity and stamina.”

“Yeah, no thanks, Dr. Know-It-All. I’m not one of your patients,” he shot back. “Jeong-gyu’s mom doesn’t force him to eat vegetables, but here I am, stuck with her.” He cast a pointed glare at Auntie.

I sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue with him. Something nagged at the back of my mind. Wait... who’s missing?

“Where’s Uncle Jack?” I blurted out when Aunt returned with my plate.

Rolling her eyes, she replied, “He’s in the lab with Yoongi. Said he won’t leave until Yoongi is fully functional.”

“Of course,” I muttered, stuffing a bite of toast into my mouth. “Alright, I’ll head out now. Bye!”

---

I drove to SNUH, the hospital where I worked. Being a doctor was a double-edged sword—fulfilling, but exhausting. Emergencies often had me running up and down the floors like a wind-up toy.

As I entered the hospital, I greeted the staff and colleagues along the way. Past the X-ray and BMP departments, I reached the elevator and pressed the button, waiting for the doors to open.

With a soft ding, the elevator arrived. I stepped in, leaning back as the doors slid shut. My ward was on the fifth floor. The ride was uneventful until the second floor, when a man with chestnut brown hair stepped in, his eyes glued to the screen of his phone. His mask covered most of his face, but those eyes—familiar brown irises—stirred something in me.

“Taehyung?” I said, testing the name.

His head snapped up, his eyes widening. “Raehee!” he exclaimed, his voice bouncing off the walls of the cramped elevator.

“Don’t shout!” I hissed, covering my ears. “You’ll make me go deaf.”

He chuckled, flashing his signature boxy grin. I couldn’t help but smile despite my annoyance.

“Taehyung is sorry,” he said, clasping his hands dramatically. “Please don’t be mad at him. He promises to behave!”

I laughed softly, shaking my head. His aegyo never failed to crack my resolve. But before I could respond, he stepped closer, boxing me in with his arms. His face hovered inches from mine, and I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin.

“Say you forgive me,” he murmured, his voice low and teasing.

“Okay, fine! Just stop being dramatic,” I said, swatting his arm. His smile widened, and he looked far too pleased with himself.

“So,” I asked, raising an eyebrow, “what brings you here so early?”

“I had an appointment with...” His voice trailed off, and he hesitated for a beat.

“Dr. Sandara Park.”

~~~~~~~~~~~

Next part up. Hope you are liking it. Do comment to lemme know your thoughts. Thank you. I purple you all. Love ya INFINITE!!

"When the robot mind is mastered, undisciplined thinking ceases and is replaced by awareness. Awareness can know love."

~Barry Long

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Mannayo! Chubs!