"Get out of the way!" A tall man pushed through the crowd. "Get out of the way!" As soon as he entered the ES, he quickly found an empty bed and set Lisa down.
Seulgi, who was sitting at nurse station, instantly stood up at the noise.
"it's Dr. Lisa Manoban!" Shouted the security guard.
Seulgi ran to Lisa's bed. She gasped loudly looking at her best friend covered in blood. There were bruises and small cuts on her face. She was shaking and pale. "Bring her to trauma two!"
A few residents and paramedics immediately moved as ordered.
"Seul, what the hell? I heard Lisa'name?" Jisoo burst into the room. "Oh my God!"
The medical team quickly ripped out Lisa clothes.
"Lisa, hang on, okay? I need to see the wound." Seulgi spoke softly to console Lisa. "Lift her on my count. Gentle, people! One, two, three!"
Lisa grunted loudly as the pain stabbed her hole body again.
"Right thigh, through and through, Dr. Kang."
"Abdomen through! And not through." Seulgi whispered the last part dejectedly.
"Seul?" Jisoo urged Seulgi to speak the situation as she wore the gloves.
"Not through. The bullet is still in there."
"In the abdomen?"
Seulgi didn't have to answer that. Jisoo already comprehended from the look on her face.
"Lisa, look at me." The general surgeon shook Lisa's shoulder. "You're going to be fine, alright? We got you."
Lisa shakily smiled. Her eyes were dim. "S - Seul, my ring. Take my ring." She was chocking for oxygen. "G - give it back t - to my wife. Tell he - her, tell her I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. A - and I love her. Tell her that. And tell urgh!" She growled at the extreme pain from somewhere on her body. Her body was not hers anymore. It felt alien. She didn't recognize it. "Tell my - my Aorta, Artery, and Ve - Venous I'm sorry. I love them so so much. Tell them."
"No." Seulgi replied firmly. "They're your family. They're not mine. You're going to say it yourself because you're going to be fine. You hear me? You're going to be fine."
"O - okay. But - but tell them. Tell them I love them."
Then her smile faded.
---
"I know you're scared, Lisa. I know your past make you feel this way. I am, too. I don't think I'd be able to love someone this much but I do. I'm yours. Don't doubt what we have."
"This feel surreal, you know? What did I do to deserve someone like you?"
"You're moved my world to a better place. I'm not letting you go, Lisa. Not now, not ever. I'm so crazy right now. You make me crazy."
"I've always been wondering how," Lisa took Jennie's hand and held it gently. "How can a smile, your smile, steal my breath away that easy?"
"And I also have always been wondering how your hug can give me eternal peace and a sense of safety? How did you do that?"
"I don't know." Lisa whispered lowly. She pulled her fiancée closer, wrapping her arms around her, taking her time to savor her scent.
"Don't ever let your hold off of me, Lisa. Don't ever do that."
----
"No pulse. V-fib! She's crashing!"
Seulgi instinctively started cardiac compression while the others preparing for the defibrillator. She used all her energy to help Lisa's heart pumping enough blood.
"Prepare for intubation." Jihyo ordered her resident. "Get me three bags of A neg., run the blood exam CITO."
"Charging to 200J, Dr. Kang."
"Everybody clear!" Seulgi announced before she pressed the button. Lisa's whole body jolted up by the electric shock. After that, she did the compression for two minutes then focused her gaze on the monitor.
"Still V-fib!"
"Push 1 amp of epinephrine."
"Injected 1 amp of epi."
She started the CPR again then looked at the monitor. "V-fib. Charge to 200J! Everybody clear!" Seulgi was getting tired, but she refused to give up. "Come on, Lisa!"
Everybody in the room stared at the monitor expectantly. The silence was deafening.
"Sinus rhythm. She's back."
"Starting intubation," Jihyo nodded to the male resident as he injected the drugs to Lisa's system. Afterwards, Jihyo skillfully inserted the endotracheal tube from Lisa's mouth.
"Clear, Dr. Park." The resident confirmed as the sound of air was rightfully placed in Lisa's lung.
"OR is ready whenever we are, Dr. Kang," a nurse informed.
"Page cardio and trauma. We're going to the OR! Be careful, people!"
---
"What are you doing?" Seulgi asked Jisoo as she brushed her hands.
"I'm scrubbing in." Jisoo replied shortly. Her eyes were set to the OR in front of her, watching Lisa being transferred from the bed to the table by the anesthesiology team.
"No. You go get Jennie."
"You're not going to argue with me, Seul."
"I'm the lead surgeon on this case, Dr. Kim. You're not joining in."
Jisoo punched the sink harshly. "She's my best friend, damn it, Seul!" She shouted frustratingly.
Seulgi clenched her jaw, ignoring Jisoo's objection. This was not just case. Lisa, her best friend was lying on the OR table. She had to open her up, exploring her stomach, fixing whatever damaged she might find in there. Picturing it in her head made her nausea.
"I talked to her this morning now she's in there what eve... how's that even possible?" Jisoo leaned by the wall. She didn't know what to think anymore.
"Go get Jennie, Jisoo, and help me."
"Help you?"
"We're operating on Lisa without her consent. Lisa might not be able to make it. Explain it to her. I don't think I..." The doctor took a deep, long breath while she scrubbed her nails with sponge. "It's all on me now, Jisoo. If I fail, Jennie will hate me. Her children will resent me. And I lose my best friend. Make her understand. Please help me."
"Seul..."
"And check on Dahyun. I need her. The bullet is really close to the diaphragm." Seulgi lifted her arms and walked into the OR. "Get Jennie and let her in later."
---
"I give up!" The 26-year-old Kim Jisoo slumped on the couch. "I can't do this anymore."
The same old Lisa glanced at her side then pulled Jisoo by the collar, forcing her to sit straight. "Three chapters to go, Chu. Get your priority right."
"My priority is my sanity. My brain can't process anymore shunting procedure. You know what? I'm going to take plastic."
"Why?"
"I'm an artist. Like Picasso, I'm Chucasso."
"The hell?" Lisa laughed out loud. "Chucasso is not suitable for branding."
Jisoo shrugged easily. "Whatever you say. I'm taking plastic."
Lisa shook her head with a small smile on her face. "For the record, you'll be a great plastic surgeon. But before that, pass your neuro exam first."
"No-"
The taller girl shoved the thick textbook to her lap. "Study. Now."
---
Jisoo's grip on the steering wheel tightened. She somehow survived the residency because of Lisa. Back then, she was a game addict. All she did, night and day was play video games. Seulgi was not better than her. Lisa stuck the three of them together. Not because Lisa was the smartest. Se was heart broken that time so all she did was study, surgery, study, and surgery.
She owed Lisa a lot.
Now her best friend was helplessly lying on the OR table. Never in her wildest dream Seulgi would perform the surgery. Should it's not working.. Jisoo didn't dare to imagine it.
Lisa had to make it. She had to.
---
Jennie buried her face in her hands. The papers on her desk were messy. She had been searching any regulations, articles, whatever documents out there to prepare for the worst should Mr. Park insist to bring this case to the court. She had discussed it with Chaeyoung and Irene. They both had agreed to defend Lisa since it was impossible for Jennie to assist her own wife. She'd do anything to make sure Lisa was safe even if she had to run to the end of the earth.
One knock on her office's door then Chaeyoung walked in with a bundle of files in one hand and her purse on the other. She put the purse on the couch then approached Jennie's desk.
"These are what we need." Chaeyoung squeezed Jennie's shoulder. "We got this, Jen. Don't worry."
"This is Lisa we're talking about. This is. . . this is not just about her. I mean, this is about me too, and my children, my family." Jennie stroked her head desperately. "I - I can't just... I can't think anymore."
"She'll be fine. Have you talked to her?"
"I don't know how," she shook her head. "I've been lying to her, pushing her away. I have no idea what to tell her when the time comes."
The only thing that could make Lisa crazy angry was dishonesty. When she stated she had court all day this morning, Jennie felt like nauseating. She refused to take the triplets to her office because of their safety. She didn't want Mr. Park to see them.
"I think it's better you tell her the truth. She needs to be prepared too."
Without knocking, Irene entered the room. "I brought you cake. For Jennie, not you, Chaeyoung." She opened the box and presented in front of her friend. "Eat."
"I don't-"
Irene ignored her protest and shoved a piece of the sweet treat to Jennie's mouth.
"You need glucose to think. Stop being so stubborn."
"Unnie-"
"Lisa will be fine. We'll take care of her. Now take care of yourself."
---
"How old are you?"
"She's twelve." A mischievous grin formed upon the brunette woman's face.
"Shut it, Jihyo." The girl scowled irritatingly.
"Are you even allowed to be in this class?"
"I'm eighteen." The girl withdrew her ID card and put it on the desk. "And I am a medical student."
"Cool. Kim Jisoo, and this," Jisoo pulled the girl whom was sitting beside her, "is Kang Seulgi. you are?"
"Park Jihyo." The brunette girl threw her hand happily.
"Nice to finally meet another med student who is loud and not grumpy." Seulgi grinned extensively.
"What's your name, kiddo?"
"I'm not a kid."
"You look like one." Jisoo, Jihyo, and Seulgi high-fived.
"..."
"So what's your name, Lalisa?" Seulgi read the card. "Your name is Lalisa Manoban?"
"Please don't talk to me."
Seulgi never stopped talking to Lisa since then.
---
"Ten blade," said Seulgi through the mask. Her heart skipped a beat when the instrument was in her grip. She was about to open Lisa up. She had to cut Lisa in order to get the bullet out. Never in her entire career her hand trembled when she was about to perform a surgery.
As the tip of the blade made a contact on Lisa's skin, Seulgi could feel the rush of adrenaline in her system. "Work with me, Lis. Don't you die on me."
---
"Any word from Mr. Park?" Irene flipped another page of the magazine.
"No. I've been trying to call him, he didn't answer his phone." Jennie stood by the window, staring at the busy road. Her mind was a mess. She was stress, confused, and anxious. It felt like she lost her ability in her element. In time like this, she should be confident and calm, not the other way around.
Sighing, Jennie turned at her back. The first thing she saw was Lisa's picture on her display cabinet. Lisa didn't look directly at the camera. Jennie took it when Lisa was driving after Jihyo's wedding party. She didn't exactly smiling but Jennie knew Lisa was filled with joy.
She suddenly got the urge to call Lisa. Perhaps, she could help to ease this tension.
First ring.
Second ring.
Third ring.
The last ring, then, "the number you are calling is not answering. Please try again in a few minutes."
So Jennie tried again. The same stranger's voice said the same exact statement.
"Maybe she's in the surgery, Jen."
"Yeah. She must be in the surgery."
---
"What do you get?"
"It's really close to-" Seulgi explored deeper. "Damn it, more laps." Seulgi frantically stuffed the gauze to stop the bleeding. "More!"
"Dr. Kang-"
"Damn it, Lisa. More!"
---
"Where is Mrs. Jennie Kim's office?" Jisoo asked the receptionist while catching her breath.
"Good morning, I'm Park Joy. How can I help you?"
"Jennie Kim's office."
"Have you made an appointment?"
"I need to see her now." Jisoo spoke firmly.
"I'm sorry but-"
"You're useless." Jisoo left the woman and called Chaeyoung. She hadn't thought to call her fiancée. It'd save so much time. "Where are you?"
"In Jennie's office. What happen to hello darling?" Chaeyoung replied from the other side. "Why did you sound so out of breath?"
"Where's Jennie's office?"
"Third floor-"
"Thanks." Jisoo ended the call. Chaeyoung would be really mad at her later but she was running out of time now. She had to bring Jennie to the hospital. Pressing the elevator button violently wouldn't make it descend faster, Jisoo acknowledged that, nevertheless, she still did that.
As Jennie's name on the thick door came to her sight, Jisoo exhaled a calming breath. She had delivered bad news for years. She was an expert. "Don't be reckless, Jisoo. You got this."
The woman finally tapped the door.
"Come in." She heard a voice from inside.
Jisoo cracked the door open slowly. Her heart was raging inside her chest.
"What are you doing here?" Chaeyoung frowned. She was obviously unhappy.
Jisoo looked at Chaeyoung with pleading eyes. She then bit her lip, trying to take control over herself.
"Jennie," she started with a small voice. "Jen, Lisa is in the surgery."
Jennie furrowed her brows together. "Of course she's in the surgery."
"No." Jisoo shook her head as a tear escaped from her the corner of her eye. "Lisa is in the surgery. Seulgi is operating on her now."
---
Nothing made sense. She was confused. She lost everything in short amount of time. Her chest was hurting so bad. The tears couldn't stop flowing even if she tried. Her legs almost gave up - but they didn't. They couldn't give up now. They had to keep on walking and walking and walking.
She never put a thought on how big the hospital was. The road seemed to no end.
"Jennie, I need you to change to this scrubs, okay?" It was Jisoo's voice. She recognized it.
"I'll help her. You can wait outside." Chaeyoung answered for her. Then she heard the sound of door closing. Chaeyoung led her to the nearest couch then guided her to sit down.
"I ne - need to see her now, Chaeyoung p - please." Jennie manage to say between the sobs.
"You will." The taller girl swiftly pulled up her top. "You just need to change first. You will see her soon. Can you get up a little?"
After the fastest changing clothes in history, Jennie found herself being hugged tightly by Jisoo. The latter was trembling it made her horrified even more.
She was not ready to lose Lisa. Or she ever will.
Jennie grip on Jisoo's hand was excruciating. She was desperate to seek assurance and hope from her wife's best friend. Sadly, there was none of that Jisoo could provide. She couldn't promise anything.
"Look at me," Jisoo wiped Jennie's tears. "I know how hard this is for you but Seulgi and everyone in there are doing their best work." She pointed the thick, cold door. "Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Jennie nodded but she didn't understand. She just needed to see Lisa.
"Alright, let me put this cap and mask for you. Don't take it off, okay?"
"L - let me take a breath first." She inhaled deeply, taking some short time to recover from overwhelming feeling. Lisa was just a room away. She was within her reach. Lisa had professional medics with her. They'd help. Lisa would be okay. A couple of hours, maybe, were all she needed to finish the surgery. After that, Lisa would get better then they'd go home and everything would be back to normal again - just like the way it was supposed to be.
"Ready? Wait a sec." Jisoo opened the door, she then said, "Dr. Kang, Mrs. Kim is here."
"Let her in." Came reply from inside.
Jennie never really liked hospital. But she certainly disliked this very place the most - the operation room. It was freezing and unwelcoming. The constant beeping from the monitor freaked her out. She wondered how Lisa survived to work in here every single day. She had seen operation room once many years ago but she didn't remember much. Maybe because she was in intense pain that she couldn't careless where she was at that moment or maybe because she was thrilled to finally meet her children - she had no idea.
One thing she knew for sure, Lisa was there, holding her hand and kept on telling her that everything was okay. Today, her wife was the one on the table. Today, her arrogant, confident, brilliant surgeon was on the table with people's hands inside her tiny body.
Jennie understood Lisa the most. Jennie understood Lisa's exasperation is she wasn't in charge. Because Lisa was always the person in control.
She couldn't imagine how frustrated Lisa was right now. How terrified herself at this moment because her wife was there - lying helplessly, with people's hands in her.
Jisoo ushered her closer to the operation table. "Do you want to see her?" Jisoo whispered. "I must warn you, she's not in her best condition-"
"I want to, Jisoo. I - I need to."
"Alright." Jisoo stopped near the anesthesia machine and let go of her hand. She carefully lifted up the green sheet and set it just under Lisa's chin.
Her world collapsed. Her knees gave up on bearing the unbearable weight.
Her remaining strength was gone in an instant when she saw her soul mate with her eyes closed. breathing through a pipe that was inserted into her mouth. Her lips were so pale. She touched Lisa's cheek and flinched at the cold sensation against the tips of her fingers.
"Oh God." Endless tears ran down her cheeks. "Lisa..." She whispered. "Lisa. you promise. You p - promise me." She stuttered.
Her nightmare had come to reality. Who did this to her Lisa? Who would've had the heart to do this cruel thing? Her heart was being ripped out brutally. "Seul... Seulgi, help her, help Lisa." Jennie said between the tears.
"I'm doing it right now." Seulgi replied without taking her eyes off of the organ before her. "You've seen her, now I need you to wait outside."
"No-"
"My hand are in my best friend's stomach, Jennie." Seulgi clenched her jaw behind the mask. "You're sitting down there is not going to give me any benefit. Don't make it harder for me than it already is. I can't work and look at you looking at me, begging me for something that may not happen. Get out."
"Jen," Jisoo tugged Jennie's arm, asking her to stand up. "Let's go."
"Jisoo, no. Lisa - she need me. I have to stay."
The monitor beeped noisily.
"BP is dropping, Dr. Kang." Jihyo notified the lead surgeon.
"Jennie, come on." Jisoo didn't have a choice but to drag her. "We can't stay here."
Jennie wept in silence. "No, Jisoo, please no."
"Jennie, get out!" Seulgi shouted harshly. "Get the hell out!"
"BP is dropping, Dr. Kang!"
"Damn it, laps! I got bleeding, damn it! More laps."
"I got no visual, suction." Dahyun started to fret. "Suction!"
"No, Lisa, no!" Jennie reached for her wife in vain. It was useless, Jisoo's grip was impossible to resist. She witness Jihyo jumped on the side of the table, doing something she was unable to see.
"Seul, we're losing her!" was the last declaration Jennie heard.
Then the automatic door closed with a soft click. . . leaving Jennie wailing loudly in grief.
Fin.
.
.
.
Fine
She had to be fine.
----------