AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 174

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2018

 

"Because of this jerk, one of my daughters is fighting for her life in a hospital, while the other is facing a life in prison" -- Jin Kui-Sung

 

 

MUN-YUNG HOSPITAL, SEOUL ...

 

"Attention! Emergency Response 1 Team," the announcement comes over the loudspeakers, "Medevac ETA in two minutes..."

 

A flashing white strobe appears in the distant night sky. Flying at a top speed of 200 kilometers per hour, the air ambulance had covered the distance from Kangwon-do in less than 20 minutes.

 

At 500 meters out, the pilot switches on the landing lights. Preceded by the chuff-chuff of whirling blades, the Medevac helicopter heads straight for the helipad constructed on the hospital roof.

 

Slowing for the final approach amid a flurry of falling snowflakes, the pilot rotates the aircraft, aligning it with the landing markers. The blade wash raises a cloud of powdery snow into the air as the helicopter hovers over the center of the painted white circle, gradually descending.

 

The instant the skids touch the perforated aluminum deck, the waiting ER response team moves in with an empty gurney. The copter's rotors are still idling overhead as they meet the EMTs opening the rear hatch.

 

After loading and securing the occupied cot onto their gurney, the ER team quickly wheels Sun-Mi down the ramp and into the waiting lift, for direct transport down to the trauma room.

 

 

The Junior of the two EMT's attending Sun-Mi on the flight goes over to the side door of the helicopter and opens it. He helps Kui-Sung and Jin-Suk down and points out the Emergency Room entrance to them.

 

Throughout the seemingly interminable flight to the hospital, they had anxiously looked on as the pair of EMTs labored valiantly to keep Sun-Mi alive.

 

"We don't know how to thank you enough for all your hard work," Kui-Sung praises the younger man. "What you do is amazing."

 

"It's our job," the man brushes aside the accolades, then adds reassuringly as he observes their haggard faces, "Your daughter is strong to have survived this far. Don't give up hope."

 

"Thank you, for your kindness," Jin-Suk answers, grateful for the encouragement.

 

The EMT closes the copter's door and excuses himself, "I have reports to file, so I'm going first."

 

 

Huddling together, Kui-Sung and Jin-Suk go down the flight of steps from the pad and trudge through a thin layer of snow. As they near the entrance, her mobile rings. She takes the phone out of her handbag, answering the call as they walk through the automatic sliding door.

 

"Yes?"

 

"This is Sister Catherine, head nurse at the orphanage hospital. I'm calling about your daughter, Huh Young-Mi..."

 

 

In the flurry of activity surrounding Sun-Mi, Jin-Suk had completely forgotten Young-Mi was wounded, too...

 

"How is she, Sister?"

 

"After you left, they brought her in for treatment," the nun states. "She has a deep cut on her face, and possibly some nerve damage, but she'll be all right."

 

"Thank heaven!" Jin-Suk sighs in relief. "May I speak with Young-Mi?"

 

"I'm sorry, but she isn't here now," Sister Catherine replies. "After we treated her wound, the police immediately arrested her."

 

Jin-Suk is stunned to hear this. "But why?"

 

"They accused her of dispensing illegal drugs and conspiracy to defraud along with Mr. Bae In-Soo," the nun reiterates the charges she'd overheard.

 

"Did Young-Mi say anything?"

 

"She was still in shock, badly shaken up from the incident. I'm not sure she even fully realized what was happening," the nun reports, then adds: "Young-Mi seemed such a sweet and gentle person when she left the convent. It's such a pity that things turned out this way. I suppose you never know what evil lies hidden in the human heart."

 

"Yes," Jin-Suk snaps tersely, unhappy at the Sister's unsolicited judgment. "Thank you for calling."

 

But Sister Catherine isn't finished...

 

"Wait... before you hang up... How is Jin Sun-Mi?" she asks. "Everyone here is anxious for any news on her condition."

 

The nun's heartfelt expression of concern softens Jin-Suk's attitude.

 

"We just arrived at the hospital... it's too early to tell, but they said she went into hypovolemic shock from blood loss, that her chances of recovering without permanent injury are slim... if she even survives through the operation," Jin-Suk woodenly repeats the information the head EMT had explained to her, along with the potential outcomes.

 

"I'm so sorry to hear that. You must be devastated," Sister Catherine emphasizes. "She was so brave, risking her life for another..."

 

"Yes," Jin-Suk agrees, struggling to keep her composure together now she has a sympathetic ear to unburden on. "I'm so frightened for Sun-Mi... I raised her like she was my own daughter... I don't know what I'll do if... if..."

 

"Trust in the Lord... rest all your fears on Him," the nun counsels. "Know that whatever happens, we're right beside you, too."

 

Jin-Suk sniffs back the tears threatening to spill over...

 

"We've started a prayer chain for Sun-Mi at the convent," Sister Catherine continues. "We'll be praying constantly through the night, for the Lord Jesus in His mercy to protect and heal her."

 

"Thank you, Sister, for you kindness. I'll tell Mr. Jin everything ... But I have to go now. Goodbye," Jin-Suk ends the conversation.

 

 

As she closes her phone Kui-Sung embraces her. "We'll face this together, whatever the outcome," he assures her. "Let's go and find out what's happening."

 

As they walk down the corridor, she informs him of the news, "The police arrested Young-Mi, along with Bae In-Soo."

 

"How could Young-Mi consort with such a scumbag?" he replies, exasperated. "Can you believe what he claimed about the baby?"

 

"Well... she didn't deny it, but maybe she was too afraid to cross him," Jin-Suk gives Young-Mi the benefit of a doubt.

 

"If I ever see that man again, I'll make him pay!" Kui-Sung threatens. "That bastard will wish he was never born!"

 

"Easy, Dear, watch your blood pressure," Jin-Suk attempts to calm him down. "Being upset won't help anything, and I don't want you in the hospital, too."

 

"How can I not be angry?" he glowers, beating his right fist forcefully into his left palm repeatedly. " Because of this jerk, one of my daughters is fighting for her life in a hospital, while the other is facing a life in prison. Why shouldn't I punish him, big time!?"

 

 

Arriving at the emergency desk, Jin-Suk opts not to answer, instead, after reading her name tag -- Kim Hye-Bin -- speaking first to the charge nurse...

 

"Nurse Kim, where can we wait while our daughter is in surgery?"

 

"There's a waiting room on the Surgery floor," she informs them. "We provide coffee, tea, and water there. If you want anything else, the cafeteria is on the Main floor."

 

"Thank you," Jin-Suk replies.

 

"Your daughter is Jin Sun-Mi, the MBS Announcer?" Hye-Bin asks.

 

Kui-Sung nods. "Yes, she is. Why?"

 

"I listened to her on Musical Postcards all the time," Hye-Bin replies enthusiastically. "Once, she even read my postcard on the air. I was going through a tough time after my mother died, and her insightful words meant so much to me. She really made a difference in my life, and I know she's helped a lot of others, too. Tell her that for me, please..."

 

Jin-Suk nods, the lump rising in her throat keeping her from replying...

 

... she knows there's a very real possibility that she may never have the chance to speak another word to Sun-Mi ...

 

The nurse looks at the harried, elderly couple and offers hope... "If it's true that our good deeds return to bless us, then Jin Sun-Mi has thousands of blessings to help her pull through this..."