Chapter 4: I like you

• Yul was an introvert through and through. Talking to people outside his professional interests was rather difficult for him. He was always straight forward whenever he spoke but the cold mask he often wore to ward off people was actually, in a way, his coping mechanism because he was too shy to initiate a conversation with unfamiliar people, especially if that familiar person was his new-found crush.
• Right now, Yul's brain ran haywire with thoughts. 'I don't know him, he doesn't know me. But… I can't help it. I can't help it that I fell in love with you at first sight, Dr Zeng!'
• Debating throughout, he forgot everything that he had planned to say the last night. He couldn't man up and say what he intended to and finally had to get out when the bell for a lunch break of the trainees rang.
• "You got it?" Subin asked, who was forcibly fed bitter antibiotic pills by the other intern.
• Yul shook his head dejectedly. Health shoulders slumping forward and a frown growing deeper on his face.
• Subin sighed helplessly. He could feel Yul's dejection. He patted the boy's back, "No worries, there's always a next time. You can ask him tomorrow." He comforted his best friend. Yul just sighed. Subin dragged him to the dining hall because otherwise Yul would have skipped it because of the heartbreak.
• The day felt way too long. The constitutional law classes were done and so was the sports hour. Everyone assembled for their evening roll call. Boys with a short buzz cut and girls with hair tied in a ponytail or a bun answered their roll numbers with a loud 'Yes Sir!'
• After they were dismissed, all the trainees headed to their respective dorms. Males to the left and females to the right. Yul casted one last look at the medical camp tent. The lights were on from the inside, they must be packing up by now. The other male intern came out of the tent carrying two almost empty boxes. There was no sign of the desired one.
• Dejected, Yul was walking back to his dorm room, his face sullen. Subin was by his side, humming a new tune.
• They were passing a group of juniors when Yul overheard them.
• "Thank God, this was the last day of the medical camp. We don't have to stand in those fucking long lines from tomorrow onwards," one of the juniors said as tiredly leaned on his friend.
• Subin was quick to look at Yul, who looked as if his life was slipping away by the second, all the colour drained from his face.
• "I have to see him… now," Yul said in a whisper and his legs started walking away soon gaining momentum into a run.
• "Wha… hey wait! Yul!" Subin almost screamed as Yul dashed away towards the main gate.
• It was now or never!
• "Wang fu¢king Yul!" Subin was chasing him, "Stop, dammit!"
• Yul ran along the corridors of the dorm. From the open sidewalls, he saw a figure walking out through the main gate, white apron hung on the arm. He halted his steps, Subin stopped behind him. He saw that Yul looked so helpless. He had to be as they were not allowed to go out of the Academy except on Sundays and today was Saturday.
• The half-Korean guy racked his brains to help his friend out with his crush whom he'll probably be seeing for the last time if something was not done!
• Analysing the situation, he turned to Yul, grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him to bring out the life within him. His mastermind brain had come up with an idea. "Take the secret route that our seniors once told us about. I will handle everything else. Go fucking get him, tiger! You can do this!"
• Yul felt his blood boiling up once again with passion. He nodded with determination and ran off to the side of the dorm building which contained washrooms on every floor. There the walls were only high enough to be climbed only by excellent trainees and Yul was one. The guard standing at the main gate was distracted by Subin.
• Yul managed to climb over the wall with ease. He mentally thanked the instructor who had taught them this in their training session. Never did Yul think that he would be using it for something other than catching criminals but here he was; chasing his crush.
• He made it to the other side. The lights at the parking area were on. Yul quickly made a run just in time to catch the person he resolved to confess tonight. The concerned intern had turned in the key of his car. He was without his glasses. Yul passed the lamp post and kept a considerable distance between them once he made a stop. He called out,
• "Excuse me?"
• Zeng Matthews turned around and was surprised to see a familiar face standing some distance away, slightly panting for breath. "Yes," he raised an eyebrow, "number 85 right?"
• "Yeah," Yul nodded, "It's number 85."
• Zeng straightened the bag on his shoulder, confused about the situation, "How come you are outside? I thought trainees aren't allowed to take a step outside unless it's Sunday."
• "Yup, that's right. I sneaked out," replied Yul, his heart beating crazily but not due to the run he had just made.
• Zeng was confused, "And why is that?"
• Yul felt blood rushing to his face. "Because I wanted to say something." He was all fidgety, unlike his usual stern self. His hands trembled visibly but he clutched them into fists. Resting them on the side of his body, his chin held up high, his eyes looking straight at Zeng. He stood in an attention position as if preparing for a march. He took a deep breath and readied himself.
• "I am sorry, it's all of a sudden and this is not a romantic moment or anything but I would like to confess my feelings to you..." He was sincere with his words as he breathed out,
• "I like you."