Eternal life

Chapter 2

Gil Dong looked at the same calendar he noticed the first day he woke up. He couldn't believe that already a month and half has passed. He was still in the hospital, but feeling much better. He was waiting for the nurse to come. She usually showed up at this time to take his pressure. He liked when shevisited him, because he liked to joke with her. She was nice and kind, not pitying him for his lost identity.

Meanwhile, behind the door, still on corridor Aeri and doctor Ahn Chang-Woo were standing. He caught her, when she wanted to walk into the room. He looked into the window on the door, seeing as Gil Dong was smiling at the elder man neighbouring him. The man to his right has changed, as the previous one, which noticed that the man woke up, was discharged. They were talking – mainly the neighbour, clearly telling some story to the young man, but the other was patiently listening. Doctor moved to the side and after some hesitation he started talking to the nurse.

'It's been more than a month and I have no idea what's wrong with him. I've done many tests and honestly, if the concussion could be at fault for his memory loss, he would've start to remember something.' He told her calmly and she sighed in response.

'Like I've talked with him, you know? I'm just curious, because it's weird. He knows a lot.' He emphasized these words. 'I can assume, that he was maybe in some history major or something like that, recently he helped me to fill the hardcore level crossword.' He chuckled and nurse gave him a weird look. 'Don't judge, I like to solve them.'

'That's so old-fashioned...' She said harshly.

'Yeah, but by the way. He knew the name of one of the generals, like I think I never heard of him. And with given date he gave me name of one battles, and he even said how many men where there, and he started talking about it... like oh my god, literately - he can solve some math, he talked in Japanese, Chinese and English. He knows how to read most of the hanja signs, he knows a lot! Except what he's been doing three months ago and basically who is he. Like, like he didn't forget what happed in the world, but if something happened around him – a black hole.' Doctor has said his diagnosis.

Aeri bit her lip. 'So what now?'

Doctor Ahn shrugged his shoulders. 'You've talked with the police?'

'Oh, yeah, the detective called me in the morning. They still are looking through the missing cases, but nothing - as for now - matches with him. They checked his fingertips, but he just doesn't exist in the system. Nothing.'

'Social service?'

'They said they could send him to some assistance centre, for those who struggle in life, but this idea just scares me. He's not a drunkard or junkie, he just doesn't remember.'

Doctor breathed heavily. 'He's completely healthy now...'

'But he's got nothing... not even a name...' Aeri was feeling sad for him. She liked to chit-chat with him, he seemed to be very engaging person.

'So he'll have to start a new life with new identity. Well, as far I know there are a lot of people that would want to be in his place. Tell him that, as comforting information. Because we have to tell him also, that we'll discharge him in next week.' He started to walk away, but he stopped and turned around to say something more to the shocked nurse. 'Oh, tell him also, that he should take surname Jo... or Do! Because you know – in American shows... unknown people... John Doe...' As he saw again the weird look on nurse's face, finally walked away, shouting into the air. 'Never mind!'

Aeri bit her lip, as it was her habit and kind of stress relief. She spoke to herself. 'And of course I have to do that...'

She sighed and cleared her mind to enter the room with a smile. Even though she tried to hide her anger, the man immediately looked at her, because he sensed something. She was avoiding his eyes, as she was approaching his bed.

He was in much better condition, after all of this time. Hair was washed and tied in bun showing his face, without the bruises. Even with dishevelled hair he already was enrapturing everyone with his handsomeness and right now it was even better. His beauty was not typical, but it was compelling.

Earlier he was smiling at the man beside him, but as soon as he saw her attitude, his smile faded. Finally she stood in front of him, she took a deep breath and wanted to say something but he interrupted her.

'You're discharging me?'

He guessed correctly, so she just put an apologetic face and spoke after a moment of silence. 'Yes...'

'When?'

'Next week.'

He became quiet. This place somehow became his home. How it will feel like to leave it? He didn't want to do that.

'But Gil Dong...' Aeri wanted to appease him, yet he became slightly irritated.

'I told you that I don't like this name. Also I think I'm older than you.'

'You think?' She looked at him suspiciously. 'But do you know, when you've been born?'

He didn't know how to answer, because there was no such an information in his head. She slid the curtain, as it could've stopped the neighbour from eavesdropping. 'Hey, listen... I really don't know what could've been the reason for your hiding, but if police don't have you on wanted list, then whatever you've done...'

He raised his hand, halting her from continuing. 'I know what all of you think, that I'm faking it. Fine, great. I will go out of the hospital straight to my home from which I've been running. You know, I'm a heir of really rich family and they don't want me to pursuit my dreams of charity.'

She felt guilty again, from pushing him into uncomfortable area.

'That was a joke, if you didn't catch. I don't know who I am. This is the truth. I also I know that I don't like the name Gil Dong.' He firmly said.

'As for that... I've talked with doctor Ahn and he suggested surname Jo or Do... as John Doe, or something like that, as he said it...'

'You see? He's the only one that takes it seriously.' He made a break for a second. Then he continued with more collected voice. 'What should I do after I'm discharged?'

'Well...' She bit her lips and pouted.

He rested his head on the pillow behind. 'Great, just great.'

'There is still a week, we'll figure something out. It's just the fact, that you're healthy right now, so you should really start new life...'

He didn't look at her. 'Ok. Still, thank you. For at least trying...'

'Everything will be alright.' She smiled and walked out. She didn't know, that the man was escorting her out with his eyes.

'You are left stranded, aren't you?' The man from the bed beside grabbed the curtain and peaked at the young patient.

'Thank you, grandpa. You're genuinely helpful.'

The old geezer just laughed. 

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