Liberation (5)
“It’s finally here.”
Choi Ki-seok stood at the entrance to the apartment complex.
I returned home after a year and three months. I stood in place, filled with emotion, and then belatedly started walking.
The morning after rush hour, the apartment complex was quiet.
All you can see is a security guard brushing his hair and a few middle-aged women taking a walk.
Beep beep beep.
I got into the elevator, stood in front of the door, and opened the door lock.
The house was quiet.
My parents are at work and my younger brother is working at a famous restaurant.
From now on, I have to be alone at home for half a day.
“Wal! Wal! Wal!”
The general approached him, wagging his tail, but when he saw him, he made a sullen expression.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been here, but it’s so nice.”
Choi Ki-seok threw the envelope in his hand onto the sofa and then lifted Jang-gi up with both hands. The general seemed displeased with his appearance, avoiding his gaze and licking his nose with his tongue.
“You really turned into a pig while I wasn’t even seeing you.”
He smiled and lowered the general to the floor.
Then the general lay down on his stomach on the seat by the window.
So-called dog mushi.
But today, I was even happy to see you.
Choi Ki-seok took a shower in the bathroom and looked around the house in comfortable clothes.
Nothing particularly changed in the meantime.
However, what stands out are the scrap articles posted on one wall of the living room.
These articles are all about him.
It seems that the mother worked separately, perhaps because she was proud of her son who was in the media.
Choi Ki-seok looked through the articles and smiled bitterly.
So close.
Unlike my previous life as an orphan, I now have a family.
Nevertheless, because I was unable to share affection with my family or make memories while working as a doctor. Moreover, if you train at Meijo, the same situation will repeat itself.
Choi Ki-seok suddenly had this thought.
I wonder if I might be giving up too much in the process of becoming a true thoracic surgeon.
I went into my room and texted my parents and younger brother that I had arrived home.
Since everyone was working, I was reluctant to make phone calls.
“Whoa…”
Choi Ki-seok stretched out on the bed.
It was incomparably softer than the bed in the duty room. A smile automatically appeared on my lips.
I closed my eyes without even covering myself with the blanket.
I wanted to sleep comfortably now that there is no call phone.
How much time has passed?
Choi Ki-seok jumped up and scratched his head. Since it was my usual working time, I couldn’t sleep at all.
I had no choice but to bring the textbooks that had been left on the sofa.
The first thing I looked at was the USMLE textbook.
Step 1 evaluates basic medical subjects such as anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology.
The test time is 8 hours and a total of 322 questions are to be solved.
Step 2 CK is similar to Korea’s medical examination. However, unlike the Korean medical examination, which focuses on internal and external calculations, it has the characteristic of asking questions from a variety of fields.
“This is it.”
Choi Ki-seok glanced through the textbook and nodded slightly.
To be honest, I wasn’t afraid of the American medical examination in Korea. Because I didn’t deviate too much from what I studied during medical school.
I leaned against the back of the bed and started looking at the TOEFL book.
The TOEFL textbook was also easily read.
A gem that doubles foreign language learning ability and a gem that doubles foreign language conversation ability.
These two gems are thanks to the fact that my English level has improved significantly through studying.
“The test will be no problem?”
Choi Ki-seok burst out laughing.
* * *
That evening.
A luxury car stopped in the restaurant parking lot.
Soon, Choi Ki-seok and his family got out of the car together. A meal was prepared to celebrate his departure.
“I’m sure everyone will like it.”
Younger brother Choi Jun-ki confidently took the lead, and the family followed.
After receiving guidance from the manager, I arrived at the window on the second floor. I was able to immediately recognize that it was a famous place with a view of the surrounding scenery.
“Thanks to my younger brother, I came to a place like this?”
Choi Ki-seok looked around and muttered.
Even though it was a little early, the tables were full of people.
This was the fate of a famous chef and the workplace of Choi Jun-ki.
After my father ordered a course meal, the real family time came.
“How is hospital life?”
The blunt father asked first.
“It was a little difficult at first, but now I can do it. It will become more doable in the future.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“Mom doesn’t know how proud she is of our Kiseok. Even after receiving a heart transplant, he is overcoming the difficult life of a doctor. Everyone around him says he is amazing.”
“It’s thanks to everyone’s concern.”
Choi Ki-seok smiled sheepishly and used the eyes of Hippocrates on his parents and younger brother.
I was relieved to see that everyone was healthy.
He is usually sensitive to the health of his family and people around him.
Without health, there is no happiness.
Because I felt that fact with my whole body in the hospital.
“Are you taking your immunosuppressants well?”
“I’ve never missed one.”
“The Department of Thoracic Surgery at Uijin University has been a hot topic these days. Isn’t it busy?”
My father changed the topic.
“It’s incredibly busy compared to before, but it’s bearable.”
Choi Ki-seok made eye contact and reassured his family.
If you tell them the actual workload, everyone will be shocked.
“How’s your job, Dad?”
“I don’t have any problems either.”
My father answered briefly and drank some water.
“What about Mom?”
“What can I do? And if I had, it would have already reached your ears.”
Choi Ki-seok and Choi Jun-ki burst into laughter at their mother’s words.
My mother has the exact opposite personality from my father.
While the father was blunt and did not express his emotions, the mother had a lively personality and shared her true feelings without hesitation.
“I’m doing well too. My job is still washing dishes and preparing ingredients, but my immediate superior is teaching me some techniques.”
“Okay. That went well.”
“If Ki-seok becomes a successful thoracic surgeon and Jun-ki becomes a famous chef, our family will flourish.”
“It has to be like that.”
My father nodded at my mother’s words.
While there was a moment of silence, Choi Ki-seok looked at the faces of his family.
I was extremely satisfied with the atmosphere of this place.
“Appetizers are here.”
The waitress put the dishes on the table.
“I will introduce Jihyun.”
At Choi Jun-ki’s words, the waitress winked and left.
“This is crab meat soup with shiitake mushrooms, this is salmon salad with kiwi dressing, and this is garlic bread with double cream cheese.”
“As expected, the prospective chef is different?”
“This is it.”
Choi Jun-ki shrugged his shoulders at Choi Ki-seok’s praise.
The meal started with appetizers.
Choi Ki-seok was enthralled by the high-quality course meal he tasted for the first time.
The food that came out showed off different tastes and toyed with his tongue. I felt sorry for thinking that the price of the course meal was too expensive.
It would be nice to come back again with Jeong Seol-hwa in the future.
Time passed and dessert time came.
“I… I have something to tell you.”
As soon as Choi Ki-seok started singing, the family’s attention focused on him.
“Not long ago, I was contacted by the head of the Thoracic Surgery Department at Meijo Hospital. He suggested that I train at Meijo Hospital.”
“Mayjo? This is my first time hearing this name… Is this a foreign hospital?”
“Yes. It’s a hospital in Minnesota, USA. You can easily think of it as the best university hospital in the US.”
He continued by answering his father’s question.
“So… I want to quit my medical school residency and go to Meijo Hospital.”
Choi Ki-seok’s bombshell declaration created a tense atmosphere.
No one in the family spoke first.
“I have decided to become the best thoracic surgeon, so I want to train at the best hospital. I hope you will allow me.”
“…I am against it.”
My mother was the first to answer.
“It’s impossible to go all the way to the United States when you’re already going through enough hardships. There will be language issues and racial issues… Don’t suffer for no reason.”
“Mom. Opportunities like this don’t come around often. If it’s not now, I might never get around to it again.”
In fact, it is thanks to Song Myeong-jin that he can dream of becoming a Mayjo.
If it weren’t for Song Myeong-jin, how would an Asian who couldn’t even finish the first year of residency get into Meijo?
If there is any problem with Song Myeong-jin, it will be impossible for him to go to Mayjo.
“Have you made any plans to go and live there?”
My father, who had been silent, asked.
“Yes. You can pass the domestic test and move to the United States. You can live at Manager Song’s house, and if you pass the interview, you can live in the dormitory.”
“…then try it.”
“honey!”
“Did you forget what we promised when Ki-seok was in surgery?”
My father’s voice rose for the first time.
“I decided to let Ki-seok do whatever he wants. It’s a miracle that he came back alive, so I decided to let him enjoy his life because he might fall again.”
“….”
“Wasn’t that why you didn’t stop me from wanting to become a doctor in the first place?”
“That’s it… but.”
“Let’s let him do what he wants to do. Our job is to watch over Kiseok, not to decide which path to take.”
“…all right.”
“I agree with you too. Even if you two stop me, I’m sure you’re not going to go anyway, right?”
Choi Jun-gi looked at Choi Ki-seok and smiled.
“Then it’s settled now. The whole family is in favor of your going to America.”
“thank you.”
Choi Ki-seok bit his lip and suppressed his overwhelming emotions.
I promise to repay my family’s trust with results.
* * *
The next day.
Choi Ki-seok visited the main auditorium of Seoul Jeongmo Hospital.
This is to attend an ultrasound training course hosted by the Korean Thoracic Surgery Association.
Quite a number of thoracic surgeons gathered in the main auditorium.
I thought it was unexpected, so I counted the number and it seemed like there were about 200 people.
I was able to see that there are many thoracic surgeons who are looking for a way out of their difficult lives.
Soon, the lecture began with the moderator leading the way.
The first lecture was about why ultrasound examinations should be performed in thoracic surgery, examination methods, reading tips, etc.
The second lecture is practical.
Doctors formed groups of five and learned test methods from practitioners.
Ki-Seok Choi recorded a video of the practical class through the eyes of the dragon.
It was noon when the training ended.
‘Busy, busy.’
I left the hospital in a hurry and got on the bus.
I never thought my first off-duty after 100 days on duty would be this breathless.
While he was thinking about this, a man tapped his shoulder.
“Hey. Aren’t you going to the Military Manpower Administration? Get off quickly.”
The man’s words brought him to his senses.
Ki-Seok Choi quickly stamped his transportation card and got off the bus.
If he had stayed lost in his thoughts, he would have been late for the physical examination.
“Thank you,”
he bowed his head to the man and expressed his gratitude. .
“But how did you know that I was going to the Military Manpower Administration?”
“It’s obvious that there are men taking this bus at this time.”
The man chuckled.
“If it’s okay, would you like to go with me?”
“Sure.”
Choi Ki-seok took the man all the way to the Military Manpower Administration. We went together.
As we exchanged our names, I found out that the man’s name was Kang Seong-beom and that he was 22 years old. In addition, Kang Seong-beom’s personality was so friendly that he quickly became my older brother and younger brother. ‘Nothing will happen, right?
‘
His eyes were fixed on the approaching Military Manpower Administration building.
I wanted to resolve my military service issue before training in the United States. So I copied the medical records at Jinseong University Hospital yesterday and decided to get a physical examination today.
“Brother. “Don’t be too jealous of me later.”
“Why?”
“I had disc surgery. I’ll probably get to level 4.”
“Really? I…”
Choi Ki-seok tried to speak but was cut off mid-way.
The Military Manpower Administration is just around the corner.
