$$ \Huge\color{White}\textrm{EIGHTEEN'S~BED} $$
"This morning at approximately 4:30 AM, a large sinkhole measuring 2 meters by 2 meters was reported on Taeyoung Road. As a result, all vehicle traffic is being completely halted, and it is expected to disrupt the morning commute. Citizens are expressing their anxiety…"
The news from the radio cut off, replaced by the loud rhythm of a trot song. The old man's hand reached for the volume knob, turning it up. A sinkhole in the middle of the city; really, they should have done better with the construction.
I partially opened my eyes, taking in the passing scenery. The old taxi was cluttered with gaudy decorations. The only thought that crossed my mind upon getting in was that I had made a mistake. Rosaries, prayer beads, all sorts of Hindu trinkets—this taxi was a cacophony of noise. I fixed my gaze outside, watching the dawn break between the small buildings.
"Let’s shake off our worries and all come together…"
Frowning at the off-key singing, I realized I had involuntarily let out a groan. The taxi driver shrugged his shoulders and, shifting gears, struck up a conversation.
"You must be tired from the hospital, huh?"
"…Yes."
"Parents?"
His concerned tone made me uncomfortable. I cleared my throat and adjusted my bag.
"No."
"Then, siblings?"
"…No."
"Relatives? But nowadays, relatives don’t even take care of each other, do they?"
The ticking of the turn signal was loud in the cab. The sound ceased as he made a small left turn. Despite appearances, the driver was skilled, smoothly navigating the quiet dawn streets.
"How about a girlfriend?"
"…"
“Is that it—a girlfriend?”
His shoulders bobbed lightly as he gripped the wheel. I tried to catch a glimpse of him in the rearview mirror, but all I could see was his thinning white hair and those odd sunglasses perched atop his head. What did this driver even look like? I tried to picture it but quickly lost interest, sinking deeper into the seat.
"No, just…"
I looked out at the orange-tinted world awakening outside and continued, “a strange one.”
That ended our conversation. After that, he asked a few more questions, but they were just musings to himself that didn’t require a reply. The taxi entered a long tunnel, enveloping us in silence.
Lately, my biggest worry had been Go Yohan. I quietly glanced at the small plastic card in my hand. Each time I looked at it, a feeling of unease settled in my chest, so I turned my gaze back to the window. I was still wearing the clothes from yesterday. Yesterday, I just wanted to stay in that hospital room. After the second surgery, I had spent quiet moments staring at Go Yohan, who was still under the effects of anesthesia.
Suddenly, when it felt like time was dragging on endlessly, I absentmindedly poked his unmoving finger.
A finger that lay still, not responding to my touch. Seeing his lack of reaction sent waves of anguish through me.
The taxi sped out of the tunnel, revealing a world darker than the inside. Fatigue washed over me, but I kept my eyes open. My mind was sharpening. In the distance, the symbol of the school came into view. I pulled out my wallet from my bag.
“...Just drop me off up ahead, please.”
“Sure thing. I’ll let you out there.”
“…”
Such a peculiar way of speaking.
After getting out of the taxi, I began walking toward the dorm, my mind racing. I needed to change my clothes and take a shower. I should close my eyes for a bit before class at 9 AM.
Suddenly, my stomach growled.
“…”
Oh, I would’ve been mortified if someone were sitting next to me. Come to think of it, I hadn’t eaten anything all day while watching over the sleeping Go Yohan. Should I just hold off? But then I remembered the convenience store nearby.
“Maybe I should grab some ramen…”
Standing on the quiet street, I hesitated before finally moving toward the convenience store. Oddly enough, despite the situation, my stomach was still grumbling. Humans really are such instinctual creatures, I thought with a self-deprecating smile. If I ate and then fell asleep, I would surely miss my 9 AM class.
This semester was a total disaster. Yet, my steps didn’t falter.
I had no complaints. Go Yohan hadn’t asked me to come stay with him, but I found myself sacrificing sleep and skipping classes just to be at the hospital. Even knowing the reasons, I couldn’t stop myself from straying from the path. Sometimes, while watching Go Yohan sweating through his rehab sessions, an inexplicable emotion would wash over me, making me grip my sleeves or pant legs tightly, all while wearing a blank expression.
Yet, there were upsides to this life.
Go Yohan had told me that adding a tuna triangle gimbap to spicy stir-fried ramen made it exceptionally delicious. I thought it was odd that he knew something like that, but then again, it was Go Yohan—nothing about him was surprising.
A strange one. What better description could there be for Go Yohan?
As I neared the brightly lit convenience store, my mouth watered.
The hunger was intensifying. I slipped the caregiver’s pass into my pocket and walked down the darkening early morning street. Daybreak was slowly approaching.