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Psst! We're moving!
July 4, 2023
“This probably doesn’t even need an explanation, does it?”
“…!”
“See? It’s clearly a boy.”
The fetus proudly displayed its male presence on the ultrasound monitor. He was truly Dojun’s son. Hae-joo burst into laughter at his undeniably confident posture.
“What kind of conception dream did you have?”
“Dojun had one where he held a lively puppy in his arms.”
“That’s definitely a dream about a son. Congratulations!”
As they left the hospital, Dojun seemed to have become quieter. Hae-joo took his hand and checked his expression.
“What are you thinking about?”
“That when the baby is born, he won’t be ordinary.”
“…?”
“He’s going to be quite extraordinary.”
“What were you like when you were little, Dojun?”
“I was a handful. My father even told me to go back into my mother’s womb.”
This time, Hae-joo was speechless. She suddenly felt scared, even though the baby hadn’t been born yet.
“That much?”
“Don’t worry. Still, I ate well.”
“O-okay.”
After that, busy days passed. Before long, Hae-joo was completing her ninth month of pregnancy. Over the long winter, her baby bump grew significantly.
“Oh no! My feet are swollen like an elephant’s again.”
“Oh dear.”
Recently, Hae-joo’s feet often swelled due to pregnancy complications. Each time, Dojun personally gave her a massage. Her small feet, relative to her height, were adorably plump. Dojun, in a playful mood, took a flower from a vase and placed it between her toes.
“Take this. It’s my heart.”
“You’re truly wicked!”
Dojun, who had recently cut back on work, came home early to match his usual quitting time. Their daily life, no different from any newlywed couple, was nothing but peaceful for them. Then, Dojun’s business trip to Busan was scheduled. Unfortunately, it was two days past Hae-joo’s due date. The hospital said that since it was her first pregnancy, the baby might come later. Hae-joo’s heart felt anxious that Dojun would be away after days of living in constant tension.
“How long will you be gone?”
“I’ll be flying back tomorrow, so just bear with it a little longer.”
Dojun, just in case, asked Hyunseong to look after Hae-joo. He left with reluctant steps and boarded the KTX. As soon as he arrived, he busied himself with his schedule. By the time he finally caught his breath, it was almost 10 PM.
“CEO, you worked hard today. Please rest well at the accommodation.”
Dojun and Director Song had just arrived at a hotel in Haeundae. While they were ordering a late dinner, Hyunseong called. Dojun put down his chopsticks and picked up his phone.
“Yes, what’s wrong?”
Dojun spoke calmly. But from the other end of the phone, Hyunseong’s panicked voice rang out urgently.
-I’m home now, and Hae-joo unnie’s water just broke!
“Her water broke?”
-Unnie said she felt strange, and then suddenly...
“Put Hae-joo on the phone.”
-Unnie’s in the bathroom.
“Call 911 or something, and get to the hospital quickly.”
-I will!
Dojun’s mind went blank. He pushed away his unfinished meal and fumbled around, not knowing what to do.
“CEO, what happened?”
“Hae-joo’s water seems to have suddenly broken.”
“Calm down. Nothing serious will happen.”
Director Song urgently looked for a train ticket back to Seoul. However, it was already difficult to make a reservation. Just as he was about to look for the fastest flight, Dojun’s phone rang. It was Hae-joo.
“Hae-joo!”
-Dojun, I just called an ambulance.
“Did a lot of water come out?”
-I felt something leaking down there, and then it happened.
“You’re not in pain?”
-My lower abdomen is cramping and it hurts.
“Just wait a little. I’ll get there somehow.”
-There’s no need to rush. It’s my first birth, so the baby won’t come out right away.
Hae-joo was breathing heavily but still reassured Dojun. Unable to calm down, he rubbed his flushed face. For now, there was nothing he could do but soothe Hae-joo.
“Keep breathing as you learned in the hospital.”
-I will.
The call ended, but Dojun’s anxiety and nervousness were just beginning. He lit up with determination to get to Seoul somehow and abruptly pulled out his suitcase.
“It seems the only way to get to Seoul right now is by taxi.”
“From Busan to Seoul?”
“Yes.”
“What about a rental car?”
“It’s almost 11 PM already.”
“Right.”
Dojun had been eagerly anticipating the day he would meet his first child, his son. He was excited about meeting the soon-to-be-born baby, but he was caught off guard by an unforeseen variable. His stomach churned, fearing he might miss his son’s birth.
“Even by taxi, it’ll take more than four hours.”
If the baby was born during that time, it would be a disaster. It was unfortunate that his business trip was scheduled at such a crucial time, messing things up.
“First, cancel all my appointments for tomorrow.”
“Understood.”
“Director Song, you take the train tomorrow. I’ll get to Seoul somehow.”
“Let’s go together.”
Director Song contacted the hotel front desk and asked for a taxi that could go to Seoul. While packing their bags and checking out, they were introduced to a taxi.
“That driver said he’d take you to Seoul.”
“That’s a relief.”
“But you’ll have to negotiate the fare.”
Outside, they saw an old sedan with a taxi sign. The owner of the car, labeled “Model Taxi,” was a rather young man brimming with enthusiasm.
“You’ll drive to Seoul?”
“Ah, yes!”
“It’s urgent, so please go as fast as possible.”
“Since it’s Seoul, you’ll have to pay for a round trip...”
Before the taxi driver could finish his sentence, Dojun pulled out his wallet. Without a moment’s hesitation, he mixed checks and cash and put it into the driver’s hand.
“Is this enough?”
“This much?”
“It’s urgent, so let’s go quickly.”
“I’ll get you there safely and quickly. Get in!”
The taxi driver grinned, having received three times the amount he had intended to ask for. Having slept well during the day, his face exuded confidence.
“What’s your destination address?”
Dojun gave him Hyunwoo’s hospital. The taxi, having confirmed the address, slowly picked up speed and started driving.
“By the way, I... your face looks familiar.”
Having just showered at the hotel, Dojun’s bangs covered his forehead. Dojun sharply retorted to the taxi driver, who was looking in the rearview mirror with a puzzled expression while driving.
“Focus on driving.”
“Yes.”
The low, deep warning was chilling. It would be a big problem if an accident occurred during night driving and a continuous highway journey. Dojun was now a father and Hae-joo’s husband. As the head of the family, he had a reason to stay safe, so he was more cautious than before.
“It’s okay to turn on the radio so I don’t fall asleep, right?”
Dojun turned his gaze out the window. Director Song nodded to the embarrassed taxi driver, telling him it was fine. Just then, Dojun’s phone rang. It was Hyunseong’s call, so he quickly answered.
“Yes, Hyunseong!”
-We’ve arrived at the hospital, and Hae-joo unnie has gone in for examination.
“No other problems?”
-She seems fine so far.
“Okay. Just a little more trouble for you.”
-I’ll call again.
He was relieved that Hyunseong was by Hae-joo’s side. Dojun could only pray that he would arrive at the hospital before the baby was born.
“CEO, nothing serious will happen.”
“I hope not.”
The taxi driver, having overheard the conversation, once again realized Dojun’s urgency. He accelerated, feeling a sense of mission to arrive quickly. Moreover, the aura of the passenger he picked up late at night was unusual, making him want to drop them off as soon as possible. The taxi was filled with the soft sound of a late-night radio show. As everyone fell silent, Dojun’s phone rang again.
“Hyunseong!”
-CEO, my brother wants to talk to you. Just a moment.
“Oh, okay.”
There was a clattering sound from the other end of the phone. As Dojun, tense, bit his lower lip, Hyunwoo answered the call.
-CEO Park?
“Yes, speak.”
-I just checked the mother’s condition; her cervix is already 4 cm dilated.
“That means...”
-Labor has already started. The birth might happen faster than expected.
“Phew, so this happened when I wasn’t there.”
-We’ll monitor her closely at the hospital, so don’t worry too much and drive safely.
“Thank you.”
-I’ll put the mother on the phone. Just a moment.
The chaotic noise coming through the phone made Dojun even more anxious. Sweat beaded on his hands at the news that labor had already begun.
-Dojun.
“Yes, Hae-joo? Are you in a lot of pain?”
-It’s bearable for now. It hurts and then it’s fine again.
“They have an injection that prevents pain during labor, right? Ask them for that.”
-They said I’ll get the epidural later. They’ll know what to do.
“I’ll get there as fast as I can. I’m sorry.”
-Just arrive safely.
Fortunately, Hae-joo’s voice was calm. Dojun, somewhat relieved, ended the call and rubbed his chest.
“You even know about epidurals. It seems you’ve studied quite a bit about pregnancy and childbirth?”
Director Song chuckled and asked. Dojun, fidgeting nervously before the birth of his first child, even seemed cute in his eyes.
“I’ve looked up books and videos, but it still doesn’t feel real.”
“Once you have the baby, you’ll probably think it was better when they were in your womb.”
“Is it that much?”
“After the first birth, your days and nights will flip, and your daily routine will revolve around the baby.”
Director Song was raising a boy and a girl. As a senior who had gone through parenting, he comforted Dojun, whose path of hardship was clear.
“Fellow parent-to-be, please return alive.”
“Ah, seriously!”
Dojun feigned offense at Director Song’s mischievous joke. He had heard that mothers experience postpartum depression after childbirth, which concerned him. Amidst all this, the taxi sped along the highway. After driving for a long time, the taxi driver’s face gradually turned pale. He kept glancing at Dojun before opening his mouth with a dying voice.
“Excuse me.”
“What is it?”
“I think I ate something bad; my stomach hurts. I’ll just stop at the rest area for a moment.”
“Understood.”
Fortunately, there was a rest area nearby, so they briefly exited the highway. The taxi driver turned off the engine and immediately rushed to the restroom. Dojun, who had bought coffee, waited in front of the taxi. But the taxi driver showed no signs of returning.
“Why isn’t he coming?”
“I’ll go check the restroom.”
When the two went to the restroom, the taxi driver had been the first to enter a stall. After a long time had passed, Director Song called out to him from the restroom.
“Taxi driver?”
“Yes, I’m here.”
“Still far?”
“I’m sorry. It seems I have an upset stomach.”
“An upset stomach?”
This was awkward. Just as Director Song checked the time, the taxi driver emerged, clutching his lower abdomen.
“Can you drive?”
“Just a moment.”
As soon as he was asked, the taxi driver rushed back to the toilet. In this sudden unforeseen situation, Director Song called Dojun and informed him.
-Ask for the car keys.
“Are you going to abandon the taxi driver?”
-We have no choice. Tell him to take a bus when one comes.
“Understood.”
Director Song relayed Dojun’s message. The taxi driver was horrified.
“I don’t even know this area, what if you leave me alone?”
“We’re in an urgent situation.”
“I’m done. I’m coming out.”
The taxi driver, having quickly cleaned himself up, came out with an awkward gait. He vigorously washed his hands and lifted his pale face.
“I will drive safely.”
“I’ll drive, give me the car keys.”
Returning to the taxi, the taxi driver rummaged through his usual emergency medicines. Fortunately, there was one stomachache medicine left, and he quickly swallowed it.
Dojun’s expression was chilling. The taxi driver, sensing Dojun’s desire to punish him on the spot, spoke loudly.
“If I drive from now, we’ll arrive in an hour and a half!”
“Forget it, driver. You sit in the back.”
Director Song was already in the driver’s seat of the taxi, adjusting the seat and rearview mirror. The taxi driver nodded and took the back seat by himself.
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