Chapter 33 - I'll Be Waiting

"- and they don't even give us juniors a gun, Zeng ge. Just a taser. Like, how are we supposed to shoot the bad guys?" Yul complained. Zeng seemed to agree with that cause.

"That's understandable, Yul. You guys are so young and there's also the lack of judgement. It's dangerous to hand you guys such dangerous weapons so early. You need to have more experience, right?" He asked as stirred the vegetables and added some spices, specially minding the chillies as Yul couldn't tolerate much spice.

Frowning, Yul asserted, "But what if during patrolling or investigating, someone pulls out a weapon and attacks us? The seniors won't have to worry. They have guns but how the hell are we going to protect ourselves with just a taser?"

"Hmm," Zeng hummed and took a spoonful of the curry, "Here, taste this," he held it out to Yul. Yul opened his mouth to take in the food. After twirling it in his mouth, he raised his eyebrows in surprise, "It's awesome!"

Zeng smiled, pinching his cheek. Yul was so cute during times like these. Nobody could tell that this guy was a stone-faced, strict police officer when he smiled so sweetly like this. Zeng considered himself fortunate to experience it.

Yul bounced off the countertop to help Zeng serve the plates, forgetting the debate that was about to start.

"You said you can make the salad, right?" Zeng asked. Yul nodded, "I'll do it." He went to the fridge and took out a few more cucumbers, tomatoes and carrots. Meanwhile Zeng arranged the plates and bowls on the dining table. When he was done with the setup, loud thumping sounds came from the kitchen, startling him.

He rushed back to the kitchen to witness Yul smashing the cucumbers with the blunt end of the knife. Some pieces were flying off the chopping board and some trying to escape the brutal massacre.

"Yul..." Zeng called and the said person stopped his hand mid-air, holding the weapon of distruction. "I am assuming that you have never cooked before," he said, cautiously taking the knife out of Yul's hand.

Yul shook his head, "Well, I have cooked before... once... but it didn't go well. So I decided that I won't be getting much into this field."

"Good decision," Zeng drawled, laughing nervously and putting the knife away at a safe distance. "Come on. Let's have dinner," he pulled Yul away from the kitchen.

Dinner too went chatting over how their weeks were. Zeng would serve Yul seconds as he had noticed that the younger guy had this habit of only eating what's on his plate and not taking more. Probably, habits from the academy days where you would be served once and only a specific amount to maintain your weight. The discussion soon shifted to Yul's graduation day and from that to his parents.

"Your father doesn't like me," Zeng stated as a matter of fact as he put the dishes in the sink and turned on the dishwasher.

"Why would you say that?" Yul asked as he followed him everywhere till they reached the couch and relaxed.

"I don't know," Zeng shrugged, "I thought he was angry whenever he looked at me. I'll be very honest here, your dad scares me, Yul." He held up his hands in no offense.

Yul snorted, "Scares you? Shut up, Zeng ge. He's the most loving man I know."

"He's your father!" Zeng stressed, "Of course, he'll be nice to you. Meanwhile, I am an outsider who he may see as a potential threat. He hates me. I know he does." Zeng had already assumed from the way the older Wang was glaring daggers at him that day.

Yul just dismissed it, "But my mom likes you."

Zeng's eyes widened in surprise, filling with some relief, "Really?"

"Yeah," Yul nodded, "She was praising you non-stop after you left. She admires doctors a lot and it's hard to not get charmed by you."

That made Zeng feel proud and a bit shy. He smiled to himself. But had to look up at Yul when he intertwined their hands. He didn't reject it. There was no reason to.

"Did we make any progress?" Yul asked, his voice a mere whisper. Shy Yul was a rare sight to see.

"Yeah we did. I find you attractive. You are smart and strong and handsome and just very charming in person. I am seeing you more than a cute little friend now," Zeng answered in all honesty. He had to suppress a laugh because he couldn't help but tease the cutie before him.

Yul threw a pillow at him, "I am not cute!" However, his expression completely betrayed his statement.

"I believe you," Zeng pinched his cheek. Just when he was starting to get relaxed, he remembered about time and got up. As much as he didn't want to, he had to go back. His intern days were coming to an end. His general surgery practice was left a few weeks more and he had to be fully prepared as a main surgeon for the ER. Just like the practical stuff, constant reading was also important. For doctors, books would always be a part of their lives.

"Gotta go," he said, wearing his coat and slung the bag over his neck. Yul followed him till the door, making the same face every time they parted ways. A sad puppy face.

"When can we meet again?" He asked, leaning on the door.

"Um… Tomorrow night?" Zeng suggested, "I'll stay over. It's my day off on Tuesday anyways."

"Cool!" Yul nodded, smiling happily and hugged Zeng before he took his leave. The hug continued a whole while longer, a bit more tighter as if conveying a message. Zeng received it. Yul had fallen deep and Zeng didn't have the strength to push him away anymore.

He felt that the trial period was enough till now. He shouldn't be toying with Yul anymore if he was going to leave. He shouldn't be toying with Yul anymore if he was going to stay. Zeng felt that the hug delivered a sense of urgency at the same time, a promise of patience from Yul. Either way, it was up to Zeng to decide what route to take.

"Call me when you reach home," Yul said, pulling away.

"Stop treating me like a girl. I am a man, you know," Zeng said, teasing.

Yul shook his head, "It has nothing with you being a man. I just want to know that the person I love has safely reached home."

Zeng blushed and nodded, biting his lip. "See you tomorrow," he said as he stepped out. Yul stayed at the doorway.

"Yeah.. I'll be waiting here for you, Zeng ge."