Chapter 22 — The White Coat Oath

One month after the downline support program was secured, Khoa received an email that made him think for days before deciding to share it with Yen. That was an invitation to participate in a fellowship program specializing in advanced laparoscopic surgery at a prestigious hospital in Singapore, lasting for one year.

"This is a rare opportunity," Khoa said, showing the letter to Yen during dinner in her small apartment, his voice filled with complexity. "This program only accepts a very limited number of young doctors from across Southeast Asia each year. If I participate, I will be trained directly by leading experts in the field of laparoscopic surgery."

Yen read the letter carefully, clearly feeling the complex contradiction rising in her heart - both happy for Khoa's great opportunity, and at the same time a vague worry about the upcoming distance if he decided to accept the invitation. “This is really a great opportunity,” she said, trying to keep her voice calm. "What do you think about this?"

"I'm really confused," Khoa replied honestly, holding her hand across the dining table. "On the one hand, this is an opportunity for me to improve my expertise and be able to bring back many advanced techniques that can be applied to domestic patients in the future. But on the other hand, we just got engaged, and I don't want to let the distance affect our relationship, especially right at this important time."

"I don't want you to give up such a good opportunity just because of me," Yen said, although her mind couldn't help but be filled with chaotic thoughts. "Your career is no less important than mine. If this is truly what you want, I will support you fully."

"But I also don't want to trade my time with you just for personal ambition," Khoa replied, his eyes full of concern. "Especially when we are in an important period, preparing for our shared future."

The two spent the entire evening together carefully considering and discussing every aspect of this important decision. Yen shared frankly about her worries, not hiding her true feelings, while Khoa also clearly expressed his concerns about being separated from the person he loves for a long time.

"I think," Yen said after a moment of contemplation, "the most important thing is not whether this decision is right or wrong, but that we make the decision together, based on mutual understanding and respect, instead of one of us having to sacrifice completely for the other."

"You're right," Khoa nodded, his eyes softening. "So let's learn more about this program together, see if there is any plan to help reduce the distance, such as you can visit me periodically, or I can arrange to return home for short vacations."

In the following days, Khoa contacted the program organizers directly to find out more details, while Yen also spent time seriously thinking about her ability to adapt if she had to maintain a long-distance relationship for a year, while both were busy with work and future plans.

One evening, Yen went to Associate Professor Truong asked for advice, unable to hide the confusion in his heart. "What do you think about Khoa's opportunity? I really want to support him, but I can't help but worry."

Associate Professor Truong pondered for a moment before responding, his voice full of thought. "I think, this decision should be completely up to both of you, based on what is truly most important to your relationship. I can only share that, in a medical career, valuable learning opportunities like this do not always come a second time."

He paused for a moment, his eyes becoming softer. "But I also believe that if the love between you two is strong enough, the temporary geographical distance will not be able to shake it. Sometimes, it is challenges like this that help us better realize the true value of the relationship we have."

That advice made Yen feel somewhat relieved, giving her a clearer perspective to help Khoa make the final decision. She decided to fully support Khoa's decision, no matter the final outcome, believing that their love is strong enough to overcome any challenges ahead.

That weekend, Yen met Minh Thu to share her concerns, unable to hide the rare contemplation on her always radiant face. "I really don't know what to advise Khoa," she confided, gently stirring the iced tea in front of her. "On one hand I want to support him wholeheartedly, on the other hand I'm afraid a year apart will make things more difficult, especially since we just got engaged."

"Do you think your relationship is so fragile that a year of separation can break it?" Minh Thu asked again, her eyes full of understanding but no less straightforward. "I have seen you two overcome so many hardships, from Dr. Phat's incident to work pressure. I believe, geographical separation is just a small challenge compared to what you two have gone through together."

"Maybe you're right," Yen sighed, her face relaxing a bit. "Maybe I'm worrying too much. But I still can't help but think about whether we've only been engaged for a few months but have been apart for a whole year. Is this a too hasty start?"

"I think, because you two are about to enter a long-term married life, you need to learn to trust and support each other in each other's individual careers," Minh Thu replied, her voice full of sincerity. "Marriage doesn't mean having to be together twenty-four out of twenty-four hours. Sometimes, temporary distance helps both appreciate each other more."

Those sincere words of sharing made Yen feel much more relieved, helping her look at the problem with a more positive, open perspective. She decided to proactively talk frankly with Khoa, and together make a specific plan to maintain a strong relationship during the time he is away.

That evening, when Khoa stopped by Yen's apartment after her shift, she proactively spoke first, her voice much steadier than a few days ago. "I've thought carefully, Khoa. I want you to accept my invitation to participate in the fellowship program. This is a valuable opportunity, and I believe our feelings are strong enough to overcome this temporary gap."

Khoa looked at her, his eyes both surprised and touched by that obvious change. "Are you sure? I don't want you to force yourself just because you want me to be happy."

"I'm absolutely sure," Yen replied, holding his hand tightly, her eyes steady. "I believe in you, believe in ourselves. And I think, your learning more advanced techniques will also bring great benefits to our own work in the future, when applied to domestic patients."

Khoa hugged her, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, for believing in and supporting me so much. I promise, wherever I am, my heart will always be with you, and I will return as soon as I complete the program, ready for the married life that we both have been waiting for together."

Together, the two make specific plans for the upcoming period — Yen will try to arrange to visit Khoa at least twice a year during rare breaks, while Khoa promises to maintain regular video calls every night, even though both time zones and busy schedules may cause many difficulties.

"We should also agree on when to hold the wedding," Khoa said, his voice becoming more serious. "I think we can plan to organize it right after I complete my graduate program and return home, so we don't have to rush to prepare while I'm still far away, and have enough time for everything to take place most thoughtfully."

"I completely agree," Yen replied, smiling at that thoughtfulness. "So we have a clear milestone to work towards together, instead of just vaguely waiting for who knows when."

A few days later, Khoa officially sent a letter confirming his participation in the fellowship program, marking a new turning point in his career, and also the beginning of a new challenge in their relationship - a challenge that both Yen and Khoa believe that, with the love and understanding that has been firmly built over the past time, they can completely overcome together.

The night before Khoa sent the confirmation letter, he wrote Yen a short handwritten letter, tucked away in her duty book for her to unexpectedly find the next morning. Those simple but emotional words made Yen unable to hold back her tears right in the middle of the duty room, feeling more fully than ever how lucky she was to have a companion who understood and appreciated her so much.