Page 47 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘Why? Why? Why were you worried? Am I a child?’ Timira wails.
Is she really upset because I was worried about her? Did she hit her head? I know she can be erratic … and what was she even doing when I called?
Hanee recalls the image of Timira crouching behind a neatly trimmed shrub and staring intently at something, she doesn’t know what.
Am I visible to Haneul? Can he see me? Or is it too dark?Timira wonders as she massages her knees that feel like Jell-O.
Interrupting the awkwardness, the stadium erupts and crackers go off to announce Seoul Stealers FC’s win.
Finally! I can finally go home. Away from all this madness!
Timira think to herself as she tries to stand up.
‘Here, Seonbae,’ says Hanee, extending her hand. Timira grumbles, but takes it.
Why am I upset with this child? What’s wrong with me? She’s the only person who cares about me. Shame on me! I’m such an ingrate.
Feeling awful for her angry outburst at Hanee, Timira pulls her in for a hug.
Ruffling the top of Hanee’s head and ruining her hair, she coos softly, ‘Mian,uri Honey-ya’, before adding a ‘saranghae’ along with cheek heart signs.
Hanee, crushing hard and unable to resist her crazy senior’saegyocharm, gives in promptly and laughs heartily.
‘Yay, thank you for accepting my apology, my darling Honey. What would I do without you? You know, there’s this very famous song back home about lifelong friendship. Would you like me to sing it for you?’
They are now walking back towards the stadium. Timira’s arm is still around Hanee, who isn’t particularly thrilled about the idea of being just lifelong friends with the object of her affection.She is about to voice her objection but stops herself in the nick of time. As though on cue, Timira opens her mouth to spout some gem about friendship. ‘You know, there’s also this other really famous film—do you watch Hindi films? Bollywood?—that had this really famous line about how friendship is love and love is friendship. So, yeah, this song is also about love, you see. I’ll sing it now, okay? Don’t laugh, okay?’
Hanee’s heart is racing hard like a baby’s that’s still inside its mother’s womb.
Friendship is love and love is friendship. I like this. Geurae, I could live with this!
She had wanted to hear Timira sing since having looked her up on the Internet and stumbling upon karaoke reels on her socials.
They continue to walk to the beat of ‘Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin Todenge’ that Timira sings enthusiastically in an open voice. Hanee, mesmerized, finds that her steps are magically matching the rhythm of the song. Timira continues to sing even as they walk up the stairs leading to the stands, still hugging Hanee, oblivious of people and their stares. Oblivious of even Haneul who has just walked past them, mystery girl in tow.
It is the first time he’s heard her sing since Bali.
If she’s singing, she must be okay. Why is she always falling and getting hurt, though? And why can’t I be around every time to catch her when she falls?
* * *
‘Argh, why are we here?’
‘Because we are supposed to be?’
‘Aren’t we going home?’ Timira groans.
‘After meeting Rodrigo. Er, sorry, Seonbaenim. You’ll be okay, right?’
‘What other choice do I have? Yeah, sure, I’ll be okay!’
The hell I will be! How can I be okay? I’ve just seen the man I think I like (a lot) cozy up to a goddess. And now I must present myself to my ex who cheated on me and cost me my job. The hell I am okay!
The entire SecondSkin team has congregated at the wedding hall in the stadium premises that has been converted into the venue for a sort of informal welcome party for Rodrigo at the invitation of Chairman Ri, beyond thrilled to finally get to meet Rodrigo. The design team girls who had been giddy with excitement since Rodrigo’s name was first mentioned as a possible option for the ambassador’s role can barely keep calm. They have gone to extra lengths for the evening, perfecting their hair, brows, nails and clothes, and their efforts are later rewarded as Rodrigo wastes absolutely no time in making a beeline for and lavishing his attention on them.
A round of hooting and thunderous applause lets Timira know that Rodrigo is in the house. Leaving Hanee—who seems keen to meet Rodrigo but is afraid to show it around Timira—in the company of Mr Choi, Timira has quietly slipped to the back, trying to camouflage with the thick curtains on the French windows, and hoping nobody will miss her or notice her.
Introductions are underway. A short profile of Rodrigo’s—effusive in shallow praise, thinks Timira—is read out by Stephanie. Timira is careful to not laugh out loud and sniggers silently. Stephanie has just passed the mic to Chairman Ri after thanking him for bringing Rodrigo to Korea.
