Page 71 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘I beg your pardon. I have a mind of my own, thank you very much. Nobody has “hidden” me away!’ Mina is smarting a little.
‘I’m sorry if I offended you. It wasn’t my intention at all. I guess what I meant was you’re stunning. Your betrothed is a lucky guy. Would he be jealous if he were watching us right now?’
Watching them from a distance, Timira thinks to herself,yeh dekho! Look at this bugger, just can’t seem to stop himself from being the champion flirt that he is. Aur madame bhi kuch kam nahin. God, truth really is stranger than fiction. Oh, hello, I’m the one who nearly died! Why is no one paying me any attention?
One of her colleagues has brought her a chair and she’s now sitting on it, disgruntled, cold and craving attention. She looks expectantly at Haneul, seeking comfort, but he remains rooted at the spot—oblivious to Timira’s eyes that gaze longingly at him—still breathing heavy, nostrils flaring, fists clenched tight, nails digging deep into his palms. She can’t tell but he is fighting the urge to run to her and hold her. Giving up after looking at him with pleading eyes for a good thirty seconds or so, Timira excuses herself to go up to her room. Still shivering inside the double protection of towels and blankets, she somehow manages to get up from her seat and weakly calls out to Hanee, who has been nervously hanging around for Timira’s any need.
‘Honey!’
Hanee rushes towards her and grabs her by the shoulders.
‘Seonbae, gwenchanayo?’
‘I need to get out of these clothes, Honey.’
‘Geureomyo. Let me take you to your room. Seonbae, do you feel okay to walk? Or shall I have them arrange a wheelchair? I’m sure the hotel has the facility.’
‘Chill, Honey. I’m just damp and cold. Totally unhurt, bubba!’
‘Well, hold on to me tight. Here, grab my arm!’
Timira wobbles a little but with Hanee’s support quickly finds her balance. With one last glance towards Haneul, who is now holding his head with both hands and looking down, she lets Hanee lead her away.
* * *
It’s been under half an hour since Timira left with Hanee, but it feels like an eternity to Haneul, who only noticed their absence upon being broken from his reverie by Mr Choi.
‘Daepyonim, gwenchanhaseyo? The crew is setting up to resume the shoot.’
Haneul doesn’t care.
‘Where is Ms Marak? Is she all right, Bujangnim?’
‘Ah,ye. She is back in her room. About the shoot, Mina-ssi has suggested …’
Haneul still doesn’t care.
He gets up and walks out. He only stops walking when he reaches Timira’s room.
Hanee, after tucking Timira in, steps out of the room, gently shutting the door behind her … only to find a pale-looking Haneul furiously pacing up and down the corridor outside.
‘Omo! Daepyonim!’
‘Is she okay? Is she all right? Is she hurt? Does she have a fever? What can I do? Has a doctor seen her?’
‘Geogjeong hajimaseyo,Daepyonim [Don’t worry, CEO sir]. The hotel doctor has seen her. He gave her medicines to soothe her nerves and help her sleep. I’ve made sure she’s had them. With a glass of warm milk, too. Don’t worry, Daepyonim. She’s all right. I’ve tucked her into bed.’
Honey almost feels proud, like a young mother looking after her infant.
‘Gomawoyo, Hanee-ssi.Jjinja gomawoyo[Truly thank you]!’
‘No sweat, Daepyonim. Shouldn’t you be at the shoot? I’m heading back myself. Shall we go together?’
‘Yes, yes. Of course. Let’s go!’
Feeling a little sad upon seeing Haneul looking wistfully at the shut door, Hanee says, ‘She’ll wake up before dinner, I’m sure,’ in a reassuring voice and with a kind smile.
Poor guy. I know how you feel, Daepyonim. I know exactly how it feels!
