Page 73 of You Had Me At Annyeong!
‘Where? Where does it hurt?’ Timira weakly points to her forehead. Like always, it’s hidden behind her now-overgrown fringe so Haneul has to push it away to see what could be bothering her. He finds nothing wrong, no cut, no bruise, nobump even. But Timira continues to grimace, looking like she’s in obvious pain.
Haneul, who has been sitting on the ground on one knee, cradling Timira with one arm and his knee while supporting her neck with his other arm, slowly starts to lift her up.
Something’s definitely bothering her. And why is she this sleepy? Is it some medicine? Is it from the incident in the afternoon? Is she unwell? I should take her to the ER.
‘Timira, hold on, okay? I’m going to help you up. Relax your body and hold on to me!’
‘But I don’t want to get up. Can’t I just sleep here?’
Should I call Choi Bujangnim? Or Hanee maybe? What if someone else finds us? Good lord, more awkwardness for Timira to deal with. I’m such a loser—can’t do anything right!
‘Timira, you’ll sleep soon, okay? Let me take you to your room. Hold on tight!’
Obediently, Timira wraps her arms around Haneul’s neck as he slowly, gently lifts her body up and off the ground. Once she’s on her feet, he bends just a little over.
‘Hop on!’
‘I can walk. I feel …’ She wants to say ‘fine’ but doesn’t manage to finish the sentence as her feet wobble a little and her head feels woozy again.
Who am I kidding? I’m not fine! My stupid head feels like a gas balloon. The medicine didn’t help at all. Stupid videshi dawaai!
‘Timira, now!’
Timira, as careful as she can possibly be in her daze, climbs on to Haneul’s back.
She’s still light as a feather. Does this girl not eat?
They’ve been walking for a few minutes now and Timira feels a little less sleepy and a tad more aware than before.
‘Um, my room is the other way …’
‘I know. We aren’t going to your room.’
He isn’t taking me back to my room? Where is he taking me? Why has nobody found us yet? Why hasn’t Honey called me back? Am I in a dream?
Haneul bursts Timira’s thought bubble. ‘Is your head still hurting a lot?’
Timira, having forgotten all about it, is reminded of it and, as if on cue, her temples start to throb in pain.
‘No, no, no pain. I’m fine,’ she lies through gritted teeth.
This is so embarrassing. I can’t believe I’m on my boss’ back. On my gorgeous boss’ back. The gorgeous boss I definitely have a crush on. The gorgeous boss I have a crush on but who has an even more gorgeous fiancée. And here I am, India’s greatest klutz, making India proud in phoren. Utha le mujhe, Bhagwan!
Haneul is quiet. He’s walking towards the car park to drive Timira to the nearest ER.
‘Haneul-ssi, you can put me down. I can walk now.’
‘And what if you can’t? What if you fall again? Stay where you are and keep holding on!’
It’s now Timira’s turn to go quiet. She tries to hide her face, but on finding that it’s only the vast expanse of Haneul’s wide back she can bury it into, drops the idea.
I could die of embarrassment. Argh! But good lord, what a beautiful and strong back!What is this thing of beauty? Good grief! Are these muscles for real?Not bad at all for my first adult piggyback … Er, hold up. Wait a minute!
Timira leans her head back a little and takes a good look at Haneul’s back.
Why does it look familiar? What is this intense sense of déjà vu?! Now where have I seen this before?
For a few weeks now, Timira has been consistently dreaming of being at a beach. Of watching the sunset, laughing with someone. Someone whose face is always hidden behindshadows. Per the sweet old Bali doctor’s advice, she hadn’t at all tried to remember all that she had forgotten in Bali. But these recent dreams have given her hope that she might finally be on the verge of regaining her memory.
