Chapter Twelve #3
‘I’m not sure what exactly you are playing at, Mina-ssi. On the one hand, you want me to get off his back, and, on the other, you are offering to share, or should I say leak, information about him. I want to be of help, but you have to break this down for me a little, please.’
Yoojin is trying his best to pry out details from Mina without having to make a deal.
‘I’ll be honest with you, gijanim . I’m a brand and marketing professional and the heir to Chairman Ri’s businesses.
I care most about what could affect our company geurigo uri ohoejangnim (and our chairman).
I will do what I can to protect both. Please don’t think I’m trying to save Rodrigo-ssi.
He is trouble; you and I both know that.
But I cannot let him or anyone else ruin what my father has painstakingly built over the years! ’
Ah, I see now. I see! She’s willing to sell Rodrigo out so she can save her company. How cute! Mina-ssi, that’s probably not going to happen. You will end up disclosing his secret, AND see your company suffer for it. I will see to it! But, for now, let’s play along!
‘Fair. I promise to not write anything negative that may have happened in Rodrigo’s past while he is playing for your club. Now, let’s hear what secret you are willing to let me in on!’
Mina takes a deep breath. She has mentally prepared for it since the time the idea first occurred to her, but still feels uneasy about it.
Forgive me, Timira, but I must. I hope one day you’ll realize that I did not feel particularly great doing it, but a girl’s got to do what she’s got to do. I have people and things to protect, too.
‘The love that Rodrigo spoke of at his unveiling? The love that he has followed to Seoul? I happen to know who this love is.’
Oh, so it IS true.
‘Right. And you think it is okay to divulge this to me? Without even a shred of concern for this, I presume woman’s privacy?’
‘Well, what can I say, I am ruthless. I have something to protect, and I’m prepared to go to any lengths to do it.’
‘I admire your honesty, Mina-ssi. I can tell we will be of use to one another.’
‘I’m glad we have an understanding!’
‘So, who is this lady then?’
Timira’s sunny countenance flashes before Mina’s eyes.
Seeing her navigate her way around a new job, a new language, a new country, a philandering ex, a boss who likes her but is too afraid to admit it has only made Mina admire her over the past weeks.
Through everything, even Mina’s desperate attempts at shaking her up, Timira has maintained her dignity and has been doing a stellar job at work.
For a brief few seconds, Mina feels ashamed, but quickly shrugs it off as she remembers all that is at stake: her family, her work, her love.
This is the only way to not let Rodrigo affect Appa and the club. And to keep Haneul away from Timira. The only way.
‘Her name is Timira. Timira Leia Marak.’
* * *
Washing Powder Nirma, washing powder Nirma, doodh si safedi Nirma se aaye, rangeen kapda bhi khil khil jaaye, sabki pasand Nir …
Timira has been humming an ad jingle for the Indian detergent brand Nirma that was widely popular when she was growing up back in the 1990s while hanging laundry on the clothesline when her phone announces an incoming call.
Unhappy at being interrupted, Timira grumbles but her face lights up when she reads the name flashing on the screen.
It’s a video call from Alice.
‘ALLY, HIIIIIIII!’ Timira waves maniacally at Alice and sports a huge grin.
‘Timmy, hi, baby! Hang on … Bhaskar, yeobo, Tim’s on the line. Come!’
Turning towards the screen, Alice notices a tub full of clothes.
‘Wow, Tim, have you been doing your own laundry? I’m so proud of you!’
‘Well, technically, the washing machine is …’ Timira giggles at her silly joke.
She opens her mouth to say something but decides against it. She then touches her mouth with her fingers, chuckles some more and blushes a deep red.
I know that look. I’ve seen it before. This has got to be about the boy, the boss boy!
‘Tim, do you have anything to say?’
‘Um, I mean, nothing of great significance but, yeah there is someth—’
‘ Abbe, Tim, aur kitni moti hogi be tu? Korea se Japan bhej denge tujhe, sumo wrestler banne !’ Bhaskar has joined Alice holding two cups of fresh coffee and laughing.
Timira sticks her tongue out at him.
‘ Chup bey! Tere toh saare baal jhar gaye, taklu uncle, despite having a hair doctor wife, bada aaya mere pe comment maarne, chal chal !’
‘You guys, cut it out!’ Alice wants Timira to spill the tea and is annoyed at Bhaskar for cutting in.
‘Timmy, you were saying … ignore Bhaskar, like you usually do.’
‘Oh, haan, yes, so, um, the thing is, um, um …’
Timira is turning progressively redder and her smile brighter.
‘Why are you hesitating so much? Ab kya kar diya tooney, paagal ?’
‘Shut up, Bhaskar. Timira, no more stalling. SPILL!’
‘Yeah, so, um, last night I hung out with my boss.’
‘What’s “hung out” supposed to mean? Were there others or just the two of you?’
‘Just us.’
‘So, it was a date!’
‘Er, not exactly …’
‘Who suggested it?’ Alice is impatient and excited.
‘I did, but not like a “date” date. That wasn’t my intention!’
‘Yeah, sure it wasn’t, you little minx! I see you are taking control. Good for you, girl! So, what happened?’
Timira thinks a little about where to start from—if she should be very detailed, or which parts she could skip, and ultimately decides to start with the climax.
‘He kissed me.’
‘WHAAAAAAATTTT?!’
Bhaskar rolls his eyes, mutters ‘ugh’ under his breath and fakes a yawn. Alice’s eyes shine with excitement as she relishes the thought of what’s about to follow.
‘Tell me EVERYTHING!’ she orders Timira, who is only too happy to oblige, needing absolutely no coaxing.
‘Your mum will be ecstatic to know her child is dating a chaebol heir. Hell, even my mum will be thrilled!’ Alice finally speaks after Timira is done narrating in great detail the incident from the previous night.
‘We are not dating,’ Timira replies in a small voice.
I don’t think we are. I wish we were, though. Are we? I guess it is something so in a way we are. Good grief, why couldn’t this be a little simpler?
‘Yeah, sure. Whatevvs. You’re in a situationship, fine?’
Think I prefer dating. Situationship sounds kinda ugh . Timira wrinkles her nose but doesn’t say anything.
Alice has more questions.
‘Did you guys speak about Bali?’
‘We did. Well, I mean, I brought it up, but he doesn’t seem to remember much …’ Timira’s voice trails off.
‘ Jhooth bol raha hai tera boss !’ Bhaskar yells in the background.
‘Shut up, Bhaskar! Tim, really? He doesn’t remember you?’
‘He sort of does but also doesn’t. I don’t know, maybe he’s also forgotten like I did.’ Timira doesn’t sound very convinced about the plausibility of this explanation, though.
‘YOU had an accident, you fool! He did not break his head. What sort of a man makes out with a woman and forgets? I’m a man and believe me when I tell you idiots that no man forgets. What do you think our locker room chats are all about? He is lying through his bleached, pearly-white teeth!’
‘He has no reason to lie …’
‘He has every reason to! Doesn’t the whole thing seem creepy?
He’s been watching you from afar and has now lured you into his lair …
’ Bhaskar is only half-serious and he’s enjoying watching Timira’s face lose colour every second.
But, he also cannot rule out the possibility, however slight, of this being true.
He doesn’t want to see his best friend get hurt again.
‘Yeobo, stop! Stop freaking her out. Tim, hang on. Don’t listen to what he’s saying. He’s just decided to not like him because according to him, his teeth are too white!’
‘How do you guys know what his teeth are like?’
‘Well, what do you think, Timmy? We looked him up, obviously. We need to know who this guy is that our friend is falling for!’
‘Do you also think he’s a s … st … stalker?’ Timira speaks haltingly, her voice small, her heart sinking a little every minute.
‘No, silly! I think he’s a good guy. I think he’s just embarrassed to tell you he fell for you at first sight and then sought you out!’
‘Or, he genuinely forgot about you after Bali because of your immensely forgettable face!’ Bhaskar guffaws, bringing his face close to the phone.
‘F*** off, Bhaskar!’ Timira and Alice cry in unison.
‘Tim, I think he’s a good one. Ryan says so, too.
He’s known him for a while. And, in Korea, if a chaebol has skeletons in its closet, they are all over the internet for public consumption.
There’s no dirt on him. No news is good news, okay?
So, relax. Maybe he’s forgotten. But, my guess is he’s just feeling shy right now to admit to his intense crush and he eventually will. Give him time.’
Timira feels like a load has been lifted off her shoulders. She can feel her breathing return to normal. Haneul’s smiling countenance is back in her brain and sending her heart racing.
‘So, you plan to tell your mum?’ Alice keeps up the questioning.
‘Certainly not! What am I going to tell her? I’ve been going around kissing someone else’s fiancé? WTH?’
‘Ah, yes. That minor detail.’
‘Yeah, “minor” indeed.’
‘I’m sorry, what? The boss is engaged? Alice, you knew about this?’
Alice ignores him.
‘Oh, don’t fret about it, Timmy darling. This boss of yours definitely likes you. Like, really likes you! And to be honest, he doesn’t seem like a bad guy.’
‘Excuse me? The guy is engaged. And, possibly a stalker, too. First of all, you two liars have hidden it from me, and now one doofus is advising another to do doofus-like things. What’s wrong with you?
He’s just stringing you along, Tim. Aren’t you guys supposed to be feminists?
Huh? This is bullshit! He’s just a player.
Tim, I’m going to tell you again, STAY AWAY!
’ Bhaskar sounds annoyed with Haneul and frustrated with Alice and Timira.