Chapter Twelve #5
She recalls the afternoon in Jeju when she and Rodrigo met formally for the first time.
How gallantly he had saved Timira, how like a thorough gentleman he had introduced himself to her and enquired about her work, how at the lunch with her father and Haneul Rodrigo had offered her his jacket.
Her heart skips a beat, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine as well as making her uneasy.
Argh! What is wrong with me?
Rodrigo helps her back on her feet.
‘Easy, easy. Do you feel all right? Is your head spinning? Would you like to sit for a sec?’
Can you NOT be nice to me?!
‘I’m okay. You can relax. Everyone, it’s fine. I’m fine!’
Rodrigo slowly removes his hands that had been so far supporting Mina’s waist and back, and lets them hang by his sides.
Funny how she tries to look tough and yet her body felt so soft in my hands. I wonder if that good-for-nothing fiancé of hers has ever really taken care of her!
Mina, mopping up the sweat all over her body with a towel, starts to walk towards the lockers when Rodrigo calls out her name. Again.
‘Say, Mina-ssi, fancy a coffee?’
With you?
Mina’s stomach is rumbling and she has been planning on grabbing a late-night meal at the Parkview.
She loves the view of the Namsan while tucking into grilled chicken and veggies, her favourite post-workout meal.
Although it’s night-time now and the view looks, well, a little different.
Tall, proud and majestic like a mountain. But it’s a human.
I should turn him down. I must. It’s most inappropriate for a player contracted by my company to be seen with me outside of work, in public. To say nothing of the fact that it’s Rodrigo!
‘Are you worried about being seen with me?’
Mina looks at Rodrigo incredulously. He seems to have read her thoughts.
‘Well, your reputation does precede you …’
Why hasn’t he mentioned Timira even once? Is he waiting for a suitable opportunity to talk about her and ask for my help in helping him win her back?
‘And yet you haven’t rejected the idea outright. There is hope, I’d wager!’
Mina blushes and tries to think of an appropriate response.
‘Don’t you have a “friend-date” in a bit?’
‘Oh, I can reschedule that. If the hotel can move things around for you, I can too!’
Mina makes an unsuccessful attempt at not turning red.
‘Oh, c’mon, Mina-ssi. Where’s your sense of adventure?
In any case, ladies love my company! And it’s just a coffee.
Haven’t asked you to ramyeon meokgogallae , have I?
’ Rodrigo winks cheekily. His tone suggests he’s relaxed and only joking but there’s a hint of sadness underneath that Mina doesn’t miss.
He has made it abundantly clear through both words and in his actions that he wishes to win Timira back, yet seems to have made no progress so far.
He is obviously still in love with Timira.
This whole ‘bad boy’ facade is just that, a facade.
I’m sure of it. Why am I worried that he might be trying to flirt with me?
Or is it me that I don’t trust? Oh, whatever!
It’s just a coffee. Why am I overthinking it?
Not like I’m doing something immoral and unethical. Or am I?
Just then, her phone buzzes. It continues to vibrate. Frenetically!
‘I’m familiar with spam calls. But spam texts?! Please read them, Mina-ssi, before your phone hangs! How will your dear fiancé reach you then?’ Rodrigo says teasingly.
Mina rolls her eyes.
‘Give me a sec!’
It’s a series of photos from Stephanie, whose name in her contact list she has recently changed to ‘Traitor’. Photos of a man and a woman. The woman is dressed in an Indian outfit. They are both wearing big smiles, holding beer pints and looking lovingly into each other’s eyes.
‘All right. Let’s go get that coffee!’
They are walking down the hallway that leads into the Parkview when they come face-to-face with the two people in the photos Mina has just seen. A man and a woman. Faces she and Rodrigo are both familiar with.
Haneul and Timira.
* * *
Timira and Haneul.
Rodrigo and Mina.
They stare at one another for a few awkward seconds. Rodrigo is the first to break the silence.
Why are you guys together ? Why is Tim wearing a saree? She wears these only on special occasions, she said. Why is she wearing one tonight?
There are a million things he wishes to ask but instead, to his own and everybody else’s surprise, he starts off with a clarification of sorts.
‘Ms Mina and I just bumped into each other, hehehe. I’m actually here to see a friend from S?o Paolo.’ He laughs nervously.
He is the only one laughing. Mina is glaring at him, Haneul is scowling at no one in particular, and Timira looks like she’s about to bite someone’s head off.
What sort of a moron is he? And how besotted is he with Timira still? Even now, he’s worried about what she’s going to think of him!
Mina continues to glare at Rodrigo, who turns towards her with pleading eyes.
Please, help me out here … his eyes seem to say.
‘Er, yeah. I was working out and Rodrigo-ssi happened to be here. We met each other by chance.’
Why must I explain to anyone why I’m doing what I’m doing? Least of all to my fiancé, who is here with another girl! Dressed to the nines, drinking, partying.
Her fiancé, in the meantime, is silently cursing his luck.
I finally decide to take charge, and this is how life bitchslaps me. Geurae, this is what I deserve for not being man enough to end things with Mina.
Haneul has, since the shoot in Jeju, actively been looking for an opportunity to discuss with his family first, and then with Mina, his wish to end their engagement.
He knows how delicate the situation is, and how strongly his father is going to oppose his wish.
Not to mention the fact that Mina’s father is still SecondSkin’s second-largest shareholder and primary investor.
He has discussed with a couple of board members whom he trusts about buying back Mr Ri’s shares.
And has also spoken with the bank about taking out a loan in order to return his investment.
He has not felt for anyone how he feels about Timira.
Having realized that, he is a man on a mission.
In order to do right by her, he is willing to pay any price, no matter how steep.
But he still hasn’t had a chance to speak with his parents.
With elections approaching, it’s an exceptionally busy time for Haneul’s father.
Timira, meanwhile, is strategizing mentally.
Bhagwan, yeh kya ajab khichdi hai, bhai? Triangle tak phir bhi theek tha, but Rod had to ruin the geometry, too! Bro has to be part of this, as well, and complicate things even further. Poor Haneul, why is he not saying anything? Maybe I only should!
Timira’s mouth has a brain of its own and it has decided to go ahead and take things into its own hands even before her other brain, the real deal, is able to greenlight it.
‘Daepyonim and I are here for a press interview. But looks like we’ll have to reschedule it. The journalist met with a minor accident on her way to the interview. Very unfortunate.’
Hain? I accompanied my boss to an interview wearing a saree? A blingy saree? In this cold? An interview at 10 p.m.? Oh, God, Timmy! At least come up with a believable story, dhakkan!
She’s cursing herself but doing her best to not let it show.
Haneul doesn’t add a word to Timira’s preposterous story and continues to scowl. Rodrigo looks like he’s in pain and Mina, well aware that Timira is lying, just smirks.
The hostess outside the restaurant has been patiently waiting for them to either move away or inside. Unable to let them crowd around the entrance, she walks towards them.
‘Sir, ma’am, would you mind coming inside or taking this elsewhere? You are blocking the way for our customers.’
All four of them look embarrassed. They look around and see people around them looking in their direction and whispering among themselves. Aside from Timira, all three are known faces. They know it won’t be long before a mobile phone emerges and films them.
I am dead if any of this goes online. Appa will kill me, Haneul and Rodrigo. All of us!
‘Since all of us are here, why don’t we go in and get a coffee anyway?’ Mina suggests.
I just want to go home! Timira’s eyes wear a look of desperation but she knows she must appear chill .
‘I was looking forward to the coffee. I’m told there are Italian baristas and pastry chefs here?’ she says coolly.
Mina smiles.
Ah, caught bang in the middle of the storm and yet cool as a cucumber. I’d have loved to be friends with her if we weren’t in this mess together!
‘Got a sweet tooth, Timira-ssi?’
Timira laughs nervously. ‘Er, occasionally I like the odd slice of cake or some nice chocolate!’
‘Oh, my! You do have an eye for candy!’ Mina is quick to reply, with added stress on ‘candy’. Mina’s voice is cold and Timira smarts from it.
Before she can come up with a suitable reply, Mina speaks again.
‘Let’s get you some dessert then! The interview may not have happened but the evening shouldn’t be a waste.’
After her earlier bravado, Timira’s feet suddenly go from toasty warm to bingsu cold.
‘It’s kinda really late, though. Much as I was looking forward to the cuppa, shall we do this another time?’ Timira makes a weak attempt at escaping the shitstorm that’s headed her way.
‘Oh, please! The night is still young. You’re even dressed to kill! C’mon, what kind of terrible person would I be if as your boss’s fiancée, I didn’t treat you after he dragged you out so late in the night for work? Hmm?’ Mina flashes a devious grin.
This round had definitely gone to her.
Without waiting for Timira to reply, she links her arm with hers and leads the way.
Timira turns her neck and looks at Haneul and Rodrigo who are standing around looking like lifeless statues.
‘Gentlemen, are you coming?’ Mina asks coolly before continuing to skip along with Timira.