Chapter Thirteen #3
Mina has known about Haneul’s injury since the time he was flown back to Seoul in the airvac, and had to undergo weeks and months of surgeries and rehab.
She hasn’t seen him play football since, and before the incident, football was all he would ever play.
It had been his only passion, pastime and friend.
Since he did not have friends at school, he was enrolled in an elite football academy so he would have some semblance of a normal life.
It was run by a European football club looking to expand its presence in Asia and was primarily for children of expats.
They were the only kids considered safe by Haneul’s family for him to mix with.
It was convenient because they did not speak his language and he did not speak theirs.
It wasn’t until Haneul later went to Paris that he became fully proficient in English.
But everything changed that fateful day when Haneul came back from Japan bloodied and broken.
Mina was unaware of the Japanese boy’s identity since Haneul had never spoken of it.
And she had been advised against bringing up the topic with him by his family and her father.
After her mother passed away and Haneul stopped playing football, their friendship grew stronger.
Something Mina was so thankful for that she never wished to discuss what had happened in Japan.
Football’s loss is my gain , she would tell herself.
Mina is at dinner post an industry conference in Busan when Yoojin calls her. And she nearly chokes on the wine she has just sipped when Yoojin makes the big reveal.
Eottohkaji? What should I do now? I’m sure Haneul hasn’t realized who Rodrigo is, else I’m sure he wouldn’t have even brought him on board as his brand ambassador, let alone agreed to be interviewed together with him!
I should tell him before it’s too late. The interview is tomorrow, right?
There’s still time for him to cancel it!
But calls to Haneul go straight to his voicemail. This happens for the rest of the evening until it’s past midnight. In bed, Mina bites her perfectly French-manicured nails and anxiously considers her options.
Should I tell Stephanie about it? Oh, but she’ll immediately go and snitch to Appa.
That traitor. Should I call Mr Choi and tell him?
But then Halmeoni will find out and it’s going to turn into an even bigger mess.
Argh, why is Haneul not answering?! That idiot.
Wae jeonhwa anbada(Why isn’t he answering calls )? !
Mina has always been an early riser. From her time in high school as a track and field athlete to her current obsession with yoga, early mornings have always been Mina’s favourite.
Even during her travels, she doesn’t miss a day of yoga.
Yet today, of all days, she sleeps in. It’s past eight by the time she wakes up.
She’d had trouble falling asleep last night.
Anxiety had kept her up until late and it was close to dawn by the time she finally drifted off to sleep.
Jumping out of bed, still rubbing sleep out of her eyes, she calls Haneul. But it goes unanswered again.
WHAT IS THIS GUY UP TO? ARGH!
She rolls out her yoga mat and sits cross-legged. A few deep breaths later, she unties her hair that had been held together in a small bun, rubs her scalp vigorously and lets out a frustrated and loud shriek.
AAAAH! Screw this. Can’t even breathe. This anxiety is going to kill me!
She grabs her phone and dials Choi Seongjae’s number. Ring after ring after ring. Until an automated voice informs her of the inability of the person to take the call.
By now, it’s almost nine. Desperate and out of options, she pulls out her last and final card.
* * *
Timira has just sat down with her first cup of coffee at work. She’s about to light a cigarette when Mina’s name flashes on her phone. She hesitates a little … subah subah isey kya chahiye … but answers quickly enough.
‘Er, hello!’
‘Timira-ssi, this is Mina.’
Yeah, I know. You have called me before. I have your number saved. Timira rolls her eyes.
‘Yes, Mina-ssi. How can I help?’
‘What time is Haneul’s interview scheduled for?’ Mina enquires.
Why is she asking me? Why can’t she ask him? Are they not speaking? What’s going on between them? Have they brok—no, no, I will not speculate. I will wait for Haneul to clarify and explain.
‘Ten o’clock is what I know. He’s already on his way. Why do you a—’
Mina doesn’t let her finish.
‘Then there’s absolutely no time to waste. Ms Marak, please get to the location. Ppalliyo !’
‘Wait, what? Slow down, Ms Ri! Why are you asking me to go there? For wh—’
Mina interrupts again.
‘Just rush to the interview. I’d give you details, but that’d take too much time. Just trust me and go!’ Mina’s voice is shaking and is laced with panic.
Trust you? Sure!
Timira can’t seem to understand the urgency.
What’s going on? Why does she sound so distressed? And why must I go? What if I end up only causing trouble? Is that what she wants? What is she even playing at? And where on earth is she?!
‘Er, Mina-ssi, Choi Bujangnim is handling the interview from the team’s end. So you have no need to worry!’
‘You have no idea. This is not in Mr Choi’s control. I’ve tried to reach both him and Haneul, but they are both unavailable. You’re the only person who can handle this now.’
‘Why me?’ Why on earth does she want me between Rodrigo and Haneul? What is she scheming now? Is she hatching some evil plan?
‘Well, because Rodrigo might be in danger. Well, no, not mortal danger, that’s not what I meant. Haneul and Rodrigo cannot be in the same room. Just please go. I’ll explain later. I’m begging you. Do this for Haneul, please!’
Timira wants to ask where Mina is and why she cannot go but doesn’t.
I’m sure she must either be physically entirely unable to be there or the situation is indeed out of her hands.
Else why would she ask her jaani dushman aka me to go?
Wait a minute, could she have created this bhasad?
Is she all the fasaad ki jad? Why else would she ask me to go?
I mean, I’m sure she hates me, for crying out loud!
Good grief, I just hope I don’t end up making it worse!
‘Okay, okay, I’m going. Relax!’
‘And please, please, keep me posted!’ she pleads.
Braving work-hour traffic, Timira manages to reach the venue, the Hyatt, a few minutes past nine-thirty.
Cameras have been set up in the beautifully designed Grand Salon.
The interview is going to be streamed live on the website of the news publication Kang Yoojin works for, Datpatch .
She looks around the room to spot a familiar face but ends up meeting the curious gaze of Yoojin locked square on Timira’s face.
Startled, she misses a step, trips on the tripod stand in front of her and is about to descend on to the floor when someone holds her arm and breaks her fall.
‘Oh, Bujangnim, it’s you! I was looking for you. Annyeong!’ Timira smiles brightly.
‘What are you doing here, Timira-ssi?’ he demands to know.
‘Bujangnim, you won’t believe what happened …’
She informs him about the panicked call she received from Mina.
Mr Choi listens patiently, takes a deep breath, and then speaks.
‘Timira-ssi, relax. It’s all under control. The thing is …’
He proceeds to bring her up to speed about what Yoojin has been up to and about how Timira’s identity and history with Rodrigo were about to be made public.
‘Daepyonim stepped up and decided to do this interview so your privacy wouldn’t be invaded. It was either this or an exposé on your and Rodrigo-ssi’s past.’
I can’t breathe, I can’t breathe. Wait, he did WHAT? Why didn’t he tell me? We spoke last night …
‘Timira-ssi, don’t stress. Daepyonim is going to handle this like a boss!’
Timira’s heart is awash with renewed affection and love for Haneul, but something still seems to be bothering her.
Why would Mina ask me to come here? I’m sure she’s at the very root of this, but why was she so panicked?
Or was it so the boys would squabble among themselves?
Mayyyyn, what a cunning aurat! And I keep thinking I should treat her better, be nice to her.
As if the drama the other night at the Shilla was not enough. She wants more?!
‘Bujangnim, where’s Daepyonim? Is it possible to see him?’
‘He’s in the green room, getting his make-up done. I’m sure there’s still time for a quick hello. He’ll be happy to see you!’
Was he just cheeky with me or did I imagine it? DOES HE KNOWWWWW?!
He leads Timira towards the green room. Her phone vibrates to announce a text from Mina.
‘Is everything okay?’
‘Everything’s perfectly fi—’
Timira is typing a reply when she and everyone else hears the sound of something heavy hitting wooden furniture with a thud, followed by the visual of a well-built man tumbling out of the green room and falling on to the ground.
That man is Rodrigo. And the one to put him there walks out of the room next, hands still curled in fists, tissue paper stuck inside his collar to avoid the make-up from ruining his white shirt, and curlers holding his bangs in place.
His face is flushed red, nostrils are flared, and his breathing is fast and furious.
Towering over the curled body of Rodrigo and preparing to take another swipe at him is Haneul.