Cause all I know is we said hello

And your eyes look like coming home

All I know is a simple name

Everything has changed

[Narrator’s POV]

As you were practically dragged along the corridors by the tall man, you were still confused of what had happened. A flirty man tried to mess with you and the next thing was a stranger admitting that you were her girlfriend and brought you to somewhere else. What on earth is this? Out of curiosity, you tried to free yourself from the guy.

“Let me go!” For the umpteenth time you tried to release your hand from his grip, but it was in vain. Eventually, you two stepped into the rock garden where the full view of the metropolitan city could be seen. At last, the stranger released your hand.

When you got to see the face of the person that took you away from the drunken Joongki, it never crossed your mind to come across such attractive guy. Though he was bespectacled, it just added some weird twist to his charms. You had to admit, not even a single of your buddies was as good-looking as the guy who was standing in front of you. Now, all that you had to worry about was what to say to the guy who obviously rescued you from having a lip lock with Joongki.

[Your POV]

Wow, I’d never thought that someone chivalrous like him would be so handsome…

WAIT! Did I say ‘handsome’? Arabella, stop it, you’re embarrassing yourself!

“Why do you look at me like that? Am I that attractive?” *See, told you*

“Oh? Uh, nothing. It’s just that your face looks familiar” *Great, Ara… What a lame excuse to get away from getting caught for ogling a stranger.*

“Well, I am one of the guests in the dinner just now. Oh, how rude am I for not introducing myself. I’m Shin Dongwoo.” *Shin Dongwoo? Sounds like a regular Korean name though. Hmm…*

“Oh, hello. I’m…”

“Miss Arabella Daniel, Madam Anna Fernandez’s only daughter. I watched your performance just now. You’re good.” *He watched me singing? Well, he is one of the guests tonight.*

“Oh, thanks. Well, the whole thing about me singing was out of the blue though as Mama didn’t mention anything about her plan earlier. By the way, are you one of the employees…?” *He looks too young to work, though. Or is he not?*

“Hahaha… I just accompanied my father tonight. He is a member of the board of directors in the company. I'm trying to get used with all of these before I actually graduate since I will probably follow in his footsteps.” *Well, that does make sense. I mean, he looks studious, what with the spectacles and all…*

“Oh, I see. Well, maybe I would follow in Mama’s footsteps too. But then again, I think it’s too early to even think about that.”

“What do you mean by saying that? Are you 17 or something?” *Wow, I don’t know if it’s a wild guess or not, but he’d definitely correct!*

“Yeah… Err… Anyway, I should thank you for rescuing me just now, instead of screaming like a mad woman” *Yup, I bet you looked like one right now, Ara! But who cares? I’m out of the hall and Mama’s sight for now. No witness of the unsightly scene just now, and I hope it stays that way.*

“Don’t mention it; I just happen to walk past the corridor when I saw both of you. Well, hopefully Joongki hyung doesn’t notice that I was the one who punched him” *Wait! What’s with the ‘hyung’ ? Does that mean that he is younger than the ert?*

“Are you somehow younger than him?” *Haha, what a genius question, Ara…*

“Indeed. I’m still studying in university. Next year will be my final year. I can’t wait for it, to graduate and to finish all those tiring assignments…” *Oh, he’s smiling. Such a pretty smile… WO, WOAH ARA! You nearly cross the line!*

“Oh, I see…”

“Erm, I think you should wear your high heels now.” He points at my right hand that holds those devilish pair of high heels.

“No, it’s okay. My feet feel sore because of wearing these shoes for a long time.” He smiles hearing me said that. I bet he has never met a girl who dislikes high heels and yet wears them for an occasion. Suddenly…

*Music’s in my soul, I can feel it every day and every night

It’s the one thing on my mind…*

I excuse myself to answer the call only to hear Mama’s voice telling to go to the lobby as she is getting ready to go home.

“It’s Mama. Shin Dongwoo, I would like to chat with you more, but it’s time to go home. So…” *what should I say? ‘See you soon?’ ‘Farewell?’ *   “…bye”

“Oh, you’re going back? Well then, nice to meet you, Miss Arabella. Annyeonghikaseyo, have a safe journey.” *I don’t really remember what the Korean word means, but I guess it must have something to do with bidding farewell to someone.

“Just call me Ara. It feels… simple. Goodbye” *He even waves at me… Maybe I should wave at him back.*

Mama tells me about finding Joongki sprawled on the floor, as if he had just been beaten. Luckily, Mama and Mr. Song were the earliest persons to find him, so they quickly brought him to the room before anyone would find out and spread some nonsensical rumors about it. I don’t really think it was serious though. Maybe Mama is just exaggerating things.

I’m not really listening to Mama because my mind keeps on thinking of the Korean guy just now. What was his name again? Ah, Shin Dongwoo… Though I have met a lot of guys and actually hang out with them, but this guy is a bit… different.  Truth be told, that was the first time I actually talked to a stranger comfortably . I don’t know what is it, but it was nice to have a conversation with him. Unconsciously, I can’t wait to see him again…

*STOP ARA! You’ve gone quite far from the boundary you’ve made. Remember, you don’t really know him. Maybe he’s just the same as the other guys…*

[Two months later…]

“AD! You’ve got straight ‘A’s, dude!” Ajay screams at me as I enter the school hall. Today is the day when the results of the important exam two months ago are out. I don’t actually know what to feel, but for sure I am not expecting much because I only started studied hard a couple months before it.

So, hearing Ajay says out those words makes me to predict two possibilities; whether I do get straight ‘A’s and I should feel proud of myself or Ajay lies to me and I flunked in the exam.

But, when I read the list of the excellent candidates for the exam, my mind goes blank. Suddenly, I freeze on the spot when I see the first name on the list…

1. Arabella Daniel                                                                       9 A+
2. Avanindra Justin s/o Arund Julian                              5 A, 4 A-
3. Farris Hadi bin Abdul Farid                                  7 A, 2 A-, 1 B+

I cannot believe this! I’m the top student for this year? Isn’t it too great to be real? Just then, Farris, Ajay and Nathan came up to congratulate me. I just cannot believe that the three of us are the top students in the school. Even our teachers are quite surprised because they are used to our playful, never serious kind of behavior during class.

After getting the results, the three of us are planning to apply for the admission into Taylor’s University College, one of the most prestigious colleges in the city. While we’re excited of being together again after the two-months holiday, Nathan is struggling for his exam next year. We are hoping that he could join us again in the same college. But then, I still have the feeling that I won’t be here for long. It’s been buggering me since the dinner two months ago. Let’s just hope that everything is okay, shall we?

[Your house]

[Narrator’s POV]

“Mama, I have good news for you!”

“Bella, I have good news for you!”

Both of you were screaming at each other before realizing your own foolishness and smiling at each other in embarrassment.

“You go first.”

“Mama, I got straight ‘A’s!” Your mother was certainly surprised yet pleased hearing that. She hugged you, acknowledging that she was so proud of her only daughter. Whereas for you, you were so glad that your mother appreciated your hard work, even though it was only just a hug.

“What about you, Mama?”

“Well, you see. Yesterday I had a dinner with someone and…”

“And..?” You were curious to know what happened next.

“I was proposed and I accepted it. I’m getting married, Bella!” Your mother couldn’t stop smiling after saying out those words.

You couldn't believe your ears... Your beloved Mama wants to get married??

You may sound like a selfish girl, but the two of you have been living just fine all these years, without having the need to have a father or a husband by your side.

Well, sort of.

But what the worst case scenario would be? You thought as your Mama said,

"You'll have to call Mr. Song as your father now"

WHAT? Seriously? Before you could continue digesting the fact, your mother continued to speak.

“So, next month we will move to South Korea.”

“Huh? Why is it so soon? How about my application to the college? And who’s going to take care of this house then?” You fired a lot of questions at your mother.

“Bella, the marriage is going to be held in two months. About you studying in college, you could pursue it at there. I bet there are better options for you in Seoul than in Kuala Lumpur. You don’t have to worry; this house will be our vacation house, so I’ll keep the house servants here. Bella, it’s going to be alright. Shouldn’t you be happy that our family is getting new members?” Your mother smiled lovingly at you and hugged you. In her mind, she hoped that you would be grateful and accept Mr. Song and Joongki as your family members.

As for you, the fact that your Mama is getting married was so sudden, it made you speechless. But one thing for sure, the thought of not being with your best friends anymore, which you felt was quite ridiculous, were actually becoming a harsh reality that you needed to accept bitterly…

[The next month…]

“Phew, finally we’re arrived at the land of Korea!” Madam Anna exclaimed as both of you stepped out of the airplane.

“It looks like one of us is going overseas sooner than we thought” Farris said as they were sending you off at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

“Just when we thought we will be together at college…” Ajay sighed with such a sad face that you had never seen from him before.

“Hey, don’t be so sad. It’s not like I’ll be staying forever at there. I’ll promise you that I’ll come here again…” You said to the guys as you looked at their faces. The faces were the ones that been with you ever since you were in elementary school, the ones that always helped you every time you were bullied, the ones that laughed and cried together with you, and most of all, the ones that taught you the meaning of a valuable friendship.

“Ara, just like the Boney M’s song, they said that ‘no woman, no cry’. But for us three, without you we cry!” Nathan unconsciously cracked a joke as he shed some tears and tried to make you stay longer. All of them were laughing while Farris snapped: “Don’t cry, it’s just a farewell, not a funeral!”

[Two months later…]

“Now, I pronounce both of you as husband and wife. You may kiss the bride” The guests applauded as Mr. Song and Madam Anna kissed. Out of all the guests, only you and Joongki looked quite solemn during the marriage. But then, no one noticed the look on your faces as the newlywed couple went outside for a photo shoot.

Besides you two, there was a man who looked at the couple with a silent rage, and his eyes focused on the groom.

“I couldn’t believe you do this, Junsik…”

[During the wedding reception]

Once again, you had to torture yourself into wearing a dress and a pair of heels for the special occasion. You might be emotionless when it came to the wedding of your mother and Joongki’s father, but deep down in your heart, you were glad that your mother has found the love of her life after all these time. Besides, you thought that your stepfather was nice and caring, judging from the way he accepted and treated you as his own daughter.

“Arabella…” Mr. Song addressed you while all of you were having the appetizer. “Your mother and I have discussed this through and I would like to ask you.”

“What is it…Papa?” You hesitated a bit at your reply.

“Would you like it if I adopt you as my daughter?” Suddenly, Joongki was choking. The three of you looked at his way when he realized he became the center of attention.

“I’m sorry; my throat is kind of dry. Oh, I have to answer this call, excuse me.” He said as he got up and walked away from the table. To anyone, it looked like a natural situation but you knew Joongki was shocked at his father’s words and thus covered his expression by getting out of the hall.

“That kid, huh… As I was saying Arabella, I want to adopt you as my own daughter and register you and your mother as my family members. So, what do you say? Do you agree?” Mr. Song asked you with a hint of sincerity and hope in his eyes. You didn’t know what was going on in your mind, but you slowly nodded at the question.

“Wow, this is great! Then, I have to bring both of you to the register office a few days later. Is it okay for you two?”  Your mother said yes with a loving smile while you only nodded slightly. You then excused yourself out of the wedding hall to get some fresh air.

As you strolled around the huge balcony, you heard someone was talking on the phone.

“I’m going to Japan? But the wedding ceremony just ended; do you expect me to go there this soon? Huh, alright then, I’ll fix it. Wait until I meet you; I’ll brainwash all of you and scrub your brains till they are squeaky clean!” You guessed the call was ended as you heard a murmur: ‘Worthless good-for-nothings! I should have known…’

Then, you stumbled upon someone when you realized it was Joongki all along.

“What are you doing here?” He asked with such a tone of annoyance in his voice.

“I’m just trying to get some fresh air. What are you doing here then?”

“As I said before Miss Arabelle, I’m answering a phone call.”

“It’s Arabella, you ert.” You couldn’t erase your memories of that night when he tried to kiss you.

“It’s Joongki, not ert.” He tried to annoy you. “I guess we are going to be siblings then.”

“It’s only on papers. Don’t get your hopes up.” You mumbled.

Joongki smirked at your words. “Even if my father adopts you as his daughter, doesn’t mean that I’m going to accept you as my younger sister.”

“Well then, I don’t really hope so. Who says I’m going to accept you as my brother? Never!” You looked up at Joongki’s face. Both of your faces were full of hatred towards each other.

“Fine then, so it is fair and square. We’re just siblings merely in black and white.”

[Two days later, at the registration office…]

[Your POV]

“Arabella, would you like to have a Korean name in the family register? After all, both of you are going to receive the citizenship soon.” Papa asks me while Mama is looking at both of us.

“Can’t she just use ‘Arabella’?” She asks the officer.

“She could but it will be easier for her college arrangement if she uses a Korean name.” The officer kindly tells us.

Papa says that he has picked a few names for me. “Which one would you like? Is it Jihye, Eunyeong or Yeonhee?”

“I personally like Jihye as your name, Bella” Mama cuts in with her suggestion. I thought that she has her way when she picks Arabella as my name which is not really my favourite as it sounds too feminine, so why don’t I have my own way to name myself in Korean?

“Would you two mind if I choose the name myself?” Mama is quite disturbed with that idea, but Papa smiled and said: “I don’t really mind, have your ways then” Luckily, Mama is married to someone who actually understands me.

“Is Ara a Korean name too?” I ask for their opinion. Mama is thinking whether there is such Korean name, while Papa is thinking whether the name is compatible to his last name.

“Song Ara… Song Ara… That sounds nice to me, doesn’t it, Anna dear?”

“I don’t know, is such name exists?” Mama wonders as she looks at me as if I’m trying to create a weird name. Oh, Mama… She still thinks of me as a little girl. I wish she could stop doing that…

“There is, and Song Ara will be your name.” Papa smiles at me as he tells the officer to type it that way.

Wow, I couldn’t believe it…

My life is totally turning 360 degrees from what I used to be.

From being a fatherless child, I eventually get a good stepfather and also a stepbrother in my family.

From being in my birthplace in Malaysia, I eventually stepped on the foreign ground of the capital of South Korea.

From Arabella Daniel, I eventually change my name to Song Ara.

Although it feels like a , but I guess this is a new beginning of my life at the age of 18… (Good luck in living this life, Ara. Fighting!)