March 19, 2013

Leaving Ilana sound asleep in her room, the rest of the party set out for a night on the town.  They danced, laughed, talked, and of course drank until the early hours of the morning.  During a lull in activities, they sat at their table and began discussing Jung Min's birthday which would be in just two weeks.
 - "We're still going into Cape town for a safari right? Hyung Jun asked.
 - "Yup.  I've already made the arrangements." Young Saeng said.
 - "That's going to be so cool.  I can't wait."  Jung Min said.
 - "Provided you guys are still sober when you get back, what do you want to do then?"  Suzy asked, trying to gauge when the right time to give him his gift.
 - "Whatever my jagiya wants."  Being called Jagiya made Suzy beam with delight.
 - "Arasso, leave it to me, then.  I'll plan something special for you."  Her tone was mischievous, leaving Jung Min and the others wondering just what was going on her head. "I'll get Ilana's help."  Suzy giggled as she saw Jung Min shake his head to dispel any naughty thoughts that might be lurking in his brain.
 - "Speaking of Ilana, did you guys know her birthday is coming up?"  Young Saeng changed the subject at hearing Ilana's name.
 - "How do you know that?  Unnie never said anything when I told her of Min's birthday?
 - "You forget, I've seen her passport several times, including today."

   - "We have to plan a party."  Hyung Jun was excited about the prospect.
   - "Something tells me she won't go for a party."  Jung Min said
   - "No, but since Unnie didn't tell us about her birthday, she won't be expecting it will she?"  The guys could see the wheels turning in Suzy's head.
 - "Dinner with friends in the lounge and a birthday cake magically appears?"  Young Saeng schemed along with Suzy.
 - "Lots of balloons!"  Hyung Jun said excitedly.  It had been his idea to fill Kyu's office with balloons.  "And party games."
 - "Oooh!  This is going to be so much fun."  Squealed Suzy in delight at the prospect.
 

March 20, 2013

The sun shown beautifully through the window by the time Ilana woke the next morning.  She was completely refreshed and ready to start the day.  Who wouldn't be, after sleeping for more than twelve hours?  She made herself a cup of tea and sat in the verandah looking out at the bustling port.  She silently wondered what time everyone had returned to the ship.  "It's still early."  She thought.  "They're all probably still sound asleep if they had late schedules."  She looked at the time and it was about eight thirty.  An idea formed in her head and she immediately took action.

Fifteen minutes later she was heading out the door with earphones and a bottle of water.  She had decided she would take a brisk walk around the promenade deck.  She walked casually her first lap and felt energized.  She continued to pick up the pace until she had reached a slow jog about thirty minutes later.  Although tiring, she found if she concentrated on her breathing and didn't stop she could keep going a little longer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kyu Jong was reluctantly awake.  He and Suzy had to open the office in two hours.  He figured a quick run on the promenade and breakfast would cure any remnants of sleep deprivation.  Kyu went on deck and warmed up.  He was about to take off running when he saw someone jogging slowly not far in the distance.  He started running towards them with the intention of saying good morning. He recognized the girl immediately.
 - "What are you doing?"  Kyu was alarmed to see who the girl was coming towards him.
 - "Hi!" Only a whisper came out.  She tried to smile, but once she stopped she found it was very difficult to catch her breath.
 - "Drink.  Quickly."  Kyu tried getting her to take some water, but it was too late.
 - "Ah!"  It hurt to breathe.  All Ilana could see were black dots swimming before her.  She couldn't really tell but thought she was going to fall.  Kyu took her by the waist when he saw her ready to collapse.  He led her to a nearby bench.  Ilana sat gratefully; she drank some water and tried to control her breathing again.  Kyu kept checking her pulse until it was almost stable again.
 - "You're coming with me."
 - "I'm...ok...now,.Oppa."  He ignored her.

Kyu had dragged her to his office and was listening to her lungs and heart.
 - "So...you want to tell me what you were doing, other than trying to give yourself and me a heart attack?"  Kyu spoke casually, not really scolding, but in truth, he was scolding.
 - "I just wanted...to go for a walk.  It felt good...to get moving."  She still found it hard to speak.
 - "When was the last time you really exercised."
 - "A few weeks before the cruise,” she said dejectedly.
 - "Walking 20 minutes max, no jogging until a Doctor clears you from now on, arasso?"  He explained very calmly.
 - "Oppa!  I just have to get used to it again.  I was always...active before the cruise."
 - "Behave yourself, and I will walk with you every morning and help you get your strength back.   "Did you eat breakfast?"
 - "Na ah."
 - "I'll get Suzy to bring us something.  I have to get ready now, or Suzie will have to open on her own.  Agassi you can hang out in my office.  You might find it educational." He knew he had a book on blood disorders that he had been reading the other day.

Dismissed, Ilana went to sit in the office, but instead of perusing the bookshelf, Kyu's computer was up and she recognized the same software her cousin used at the hospital.  Curiosity got the best of her and she began to poke around.  It had been a while since she volunteered at the hospital, but she still knew codes and how to enter the information.  She was curious and searched for her own name when Suzy came into the office surprising Ilana with a guilty face.
 - "Unnie!"  Ilana startled at the sound of Suzie's voice.  "What are you doing in the office?"
 - "Nothing,"  Ilana played it off.  "Kyu Oppa caught me trying to jog this morning and thought I overdid it a little."
 - "Unnie, you need to be careful." Suzy admonished.  "What were you looking at on the computer?"
 - "You use the same system as my cousin's hospital and I was just curious if I still knew how to use it."  Ilana smiled guiltily
 - "If you do, you can enter all of Doc's patient records from yesterday for me."  Suzy joked.
 - "Chincha?"  Ilana brightened at the idea.
 - "Jeongmal?  After we eat then, we can sit together on the first few."
 - "Sit together on what?  Kyu caught the tail end of the conversation as he walked into his office.
 - "Ilana Unnie is going to be your assistant today.  I have some things I need to do later."  Suzy grinned.  She could use this time to go back out to Victoria, with  Young Saeng and Hyung Jun to shop for Ilana's birthday.
 - "That'll be fun, is it ok with you, Oppa?"
 - "I think I need to check your lungs again. There seems to be a lack of Oxygen to your brain.  The girl is on vacation and instead of relaxing by the pool, she wants to work."
 - "I'll take that as a yes."
 

Suzy was able to catch up with Young Saeng and Hyung Jun just before he left the ship.  They would have to shop quickly as they only had a few hours leave. Since Ilana could buy herself anything but hated to spend money on herself, they decided on many small gifts for her instead of a gift from each of them.  Ilana loved anything by nature and natural, Victoria was the place to shop for her.  Anything they didn't find, would have to wait three days when they arrived in Mauritius.
Once at the shops all three split up in order to conquer more ground.  It took them only an hour to return back to the meeting point with their spoils.
 - "I found all these soaps and lotions made naturally with coconut oil," Suzy said.
 - "Those smell nice."  Hyung Jun agreed.  "I found this cute turtle, does he look like me?"  That earned him a smack from Young Saeng.
 - "He's cute, I'm sure Ilana will like him."  Suzy intervened.  "What's that on his neck?"
 - "It's a bracelet made out of coconut."
 - "Oooh!  That's pretty."
 - "That goes great with everything I found." Young Saeng pulled out coconut hair clips, ponytail holders, and a ceramic jewelry box to put it all in.  I also found this nice basket; we can use these silk flowers and shells to decorate it.
 - "I think Doc and Min-a will have to do some last minute shopping at Mauritius."
 - "You think they'll make it in time?  You know your boyfriend likes to get distracted."
 - "Doc will keep him in check." Suzy grinned.
 

March 23, 2013

Ilana's phone rang.  She had just woken and was getting dressed to go walking with Kyu Jong.  She saw the caller ID was her brother.
 - "Kike!"  She smiled into the phone.  Immediately he began singing happy birthday to her,  making her smile.  Even if she didn't like to celebrate, he always did something special for her.
 - "Que pases feliz dia, Manita."  (I hope you have a happy day) He said when he was done.
 - "Gracias, Kike!"  (Thank You)
 -"Te estas divertiendo?"  (Are you having a good time) He could hear the smile in her voice.
 - "S-i."  She answered softly, almost dreamlike, surprising herself and him at how readily she said ‘yes’.

 - "Como deseo que ya estuvieras aquí conmigo, un mes se me hace demasiado largo." (How I wish you were here with me already, a month seems much too long for me.) With that, she was reminded of the short time she had left on the ship. She was determined not to waste any more days and enjoy herself as much as possible.
 - "The time will pass before we know it."  She said resigned.  They spoke for a few minutes more until Kyu knocked on her door.
 - "Kike, I'm sorry, I gotta go.  I was in the middle of getting dressed and someone’s knocking on my door."
 - "Esta bien, te quiero.  Cuidate."  (That's ok, I love you.  Take care of yourself.)  He was a little hurt that she didn't talk to him longer, and he also wondered who was knocking on her door.  "Probably room service," he thought.
 - "Love you too!"  She hung up with a lingering sadness.  She turned her attention to the knocking.  "Give me five minutes!"  She shouted at the door.
 - "Not a second more!"  Kyu shouted back.

True to her word, Ilana was dressed, shoed and out the door in five minutes.  With one hand she opened the door, while the other held her hair in an untied ponytail (the ponytail holder in ).  Kyu laughed at her and took the holder out of .  With hands-free, she was able to tie her hair back.
 - "Mianhae, Oppa. Kike called me just as I was about to get ready."
 - "Making sure you didn't jump overboard?"  He joked, but they both knew how close the thought had crossed her mind.
 - "Mmm," she rolled her eyes at him but didn't mention her birthday.
 - "Will you help Suzy today?"  Kyu asked as they were walking.  "Jung Min and I have to pick some things up on shore."
 - "Guerae."  She had proved herself competent in a medical office and he had no hesitation in leaving her there.  Thankfully, she didn't suspect a thing.

They had reached their half-way point when Ilana's phone rang once more.  Ilana wondered if Kike forgot something.
 - "Go ahead and answer," Kyu stopped walking.  "It might be important."
 - "Hello?"  Ilana answered warily.
 - "Niña?  Que bendicion escuchar tu voz!  Feliz cumpleaños  chiquita."  (Child?  What a blessing it is to hear your voice!  Happy Birthday, little one.)
 - "Nana?"  Ilana could scarcely believe it.  "Pero cómo?"  (But how?)
 - "No regañes mucho a tu hermano cuando lo veas."  (Don't scold your brother too much, when you see him.)
 - "Me las va pagar."  She joked.  (He's going to pay me back.)
 - "Estas bien?  Estas comiendo?"  (Are you well?  Are you eating?)
 - "Si, Nana.  Estoy bien."  (Yes, Nana.  I'm well.)  Even though she was smiling, tears were already spilling over.  Kyu raised an eyebrow at her.  "Todo bien con la casa?"  (Is everything well at home)
 - "Si, mi niña y con la empresa también.  Deja que te salude Brenden."   (Yes child, at home and with the company.  Let Brenden give you his greetings.)
 - "Happy Birthday, Miss."
 - "Hey Brendan.  Are you keeping out of trouble?"
 - "More so now that you're not here."
 - "So now you have plenty of time to ride my horse."
 - "He misses you and he gives me a death glare every time I go near him."  Ilana grinned, imagining Brenden at the horse’s mercy.
 - "Be careful.  Miss you guys, give everyone my love and take care of Nana."  She wanted to end the call before she sat in a bucket of tears.
 - "Who's taking care of you?"
 - "I am more than capable of taking care of myself, Brendan.  I need to go now.  Thank you for calling." She was irritated by that last comment and slipped back into her 'Ajumma' speech as the boys called it.
 - "Gwenchana?"  Kyu asked her.
 - "Deh."  She said.
 - "Everything ok back home?"
 - "How?"  She was surprised he could tell the call was from home.
 - "Your emotions were playing on your face."  He grinned.  "You've forgotten how to mask your emotions and I know a word or two in Spanish.
 - "I didn't even think to."  She was completely astonished.
 - "I gotta get ready to meet Jung Min.  Do you mind if we split up?"
 - "Mianhae Oppa, my phone call cut our walk short."
 - "That's okay, we can make up our time tomorrow."
 - "Chincha?"
 - "Deh.  Oh!  I almost forgot.  We are dining at the Captains table tonight."
 - "Define 'we'?"  Ilana was still very much preferred when they ate in her room or at one of the smaller Cafe's than the formal dining room.
 - "That means you too."
 - "Arasso." She pouted.
 - "I'm not falling for your aegyo, so go get cleaned up and report to Suzy.  Palli palli, or you're fired."  He gave her a playful shove.
 - "Guerae!  So pushy!"  She said as she ran off in the direction of the elevators.

Hours later

Ilana had helped Suzy most of the day.  Since Suzy had had no new patients in over an hour they decided to close the office early.
 - "We have three hours until dinner."  Suzy said.  "You should wear the other dress you bought in Sydney.  You haven't worn it yet."
 - "Arasso, I should wear it.  I don't really know what occasion I was saving it for."
 - "Dinner with friends is always a good occasion for a new dress." Suzy grinned, making Ilana smile as well.  "Saengie Oppa is picking you up at seven."
 - "Guerae, I'll see you tonight then."
 

Suzy took off in the direction of her own room but then changed course to the Neptune lounge.  She knew the route Ilana would take, but Suzy knew another way and they would not run into each other.  Suzy wanted to check on the guys who were busy decorating the lounge.
 - "This looks great guys!"  Suzy said admitting their handy work.  Kyu and Jung Min had purchased a bolt of brightly colored material and used it to make a curtain at the entrance and run swags along the walls. Flowers and candles they borrowed from the wedding department also decorated the lounge.  The large screen TV was moved directly opposite the door, so it was one of the first things in Ilana's line of sight.
 - "Suzy-a are you checking up on us?"  Hyung Jun accused.
 - "Deh." she laughed.  "Don't worry, you passed.  When I get married I'll hire you to decorate."
 - "I’ll make sure to inform Jung Min-a that you've hired us as the wedding planners for his wedding."
 - "Yah!"  Suzy's cheeks were turning a pretty shade of pink adding to the laughter in the room.  "I didn't say anything about Min Oppa!"
 - "Well, should we tell him you don't plan on going to the end with him?" Young Saeng teased.
 - "Oppaaa! Stop twisting my words!"  The guys continued to laugh and distress poor Suzy, taking advantage of Jung Min's absence.
 

It was almost seven and Young Saeng would be knocking on her door soon.  Ilana was scrambling to put on the finishing touches of jewelry and shoes.  She also made sure she had a wrap.  The formal dining room always wreaked havoc on her nerves and she was already freezing in her sleeveless dress.
Ilana had just spritzed her perfume on when there was a knock on the door.  One last glance in the mirror and she went to open the door.
 -"My lady," Young Saeng took her hand and bent ninety degrees in a formal bow.   "You are radiant tonight."  He grinned at her as he straightened.
 - "Oppaaa!  Stop!"  She felt her face getting hot.  He resisted the urge to ruffle her hair.
 - "Arasso."  He loved to .  "Are you ready?  The others should get there around the same time as we do."
 - "Deh Oppa.  Kaja, before I change my mind."  They had left Ilana's room and were headed for the elevators.  The elevator had arrived but Young Saeng made it a point not to get in.
 - "Mianhae Cinderella, we're going to be late for the ball."  He said with a guilty face.   "I forgot something in the lounge I was supposed to bring Captain.  Come with me really quick and then we'll take the shortcut back to the dining room."
 - "That's okay, Oppa." He took her by the hand and started dragging her down the hall to the lounge.  The heels made it difficult to run, but she somehow managed to keep up.
 

```````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Panting they arrived at the lounge.  All the lights were out and the doors were closed.
 - "Oppa, why is it closed?"
 - "I don't know, but my crew better have a good answer.  Let’s go in." He looked angry  “Why is this curtain here?"  He let Ilana go through it first, she didn't even wonder why the lights were off.
Ilana stepped through the curtain only to have a light shine on her.   Directly in front of her Kim Hyun Joong appeared on a TV monitor, flashing a V sign.

Next Chapter:  More Birthday Surprises