August 16, 2013

Ilana's first week at work was coming to a close. She left the apartment excitedly for her third-morning walk that week. During her walks she let her mind wander as she listened to music. Kike, Nana, and Brendon would be leaving in two weeks. For the moment she was fine with that and when that time came she would just have to be. Having set this path into motion, failing was not an option.  She very much liked her job and it kept her mind busy, her co-workers and boss were very nice people, and two of the four doctors were actually quite nice. Unfortunately, she and Abigaíl were stuck with the odd ones. Thankfully, Dr. Jihoo was in his office the day before and Dr. Jaejoong was too busy to bother them; it would be nice if she didn't have to meet either one anytime soon.

Prior to going to sleep the night before she had cleared her phone's Twitter alerts. YoungSaeng must have told everyone her story already since she didn't get any other phone calls. She did get a tweet from Kim HyunJoong who must've been bored and was actually on his Twitter account.
HyunJoong: Jjajeungna, wae?
Ilana: You'll never guess! I met your twin today. For a split second, I actually thought it was you. Except for the hair, he looks just like you.
HyunJoong: Can he sing and dance? I can use him as my stand in when I need a break. ㅎㅎㅎ
Ilana:  That’s what Saengie Oppa said. It's ten PM, I've got try and get to sleep. Kansamnida for asking! Jaljayo (good night).

Smiling to herself as she wrapped up her morning routine, Ilana was looking forward to their planned floor wide potluck at lunch today.  Nana was making her incredibly delicious enchiladas and one of the guys would be dropping them off as soon as they were done and still warm. They represented so many different countries: Korea, Mexico, Philippines, Greece, India, Ireland, Taiwan and that was only to name a few. It promised to be an international smorgasbord. Shan-Cai had even joked that she was only being used as an excuse to throw the party.

Once at work, Ilana raced up the stairs; this time she didn't feel like she was going to faint once she got to the top. Pausing to drink water and control her breathing before heading to her desk hadn’t changed. Abigaíl was already at her desk when Ilana got to hers.
 - "You're...early? Ilana asked still out of breath.
 - "I drove because I had the rice and beans with me."

Slowly everyone began to trickle in.
 - "Good morning!" Shan-Cai and Uee greeted.
 - "Good morning!" Abigaíl greeted. "Oh, here comes Shi-Yoon. Shi-Yoon, what did you bring?" He was carrying a container of sorts.
 - "Japche," Shi-Yoon answered.
 - "I brought dakdoritang, it's like a spicy chicken and potato stew." Uee informed the non-Koreans in the group. "Nurse Oh Hani is going to bring rice. She says she can't cook and didn't want to ask her husband to cook for her."
 - "What about you, Ilana?" Abigaíl asked.
 - "I confess, I'm not the handiest in the kitchen," Ilana said embarrassed. "Someone is making me enchiladas and dropping them by later."
 - "Don't worry, Ilana, I’ve just been learning to cook this summer with some friends but I still only know a few dishes," Uee reassured her.
 - "Nurse Hani says her husband doesn't allow her in the kitchen without his supervision," Shan-Cai, pointed out. Ilana had to laugh because that was exactly her situation, except it was her Nana who usually shooed her out of the kitchen.

 - "Don't worry, chica. You can come to my parent’s restaurant anytime you want home cooking."
 - "Really? That sounds nice. I'll have to take you up on that."
 - "Anytime; Shan-Cai and Uee pop in every now and then too."
 - "The food is sooo good," Uee agreed.

Attention now on work, the first thing on her list was patient ID's. She printed the ID and headed for the patient’s room. As her luck would have it, Dr. Jihoo was in the room; there was no turning back.

 - "Annyeong hasseyo," he greeted her, curious to see if she would respond. Her phone conversation led him to believe she knew at least the basics if not more.
 - "Excuse me?" She said politely, not betraying herself.
 - "It means hello."
 - "Oh," she responded, not knowing what else to say. "I'm here to give the patient his ID and set up their file, but if now is not a good time I can come back."
 - "Anieyo, my work here is done," he answered her, before turning his attention to the patient's wife. "Mrs. Monroe, I'll be back tomorrow. If you have any questions, please have the nurse, or my admin, here, contact me."
 - "Thank you for everything, doctor," the woman wiped a tear from her face.
 - "Don't stay here all day, Ma’am; you need to get some rest as well," he gave the woman direct eye contact and smiled kindly at her before turning to leave.

 - "Such a caring doctor, there aren't many like him," the woman said.

 - "Yes, he has a good reputation," Ilana didn't know what else to say. "Do you mind if I ask you to verify the patient's information?"

Ilana spent the morning going from desk to room to desk and gratefully hadn't run into her two nemeses; by the third patient, it no longer felt awkward. The families were only too grateful to supply information. It took their minds off the fate of their critically ill family member.  It was almost noon when Ilana's cell phone rang.
 - "Hey, Brendon," she answered.
 - "I just got here; I have your food."
 - "Oh good! Give me about ten minutes."

Ilana went back to her desk and entered a few things on the computer before heading down to meet Brendon.
 - "I'll see you guys in the meeting room. I'm going to run downstairs and pick up the food."
 - "Do you need help?" Abi asked.
 - "No, it can't be that heavy."

She had to take back those words when she walked up to Brendon. He carried with him four fairly large aluminum trays.  "Brendon, what is all this?" Eyes open wide in surprise, she pointed to the large trays he was holding.
 - "Four different types of enchiladas, you know how Nana is? You tell her food for twenty and she makes for a hundred. She had Enrique and me rolling and stuffing for like two hours. Are you going to be able to carry these?
 - "Ay Nana, why did she go through so much trouble?” Ilana shook her head bemused. “Just hand them to me I think I can manage; even if they’re heavy, I’ll go slowly."

Dr. Jihoo was still upset with his colleague.  He had reluctantly agreed with Dr. Jaejoong to accompany him and co-purchase Korean fried chicken for the potluck. He hadn't understood why they had to go and pick it up when he knew that the restaurant delivered.

- "They're extremely busy and our order won't arrive in time." This was the only explanation Dr. Jaejoong gave. Jihoo had been working with him long enough to know that a girl was probably involved.
- "You should've called the order in last night."
- "Deh, but I forgot."

Jihoo should have known; arriving at the restaurant Jihoo's suspicions proved true. They were greeted with the giggles and aegyo of the cashier. It turned out the girl couldn't date unless her sister went as well. That is why Jihoo's presence was required.  Why couldn't he be left to lead his own life? Just because his friends were all married or soon to be, did that mean he had to as well. He got the lecture from his grandfather every month and his friends always tried to arrange dates for him as well; he didn't need it at work, too. He recalled the English novel, ‘Pride and ‘Prejudice, they had to read and memorize in his literature class. The opening quote was something about a single man with a large fortune must be in need of a wife? Is that what the world thought?

Still irritated with his colleague, Jihoo left the car abruptly and left Jaejoong.to carry the three bags full of chicken.
 - "Yah! Jihoo-ah, aren't you going to take one?" Jaejoong shouted after him. When Jihoo didn't respond he had no choice but to take all the bags. "Yah! Wait up will you?" Jaejoong walked as fast as he could despite his awkward load.

Immediately entering the hospital doors, Jihoo spotted his admin laughing and trying to balance several aluminum food trays that were almost past her chin.
 - "Let me help you," Brendon asked for the third time.
 - "Brendon," she whined. "I can do it. You can't come with me all the way to the ward anyway."
 - "Señorita, que si eres terca (Miss, you are so stubborn)!
 - "Yes I am, now go away." Ilana had been trying to walk, but Brendon kept hovering. "That's a direct order, Mr. Martinez.”

  - "Niña terca (stubborn child)!" Brendon threw up his hands and was walking away conceding defeat

Dr. Jihoo knew enough Spanish to get by; he had heard the man standing next to his admin call her 'stubborn'. From where he was standing it did look that way. Ilana's deliverer had turned to leave and he saw his admin trying to walk while balancing the food trays in her arms.
 - “Jihoo-ah, a little help, juseyo?" Dr. Jaejoong had finally caught up.

Jihoo ignored him and caught up to Ilana, swiftly removing the trays from her arms.
 - "What?" Ilana was caught off guard as she watched the doctor walk towards the elevator.
 - "He usually forgets to tell people what he's thinking," Dr. Jaejoong, conspiratorially told Ilana, when he caught up. "Kaja, he's a little upset with me at the moment and in the mood he's in, he probably won't hold the elevator for us."

It was extremely awkward in the elevator with no one speaking. Dr. Jaejoong thankfully broke the silence.
 - "Mianhaeyo Ilana-ssi, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable the other day, jeongmalyo. I was just playing but you wouldn't have known that because you are new. As Dr. Jihoo said, I really sometimes am clueless. Thankfully Noona keeps me in check. Can we start over? Jaejoong ibnida..." He bowed low again like yesterday, but refrained from holding her hand. ”welcome, Ilana-ssi, I hope you enjoy working here." Ilana was left dumbfounded as usual. Some sort of response seemed to be required.
 - "You seem sincere, Dr. Jaejoong, even if I don’t understand your language. I will accept your apology. But I am warning you, I do know how to defend myself." She spoke in her best Ajumma voice; coolly, without betraying any emotion. The last part was a bluff; since no matter what, in case of an attack, her fear would get the best of her.
 - "Daeback! I promise you, I'll heed your warning." He playfully put his hand over his heart.
 - "Here,” Ilana motioned to the bags Dr. Jaejoong was carrying. "Dr. Jihoo seemed to think I couldn't carry my own trays. The least I can do is take one of your bags." Ilana felt bad about having empty hands.
 - "It would be disrespectful of me to have let you carry these trays," Dr. Jihoo finally spoke.
 - "Ah! He speaks," Ilana thought.
 - "Dr. Jihoo would kill me if I let you carry a bag. You see, it's my penance for trying to set him up on a date." Dr. Jaejoong explained. Ilana didn't know why she needed to know that information, but she kept quiet as usual. Thankfully, they were about to arrive at their floor.

Exiting the elevator, Ilana thanked Dr. Jihoo for his aide.  "Even though I could have managed…thank you."
- "Anieyo gwenchanayo," was all he said before setting the trays down when they walked into the meeting room.
- "Oh! Dr. Jihoo, you got some sauce on your shirt," Ilana worried over the russet colored stain on his white shirt.
- "Gwenchanayo," he said looking at his shirt. "I have a good laundry service," He smiled at her. Ilana had only seen him smile at his patients or their family. It was a nice smile, she thought.
- "Ilana!" Her attention turned to Abigaíl, who called her. The girls and Shi-Yoon had saved her a seat. "Get your food and come over here."
- "I don't know where to start! There's so much food."
- "I know, we called the fifth and seventh floor to come eat with us."
- "We saw you walk in with Dr. Jihoo and Dr. Jaejoong." Shancai asked. "Did Dr. Jaejoong behave himself?"
- "Actually, he did. He apologized once more."
- "I told you he was harmless," Shancai said.
- "Yes, I think he might be but, I also warned him I knew how to defend myself." Ilana busied herself with her food while the girls and even Shi-Yoon laughed.

Long after SungRyung's staff had gone back to work and everyone else had eaten their fill, there was still food left. Dr. David was gracious enough to consolidate food containers and then invited any patient visitors to eat. The potluck had been a huge success which left everyone wondering why they didn't do them more often.

Ilana spent the rest of the afternoon at her desk until a new patient was transferred in and she needed to make the ID. Dr. Jihoo was also in the room when she walked in; ignoring him, she set to work getting the patients information.  She was just about done when he said his goodbyes to the family and left. Excusing herself, she too left not a minute after. Dr. Jihoo was still in the hallway looking at something on his phone and she noticed he changed his white shirt for a light gray one.

Once seated back at her desk, Ilana thought there was something about Dr. Jihoo in all white that bothered her. It was as if she had met him once before. She was positive that she would've remembered seeing a Kim HyunJoong look alike? While coding files, she let her mind wonder why Dr. Jihoo was invading her memory.  When it was almost the end of her shift when she suddenly realized something, on the day of her first interview, could Dr. Jihoo have been the person who kept her from falling? All she remembered was he wore all white and didn't speak. Was he blond? She gasped out loud suddenly remembering he was blond.
 - "What's wrong?" Abigaíl asked, hearing Ilana gasp all of a sudden.
 - "N-nothing, I just remembered something."
 - "Bad?"
 - "I'm not sure, more...disquieting." Abigaíl took in Ilana's worried brow and red face.
 - "Chica? You're all red. You look guilty, what did you do?" She teased.
 - "I do? I didn't do anything. I just..." Ilana could feel the heat on her face. "Ugh, I'm going to use the restroom." Ilana practically ran.

As luck would have it she rounded the corner to the restroom and almost ran smack right into Dr. Jihoo.  "Ay!" She said startled. She looked down, muttered an 'excuse me' and scoot past him and Dr. Jaejoong who had just come from the elevator.
- "What was that all about?" Dr. Jaejoong asked.
- "I don't know," Jihoo answered with a small smile. He was actually thinking his new admin got more and more intriguing each day. He would be enjoying coming to work from now on, just to see what antics the girl came up with.

Safely ensconced in the bathroom, Ilana splashed water on her face to remove the obvious signs of embarrassment.  "Why me?" She thought. "Have I always been such a dork?" Breathing in and out a few times helped to calm her nerves. She sent an urgent text to Suzy:  Na pabo! I'll call you later.
Suzy: Again? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
Ilana: Deh! :(
Suzy: Call around 5pm our time.
Ilana: Arraso! Kansamnida!

Ilana returned to her desk and avoided Abigail’s questions for the little time they had left in their day.

At the end of the day, they took turns hugging Shancai as if she was moving cross country instead of the floor beneath. Shi-Yoon accompanied Abigaíl and Ilana down the stairs. All three parted ways and Ilana walked up to her brother.
 - "I need a molten chocolate lava cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream,” Ilana said.
 - "Hola hermano (Hello brother), como estas (how are you)? Muy bien, gracias Manita (Very well, thank you Manita), te fue bien hoy (did you have a good day)?" He mocked.

She hugged his arm and leaned her head against it.  "No te burles (don’t make fun),” she sulked.
 - "Manita, did you make another mistake?"

She nodded her head, 'yes'.

 - "Alright, eat dinner first and then we'll all go out for desert."
 - "Te quiero, hermano (love you, brother)!"
 - "Narizón marrón (brown noser),” he by pulling her nose.
 - "Yah! Stop!" She complained, but all he did was laugh.

Life was much better after Ilana's medicinal chocolate. Bolstered with chocolate courage, she thought it was now possible to deal with Dr. Jihoo. After all, he probably didn't recognize her anyway. He went off so quickly that day, she was sure he didn't get a good look at her. As far as thinking he was someone else, he must be used to it or so it seemed, according to Uee. Ilana humored herself by picturing his impassive face scolding her for being a klutz.
 - "Manita? Why are you grinning like a Cheshire cat?"
 - "Hmm?" She was still lost in her imagination until Kike clapped his hands in front of her. "Kike! You didn't have to scare me like that!"  Ilana held a hand over her chest to still her heart.
 - "I asked you why you were grinning."
 - "I was just thinking something funny; Anyway, I need to get ready for bed and I promised I'd call Suzy.
 - "Don't stay up too late."
 - "I won't, good night.  Buenas Noches, Nana, Brendon.

After a quick shower, she hopped on the bed to call Suzy.
- "Yeoboseyo? Unnie?"
- "Annyeong!"
- "What happened now?"
- "Saengie Oppa told you guys about my meeting the other day, right?"
- "Oh, poor Unnie must've been so embarrassed!"
- "Chincha! I was…thankfully, I didn't run into them again that day. So, anyway, today I was carrying these trays of food for a potluck and Dr. Jihoo just took them from me without saying a word! Suzy-ah, worst of all, I tripped the day of my first interview and someone caught me before I fell.  I couldn't even say thank you because he'd walked right off without a word or another glance.  Omo!!  I just realized it was him!" Suzy was busy laughing on the other end.
- "Unnie is being oversensitive."
- "Hajiman he's so odd! He's like really caring and conscientious to his patients and it’s not an act. The rest of the time, he walks around with a blank expression on his face and doesn't say a word." Suzy burst into a fit of laughter. Every time Ilana thought she was done, she started up again. "Waaaeee!"
- "Mianhaeyo, hajiman does Unnie realize she just described herself?

- “Mworago?

Hello, my dears! How was that ending? Too sudden? Too boring? Not feeling it? Let me know?