Ji Hoo helped Mandy into the room and into the chair. The doctor had his back to them and when Ji Hoo greeted his ‘Harbeoji’, the old man turned around.

“Oh!” Mandy exclaimed when she saw the former president.

“Hello child, how are you today?” he asked

“Harbeoji, you know her?” Ji Hoo asked surprised

“Yes, we met at Jan Di and Jun Pyo’s wedding” Mandy answered

“When?”

“When I went to the hall to fetch my ipad” Mandy said “How are your knees now?” she asked

“They are much better. But you don’t look so good” the old man observed and started diagnosing her.

“Your knees? Harbeoji, what are you talking about?” Ji Hoo was utterly confused

“Aish! You rascal stop asking questions and let me treat her” the doctor said

“It’s cough and cold which has led to a fever” he diagnosed “So don’t take any sour or tangy or cold things and take the medicine I’m subscribing on time and you’ll be fine in no time, just take a lot of rest.” He smiled at Mandy “And you” he turned to Ji Hoo “Take good care of her”

“I will” Ji Hoo said

“And find yourself a good wife” the old man continued on in his chiding. “I want to die in peace and see you settled down”

“Don’t worry” Mandy started “I will find a good girl for him” and laughed

“Marry him yourself and I will die knowing that my grandson is settled with a good girl” the old man suggested

“Harbeoji……” Ji Hoo said in a warning tone.

“I will find him a girl even better than me” Mandy said smiling

They took their leave and Ji Hoo helped Mandy into the car.

“Sorry for what Harbeoji said earlier about you marrying me…” Ji Hoo said as he strapped his seatbelt.

“Arre koi gal ni” Mandy said

“Huh?” Ji Hoo couldn’t understand a word she said

“I said it’s alright; I just tend to speak in Punjabi when I’m most miserable or relaxed or tired, when I can’t remember that I have to speak in English to converse.”

“Teach me then” Ji Hoo said

“Huh?”

“Teach me Punjabi, so that you can be relaxed around me, so that when you are tired or miserable, you can be yourself around me.”

“I don’t really speak in Punjabi, I just use phrases. They are so deep set in my brain that I sometimes utter some words without thinking.”

“So then teach me those phrases” Ji Hoo insisted “Like what you said at the night you invited everyone for dinner after you cleared the table”

“Huh…… Hai rabba? It means Oh God. I said that because I was tired. You remembered it?” she looked at him

“I remember everything you say. I also remember that I was supposed to teach you Korean. So let’s make a deal; I teach you Korean and you teach me Punjabi.” Ji Hoo said as pulled up in front of his house

“Ok deal. But why are we at your house?” Mandy asked

“You are staying with me till you get fully recovered” Ji Hoo said when he opened her door

“It takes at least a few days for that babu; not a few hours.” Mandy said as she got out of the car.

“I know that” Ji Hoo said as he helped her into the house and deposited her on the couch.

“I cannot stay with you”

“Why?”

“Because I have my own apartment for that”

“Well your apartment is un-livable for a few days anyway; Woo Bin called before and said that the door will take a few days to get fixed.”

“But I only get good sleep on my own bed” Mandy moaned

“What’s so special about your bed?” Ji Hoo asked

“It’s more about the mattress really, it’s a cotton filled mattress and I love sleeping on that. I got it specially delivered from my home. It’s the same mattress I have been sleeping on since I was a kid.” She explained

“Fine then, we’ll have it delivered here too. Is there any other problem?”

“My clothes” Mandy started but Ji Hoo stopped her “Already taken care of; a suitcase of your clothes and all your necessary things stocked in the guest room.”

“My TV and DVDs?”

“I can have them delivered”

“You take me as too easy a person. But beware” Mandy said in a warning voice “I am a 3^rd degree Judo black belt holder” and made fists of her hands and swung them in front of Ji Hoo “So don’t you dare try anything funny” she said mockingly

“I treasure my life too much” Ji Hoo laughed and put up his hands in surrender.

“Good, now are you ready for hell? Because that’s what your life is gonna be for the next few days. I am not that easy to live with so I’m giving you a chance to change your decision right now” Mandy looked at him

“I think I will be fine.” Ji Hoo said

“Ok then, first task; make me a cup of hot tea”

“Ok” Ji Hoo said getting up from beside her

“Not so fast; I want the tea my way. Put a cup of water on boil; when it starts boiling, add a pinch of grated ginger; break up one green cardamom and then add it; then add tea leaves, about one tsp; let it boil and add ¼th cup milk; let it have two or three boils and then add sugar; let it have one more boil and then sieve it and transfer in a cup” she finished, her voice had started to falter at the end

Ji Hoo brought out the tea in the next five minutes.

“How is it?” he asked

“Could’ve been better”

“You are trying to make me change my mind, aren’t you?” Ji Hoo said as Mandy was slowly sipping her tea. She just nodded her head.

“Why?”

“I am just really uncomfortable with the whole scenario”

“Don’t you trust me?”

“It’s not that”

“Then?”

“I guess I’m just scared that my parents, both sets, would freak out if they got to know that I’m staying with a guy”

“I’m sure they’ll understand if you tell them the whole situation”

“I hope they do” Mandy said sadly as she sipped her tea

“You know I really didn’t take you for a tea sort of person” Ji Hoo said “And that is one strange kind of tea you told me to make”

“I’m not a tea person; I just drink this when I’m sick, as a home remedy. And it’s called chai.”

“Chai, the home remedy” Ji Hoo repeated

“Chai is just tea leaves mixed with water and milk. Whichever way you make it and whatever you want to add is your choice. The ingredients I told you to add don’t really go well with coffee; otherwise I would’ve told you to mix it in coffee.” She said as she finished her cup

I know it's all a bit boring now but all these facts and tit bits add up at the end of the story so please don't hate me!! and subscribe aand comment!!!! lots of comments please so that i know what's going on in your head