I woke up early as usual. I handed over the cookies mother made for the family during breakfast. They were as usual happy. I plopped again my usual place beside Dara. I queried about Dara’s grandmother remembering what Bom had told me. Mr. Tablo said that she had died after 2 years staying in this new house. I gave my condolences. Dara was busy tending off the livestock and I helped Mr. Tablo on harvesting ripe coconuts to sell in the market. After which, I helped gather wood for fire with Dara.


Afternoon came, we went to town and started at the hospital. I asked Dara to gather blood samples from the patients. I interviewed the patients and gathered their current medical history that the hospital gave me. We got home late that night. I thanked Dara again for helping out and she nodded again with her shyness form and retreated to her room. I busily tallied and documented the result. This went on for a couple of weeks. Dara became a little comfortable with me. She starts to respond to my queries but still tends to blush out. I felt sad I only had a week to stay in such a wonderful town. I called Principal Yang Hyun Suk and informed him about my progress and was close to finishing off my research. He was glad to hear such news. I, then, thought to spend my weekend to relax. I told Mr. and Mrs. Park of my plan to take the day off for the weekend. They happily offered that I would be visiting some of their relatives in the mountain where there was a beautiful waterfall. I thought this was a great idea where I could wind off. I asked them for directions and instructions but they both insisted to let Dara take me there. I happily agreed with the thought. I thought it was a great chance to get to know her better. She nodded again with her shy and timid nature.

The weekend came, we rose early to head off to the mountain. I gathered little clothes for the trip and excitedly started off the journey. While we were climbing up the slope slate of the mountain, I tried do some conversation with Dara about simple matter about her family and Bom. She wasn’t hesitant in answering to my questions. I was glad we are not spending the trek silently. We arrived at her relative's house. It was a simple little wooden house in the mountain. There was a couple with two children with them whom met and greeted us.


“Dara-ah! What brought you here?” The man of forties shouted happily and stopped from his chore of chopping wood. “Annyeong Uncle Sean Noh and Aunt Jung Noh. I'm visiting with a friend Mr. Jiyong Kwon and ask if we could spend the weekend here.” Dara replied. “Yah! You mean THE Jiyong Kwon that you were talking about?” Mrs. Noh blurted and hurried towards up. Dara simply nodded. I stretched my hand to Mr. Noh and he hastily took if for a shake and said, “Well! It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Kwon! I’ve heard so many good things about you from Dara! If I may say, if she wasn’t an agriculturist she could actually be a biologist just like you. She admired you very much!” Mr. and Mrs. Noh let out a laugh. Dara in the corner blushed again. I smiled and replied, “If she is interested I could actually take her in as an assistant. She really is very good indeed in helping out with my research.” “Well, I be! You heard that Dara-ah! You’ve been offered a job by Mr.Kwon!” Mrs. Noh said out loud with a smile looking at Dara trying to look invisible. The couple let out a laugh again. “I heard there is a waterfall near here. I just want to relax a bit before I actually try to wrap my research up. I’m close to the conclusion I might as well enjoy my last week being here.” I said. “That’s just sad that you will just be here for a week. Dara-ah will be sad.” Mr. Noh put his hands to Dara’s shoulder trying to comfort her. The couple laughed seeing how in deep red her face she was blushing and trying to hide her blush thru her hair. I, suddenly, was stricken with a slight grief. I didn’t want to leave the place. I was enjoying my busy life in the province and with happy and kind people around me. The couple noticed I was in deep thought tr