Hyuk’s POV

It’s already Tuesday and I can’t believe that the first thing that woke Hae and I up are the loud noises coming from downstairs, “I think we should invite all of Oppa’s friend here in Thailand kah~” but another loud voice follower, “Chai—good idea Nong. Ai’Cap and I can go to the College of Engineer na khrab later!” Hae and I are on the way down already and the noises are getting louder and louder, “Mae khrab, are we going to celebrate it here in the house khrab?”

My brothers are always excited for parties but having Heemi with them is a total game changer. That girl learned a lot from his Appa who likes to surprise Heechul hyung. “Chai kah—we will move your Pa’s scooter and my small garden so people can have more space to roam around.”

“Shouldn’t you ask the birthday boy first, khrab?” I decided to show up with my sleepy Hae beside me. Everyone looks at us. From Ai’Cap and Ai’Gun that has paper and pen on their hands, to Mae and Pa that are both standing up, and Heenim that’s leaning on the table, and Heechul Hyung that still has his morning coffee.

“My daughter and your brothers are planning your party Hyuk. Don’t ruin the fun.” As I said, even though people will look at Heechul Hyung as a bully mother, but he loves his daughter so much. They won’t be even here in Thailand with us if Heemi didn’t ask him to.

Hae chuckled beside be, “I like parties—and I can meet more of your friends Hyukkie.” Hae said and that is enough reason to convince me. “Okay, let’s have the party.” Everybody laughs and I am not sure why, “Double standard na P’?” Ai’Gun commented which makes them laugh even more. I pull my Hae and hug him, “Woie you cannot say that Ai’. Your P’ is happy as long as his wife is happy, khrab~” but they are still laughing.

I am the center of attention now but I can only whisper one thing, “I missed this, Hae.” Because I don’t have enough opportunity is Korea to laugh like this. “I know—and I am happy for you, Hyukkie.” And he whispered back at me.

Flashback

“Unni, have you met the new employee?” I didn’t mean to overhear a conversation but I am on my way to the pantry and there are 3 female employees talking. I was able to understand them because they are talking in English. Our company is an international company and it’s a rule here to keep on speaking English even on our breaks to help us communicate more. “Ani—why?” The other girl asked and I know that they are talking to me.

[ani / aniyo – no in Korean language]

I decided to hide a bit and to listen. My parents told me that I should always leave a good impression to people around me. “Are we talking about that guy from Thailand? What’s his name again?” I am sure that I spell my name and enunciate it very well for them to remember me. “Nirah? Nibah? I am not sure—but why do you think the HR department hired him?” my heartbeats start to double up as the conversation go on.

“Do you think he has connection, Unni? He doesn’t have experience yet.” And then a loud gasp can be heard, “Really? How did you know?” I close my eyes and think of an idea how to make them know that I don’t have any connection in the company. “Do you know Sunny Unni?” “Neh, from HR department, right?” I also know her. She oriented me, “She told me that they were so shocked when the HR head announced that they hired someone from Thailand. Well—she said that the credentials are really impressive—like top of the class but still he is a fresh grad and doesn’t speak Korean at all.”

They are really talking quiet loud and I hope no one can hear them because other employee might also think the same to me like what they are thinking right now. I started to turn around and away from them, “I don’t remember that the boss is paying us to gossip.” That made me stops from walking. I turn around again and take a peek at the pantry once more.

A guy with quiet long hair and face that looks like a girl is glaring at the girls who gossiped about me, “Mianhae Oppa, we will go back now.” All of them said in union and leave. I did my best to hide myself in the corner so they won’t be able to find me. That will be awkward for all of us if they find out that I heard their conversation.

“And you—if you don’t want people to gossip about you, you need to man up and correct them. There’s no room here in South Korea for self-pity. There’s a very big competition here in Seoul and companies don’t hire incompetent employees.” I was so shocked because I know that he is talking to me directly.

“Ahm—khawp khun—I mean—thank you for what you did just now senior.” I even bow my head—almost similar to our wai in Thailand to show my gratitude. I walk in the pantry to thank him properly, “First, Niran—” “Hyuk—you can call me Hyuk,” I cut him. My real name might sound awkward for them, “Fine, Hyuk, I didn’t defend you or something. I just hate people who like to talk about someone without any content. Second, I don’t mind where you are from as long as you are good at your work then its okay. And third, stand on your own—not everyone will lift you up when you are being slump by other people.”

He is ready to walk away but I run to stop him, “Wait—senior—what’s your name?” I asked him nicely. He really looks like a girl at first and he has good skin. I guess Korean products are really effective, “Kim Heechul from Finance Department. Remember the name of your seniors, Hyuk.” And he walks pass me already.

I am glad—not because someone gossiped about me but because I know now that I am not alone in this big world I am in right now.

The gossips about me still continue. They call me with different names and even discriminate my race. Every night, when I called my family, I keep on telling them that I am doing great and my co-workers are very nice to me. I don’t have the heart to tell them the truth.

I tried to prove those people that they are wrong about me. I did my best in all the projects that they gave me. All bosses are happy about my performance but the more I work hard, the more people tried to push me down. Maybe Ryeowook from Sales Department is right. Those people are probably insecure and jealous of me because I am doing a good job.

I didn’t even notice the months and soon I’ll be 6 months here in Korea. If I have some enemies, I also have some friends. Heechul Hyung from Finance Department—even though he said that he didn’t help me at all, he still make it a point to eat lunch with me. Since we’ve been eating lunch, I also became close with his group of friends. Surprisingly, his friends are from different departments.

“So Hyung—how do you say ‘Annyeonghaseyo’ in Thai?” Kim Ryeowook is always the curious one. He keeps on asking about my language. I laugh and said, “Its ‘Sawadee Khrab~’” and I always answer him. Like usual we are all eating in the company’s cafeteria. “Hyuk, don’t you miss your family?” the oldest from my new friends here is Leeteuk Hyung. And yes, they are teaching me Koreans every now and then.

Hyung is like my senior from Engineering before. He is not as strict as those hazers but he has good leadership skills. He is from Marketing Team, “Of course I miss them Hyung. But my brothers told me that they are doing great and they will try to update me more.” I smile as I remember my last night conversation with Ai’Gun and Ai’Cap. They are becoming more and more responsible now.

“I like it when you are talking about your brothers. You have this bright smile on your face.” Sungmin Hyung said while eating his ramen. He has this cute aura all over his body and he likes it when people are happy around him. “Oh come on~ Hyuk is obsess with his brothers~” and of course Heechul Hyung will always have the sharp tongue of them all.

With all smile I responded, “I am just glad that Ai’Gun and Ai’Cap are becoming more and more responsible. I am also glad that they are doing great there in Thailand. If I have my leave already I will definitely go home even for few days.”

“Anyway Hyuk, my daughter wants to go to Lotte World this weekend. She wants to invite everyone and I know that you haven’t really tour around Korea. I think this will be a perfect opportunity for you. Besides, my daughter surprisingly likes you. We will also invite some more friends. My Geng said the more the merrier.” The invitation makes me feel that I am being wanted and not unwanted by people. I nod even though I am not sure if I will be busy or not, “Tell Heemi that I will come.” I said and now I am looking forward for this coming weekend.

I didn’t know that the simple weekend that I promised with Heemi will be my life changing weekend.

“Are we still waiting for someone Heechul? Everyone is here already.” Ryeowook is becoming impatient. He doesn’t like waiting and we’ve been waiting here for good 15 minutes.

On the other hand, Heemi keeps on asking me random questions, “And Oppa, what does Thailand looks like?” “What do you mean?” I asked her back. She stared back at me with her big watery eyes, “Geng Appa and I researched about Thailand. I read that people from your country uses P’ for older boys same with Oppa here in Korea…so Oppa…should I start calling you P’?” curiosity really kills the cat.

I look up just to see Hangeng Hyung with apologetic look on his face. I’ve met Heechul Hyung’s family for couple of times already. He has been my so called best friend here in Korea and I am so glad that he introduced his wonderful family to me. Even though Heemi is quiet mischievous, Hangeng Hyung is a complete opposite of them. He is composed and very polite. I wonder how he and Hyung met. Both of them are part of the LGBT community here in Korea. Heemi is their biological daughter but thru surrogate process.

The magic of their family still fascinates me. Hangeng Hyung was originally from China but he settled down here in Korea for his family. He still goes back and forth to China for his business. “You don’t really need to call me P’. Oppa is okay already, Heemi.” I answered her back.

I thought she will give up already—but I was wrong, “Arraso Oppa, but how about the food? I read that there are so many exotic foods in Thailand. Like tarantula, and scorpions, and crickets—” She suddenly looks at her Appa, “Appa—if we go to Thailand, can we try those foods? They are dead and fried so I think they are safe to eat.” The only thing that I can do is laugh, “Sure baby, Appa will buy you as many as you want~” what a spoiled kid—but quiet understandable. She is the only daughter of the family.

We are still waiting patiently when suddenly, “HERE HE IS UMMA!!! OPPA!!! DONGHAE OPPA!!!” as Heemi started to shout, I also started to look at the directly where Heemi is waving her hands. I didn’t know that the Donghae that Heemi is calling is the person that will turn my world upside down.

Back to Reality

“Why are you smiling like an idiot P’?” I snapped out of my thoughts when the other mischievous person I know asked me a very disrespectful question. “What did you say—Ai’Gun?” I asked him with conviction in my tone. He smiles at me anyway, “I mean, P’ why are you smiling like an idiot, khrab?”

Ai’Gun and Heemi did a high-five. I really regret introducing them to each other now.

WOW WOW WOW Can you believe that I typed this whole chapter here in the office? Believe me hahahahha~

Next: Hyuk’s birthday party!!!