,February 8, 2013

The days had flown by. It had been just over two weeks since they said goodbye to HyunJoong at the airport at Easter Island. Ilana looked at the picture Maknae had taken of them in front of the Moai statues and smiled.

 - “Stand next to Paro (the biggest of the statues)!”  HyungJun directed.

 - “Shiro Oppa! He’s creepy!” They had all laughed at Ilana and continued to push her towards the statue.

 - “Don’t worry Ilana-ssi, Leader will protect you from the big bad statue,” HyunJoong referred to himself.

 - “Yah! Sunbae, she’s mine! Na saw her first!” Maknae complained.

 - “Wait, Ilana, how come you get all the fun! I’ll take Leader and you keep Maknae, anyway I’m older so I get first dibs.” Suzy added to the hilarity of the situation.

 - “You guys figure it out and leave me out of it!” Ilana said waving her hands in front of her.

 - “Don’t worry ladies, y Charisma is here and I’m enough for both of you to share." Jung Min put his arm around both girls.

 - "Tch! Whatever! Everyone shouted at once, while the girls extricated themselves from his arms and playfully pushed him away.

Ilana had been trying to work up the courage to speak to Hyun Joong alone all morning. She finally got her chance on the road to the airport. Stomachs full from lunch and tired from dancing and for the guys drinking late the night before, the moving van had lulled everyone to sleep. Ilana was still awake looking out the window when movement caught the corner of her eye. When she turned her head, she saw Hyun Joong stretching then rubbing the sleep out of his face. He had only dozed off for a little while.

 - “Should I say something?” Ilana thought. She wanted to thank him for helping her the other day, plus she really wanted him to know what his music had done for her that night. “Ah! Speak now or forever hold your peace. When are you ever going to see him again?”

 - “Are we the only ones awake?” Hyun Joong asked.

 - “It looks like it. I’m surprised you’re not passed out as well.”

 - “Nope, already thinking of everything I need to do when Na get home. Naega only home for a few days and then I leave for Japan.

 - “Kansamnida,” she blurted out and looked down at her lap, most likely already turning every shade of red.

 - “Is Ilana-ssi talking to me? Na didn’t do anything?”

 - “Thank you, for taking care of me the other day.”

- “Na told Ilana-ssi, had I been more responsible that day, you wouldn’t have had to go through that.”

Ilana took a steadying breath. At this rate, she would never tell him everything that was on her mind.  “You see….the thing is…Ugh!!  I promise I’m not fangirling on you.”

He laughed and gave her his famous smile, mixed with an inquisitive and playfully exasperated gaze.  “Maria, hajima…stop.  Na don’t think you’re ‘fangirling’ and naega going to be hurt if you’re so uncomfortable with me, you can’t tell me what’s obviously important to you.” This time it was Ilana’s turn to smile. He loved to about YoungSaeng’s song, but being a good Sunbae, he knew how to get his hubae’s attention. For Ilana, all he had to do was call her ‘Maria’.

 - “I really meant what I told you the night of your concert. It…takes a special talent to be able to win the appreciation of an audience in their sixties when you normally cater to one in their twenties.”

 - “Gomawoyo, hajima I’m not special. Naega just doing what I love.” He looked at her expectantly for he could tell, she wanted to say more.

 - “I-I don’t know if the guys told you anything about me, but…um…when I was little, music was a huge part of my family’s life. My parents were in an (she closed her eyes)…accident when I was ten.” He understood her omission of the word ‘died.’ “After that…I–I didn’t…I couldn’t listen to it anymore. And when I did, I could no longer feel it. It didn’t…speak to me anymore. Do you understand what I mean?” She opened her eyes again, pleading for understanding.

 - “Music and the need for it, is important to me too, I dropped out of high school and worked hard to achieve my dream. As for the guys, they never told me anything about you.  Gomawoyo, for sharing this with me. I could just tell KyuJong took you under his wing and the others really like you too; especially Maknae.” Ilana smiled at the thought of the goofy photographer.

 - “You and the guys, when you sang…I didn’t need to understand the words because I felt every emotion.  I heard it in your voices, I could see it…it paints a picture. I just wanted to thank you for opening that door again for me.” She looked back out the window, too embarrassed to face him.

- “Ilana-ssi are you a musician? Few people see music the way you just described.”

- “A-anieyo.” She shook her head to try and throw off his scrutinizing gaze.

- “Jeongmal? Then you should be.” He wondered about her. “Give me your phone, juseyo?”

- “Huh?” HyunJoong pointed at his phone and put out his hand expectantly. She got the hint and handed him her phone; he then began to dial.

- “Here’s my number and now I have yours. Na will call Ilana-ssi when naega the U.S. If Ilana-ssi is ever in Korea, call me and I’ll make you dinner”

- “That’d be nice.” She looked down at her phone. “Dog?”

- “Maria.” He showed her his phone and instead of filing her number under Ilana, he used Maria.

The driver announced they would be arriving at the airport shortly. They walked HyunJoong into the airport and the usual airport ritual of hugs, back pounding began and crying began. Yes, poor Maknae hated farewells and wasn’t doing a very good job of hiding it. Ilana had only known this guy for a few days, but she felt there was some sort of bond that had developed and even she began to get teary-eyed. Ilana looked at the picture again. His last words to her: “Take care of these namja for me and don’t be too stubborn; your Oppa-deul will take care of you too.”

Someone was knocking at the door. She wondered which of the guys had been sent to fetch her. It was almost 9 AM and they had agreed to meet downstairs by 9:30. Someone was being impatient and she thought she knew who that was: that cute baby HyungJun Oppa. Thankfully, she was just about ready. Suzy had lent her a pair of shorts since she didn’t have any type of beachwear in her closet. At least she had versatile tops. A blue cami and a long sleeve white button down shirt completed the outfit.

- “Princess!” HyungJun called at the door. “Pali!”

- “Ay voy! (I’m coming), keep your shirt on!” It was only fair to sneak in a few Spanish words to them every now and then as they were always talking to her in Korean.

With a final look in the mirror, Ilana was ready to answer the impatient knocking. New Caledonia waited. Ilana was actually excited, the guys had told her Hyun Joong had filmed part of a drama in New Caledonia. They promised to take Ilana and Suzy to see some of the sights.

- “You do realize, it’s still early, is it going to take thirty minutes to get downstairs?” Ilana told HyungJun when she answered the door.

- “YoungSaeng hyeong is going to have to meet us downstairs. He had to work the priority disembarkation line, so he asked me to come get you. Aren’t you happy, Princess?” HyungJun was unperturbed at Ilana’s playful scolding.

- “Loads... She smiled at him.

- "Princess, our day is going to be daeback!  Na have at all planned out for us.  Na can’t wait to get off the ship.”

- "We have to get downstairs first, kaja.”  Ilana always made the guys laugh, when she spoke in their Korean words.

Everyone piled into a van to take them to the first stop on HyungJun’s itinerary. They arrived at the Noumea Magenta Airport. Ilana was immediately apprehensive, one only went to the airport to pick someone up or to board an aircraft. No one mentioned anything about either.

They soon arrived at Arc en Ciel Voyages.  “Oppa? Why are we here?” Ilana asked warily.

- “We’re taking a three-hour helicopter tour,” HyungJun responded.  “We need to split up into two groups, only three people are allowed in each helicopter. They two helicopters will be leaving within twenty minutes of each other. We’ll meet back at the beach; the first group back picks up lunch.”

- “I’ve got an idea.” Said Suzy. “Ilana, you go in the first group, since you’ve never been here, and I’ll go in the second group. The guys can play rock-paper-scissors to see who goes with who”

- “Arraso,” both KyuJong and YoungSaeng agreed.

- “I wanna go with Ilana!” HyungJun pouted.

- “Why can’t I go with you?” Jung Min asked Suzy.

- “Yah! Fair is fair. We see each other every day of the year.” Suzy narrowed her eyes at Jung Min. “No playing favorites.” Her gaze turned to HyungJun. “First two winners go with Ilana.”

- “Wait!” Ilana tried to get their attention. “I really really don’t fly.”

- “Pabo, it’s only a helicopter!” Replied Suzy.

- “You’ll be fine, I’ve got some pressure point bracelets with me,” KyuJong reassured her.

- “It’s not just that! I only fly if I absolutely must. Believe me! Flying and I don’t get on well.” Ilana was getting sick just thinking about it. She figured three hours wasn’t that long, but what if she had a panic attack and ruined it for everyone else.

- “I’ll just sit this one out, please?”

- “You’ll have fun. I promise, if you don’t I’ll have the guys hold me while you beat me.” YoungSaeng gave her a reassuring hug and his otter’s smile. Her eyes begged him to understand, he of all people had seen how her fright took her over.”

- “It’s time to board,” HyungJun announced. “Who’s going first?”

- “ka-wi-ba-wi-bo!” The four guys played rock paper scissors for the chance to go first. The winners: KyuJong, HyungJun.

- “Shiro Oppa!” Ilana tried an aegyo. '"Oppa, please! I really, really, don’t want to go!" Unfortunately, it didn’t work, KyuJong had already climbed in and was reaching for her, while HyungJun was lifting her up.

Ilana screamed, but to no avail, she was in the helicopter sandwiched in between the two guys.  “Wear this wristband, it’ll help against the motion sickness.” KyuJong slipped the wristband over her hand.

- “It’s not the motion that makes me sick!” Ilana tried to get it through their thick skulls, but they wouldn’t listen. The helicopter was taking off, Ilana tried to relax and concentrate on not having a panic attack.

- “Don’t worry Princess, I’ve been on these trips several times and still get scared. If we hold on to each other we won’t be scared.” He took her hand in his and smiled at her.

Ilana tried to enjoy the view but failed. The helicopter swerved and swooped as it flew over the blue-green carpet of the island. Taking a deep breath, she slowly let it out again.  “...one, two, three, breath, one, two three,” she coached herself while the other two were oohing and ah-ing. On one particularly hard turn, Ilana lost all her concentration. The beautiful blue sky and rolling countryside bordered by an almost translucent ocean had suddenly disappeared.  Ilana screamed and buried her head in HyungJun’s shoulder.

- “You were doing fine, just relax.” She could feel KyuJong rubbing her back slightly.

It was dark out. The sky turned deep gray, almost black. It was late afternoon, but it looked like it was the middle of the night. They had tried to wait out the storm, but it didn’t look to be stopping at any time soon. Mr. & Mrs. Contreras had no other choice if they wanted to get to New York in time, they would have to continue their flight through the storm. The Pilot assured them, although risky, he’d flown in these situations before. What was their undoing? Did lightning strike the plain? Was it hail the size of golf balls? All the different scenarios played out in Ilana’s mind until she was trembling; her heart was thundering and she held HyungJun’s hand with a python grip.

- “Princess?” HyungJun patted Ilana’s head with his free hand. He looked over at KyuJong. “Eottokae?” Ilana was lost to them; KyuJong could hear her ragged breathing.

- “Ilana-ssi, ease up a little, you’re going to break his hand and then he won’t be able to take pictures.” KyuJong patted her back soothingly, but there was still no reaction from Ilana. He sighed and pried her hand from HyungJun’s (much to his relief). He gently pulled her face to look at him. “Ilana take a deep breath and then let it out slowly.” She willingly complied. “Chaghan Agassi (good girl), now keep that up.” She had the same tear-stained face and far away look she had the night she sprained her hand. “Ilana-ssi, focus; look at how beautiful the view is, stop looking at whatever it is in your mind. Look, you can even see some sheep.” He kept talking to her, it seemed to be working.

HyungJun picked up the running commentary until she started to respond and relaxed against the seat.

- “Ilana-ssi, we’re halfway! There it is!  Le Coeur de Voh (The Heart of Voh)! Wau, I never get tired of seeing it. Silly Agassi has captured my heart,” he hair.

Ilana still trembled but was slowly coming back.  “That’s amazing, Oppa,” she said softly. “I never knew something like that existed in this world.” She turned to look at him and then KyuJong, in awe. “How do you do it? How many times have you shown me the beauty that exists in this world, when all I can see is what’s dark and painful and ugly?”

- “Princess, I just want to see you smile.”

- “Geurae, we like your smile.” KyuJong put his fingers on her cheeks and forced her cheeks into a smile.

- “Yah! Cut it out!” Ilana said, smiling anyway. The rest of the way back was much smoother. She focused on what was outside the window and not what tricks her mind was trying to play. Of course, HyungJun’s endless chatter helped keep her distracted.

Ilana was exhausted by the time they got off the helicopter and drove to the seaside restaurant where they would be having lunch.  Soon the others arrived, Suzy spotted them first.

- “Annyeong!" Suzy said with her usual vivaciousness. “Ilana, how did you like it?”

- “Very beautiful, I’m glad I went.’

- See! The flight wasn’t that bad and you didn’t want to go.” Ilana just smiled at Suzy, she didn’t have the heart to tell her it really was bad. She was glad she went, but the only reason she survived was HyungJun and KyuJong; her two lifesavers.

- “How’d she really do?” YoungSaeng asked KyuJong off to the side.

- “Aside from nearly cutting the circulation off of Maknae’s hand and nearly stopped breathing, not too bad…considering.”

- “This yeoja is going to be the death of us, before the cruise is over,” YoungSaeng laughed.

- “At least it hasn’t been boring.”

- “What’s been boring? HyungJun came upon the two guys.

- “Amogotodo (never mind), Maknae,” YoungSaeng teased.

- “Tell me! I want to know? You guys never tell me anything,” HyungJun pouted and his hyeong’s just laughed at him.

After lunch, they enjoyed the beautiful beach. It was a comfortable seventy-five degrees out and the guys went shirtless to dive into the water with boards they had rented. Ilana and Suzy sat back on the beach and mock judged them. Suzy always gave Jung Min the highest score and Ilana knew nothing about surfing so she judged on who was the most graceful.

Ilana and Suzy bought beach towels to sit on, but Ilana was using hers as a blanket for her legs.  Getting restless, she thought you can only watch surfing for so long.  She got up and draped the towel over her shoulders, deciding to be brave and stick her toes in the water.  “I’m going for a stroll; are you going to stay here and continue to admire JungMin?” Ilana asked Suzy.

- “Mworago?! I’m not just admiring Jung Min”

- “If you say so, I’m pretty clueless to that type of thing, so it must be rather obvious. Or maybe it’s the way he looks to make sure you’re looking before he takes the next wave.”

- “He does?” Suzy’s entire face lit up.

- “I’ll leave you to your ‘Min’ watching.” Ilana smiled at Suzy who was furiously blushing at having been caught.  Tiptoeing into the water, Ilana was surprised at its warmth. It had been almost ten years since she visited the beaches back home, but she remembered the water always being cold. She walked along, picking up shells or shiny rocks that caught her attention.

KyuJong came out of the water and noticed Ilana walking alone.  “Ilana-ssi!” KyuJong called her as he caught up to her. “It’s almost time to go back,” he said; once he was walking next to her.

- “It’s so beautiful and peaceful here; I’d like to come back one day. It’s like a land stuck in time. Almost…like me.” Her last three words were barely audible.

- “Deh, areumdaun.  It is beautiful,” he quickly added in English.  “We don’t always get to get off the ship at every port, but I have had the opportunity to visit once before. Did Ilana-ssi enjoy her day? Even the helicopter ride?”

 - “Very much,” she smiled.  “But I won’t be volunteering for another flight anytime soon. I may have survived once, that doesn’t mean I’ll get through one again. Unless I have my Oppa’s with me again.” Ilana playfully bumped into KyuJong, catching him off guard and making him fall into the water. Ilana stuck her tongue out at him and took off at a brisk pace toward the group.

- “Caught you!” She was no match for KyuJong. He picked her up and twirled her around a few times as punishment.  She was almost a foot shorter than him and weighed less than Suzy, which was almost next to nothing. 

- “Ah! Oppa! Put me down.” By the time he put her down she was so dizzy, she could hardly walk. He was laughing heartily now and took her arm to steady her.

- “That was for disrespecting your Oppa.” He ruffled her hair. “I’m glad Ilana-ssi had a good time.  ” Kyu-Jong stopped walking shortly before they reached the others.

- “Me too, thanks to you guys.”

- “You’re still too thin, by the way.” KyuJong scolded and continued to walk. “This girl is going to be the death of me”. Ilana was left staring at his retreating back.

- “Aish!  These guys are going to drive me crazy.” She ran to catch up, shaking her head as more of their Korean words were coming out of .

By the time they reached the ship, Ilana was so exhausted from her day; she went straight to her room and fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.

As usual, thank you all for reading, give me a shout out!  Let me know who you all are.  Subscribe & Vote.  A few more pieces of Ilana's puzzle revealed, maybe?  A special thanks (for humoring your crazy friend) to my non K-addict friends who are reading. 

Next Chapter:  Valentine's Day Ball.