August 13, 2013

Ilana awoke to puffy eyes from the previous night’s crying session. She ran quickly to get ice from the kitchen. Nana was thankfully out on the patio watering the plants and Kike hadn't arrived. There would be no one to wonder why she needed ice at six in the morning. After washing her face with cold water, she lay back down for a few minutes to let the ice further reduce the swelling. She gently massaged her eyelids, applied eye cream and then added powder, eyeliner, and mascara. Job done; only a professional would be able to tell she had been crying the previous night. Of course, she was an expert at covering up the signs illness, sleeplessness and crying. The clock said six-thirty; Kike would be arriving any minute. After dressing quickly in black pants, grey blouse, and her magenta sari scarf, she secured one side of her hair with a butterfly comb, just in time to have Nana knock on her door.
- "Niña, no vas alcanzar desayunar (Child, you’re not going to have time for breakfast)!"
- "Ya voy (Coming), Nana!" Ilana took one last look in the mirror.

Kike and Brendan were already seated at the table, drinking coffee and waiting for Ilana.
- "Nana, ya llego la Princesa, el resto de la corte ahora puede comer (Nana, the Princess has arrived, the rest of the court may now eat)." Kike teased.
- "Good morning, Kike;" Ilana ignored his teasing and kissed him on the cheek. Nana had outdone herself again. She served them quiche and fresh fruit. "Oooh, Nana, que delicioso (this is so delicious).  Si sigues cocinando tan rico, ya no me va quedar la ropa (If you keep cooking so richly, my clothes will no longer fit me.),” she joked.
- "Estas demasiada flaca (You are entirely too thin)."
- "Nana's on a personal mission to fatten you up before she leaves," Kike .
- "Nana," Ilana pouted. "No soy pavo, para que me tenga que engordar (I’m not a turkey, that you need to fatten up)." This set everyone laughing.
- "Déjense de bromear, y terminen de desayunar, se le va ser tarde a mi niña (Stop joking around and finish eating, Ilana will be late)." Nana mock scolded them.
- "Si (yes), Nana," still laughing all three responded.

Kike and Ilana were about to leave for work when Ilana remembered there was something she wanted to take with her.
- "Hold on, I forgot something," Ilana returned to her room and came out with something carefully wrapped in a towel. "Let me get a bag to put this in."
- "What's that?" Kike asked.
- “It's my picture from Easter Island; I want to put it on my desk."
- "I don't approve of that picture," Kike said as he walked.
- "What's wrong with this picture?" Ilana immediately became defensive.
- "I'm not in it."

Ilana began to laugh.  “Celoso (jealous)! I'll get HyungJun Oppa to email me the one from the pub in Victoria or from the lunch, after my first cruise.”
- "Didn't we take some that first formal evening?"
- "Oh, yeah…I'll get Oppa to email me some of those pictures."
- "Have him email them to me and I'll send them to print while you're at work."
- "You really want me to give Oppa your email address?" Ilana asked Kike, making him laugh.
- "He'll get tired of emailing me...eventually."

They laughed the rest of the walk to work.
- "We're here. I'll see you at five." She kissed him on the cheek before walking in.
- "Ilana!" Someone called her. She turned to see Abigaíl walking towards her.
- "Good morning,” Ilana greeted her."
- "Take the stairs with me?"
- "Umm..." Ilana hadn't had any real exercise in a few days. KyuJong wouldn't approve she thought; she could always tell him later. "I confess I'm slightly out of shape, but...ok." Both girls arrived on the sixth floor panting, Ilana more so.
- "I'm going to duck into the bathroom really quick," she told her co-worker.
- "Are you ok?" She asked with concern.
- "Yes," still panting. "I'll catch up." She entered the bathroom and tried to still her heart. She splashed water on her face and took slow deep breaths, before heading to her desk.
- "Are you alright now, chica?" Abigaíl asked.
- "Yes, I told you I was out of shape," Ilana smiled as sheepishly.

- "There's always tomorrow," Abigaíl smiled back.
- "I will conquer those stairs."

- "Hey, so who was that cute guy you were with…a boyfriend?"
- "What cute guy?" Uee and Shan cai entered the conversation.
- "Ah," Ilana was about to say 'Anieyo' and caught herself in time. "Ah, no, that's just my brother."
- "Aww, I heard you guys talking about a cute guy, I thought you were talking about me," Shi Yoon playfully jumped in.
-"Tch…!”

 - “Whatever...”

 - “Anyways…!" All the girls rebuffed him.

- "That's so sweet; he brings you to work every day,” Shan cai said.
- "Yah?! When are you going to introduce him to us?" Uee asked.
- "You’re taken," Abigaíl told Uee.
- "It doesn't hurt to look."
- "Ladies!" Ilana tried to get their attention. "He lives in Miami and is only staying until the end of the month. He's usually very busy with work."
- "I'd consider moving to Miami;" Shan Cai’s comment made everyone laugh.

SungRyung had been watching the exchange from her office with a smile. "Thank you, Lord, for bringing this group together," she prayed.  "I'll take good care of them for as long as you want me too."
- "Good morning, my dears!" SungRyung greeted her staff. “Ilana and Shi- Yoon, here is your login information and email addresses. You're official now, both of you will take tasks from your leads until you get your own. We'll have a meeting tomorrow and assign the doctors."
- "Arraso, Noona," Shi-Yoon said.
- "Understood, Unnie;" Ilana tried the word out; she'd have to get used to it.

There weren't any new patients, yet, so Ilana spent the morning coding, which was extremely easy but tedious. Occasionally, she would still smile over the fuss the girls made over Kike. She couldn't wait to tell him her co-workers were fighting over him.
- "Hey chica, do you want to come with me to get a coffee?" Abigaíl asked.
- "I'd prefer a tea if they have it but I'll walk with you anyway."
- "The rest of us will take a break when you two get back," Uee said.
- "We won't take long," Abigaíl replied. 

They took the stairs down to the hospital basement and purchased their drinks.  “We don't have to take the stairs back up do we?"  Ilana asked a little worried.

 - "Not with our drinks," Abigaíl laughed. "When we get back, I'll tell you a little about our Doctors."
- "I would appreciate that." Ilana hoped she didn't get anyone like her cousin: cold and arrogant.

Returning to their desk, Abigaíl began to enumerate each doctor, while pulling up their profile on the hospital website.  "Dr. Jihoo is head Doctor for the ward. His specialty is pulmonology but jumps in wherever he's needed. He's...a little weird."
- "Why is that?"
- "He rarely talks freely and only greets you with a slight nod of his head.  Sometimes he looks at you like he can hear what you're thinking but most of the time he walks around without any expression at all or shows any real emotion. He's a great doctor and the patients love him and will tell you how kind, gentle, and understanding he is,” Abigaíl painted a contrasting picture of the Doctor’s personality.  “He's really young to be a ward head, so that tells you how good he is. He is also out one week each month, but I don't know why. During this time, Dr. Jaejoong is in charge. His specialty is allergy and immunology. He's a terrible flirt. He has a way with words and ladies. Don't fall for his tricks or you'll just get hurt." Abigail spoke very strongly on the subject of Dr. Jaejoong, Ilana would definitely heed her advice.
- "He's not that bad," Uee commented as she was passing by. "He's nice, cute and fun as long as you keep him at arms distance."
- "No thank you, I'll just stick to my work," Ilana shook her head vehemently, making Uee laugh at her.

- "Yu-Jin, don't you have work to do or warn your trainee about the different personalities he'll be dealing with?" Abigaíl playfully pulled rank on the younger girl.

- "I was just on my way to deliver this ID, Abigaíl-ssi," Uee teased as well. "Besides, I don't think Shi-Yoon has to worry about Dr. Jaejoong making a pass at him."
- "I'll make sure to let him know I'm engaged," Shi-Yoon started everyone laughing, including some of the nurses. The small group could get away with a little horsing around because their cubicles were in the back surrounded by the rest of the nurses’ station.
- "You guys are too much," Shan Cai, who was usually the quietest of the group (not by much), added to the conversation. "Come to think of it, I don’t think an engagement would stop Dr. Jaejoong if he has his eye on a girl."

- "Anyways, Dr. Jaejoong’s ears are probably ringing right now, so back to work please." Abigaíl turned back to Ilana, "Dr. Patrick is a neurologist and Dr. David is a cardiologist. They're both pretty easy going and don't bother us much. There are also three surgeons, but the doctor just assigns them to the patient as needed." Ilana had taken mental notes on everything Abigaíl had said. She really hoped an easy going Doctor was assigned to her; not one of the strange ones.

Everything was fairly quiet up until lunch time; reaching a stopping point, Ilana decided to go to lunch. Nana had packed her a very nice salad and she also was looking forward to calling Suzy. She needed to feel that link with her friends. It had only been four days since she'd seen them last (three if Saturday was counted) but she missed them already. Her co-workers were nice, but they weren't the one's she spent four months with; the ones who knew her darkest secrets and still considered her a friend.
- "Abigaíl, will it be convenient if I take my lunch now?"
- "If you wait a few minutes, I'll take it with you."
- "Can we do that tomorrow? I need to make a phone call."
- "Okay, we'll have lunch tomorrow."

Ilana considered where to take her lunch and then remembered the rooftop garden. She got in the elevator, (she wasn't about to try climbing seventeen flights of stairs). Once on the roof top, Ilana looked around. It was lovely. There were a few tables surrounded by planters full of flowers and small trees. The view was spectacular. She decided to take a picture and message HyungJun: Wake up lazy bones! It's lunchtime in New York. P.S. Kike wants pictures of him and me together. I'll send you his email address later. - Annyeong. :).
Next, she dialed Suzy.  It was only eight A.M. in Juneau, Ilana hoped Suzy wasn't in the middle of getting ready.
- "Yeobosayo? Unnie? Gwenchana?"
- "Annyeong Suzy-ah! Deh…gwenchana, I wanted to tell you about work."
- "You missed us, didn't you?" Suzy giggled.

 - "Deh!"
- "How are your co-workers?
- "Micheousso. I'm trying to figure out which is more, my co-workers or Oppa-deul.

- "I didn't know anyone could surpass the namja," Both girls laughed. "Uissa is with me, he wants to say annyeong."
- "Annyeong, Ilana-ssi, are you behaving yourself?"
- "Deh Oppa!"
- "You're not skipping meals are you?"
- "Jeongmalyo? Not with Nana here, she's trying to fatten me up like a prize turkey." This made KyuJong laugh at the image of a Halmoni forcing Ilana to eat.
- "Did Ilana get her blood count done yet like I've been asking her to do for months now?"
- "Anieyo, Oppa,” she answered warily; afraid of getting a scolding, but all she heard was a long sigh on the other end.  “Shiro, Oppa," Ilana pouted. Between getting sick often and all the tests her cousin made her take growing up, she was going to avoid needles for as long as possible.
- "Ara hajiman I need you to do it soon, juseyo? Promise me you'll take care of yourself?"
- "Deh, Oppa, I'm eating well, taking my vitamins, and exercising. I even took the stairs today."
- "Don't overdo it, arraso? If you start getting a lot of bruises, you need to see a doctor immediately."
- "Algeusumnida,"
- "Is Ilana happy? Do you like your job?"
- "Deh, Oppa, everyone is really nice. I haven't met the doctors yet, we have a meeting tomorrow."
- "Choah, Na can relax, you are doing well. When is your family leaving?"
- "At the end of the month."
- "Make sure you call us whenever you want to talk."
- "Arrasoyo, Oppa, I will."
- "Let me pass you to Mal."
- "Yah, what's up?"
- "You are. Isn't it too early for y Charisma to be awake?"

Jung Min laughed boisterously.  "Deh but my jagiya wanted to have breakfast with me, not in bed." A slapping sound was heard in the background. "Ow! Suzy hit me." He whined.
- "Serves you right," Ilana laughed.
- "Yah! I thought we were chingu."
- "Mianhaeyo chingu, yeoja stick together."
- "I see how it is, no more Min special smoothies for you." Ilana laughed. "By the way, Maknae's been moping since you left."
- "Aww, I sent him a text, so he should be happy this morning."
- "Choah, he's driving me crazy. Annyeong."
- "Annyeong hasseyo, give everyone a hug for me, two for Maknae and Saengie Oppa, because I didn't get to talk to them."
- "Aish, guerae, hajiman I'm charging Suzy a kiss for your hug."

Ilana was left laughing to herself. She decided to send a text to YoungSaeng as well. It felt like she only ever called him when she had a problem, even if he does tell her too. Sending him the same picture she had sent to Maknae and a simple caption:  “Good morning, sunshine! Have a nice day.”

YoungSaeng: Komapta, now I will.

Checking the time, it was almost time to go back and she hadn't even taken a bite of her lunch.  Hoping she could eat at her desk really quick, she went back.

Abigaíl had not yet returned and Ilana took out the picture she had brought, placing it in an inconspicuous spot on her desk. Her previous unease had passed, now that she was able to speak with some of her friends. Even if she didn't want them to worry about her, it made her happy knowing her they were watching over her.

The afternoon passed quickly once again and Abigaíl, Ilana, and Shi Yoon were getting ready to leave.
- "My fiancé is downstairs, do you two want to meet her?" Shi Yoon asked eagerly.
- "Sure!” Ilana and Abigail laughed at the goofy grin on his face.
- "Estás enamorado (you are in love), Shi-Yoon." Abigaíl jokingly accused.
- "Que podre decir, si es la verdad (What can I say if it's the truth)?"

When they exited the building Go DokMi (Shi-Yoon's fiancé) and Kike were standing not that far from each other.
- "I see my brother! I'll see you guys tomorrow."
- "Ajumma,” Shi Yoon used his aegyo to hold Ilana back. “Wait up, let me introduce you to my fiancé, you too Abigaíl." Ilana hesitated slightly. It was a good thing Kike was in sunglasses and hat because he was about to get introduced to Shi-Yoon, his fiancé, and Abigaíl.  “DokMi-yah,” he greeted his fiancé with a kiss on the cheek.  “My new co-workers…Abigaíl inmnida and Ilana inmnida."
- "I'm Go DokMi, nice to meet you." DokMi spoke slowly and carefully to make sure she pronounced each word correctly."
- "It's very nice to meet you too,” Abigaíl and Ilana shook her hand. Ilana had waived her brother over to where she was standing.
- "Abigaíl Garcia and Yoon Shi Yoon, Go DokMi, I would like to introduce you to my brother, Enrique. Enrique, Abigaíl, and Shi-Yoon are my co-workers and DokMi is Shi-Yoon's fiancé." DokMi and Enrique bowed. Abigaíl shook his hand.
- "Enrique is my brother's name, too. See, Ajumma, I told you we were almost family."
- "Don't call her Ajumma," DokMi scolded her fiancé. "I'm sorry, Ilana-ssi, he calls me Ajumma too." Shi-Yoon smiled at his fiancé.

- "Well, it's nice to meet Ilana's co-workers. I hope she does her work well."
- "Kike!" He smiled at her and ruffled her hair.
- "We better get going; it was nice to meet all of you."

Everyone went their separate ways. Ilana smiled as she walked, comfortably holding onto Kike's arm.
- "Contenta (happy)?" He asked her.
- "Deh," she answered him.
- "You spoke with your friends today, didn't you," she smiled realizing she'd answered back in Korean. "Let's see, either YoungSaeng or Suzy"
- "Suzy, KyuJong Oppa, and Min. I did text HyungJun Oppa and Saengie Oppa, so I guess you were kind of right."
- "Oh! I got an email from HyungJun; he'll be sending us some pictures tomorrow.
- "Arraso," she smiled, trying to bug him but her Korean words didn't bother him as much anymore now that he'd met everyone. "Kike, after dinner can we walk around the neighborhood? I want to know where everything is."
- "Okay."

Jihoo had arrived a few hours earlier from his monthly trip home. As much as he wanted to sleep, he couldn't. Normally, he planned it so he could arrive in the early morning and head straight to work after he cleaned up. This trip had been different. His friend Woo Bin and his girlfriend JaeKyung picked the week he was home to officially announce their engagement. So, he was stuck coming back to New York with her parents.  After all, it was their private plane. He showered and ate the dinner his housekeeper had left him. Checking his emails, he decided it would be best to check in at the hospital. He could use the Doctor’s locker room to shower and he had clean clothes in his office, if he decided to stay all night; which he often did.

After dinner, Kike, Ilana, and Brendon took their time walking around the neighborhood. They tried to help Nana clean the kitchen, but she shooed them out the door. Having walked for several hours, they finally returned to the apartment close to nine PM. The elevator reached Ilana’s floor and Jihoo walked in, while the three walked out. She had been distracted in the elevator, texting HyungJun and barely raised her eyes long enough not to trip on exit. She didn't see which of her neighbors had entered the elevator, not that she knew any.

Jihoo did not recognize the people coming out of the elevator. “They must be new”, he thought. The girl with them did seem familiar, but he was too tired to even remember who he was, much less anyone else.

I'm getting the hang of the new direction of the story now. Thanks for reading and commenting, it is greatly appreciated. A special thank you to my lovely co-worker and her cutie pie (my future daughter in law) that are my models for Abigail and Isabel.