September 28, 2013

Taking the train route Abigaíl had outlined for her and a cab for the remainder of the journey, Ilana was the first of the co-workers to arrive at Abigail's home.

 - "You made it!" Abigaíl said, answering the door.

 - "Yes, I followed your instructions. Now that I know how to get here, you won't get rid of me."

 - "Good," Abigaíl said. "Come, meet my family." Abigaíl introduced Ilana to her immediate family members.

 - "Mucho gusto en conocerlos (I’m very happy to meet you).  Señora Paula, le traje algo pequeño (I brought you a small gift)." Abigail's parents were delightful and very sweet. Ilana was glad she had stopped to purchase a small thank you gift for her Mom.

 - "Ay que calientitos (Oh these are so warm), gracias mija (thank you my dear), pero no tuviste que (but you didn’t have to)." Abigail's Mom admired the leather gloves lined in wool.

 - "Solo quería agradecerles la invitación (I just wanted to thank you for the invitation). Les puedo ayudar en algo (Can I help with anything)?" After Ilana insisted on helping, she was put to work putting out tablecloths and party favors.

The rest of their co-workers and significant others also began to arrive. Shi-Yoon and Dokmi arrived, just as Uee and her boyfriend, Ilwoo, arrived with Shancai, making a huge raucous. Shi-Yoon charmed Señora Paula with his Spanish. They too brought her a gift; a set of hair combs for her long hair. It seemed Abigail's Mom was getting as many gifts as her granddaughter when Jaejoong and Jihoo arrived (they had called each other to make sure they would be heading out at the same time), Jaejoong had a large bouquet of flowers for Señora Paula and a bouquet of Irises for Abigaíl. Blushing, Abigaíl took both bouquets and put them in water. Jihoo came with an oversized and very warm pashmina scarf. Señora Paula was quick to point out It would go perfectly with the gloves Ilana had brought her.

 - "Que lindos todos y la bufanda le hará juego con los guantes que me regalo Ilana (How sweet everyone is and the scarf will match with the gloves Ilana gave me)."

 - "Oh, Ilana-ssi is here?" Jihoo asked.

- "She insisted on helping; she's out back setting the tables with my older sister," Abigaíl said. When Jihoo looked out, Ilana was smiling and laughing at the sister's funny antics.

 - "Ilana!" Uee and Shancai ran up and tackled her in a hug.

 - "Hello to you too," she laughed.

 - "Isn't their home nice? When I get homesick I just come here to Abigail's house. I see her family laughing or arguing over something, it makes me feel like I'm home with my family."

 - "It does have a comfortable feel about it." Ilana agreed.

 - "Abi-ya, do you think your parents would be our foster parents?" Shancai asked.

 - "You guys are here often enough," Abigaíl laughed.

Soon the birthday girl made her way outside and her eyes landed on her new friends.  "Dr. Prince! Uncle Jihoo! You came!  You came!!" Isabel ran to give the two Doctor's a hug and got swooped up into the arms of Jaejoong.

 - "Jagiya! Your Umma didn't tell me you were a cowgirl; I would've brought you a pony." Isabel was wearing a denim skirt, a pink with white fringed western shirt and pink cowboy boots.

Once the party was underway, Abigaíl introduced the newcomers to the aunts, uncles, and cousins which were numerable. Ilana thought it must be nice to have such a big family, but then again, her one cousin had caused her enough grief to make her run away from home.

The hospital group sat together eating and talking, enjoying the hospitality of Abigail's family. Soon after, Abigail's cousin and sister announced it was game time; kids and adults must participate. Ilana was getting unnerved by the number of people outside; the headcount easily reaching a hundred or more, not including kids. She tried to sneak into the house were the less boisterous adults were but got caught by Abigail's sister, Luciana.

 - "Come on, it's time for musical chairs.”

 - "It's okay, I'll just see if your Mom needs help."

 - "She doesn't, let’s go.”

 - "But...I really don't want..." Ilana tried to protest, but she was already being dragged into the mayhem. No one noticed the worried look on her face.

Jihoo was in a similar situation with Shi-Yoon, Ilwoo, and Jaejoong.

 - "Anieyo, I'll just watch and stitch up the losers." He'd seen people get injured from these seemingly innocent party games.

Soon enough, Ilana and Jihoo were in the middle of about twenty or more adults of all ages waiting to play musical chairs. The music began and it wasn't quite as bad as Ilana had expected, everyone was laughing and enjoying themselves but once half the chairs were gone, the competition became fierce. The younger crowd began pushing and jumping over the back of a chair just to get a seat. Ilana hesitated one second too long and got knocked into by one of the teenage boys. Losing her balance, she knocked Jihoo into the chair next to her and then neatly landed in his lap. She would've kept going on to the floor if he hadn't grabbed her waist to steady her. As soon as she was able, Ilana jumped onto her feet as if she were on fire. Thankfully it was getting dark; perhaps they couldn't see her crimson face.

 - "Ilana's out!" Luciana shouted above the din of laughter. Ilana ran off, gladly, to sit down.

Jihoo watched her go, torn between staying and going. When he got himself out in the next round, he went off in search of his admin and found her sitting next to SungRyung who had arrived with her husband shortly before the games began.  "Gwenchanayo?" Jihoo asked once he caught up to Ilana.  "Ilana-ssi isn't hurt?"

 - "Jihoo-ah, she's fine; I asked her myself when she sat down. We saw the whole thing and I was telling her how fortunate it was that you broke her fall. If Jihoo had been less than a gentleman, he would've let you fall." SungRyung said.

 - "I would've let you fall," her husband teased.

 - "Yeobo!" She smacked his arm. "Ignore him, we need more gentleman like Jihoo, don't we, Ilana?"

 - "Huh? Mmm, I suppose-yes. Umm, I'll probably be leaving soon."

 - "You can't leave yet," Abigaíl had come up to Ilana. "You're not upset are you?"

 - "Oh no! Of course not, everyone was just getting into the game," Ilana hoped she hadn't offended her co-worker.

 - "Oh good," Abigaíl was relieved. "I'm going to get the cake, you want to help me?"

 - "Yes, of course!"  Ilana jumped up gratefully. She would do anything to get away from Dr. Jihoo, who had just sat down next to Ilana.

Once in the safety of the kitchen, Abigaíl turned to her new friend. "Ay, chica, that must've been so embarrassing."

 - "Yes! Thank you for saving me, back there. I needed to get away from Dr. Jihoo; I can't even look at him right now. How does he manage to be there every time something embarrassing happens?" Ilana groaned.

 - "At least it wasn't your daughter that invited them to the party."

 - "Awww! But she's so precious, even Dr. Jaejoong couldn't resist."

 - "Hey, just wait until you have a child and she embarrasses you."

 - "Mmm, come on; let's get the cake out so we can do the piñata." Ilana changed the subject. She was never getting married and was never having children; although she had come to terms with that, it still caused her pain.

After singing happy birthday, Ilana helped Abigaíl's Mom cut and serve cake while the kids lined up from smallest to biggest for the piñata's. Jaejoong, who had never seen this custom, was completely intrigued. Abigaíl would blindfold the child, spin them around a few times and then gave them the stick to whack the piñata. The pony shaped piñata was proving indestructible even for the older kids.

 - "Which of the adults wants to try?" Abigaíl asked.

 - "I'll do it!" Jaejoong was as excited as the kids, Abigaíl was left speechless.

Jihoo decided to help her out.  "Abi-ya, he's too tall for you, give me the blindfold."

 - "Thank you, Dr. Jihoo.”

Jihoo took the blindfold and did several tests to make sure he couldn't see. Once satisfied that his colleague truly couldn't see, he spun him around more than he probably needed to but couldn't resist.  "Ok, I'm going to point you in the right direction, and you can start swinging on set," Jihoo instructed.

 - "Arraso,” Jaejoong responded.

 - "Hana…dul…set, ka! Make sure you don't make it easy for him." Jihoo told the guys holding the two ends of the rope.

Jaejoong felt a little drunk after being spun around but was making a valiant attempt.  He struck air twice; they weren't making it easy for him.  He paused before striking again, waiting and trying to block out everyone who was shouting wrong instructions. Then it happened, Jaejoong landed the lucky strike that bashed the pony's head in, sending candy flying everywhere with each swing of the piñata.  "That was daeback!" Jaejoong said, removing the blindfold.

The kids resembled little squirrels, but instead of nuts, they were stuffing paper bags with candy. Jaejoong was soon picking up candy along with the rest of the kids. Everyone had been cheering the kids on from the sidelines, including the small group from the hospital.

 - "Come on, I want to open presents," Isabel said shortly, after filling her sack with more candy than she could carry. She took Jihoo and Jaejoong by the hand and led them to the table.

 - “Let me take some pictures of the kids,” Abigail announced. She stood on a chair for a better angle. Jaejoong was standing next to her making faces at the kids so they’d laugh, even when Abigail wanted them serious.

 - “Dr. Jaejoong! I want one serious picture, can you please stop!” She wanted to smack him and waved her arm in threat but ended up losing her balance. Jaejoong deftly caught her before she could even scream in fright.

 - “Mama! Are you alright?” Isabel came running up. “Mama, you look funny in Dr. Prince’s arms," she giggled.

 - “Will you put me down already?” Abigail was sure she was blushing.

 - “Is that any way to thank your savior?”

She rolled her eyes and mumbled a 'Thank you.'  “Isabel, start opening presents.”

The table had been covered in gifts and Isabel tore through wrapping paper and gift bags like a mini hurricane. Mama was well pleased with the clothes her female co-workers had picked.

 - "You guys, this is too much, you didn't have too."

 - "You couldn't have stopped us if you tried," Uee said.

 - "Thank you."

Isabel picked the next gift, which was a fairly large box.  "Mama, look!" It was Isabelle and her accessories. Everyone oohed and ahhed respectively. The little girl didn't know what to hug first, the doll or the kitten.

 - "Dr. Jihoo and Dr. Jaejoong, she loves dolls and animals. I think you just made her day but wasn't this too much?" Abigaíl was grateful but didn't want them to think she was expecting such a lavish gift from them.

 - "I knew all along my little jagiya would love it. We wanted to get her something special." Dr. Jaejoong answered. Jihoo grinned to himself, vaguely remembering it had been his idea to go to the doll store but he would let his friend take all the credit. Casanova and the country bumpkin part two, he thought.

SungRyung was the first of the hospital group to say her goodbyes and leave.  "I saw that gleam in your eyes during the party. You were too happy that Ilana and Abigaíl almost fell," SungRyung’s husband accused as soon as they were in the car. Knowing her husband wasn't requiring an answer from her, SungRyung stayed quiet. "You're scheming again; pictures of weddings are going through your head."

 - "Wae?!  Can I help it if I want my favorite people to be happy…together? Have I ever been wrong? Besides, it’s not like I pushed Ilana; I didn't tell Abigaíl to lose her balance. God wants this as much as I do."

 - "Yeoja! You think God needs your help bringing those kids together if that’s his plan?"

 - "I'm merely being an instrument," SungRyung was confident this was God's plan in her life:  to give couples a gentle nudge. She knew those four were a love story waiting to happen.

Back at the party, Abigail’s co-workers were helping to clean up, all except Jaejoong who had been accosted by Isabel to play with her and her cousins. What was it about this little girl? He couldn't say no.

 - "Abigaíl, there aren’t any kids in the bounce house, let's go." Her sister, Luciana, reported.

 - "Let's go, guys," Abigaíl motioned them to follow.

 - "You guys go ahead; I'll take some of these gifts to Isabel's room."   It's not that Ilana didn't want to bounce; she thought KyuJong wouldn't approve.  Going up the stairs every day was hard enough on her, so she quickly found an excuse.

 - "Ándale chica (come on girl), it's tradition," Abigaíl said.

 - "I'll sit this out too," Dok-mi said.

 - "I'll watch," Jihoo also made his excuses.

 - "Shi-Yoon-ah, take care of your fiancé, I'll grab Ilana.  Ilwoo Oppa, get Uissa," Uee instructed.

 - "Geaure!" The three were dragged protesting to the bounce house. Luciana demanded their shoes off and in the bounce house. The three protesters had no choice but to submit.

Dok-mi and Ilana were having a very hard time standing. With too many guys in the bounce house, the waves were too strong for the pair that was neither steady on their feet nor accustomed to this kind of activity.

 - "Hold hands, it helps," Abigail shouted to the struggling pair.

 - "Hey, it worked!" Ilana shouted as Dok-mi and she got the hang of it. They were all laughing and having a good time but Ilana knew it was getting to be too much for her. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears and was feeling the lack of oxygen. Thankfully, she had already been working her way to the door, when she took a misstep and fell coughing.  Dok-mi was already being helped up by Shi-Yoon and she slid out. Ilana sat on the landing, coughing as her lungs took in much-needed air. She closed her eyes to shut out the flashing lights dancing before her and tried to resume her normal breathing. She didn't feel someone come up behind her.

Jihoo had noticed Ilana fall and roll out the door, coughing and practically wheezing. He saw her leaned her head forward onto her knees and followed her out; something wasn't right.  "Gwenchanayo?" He placed a concerned hand on her shoulder, startling her.

 - "Aish!" Ilana squeaked. Startled, her body jolted forward, ending up on the floor before Jihoo could grab her. He held out his hand to help her up but she didn't take it. Slowly regaining her composure, she managed to stand, albeit wobbly.  "I'm...fine, thank...you," Ilana said, still panting heavily.

 - "Forgive me, but you don't look fine."

 - "Really, I’m…just...out...of shape. I'll...get some water...and...be fine."

 - "Sit down," he took her by the wrist to an empty seat nearby. "I'll get it for you," Jihoo thought her story was possible, but not likely. A few minutes of bouncing shouldn't have left her gasping for breath and feeling dizzy.

 - "What in the world was that about?" She muttered.

It was getting late, past eleven. After bouncing, they had sat around drinking coffee and having more cake, chatting with the family prior to leaving.

 - "Ya nos vamos (We are leaving), muchas gracias por todo (thank you very much for everything)," Shi-Yoon excused himself and Dok-Mi.

 - "Gracias a ustedes (Thanks to all of you), a ver cuándo nos vuelven a visitar (we'll see when you come visit us again).  Todos son bien recibidos aquí (Everyone is welcome here).".

 - "Gracias (Thank You), Señora Paula."

 - "Abi-ya, we're out too," Uee and Shancai hugged their co-worker.

 - "What about you, Ilana?  You're not planning on taking the train at this hour by yourself are you?" Abigaíl asked

 - "Of course not, I'm calling a cab," Kike and her Oppa's would kill her if they found out she took the train by herself in the first place and if she were to take it again at this hour, they would ground her for life.

 - "Abi-ya, I'll take her home," the voice of Jihoo startled Ilana.

 - "Oh, good, I won't have to worry," Abigaíl responded.

 - "Wait! I am sensible of the offer; however, I'm quite capable of taking a cab. Please don't go out of your way on my account."

 - "Oh, I'm not going out of my way. We're neighbors, didn't you know?" Ilana was left with her protest still in .

 - "That settles it; Dr. Jihoo will take you home."

 - "Si (Yes), Niña (dear), una mujer no puede viajar sola a esta hora (a woman can't travel alone, at this hour).

After the hugs and see you later, the little group disbanded, each in their own direction. Ilana was left alone, walking with Dr. Jihoo to his car.

 - "You know, I was going to stop off somewhere and get a snack before going home, I'll just call a cab, you must be tired." Ilana made one last ditch effort to escape.

 - "I'm not tired at all; I can go for a snack as well," he opened Ilana's door for her and motioned her to get in. She did so, reluctantly. "Señora Paula and Abigaíl entrusted me to take Ilana-ssi home; I can't betray that trust." He said in his usual monotone once he was in the car and buckling up. Ilana was trapped; she needed all her concentration not to panic.

Shortly after everyone left, Jaejoong came back downstairs; he'd been playing with the Isabel and her cousins in the playroom.

 - "Dr. Jaejoong! I thought you had left." Abigaíl was surprised to see him walk in the kitchen.

 - "The girls wouldn't let me leave; they insisted we had to have a dance recital for Isabelle. I put on an After School video for them. We rehearsed the moves and had our performance." Abigaíl wondered what 'After School' was and why he had stayed this long. She couldn't figure him out.

 - "Ven (Come), siéntate a tomar café con pastel o algo de comer (sit and have coffee and some cake or something to eat)?" Abigail's Mom asked.

 - "Gracias, a little pastel." His Spanish was not as good as it should be. "Isabel and her cousins fell asleep while putting the dolls to sleep. I hope you don't mind?"

 - "She did? She's usually up until one or two after her party."

 - "Well, I'm sure all the dancing finished her off," Jaejoong said, now digging into a giant slice of cake. It seemed Abigail's Mom had a different opinion of 'little'.

 - "You just missed everyone," Abigail said, just for the sake of talking. She couldn't believe Dr. Jaejoong was sitting in her kitchen.

 - "I figured, but I was afraid to wake the girls up and then they wouldn't let me leave again."

 - "Dr. Jaejoong, you could have just told them you had to leave."

 - "I can't resist a pretty face."

 - "Yes,"Abigaíl thought, "that's your problem." She was getting irritated at him again.

 - "Jagiya! Don't scowl at me; I thought we were friends now." Abigaíl blushed, not realizing she was scowling. Then she realized she was wearing an apron and had tied her hair up in a messy bun. She subconsciously lifted her hand to unwind it and he stopped her.

 - "Leave your hair up, relax. You've had a long day. It's not like you have to impress me, I'm not your boyfriend or anything." Abigaíl stood abruptly; she couldn't smack him with her Mom around.

 - "Here, let me take your plate."

 - "You're going to make a lucky guy a great wife one day," Jaejoong said. "I’ll pay for your honeymoon, but I have to approve of him first."

 - "Dr. Jaejoong, what are you talking about? You weren't drinking while you were playing with Isabel were you?"

 - "There you go, jumping to the wrong conclusion again. Tch!" He shook his head in disbelief. “I'm really glad Isabel invited us. I don't get a taste of family very often. My parents spend most of the year in Seoul, and when they are home, they're busy taking care of the U.S. side of the business. I'm just saying, I almost envy you; having such a close family. And you are going to make a great wife because of that. You're already a great Umma," he smiled at the thought of Isabel. "The fact that Isabel's Appa didn't appreciate you two is his loss. If I were a different kind of guy, I'd snatch you up in a second."

Abigaíl thought for sure he was drunk.  "And who says I'd take you," she crossed her arms in front of her and pierced him with her best 'Mom' glare.

 - "Aww, come on, what's not to love? I'm handsome, tall smart, rich, and..." He leaned into Abigaíl and spoke the next part quietly for only for her to hear. "...I'm a great kisser, amongst other things." He joked with her and took delight in seeing her turn bright red. "I better go, give me a hug goodnight, my cute little admin." He pulled her into a hug whether she wanted to or not. "Muchas gracias por todo (Thank you for everything), Señora Paula),” he turned to bow to her Mom and aunts.

 - "I'll walk you out," Abigaíl said.

 - "Anieyo, relax," he smiled at her. "I'll see myself out."

Abigaíl sighed in relief once he'd left. He was so weird, she thought. Unfortunately, her family thought he was the sweetest person. It was a good thing her Mom wasn't into matchmaking. She'd rather keep her kids home, instead of off with strangers. It was decided the kitchen was clean enough and everyone went outside to talk for a little while longer.

In a white Mini Cooper, traveling down Route 495, Ilana clung to the car's door handle, in case she had to make a quick getaway. She was trying very hard not to panic, but to say she was just nervous at being alone in the car with Dr. Jihoo was an understatement.  “He’s a well-respected, Doctor, he wouldn’t jeopardize his license by trying to hurt someone,” Ilana tried to reason with herself.

 - "Is Ilana-ssi cold?" Jihoo asked his passenger, breaking the awkward silence of the last few minutes. He thought he could see he her shivering. She was also inhaling and exhaling more than was usual.

 - "N-no", she said, practically jumping out of her seat, had it not been for the seat belt.

 - "Jwesonghamnida, did I startle you again?" He said, turning the heater on anyway.

 - "N-no."  Truthfully, her inner turmoil was extremely loud and his voice just broke through the middle of it.  Had she not been wearing her seatbelt, she could have easily jumped right into the window.

He smiled at her jittery monosyllabic answers.  "Where did Ilana-ssi pick up the word 'Aish'?" Jihoo tried to make her feel at ease.

 - "I-I've never heard that word," she quickly looked out the window.

 - "Oh, I thought I heard Ilana-ssi say that when I came up behind you at the jumper. I thought perhaps Ilana-ssi picked it up from someone at the hospital." He kept his face forward but was still looking at her out of the corner of his eye.

 - "Oh!  I...probably said 'Ay'...in Spanish and perhaps it sounded like the other word."

 - "She's good," he thought. "Well, we're almost home. What does Ilana-ssi feel like eating?"

 - "Actually..., I'm more tired than hungry, if you don't mind just dropping me off at the apartment...?" She needed to get out of the car before he noticed how frightened she was.

 - "Arraseo."

They soon pulled into the apartment subterranean parking.

 - "Oh? I thought you planned on getting something to eat. You could've just dropped me off in front." The security was in front and she wouldn't have to be in a lonely parking garage in the middle of the night. She sighed in relief as she noticed others arriving and departing.

 - "I can eat something at home," he pulled into his parking space and before he turned off the ignition, Ilana had her seat belt off and was opening the door. Seeing Ilana already out the car, he too quickly got out and caught up to her. "Ilana-ssi  must be tired if you didn't wait for me to get out and open your door."

 - "Oh, yes, I apologize." She walked quickly to the elevator and thankfully another couple walked up to the elevator at the same time

 - "What floor?" Jihoo asked the other couple.

 - "Fifteen," the couple said.

 - "Ilana-ssi is on the tenth, right?" It made her nervous that he knew what floor she was on. She nodded her head in confirmation. "This is our stop," arriving on the tenth floor.

 - "There's no need for you to accompany me; I'm capable of finding my own apartment."

 - "I'm sure you are but I promised to see you safely home. Also," he smiled, "this is my floor as well."

 - "Oh," was all she said, before heading to her door. "Th-thank you for letting me ride with you." She was already putting in the passcode.

 - "I'm Apartment J, if you ever need anything, don't be afraid to knock." He bowed to her; she was halfway in her door. "Jalja," Jihoo wondered what possessed him to tell her not to be afraid to knock? She was always so jumpy around him but as he thought of it; had she been afraid to be alone with him? He thought she was tired, but now he realized she was on the verge of tears by the time they arrived at her door. Did she really think he would hurt her? He didn't know if he should laugh or be angry. Thinking about it was making him angry. How could she think that of him? He needed to cool off if he was going to attempt to sleep.

He took a cool shower and with hair still wet went outside with violin in hand. He played his favorite tune until his arm and fingers were numb from holding the instrument.

Ilana locked the door quickly and ran to her room, throwing herself face down on her bed. She was home safe and sobbed in relief; her irrational fears were unwarranted. Her friends worked with Dr. Jihoo and trusted him.  He was a renowned physician, loved by patients and respected by his peers.  They had no fear of letting her leave alone with him, so why did she panic? The voice of her fears flamed the fire.

“They were your friends, too…”

“They introduced him to you…”

Ilana shook her head against the fearful thoughts.  Yes, she couldn’t be too careful but she was home safe and unharmed after all.  Turning on YoungSaeng's song, 'Maria', she listened to it over and over as she cried. Dr. Jihoo probably thought she was crazy and what could she say?  She was. Only her friends knew how to deal with her fears. She had to try and get a grip on herself; that was part of being on her own. She let the song try and soothe her. Her friends were getting ready to spend time with their families; she wasn't about to have them worry about her before their trip. Crying herself to sleep was an action not unfamiliar to her. Since she left home, she had done that more times than she could count.

Mianhae if it's long, but I've included some serious relationship building exercises. We see our couples are drawn to each other, whether they want to or not. Abigail falling into Jaejoong's arms is a little cliché/cheesy, sorry. I had originally written him getting hit on the head by the piñata stick, but that scene was just too long for an already long chapter. Anyway, anyone interested in reading it, I'll post it on the blog later. I'm guessing most of you are familiar with bounce houses and piñatas. They are pretty much a birthday party standard in the U.S.

Saranghae! <3