Chapter 6 – The Knight in a Winter Coat

November went fast. It was already December and South Korea was deep in snow.

We were almost done shooting the scenes in Korea. Just one last scene and we would be ready to travel to Japan. Our last location in Korea was Cheongju-si. It was almost two hours away from Mapo-gu, so I had to travel with the rest of the crew going there since I was afraid I might get lost again. We left the company at six in the morning to avoid the morning rush.

We shoot from morning until late in the afternoon. It was difficult because of the cold weather. It was more difficult for me since I was not used to it. However, I was amazed by my colleague because they still were able to plan a group dinner after wrapping up the shoot. Not even the cold weather could stop them.

Despite the tiredness and headache, I went with them to show courtesy. The main leads could not join us because they still had schedules on their own. So the dinner was mostly attended by staff members.

I was the only foreign person in the group, but they were so friendly and accommodating that I did not feel unwelcomed. Kim Guk Chun PD-nim, the Korean director I was working with, asked me about the films I worked on in the past and the country I came from. Although I was still struggling with my Hangeul, I could understand them and converse with them.

I was actually thankful because I had adjusted very well although I came there when the production was already halfway.

At eight pm, I decided to leave first. They were still drinking soju, but I really needed to go since I had a video conference with Sir Richard at 9:30 pm KST (8:30 pm in the Philippines). And that meant I had to travel back in Mapo-gu ALONE.

I asked one of the staff what bus I should take and where I should get off. I could not ride a taxi since it would be more costly given the distance. Good thing, I got the right bus. I even sat near the door. However, I still had gotten lost.

I could not believe myself! How could I fall asleep and wake up in an unfamiliar place?

"Excuse me, Sir? Are we still far from Mapo-gu?" I asked the driver. My heart was beating fast due to nervousness.

The driver looked at me through the rearview mirror. "Mapo-gu? Far!" He said and was gesturing with his hand towards the back.

Damn.

"We passed by Mapo-gu already?!" I exclaimed, nearly hysterical.

"Uh." He nodded and my hands went cold.

I looked around the bus and noticed I was the last passenger. It triggered my anxiety more.

As I was no longer thinking straight, I decided to get off without second thought. But I regretted it the moment the bus left me and I saw how isolated the place was.

It was scary. The place was dark saved for the lone lamppost on the bus stop I gotten off at. There was no nearby establishment or residence, except for a closed minimart.

There was no flying lady with severed lower body in South Korea, was there?

I tried to collect my wits and called So Eun, but she was not answering. I also tried to call the production staff I left earlier in the restaurant, but all I got was endless ringing. Did they already drown because of soju?

Tears started to stream down my face. My anxiety was eating me up already. Plus, it was getting colder. My hands were getting numb underneath the gloves.

Then I decided to set my shame aside and called Young Hyun, but he did not answer the first time. I tried again, but he was not answering. I began to sob. I just decided to call Jae and was about to ring him when I received a call.

It was Young Hyun.

"Hey, Jjang—"

Upon hearing his voice, I sobbed harder which probably alarmed him. He asked me what happened, but it took me a while before I could answer.

"I...I got lost. I don't know where this place is...It's...It's scary. What should I do?"

"What happened? How did you get there?" He sounded urgent. I also heard commotions on the background.

"I rode a bus from Cheongju-si back to Mapo-gu, but I fell asleep and woke up already far from Mapo-gu." Talking about my dilemma made me cry again. "I got off the bus and I regret it already. I've been calling my colleagues, but no one's answering, so I called you."

"Sorry. I wasn't able to answer immediately."

It's okay, Young Hyun. It's okay.

"We'll go where you are. Open your phone's GPS, so we can track your location. Your battery's still full?"

I nodded, but realized he could not see me. "Half full."

"Okay. I'll call you again later. I'll look for Manager Kim. Open your GPS."

I did what he told me and waited until he called again. He told me that they were already on their way.

"Are you cold?" He asked.

I nodded. "I am, but I can bear it." I already calmed a bit.

"Are there any vehicles passing by?"

"None. Not even one, but if there's any, they would be scared of me, wouldn't they? I mean, I'm alone in this dark road. They would probably think I'm some ghost."

He laughed at what I said. I knew I was blabbing nonsense, but I really needed to because I was scared.

We continued talking about just anything as if it was the most normal thing to happen in that kind of situation. Then when we ran out of topic to talk about, he began singing one of their songs.

"Why am I alone?

Nareul dulleossan

Saramdeul soge

Why am I alone?

Hollo namgyeojin jigeum

Nugunga piryohae

Jigeum nugunga piryohae…"

I felt like crying again, but I laughed instead. "Hey, you just sang the right song."

He also laughed because of what I said and then he exclaimed, "Oh, I see you already."

I looked at the far side of the road and saw an approaching van. My heart finally lit up. Tears started to well up around my eyes again because of relief.

The van stopped in front of me and Young Hyun, my savior, climbed out. Without even the least bit of hesitation and shame, I ran to him and hugged him tight. I cried again like a child.

He must have been surprised, but he did not say it. Instead, he patted me on the back and kept on saying it was alright.

"Thank you. Thank you," I uttered repeatedly. I distanced myself from him and wiped the tears on my face. Finally, I looked at him and smiled.

"Ya, Jjang, you look ugly when you cry." He kidded.

I wasn't sure if it was because I was crying, but I thought I saw tears on his eyes as well.

I laughed though I believed him.

He ushered me inside the van and I saw Manager Kim on the driver's seat. I said, "Hello" to him and he greeted back. He also asked me if I was okay and I just said I was actually freezing.

I removed my gloves and rubbed my palms together while blowing at them. Young Hyun noticed what I was doing and examined the gloves.

"These are too thin. Don't you have other gloves?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I didn't have time to shop for new clothes. I bought that in Manila."

He looked at me as if he could not believe me, but did not comment further. Instead, he took off his gloves and gave them to me. I was too shocked and sleepy to refuse. He also covered me with the blanket he found beside him.

I was just so thankful that I could not help, but be on the verge of crying again. I just closed my eyes to stop the tears from falling. Young Hyun took it as me just being tired so he told me to rest.

"I'll just wake you up when we reach Mapo-gu. By the way, what's your address?"

I gave him my phone without opening my eyes. I was already half-asleep. "It's on the notes."

"Password?"

"41256," I said. "It's DAY6, you know."

I was not able to see his reaction, but I imagined him smiling.