07

I've heard about Han Kesha before, although there are a lot of Han surnamed persons in Seoul, this Kesha is so familiar to me.

"Appa, are you a Han? Because, Eomma is a Han, and you're supposed to be a Han too" she uttered but, I looked at her furiously "No, I'm a Hale, Luke Zyrill Hale" I reached my hand for her to shake it, her palms are small so, I easily clutched it in my hand, "What's your name?" I asked her smiling, she just smiled shyly and even placed a strand of her hair behind her ear, "Yahnie" she smiled ear-to-ear, "Yahnie?" I asked for her surname but she didn't answer "I don't have surname, Appa" her English was not that bad but it's wrong, "How old are you, Yahnie?" I added, "I'm 5 years old, Appa" she cheerfully uttered.

I don't know why this is happening to me, what am I supposed to do? Should I just leave her there because she's not my daughter! I don't remember having a one-night stand with a girl! Ever! It's impossible for me!

WAIT!?

'Did I get drunk and just accidentally....? NO WAY!'

"Okay, Yahnie, could you t-take me this Saturday, to your m-mom's house?" I nervously exclaimed while scratching my nape, "Yes Appa!" I faintly smiled, "Where does she live?" I got up from the ground and went in front of the side mirror then fixed my hair "Daegu, Appa, but yesterday, I see her go in that biiiig tower there, then get out from tower, she crying" {correction: Daegu, Appa, but yesterday, I saw her going in that building, then when she got out, she was crying}

she pointed at a building and made me stop from what I'm doing and slowly attached the hints and clues from my mind, but I'm not sure if it's her.

"Okay, how about you? Where do you live?" I stared into her eyes and she smiled again, "I live in school, Appa" I stared at her even more, "With who?!"

"With Mimi, my teddy bwear"

'She lived in a school?! With a teddy bwear—What?! Who would let a 5-year-old girl live in a school with a teddy bear! The parents are stupiiiiid!'

I was worried about Yahnie, she's just 5 years old but now, she's living on her own, I pity her so much that I wanted to let her live with me, I wouldn't let a child suffer from a cold in a school, "Which school do you live in?! Where is your Dad?! Your Aunt?!" I bombarded her with questions, "I live in my school Appa, just Mimi and Me, but Aunt give me more food on morning then I will eat little so that I eat too in dinner" {correction: I live in my school, Appa, just Mimi and me, but Aunt gives me enough food on the morning then I will budget my food, so that I'll have food for dinner}

After I heard her explanation, I didn't think twice but to just let this child live with me, I cannot stand the sight of it, "Guess what? You'll live with me now, after this, we will get Mimi from your school and all of your things, okay?" she grinned so wide and immediately hugged my knees,

"Jinjja, Appa?" [translation: Really, Dad?]

I carried her body inside the car and placed her on the backseat, and buckling her seat belts "Yes, now, all you have to do is, stay inside this car, I have food there and water also if you're hungry, and do not get out of the car when I'm...not...here...yet, do not open the window and the door if I'm… not…here… yet, and do not touch anything from the driver's side if I'm…not…here…yet! Just stay here, do not move and lastly…DO NOT CRY!" I seriously uttered and she just nodded nervously as she was fiddling with her fingers.

"You don't need breast milk, right?" I added and she moved her head in disagree while she pouted innocently, I grabbed my things and heaved a deep sigh, "I'll be back" I closed the doors immediately and locked it, then went on my way.

**

That's when I saw the girl, who showed me the way to Mr. Jung Ford's Office.

I counted each step I take in each second, that way I can be more focused, it has been almost an hour that I stayed in the canteen and 20 minutes of sleep then Yahnie came in knocking to let me know that I’m her father.

‘Aishhhh! I said, she’s not my daughter! I’ll get a DNA test soon!’

I hissed under my shaky breath from that thought and shrugged it away, that’s when I looked up and knew that I was already at the side of the door, I cannot be seen from the people inside and I can’t see them too, but I can hear them.

That’s when I heard that familiar voice, a veeery familiar voice that I wanted the owner to disappear in a snap, I kept on listening to ‘her’ conversation with Mr. Jung Ford, “Oh, Ms. Choi?” Mr. Jung’s voice echoed around his white office “Mr. Jung, I’m here to take the quiz you mentioned” her voice was not that savage as before when she met me, this time, her voice was just normal and sincere, because I was so irritated and kept on stomping my feet on the ground, I didn’t hesitate to go in and confront,

‘The girl who yelled at me this lunch!!!’

I was so frustrated that I wanted to slap her, but instead I came near her and nearer, until her back hits the back of the table.

‘Gosh, that hurts’

Her face was like a puppy that has been in a fight with a wolf, she seemed so hopeless and didn’t know what to do, she could cry anytime sooner because of my sharp and death stare.

“Mr. Hale, I thought you won’t come—” I didn’t even let Mr. Jung to finish his sentences, “Who is this woman!” I shouted, not even looking at Mr. Jung, because my eyes were all to her, I knew she was startled because her hands are shaking and I could hear her several inhale and exhales, “What’s the meaning of this Ms. Choi?!" her gulps were even more visible, “Who are you!!!” I unconsciously shouted at her face because of how irritated I am, I could feel my brows knitted and my hands curled into a fist, my heart just then skipped a beat when her eyes slowly shut and her body also slowly collapsed and she fell, and was now cradled in my arms, I could smell her perfume.

My eyes widened for the reason that I don’t know what to do, soon on Mr. Jung shouted at her again, but there was no response, my mouth was wide open while shaking her body for her to wake up, I wanted to scream but I had drained my strength because of my sight.

“Bring her to the hospital now! Just hand me your files, I’ll take care of them, I’ll just contact her parents” Mr. Jung’s voice woke me up from my senses and drew myself to reality, my sweats were dropping in my arms now, so I immediately got up from my knees and hand Mr. Jung my files then carried her lifeless body in my arms, there were students that was whispering with each corner, that’s when I started to think about the things that made her collapse,

‘Did I just kill a girl?’

My mind was debating and I was scared of my own thoughts that it even gave me goosebumps, I was almost near my car so I immediately grabbed my car keys with the control panel, I pressed a button and it lighted up and made a short sound, I hurriedly went to reach the door from the backseat and that’s when I saw Yahnie in her nervous state, she was surprised to see me, “A-appa! Your c-car, make a s-sound” {correction: Dad! Your car made a sound}

“Yahnie, we will take this girl to the hospital, okay? Try to wake her while I’m driving” I think I was rapping while talking to her, because of how panicked I am, just then I turned on the ignition and stomped my feet on the gas, I drove as fast as I could and within minutes we arrived at the hospital, I opened my door, and several guys in white suit was standing in front of the emergency room door, “Stretcher!” I shouted and they immediately bought a stretcher, I opened the backseat door and carried her in my arms again then placed her in the stretcher, just then a woman which is a nurse; came near me and she was clutching a clipboard,

“What is the patient’s name sir?” she uttered in English, because maybe she knew I was an American, as I entered the room, the chemical-like smell, infiltrated my nostrils, the cold scent of the room sent goosebumps within my body

“I-I don’t know, but her surname is Choi, just Choi, I don’t know any further” I kept talking but my eyes darted to her poor state at the stretcher being assisted by doctors or nurses, or what the hell you call it

“What happened to the patient?”

“S-she just c-collapsed” I stuttered

“Are there reasons why the patient collapsed like that? Can you write your cellphone number here?”

“I just y-yelled at her, yeah sure”

*Gulp*

“Do you perhaps, know any various illness the patient has?”

“I don’t know, okay?! I just carried her up to here!”

“Are you related to the patient?”

“M-Me! I’m her best friend!”

A girl’s voice suddenly popped out from nowhere, that’s when I turned my head and a girl that who knows! Who she is, just came running towards the nurse beside me, and the nurse came near her and left me, I was so drowned in my deep thoughts that it could kill me.

‘What did I do, for her to collapse like that? She’s overreacting’

I hissed at my very thoughts, and made my anxieties to creep into my mind, I felt really guilty of shouting at her because I never knew that would be the effect of my it. ‘Is my breath smelly?’ I slightly covered my mouth with my left palm and let out my breath but, it was not that smelly, I chewed a menthol lollipop after I ate lunch, was it the onion?—

‘Yahnie?!’

When Yahnie came in my mind, I sprinted my two feet to get myself out of the emergency room, that’s when I noticed my feet bought me in front of the car, that’s where I saw Yahnie sleeping peacefully, her head slowly went down then get back again that made her to close her eyes again, she opened her eyes immediately when she heard the noise when I opened the car door and then stared at me with her half-opened eyes.

‘She looks tired’

“A-appa, I try not sleep, s-sorry” {correction: D-dad, I tried not to sleep, sorry} she softly spoke and that made my heart flutter, “Just go and sleep, I know you’re tired, I’ll wake you when we’re arriving at your school in Daegu” I warmly replied and she smiled sweetly. Just by looking at Yahnie, she really hadn’t received the care of a mother or even a father. But I’m doing my best to at least give it to her while she’s at her young age.

“Thank you Appa” she even bowed at me and I stretched my hand to pat her head, then she slowly bent her body down to lie on the soft cushion of my car, I pulled the seatbelt from her right and buckled it across her small body. I slowly closed the door and locked it, the car was a bit away from the entrance door of the emergency room so I decided to get in my car and just drive all the way through there, then hit the brakes when I arrived then got out. Then I spotted the girl who claimed to be ‘her best friend’ that was sitting beside the bed of the sleeping Ms. Choi, I approached her and she turned her head when she noticed my presence, she even took a glance at Ms. Choi from behind then turned to me,

“H-hello, I’m A-azel, actually I saw you earlier at the canteen, then when I came out, I just saw you carrying her body to your car, and so I followed the both of you here…. And I want to say t-thank you for bringing my friend here, I don’t know what to say but…thanks a lot Mr. Luke!” she exclaimed almost to tear up and I just gave her an assuring smile.

‘how’d she calls me by my name?’ I was in that thought hen another question that was waiting for my attention and at last I had the courage speak and to let go the lump in my throat.

“Do you mind me asking?” I asked, tried not to knit my brows, “What’s your friend’s name?” when she heard my question, she grinned so wide, “Do you like her?!” she said teasingly and why the hell she would ask me that!? I just met that human being! “I need your answer, not your question, Ms. Azel” I said with no energy, not raising my voice not even sarcastic, “I’m waiting” I uttered, trying to get her answer then she smiled again nervously,

‘She’s also weird! Idiot!’

“S-she’s Nash Kylie S-smith, but here she uses Choi Nash” I arched my brows before her words passed through my ears that made my heart to race like crazy, “Thanks, see you around, I’ve to get my daughter” I bluntly exclaimed as her head nods several times and even glances at Nash from the bed, I fixed my collars and obviously she was shocked about the daughter I uttered.

‘Finally, I get to meet you unexpectedly Ms. Choi Nash’

I found my way out of that suffocating place, and hastily went near the car and peeked inside the window where Yahnie was sound asleep, I even watch her small back that gently rises up and down whenever she inhales and exhale the air. It was quarter to 4pm when I realized my vibrating phone inside my left pocket, I firstly opened the car door and sat on the seat and digging my hand into the tight pocket of my jeans, when the phone screen lit up, it was from an unknown number, I inhaled some air first before swiping the green icon and there I was listening from my line,

‘Yes, I talk to strangers, the hell with that!’

“Speak” I coldly said and 3 seconds before the person from the other line could speak, “Yeobosseyo? Mr. Hale?” [translation: Yeobosseyo? - Hello? (is also a distinctive word used by Korean people when they are in their phones] I was taken away from my thoughts when I heard Mr. Jung Ford’s deep voice that it echoed around my brain, “I got your number from your profiles” he exclaimed while my other hand was placed in the stirring wheel, “How is Ms. Choi?” he added, I released a sigh first before I could open my mouth and spat the word, “She just collapsed, nothing to worry about” I said while my tongue was pushing the inside of my cheeks, “Great, that’s good to hear, but I want to show you something, mind if you come back here?” Mr. Jung pleaded,

I tried not to release any word that I sound not interested, “Of course Mr. Ford, I’ll be there at a moment” my lips smiled faintly then ended the call,

‘what is it that he needs me to go back there’

Guilt, fear and the racing of my heart is all I feel in the air right now, because any time soon, something might happen to Choi, I don’t know but, I don't feel pronouncing that name of hers, so instead I’ll call her Choi.

I closed the door of my car and placed my phone at the passenger's seat beside me, the sound of the air conditioner inside my car is all that my ears could absorb and my system is still not working

'TF is wrong with me! She just collapsed!'

I wanted to get rid of all the things that happened earlier because my heart can't handle that big situation, I felt guilty and all I wanna do now is to disappear for a moment

'Bring me a casket, NOWWW!'

I sighed as I placed both of my hands at the stirring wheel and started driving, I kept on remembering all the seconds that I just carried her in my arms, how my mouth was wide open just by seeing her that way, my brain is such a mess for now as my fingers were trembling and my palms were slowly getting sweaty each time, and I felt pressured about it as the temperature gets hot, so I made the air conditioner to a 'high level' that's when I felt the slight cold air running through each hair in my skin ad it somehow calmed me,

'Is she awake now?'

I started driving up to the university while my worries and guilt were slowly fading away, my heart is now pounding normally, it's already 4:30 pm

'Time is as fast as my parents left me!'

I was annoyed about what I thought, my head was facing the road, just the road! I don't want to face anything or anyone right now, JUST THE ROAD! Anxiety is already controlling me, and the shivers continuously ran down my spine as I could feel my chest getting heavier each passing time.

I stepped my feet so hard on the gas paddle and went my way to the university while the guilt and tiredness still rested in my pace, it wasn’t easy for me to forget because everything happened so fast, my heart would stop beating if she died, it would be a total nightmare.

‘Is she awake now?’

My mind was blown away from my sudden confusing question, I mean who would not? I would even think that she might not be awake and I die!

I really didn’t notice that I already arrived at the gate of the university, I noticed that there was a long line of students outside the locker building, the locker building is just 5 meters away from the university gate which means it’s time for their major classes, it is that each student must have a major class, you cannot study in this university without a major class, it depends also on what course you took, and about the locker building, it is where all your things are being kept, this is the most secured and the most protected building among all the 150 buildings in this university, the university’s president provided each student a secured locker, the building is also surrounded by cctv (close-cuircuit camera’s) which probably would be helpful, if a student would lost a thing or money, it would be easier for them to know who’s the culprit.

The freshmen are the first one’s to take their important things in their major class, then next are the sophomores, then also the juniors while the seniors come last, each batch is given 30 minutes to get the things they need, then after that 30 minutes, the other batch comes next.

I opened my car door and stepped my foot outside, “10 minutes left for the Sophomores, I repeat 10 minutes left for the sophomores, thank you” the loud megaphone echoed through the whole area

I parked the car from a side near the guard house so it’ll be safe, the window is also black, so no one can easily determine if who’s inside.

Before I stepped my foot outside, I glanced at the rear mirror and I saw Yahnie still on her deep and peaceful slumber, I badly want to wake her up because she might freak out if she woke up and didn’t see my shadow, but instead I ruffled her hair and smiled then locked the car. My feet started walking, I could hear the loud murmurs of the students from afar but when I came to the field it became silent and peaceful, as the golden sun touched my warm skin, it felt heaven! Seoul is chilly for the meantime, and I forgot to bring my jacket that I left at the house.Speaking of house, Yahnie will be living with me, I wanted to experience being a parent, how hard it is, can I do it? All of those reasons challenged me to do more, I’ll give her what she needs that her parents didn’t gave her ‘Time and Love’ I want her to spoil those things so that she’ll also feel the love of a parent.

I’m in the middle of that thought when I saw Ianne’s figure sitting on one of the bleachers, facing the basketball court, her legs swayed backward and forward as she was staring from afar

‘Get lost Ianne! I don’t want to see you!’

I hid from the bushes that she can’t see, and continued my way up to Mr. Jung Ford’s office. When I arrived, I knocked before I peek through the door and saw his serious face staring from afar and when he heard my knock, he darted his eyes to the door and got his tensed shoulders to slowly rest on its place, he was sitting on his swivel chair and placed his chin on his palm that was as if thinking really hard, he smiled when I entered his office and bowed at him before I settled myself sitting on one of the cushioned sofa beside his large table, “What is it about, Mr. Jung?” I formally spoke as his expression was somewhat disappointed,

“You’re a student of mine Mr. Hale, yet you call me Mr. Jung, keep this in mind that you should call me Mr. Ford, got it?” I smiled crookedly and looked at him in the face, “Oh, I forgot Mr. ‘Ford’, I didn’t mean it” Mr. Ford also gave me a smile then we both ended up laughing, but then his face changed into a worried smile, “What have you done? Did you cast her a spell? Or it that you’re just so handsome that she collapsed?!” Mr. Ford uttered that I suddenly scoffed, “I, myself have no idea sir, none of every flesh of my body could ever explain what the heck happened earlier” my eyes squinted when I felt stings in my heart just by recalling what happened to Choi, the room was becoming silent, I could hear my heart pounding faster than ever before, “Do you know that girl?” at last Mr. Ford broke the lingering silence that was surrounding the atmosphere, “Certainly I don’t sir, nor I remember a single bond with that lady”

Mr. Ford’s brows arched as he was listening to what I’m saying, he was asking about this and that, I answered them all with a no, he even told me that her parents are also one of the stockholders of the Dwight Seoul School and Seoul International School, but not in this university, “How come her parents are the stockholders of the other school while she’s studying here?” I asked staring into Mr. Ford’s Adam’s apple that rises and went down when he gulps then returned my gaze to his, “I’ve no idea too” he shortly uttered, while I was staring from afar outside his office because the door was open, it somehow calmed my nerves that was rushing before, “Your documents are ready by tomorrow, I’ll just get these to the admin then, you’re officially a student again, and do you know the building arrangement?” Mr. Ford asked while I moved my head in disagreement,

“According to the course you’re taking you’ll be in the building of medicine, second floor, after the freshmen’s room, got it?” he smiled and I nodded “Welcome Mr. Luke Zyrill Hale!” he reached his hand for me to shake and I did, “See you tomorrow Mr. Ford!” I also smiled while shaking his hand and let them go already, I walked out of the door and imagined where my room is.

I was walking my way out of the hallway, when I heard clicking sandals on the tiles that was familiar to me, I tried to walk faster to test if that person is really following me, but it also walked faster that’s why I stopped on my tracks and heaved a deep sigh, “Show yourself” I coldly uttered then the sandals clicks then the familiar scent immediately infiltrated my nostrils until a small figure finally stood in front of me,

“Hi, I’m the girl that showed you the way to Mr. Jung Ford’s office” she formally said, my eyes was darted to her sandals below, I didn’t look at her face, “I’m Kang Jae, I didn’t know your name yet” she introduced while my head stood low not glancing at her, “Zyrill” I shortly uttered as I closed my eyes tight “Nice meeting you” she breathed out and it’s obvious that she felt embarrassed of what I’m treating her, I didn’t mean to do it, it’s just I lost my mood so I raised my head and that’s when I raised my head, , I previously saw her now running away from me, she was clutching both of her sandals in her hands and ran with only her white socks on her foot’s sole.

My body is tired as well as my thighs and butt that was sitting for an hour, Mr. Ford was having that damn conversation or he was having a q and a portion with me, I started to become weak and my feet are practically to give up.

I heaved a deep exhalation as I started walking. I was almost at the flag pole when I sensed my phone pulsating in my pocket, hastily I grasped and responded it, “Speak” I taciturnly uttered, “I-it’s me, Azel Higgins, Nash’s best friend, I got your number from the nurse earlier at the hospital” she alleged from the other line, “What about you?” I normally whispered and wandered my eyes around the whole view and capacity of the university, there were students playing football in the basketball court.

‘They have a large football field and they’re playing in the basketball court!? That’s stupidity people!’

“It’s not me, It’s Nash” Azel uttered in the middle of my thought, the moment I heard her name, my blood froze and my heart was thrashing like irrational, that’s when the culpability I hid came to life!

“C-choi? W-what happened to h-her?”

‘WHY DO I NEED TO CALL HER CHOI WHEN SHE EVEN HAS HER OWN NAME!’

It’s like my ecosphere started to turn around and the muscles in my thighs started to wobble and my hands were trembling! “She just woke up and it’s just because of her disease or illness maybe, she gets hella’ nervous or collapses when she gets yelled, luck for you she didn’t end up in a coma this time” Azel said

‘CRAP! Coma?! I almost killed a girl!’

“W-what do you mean?!” I raised my vice and she chuckle don the other line, “Someone also yelled at her at Oxford, she was in coma for 3 weeks straight just because someone yelled at her and when she heard that I’m transferring here, she transferred too, she was really traumatized” I was listening to her so I didn’t end the call, “What have made you to call me?” I suddenly asked and she exhaled, “Nash has been looking for her watch for already ten minutes! I thought it was in the classroom but I was wrong, so I’m right here, waiting for her beside this boring SUV near the guard’s house, the owner of this car is really dumb like the dumb of all dumbest! That person left a child here, stupid human being!” I was surprised when she said about the SUV and that was my car, she was talking about my car!

‘Dumb?! Stupid!? How dare you! You filthy woman—’

I stopped from my thoughts when my eye fell on someone’s figure

NASH!

I was way more surprised when I spotted the person behind her is Ianne, she was holding Nash’s arm and Nash’s eyes was tightly shut because of Ianne’s strong grip on her arm.

“Let go!” I shouted as I was running towards them

‘Why is she undertaking this?!’

“I found her” unconsciously, I ended Azel’s call and ran towards Nash’s direction, when Ianne saw me, from 30 inches away, she suddenly dug her sharp nails into Nash’s flesh that couple of bloods to drip on the ground and in to her!

‘I’ll erase you in this world Ianne!’

I grabbed Nash’s other arm and pulled her to my side and fiercely stared into Ianne’s eyes, I’m panting but I will really smack this crap in front of me, in front of other people!

“What demon has possessed you, Ianne!” I screamed and made the other students that were nearby to caught their attention! “You should cut your nails, woman! And don’t come near her!” I really screamed and made her to hiss and smirk, “Zyrill! This woman yelled at you this morning and now you’re concerned about this—” I intermittent her words, “Yes! She just got out of the hospital? Yes! I hate you? Yeeeeesss!!!!!” I roared that made the other students to really turn their head on us, “Get out of my sight Ianne!” I skreiched at her, that I need to clout her moreover! Who would not hear that?

there are other students whispering.

“Who’s that girl? Why is she being protected by Ianne’s boyfriend?!”

“Zyrill and Ianne broke up last year, and that girl is a freshman from the Medicine Building”

“Ianne is so desperate for Zyrill to come back to her, Yuck! What a Slut!”

“Is he that Zyrill the football player from america? The popular one?!”

“Yes, he studied here for 5 months and he left to America and that’s where he became a very popular football player! He’s very handsomee!”

“Omo?! Is that him? Gosh, he’s more than handsome in personal than in the television!”

The whispers of the other students came by my ear, I still can’t take my eyes off Nash, she is really in pain, she shuts her eyes while biting on her lower lip, “Don’t ever come near her Ianne, or else I will have to kick you out of this university!” I warned her while staring into her eyes that were full anger and I don’t give a damn.

“Let’s go” I uttered then Nash opened her eyes as she looked up to face me, “You’re coming with me” I whispered near Nash’s ears as she nods and followed me. There are many students following and taking pictures while I was helping Nash to walk, until we arrived at my car and Azel was there, she came running towards Nash and her eyes widened when she saw drips of blood from Nash’s uniform, “Oh my God, Nash! What happened?!”

Nash went silent and out of the blue, when Azel grabbed her handkerchief, she immediately placed it on Nash’s arm,

“Oh my gosh, Ianne is so cruel! There’s a lot of blood!”

A student suddenly shouted that made Azel to look at Nash in confusion, I turned my head to Nash, whose lips were trembling and slowly raised her arm and stared at it, “B-blood? A-azel, t-there’s b-blood! Azel! There’s Blood!” Nash suddenly screamed that made the other students to back off and then Nash stared at me with the little tears that are about to fall.

That’s when she suddenly loosed her balance and made her iris to go up and her sclera is all I see, “Open the car! Luke! Open the car! Let’s got to the hospi—” I didn’t finish her words because I immediately opened the car door and was surprised when Yahnie was already awake, “Appa, it’s unnie!” She ponted at Nash that has no conscious already! “Sit here Yahnie! Unnie Nash and Unnie Azel will sit there, hurry!” She immediately sat in the passenger’s seat and buckled her seatbelt while I was helping Azel to get Nash in the car, then I hurriedly went to the hospital.

‘I’M GOING CRAZY! Everything happened so damn fast!’