Chapter 64

2023.01.18

They made a circle and trapped me in. One of the earphone was dangling from my right ear. I clenched on my bag to make a run if something went wrong. One of the guy took the earphone and put on his ear. "Did you wash your ear?" Seriously Anna! Why did I say that? He looked at me and wiped the earphone with his t-shirt and left it dangling. "Bro, she is listening to Kpop." I put turned off the music and put the phone and the earphones in. Barron talked now, "Did you learn Korean language on the Open University?" I nodded. "We know. You were suggested by your Korean professor." They were talking back and forth and I was in the middle. "Guy, stop. Can we talk face to face? My neck hurts."

We went to the bench that was outside and sat down. They bought me a soda can. "Why the formalities? What are you guys up to?" One of the guy spoke, "We are having a competition, which will act as our project for the final exam." "You seniors are going to leave soon?" I asked popping open the can. "Yes, by the end of next year." "So, why are you talking it with me?" "We have to go to Korea and do the project. Here is the portfolio." Barron handed over the file to me. "Wow! You are going to collaborate with Kpop groups. Do you know which one?" "We will know once we get there." the girl next to me spoke. "Okay…" "We would like you to go with me." I choked on my soda. "WHAT?! No way. You are kidding me. To South Korea? My dad will definitely will not let me and expense for tickets absolutely not." "Five tickets are free. The boarding place is free. Only expense is food. The materials will be provided by the entertainment company. We won the 'Special treatment' ticket in a draw." The second girl spoke. "1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. You all are in designing department. And there are enough of people on your class." "I cannot make it Anna. Father is sick. He is having a relapse. And none of us speak in Korean and moreover we could have asked other students in the Korean class but they have no basic knowledge of fashion." Barron spoke in a very apologetic and soft voice. "I know this is a nice opportunity. I can finally go there. My dad would never agree to this even if I fall on my knees. I am a dentist. I have my sister's wedding next month 16th. The departure is on 15th. I really have to let you down guys." I stood up and taking the file with me absent-minded. They sat in the bench talking to themselves. If I go it would be a win-win situation. To Korea, dream come true but my father will not me go.

2023.01.20

I thought that they had withdrawn their idea on me. I was at home for my break. I was writing down the list of guests for Engel's wedding. Many of my relatives were against to the fact that she was marrying before me. As it was not right according to the culture I was getting old. Come on! I am just 23 now. "How is the list coming?" My mother asked me. I read out the list to mother. Once I finished the list, we heard a knock on the front gate. My mother saw through the CCTV, who was it. There was a bunch of teenagers in similar T-shirts. "May be they are from scout." My mother asked my father to attend the door. I checked the CCTV again. Wait, it was no scout. It was Barron, his gang, his professor and the HEAD! What are they doing here? This is definitely going to be bad.

My father opened the gate and welcomed them in after learning that they are from my University. When they came inside, Head and their professor sat on the sofa facing dad. The rest stood in a line to the left of dad and I was standing to the right. Barron was wearing a t-shirt saying 'Please send', the next was wearing, 'Anna', next was 'with us', next was 'to', 'South Korea'. I could not help but smile. But I was not sure if dad would agree. Head and the professor were explaining the matter to my father. They had bought a time plan and also permission from the government to send me instead of Barron. My mother bought drinks and gave them. When she was handing them over to Barron and his friends, she turned towards me and gave a look, 'What is going on?' I slowly left dad and went to mom and told the whole situation. I learnt that the past times they failed to enter and this time they finally got a chance and they really did not want to miss it. Professor put me in to trouble, "Anna, sometimes comes to our department and gives ideas on constructing a new dress. I was shocked when I heard that she was studying to become a dentist." I stood my behind my father and waved at professor to stop. Then he quickly added, "I also got to know from her professor that she is a great student. Always on time and she was brave when she did surgeries."

Head was serious. He gave dad the serious talk. He told that all the security will be provided. It will be only 2 weeks. Later Barron talked and explained the situation about his father and almost he teared up. My father's face changed he was in a serious mood. I was scared that I will be blamed at the end. Professor said at last, "We asked Anna in the first place, she said that it was nice but she cannot because of her sister's wedding and your permission. This will be a great opportunity for her and a success for us too. It is a win-win situation. Please sir." His voice cracked. Barron and his friends fell on their knees. I was shocked. They sort of pleaded. They were really desperate. My father quickly made them stand up and said that he will tell them tomorrow after discussing with us. They said farewell and left.

I did not want to see my father's face. I wanted to run away. Surprisingly father excused me and talked with mother in private. Now I already told my mother yesterday about it. My mother was slightly interested in it. Because we get to travel to South Korea as a family at the end. It was time. My father called me to speak.

It was like sitting in front of two police officers for interrogation. "Do you want to go?" My father asked me. Two options flew on top of me, 'YES' and 'NO'. "Yes" I replied and quickly added, "Only if you let me." "Why did they choose you? Like are their no other students in their own department?" "Yes dad. I asked them the same thing. This is what they said. Only Barron and another guy learned Korean language to attend the contest but suddenly Barron's father went ill. It seems like very serious. And they had gone to the Korean language class in Open University to get someone on board. And they found out I had the highest marks. So, it was like I knew about fashion, textile and also I was good in Korean language. It was hard to find a combo like that. They asked me day before yesterday, I think they searched for someone after I rejected and ended up with no one. And you know they came here. I just said that my dad is strict to escape but I did not know they will come to our house like this." No! He was strict. This was one of the ways to get father on board. Well done Barron. "We will go tomorrow to see the head." "So, is it a yes or a no?" "It is a yes." Phew. That was smooth.

2023.01.21

My father and I came to the head to confirm that I was going. My father was asking about the security almost three times now. Well that is how all fathers are. So it was planned. I, and two of Barron's friends will go on 17th after my sister's wedding and on 15th other two will go get registered saying that there was an issue with one of the team members' family, which is Barron.

2023.02.16

My sister's wedding was over. We came home. I was so happy for her. I was so proud when she came down the aisle with the white gown and a crown over her head. My brother in-law wore a pastel blue suit. The theme was pastel color. I was wearing an ivory colored dress. No one knows that I was leaving except for my family. The function was night and we thought that our relative will be gone soon, but they hung around.

2023.02.17

It was one in the morning. I was biting my nails. I have not had a rest. I want to change my clothes. My trip will arrive at three because the flight was due at half past five. I went to my room to find out that my relatives are nesting on the bed. 'Fine, I can sleep in the cab and THE PLANE.' I had my clothes ironed and hanged inside my cupboard.

It was two now. My mother called me. "Anna, come down." "Why mother?" "Why have you not changed your dress?" "Why have they not still left?!" We both were screaming at each other in silence. She advised me to get dressed in her room. My mother went to my hectic room and took my luggage to the front living room. Everyone's eyes was on it. That is when everything happened. I tell you I want to bury them alive.