Hye-jae: Book 2 - New Loves

Happy Days Part 41

The appointment next day with the young doctor - Sabine - felt more like a pleasant chat.  They found that they both played classical piano - Sabine telling a funny tale about her parents' middle class distress to hear that their talented daughter was turning to medical science for a career - and they both enjoyed a wide range of other musical genres, especially jazz. It was an easy chat from there, mentioning some of their favourite world talents and it was with some reluctance that they had to get to the more serious business of checking Hye-won over.

Sabine listened carefully to Hye-won relating what had happened and agreed that it could well be a combination of fatigue and hunger but told her that some straight-forward blood tests would easily pin-point any under-lying issues, such as vitamin or mineral deficiencies. It was a matter of minutes when - after a warm goodbye - Hye-won left with the strong sense that Dieter must have used every contact that he could possibly have had to have found such a perfect doctor for her and she made a mental note to thank him privately.

She was relaxing in the foyer of their hotel, reading her English language novel and watching the gathering clouds become more menacing with each minute, when the others returned from rehearsal.  Seon-jae walked straight to her and asked in low, worried tones: 'how was it?' and she smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear: 'absolutely fine - I'll tell you later.'

As they walked to the hotel restaurant for lunch, Ciara murmured: 'it was a female doctor, right?' and Hye-won nodded, then realised that it had been due to Ciara's suggestion and whispered: 'gomawo chingu - thanks friend.' 

Over lunch, the group chatted about the changes that they had put in place for the concert. They had run through a number of songs which In-seo had played many times before and no-one seemed unduly worried about the concert.  A quick word from In-seo as they stood to leave: 'all good?' brought another smiled response from Hye-won and In-seo seemed quite satisfied with that.  Waiting for the lift, Hye-won stepped beside Dieter and spoke a quiet thanks for all his hard work in finding the perfect doctor and the comment seemed to make him inordinately content. It occurred to Hye-won that in their own way, everyone in this little troupe cared for her and wished only good things to happen for her and the feeling was a sweet one.

A welcome rest - while Seon-jae studied a score that he would play later - ended mid-afternoon when it looked like the sun would break through the clouds and Hye-won was feeling the need of some fresh air and dragged Seon-jae for a short walk: 'love, I will go mad if I have to stay cooped up here all day. Just a short stroll, please, for me?'

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Their stroll was so relaxing, as they walked in easy silence and Hye-won became aware of 2 sounds almost simultaneously - the gentle swish of wind through the leaves of trees and an almost unbelieveable amount of bird-song.  Looking around, she saw that there were many trees - in full summer leaf - in every direction, whether along the streets or in the many little parks and playgrounds on the street corners.  Though faint sunshine was peeking through at intervals, the wind was strong and it seemed to lift a song from each of the many leaves and hidden birds.  There are hidden treasures everywhere.

It was, though, a false break-through in the weather and gentle spots on their umbrella - borrowed just in case by Seon-jae from the hotel lobby - were quickly supplanted by the pounding of a heavy shower that deluged in seconds and they ducked for shelter into a small, courtyard garden, where they could squeeze together under a large, leafy tree. The mad dash and the squally flurries splashing up from the flag-stones all around brought squeals of laughter from Hye-won and this aegyo - cuteness made Seon-jae pull her to mould her back to his front, from where they more quietly considered the battering that the misfortunate, summer flowers were enduring. He circled her shoulders with a close hug and she cosied herself with a little throaty mewl and spoke to him quietly: 'sweetheart, this is funny. Remember I told you that this morning, the doctor and I were chatting about our favourite jazz pianists and we raved about the Canadian pianist and singer, Diana Krall? Well, she does an amazing version of the jazz standard Garden in the Rain and there is a great line - how does it go? - the raindrops kissed the flower beds, the blossoms raised their thirsty heads. But the line I like the most is,' she turned her head and popped a light peck on his cheek beside her, 'here was charm beyond compare or maybe it was just that I was there with you.'