"Where is the girl right now?" He asked right away. Shinye came to fetch him in a private hangar owned by a Korean businessman based in Cebu. He landed not more than thirty minutes ago, and on their way out of the place.
"Probably at her apartment. She won't be at work 'cause it's her off today." Leah supplied.
"I want to talk to her right away." Everyone was surprised, as always.
"Don't you want to rest first? Or eat breakfast? It's still too early to talk to her."
"Better early than late. Besides, I'm still exhilarated from flying so, I feel pumped up. We better get this going so we can go back to Korea the soonest possible time." His team didn't have any choice but to agree.
"To the girl's place then."
Hindi malaman ni Ella kung bakit maaga siyang gumising. It's her off but she didn't go home to her province dahil hiwalay ang two days off niya.
Gusto niyang makapag-isip kaya naglalakad siya sa business park na kinaroroonan ng mga nagtatayugang gusali na pawang nasa BPO o call center industry. Bagama't IT hub ang lugar ay napakasariwa pa rin ng hangin na nakapalibot sa lugar at nakalatag ang bermuda grass. Napaka-relaxing ng lugar lalo na sa mga oras na iyon na hindi pa kalat ang sikat ng araw. May mangilan-ngilan ding nagja-jogging doon. Ang iba'y katulad din niyang nakatambay lang.
Nakasalampak siya sa damuhan at paminsan-minsa'y nanghuhugot ng damo sa paligid niya. Marahil handinero siguro siya sa dating buhay niya - no, make that landscape artist para sosyal ng konti.
Hindi niya maintindihan ang sarili sa itinatakbo ng pag-iisip niya. Kaninang madaling araw pa siya gising. In fact, parang hindi na rin siya natulog. Halos alas-diyes na ng gabi siya nakauwi galing sa pakikipag-usap sa mga Koreano'ng iyon. At kahit anong pilit niyang pikit sa mga mata, naglalakbay naman ang diwa niya sa naging pag-uusap nila. Teka, ayun na naman siya, tila pinanghihinayangan ang pagkakataon. Is she considering accepting that unbelievable offer? No. Of course not. She's simply thinking it over. Funny. How when she found out about the promotional, she avoided listening to the song right away. The first time she did not listen to it was last night. And she has this very, very weird feeling that she's missing the song. And she just can't ignore that nagging feeling she has. Kaya siguro dinala niya ang mp3 player niya.
How can a song she don't understand have this so strong connection to her? She just found herself putting the earplugs on and listening to that oh so familiar song. Singing the song, she closed her eyes and relax. . And she was again taken into that enchanted world where elves have chinky eyes. . .
"That's her over there." Leah pointed to the girl who's sitting, unmindful of the world around her. They've been looking for her. Leah asked for her at her place, and her landlady said she left for a walk. They had to go looking for her at her work place when the driver spotted her.
"Kuraeyo?" Is that so? He asked unsure. Well, she isn't quite what he expected. Somehow, he thought he'd see a younger nee-san. Yes, she does look young but take a second look at her, the 'girl' is attractive. He has to admit that. Though, picking grass isn't a thing he can describe as 'attractive'.
"Can we get a little closer?" He asked without taking his eyes off her, studying her every move. Shinye seems right, there's something about her that can catch your attention.
"Manong paki-park naman sa lane sa gilid mismo malapit kay Ella." He heard Leah said not understanding one bit of it. "I asked the driver to park us in the curb near her." She explained to them.
"Isn't she cute? Still unmindful of other people's business, picking grass while listening to her player, and. . . is she singing?" Shinye snapped her head towards the back. She's sitting with Leah, while Slaven is with Mr. Dong at the back.
"I think she is. I really am liking this girl. Did you remember what she said last night? That she can't honor winning something she didn't join?" Leah asked.
"She said that?" He asked back unbelieving.
"Yes. Very humble and honest. Such virtues, she's really nice Slaven. And smart as well. Pretty isn't she?"
"Can I go talk to her?"
Everyone was surprise or shock rather, by his words. What's wrong with what he said?
"Ah..in broad daylight? Right now?" Leah hesitantly asked.
"Yeah." He opened his side of the door. "I don't think someone will recognize me."
"Slaven, you can't be too careless. You're very...noticeable. Wear this." Mr. Dong handed him a fedora hat. He carelessly put it on his head and walk off towards the girl. He choose to sneak up behind her to study her closely. But he was taken aback when she suddenly lie down on the grass, eyes closed, arms spread wide on her side. He stopped track, a few paces from where her head lies, studying her peaceful face. She opened her mouth and started singing his song.
His heart thumped hard. It was beautiful enough hearing her sing on the video. But he couldn't believe hearing her sing up front, eyes closed and so at peace with the world, would cause his heart beat to go fast and uneasy. He didn't know how it happened but he was singing the 'bridge part' of 'Come back to me', singing with her.
' Himdeul damyuhn dorawado dwae, nae saenggaknam damyuhn dorawado dwae. Hokshi nal ddonagan ne mami, nol makneundamyuhn. . .ojik nal wihaeso doramyuhn dwae, jamshi nal bomyuhnso woosojomyuhn dwae. Hokshi nal iji oddamyuhn oneun gil, irhoddamyuhn naega nol chajeulge....'
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COME BACK TO ME, SLAVEN | #Wattys2019
RomanceShe's an ordinary girl, who admires a Korean superstar. She fell in love with his songs with the singer's soulful voice. But didn't really noticed the handsome singer behind the song. What if fate brought them together? Is it really fate? Or her cra...
