Forget Me Not

Chapter 15: FML

"But, I already made the reservations for 20 people. Please join us, Aishi"

Aishi looks at her young doe-eyed intern, Chan, his hopeful face and his dinosaur printed tee shirt, and sighs with a smile. "Alright, alright."

Chan smiles brightly while Aishi stands up to announce to everyone, "We will all meet at 8 pm in the restaurant. Seungcheol (SC) and I have to visit the shop, so we will see you there. Choi sahab, I hope you are joining us?", she looks at him.

SC's heart skips a beat when their eyes meet and her lips curve into the slightest of smiles.

"Choi sahab! Earth to! You are my ride home, I hope you are joining us?"

"Ye.. yes, of course. Never miss a chance to attend a Hwaeshik!'

"Phew! That was close", he thinks to himself.

"It's all settled then.", says Aishi and gets ready to leave for the shop.

Aishi and SC reach the manufacturing shop and go through the process chart to discuss the challenges that the shop is facing. Aishi is in a well-spirited argument with the plant leader about a quarter-inch slot on the part. The plant leader has already exhausted all of his English skills in rebutting and he looks up, exhausted, at SC, screaming for some help.

"Alright, that's it for today", says SC, while physically stepping in between the plant leader and Aishi. He thanks the plant leader for his effort and promises to continue the conversation the next day.

He turns around and puts his hands on Aishi's shoulders and says,

"That's it for today. You need a drink". He looks at her face, frown lines on her forehead, nostrils flaring in annoyance, and her lips pursed. He can't help thinking how even the ugliest of emotions could only make her face glow more beautifully.

Aishi looks up to meet his gaze and can't help but notice how his eyes are filled with kindness. She can't help but think how the same eyes might ask for some affection in return, and that she cannot afford. She shakes her shoulders gently, signaling him to drop his hands.

"Let's get to it tomorrow. Let's go, it's a long drive back.", SC says after taking a step back.

They limit their conversation to work-related small talk on their way to the restaurant. The roads get busier with the rush hour traffic, with people finally winding up for the day and heading home.

"There is a 20 min traffic jam. This way, we'll have a lot of trouble finding any parking too. Should we just park here somewhere and walk? It's only 2 kilometres from here?" SC asks.

"Sure, I don't mind. We are almost 2 hours early, anyway. Might as well walk around and kill some time."

Aishi and SC can now hang out together, not as mortal enemies, but as regular colleagues. Most of the credit for the sudden improvement in their relationship goes to SC, who rarely takes up the bait for a fight anymore. Aishi doesn't understand why, but appreciates it nonetheless. They stop at a Tanghulu place and buy themselves a stick of candied strawberries. They decide to walk around the busy block since it would also serve as a tour for Aishi.

A mild mannered woman stops them in the streets and asks,

"There is an up and coming artist who is scheduled to perform in the venue now. Unfortunately, there are a lot of empty seats. Would you mind joining in for a bit? I promise it's only a couple of songs."

SC looks at Aishi, his expression showing that he would consider the idea. The thought of empty seats in front of a new artist tugged at her heartstrings, so Aishi agreed.

They walk inside the event venue and true to the woman's word, it's empty. She ushers them into the middle seats on the front row. They sit down and the curtain drops. As the spotlight hits, Aishi's throat dries up. It's Joshua.

Joshua's eyes meet hers and he is frozen on stage. The music cue starts and he misses his first verse. Being the professional he is, he recovers quickly and continues with his new song "Two minus One". He finishes the song and thanks abruptly. He continues to stay on the stage, staring at Aishi. Amidst the confusion, a person walks in front of the stage to check up on him. He turns around to find her and mouths, "Aishi?"

Aishi is brought back to her senses by the sight of him. And she is suddenly flooded with the same emotions of anger and betrayal as she felt in the alleys when she broke down crying. She stands up to leave, when the woman they met earlier comes forward.

"I'm sorry for the technical issues. This is supposed to be a Youtube prank where Joshua surprises the audience with his short concert. This is the most genuine reaction of shock we captured so far. Can you sign an NOC so that we can include this on the video?"

SC nods a confused yes, still not able to understand the reason for the weird energy in the room. Aishi lets out a chuckle, and looks at Kimmy and Joshua, 

"You are always making me sign something, aren't you?"

She looks back at the woman, "I apologize for the inconvenience but I do not want to be on your video. You can include Mr Choi's response if he agrees to it, but kindly blur out my face. I do not want to be even remotely involved in anything related to stars or celebrities." He shoots one last look at Joshua and storms out of the venue.

Kimmy fully expects Joshua to run behind her, but he drops his eyes to the ground and walks out of the stage. SC has no idea what's going on, but figured that Aishi didn't like any of them. He didn't bother staying back and getting involved in the video, so he quickly apologizes with a bow and walks out.

He walks outside to find Aishi sniffing into her handkerchief, her eyes puffed, her face showing every sign of an ugly crying sesh. She sees him walking towards her and says,

"Don't ask".

"I won't."

She looks up at SC with a faint smile across her red tear-stricken face.

"Now, buy me that drink you have been yapping about.", she says.