Love Dust

Chapter 15: Barbecue Time!

The production as well as the crew is busy setting-up. It will be the last scene to be taken for the day that’s why everybody gives their best shot including TOP...

“Okay, rolling, rolling..... In 3, 2, 1 action!” the director announced.

For another time, serenity invades the whole scene as TOP starts again to play his music. From his rehearsal nothing has changed other than his emotions and facial expression that became more sincere and passionate. As again expected, at the end of his performance, everybody applauded.

“That’s it! That’s a wrap. Everyone please pack up.” The director shouted.

“Everyone, the night is still young who wants barbecue?” a man in his 50’s who happens to be the producer interrupted.

Thirty minutes passed and still Mi Rae is inside. Butterflies continue to play inside my stomach.

“What if our plan won’t work? What if the employer finds out that we’re doing something ‘illegal’?” questions kept on popping up in my head.

From the empty plastic bench where I’m sitting, I stood up and went to the vending machine located right next to the fire exit. I searched for some coins inside my pockets and found some in my jeans pocket. I dropped them one by one and pressed the button below a Korean coffee label. In no time a cute colourful disposable cup went out and a few volume of piping hot coffee flows out. I grabbed it and gave it a few sips. Totally, this drink reduced my nerves at the same time warmth me.

It almost finished my coffee until the door where Mi Rae entered opens...

Mi Rae went out holding a small brown envelop in her left hand. She turned her head to the place where I was sitting earlier. I walked towards her. She again turned and saw me.

“So, how’s the interview?” I curiously asked.

Mi Rae replied with her brightest smile.

“You got it?” I again asked.

“Of Course! See?!” She said and showed me the envelope.

“And what’s that?”

“I don’t know but we’ll know once we find a place to eat... Don’t you feel hungry?”

“Coffee?”

“Uh uh. C’mon, it’s my treat this time.”

Not too far from the building the building that we’ve been, Mi Rae brought me to this regular barbecue house. Actually, the place is very warm and packed with customers. Mi Rae searched for an empty and found a table near the counter.

“Their barbecue here is one of the best.” Mi Rae proudly said as she grabs the round wooden chair for her to sit on.

I replied with a smile and sat right next to her.

“Ahjumma, please give us the some pork and beef here!” Mi Rae shouted.

While we are waiting for our order, Mi Rae opened the brown envelop and brought out few its contents.

“House rules and regulations...” Mi Rae said as she places pages of bond papers stapled together.

I glanced the first page and saw these Korean characters printed on the topmost part of the paper. I guess it says ‘House rules and regulations’ as Mi Rae said. Mi Rae turned to the next page...

“Whoa, I think we need to stay here for awhile...” She said and brought out a pen.

Mi Rae is right. From what I can see, the second page of the ‘House rules and regulations’ is filled with Korean characters. After she got her pen, she started writing some roman characters below each sentences. After a couple of words, I already got what she’s doing. She’s translating every single word to English.

“Chin, you’re one lucky girl. You’re so lucky that you met me.” Mi Rae joked as she continues writing.

“I’m just giving back all the blessings that I received... I’m such a really nice person... Inside and out.” She added.

“Ahmmm... Mi Rae if you don’t mind may I ask you something?” I asked.

“Yah sure.”

“You’re a pure Korean, right? As what I know, Koreans don’t study the English language unless they want to study it or something...”

“Ah, you’re asking me why I’m so fluent? It’s because of the technology. It’s like the case of some foreigners trying to learn our language. Like you... I remembered that you once told me that you and your sister love our culture but your sister is more knowledgeable than you in terms of our language.”

“So you still remembered that.”

“Of course, Koreans love to know that kind of news. That’s how patriotic we are.”

Our conversation was interrupted after our orders came...

“Thank you, ahjumma!!” Mi Rae thanked.

“Oh, Chin, what are you waiting for? Eat anything you want but don’t eat everything... I’ll catch up... I shall finish this first.”

“Alright, I’ll barbecue first the meat while waiting for you...”

I placed a generous amount of pork and beef on the center grill. The sizzle of the meat as well as the barbecue smoke that gives the delicious aroma of the marinated meat made my stomach grumble. I was waiting for the meat to cook. Until, a group of men went inside. I can’t count how many they are but I’m pretty sure that they are here to eat. I turned my head to the griller and flipped some of the thin sliced meat. As I flip the meat, somebody bumped to my seat. I checked who was it and saw a tall man wearing a descent suit. That man continued to walk without telling me his sorry. I remained on my seat and continue to follow that man with my gaze to see his face...