Winter Hearts

Boy Leo

The bus stopped to let the boys and Siana off at a tiny carpark on the outskirts of Arachova, just before the turn to go back up the mountain to the flight club's headquarters. They saw the mini bus parked there, and Siana presumed that Min Seok and Joon were already camped by a warm fire indoors at a cafe or restaurant somewhere - probably with free wifi. She figured it would be one of the several cafes in the main square that was situated between where they were, and the other end of the main street where she had taken her selfie when she first arrived.

Gosh, that seemed so long ago.

After they waved off the bus, Siana gestured for them to walk straight until they came to the square in question. At this end of the town were ski supply shops, army surplus and tourist shops and the odd sundry shop. Eventually those shops would give way to fashion boutiques and artisan shops, including providors who sold locally made cheeses, meats and sweets. She loved those shops, and wanted to look into their windows and say hello to some of the familiar faces behind the counters.

Hongbin lead the way with N and Hyuk, whilst Ken and Ravi brought up the rear. The pedestrian kerb was barely wide enough for a single person, so they all trooped up the road on the street itself, moving out of the way every time a car beeped them as it approached.

Siana walked alongside Leo in companionable silence, listening to the boys' chatter as they moved uphill. They reached a large store that had local foods on display, and she looked into the window to see if the owner was there - an old school mate of her father's whom she felt she should greet out of courtesy. The others slowed down, watching as she peered into the shop.

She chatted briefly to the girl who was looking after the shop and asked her to pass on her regards. When she turned to continue walking, she found Ken and Ravi watching her with Leo.

"She really does know everyone," Ken said to Ravi, who nodded.

"We're all either related or related to each others' friends here," she joked, walking onto the road and passing them.

"Did you go to school here? Is that why you speak the language?"

Siana knew what they were interested in finding out - why she knew Greek better than Korean.

"When we lived here I went to school for a while. It was only for a year or so, but I picked up the language. I was old enough to remember it after... After my parents divorced. That's when we moved back to Malaysia," she said.

"You and your mother?" Ken asked.

"Yes. Even though we were all together here, she felt very alone. You know, foreign country, different language."

She didn't need to say, "absent husband" - they seemed to nod in understanding ahead of her meaning. Although she was conversing with Ken, she felt as if she were talking directly to Leo. She could see him taking in the information as if it were very important for him to know.

"And before that we lived in Sabah. Although there is a Korean community there, my mum spoke to her family mostly in their language, which is Kadazan, and to me in English. So I can understand, and I can converse a little, but my vocabulary is limited, as you know."

"After Sabah you came here because of your dad's work?" Ravi asked.

"Yes, he became very busy, very in demand. It was good for a while, but..." Siana let her sentence die. They knew what she meant.

"He knows one of our producers, Eric," Ravi mentioned.

"Yes, he mentioned that. He also said the kpop industry can be harsh," she said, laughing. "Do you think that's true?"