Unexpected

Part 29

On Monday morning we wake up a tad earlier than usual so we can have more time for activities before that night's flight out. Nissan charters a plane to and from races, but I fly back alone since I stay an extra day.

After breakfast we drive to Qal'at al-Bahrain, an ancient fortress. We walk up staircases and through archways and streets, exploring the stone structures and ruins. It's magnificent, and we take many pictures.

There are sand dunes nearby, and Sangil tries to sand surf. I stay on the ground and cheer him on, because I'm too scared of injuries. I also film his attempts, which quickly get better until he rides perfectly from the top to the bottom.

"Will I see you in your red swimsuit again?" asks Sangil as we walk through the entrance of the water park, having just finished lunch.

"No," I reply. "Today will be a surfer chick sort of look." When I come out of the changing rooms I have on a matching yellow and green tee shirt and shorts. I see that Sangil is dressed similar, but with longer shorts and in black.

He smiles as I walk up to him and spin so he can see me from all angles. "How did you get that scar on your thigh?"

I know that some people may think him rude, but we had talked on the phone about my scars, and I told him that I wanted him to see them. He seems to have a slightly wrong view of them, as if they should be hidden. Maybe because of the idol lifestyle (I blame everything negative on his idol lifestyle. Entertainment companies, fans, and the media need a major shift in terms of what it means to be an idol).

I stroke the pale two inch scar before explaining. "A go-kart accident when I was ten. I got tangled up with another kart, and it had an exposed screw that tore my thigh open."

"How many stitches did you get?"

"Zero. Can you believe it? The doctor told me that there isn't anything important there and to keep it clean, and sent me home. He was correct. It healed within two weeks."

He raises his eyebrows. "That sounds unbelievable."

Soon we jump into the water and play. I want to go on all eighteen slides, and at first the WGM staff makes us take tiny cameras with us, but after five slides they give up and film from afar. We also drift down an artificial river on a raft, and play in the wave pool. It's nice to be in the cool water after several hours under the hot sun.

The last place we go to is a souq, an open air market and bazaar. I may buy some souvenirs, but mostly I just want to walk around and look at all the different wares that are for sale. The scale of the variety of goods is vast, and I've always had trouble making decisions when presented with too much choices, so I'm overwhelmed fairly quickly. After buying some presents for my family and Snuper, I end up just looking at everything, talking quietly to Sangil, and hoping that the shopkeepers don't engage me in conversation.

At the airport we're waiting together again until my flight is called. "The next race is in Shanghai. It's the 1000th Formula One grand prix, so there will be a bit more pomp and circumstance."

He nods. "In two weeks' time?"

"Yes." I shift in my seat. "Today is April first. Are you going to post anything on your new instagram account?"

"No. Maybe later."

"Your poor stans. If you're not careful they will switch their bias to Suhyun or Sangho."

He laughs. "Not Sangho. He posts about as often as I do."

"Pose for the camera," I say, whipping out my phone. "I will post something." The picture I take gets the caption Ready to fly home.

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Naniwa Danshi