My Dreamland Oppa

6. Strangenemies to BFFs

The more I keep talking to Josh, the more I feel we can be good friends. They seem to be great guys. Rich is correct; it feels good to make new friends! Said Mara to herself.

Rich saw her smirking. "What is with that smirk, girl?"

Mara tried to pull Rich's hair. "Crazy! What are you saying now? I just remembered something."

Rich acted as if he was going to tickle Mara. "Really? You are reminiscing about this noisy basketball game? Looks like a sparkling smirk, meaning giggly happy not being emotional reminiscing to me, girl!"

"Why don't you concentrate on being a fan right now?" She looked away from Rich.

While Mara and Rich were giggling, Jang called their attention. "Rich, I think we are going to win this! Do you have anywhere to go after the game? Why don't we have dinner altogether after? We need an expert tour guide here in Boston, anyway."

Rich answered proudly . "Of course! Sure we would love to! Mara is on my payroll for a week. Let us take advantage of her since I will pay her big time!"

"I will give a big discount since it will be three of you instead of just one." Mara crackled.

"Yahoo we won! What a game!" Josh shouted.

Rich, in his giggly personality, went shouting towards Josh's and Jang's seats. "Let us have a group hug; come to Josh and Jang! Mara, join us; let us have a big group hug! Pagkakataon na natin ito girl!" (This is our chance to hug these macho hunks!)

Mara shouted back at Rich. "You are funny, Rich!" 

As she was laughing with them, Mara got thinking. I feel awkward about Josh. He seems so lovely, though. And he is trying to enjoy the company of not only Jang but also mine and Rich.

"So where do we go, girlfriend Mara? Your job starts now!" Rich asked Mara, pointing to the exit of the TD Garden.

"Should we go to Boston Harbor? It will be nice to hang out there even after dinner. Have you been there, guys?" Mara asked Josh and Jang.

"We will follow your lead, right, Jang?" Jang replied with a thumbs up, "Yes, yes, yes!"

"We took a cab from her apartment since parking is hard here. Where are you guys staying, by the way?" Rich asked Jang.

"Josh & I are staying in the Bostonian since it is very near the Quincy market etc.," Jang answered.

Mara looked at Josh and replied to what Jang had said. "That is an excellent location. Let us take a cab from here to the harbor."

"Let us go, guys!" said Rich.

They had a nice dinner. Their time together gave the four of them more chances to know each other. The exchange of stories and laughter made them feel comfortable toward one another.

"Well, here we are at Quincy Market!" Mara turned around, pointing to where they were at that moment.

"Have you guys walked around here already? When did you arrive from Korea?" asked Rich. 

"We arrived hours before the game. Jang and I are glad we did not miss the game."

Jang looked around and saw a coffee shop nearby. "Maybe we can have some coffee before we part our ways? What do you think, Josh?"

"Yes, our treat since you guys treat me and Jang for dinner," Josh said in approval.

Rich looked at Mara and said. "Ok, deal! Anyway, her apartment is just a 30min walk from here."

Mara started asking questions as she led to the nearest coffee shop. "How long are you guys staying in Boston? For sure, you guys and Rich are going to have jet lag."

"We can stay in the US for a month, but we don't have plans. So I told Jang the most important is to watch the game." Josh answered.

While waiting for their coffee, Rich looked at Josh's face after removing his mask.
"Josh, you look familiar, but I can't remember. Anyway, if you guys don't have plans, you can join us for the entire week of our itinerary. I planned everything. We are just going to rest tomorrow and start our grand vacation the day after tomorrow!"

Josh excitedly looked at Mara and asked. "Will that be ok with you guys? What do you think, Jang?"

Jang winked at Josh and faced Maria and Rich. "If it's ok with you and Mara, we would love to be in your company, right Josh?"

Mara nodded. "That will be great! The more, the merrier! Do you have the phone numbers you are using here? I will give you my number. If you need anything, call me anytime."

Josh brought out his cellphone. "Il take your number and will share it with Jang later. Let me call you so you can save it, too."

Mara opened her cellphone and saved Josh's number. "I got it! Thank you guys for the coffee. Keep in touch and see you the day after tomorrow. Nice to meet you guys!"

Jang waved his hand as he said goodbye. "Same here. Thanks to you and Rich!"

"Bye, guys! Mara and I are going now. Have a goodnight!"

Walking back to her apartment, Mara can't stop talking to Rich. "Best friend, this was a fun night! It's been 3yrs since I got to meet and be with the company of new people. I don't know, but Josh seemed familiar, though. Maybe because the first time in 3yrs I have seen no one other than my workmates."

Rich walked fast as he answered Mara. "I am feeling tired, girl! Let us hurry walking so we can have our beauty rest."

***