Jae Kyung was enjoying herself very much at the party. She had not expected it to be so liberating while dancing among strangers, who she would probably never meet in her life again; and with the masks on she would never even know if she met them again. Every time her partner made some small talk during the short span of time, nothing specific, and then a new partner would come and take his place. She was complimented by most of them for her nimbleness in picking up the steps. She quickly glanced to her side to check her friends. Ha Jin could not be spotted, but she saw Ga Eul dancing a little distance away from her. There were some couples at the centre of the circle, who must have found their partners and removed their masks. She saw Jan Di and Jun Pyo among them, dancing away happily.
A new partner approached her. He placed his right palm delicately on the small of her back and held her right hand in a soft yet firm hold. The music started and Jae Kyung started moving with the cue from her partner. There was such a natural flow in their dance, that Jae Kyung almost regretted moving on to her next partner in a few minutes. He did not speak at all, only his eyes sparkled through the mask, and suddenly Jae Kyung had the urge to remove it and see him for real.
In a couple of minutes the music paused and her partner loosened his hold on her waist, and took a couple of steps away from her. Jae Kyung stared at their parting hands and an immediate urge to hold him back came in her mind.
"Do you mind another dance with me?"
Her partner was taken aback for a fraction of second, then his eyes sparkled even more than before.
"Are you sure, Jae Kyung?"
For the second time in a day she heard her name called by that voice. But somehow this time it did not disappoint her, instead it urged her to grab his hand and pull him to the centre of the circle and take off her own mask. Following her cue, Woo Bin took off his mask as well, and stared back with an amused expression.
"Thanks for saving me from the fall in the morning, and I am sorry," barely murmured Jae Kyung.
Woo Bin was confused with her apology and kept staring at her.
"I am sorry for my rudeness in the morning."
Woo Bin kept his gaze on her face without any expression.
"Hey, you two! This is a dance floor, you need to move!" shouted Jun Pyo as he turned Jan Di around him in a swift move.
Jae Kyung placed her hand on Woo Bin's shoulder again and smiled at him, signaling to resume their dance. He too smiled and held her closer to himself this time, yet not making her feel too uncomfortable and started leading her with the beat of the music.
"How did you know it was me?" asked Jae Kyung.
"That pendant on your neck gave you away. I noticed it in the morning while pulling you…"
"Oh, I see."
Jae Kyung's cheeks turned several shades of deeper pink on remembering the scene in the morning.
"I was not following you to the hills, if you can believe me."
"Please do not make me feel more ashamed. I could have had a severe accident, if it had not been you there at that moment. I don't know how I can thank you for that."
Woo Bin could sense the change in her demeanor towards him from their previous encounters. He felt relieved to have broken the ice with her. Being friend with Jan Di had taught him how it was difficult for girls like her to trust people from his society.
"Just dance with me all the evening."
Jae Kyung looked at him with surprise, and seeing the softness in his gaze, she nodded in agreement.
….
Ji Hoo frowned at the woman kneeling beside him. He hesitated for a second and then slowly untied the mask on her face.
"Ha Jin?"
Her face was all smeared with tears and mascara. Her eyes were bloodshot red. The doctor in Ji Hoo took over when he started studying her limbs and face for any sign of injury.
"Tell me where is it hurting. Did you hit on something while coming here?"
Ha Jin kept on staring at his face with a blank expression. Ji Hoo noticed that her ankle was a bit swollen and her knee scraped.
"Do you think of me as a loose woman too?" Ha Jin spoke out suddenly as Ji Hoo wrapped his hand around her waist to lift her up.
Ji Hoo froze at her question. Did anyone try to abuse her at the party?
"What happened Ha Jin? Did anyone…"
"Do you think I am a woman of no character just because I am partying with the great F4 in this fabulous Paradise resort?"
Ji Hoo scrutinized her face for a moment.
"I do not think of anything about you."
"Then why does my fiancé think like that? All my life I have been obedient. I have never done anything to displease my parents. They wanted me to study when all the other kids played. And I did that. They wanted me to sacrifice music and dance, and I did that. They never allowed me to make friendship with boys, while my other friends would boast about their Valentine's Day gifts. Then one day they brought their friend's son to me, saying that I was to be engaged and married to him for my whole life. Then also I obeyed them. No matter how incompatible we were in our tastes and choices, still I believed him to be my soulmate. And just because for once I wanted to live a few days without seeking for their approval, they blame me? They make me feel how all these years of obedience do not matter, and how I have failed to live up to their expectation?"
Ji Hoo saw how painful it was for her to recall her past, as continuous streams of tears flowed down her cheeks. He held her strongly and pulled up on her feet. Ha Jin winced as she put her weight on her sprained ankle.
"Will you be able to walk? Should I ask for a resort cart to take you…?"
"I don't want to go there now. Please, I want to stay alone."
She was barely able to stand on her own. Ji Hoo held her around her waist and helped her to walk up to the sail boat where he was sitting. After placing her on the edge of the boat, he sat a few feet away from her and picked up a can of beer.
It was quite a surreal ambience. The sound of the incessant crashing of the waves on the beach sand added to the serenity of the moment. The moon was quite high on the sky now, giving out an ethereal glow to the earth below. Ji Hoo glanced at Ha Jin as she picked up a can of beer for herself. She did look very beautiful in her long maroon dress, despite the smudged make up all over face. Her long brown hair was held in a chic bun with a pin, which she took out, and her hair cascaded over her back, blowing with the sea breeze. Ji Hoo could not take his eyes off her that moment. As the wind played with her hair, he felt like tucking the strands behind her ear away from her face. He was startled back as she threw the empty can behind and bent to pick up another one.
"Stop drinking. You have had enough already," rebuked Ji Hoo while trying to grab the can away from her clutch.
"Aishh!" exclaimed Ha Jin with utter annoyance and ducked below the boat to drink the beer all in one gulp.
On finishing her can, as she tried to stand up, a sudden surge of bile came up her throat and she started throwing up all the alcohol and food that she had inside. Ji Hoo rushed to her and held her hair away from her face, as she struggled to keep up with the vomiting. After several minutes of her sickness, she seemed to have thrown up everything from her stomach. Ha Jin's limp body could not hold on any more and she collapsed in Ji Hoo's arms.
"Foolish girl!"
He searched his pockets for his phone when it dawned to him that he had purposefully left his phone in his room. He did not even know where the girls were staying. Dejectedly, he looked at the lifeless body in his arms and decided to take her to his cottage.
She needs to clean up and drink lots of fluid. She is highly dehydrated. I will call Jan Di on reaching my room and take her to her friends.
He pondered whether to carry her on his back or in his arms. Then looking at her lifeless form, he picked her up in his arms and started walking towards the resort.
….Ga Eul was tired after dancing continuously for an hour. This was something she never did after her college days; she wondered what come up on her mind that she had so much fun in a crowd of strangers. Everyone needs a break sometimes. That is what she told herself and picked up a bottle of cold water from the bar counter. After taking off her mask, she leaned against the bar counter and scanned the dance floor. People were enjoying each other's company from behind their masks. Few were there at the centre of the dance floor. Spotting her friends dancing happily with their partners brought a sweet smile on her face.
"Having good fun, eh?"
Ga Eul was startled by the voice so close to her ears. She turned to see Yi Jung standing next to her, in fact too close, making her feel uncomfortable. She tried to move away from his proximity but Yi Jung was quick enough to place his hands on the counter, caging her in between.
"You look very pretty, more than I could imagine. How did I not notice these alluring eyes before?" whispered Yi Jung at Ga Eul's ears, sending shivers down her spine.
She could smell strong alcohol in his breath. Blood rose to her cheeks and her limbs stiffened in shock and embarrassment. She hesitantly raised her hand and pushed him back. But before she could walk away, Yi Jung grabbed her wrist and pulled her close to him once again.
"I won't bite you, I promise," smirked Yi Jung and pulled her along to the dance floor.
Ga Eul could hardly breathe as she was pulled in a close embrace to swing with the music. She glared at Yi Jung, who looked completely ignorant of her discomfort. His eyes were gazing at her, but there was only an eerie blankness in them.
"Please stop, I can't dance with you anymore," muttered Ga Eul and tried to free herself from the intimate hold.
The blankness in the eyes were replaced by a fierceness, and a crooked smile appeared on his face.
"Playing hard to get my missy, eh? I know the rules of this game very well. I will play along with you, pretty face. Will that make you happy?" replied Yi Jung while leaning over her face.
"Stop it! Leave me!" cried out Ga Eul as tears started forming in her eyes.
She freed herself from his hold and stepped back. People around them had already stopped dancing and stared at them curiously.
"Oh, I am sorry! My bad! I should have realised that with that pretty face of yours, you must have already got a catch for tonight. Haven't you?"
Ga Eul took a sharp breath and raised her hand to slap him hard across his face. Yi Jung stepped to the side with the sudden impact, before glaring back at her. The people around hushed down into silence and the music seemed to have been paused as well.
"I am not a whore; do you get it? I am not here to trap a wealthy man. How dare you?" shouted Ga Eul as tears flowed down her cheeks continuously.
Jae Kyung, Woo Bin, Jan Di and Jun Pyo came rushing hearing the commotion. They were stunned to find Yi Jung and Ga Eul at the middle of the scene.
"Ga Eul!" called Jan Di exasperatedly.
"He thinks I am here to find a man for the night! Do I look like a loose woman to you all?" cried out Ga Eul facing everyone.
Jae Kyung came running and hugged her angry, shivering form. Woo Bin and Jun Pyo glared at Yi Jung and before they could reach him, Jan Di ran to him and grabbed him by his shoulder.
"Sunbae! Have you lost your mind? What did you tell her?" shouted Jan Di, shaking Yi Jung.
"Take her to the resort, Jan Di. Don't create any more scene here," said Jun Pyo sternly and dragged Yi Jung away with him.
Woo Bin was about to follow them when he heard Jae Kyung crying out Ga Eul's name. He turned back to see her collapsing in Jae Kyung's arms.
"Let me take her back to the room," said Woo Bin and picked her in his arms.
Jae Kyung and Jan Di were too flustered to think anymore, and followed him down the stairs.
….
Ji Hoo walked back to his bungalow carrying Ha Jin in his arms. She seemed quite lifeless in his arms, so he hurried to open the door. He walked in the bedroom and laid her down on the couch carefully. He then brought a wet towel to clean her face and limbs. There were small bruises on her knees from the fall. Ji Hoo cleaned the wounds and sprain and applied some medicine.
The next difficult task for him was to make her drink some fluid. He carefully propped her up against the backrest and held a glass of water to her mouth.
"Drink this, Ha Jin."
"Uhmmm?"
Ji Hoo opened her mouth slightly and poured the water slowly. Ha Jin did not protest much. She was too spent to even realise what was happening around. After finishing the water, she leaned towards Ji Hoo and rested her head in the crook of his neck. He could not help admiring how her petite form perfectly fit in his embrace. Unknowingly, a small smile broke in his face as he picked her up again in his arms and took her to the bed. Ha Jin moaned and mumbled some gibberish words as her head touched the soft pillow. Ji Hoo took her sandals off her feet and pulled the duvet over her. He stood there looking at the sleeping beauty for a few moments more before he headed out to the living room.
….
Ga Eul was back in her room, surrounded by her friends and Woo Bin. After being splashed with water on her face, she had woken up. But all she could do was weep incessantly.
"Ga Eul, please! Ignore what he said. He does not know you. He is a drunk moron!" Jae Kyung tried to make her stop crying, but nothing helped.
"Ga Eul, I apologise for sunbae's behavior. Please don't hurt yourself anymore by crying like this," pleaded Jan Di.
Woo Bin looked at Ga Eul's crying form helplessly. He was yet to fathom what came up in his friend's head to have behaved in such an obnoxious way. Seeing Ga Eul hiccupping in between her wails, he could not take it anymore. He tapped on Jae Kyung's shoulder and signaled her to let him handle the situation. Jae Kyung stared back at him clueless, but nonetheless stood up.
"Look at me, Ga Eul! Look at me!" Woo Bin grabbed her clenched fist and shook her, gaining her attention.
"Why are you letting words of some stranger affect you in such a way? All the people you care about know who you are. As for my friend, I can vouch for him as a good human being who never speaks such obnoxious things about anyone. He has been going through some tough times in his life, perhaps that can explain his mental state. Although that does not justify his behavior to you. My sincere apologies to you, Ga Eul. Please leave behind all those words which were not meant to hurt you, for sure. You are a very nice human being, as much as I have known you these couple of days."
Ga Eul had calmed down a little hearing his assuring tone, and his pleadings had an unusual effect on her distraught mind unlike her friends' words.
Jan Di and Jae Kyung hugged her from both sides and smiled at Woo Bin for his help. He was still holding Ga Eul's hands and kept his eyes on her.
"If you promise me that you will not ponder over this anymore, I will also make a promise to take you all tomorrow on the most wonderful snorkeling trip," suggested Woo Bin and waited for a response.
Ga Eul sighed and faintly nodded her head.
"Won't do. I do not accept unspoken promises," protested Woo Bin.
Jae Kyung was surprised to see how easily he succeeded in calming down her friend. With awe, she witnessed his persistence in bringing a smile in Ga Eul's face. When Ga Eul's face brightened up finally hearing Woo Bin's non-stop childish demands, both Jan Di and Jae Kyung clapped in relief.
After few minutes, seeing Ga Eul calmed down Woo Bin wished them goodnight and left the room. Jae Kyung followed him to the outside of the bungalow.
"Woo Bin!"
He turned back to see Jae Kyung pacing towards him.
"Thank you so much. It could have turned even worse if you were not here with her."
"It seemed there was something more to it, than just being offended by those words. Am I right?" asked Woo Bin.
"Hmm," nodded Jae Kyung and looked away.
"Don't worry, I am not going to delve into your friend's past. Now, go and take rest. Tomorrow we will leave early."
"Arasso," smiled Jae Kyung and ran back to the bungalow.
Woo Bin stood there until he saw her enter their bungalow and then headed towards his own.
…...
Next morning Ha Jin slowly opened her eyes, stretched her hands and legs and took a deep breath. At first, she thought she was in her room, but suddenly noticing men's clothes hanging in the closet in front of the bed startled her. She sat up with a jerk and looked around more carefully to understand where she was. It was right then she realised that her head was feeling heavy, with a faint pounding in between her eyes. And she was still wearing her party dress from last night.
"Oh god, where am I?" she panicked and pushed the cover away from her.
Before she could get down the bed, the door opened and Ji Hoo entered.
"You? What are you doing here? Why am I here?" asked Madhu angrily.
"Good morning Ha Jin. I brought you here last night, as you passed out and I did not know your room number," replied Ji Hoo nonchalantly.
Ha Jin looked at him with narrowed eyes as she tried to remember events from the last night. Then she felt pain in her scraped knee and ankle, and realized those were treated with some ointment. Ji Hoo walked close to the bed and handed her some medicines and a glass of water.
"Take this medicine. It will make you feel better. Then I will take you back to your bungalow."
Ha Jin was still very agitated with the whole situation. She could not believe that she spent a night at a stranger's place without being in her senses. She dejectedly took the glass, gulped the tablets and tried to get up from the bed.
"I will manage. I do not need your help," lashed out Ha Jin as Ji Hoo approached to help her.
He stepped back and gazed at her silently as she stepped on the floor and cringed with pain. Without further warning, he approached her and picked her in his arms.
"What are you doing?" cried out Ha Jin as he walked out of the room with her.
"Right now, you need to get back to your friends. I will try to get some medical provisions to treat that sore ankle," replied Ji Hoo nonchalantly without looking at her glaring eyes.
He came out of the bungalow and took her to a resort cart standing close by. He took the driver's seat and started the engine. As he drove along the grass pathway, Ha Jin saw the gorgeous skyscape in front of them, where the early rays of the rising sun were playing hide and seek behind the light grey clouds, and somewhere the horizon between the sea and the sky blurred by the morning haze. The serenity of the early morning calmed Ha Jin's agitated mind, as she realised Ji Hoo's true intention, or the lack of it anyway, in helping her the previous night.
"Mianhe, for shouting at you before," murmured Ha Jin.
Ji Hoo continued driving without any response.
"I have never been so close to any man before. It was very uncomfortable to have passed out in a man's arms and then brought to his room at night."
Suddenly the memory of being in his arms few minutes back filled her mind, and blood rose into her cheeks. She could not explain to herself why the man beside her was making her heart flutter suddenly. The lack of expression on his face made it worse; how could he be so cool about it while my heart pounds incessantly just thinking about his arms around me? It must be the hangover that is making my mind go all berserk.
She barely managed to direct him towards their bungalow, and as he came out to help her walk up the steps, she remained quiet and waited for him to leave.
"Take care, and do not put any pressure on that ankle. I will get some medicines in the meantime."
"Thank you very much for last night," murmured Ha Jin.
"Thanks to you for keeping my mind off from stuff…"
"Eh?"
"Never mind," smiled Ji Hoo and left.
