My Universe

It was 2am in the morning, she woke up due to full bladder. Upon return to her bed, she can't help but smile upon seeing the figure peacefully sleeping on the right side of the bed. Everyday, she thought she is dreaming. And if this is a dream, she wanted to sleep forever. She also smiled as she always recall how she ended up with the love of her life.

He is one of the famous boy groups in South Korea, gathered millions of fans around the world, sang a lot of songs that stunned millions of girls and even boys, and can be considered very successful group in the field of music.

She is just an ordinary woman and a silent fan of their group in the Philippines. Consistently listening to their music, took it as her therapy. She was in a relationship for 5 years. She was supposed to get married, however, 2 months before the wedding, her fiancée died, and worst, she discovered that all along, she was living in a lie.

Can a dying man lie? In her experience, yes. Her fiancée was a victim of mistaken identity and was shot multiple times. Some concerned citizens rushed him in the hospital, the doctors tried to revive him, but it's too late.

She used the money on their joint account that was supposed to be used for the wedding, on the funeral of her fiancée. When she thought that losing the man you marry is the most painful feeling you can ever experience, there is worst than that.

On the 2nd day of the wake, a man approached him to talk to him in private. They went to the conference room of the funeral home where the wake of his fiancée took place. There, she discovered that his fiancée was a conman. He was married to someone else in Las Vegas, with 2 children. He didn't even lose communication with them and sends the monetary support monthly! He even showed the text messages of her fiancée and his wife. The guy who approached him was the lawyer of his fiancée's wife and wanted to get the rights to arrange the funeral. They even promised to pay her back on all the expenses because they discovered that she already paid the services in full. He even had the last will and testament which states that all his properties will be given to his wife and children. With the shooting incident, death of her fiancée and the truth that unveiled in front of her, she felt numb and lifeless. How can this happen to me? How can a man whom she loved so much did this to her? He left me without even telling her the truth. She didn't know how she left the room and the wake. All she remembered was she called her mother while she was in cab and told her what she discovered.

The truth hurt her so much that she resigned to work, and made her lost the will to survive. She even questioned herself what did she do wrong, to underwent this kind of pain and torture.

One of her friends told her that it will help her if she will change her environment. "Leave the country, go somewhere else, where you can start all over again ". She has no plans to go abroad, however, her former workmate told her that South Korea is accepting English teachers for their citizens.

Driven by the will to move on with the pain, she asked for details and applied for the job. In less than a month, she was hired to work in South Korea.

South Korea literally gave her a breathe of fresh air. Aside from her former workmate whom she shared the apartment, there was no one who know her here. No one know the pain and embarrassment she faced brought by the scandal. She started to appreciate the culture and language, while she taught English to Koreans, she study the Korean language to understand and converse with the locals. To keep her busy, she go somewhere every week. Temples, museums, palaces, parks, beaches and anywhere that can help her forget the most painful event in her life. Her favorite is the Naksan Park. The view from above the park is so fascinating that she mostly forgot the reason why she was in South Korea.

On the other side of the city. He was lying in his bed, listening to the song he wrote for the love of her life who he never know when will come. Some of the members of his group have their partners, though, need not to known to the media. He can see how happy they are. He had previous relationship, 9 years ago, before he joined the training. His ex girlfriend thought that being an idol member was a waste of time. She encouraged him to continue his studies and took up law, which was his childhood dream. But he chose to enter the training, she broke up with him. With that thought, he stood up and went to the edge of the window. Seeing the city lights of Seoul at night is mesmerizing and romantic. He can't help but wonder if her soulmate is one of the people who are walking on the pedestrian lane, or riding the cab or her own car, or resting in her room. He believed that if someone is destined to him, she will come at the right time. Some may think that he has everything; money, fame, talent, successful career and idol group whom he considered as family, but like an ordinary person, he cannot have the best of both worlds.

Dressed in hoodie, black sunglasses and baseball cap, he slipped on his apartment. Talked to his bodyguard that he wanted to make a stroll around the park. Nearest park to his place is Naksan. He wanted to go out and might get an inspiration to finish one of the songs he started to wrote last week. With his appearance, he can't be identified as one of the member of the famous boyband. His bodyguard, Min Taebun was few inches from him. Giving him freedom to walk and feel the fresh air. He signaled that he will go up so that he will follow. There were only few people in the park. When he reached the last step of the stairs, he saw three benches, 2 of them were occupied. He sat on the vacant bench and stared on the Seoul city lights. On his right side, he saw a man tying his shoe laces sitting on the bench. On his farthest left is a woman, reading a book, Tuesdays with Morrie, and seemed focus as she didn't flinch when the man tying the shoe earlier passed in front of him and nearly budged the book. He stand and took a deep breath. He felt better, relieved, and happy to be in the park.

Tuesdays with Morrie. He read that book before, so sentimental and heart breaking. He read other Mitch Albom's book, as well as Nicholas Sparks. Sometimes, he got inspiration from their life and love stories. Seeing the woman there reading the book made him smile and wished that she liked it. He pulled out his pocket pen and a piece of paper, and started to write lyrics to the songs he is writing.

This is the first time that she will meet the school director one-on-one. Mostly, she see Director Jung Min Cho in the school activities and festivities. She was greeted by the director's assistant and told her to sit and wait. She bowed as sign of agreement and respect. Few minutes after, she was told to go inside the director's office. She bowed upon seeing her sitting in the left chair with her heart nearly going out her chest.

"Good morning, Ms. Pardo". The director can speak 4 languages, South Korean, English, Spanish and Mandarin. "I received an offer and the school decided that you are the best person to do it". She handed over the paper to her.

Her eyeballs almost popped out when she saw the offer. English translator for an idol group! The compensation is 6x her current paygrade in the school. "Why me?" she asked. "All your colleagues observed that you are very hardworking, fluent in English and loved not only the students but almost all here. They think that your talent and hard work should be properly compensated. I cannot give you that amount here. I will lose you as one of my best teachers, but I know that you will make us proud. I know the pain that you went through, I don't know if you are done with it, but I think if you will accept the offer, it will help you move on faster". She can feel the sincerity on what she said. She asked if she can think about the offer until tomorrow. The director agreed.

After work, she went straight to Naksan Park. She wanted to clear her mind so that she can decide properly. The park is crowded. She went to her favorite spot, the third bench at the top of the park. She looked straight to the clouds and the upcoming sunset. Wind is sometimes blowing and she can feel it on her face. She can't remember how long she was in the park, but as soon as the sun sets in, she stood up and made a decision.

She went to the director's office the next day to give her decision. It seemed that she was expected because when the director's assistant saw her, she was advised to go straight to the room. The director is reading a document with a cup on her right hand. "Good morning, Ms. Pardo.". She bowed and greet back the director and handed over the document with her signature.

She started her job as English translator after the school year. She was given send off party and said goodbye to her students and colleagues. She learned that the previous translator got married that's why the post was vacant. The idol members, consisted of 6 talented boys, have 4 translators. In case all the members have questions that needs to be translated, they need not to wait. She met all of them in her first day of work. She cannot hide her smile when she was introduced to them. They are jolly and well mannered. They even asked for a little background about her. They were surprised to learn that she came from the Philippines because the 3 translators were Korean nationals. She even asked the idols to sign the only photobook she had. They obliged and put a short dedication to her.

Little did she know that by accepting the job as translator, she will meet the man who will heal her heart. It started by always talking to them, translating their questions and teaching them some English words. As days go by, she was able to know the idols closer. Even if they are translators, the idol group didn't treat them as translators only. They were considered family. They wanted them to eat with them at the same time, attend concerts with them, and ensure they are comfortable too. She was closer to Park Joon ho, the youngest member and almost her age. He was so sweet, thoughtful and caring. He frequently asked her if she has eaten, if she felt good and asked her opinions on the songs he wrote. Though the other group are same also, but Joon ho sometimes sent her messages as simple as morning or evening greetings. When they took pictures during rehearsals, eat out or TV guesting, he always go beside her. The most wonderful thing that he did was giving her the complete set of photobook of his group during her birthday. She wondered how did he know.

Park Joon ho and his team are preparing for their world tour. They have Europe and Asian tour and will be out of South Korea for 2 months. He didn't know but he is more excited now now than the other tours. Maybe because they will see their fans again, or maybe Cali Pardo will go with them. When Cali was introduced as the new translator, he immediately recognized her as the girl in the park, who intensely read the Mitch Albom's book. Though she smiled, he can see that she is hiding something, pain or sadness. He cannot fathom at that time. But during one of the celebration in the office last year, when they won the Daesang award, one of the translators, Kim Dal Gi slipped that Cali went to South Korea to escape the scandal she went into. Learning about that, he understood why she was smiling but her eyes are crying, interacts with people but with reservations and chooses to be alone when the work is done. When the other members learned it also, they sympathized with Cali but proud of her being a strong woman. They promised to write a song for her as their way of appreciation. He reached out to her to make her feel that she is not alone. He didn't pity her, in fact, he was so amazed how strong she is given what she went through. But he can't deny that by doing those small things to her, such as morning and evening greetings, asking her if she's okay, little jokes, and others, he felt something he can't explain. He felt happy just by merely looking at her, when she translated the words to her, he always wanted to hug her as way of saying of thank you, and when the day ended and they needed to be on their own, he felt a tinge of sadness.

Cali stared at the list of countries in the paper at her hand. I can go to this countries! The idols have 2 month tour and they will be part of the support group. Some of the countries there are in her bucket list, United Kingdom, France, Italy and Netherlands. There are allocated days for rest that they can use to stroll around the countries. She is so excited. She was also relieved that Philippines is not yet in included in the tour due to some contract agreements that have conflicts with the promoters and organizers.

A week before they supposed to fly to Europe, Cali wrote down all the things that she needs to prepare and put in the luggage. She was double checking her to do list when she felt a sharp pain on her abdomen. Her left foot was numb also. She tried to calm herself and call Dal Gi to ask for assistance. When she dialed the number, she felt nauseous and drag herself to the bathroom. Minutes later, Kim Dal Gi and Kang Hanna went to her room and saw her vomiting. When she woke up, she saw a blinding light, she was in the hospital.

She didn't know what to feel. Mixed emotions. Grateful that her ruptured appendix was removed, but unhappy because the doctor told her to rest for 3 weeks. She cannot attend the tour. Hanna, Dal Gi and Han Yong-So just stared at her when she told them what she felt. "The idols will have other tours, Cali. That time, you will be able to come. What important is you are alive and healthy", Hanna said. "That's right. I heard from the producers that they are talking to the Americans for the tour next year", added by Yong So. "As much as the boys wanted to visit you, they can't. They have rehearsals today but will try later this evening, when people are few. But they sent you flowers and fruits", said by Dal Gi while pointing to her table. She saw one bouquet of flowers, with name of Park Joon ho. "You're all correct. What important is I'm alive. You enjoy the tour, just don't forget my souvenirs." She smiled at them.

On the day of the departure of the group, she heard a knock on the door and saw Park Joon ho. "Rest and get well. We will be leaving in a few minutes". She said thank you and her eyes met his that she can't count how long. It seemed that he still wanted to say something but he remains quiet. She bowed her head. "I will miss you". Her eyes went wide and immediately turn to him. Before he knew it, he kissed him on her forehand and went out. She was in shock, he kissed me, she whispered. She touched her forehead where his lips landed and smile.

In 2 months, Park Joon ho never missed greeting him, asking if he already eaten and how she is doing. He even update her of his whereabouts, and received the same phrase everyday, I miss you. She can't explain the feeling. She always expects his message, even slept late at night just to ensure that when he messaged, she will reply immediately. She even adjusted one of the dual time of her watch to match where he is. She even count the days when they will go back. Three days before the group return, their final concert is in Indonesia. The next day, they will appear on a talk show and press conference. However, she wondered why he only received a single message from Park Joon ho that day, just a morning greeting. She wanted to ask him if he is busy, but retracted that she didn't have the official right to ask. She sent a message to Hanna, asking how were they and might get the answer to her question. When Hanna saw her message, she called and shared stories. After the talk show, they were invited to a private lunch and party afterwards. Their managers wanted to decline, however, the person who invited them was one of the son of the Sultan of Brunei. His children were fan of the group and wanted to express his gratitude to the team. The eldest of them all, Norida, is a renowned fashion icon, philanthropist and with one of the most beautiful faces in the world. She was with Joon ho the whole night, according to Hanna. "They got along very well". After the call, Hanna sent several images where Joon ho was only inches apart from Norida. One image depicted that they were holding hands and another was he leaned towards her to hear the words she said. The last picture almost broke her heart. Park Joon ho, facing the camera, while Norida's head was tilted and covering half of his face, they were like kissing each other. She can hear the pounding of her heart, and tears just flow on her cheeks as she stared blankly on her phone while the last picture kept on showing on her mind. All the while, she believed she loved him, even if he didn't verbalize it. I miss you, that was the message he always sent, and he misconstrued it as love. She cried all night, can't help but pity herself for believing that he love her.

The atmosphere in the building is festive. Today is the expected return of the boys from a successful 2 month concert. But Cali feels the other way. The day that she was looking forward to, is now the day she dreaded. She didn't know how will she react when she see Joon ho. The images sent by Hanna kept showing on her head and piercing her heart with pain. But she needed to be strong, unlike her previous relationship which she invested too much time, effort and feelings, her situation now is different. Maybe she was the only one assuming. She held a deep breath and continued to arrange the balloons in the lobby. But no matter how hard she tried, the pictures kept showing on her mind, that she was not able to see the people who walked past by her.

"Need help?" asked by the familiar voice on her back. She shook her head and take a deep breath again. I might be dreaming, she checked her watch. They supposed to arrive at 11am. It's only 10:15am. She made a turn to get the other balloons but went frozen when saw the person in front of her. He looks cool on the blue long sleeve polo with white undershirt and his doe eyes smiled at her. It seems the time stops. She didn't know what to say or do. She just bowed and left, without knowing that her colleagues are staring at her.

Joon ho looked bewildered, followed Cali who is heading to the fire exit.

"Cali, wait..." she stopped when he called her name. Tears instantly flowed on her cheeks. She wiped them but it Joon ho noticed it already. "Why? Why are you avoiding me?" His eyes met hers. She can feel the sincerity and innocence in those words but she know her place already. "I'm not feeling well. " Her voice as cold as ice. She move forward to go back but Joon ho hold her elbow. "Talk to me, Cali. I know there is something wrong". She let a deep sigh and told him, "you know what's wrong, Joon ho? Me! I thought I can move on, I thought I can find someone, but I was wrong to assume-". She was not able to finish what she said because she felt his chest on her cheeks. He hugged her so tight that she can feel his pounding heart.

"I miss you very much, Cali. Every night, I long to hear your voice, see your face and be near you. Like this". Hearing those words, she immediately cried and separated herself. "I am no match with the girls who surrounded you. I didn't come from a wealthy family, I came from a struggling country, I'm a foreigner, I'm a nobody." Joon ho looked at her, "You're all I need, Cali. If you pertained to the news about the party, it's a simple celebration. No extraordinary things happened. If you saw images that shows how close we are, it's not true. Maybe it's the angle how it was taken. I'm always with Kim Dal Gi, he knew. I love you, Cali. Since I saw you in the Naksan Park". Her puzzled face looked at him. "Saw you several times, and I always want to go to the park to see you. That's why when I see you and learned that you are one of the translator, I know, you are meant to me". Tears again flow on her eyes, but this time, with overwhelming joy. "I love you too, Joon ho, but why did you stop messaging me 2 days ago?"

"Before the start of the last day of the concert, I lost my phone. It accidentally stucked in the sofa. When I'm looking for it, the concert will start in few minutes. The staff was not able to find it. We were so tired that day that after the concert, we eat, washed ourselves and took a rest. It was only returned to me yesterday, when the cleaner find it while arranging the cushions in the sofa. The battery was dead. I even bought another phone and asked your number to Kim Dal Gi. We were asked to go early in the talk show to rehearse. And the whole day is very busy and fast. I'm sorry. I really am, if I made you worry. Will you forgive me?" He need not to ask again, because Cali nod her head and hug him again.