Wild Fire (1/1)

“You look like shit!” I heard a young man declare somewhere behind me on the hallways of this hotel I was staying at. Instinctively I looked up and sought the person he was talking to. That was the first time I saw her. She was wearing an old pair of jogging pants and a hoodie. Her hair was up in a messy bun. She wasn’t wearing any make up. Overall she looked plain. But there was something about her. There was something in her eyes. “Yes, I feel like one too,” she replied to the young man with a smile. “I got home, literally just switched suitcases, ran to the airport and now here I am. I’ve been awake for more than 40 hours.” Wow. Is she for real? I don’t know why but I kept listening to their conversation, slowly and painfully dragging myself through the hallway so that I won’t reach Seung Hyun or Tabi’s room too soon. We have plans of drinking and unwinding that night. Anyway, the girl and the young man were speaking in English which made it a little bit slower for me to comprehend but I understood them well enough."You should rest." “That’s what I’ve been trying to do since I got here. But now I’m hungry. I want something greasy.” I see them look at each other and grin. “McDonalds!” they exclaimed. Now I was in front of Tabi’s door. As I pressed the doorbell to the room I see them head towards the elevators. A smile formed on my lips. A girl who isn’t afraid to eat. Given my love for cooking I like her already. The door opens but it wasn’t Seung Hyun who opened it. “Hyung! What took you so long?” Hyun Joong greeted me. I smiled at my old friend. Behind him I see Seung Hyun and Yoochoon getting ready. I feel that familiar feeling of peace and security, knowing that I was with dear friends. I step into the room. “Sorry, saw something amusing on my way here,” he replied. The three guys in the room immediately turn to me with huge grins on their faces. “A girl?” it was Yoochoon who asked. I let out a laugh but don’t give them an answer. “A hyung that’s unfair! Tell us!” Seung Hyun complained complete with a pout. I always say he looks older than I do but as soon as he opens his mouth it wasn’t hard to tell who the maknae is. “Let’s go,” I tell them with a tone of finality. We headed out to a not so busy district of the city. A collection of personal bodyguards surround us. The four of us shared the same disdained look—we didn’t want the bodyguards for they were a dead giveaway to who we are but our companies didn’t want to risk anything. Asking for this night out was already pushing our luck but still. It was very rare that we get a chance to be together like this in a foreign country nonetheless. We were currently in Macau to attend a 3-day global music festival. It’s a benefit concert against world hunger. Different artists from all over Asia and Europe came together for the concert. We, JYJ, along with Bigbang, 2ne1, Kim Hyun Joong, and Rain were chosen to represent South Korea. We stepped into a new club called Fire&Ice and slipped into our usual routine. At the VIP section drinks poured in and pretty soon the four of us were getting sloshed. Hyun Joong, Yoochoon and Seung Hyun headed to the dance floor after their nth glasses of alcohol but I stayed seated. The truth is I’m starting to feel sleepy. I had been running around onstage the whole day. And before that I was in Japan, putting some finishing touches on our Japanese album that’s set to be released next month. I am exhausted. “I got home, literally just switched suitcases, ran to the airport and now here I am. I’ve been awake for more than 40 hours.” I remembered the girl from the hallway and a smile plays on my lips. She’s tired too but I could tell by the smile she wore that she wasn’t complaining. Without meaning to I started thinking more about her. Who is she? Who is that young man she was talking to? He couldn’t be her boyfriend—they were so casual towards each other. A good friend, perhaps? What is she doing there? Where did she come from and until when is she staying? The onslaught of questions made me feel dizzy that I didn’t notice that my friends were back from the dance floor already. “Hyung, you ok?” Yoochoon asked as he plopped down beside me. I waved my hand at them as if to dismiss their concern. “I’m fine, just a bit spent,” I told them. Yoochoon gave an understanding nod. He understands well why. I sent him and Junsu home from Japan a day earlier so they could rest for this event while I finished everything in Japan. “Ay hyung, if you’re tired you should just rest,” Hyun Joong spoke. “That’s what I’ve been trying to do since I got here. But now I’m hungry. I want something greasy.” A smile escapes my lips. Then I heard Seung Hyun snort in front of me. “Ya, Jaejoong hyung doesn’t look tired—he looks like he’s enjoying an “amusing” memory.” His voice was laced with sarcasm. I picked up a beer cap and threw it at him. He pretended to be hurt but he exploded with laughter. Yoochoon and Hyun Joong immediately followed. I was the last to join and it felt so good. Times like these are ones we live for. To just be able to laugh and enjoy each other’s company. We ended up staying for a few hours but we kept the alcohol intake to a minimum. Tomorrow, well technically later, is going to be one busy day. It’s the final day of rehearsals and all artists are required to do their final sound check. It’s going to be hell backstage of the huge open air stadium where we are going to perform. I could just imagine the mixture of characters we’ll be seeing and meeting. I can’t wait. It was around 2 am when we finally got back to the hotel. Which was why I wasn’t expecting to see her again: the girl who kept me preoccupied the entire night. We ran into them, she was with the same young man and three other young men, by the elevator. They were carrying paper bags of McDonald’s take-out and she was happily munching on a chicken nugget. One of the new guys said something in a language I didn’t understand. The girl and their other companions laughed. Her laughter was like sweet music. It wasn’t the girly type of laughter but it was so real—so genuine. “You’re one to talk, you’re barely a month old of being 21,” she teased the young man who replied in that language again. The elevator door opened and we, the four of us and the five of them, squeezed inside. I was silently thanking the heavens that Hyun Joong, Yoochoon and Seung Hyun were all too pooped out to notice the curious attention I’ve been throwing this girl. “Anyone wants my fries?” She held out her bag, offering the fries to the guys. One of them pulls out the box of fries and starts munching on them. “What time does sound check start?” The girl asked the young man I first saw her with. “Sound check starts at 10 am,” the man replied. My interest is now piqued. Sound check? Could they be performers at the festival? “Ugh,” she pouted. “I hate mornings!” she murmured. I resisted the urge to laugh. She looked cute with that pout of hers. The lift finally reached our floor and we all collectively exited the elevator. Then, we all headed towards the same direction. I continued listening to their conversation, a million thoughts now running through my wide awake brain. “Everyone, goodnight!” I barely heard Hyun Joong when he bid goodbye and entered his room. Yoochoon, Seung Hyun and I just gave him nods. “Let’s meet in my room tomorrow at 9 before we head out to the stadium,” she instructed the boys. They all stopped in front of a door. I assumed it’s the boys’ room. They all gave her nods and replies, which again I did not understand. What is that language! I only like the one who spoke in English. “Night night!” She bid them goodbye then started walking again. By this time Yoochoon and Seung Hyun are opening their respective doors. “Night Hyung!” they called out to me at the same time. I waved goodnight to both of them. She was walking silently in front of me. Is her room at the end of the hallway like mine? She was still munching on her food. For the second time that night I resisted the urge to chuckle. She looked like a kid, enjoying the nugget without a care in the world. When she finally stopped in front of the door my breath hitched. Her room is across mine! I watched as she swiped her card key and disappeared into her room. When she was gone I entered my own room and threw myself on the bed. Another smile graced my lips as I stared at my ceiling. The last thing I remember before my eyes betrayed me to sleep was her pretty smile. *** The day went by so fast I don’t even know how it happened. I snapped awake at 8 am, an hour later than what I had originally intended. I rushed to make it on time—Yoochoon, Junsu and I had to be at the stadium by 9 am. We barely just made it. When we arrived the organizers led us to our dressing room and told us to get ready. We’ll hit the stage a little after 10. Just like I had anticipated the backstage was jam-packed! Singers and performers left and right were being ushered to their respective dressing rooms. I strained my neck a little to check if the girl and her bandwagon of boys were already present but I didn’t see them. Inside the dressing room the atmosphere was no different. We were sharing the dressing room with Bigbang and Kim Hyun Joong. I was really glad that we got to share the room with them. It could be like a continuation of the previous night. But the organizers made it hard to even sit down and chat for a while. We were being ushered here and there, led to and fro. By the time we were able to sit down and take a breather it was already lunch time. You’d think we haven’t done this before. But I understood the pressure the organizers were under. Having one artist perform with this much scope is already a pain in the ass. Imagine having around 30 different artists from different countries! I shuddered at the thought. The Bigbang boys decided to head out for lunch even though the stadium boasts of a well maintained food court. They invited the 2ne1 girls, Kim Hyun Joong and us JYJ and everyone agreed to go except for me. I wanted to go too but I received a text message from our CEO regarding our album and we needed to talk. I decided to check out the food court. I had a feeling that other artists went out for lunch as well instead of staying in. It was an hour to step away from all the chaos you’d actually be a fool not to take it. I had an excuse of course. And my hunch was right. The food court was deserted. I headed to a store selling Japanese food and ordered myself a simple lunch. Then, I found myself a spot (it wasn’t hard to) and started eating. It took me a while to notice that I wasn’t alone in that sea of empty tables and chairs. A few tables away from me is a familiar face. A smile immediately graces my lips. She was hunched over her laptop, a food tray beside it with a half-eaten sandwich, an empty salad bowl (I only assumed), and a tall cup of what seemed to be like soda. She was typing away while talking animatedly on the phone through her Bluetooth headset. I strained my ears and neck to hear what she was saying. “We won’t be back until Sunday. I promised the kids I’ll take them around to shop,” I heard her say. Kids? Waaaiiitt a second. Kids??? “They’ve been working so hard and once we get back we’re dropping the new album and it’ll be endless promotions once again.” There was a hint of exhaustion in her voice. I quickly realize she must be talking about the boys. Wait, so is she the manager of the band perhaps? She doesn’t look much older than the boys but then again, after meeting Dara-shi and Bom-shi I wouldn’t really be surprised if she turns out older than she actually looks. She takes a break from her typing and takes a bite out of her sandwich. Her eyes close, as if she’s savouring the sandwich. When she started talking again it was in another language. I felt the frustration building inside me that I almost missed the phone call from my CEO. I quickly answered my phone. “Hello?” “Jaejoong, I emailed you the details. Have you received it?” I haven’t. Or more accurately I haven’t checked. “Rehearsal just ended Mr. Baek. I’ll check it out immediately.” I hope my voice didn’t give a hint of the guilt I was feeling. “Alright. I’ll be arriving tomorrow afternoon. I’d like to speak with you three before you go on stage.” I strained to comprehend what he was saying. My attention wasn’t really on our CEO. My eyes are still trained on the girl sitting a few feet away from me. “Yes Mr. Baek, the three of us will be there,” I replied. We then said our goodbyes and I hanged up. My eyes darted back to the girl. She was back to typing but she has stopped talking. The Bluetooth headset is now on the table, beside her laptop. I contemplated on whether to approach her or not. I really want to. First of all I would like to know her name. Popping in the last piece of food I had into my mouth I quickly decided that I would approach her. However, before I could take a drink to down my meal a familiar English speaking boy approached her. “They say we can setup the instruments now,” he told her. She nodded in acknowledgement then started fixing her things. In a matter of minutes they were both gone. I shook my head in amusement. “Can’t catch a break,” I whispered to myself before heading out. It would be another hour before I would see her again. I saw her walking with her band, only this time another girl was with them. They came from the direction of the stage. They must be done with their sound check. 2ne1 was walking towards the stage. I heard from Jiyong it was their turn. I was too concentrated on staring at her that I didn’t notice they’ve stopped walking. They’ve stopped walking because someone stopped them. “You’re 3Xia!” Dara-shi’s high pitched voice rang everywhere. “I’m such a big fan!” I assessed the situation. Dara was talking to her—to her band. I alternately looked at her and at Dara, whose wide-eyed expression gives proof to her statement. Dara started talking to them in the language she learned from the Philippines. So it’s Tagalog they are speaking. Which means they are from the Philippines. Which means I can get Dara to introduce us. Bingo.