Way to go, Sora! That was top-notch. You finally meet the man of your dreams and all you-wait, no, he's not the man of my dreams, but still all you could do was stutter? STUTTER! I'm going crazy! Ma Sora, breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.
Sora couldn't believe what just happened. She tried to calm herself and assess the situation. It wasn't a life or death situation. But to Sora, it was major situation. She had pictured the first meeting in her head countless times. And what just happened inside the cafe was not close to how she wanted it to turn out. Well, this was their first time formally meeting each other but Sora has met Chanyeol somewhere some time ago. And it was something she was determined to forget.
A couple of weeks ago, when Sora has just arrived in South Korea to start her quest for life, or soul-searching as she called it, the most miraculous thing happened to her at the airport. It was hard not to notice the large crowd at the airport when you can hear them shouting and cameras clicking nonstop. "What is going on here? Is there someone famous here?"
With her Spidey-sense, Sora inconspicuously scouted the place for celebrities. She made it look as if she didn't care. But she did and she had hoped profusely that she'd spot one of the celebrities she was a fan of. As it happened, the gods heard her prayer and then there's the saying that goes around, "Be careful what you wish for."
Then there he was. She spotted Park Chanyeol, who was at least ten meters away from her. Everything turned hazy. He was sparkling. Flowers popped up and surrounded him. Bob Crewe's Can't Take My Eyes Off You intro played on cue. Everything was in slow motion. She could hear her heart beating wildly in her chest. And she could hear him breathing.
Chanyeol was with his fellow members and some shady people, who probably were the managers and security. She stood there gawking while doubting her eyes. She must have been so obvious that when Chanyeol looked her way, he couldn't help but stare back. Sora started to walk over to where Chanyeol was standing while she wheeled her luggage behind her. The rest of the boys must have noticed the scene, so they were also staring at Sora. To Sora, everything was like how it was in the movies. She was gliding. But to the boys, they could only see a madwoman who was practically running over towards them. Five, four, three meters, two meters more.
You're almost there, Sora.
One more step and she'll finally be able to shake Chanyeol's hand.
THUD!
A random loud sound shook the airport to a halt. It sounded like something hit something hard. As it turned out, it was Sora, who collided into her wall of shame. She was too enthralled to notice that there was a glass wall between her and the boys, she almost went through it. Chanyeol, the boys, and the rest of the airport who have seen what happened stood and held their breathes in from surprise; some of them suppressing their laughter. Sora on the other hand, buried her face in her hands, mostly because she wanted to hide from the shame. She knew people were watching because it was unlikely quiet.
"I'm fine. Really, I am," she managed to let out even if it felt like her head was going to crack open. She continued to hide her face. She grabbed her luggage and stole a glance at Chanyeol, who was wincing at what just took place, before she took off to get away and hide from the utter humiliation.
Sora shuddered and tried to shake off the dreadful memory.
I guess they don't remember me. But that's good. Yes, that's definitely good. I don't want to be remembered of something embarrassing. Sora comforted herself.
Focus, Sora. Park Chanyeol is just right outside and you are helping his father prepare their lunch. He was just standing in front of you-aaw he's so tall. Sora couldn't help but silently shriek from excitement.
Crap! I actually lost it out there. Aaaaaw, they're going to think I'm some crazy woman. And they even thought I was a sasaeng fan. Did I look that creepy to them? Oh, this is humiliating. She blubbered as she checked her face in the compact mirror, which she took out from her pocket.
Lost in her thoughts, Sora forgot that Mr. Park was just beside her. With all the faces Sora was making, Mr. Park had to stop and watch her as she took out plates from the cupboard.
"Ma Sora," Mr. Park finally called out.
"Ah yes, Mr. Park?" Sora answered, finally realizing that she was not alone in the kitchen while she was having a heated debate with herself.
"Are you alright?" Mr. Park asked. "Yes, Mr. Park. I'm fine."
"You were almost amusing with all that silent bickering you were doing a while ago. Should I be worried?" Sora was too embarrassed to answer that she just laughed at Mr. Park's comment.
"I don't care what's going on in that little head of yours, but I'd really mind if it affects your work."
"Don't worry, Mr. Park. I maybe a bit crazy but I manage my priorities. A few broken plates and probably some missing cash, that's the most of the problem you'll get from me."
Mr. Park laughed. He knew she was joking; Sora maybe new but Mr. Park already knew she had a sense of humor. She liked that sassy part about her. But just to be on the safe side, he still asked, "You're kidding, right?" Sora looked at him seriously then broke out into a smile. "Of course, I am, Mr. Park. You know I'll only take your money." They both laughed.
"So tell me, what made you so worked up earlier? It's the boys, isn't it?"
Sora flinched a bit from the accusation and she hoped that Mr. Park did not see that. But he did. "They're popular. You're not the first girl to swoon over them. They're really good looking in real life, right?" Mr. Park teased. Sora just smiled. I can't let him know that have this big crush on his son. If he finds out he'll fire me and I'll lose one of my sources of income in this miserable place and he'll find out that the reason I applied at his cafe was because I knew he was Chanyeol's father and if Chanyeol finds out then they'll report me to the police for stalking and then I'll pay the fine and maybe even go to jail and lose my youth to life in prison then when I'll be labelled for life and I'll never get married and... No! I have to keep this a secret. Sora took another deep breath. "Oh God, even I think I'm crazy sometimes."
"Huh? What was that, Sora?" Mr. Park said.
"Oh nothing, Mr. Park," Sora assured.
"Well, if you're done there. Come and help set up the table. The kids are probably hungry." Sora obeyed and took out the rest of the dishes and placed them on the table.
And there they were again. Chanyeol, Baekhyun, and Kyungsoo huddled on one side of the table. She didn't want to look suspicious so she opted to look at them instead of avoiding them but to her dismay except for Baekhyun, who was helping out Mr. Park arrange the dishes on the table, Chanyeol and Kyungsoo were staring right back at her.
I can't look away now. I'd look stupid. And I didn't do anything wrong.
Their eyes followed Sora as she approached the table. She didn't hold back either, she smiled while she glued her eyes on them. She could feel the hair on her back tingling. She felt something bad was going to happen.
"Oh, I know you!" Kyungsoo suddenly blurted out.
"Hyung, it's her!" Kyungsoo said to Chanyeol.
Chanyeol looked at Sora closely with his eyes narrowing, then they widen with excitement. "IT'S YOU!" he shouted as he clapped his hands. "You're the noona from the airport!"