Getting To Know

I stood up as soon as John left and waved to the seat next to me. "Hello. Uhm...Come in," I said nervously as I bowed to him in respect. 

He bowed back and entered the room. "I'm Mark. I don't think we formally met." He handed out his right hand which I shook.

"Ah..yeah...I'm Kris." 

"So, shall we start?" He sat on the chair and looked up at me. He was wearing a knitted sweater on top of a white shirt. 

He had faded jeans on and a pair of brown boots. His eyes were half covered behind the flap of his cap. Why the heck am I checking him out? Shit...but he looks handsome ...who could resist.

"Sure," I said. I sat back down and plugged in the USB. I handed him one of the earphones which he immediately took and hooked it in his ear. I clicked on play and let him listen. His eyes were closed and head bowed down.

Damn, his face is like that of a sculpture's. I can see his jawline protruding. How can a guy have such perfect skin? I suddenly realized how close I was to him. Here I go again...checking him out. 

"Snap out of it, girl." I told myself. 

He opened his eyes slowly as soon as the song ended. "I like the melody. This isn't gonna be a love song, is it?"

"Well, not exactly. Here are the lyrics I've written. It's actually about a promise. It could be a promise to somebody you love, it could be to your parents, your friends or to yourself. I made the meaning a bit vague so different listeners could relate to it." I explained.

"Nice." Was all he said.

"So, have you thought of something?"

"Actually, I have. I'm just gonna write it based on experience." He slide-glanced me. I gave him a pad and a pen and he started writing.

_________________________________________________________

                                                                        MARK

'Promises'...how can she be so right on the mark.

I took the pad and pen she handed me and started writing. Memories of an event 2 years ago came flashing back in rivers.

"We need to lay low for 3 years, Angela." I told her. Both our cheeks were wet with tears. I was hugging her tightly and I didn't want to let her go.

"I understand," she said between sobs. She hugged me tighter. "Just promise me you'll come back to me," she continued. 

"I promise," is all I could muster myself to say. I loosened myself from her embrace and looked her straight in the eye, with our faces just inches away from each other. "I will be back. But, you have to promise me one thing, too."

"What is it?"

"Promise me you'll wait for me." 

"I will. I promise. I will wait until you are allowed to date again." We stood looking at each other's eyes for a whole minute. Trying to read each other's minds and trying to let the other read our minds through our eyes. 

I closed the distance between us and planted my lips on hers. It was a deep, sorrowful kiss. It was a kiss that sealed both our promises to each other.

I wrote everything that was in my heart. I put my feelings into words - I miss her...like crazy. I will keep the promise and go back to her.

__________________________________________________________

He was so deep in thought. His pen didn't leave the paper for a second, he just kept on writing. This guy has a lot to say....I hope he talks as much though.

He scanned his work before looking at me. "Done."

"That was fast." I looked through his work and read his lyrics. Deep... "From experience, ha?" I was trying to lighten the mood.

"Well, yeah...kinda..." he looked away. "So, what do you think?" 

"It's....uhm...deep." I finally said. 

He suddenly looked worried, so I continued, "I mean....deep in a good way. I think this would be the heart of the song."

"Thanks," he smiled.

"Let's start recording it first to see how to do the arrangements." I put back the earphone in my ear and played the music. 

I sang the first two parts and cued him to continue with his part. His voice has that uniqueness in it you wouldn't miss. 

We did and redid the arrangements, changed some lyrics to fit the beat....when there was a knock on the door.

"Yup..." I said.

"It's me," I heard John said from behind the door.

"Yes?" Mark stood up and headed toward the door.

"I was just checking if there was anything you needed?" John said as soon as the door opened.

"We're fine," Mark said in his low tone. He was still holding the doorknob as if waiting for John to leave so he could close the door again.

"Uh...Ok then...Let's have dinner later Kris."

"We're actually not done yet," Mark said a bit annoyed. "We might be finished late." He looked at John straight in the eye. 

"Oh...Ok.." John was taken aback at Mark's stern reply.

"Sorry, John. I'll call you later. Go home and get some rest." I comforted him. He looked shaken.

"Laters, Kris...Mark." He nodded to both of us and left.

Mark closed the door. "Do I look like a perv?" He asked me.

"Huh?"

"Your leader doesn't seem to trust me." He was shaking his head as he sat back down the chair.

"He's just being overprotective. That's how he is." I said apologetically.

"Let's just finish this up and grab some dinner."

"Ok."

"What d'you wanna eat?" He asked me as we headed down to the parking lot.

"I need meat....meat and meat...." I said in a tired voice. I slumped my shoulders to show I'm beat.

"Hahahah", he laughed. He straightened my shoulders. "I'll drive. Where's your car?"

"It's nice to have somebody to talk to in English sometimes." He told me as we were eating our 'samgyupsal' and beef stew.

"You have other non-Korean members in your group, don't you? Don't you speak in English?" I asked.

"Well, I speak English, Mandarin and Korean with Jackson. But, he's usually not around." He shrugged. "He is the busiest among us. So, he isn't in the dorm very often. And when he is, he just sleeps." He put a small slice of meat, garlic, sauce and kimchi in the wrap he was holding and handed it to me. 

I took it and put it in my mouth without thinking...I was just so hungry.

"So, how are you coping up with the new culture?" He asked me.

"What?"

"I mean, the Korean culture must be new to you?" He explained.

"Oh. Actually, I might've been here longer than you have." I stated.

"Hmmm?" His right brow was raised.

"Uh huh....I studied middle school here." I looked at his shocked face. "Even when I went back to the Philippines I would still come here for visits."

"That was a surprise." 

"And you?" I asked him back.

"Care for a few rounds? Let's order some beer." He stood then started making his way to the counter, he stopped midway and came back, bent down towards me and whispered, "How old are you?"

"Ha ha....22. I can drink, don't worry."