Daylight had washed the place. The source was up there reminding these animals that their work had finally started. The warmth woke them up and when they opened their eyes, people were happy to see them. The only gap was the bars. It was 9:30 in the morning.
Ara was one of the first people who came in to the zoo. She was holding the zoo map searching for Baekdoo. Her blind date was not just weird but also cryptic, she thought. "Look for Baekdoo." she read the text message again. Until she reached the cage of a tiger named Baekdoo, who roared upon seeing her face showing its paws.
"He's saying hello." The boy said. His eyes were nailed on Baekdoo. Ara turned her head to the boy's direction. It was the owner of the handkerchief. Should I call him Kai?
"You!" Ara exclaimed. Her heart skipped a beat in excitement. Wait, is he Ms. Kim's son? The boy looked at her in askance, then smiled as a sign of recognition.
"Noona! Small world, huh? You look different... and happy."
"Ah, thank you." She tucked the distracting strand of hair behind her ears, exposing her face, which turned a bit red. Seo Ara don't tell me you're getting into this kid. You don't want to spend your life in prison, do you? She distracted the thought. She must. "By the way, what are you doing here?"
"I'm checking on Baekdoo. He's my favorite animal in this zoo." The boy then moved, like playing with the tiger. "Noona, did you come here alone?"
"Me? I have..." Ara trailed off. Should I tell him I came here for a blind date? Wouldn't he think I'm desperate? "Yes, I like to check on Baekdoo also. He's pretty popular tiger." she said remembering the information about Baekdoo from the map. Sweat started to form on her head.
"Really? You're the first person I've ever met that cares for Baekdoo. I'm glad to meet you..." the boy was offering his hand to Ara, his eyes asking for her name.
"Seo Ara, and you are Kai?" she asked.
"Kim Jongin. Kai is my nickname." The boy said smiling. He raised his hand reminding Ara to take it. Ara took it and they shook hands. He's not my blind date. But where is he?
"Kim Jongin. Kai is my nickname." The boy said smiling. He raised his hand reminding Ara to take it. Ara took it and they shook hands. He's not my blind date. But where is he?
Ara scanned the place until her eyes spotted a Panda mascot. Ever since, she was in love with pandas. It made her excited. "Look!" she told Kai.
"It's my first time to see a Panda mascot here." Kai said intrigued. Ara didn't mind it, she was stepping closer to the panda mascot. Now, she was face to face with the panda. The panda was standing still. A mascot that wasn't entertaining at all. It had an uncanny aura. She was a bit disappointed then turned her back.
"Noona, I'm going to the Rose Garden. Do you want to come along?" Kai asked.
Part of her wanted to stay and wait for her blind date. Another part wanted to explore the Rose Garden with the cute kid. She checked her phone, no text message. Its 10:15 already. One thing I hate the most is tardiness. She looked at Kai and his youthful smile. It wasn't a hard decision anymore. "Sure."
Ara and Kai left Baekdoo. And the Panda. When they were no longer in sight. The mascot removed the head part. It was Yesung. "Director Seo is hitting on a kid?" he told himself. He was really shocked he forgot to put back the panda's face. Then, some girls noticed him. Before he knew it, there were many girls chasing after him. He had to run for his life. What will I tell Mom?
---------------------------------
The Rose Garden was incredibly beautiful. The moment Ara laid her eyes on this magnificent scenery, she fell in love. She felt as if she had been transported to another place. A place befitting heaven she couldn't even describe. It was supernal. She must be in paradise. The roses were resplendently presented in every corner. Multitude of colors were dancing with the wind. The place was picturesquely amazing.
Ara stopped and crouched in one corner and smelled the roses. It was exhilarating. Soon, she was lost deep in the scent. Until she heard Kai singing, it brought her back to reality. He was singing Noona Neomu Yeppeo (Noona, you're beautiful).
"Noona neomu yeppeo." His eyes met hers, then the music stopped. But for Ara, the melody did not cease. She could still hear him singing. "They said I look like Taemin of SHINee." Kai said and moved closer to Ara and walked his hands to the roses. "My ex girlfriend would always ask me to sing it for her." He continued.
"Why that song?" Ara curiously asked.
"Because she's a noona." Kai answered and clandestinely picked one rose to give Ara.
-----------------------------------------
The room was dark. Scarily dark. It was almost empty except for a table that carried the lampshade. The light coming from it was no help at all. Then, there was man. The man was sitting lousily on the chair, his legs were stretched extending his feet on the table. His left hand was holding a cigarette and his right hand holding a picture.
"I can't wait to see you, My Jang Suri." He kissed the picture and killed the cigarette with it. He laughed like crazy. He stood up to see his masterpiece. It was pictures of Suri on the wall. Pictures of her in the past three years in New York, the latest was in the hospital. Taken today. All of them were marked by a cigarette. He laughed again. He was fucking crazy.
End of Chapter 1
