DEAR KIM

CHAPTER TWO | MY DECISION

I paced around as awe sunk its fangs deep into my lower limbs. I could not stop moving. Without counting my steps I smiled with joy in my heart, while confusion flowed within the streams of red in my brain.

"How did this...Why...I don't get it! I don't just get it! How did this happen?" I asked the chilly breeze around me.

Jess sat up and with half-opened eyes she asked the reason for my undefined state. I gave her no answer. I ignored her and continued my short walk in the room, keeping my eyes focused on the message displayed on the screen of my laptop.

I squatted next to my bed, clicked on the email sent to my inbox and read the message over and over as I had done before.

Jess rubbed her eyes, stretched her arms and after a few blinks, she stood up. She staggered towards me and threw herself on my bed.

"What's wrong Pree?"

"Pree!" Jess yelled after calling me to order with a kick.

"Ouch! What?!"

"What do you mean 'what'? You've been pacing around like you've seen the worst and when I try to talk to you, I get totally ignored. What's wrong Pree? And you better give me an answer this time without that brain-killer scream of yours."

"Fine, I'm sorry Jess. I really am but I couldn't hold back. I checked my email like I do every night and... I mean...I'm still so confused..."

"That's it! Just show me." Jess requested.

I clicked on the read inbox and turned my laptop to Jess. With alcohol possessed eyes, she squinted and read the message out loud.

'Dear Priya Kapoor,

We're glad to inform you that you've won the contest organized for the 'Save the Kids' project, hosted and sponsored by YooJin Agency, Seoul, in affiliation with Pearl Children's Hospital, South Korea.

In accordance to the prizes given by the YooJin Agency, you're the winner of a three month holiday and private tour in South Korea. All expenses including accommodation and feeding will be provided by the agency.

Your vacation will begin in two weeks. During this period, please take your time to think on your schedule and decide if you will be able to travel in fourteen days.

Kindly fill the necessary details in a form provided by a link attached to this email. You will be contacted by the agency via a phone call, so ensure you provide your current mobile number while filling the form.

For further questions and enquiries, please send a message as a reply to this email address.

Thank you for participating in this life changing project. We will communicate with you in two days concerning your decision.

Congratulations.

-YooJin Agency.'

"Wait, wait, wait..." Jess repeated. Her eyes scanned the details on the laptop screen. She read the message again.

"You won?" She asked. The redness in her eyes disappeared and her limbs revived with energy. She sat up.

"I won."

"Oh my goodness! You won!!" Jess repeated, jumping on my bed this time. Totally inconsiderate of my personal computer which I took out of my bed, convinced by caution.

"I won!!" I screamed. We both screamed.

Jess turned on a speaker and after a few taps on her phone, we started to dance to music. Our feet dedicated to strange and funny motions.

Engulfed in the aura of celebration, our smiles were made scowls when the door flung open. The hate that threw the steady brown door of our room aside caused its hinges to creak loudly.

"Do you two know what time it is?" The human at the door asked. Fury encircled the gold stained brown in her eyes.

"It's time to dance babe!" Jess said, her limbs and hips still in awkward motion. I laughed.

The angry human walked into the room, turned off the speaker and sat on Jess's bed like a loan collector.

"What the hell Melissa? You just had to kill the vibe didn't you?" Annoyed Jess sat on my bed, with a weak flare of anger in her eyes.

"It's one o'clock in the morning Jess. This is a hostel not your apartment. I know you're one to party all night but Priya? What was that?" The human interruption asked.

Melissa Rai a brown Indian beauty as I, was dressed in a pink pyjamas and pink flip-flops. She was an all A's student who happened to be a family friend since my toddler years. We attended the same kindergarten, middle school, high school and now we shared the same dormitory. Our 'friendship' was one forced upon us by our mothers. Hence we were compelled to look out for each other.

"What do you want Melissa?" I asked. I decided to hide the source of my joy from her.

"Your parents have been calling me recently. They say they've tried calling you but you haven't picked up for days. They need to talk to you about the Singh family." She said, lips twisted in jealousy.

"It's probably about Rajesh." I said.

"Of course it's about Rajesh. He's Rajesh Singh, one of the hottest guys around. A young genius in his finals at Harvard Law School, and the heir to his father's empire, worth billions!" Melissa said.

"Yeah right, you can have Raj if you want." I said with a sarcastic impression but I meant every word.

I was not interested in an arranged marriage, especially not with a pompous and spoilt twenty eight year old like Rajesh Singh. He was a lady killer by face and cash. For this reason, other Indian ladies in my family's circle considered me the luckiest girl on earth but I thought otherwise.

"If I can have Raj, I will." Melissa said and laughed alone.

"Goodnight Melissa." I said. I grew tired of her presence.

"Kick me out all you want but you should really meet him. At least consider it! Life doesn't give every woman an opportunity like Rajesh, Priya. Raj's family would be coming to town in two weeks and you know what that means. Celebration after celebration and then, preparations will be made for your wedding."

"Goodnight Melissa." I repeated.

"Call your folks."

"I will. Thanks."

I closed the door and took in a deep breath. Melissa-free air consecrated my nostrils. I was grateful for her absence but her words turned my stomach.

"Are you okay?" Jess asked.

"No."

"Two weeks. That's the time you're supposed to leave for Korea."

"I know." I said, tears tried to push through my eyelids but I held them back. My limbs were weak but still I stood. I was confused.

"Will the Singhs make your absence a big deal?"

"No. My family will. It'll be an embarrassment to the Kapoors. A shameful situation." I said, eyes closed, uttering the words the way my father would.

"So you're not going to Korea?"

"I have two days to think about it before Kim's agency calls and fourteen days to make a final decision. Right now I just want to sleep. Do you have any advice concerning Raj?"

"Nope."

"You always have something to say Jess. What's wrong?"

"Pree, this is a family situation. I really have nothing to say. I'm the wrong person to ask for advice right now."

"You're the wrong person to ask for advice at any time." I said. We both laughed.

"Good night Pree."

"Sleep well Jess."

In a few seconds, Jess lay flat on her bed overtaken by the realm of dreams. She looked so peaceful. I wish I had the courage to do whatever I please, as she did. I wished I had the peace she owned.

Unsatisfied and torn between decisions I walked to my bed and lay down, hoping dreams would take away the thoughts of worry. A few minutes of silence enveloped me in a deep sleep.



Fourteen days had gone by like shadows at the arrival of sunlight on a hot day. The colours of spring shone brighter now. Petals painted in shades of the rainbow's vibrancy, opened up to the kisses of the sun's gentle glimmer.

The spring came earlier this year. The calendar read February at the end of its third week and the freezing residues of winter had completely disappeared.

I took a taxi from Harvard my college, to the Logan International Airport in Boston. I held a file of documents and a passport on my left hand, while my right hand handled a large Louis Vuitton travelling bag.

Dressed to impress in a short sleeveless yellow gown and black two-inch heels, with a vintage scarf tied over my head, I stopped in front of a long queue at the check-in counter.

Two weeks ago, the YooJin Agency called and I had told them that I was ready to travel. I should have never said that. I was not sure back then and I was not sure now.

"What am I doing? Turn back Priya." I patted my thighs.

I had called my parents as requested by Melissa and indeed they gave me an earful of how lucky I was to be a potential in-law to the Singh family. I hated the words they spoke but it was the truth. The Singhs were an epitome of wealth, respect and class. They were one of the many Indians who held high positions in America.

By virtue of truth I was lucky. So what was I doing at the airport with a ticket to South Korea?

"Good day, please step forward." A lady called me at the check-in counter.

I ignored her and tapped my thighs at a faster pace. Then I turned and took a few steps away from the check-in counter. My eyes fixed on the terminal's exit.

I stopped again and bit the pink gloss on my lips. With fists closed in what I prayed was not regret, I walked towards my chosen destination. It was a choice I could not deny.

"Miss?!" The lady from the check-in counter called again.

I turned and took a few more steps to the path I chose. I finally made my decision.