My Husband for Visa

One: Korea

“Are you really sure you’re going to do this Fay?” Lori asked while I’m busy putting my clothes in my luggage.

Luckily I won a trip to Korea package in 7/11 promotion last month. It’s a 7 days trip which are all free, but the visa that we get is for 90 days tourist visa. It only means that we can stay there for 90 days but of course the daily expenses will ours. I know it’s a crazy idea but I was planning to use this trip to enter easily in that country to find a much stable job that can support my family.

“Yes Lori. You know I don’t have anyone to lean on right now. I need to do this for my siblings.” I sadly replied to her.

“I know friend, but don’t you think it was too risky. If you will be caught because of that, you will go in jail.” She respond worriedly.

“I know about that, that’s why I need to find a job there before my visa expired. If that happened I can applied for a working visa instead.” I said.

“How about your siblings. What are you going to do with them?” She asked again.

I stop on what I’m doing and I face her. I sat on my bed next to her and held her hands.

“Lori, that’s why I’m asking you a favoured. Atlas can’t take care of them all, after all he was still ten even though he knows the basic chores. Please Lori, look for my siblings while I’m not around. I promise just in case thing will not happed according to my plan I will come back here and search for a job here in the Philippines.” I pleaded to her.

I know that Lori is not favoured on my decision, but as a best friend she still respected it. Like me she also don’t have any parents right now. Her parent’s pas away when we are ten and literally she is living all alone.

I don’t know any relatives in both of my father and my mother’s side, that’s why Lori is the only person I know who can look after my siblings while I’m not around.

Our flight is two in the morning. We will arrive at Inchon International Airport around 6 a.m. The organizer already book a hotel for us who won the package together with the itineraries for our seven days tour here in Korea.

I decided to use the hotels that they book for me but I will not join the tour anymore. I only have seven days free accommodation here so I need to move fast and find a job before the week end.

When I arrive at my hotel room I just change my clothes into a much formal attire and I also prepared all my documents with me.

I also don’t have enough money in my pocket. I only have five thousands pesos or one hundred thousand Korean won which the only money left after my parents’ funeral.

Instead of riding a cab, I use my feet instead in walking to search for any job vacancy around the area.

But I think I don’t have enough luck for today because since seven a.m. until now that is around nine in the evening I still can’t find any job even a part-time job. I decided to go back on my hotel room and take a rest for today and make a promise to myself that early tomorrow I continue my search. I look at my siblings’ photo in my cell phone wallpaper to give me more motivation.

I continue my daily routine for the past six days, but apparently I still don’t find any job at all. I’m actually starting to lose hope but every time I will talk to my siblings through face time and with the help of Lori It gives me another reason to continue and fight for more.

This is my last day on the hotel so I left all with my things with me. I start my job hunting again until I saw an old lady that are having a difficulties in breathing.

Without any second thought I help her and give her the basic CPR that I learn in my previews work in the Philippines. Other bystander also call for the ambulance. Because the old lady don’t have anyone with her that time, I decided to go with her in the hospital and wait for her relatives to make sure that she is safe.

After an hour a young man in a suit came looking for what he called (halmeoni) or grandmother. The nurse motion on our direction so the young man looked on us.

I stand-up from my sit to greet him even though I really don’t know how to do it. “(annyeonghaseyo)” I said. The one out of three Korean words that I know.

“annyeonghaseyo, nae ileum-eun Kim Joon Woo imnida” (my name is Kim Joon Woo). He said then offer her hand with me.

I just bow and shakes his hand. “I don’t speak Korean sorry” I shyly said.

“My name is Kim Joon Woo” he introduce again himself in English. “I’m her grandson. Thank you for saving my grandmother. What is your name?” he continued.

“I’m Phoebe Fay, from Philippines” I introduce myself in return.