Birthday (2)

So, finally the wait was over. It was the day.

Professor Shin had thought of many ways to get in touch with Lina. But that girl seemed to put on guards around her very much. Then again being a professor and approaching a student might stir up some unnecessary rumours which he didn't want at all.

Prof. Shin was worried as he was unable to find any possible way to approach Lina or to set her up with Yang.

Unfortunately or fortunately, Lina was late to his class on that very day.

Prof. Shin saw this as a sign from the Buddha and thanked God deeply to give him this perfect opportunity to persuade the plan.

As he was already famous for his obsession with punctuality, he took advantage of the whole situation.

He made a plan then and there and successfully trapped her into calling to the OPD in the name of giving punishment.

On various occasions, the professor had already noticed her ability to diagnose diseases in much less time than others. It was a rare trait found in a mere 3rd year student.

So when he saw her to do so in the OPD that day he felt impressed with himself for being able to pick out her potential to be a good physician.

Just when he was about to ask Lina to accompany him to lunch, Yang called him to wish and invited to a surprise party from him with a lunch invitation which he had planned with his aunt.

Prof. Shin had hard time controlling his goofy laughs thinking about the masterminds behind all of these chaos.

He could not wait to set them up in a blind date.

The Professor made an emotional note and asked Lina to join him for the lunch and successfully pursued her .

"So, Lina, then You are an American, right?"

"Yes sir. American born Chinese actually." Lina awkwardly replied.

"How are you here and all....? I must say you easily fooled me into thinking till now that I was talking to my students here. You really amazed me with your suprisingly good Mandarin skills." He tried to make small talks with her.

Lina finally leaned back from the window at his questions and stared at his face blankly. As if trying to read his intentions behind the questions. She slightly shifted on her seat trying to compose herself when her hands seemingly trembled on the side.

She looked down to hands on her lap and in a few seconds masteredly masked all of the emotions displaying on her face minutes before.

" Actually My dad got a better offer from here. And he missed his motherland for years. We were planning to return too. So didn't really want to miss the opportunity that came knocking at the door. He moved here first. My family settled down here eventually."

"So your dad is from here? C country? I didn't realise ... sorry about that." The Professor stopped the car at another signal.

"Uh... I... Everyone gives me that look after knowing... I... I actually took after my biological father. " She paused before continuing "My dad... he is my stepfather... he brought me up. He is Chinese. I learnt the language from him."

"Oh... I'm sorry Miss Park. I should not have interfered in your private matters." Prof. Shin apologised.

Lina felt uncomfortable talking about her family. Sensing the hesitation in her Prof. Shin decided not to ask any further.

" Sir, Can I ask you to keep it secret for me please?" Lina expectantly looked at him.

He nodded reassuringly " rest assured. I'll respect your privacy Miss Park. Don't worry."

"Thank you so much Sir. " Lina gave him a faint smile.

For the rest of the journey the atmosphere began to be stiff... Mostly silence filled the car except some Shania Twain songs.

Suddenly Lina asked him " You like her songs? Shania Twain?"

Prof. Shin smiled at her question "Do you like her too Miss Park?"

"Yes. She is my neighbour's favourite singer. Back at home we used to listen to her songs coming from his courtyard. I literally grew up listening to her." Lina excitedly started describing her life in the states. She really missed those moments.

The professor attentively listened to her and gestured her to take a look of that picture Lina was curious about.

The photo was old. Though her smile was bewitching.

" Shuhua, My wife likes her. We used to jam to her songs in our younger days. She just blooming when we started dating. I proposed her during one of her concerts." There were a pleasure written all over his face.

Lina was surprised to see that. " Wow. Amazing."

" That's Mrs. Shin ? She was so pretty."

" She still is. " Prof. Shin corrected her with a big proud smile on his face.

He began telling her stories from his youth. How he met Lu Shuhua and fall in love with her. How their love story bloomed despite facing difficulties.

Professor Shin even gave her lots of advices for dating. Lina found it hard to match this loverboy Mr. Shin to the Professor obsessed with punctuality.