Love, Language, Complicated
Deux
사랑 (Sarang)
Love.
The easiest word to pronounce. The hardest one to prove.
Chapter 1
The arrival hall of Ninoy Aquino International Airport never knew silence.
Rolling suitcases scraped against polished floors, flight announcements echoed from every corner, families embraced after months apart, while strangers hurried past each other without a second glance.
To most people...
It was nothing more than noise.
To me—
It was a symphony.
English.
Filipino.
Japanese.
Mandarin.
Korean.
Every language blended into one familiar melody that my mind instinctively untangled before I even realized I was translating them.
It wasn't a talent I had chosen.
It simply became a part of me.
Perhaps that was why I became an interpreter.
Because somewhere along the way, I convinced myself that if people understood each other's words...
...they would understand each other's hearts, too.
"Miss Diaz?"
I turned toward the familiar voice.
My manager approached with a navy-blue folder tucked beneath his arm, wearing the same rushed expression he always had whenever a foreign client arrived.
"Nandito ka lang pala," he sighed in relief before handing me the folder. "Kakarating palang ng client mo."
I accepted it, skimming through the details.
Name: Lee Junhyeok.
Nationality: Korean.
Occupation: Architect.
Duration of Stay: Three months.
I smiled faintly.
"Ohh architect naman ngayon?"
"You sound disappointed."
I chuckled.
"Hindi po nag expect po kasi ako na another businessman na naman."
He just nod
"Anyway He requested a Korean-speaking interpreter."
"Hmmm bakit kaya."
"He said..." My manager scratched the back of his neck. "...gusto Niya yung someone na hindi siya ituturing na turista."
For reasons I couldn't explain...
Those words lingered.
Someone who wouldn't make him feel like a tourist.
Maybe...
He wasn't looking for someone to translate his language.
Maybe he was looking for someone who could understand his loneliness.
---
A few minutes later...
I found him standing near Exit Four.
Tall.
Composed.
One hand resting on the handle of his suitcase while the other remained tucked inside the pocket of his charcoal coat.
Unlike everyone else who constantly checked their phones or scanned the crowd, he simply waited.
Patiently.
As though he believed the right person would eventually find him.
When his eyes landed on the sign in my hands—
LEE JUNHYEOK
He began walking toward me.
Each step unhurried.
Measured.
Graceful.
Stopping just an arm's length away, he bowed politely.
«"안녕하세요."
Hello.»
I returned the bow with the same respect before offering him a warm smile.
«"안녕하세요. 저는 마비엘 제이드 디아즈입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다."
Hello. I'm Maviel Jade Diaz. It's a pleasure to meet you.»
For the first time since our eyes met...
His expression changed.
His brows lifted ever so slightly.
There was surprise.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just enough to soften the calmness on his face.
«"한국어를... 정말 유창하게 하시네요."
Your Korean is... incredibly fluent.»
A quiet laugh escaped my lips.
«"감사합니다."
Thank you.»
I tilted my head playfully.
«"생각보다 실망하신 표정은 아니네요."
You don't look as disappointed as I expected.»
He blinked.
"...Disappointed?"
I nodded, the smile lingering on my lips.
«"외국에서 일을 하시면 대부분 한국 분들은 통역사가 한국어를 조금만 할 거라고 생각하시거든요."
Most Koreans I've worked with abroad assume their interpreter only knows a little Korean.»
For a brief second...
He simply looked at me.
Then—
A smile.
Small.
Gentle.
So unexpectedly warm that it softened every sharp edge on his face.
«"죄송합니다."
I'm sorry.»
His smile deepened.
«"저도 조금 놀랐습니다."
I was surprised too.»
I folded my arms, pretending to be offended.
«"얼마나 잘하는지 시험해 보실래요?"
Would you like to test how fluent I really am?»
His eyes widened slightly before a quiet chuckle escaped him.
It wasn't loud.
More like someone laughing because they hadn't expected the other person to tease them.
«"그럴 필요는 없을 것 같습니다."
I don't think that'll be necessary.»
He looked at me for another moment.
Then said, almost absentmindedly—
«"오히려 다행입니다."
Actually... I'm relieved.»
The teasing smile on my face slowly faded.
«"왜요?"
Why?»
He glanced down at the handle of his suitcase before answering honestly.
«"첫 해외 프로젝트라..."
It's my first overseas project...»
His voice carried the slightest trace of nervousness.
«"솔직히 조금 긴장했습니다."
To be honest... I was a little nervous.»
For reasons I couldn't explain...
My heart softened.
He wasn't intimidating.
He wasn't distant.
He was simply...
Someone trying his best in a country that wasn't his own.
I offered him a reassuring smile.
«"걱정하지 마세요."
Don't worry.»
I reached for the handle of the spare luggage cart beside us.
«"앞으로는 제가 도와드릴게요."
From now on, I'll help you.»
His gaze met mine.
Steady.
Quiet.
Then...
He smiled again.
This time—
It reached his eyes.
«"잘 부탁드립니다, 마비엘 씨."
I'm in your care, Ms. Maviel.»
I smiled back before giving a small nod.
«"필리핀에 오신 걸 환영합니다, 이준혁 씨."
Welcome to the Philippines, Mr. Lee Junhyeok.»
Neither of us realized it then...
That our first conversation would become my favorite language.
And that one day...
The hardest word either of us would ever say—
Would be the simplest one.
«안녕.»
Goodbye.
Rolling suitcases scraped against polished floors, flight announcements echoed from every corner, families embraced after months apart, while strangers hurried past each other without a second glance.
To most people...
It was nothing more than noise.
To me—
It was a symphony.
English.
Filipino.
Japanese.
Mandarin.
Korean.
Every language blended into one familiar melody that my mind instinctively untangled before I even realized I was translating them.
It wasn't a talent I had chosen.
It simply became a part of me.
Perhaps that was why I became an interpreter.
Because somewhere along the way, I convinced myself that if people understood each other's words...
...they would understand each other's hearts, too.
"Miss Diaz?"
I turned toward the familiar voice.
My manager approached with a navy-blue folder tucked beneath his arm, wearing the same rushed expression he always had whenever a foreign client arrived.
"Nandito ka lang pala," he sighed in relief before handing me the folder. "Kakarating palang ng client mo."
I accepted it, skimming through the details.
Name: Lee Junhyeok.
Nationality: Korean.
Occupation: Architect.
Duration of Stay: Three months.
I smiled faintly.
"Ohh architect naman ngayon?"
"You sound disappointed."
I chuckled.
"Hindi po nag expect po kasi ako na another businessman na naman."
He just nod
"Anyway He requested a Korean-speaking interpreter."
"Hmmm bakit kaya."
"He said..." My manager scratched the back of his neck. "...gusto Niya yung someone na hindi siya ituturing na turista."
For reasons I couldn't explain...
Those words lingered.
Someone who wouldn't make him feel like a tourist.
Maybe...
He wasn't looking for someone to translate his language.
Maybe he was looking for someone who could understand his loneliness.
---
A few minutes later...
I found him standing near Exit Four.
Tall.
Composed.
One hand resting on the handle of his suitcase while the other remained tucked inside the pocket of his charcoal coat.
Unlike everyone else who constantly checked their phones or scanned the crowd, he simply waited.
Patiently.
As though he believed the right person would eventually find him.
When his eyes landed on the sign in my hands—
LEE JUNHYEOK
He began walking toward me.
Each step unhurried.
Measured.
Graceful.
Stopping just an arm's length away, he bowed politely.
«"안녕하세요."
Hello.»
I returned the bow with the same respect before offering him a warm smile.
«"안녕하세요. 저는 마비엘 제이드 디아즈입니다. 만나서 반갑습니다."
Hello. I'm Maviel Jade Diaz. It's a pleasure to meet you.»
For the first time since our eyes met...
His expression changed.
His brows lifted ever so slightly.
There was surprise.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
Just enough to soften the calmness on his face.
«"한국어를... 정말 유창하게 하시네요."
Your Korean is... incredibly fluent.»
A quiet laugh escaped my lips.
«"감사합니다."
Thank you.»
I tilted my head playfully.
«"생각보다 실망하신 표정은 아니네요."
You don't look as disappointed as I expected.»
He blinked.
"...Disappointed?"
I nodded, the smile lingering on my lips.
«"외국에서 일을 하시면 대부분 한국 분들은 통역사가 한국어를 조금만 할 거라고 생각하시거든요."
Most Koreans I've worked with abroad assume their interpreter only knows a little Korean.»
For a brief second...
He simply looked at me.
Then—
A smile.
Small.
Gentle.
So unexpectedly warm that it softened every sharp edge on his face.
«"죄송합니다."
I'm sorry.»
His smile deepened.
«"저도 조금 놀랐습니다."
I was surprised too.»
I folded my arms, pretending to be offended.
«"얼마나 잘하는지 시험해 보실래요?"
Would you like to test how fluent I really am?»
His eyes widened slightly before a quiet chuckle escaped him.
It wasn't loud.
More like someone laughing because they hadn't expected the other person to tease them.
«"그럴 필요는 없을 것 같습니다."
I don't think that'll be necessary.»
He looked at me for another moment.
Then said, almost absentmindedly—
«"오히려 다행입니다."
Actually... I'm relieved.»
The teasing smile on my face slowly faded.
«"왜요?"
Why?»
He glanced down at the handle of his suitcase before answering honestly.
«"첫 해외 프로젝트라..."
It's my first overseas project...»
His voice carried the slightest trace of nervousness.
«"솔직히 조금 긴장했습니다."
To be honest... I was a little nervous.»
For reasons I couldn't explain...
My heart softened.
He wasn't intimidating.
He wasn't distant.
He was simply...
Someone trying his best in a country that wasn't his own.
I offered him a reassuring smile.
«"걱정하지 마세요."
Don't worry.»
I reached for the handle of the spare luggage cart beside us.
«"앞으로는 제가 도와드릴게요."
From now on, I'll help you.»
His gaze met mine.
Steady.
Quiet.
Then...
He smiled again.
This time—
It reached his eyes.
«"잘 부탁드립니다, 마비엘 씨."
I'm in your care, Ms. Maviel.»
I smiled back before giving a small nod.
«"필리핀에 오신 걸 환영합니다, 이준혁 씨."
Welcome to the Philippines, Mr. Lee Junhyeok.»
Neither of us realized it then...
That our first conversation would become my favorite language.
And that one day...
The hardest word either of us would ever say—
Would be the simplest one.
«안녕.»
Goodbye.
Chapter 1
— Chapter 1