[A26] CROSSING CURVES AND CIRCLES (TO GET TO YOU) (3/4)
Prompt Code: A26
Title: Crossing Curves and Circles (to get to you)
It was odd. Kyungsoo was waiting for something to happen. But it didn’t happen at all and it had been three to five days now since his bullies stopped bothering him. But still, it was odd that it would just stop at this point. Did they already grow tired of him? Did they find a new victim? Or -
Was it Jongin all along who had put an end to this?
Kyungsoo shook his head from the thought as he shoved his notebook and textbook in his bag. He could hear and see from his periphery that Baekhyun and Jongdae were still talking about some girl group they saw on television or heard on the radio, before they strode out of the room without glancing at him.
If this were days ago, a month ago, for sure, they would be annoying the hell out of him to give them his money or maybe join them to one of their silly adventures as their slave.
But it seemed like it won’t happen anymore.
Taking a deep breath and an exhale, Kyungsoo took the exit of the school and was reminded at the back of his mind that Eunmi’s birthday was coming soon.
And oh, college entrance exams as well.
.
The days passed far too quickly and Jongin had been a frequent visitor in the Do’s household. It became a routine that they got used to, although Kyungsoo was still distant from Jongin.
More than that, Eunmi had been brighter each day because of Jongin’s daily visits. Even Grandma Do was ecstatic to have Jongin in their abode.
Most of the times, Jongin would join Eunmi in watching Pororo or just any cartoons they found interesting on television. Sometimes they would play house, just the two of them because most of the times Kyungsoo would reject their invitation to join with an excuse that he needed to study for college entrance exams. But it was true. Kyungsoo had to study hard to get i the school of his dreams.
There were also times wherein Jongin would bring Eunmi outside to buy cotton candy, ice-cream and even doughnuts. That was why Chanyeol saw them one time.
As much as Kyungsoo wanted to spoil the fun Jongin was having with his daughter, he couldn’t, because that would affect his daughter as well, who had been fond of Jongin’s presence completely.
Kyungsoo couldn’t understand Jongin. He had doubts on him. Yes, it was true that his bully had turned nice to him ever since he found out that he had a daughter out of accident, but from the way Jongin was treating him and Eunmi nicely, it was bothering him a lot. He couldn’t just trust a bully that easily. And yet, he had these feelings he couldn’t explain clearly whenever the man was around especially when he was with Eunmi.
There were nights he couldn’t sleep at all because he was thinking about the said man flooding his thoughts most of the days. It didn’t help too that his daughter was now attached to him, that got Eunmi telling him one time that she wanted Jongin to be her second daddy.
The thought was inviting, but no, just no. Jongin was making this hard and Kyungsoo was getting tired of thinking about him, but this was insane because a part of him was starting to like Jongin. Starting to like this side of Jongin whether it was just pretend or not.
At school, they hardly talk there, but little by little, it was Jongin who initiated everything and it seemed like his friends didn’t bother at all whenever they caught them together. Though, they would only engage to small talks about school related things only. But other things than that, Jongin wouldn’t spare a word at him. It was a huge change in-fact. Kyungsoo wasn’t the object of bullying anymore. Because of Jongin, Kyungsoo felt normal again.
In the end of these nonstop thoughts, most of the time, Kyungsoo wasn’t able to get to sleep.
But he preferred this Jongin now rather than from how he was able to get to know him before. If only Jongin had been nice to him in the first place, maybe he and Jongin would be the greatest and best(est) friends by now.
.
Jongin was at their house again. Had it been a month? Jongin wasn’t able to keep track. But days with Kyungsoo and Eunmi brought him ease and peace. He couldn’t erase the moments he had with Kyungsoo, good or bad. Most of the time, they were bad moments, but not totally worse where he would succumbed to self-pity and regrets. He couldn’t blame Kyungsoo if there were times he was cold to him, if there were times where he won’t talk to him, and if there were times where he would ignore him as if he didn’t exist. It was his fault that Kyungsoo treated him as if he had disease, though there were also times that Kyungsoo acknowledges his presence which was enough for him.
When Kyungsoo entered the living room, what he saw was Jongin reading a book to Eunmi who was on the verge of sleeping. It was a delightful sight that stunned Kyungsoo and got him frozen on the knees from where he was standing. He wanted to watch the two for a few more minutes, but Jongin was able to notice him, calling his name, and as he responded, he found Eunmi knocked asleep on Jongin’s lap.
Jongin stood up, scooping Eunmi in his arms, “I’ll put her to bed.”
Without replying, Kyungsoo only watched Jongin’s back disappear behind the door of Eunmi’s room. He kept still from where he was, and he didn’t notice that minutes passed by and Jongin was already right in-front of him.
“You okay?”
The depths of Jongin’s irises were as beautiful as Eunmi’s honey colored ones. It was hypnotizing to look at, that Kyungsoo find it hard to look away, but to his relief he was able to look away and berated himself for almost falling into Jongin’s depth stare.
“I-I’m sorry. I was just thinking about some things.” He said, waving his hand to just forget it. He treaded to the kitchen and Jongin did trail behind.
“Like college entrance exams?”
“Y-Yeah. That one and finals.” Kyungsoo said which was not totally a lie, but he couldn’t just say that it was him who was bothering him all the time. “Oh! And Eunmi’s birthday this weekend.”
“What’s the plan? I can give a helping hand.” Jongin leaned on the counter, crossing his arms and legs as he bent a little backwards.
“I just want it to be simple and,” he gave Jongin a hard look as he realized that Jongin was not part of the plan in this weekend. “You’re not invited.”
“Then I’ll invite myself then. Tch.” Jongin chuckled melodiously that brought Kyungsoo’s cheeks to warm. He turned away to reheat the food in the oven to distract himself. “You’re still wary of me don’t you?”
Kyungsoo glanced at Jongin who was watching his every move. He felt weird so he busied himself by making hot chocolate for the two of them right after putting the leftover food in the oven. There was a thrum in his chest, nervousness seeping in his system. It was awkward - an awkward feeling veiling the air.
“You’re weird.” Kyungsoo remarked which caused Jongin to pout in question.
“In a good way?” The chair was pulled creating an awful noise on the floor because of friction. Jongin sat comfortably on it.
“You want hot chocolate?” Kyungsoo pulled another mug from the cupboard even though Jongin hadn’t requested for one yet.
“Yes please.” The other grinned. “So in a good way huh?”
“You’ve been here mostly everyday that I’ve gotten used to your presence, but I am not used to you treating me nicely, and if it’s pretend, you’re doing a great job on it.” Kyungsoo said as he stirred the contents in the mug with spoon.
“I’m not pretending. It is actually nice to be here, to be Eunmi’s friend and to be,” he trailed off, eyes never leaving Kyungsoo who put the mug across Jongin. “for me, you’re a friend now. And I’m glad to be here always as your ‘unofficial’ friend.” He quoted on air, smiling shyly.
Kyungsoo scoffed, after taking a sip of his hot chocolate, “Unofficial? Do you think we will ever be official friends?”
“Of course. I am positive we will be, and when we, indeed, become official friends, I’ll be really happy.” Jongin nodded, taking a sip of his drink, before giving Kyungsoo a fond smile who turned away hastily after saying those words.
“Too confident.” Kyungsoo stated with a smirk.
“You hate me?” Jongin’s serious inquiry and the silence felt uncomfortable that Kyungsoo just wanted Jongin to leave before he does something he’ll regret.
Kyungsoo was looking at him in the eyes, “If I say no?”
“Then I’ll be going home happily.”
“And if not?”
“I’ll work hard for you to like me.” Jongin’s serious eyes were directed straight to Kyungsoo’s irises which caused Kyungsoo to fidget on his seat.
Kyungsoo took a sip of his drink to hide away the blush that might be creeping on his cheeks. No, he was not blushing. It was stupid. Warming up to someone for a short amount of time wasn’t his cup of tea anymore. It was all in the past. Didn’t he change already? He shouldn’t be getting swayed by striking words anymore. He should have learned his lesson before. Pretty words meant to hurt people in the end anyway.
He felt uneasy, though. This whole picture made him feel uncomfortable. He put down the empty mug on the table with a soft thud, his tongue burning from the hot temperature he just poured over his poor pink muscle, before looking intently at the man across him.
“And if it’s not enough?” There was a hint of challenge, apparent in his question, palpable at his tone.
“I’ll work harder and I will not stop until you forgive from all the bullcrap I’ve done to you.” It was said in one breath, like memorised words coming from a book. It sounded unsafe. Too beautiful chosen words, and no, no, he couldn’t make himself fall in trap for the second time.
Kyungsoo faked a cough so he stood up to get a glass of water, the chair moving and emitting another unpleasant sound. Jongin got up from his seat too, “Kyungsoo, you okay?”
There was a wave of hand from Kyungsoo as he took a glass in one go.
“I-I’m fine.”
Jongin sighed, sitting back once again, “But I mean it,” another pause. “I know it’s hard to accept someone like me, but you don’t know how much it changed me since I knew your secret. Everybody has secrets. Even I have a secret, and as awful you think this may sound, because of your secret, it changed me.” Jongin’s eyes were steady, unrelenting, risky.
There was laughter reverberating in the room and Kyungsoo was clutching his stomach before he turned to Jongin, an amused smile pasted on his face. “Change. Right. How powerful change can be right?” He laughed again, but it sounded so bitter that it worried Jongin. A bitter taste, a bitter sound, unlikeable.
“But it’s true. Change is too powerful that it’s scary when in just a blink of an eye, it isn’t what it is anymore. It is not what it should be anymore. Scary right?” Jongin said it in nostalgia as he relived the time he was able to experience that major change he had in his life in his head. He too, like Kyungsoo, had unspoken words, only resorting to crafting his words carefully, vague and imprecise, but the thought was there.
Kyungsoo went back on his seat and nodded, “Scary. But we can’t change anything anymore because it happened. There’s no turning back to that time… you love the most.” The feeling of the past surging through him, making him remember everything, every sweet, sour and bitter memories. It was inevitable, it was there. It will always be there.
Jongin could understand where Kyungsoo was coming. He could tell it, he could feel it touching his skin. With unwavering eyes directed at Kyungsoo, he said, “Change is constant, and us, humans could only adapt to change.”
Something was lifted off in the air. The awkwardness, wherever it went to, it took the pressure off from earlier. There was easiness, words relieving each other’s sentiments. The quiet for a moment screamed comfort.
“Funny how we’re talking about serious things like this.” Kyungsoo snickered, but it was evident on his face how broken he had been. But the strained smile of the past was replaced by a refreshing one.
Letters to words tumbled out from Jongin’s mouth, “So do you still hate me after this?”
Their eyes locked. There was an indescribable feeling as they mirror each other’s reflections on their irises and maybe with each other’s souls too.
Kyungsoo smiled a little and shook his head, “It takes time for wounds to heal.”
.
Eunmi’s birthday came and there were only four of them who celebrated it. It was just a simple celebration, that one afternoon of Sunday in summer. Balloons and streamers decorated the Do’s living room and since Kyungsoo and Jongin’s casual slash serious conversation that night, five days ago, Kyungsoo and Jongin had been getting along now and they were actually the ones who even planned the mini celebration for Eunmi. Jongin had even accompanied Kyungsoo to buy his gift for his daughter.
The day they bought Eunmi’s gift, they had another deep conversation once again. They didn’t open up about their own lives, but they were both satisfied in sharing their deepest thoughts and opinions about a particular subject. They would oppose and agree with each other, but what was most important was that they were able to connect and communicate casually like how good friends were.
Friends.
They were already officially friends and Kyungsoo was the one who said that accidentally, but no matter how he tried to get back his words, both of them knew that they became friends naturally.
Second chances do exist anyway. And Jongin is only human who deserves compassion despite his harsh treatment on Kyungsoo months ago.
Back to the present, after eating the foods Grandma Do and Kyungsoo had prepared, which consisted of fried chicken, as Jongin requested, pasta, as Kyungsoo wanted, then there were Soba Salad, grilled ribs, lettuce wraps, kimchi and the traditional seaweed soup for Eunmi. Jongin also bought green tea cake as the birthday girl had wished the day before.
Kyungsoo excused himself, followed by Jongin for awhile. Grandma Do and Eunmi were the only ones left in the dining table talking about how happy they both were at this day.
“Jongin, I promise to pay you when I get money.” Kyungsoo brought out the gift under his bed and Jongin helped him carry it.
“You don’t need to repay me. Just think about how we shared money just to get this gift for Eunmi, okay?”
“Thank you.” Kyungsoo smiled and followed Jongin to the kitchen where Eunmi had comical eyes when she saw Jongin stepping inside the dining room with a huge rectangular shape in hand wrapped in red gift wrapper.
“Daddy Jongin what is that?” Eunmi bolted out from his seat to take her gift. But because of her small stature, she wasn’t able to hold her gift properly resorting to Jongin carrying it for her.
Just in time, Grandma Do had lighted the candles and everyone sang the Happy Birthday song.
Kyungsoo felt happy to see his daughter smiling widely. He took a video of Eunmi singing the song too before she closed her eyes and made a wish.
“I wish Daddy Jongin to be my real daddy soon.” Then she blew her five candles, clapping happily before hugging everyone’s legs to say her thank you.
Eunmi’s wish wasn’t surprising anymore as she would always wish that every now and then, but whenever Kyungsoo hears that particular wish, he couldn’t help but feel sad and guilty as he already concluded that that wish would mostly not come true.
“Okay! Time to open the gift!” Jongin knew how to change the heavy atmosphere when needed, and he was already leading Eunmi to the living room to open her gift.
Kyungsoo’s mom gave him a small but gentle smile, before following the two. Kyungsoo took a deep breath and took another video of Eunmi opening his and Jongin’s gift for her.
There were ripping sounds and curious eyes directed at Eunmi as she opened her gift, and once she was able to shed the wrapper, her eyes dazzled beautifully like diamonds. It was a rare sight.
“Daddy Soo!” She flung herself on her father, hugging him tightly. Kyungsoo gestured Jongin to take his phone that was still on the roll taking a video. Kyungsoo wrapped his daughter around his arms and kissed her head repeatedly. He loved her daughter so much he would do everything to keep that smile on her face all the time.
“Thank you Daddy Soo. Piano is expensive right?” Eunmi was shedding tears and Kyungsoo brought her to his lap to wipe off her tears with a towel his mom handed to him. Eunmi started talking about the keyboard that was given to her. She would always insist it was called piano so Kyungsoo didn’t correct her anymore.
“No it’s not,” It was a lie. “But, Jongin and I bought that for you.”
Sniffling, Eunmi wiped her tears with her sleeves, “Daddy Jongin too?”
He gave Jongin a tender smile that was gladly returned by him who was taking a video this time. “Yes, so thank him too, princess.”
Beaming happily, Eunmi got off from his lap as she rushed towards Jongin tackling him down for a hug, “Daddy Jongin thank you too!”
Chuckling, Jongin straightened himself, still taking a video of himself and Eunmi without difficulty. “Welcome sweetheart,” he said, kissing Eunmi’s forehead before giving Kyungsoo one of his rare smiles.
.
They were alone outside the house, sitting on the front porch side by side as they looked towards the empty dark road across them. There was only the fluorescent bulb giving them light in the darkness. There were little insects flying around them, but they didn’t pay it any mind as each other’s presence mattered more for them.
“Where do you plan to go in college?” Jongin asked. It had been so long since he wanted to ask this question and now that he did, he couldn’t wait to know Kyungsoo’s choice of school.
“Seoul National University. You?”
“Oh, we’re the same.” Jongin drawl out a small chuckle, not looking back at Kyungsoo who was smiling as at him. “What major do you plan to take?”
“Nutrition and Dietetics? You?”
“So you plan to be a nutritionist. Well, I’ll be taking Education. I want to teach kids and hey, when are you going to send Eunmi to school? She’s five, isn’t it time for her to go to a day care center?”
“About that, “Kyungsoo looked down at his feet, “Maybe I’ll send her next school year. It is my fault anyway. I’m too scared to send her off. It’s my fault that she never goes out to meet new friends. It was that kind of feeling when you just want to have that important person closer to you. You are afraid that when that person isn’t nearby, all these negative thoughts would get into you and make you feel paranoid. I had been like that to Eunmi ever since she came to my life. This world we lived in? It’s fucked up. If we were kids, we’ll be like ’I’m happy I’m living in a beautiful world’, but as we slowly grow up, we’ll realize how ugly the world is and I just want to protect Eunmi from harm. The world we live in is dangerous and ugly we didn’t think it would be when we were kids. Maybe not you, but yes for me. So I was too over-protective to my daughter that even I - “ he stopped, realizing that he was rambling too much, spilling too much.
“That even you?” Jongin supplied, waiting for Kyungsoo’s next few words.
Kyungsoo stared back at him closely, “That even I, caged up myself, so as not to fall in-love again.”
The sounds of crickets filled in the silence that descended upon them.
Kyungsoo turned away after saying those words, sniggering quietly as he picked up a small stone on the ground and threw it on the grass patch close to him.
“Why don’t you free yourself again?”
Jongin was gazing at him for too long that Kyungsoo couldn’t look back at him and say right into his eyes his reply, “Because I’m afraid that the past will repeat itself again? That maybe when I did fall in-love again, that person might hurt Eunmi in the future? So I guess, we’re better off just the two of us, just the three of us. Mom, Eunmi and I.”
Another lapse of silence. Jongin was staring still.
“Alright,” Kyungsoo got up and stretched, smiling that smile that didn’t reach his ears. “It’s late. I think you should go Jongin.”
Jongin exhaled soundly as he shot up and brushed his back from dirt. “Hm. So I guess, I’ll see you again tomorrow?” Jongin honestly wanted to talk more with Kyungsoo, but he wouldn’t force Kyungsoo if he didn’t want to talk anymore.
Kyungsoo snorted, “You better study for finals and for the exams. Just visit again when we’re finally free from school.”
Jongin sported out a cute pout which made Kyungsoo give him a punch on the arm. “Oh come on Jongin.”
“Oh come on Kyungsoo, let’s just study together starting tomorrow okay?” Jongin skipped towards the gate of the house and grinned.
“Oh come on - “
“Oh come on, come on, and don’t dare say no, because I’ll be back tomorrow.” Jongin waved and grinned mischievously before setting out to leave Kyungsoo without reacting to his calls.
“Yah Kim Jongin!”
But his calls were futile and his mother shushed him behind the doors because Eunmi was already asleep, so he only sighed and watched Jongin disappear from a distance.
.
Final exams and college entrance exams were what Jongin and Kyungsoo had been busy with the next few weeks.
As promised, Jongin would always be in the Do’s household to play with Eunmi and to study with Kyungsoo during the night. It had been like that for three weeks wherein they were only purely studying amidst their silly bantering at some times. They didn’t talk about serious stuff, philosophical views or even their deepest thoughts. They prefer it this way so they could both get in the same college and pursue their dreams.
On the day of the college entrance exams, Kyungsoo was getting tense as he rode the subway to Seoul. He was fidgety and jumpy that he could even hear out loud the thumping of his heart against his ribcage. Jongin didn’t go with him which he didn’t mind and had understood since he chose to go with his friends Baekhyun and Chanyeol there. If they would meet then they would meet, if not then that was it.
Besides, Jongin texted him the previous night the building and classroom he would be taking the exam and Kyungsoo learned that they didn’t have the same building at all so there was a little chance for them to meet there.
Arriving in the university made his anxiousness doubled. The number of people around the university’s vicinity didn’t help at all too, as it only made him a little woozy so he went to an open space where a few people were and stayed there for the meantime. He checked his phone, but of course, no message from Jongin.
Why was he even expecting for one?
As the time for his exam was drawing near, Kyungsoo took a sip of his bottled water before going to his assigned building. He used his map to locate the said building and when he did, he took a glance up on it and took a deep breath as other examinees entered in.
With the thought of his daughter’s future, Kyungsoo sported out a game face on before trudging inside, all these thoughts bombarding him flew out of his mind and without noticing, Jongin had sent him a message telling him a Good luck Soo, I know you can do it!
.
The day after the college entrance exam, Kyungsoo and Jongin talked once again on the porch, right after they brought Eunmi to sleep an hour ago together.
“I swear, I think, I failed it.” Kyungsoo took a gulp of cola and put it aside.
“We haven’t gotten the results yet. Who knows maybe you passed.”
“Unlike you, I only have an average brain. The math part was very arduous I wasn’t able to finish it, so I shot gun all the remaining items.”
Jongin chuckled, holding his can of Pepsi, “I am not that confident that I’ll pass. When we get the results, then that will be the time for me to either cheer in joy or sulk in my room. We will never know until the results are there, so don’t fret over it.”
A chortle came from Kyungsoo as he agreed with what Jongin had said. He really knew how to take away Kyungsoo’s worries and Kyungsoo was glad with it. “How did we become friends again?”
Then there was laughter accompanying them that night. Kyungsoo was delighted to have Jongin right beside him to take away his negativity even for a temporary time.
.
It didn’t occur to Kyungsoo that this day would ever happen wherein he would be joining Jongin’s group in their table in the cafeteria the next day. He was hesitant to join them at first, but Jongin was persistent to bring him there despite his protests.
The lunch came by quietly. Not that quietly where everyone was tight lipped, but everything went too far to the point that every one of them, to Kyungsoo’s surprise, had apologized to him for giving him a hard time at school for months.
“We just find it fun making fun of you,” Baekhyun said. “Blame Jongin, he’s the one who asked us to bully you!”
“I really hate drama Kyungsoo, but we are sorry and I know you won’t be able to forgive us that easily,” Luhan said. “We’re very complicated people. But really sorry.”
Jongdae was pouting, “I just join the fun. I like it when I act oh so superior so I bully you. I hate drama too, but sorry.”
And lastly, Chanyeol. “I’m sorry.”
All of them were sincerely apologizing, but Kyungsoo was still wary at Chanyeol, as he would always notice him giving him a knowing look as if he could get through his soul and read everything he was thinking at the moment. But Kyungsoo shook that thought off. He ate peacefully and deep inside him, he knew he would be able to move on and forgive Jongin’s friends completely, just like how he was little by little forgiving Jongin and slowly liking him.
“Kyungsoo, do you want to join us later at Luhan’s? Same old, we’ll play and buy pizza. Don’t worry we’ll not use your money anymore. Jongin gave us already an earful long ago to stop oppressing you.” Luhan said with an angelic smile and as Kyungsoo turned to Jongin, he didn’t know what to do. Should he say, Thank you, Jongin?
He hated drama too if he had to be honest.
To his surprise, Jongin put his arm around his shoulders and answered for him, “Alright, but he couldn’t stay late.”
“Why?” Baekhyun whined. “I’m even planning to play truth or dare, because we want to know what Jongin - “ saw in you, Kyungsoo, for him to be so obsessed and so in love with you! Baekhyun’s mouth was covered instantly by Jongin who was laughing awkwardly and everyone was shrugging their heads from Jongin;s sudden behaviour as if trying to hide something.
To be quite honest, everyone knew about what Baekhyun was trying to tell, except Kyungsoo, who was curious at first, but didn’t dwell on it too much as he joined the group to Luhan’s apartment right after dismissal.
And in conclusion for that day, even if Kyungsoo spent time with them for a short time, he did enjoy their company. He had a nice two hours with them playing Uno cards while eating pizza. He was quiet the entire time, but because of it, he realized how tight their friendship is and how fun Jongin’s group is when they weren’t bullying him.
Never did he wish for his bullies to act entirely different to him this day. He didn’t know why it became like this in just a blink of an eye and all Kyungsoo knew well was that it was all because of Jongin, the man walking right beside him under the night sky to his home.
Just one smile from Jongin, he returned it without a word.
He smiled right back at him in gratitude.
.
From: Jongin
Can we go out with Eunmi this Sunday? I have tickets for a puppet show.
From: Kyungsoo
Sure
From: Jongin
I’ll pick you up two at 2pm :) see you!
.
Final exams were finally done and everyone was only waiting for the graduation ceremony.
Since Kyungsoo was getting home earlier than usual because he didn’t go to classes anymore, but only completing his clearance before the end of school year, he would spend his time teaching Eunmi how to write her name and how to read. He was certain that he will send Eunmi to school next year and to his luck, he was not having a hard time teaching Eunmi since she was a fast learner and even admitted that, “Daddy Jongin taught me this before.”
Kyungsoo couldn’t even be happier with that. Jongin would really fit to be a teacher in the future.
Sunday came fast in a blink of an eye. For three days, Jongin didn’t stop by their house to visit them. Kyungsoo understood that Jongin had also his own life that he needed to take care of and when he explained it to Eunmi, as the little girl kept asking him Where is Daddy Jongin? all the time, she easily understood what Kyungsoo was trying to tell her.
But now that it was 2pm and they were just waiting for Jongin to arrive, Kyungsoo braided his daughter’s hair to kill time.
But as she was about to finish, Jongin came twenty minutes late, hair dishevelled, but that cheeky smile was etched on his face.
“Daddy Jongin!” Eunmi ran up to him and Jongin picked her up and kissing her head. However, Eunmi’s braided hair that wasn’t tied yet, loosened and Kyungsoo could only sigh and smile from the sight of Jongin holding his daughter in his arms.
Kyungsoo noticed how cheery Jongin was that day. He kept on laughing and smiling as he told Eunmi random stories which in return were appreciated by Eunmi and there were times Kyungsoo couldn’t help but laugh at the stories too.
They rode the bus together and Eunmi settled in between them. Kyungsoo couldn’t take off his eyes at them. He wanted this picture to last. What would happen if Jongin stopped seeing them as college is approaching? Eunmi will definitely get devastated not to see her self-proclaimed Daddy Jongin.
Putting out that thought away, as they arrived at the Children’s Grand Park, Eunmi was in awe as she looked around. Families were gathered, mostly children were around. Shouts coming from the gigantic roller coaster ride could be heard from where they were and the place was extremely busy, Eunmi was overwhelmed by it, and she tightened her hold on Kyungsoo and Jongin’s hands.
“Let’s go,” Jongin grinned and led them inside the theme park.
Jongin was on his phone five minutes after walking around. Eunmi was pointing at every booth she found interesting while Kyungsoo used his time to tell Eunmi what those booths and rides were for.
“Kyungsoo, the puppet show will start at four thirty. Do you want to ride the carousel first Eunmi?”
In high spirits, Eunmi beamed and rode the carousel happily. Kyungsoo and Jongin were watching over her and of course, Kyungsoo didn’t miss taking a photo of his little girl enjoying the carousel ride. Until, he noticed Jongin was holding his phone too that was pointed at him and he knew that the man was probably taking a picture of him.
“Yah Jongin! Erase that!” He threw Jongin invisible laser glares with his narrowed eyes.
Sticking out his tongue, Jongin kept his phone in his pocket, grinning widely. The carousel stopped moving and Jongin went to the exit to get Eunmi who was contented having the ride.
Kyungsoo glowered at Jongin as he walked towards him, “I hate you.”
Laughing jovially, Jongin messed on his hair which caused Kyungsoo to close his eyes from the sudden intimacy. “No you don’t. You like me.”
And he stepped away with Eunmi, moving on to the other direction to look for another ride.
Kyungsoo froze for a moment, an unsettling feeling from his chest and from the pit of his stomach. Words, words, words were too powerful, words could be hazard.
After going to five kiddie rides for Eunmi to try and in which they joined her as if they were a real family, they were finally on their way to the puppet show Jongin had told them before. They entered a small circus tent. Inside, there were already children with their parents seated, waiting for the show to start.
Jongin led the two to the third row of seats. They settled comfortably on their monoblock chairs and even took a picture of the three of them, courtesy of Jongin who had been taking a lot of pictures since earlier. Kyungsoo was too surprised that he wasn’t able to smile. His eyes were so wide and when Jongin took a look at it, he laughed, making Kyungsoo punch him on the arm and glare at him.
“Can you stop it?”
Sniggering, Jongin smiled at him firmly and said, “You’re cute.”
That one word got Kyungsoo blushing up to the tips of his ears. He wasn’t able to make a retort as the show had soon started and a man on his forties appeared with his old man puppet in tow.
Eunmi was all eyes and ears on the stage and Kyungsoo focused as well on the show like his daughter.
After a short and brief introduction, the man disappeared and the curtains closed. There was short silence when the curtains were drawn and puppet strings appeared on the mini stage elevated at the front.
’Once upon a time, there is a boy who loves bullying his classmate with his friends…’
To Kyungsoo, the start of the story seemed familiar to him. But he continued to stay right beside Jongin who had Eunmi settled on his lap, looking in awe and in interest on the puppet show, the same reaction from the other kids and parents present in the show, because not all the time there was a puppet show about bullying. Maybe this show had an advocacy to raise awareness in bullying.
Kyungsoo gave Jongin a knowing look, even expecting to see his face akin to guilt and familiarity of the story. When he didn’t receive a reaction from the other, he turned back to the show and listened to the story being narrated. But it was getting creepily familiar that he could relate to the protagonist’s story and it felt like someone stole his life story for this show. The only difference was that, one of the bullies was harboring secret feelings for the girl. And he’s not a girl.
’But J find out that K has a daughter. K doesn’t know what to do about it because she’s still young and she can’t have everyone know about this secret she has been keeping for long. She’s afraid she’ll be ridiculed more for being a mother at an early age.’
Kyungsoo’s fingers balled up into tight fists as minutes ran by. This story was making him very uncomfortable and when he threw Jongin another glance, he didn’t find the other man bothered at all.
Maybe it was just coincidence.
’J’s friends didn’t stop bullying K. They always ask for her money, until one day, K isn’t expecting J to approach her.’
’K, this. Accept this.’ J said to K, opening her palm to enclose a few bills. J just returned the money his friends kept on robbing from her.’
Kyungsoo was getting uneasy because that scene was so familiar. It was not just familiar because that happened to him and Jongin. A part of him already knew what will happen next and it came true as expected. Eunmi had even said that the little girl looked like her and that the boy J was Jongin. The narrator was having fun telling the story and everyone was having fun too because it was so different from the usual children stories. Kyungsoo’s heart was beating wildly against his chest. Even that day during his supposed to be mall date with Eunmi was told too. It was exactly as what happened when Eunmi asked them both to be her daddies for a day.
’J isn’t expecting that he will grow fond of Little E. Little E even asked him to marry her mom so she will have J as her father’
“Daddy Jongin that was me wasn’t it? And that was you?” Kyungsoo heard his daughter asked Jongin who in return only gave her a huge smile and a kiss on the head.
The gesture had Kyungsoo standing up from his seat, but the story continued. A weird feeling was settling at the pit of his stomach and he was not sure whether he should go to the bathroom or not.
Jongin looked up at him and asked in wonder, worry dripping his voice, “Soo, you alright?”
He didn’t respond. His eyes were glued at the moving puppets, while the man continued on his narration. The scene was already during that time when they went to Luhan’s apartment where his bullies had already apologized to him. He couldn’t help but associate the story being narrated right in-front of him with his life story.
It was too perfect to be a coincidence.
But no, it was not. Kyungsoo took a seat again and turned to Jongin, “I thought I’m going to piss.” Then he went back to listen to the show and they ended up finishing it.
The show received a round of applause and whistles from the viewers. Everyone loved the story. It wasn’t told if the girl reciprocated her feelings back at the guy who used to bully her. It only had an opening ending where it was told that they became friends.
Moral lesson is, to learn how to forgive, to learn how to give everyone second chances and that bullies deserve compassion and understanding too, as they, themselves, were hurting too. Bullies are humans too, they’re not evils.
“Daddies! I like it!” Eunmi said as they exited the tent. She was picked up by Kyungsoo while Jongin was on his phone grinning from ear to ear that Kyungsoo rolled his eyes from the sight and turned away, because that smile, seriously, is honestly, beautiful.
Kyungsoo walked ahead of Jongin who soon matched their steps and retrieved Eunmi from him.
“Let’s go eat something?” Eunmi watched her two daddies with a happy smile forming on her face and answered Jongin’s offer excitedly, “Yes please!”
Without a word, Kyungsoo complied, but one thing that he didn’t see coming as they walked, was when Jongin brushed their hands together until fingers automatically slotted perfectly, Kyungsoo couldn’t seem to yank his hand away as half of him wanted this - this warmth from Jongin.
Words, actions, Kyungsoo had enough of them in the past, was he going to get trapped again?
Part 4