SOOJIN'S POV
As I stared at Choi Minho with utter disbelief, his unexpected presence caught me off guard. Before I could even gather my thoughts to speak, a booming voice interrupted us, questioning our presence on the rooftop. Feeling a rush of panic, Minho grabbed my hand, and we sprinted away from the scene. As we ran, I glanced back and realised no one was following us. I attempted to call out to Minho, but he seemed a little too focused on our escape. Frustrated, I pulled my hand away, and Minho, finally catching his breath, asked, "What's wrong?" I retorted, "No one's chasing us." he looked around puzzled and then squatted down, and questioned why I didn't speak up earlier. With a hint of annoyance, I replied, "I would have if you weren't so fixated on running."...." Ahh this is unbelievable.." he added as he continued to catch his breath.
" Here you go.." he said as he handed me a bottle of water...and then sat down next to me..." When did you get back?" He asked inquisitively..." Today...you?" I asked.." Yesterday..." He replied.." I came back for Suho and Arin's wedding.." he added as I got a little shocked by the news.." Their wedding!" I exclaimed.." Wow..I had no idea.." I added...as I nervously sipped on my bottle of water..." I....I should get going..my granny must be home by now.." I said as I quickly stood up and almost tripped..." Thanks for the water.." I said as I quickly left...." okay that was embarrassing.." I said under my breath as I kept walking without turning back.
Coming back home, I was welcome by the aromatic smell of granny's meat ball soup..." Granny!" I cheerfully called out as I walked in and gave her a tight back hug..." I really missed you.." I added as she playfully slapped my hands.." Hey!" I exclaimed.." You silly girl..why didn't you tell me that you were coming?" She asked.." Iam really sorry.. everything happened so fast that I decided to just suprise you..." I said as she warmly smiled as me and cupped my face.." Look at you...when did you get so slimy..?" She asked.." I don't know how you long you came back for but Iam going to make sure I feed you till you sick to your stomach untill you leave.." she said.." Granny...are you forgetting that your daughter is a public figure...I need to maintain this figure.." I said playfully as she slapped me again..." Go and take a shower....I'll continue making dinner.." she said as I gave her another tight hug and kiss on her cheek.." I love you..and I missed you." I said as I closed my eyes taking in the warmth of her embrace.
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" Let me set the table..." I said as granny stopped me.." Go sit down over there...just come when I call.." she said as she took the dishes from my hands..." aren't you spoiling me a little too much.." I teased as I chuckled softly.." Go get the door.." she added as I rushed to open up...getting another suprise...." Suho!" I exclaimed..." Kang soojin...what are you doing here..well no it's not like you can't be here it's your granny's place...when did you come back?" He asked.." Today...uhhmmm come in.." I said as I nervously closed the door behind me...I didn't realise that coming back to Xiying meant crossing paths with my old friends..who Iam not sure are friends anymore seeing how I technically left them and didn't talk to them for over ten years....
" You didn't have to bring the invitation yourself, I would have picked it up from your mom's restaurant.." granny told Suho as I placed a glass of juice Infront of him and quietly sat next to granny..... without saying much to eachother he drunk the juice and stood up to leave...granny asked me to see him out and that's when I thought we would talk, " Congratulations on your wedding...Iam sorry I didn't know.." I said to him as he chuckled softly.." Why are you apologising..it's not like we were in touch..ain't no way you would have known.." he replied..." Still congratulations...tell Arin on my behalf as well." I said as I bid him goodbye and turned to leave when he called out to me..." How about you tell her yourself..." He said.." Well we are having a rehearsal dinner... tomorrow....feel free to pop by and maybe congratulate us then." He said.." Uhmm I don't think..." I said as I tried to hesitate but he insisted.." look soojin..I know we haven't got in touch in like forever but we friends..and what better way to bond than on a joyful occassion..." He continued persuading me.." You should come over...we shall be waiting." He added as he left before I could give him a reply.
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Later that night, I failed to get any sleep so I snuck into granny's room..." Soojin is that you?" She asked as I wrapped my arms around her..." Aren't you a little too old to sneak into your granny's room just to sleep with her..?" She asked..." That's the thing..I don't want to grow up when Iam with you...I just want to keep being your little baby panda( a nickname she had for me as a child because of my big and round eyes...)," I can't sleep..." I said.." Why what's wrong?" She asked.." I just have alot on mind..." I replied...as she sat up and asked me to place my head on her laps..." Are you going to give me a head massage?" I asked.." I was thinking of applying some of that smelly coconut oil in your hair.." she said as I immediately stood up..making her laugh..." I was going to massage your head..it always helped you to sleep back then.." she said as I gently placed my head back on her laps..." Is anything bothering you?" She asked.." You know Iam here to listen of you need to talk...don't keep everything to your self...." She said as I felt the need to talk to her about my illness but held back..." It's just work that's stressing me out....nothing I can't handle.." I replied..." Your line of work is indeed stressful..do you have any idea how many people I fight with online for you..what makes people think that they can just live such harsh hate comments..like where is the humanity..." She said as I chuckled softly.." You should stress your self our with those people..Iam probably used to the noise..and they only hate on successful people which sort of makes me feel recognised...who taught you how to use social media by the way..." I asked..." The kids who help me out at the bakery are always on their phones..seeing that it's the only way I could keep track on you and what you were doing..I asked them to teach me...most of them are now actually your fans..." She said..." Thanks for always being there for me granny.." I said..as I closed my eyes and felt her hands gently pressing on my tempos.
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I woke up to a loud banging on the door.." Granny!" I called out as I hesitantly got out of bed..." granny!" I added as my eyes landed on a note pinned on the wall...one telling me that she left for one and that breakfast was prepared..." Coming!" I said to whoever was knocking...
On opening up, I was shocked to see Minho..shocked enough to abruptly close the door to his face..." What are you doing here?" I asked..." aren't you going to let me in?" He asked..." Okay come on in..." I said as I closed the door behind me..." what are you doing here...of you here to see granny then she's out." I said.." Iam actually here to see you.." he replied.." Why?" I asked.." Suho told me that he invited you to the rehearsal dinner...are you coming?" He asked..." Well are you here just to ask me that?" I replied.." Well...are you?" He asked again..." Uhhmmm yes...it's been a while since I saw Arin and I'd like to meet her...so yes...Iam coming to the rehearsal dinner.." I replied..." Okay then see you at 7pm.." he said as he turned to leave..." Pardon!" I replied..." Do you know where the venue is?" He asked.." No.." I replied.." Well that's why I'll pick you up at 7 and take you there.." he replied..." Is that okay?" He asked.." Okay...it's okay.." I replied as he immediately left...." When did he get so straight forward?" I asked my self as I vigorously rubbed my fingers through my hair....
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Just as scheduled, Minho was on my door step at exactly 7pm...I rushed to get ready under his persistent urging for us to leave..." Done.." I said as I finished up and hastily made my way out of the house..." Let's go.." I added as I quickly locked up....
Just as I was about to depart, he called out to me, stopping me in my tracks..." Your zipper is open.." he said.." Huh!' I exclaimed.." Your zipper isn't zipped up to the end...." he added as I Panicked in an attempt to reach the zipper with fingers fumbling in a rush.....
" Here..I'll do it..." He offered as I turned around and pulled my hair to the side...he slowly zipped up and...His touch as he zipped up my dress suddenly sent a wave of nervousness and awkwardness through me," Done.." he said....as I smiled awkwardly.." Thank you.." I said.." shall we.." I added as I nervously followed behind him.
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I nervously looked around as we entered the venue..." Minho..." A voice called out as Suho walked towards us.." You came.." he said with a smile as he looked at me.." Arin!" He called out as she turned and her eyes fell upon me...I didn't know whether to smile or not seeing her because I wasn't so sure at what her reaction to seeing me was and before I could do anything, she walked up to me and gave me a hug..." thank you for coming.." she said with a smile..." Come on..let's all go inside...it's almost time.." she said as she grabbed
my by the arm and led me inside....
The ceremony began with some speeches and then we had a simple dinner...the overall atmosphere was buzzing with fun and excitement..
As I enjoyed the different performances group of girls walked up to me and.." Are you by any chance Kang soojin..?" One of them asked.." it really is you isn't it?" Another asked..." We are really big fans..are you here to perform..?" They asked..." well no Iam actually here to celebrate with my friends Arin and suhos..." i replied..." But you can still song something for us.." the added as I started to feel a bit uncomfortable.."I don't think..." I said hesitantly but they insisted and their insistence slowly grew into a chant of people asking me to sing....I looked back to Arin who also seemed to join in on the chant....
I gave in and slowly rose from my seat and made my way to the stage, with every one having their eyes on me..I cleared my throat and picked up the microphone..." Hey...Iam by named of Kang soojin and Iam here to celebrate this beautiful reunion of my dear friends Hong Arin and suho..." I said as they all erupted into hand claps...." The song am about to sing is called " forever yours.." and I hope you like it.." I said as I breathed in and out and I begun to sing.
The room fells into a hush, as everyone listened intently....Just as the moment settled...a sudden ringing pierced in my ears, I tried to brush it off at the start but the ringing grew louder by the second... Panic griped me, and I quickly left the stage, confusion and anxiety cloudedmy thoughts...Tears streamed down my cheeks as I covered my ears, the ringing relentless.
Amidst the chaos, I heard Minho's voice calling my name... He kneels beside me, his voice laced with concern, asking if I was having a panic attack. "Soojin," he repeated, his worry evident from his voice and face...
I looked up to him and As I met his gaze, the ringing slowly faded but the tears in my eyes kept flowing..."Are you okay?" his voice filled with genuine concern asked.....as I kept staring at him.
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