Chapter 20: Not so happy birthday?

 

Another pretty, breezy, foggy day, just the type I want and my mood pretty much matches with this weather too...I’m sad.

 

Haneul sighed as she took a sip of her coffee as she sat in her room, flipping through the pages of years of memories – back to the days when she had a complete family, back to those days when she was genuinely happy when the door bell rang.

“Who could that be?” she muttered looking at the time: 9am

 

“Yes?” she answered opening the door as a neatly dressed June stood there, flowers in his hands.

“Woah~” she muttered as June smiled brightly at her

“Happy birthday Yang Haneul” he said as Haneul stared at him

“It’s not my birthday” she said as June smirked

“Today, October 16 is your 19the birthday, thank you” June said proudly as Haneul paused as she fished for her phone

 

*6 missed calls*

*16 messages from 8 kakao-chats*

 

“Happy birthday daughter, I’m sorry appa can’t be with you today because of this thing in Japan...but you know appa loves you right? I’ll get you your gift when I return in a week <3” -Papa

 

“Today, 19 years ago, God sent me a blessing I could never regret thanking him for. It was you Haneul-ah...eomma loves you oh? I’ll be coming to meet you soon <3” -Eomma

 

“It really is my birthday?” Haneul paused

 

*Had I been so bothered that I forgot my birthday? But Hanbin...not a single text or call from him...*

 

“Yah accept my flowers soon and get in the car” June said as Haneul walked inside her house leaving the door open for June to enter

“Yahhhh~ don’t be so sulky” June said as Haneul turned to him

“Can’t I just stay at home? I don’t feel too good” Haneul sighed as June shook his head

“Dress up palli palli” he said as June patted her head

“Fast” he smiled as Haneul sighed nodding slightly.

 

Later:

Haneul and June walked into the practice rooms as the guy politely opened the door for her to enter

“Saengil chukhahanmidah, Saengil chukhahanmidah, saranghaneun Haneul-ie, Saengil chukhahanmida!!!” the boys sang as Haneul felt herself all smiles

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” the boys rushed to hug her as she chuckled

“We love you Haneul-ah” Yun said as Haneul chuckled nodding as she caught a glimpse of June, as he smiled warmly at her

“Do you like our surprise Haneul?” Jinan asked excitedly as Haneul nodded smiling

“I love it” she smiled

“It’s not the end, just wait for it” Chanwoo said excitedly as Donghyuk brought the cake to the front

“And here’s the cake! Woooooo” Bobby clapped as Haneul laughed clapping

 

The birthday party celebration had been lasting for a full fifteen minutes, Haneul shrugging off the fact that Hanbin might be busy with his work, until

“Hanbin?” Jinan asked looking at Haneul as she looked at June

“We can’t reach him” June said as Haneul felt her face heat up

 

*Did something happen to him? Is something wrong?*

 

“Is something going on with Hanbin?” Haneul asked blinking as the guys looked at each other

“He is busy with the tour I guess...?” Bobby said awkwardly as Haneul looked at them

“I don’t know...” she paused when they heard the door open as footsteps neared them

“Omo, what celebration is going on here?” Hayi’s voice called, excited, looking at the rest sitting in a full circle with food and cake in the middle and music playing , as they all turned to her

 

Haneul felt her heart sink as she saw Hayi with Hanbin, his gaze on her as they met eyes

“H-Haneul...” Hanbin paused as Hayi looked at them

“It’s Haneul’s birthday” June said as he looked at Hanbin

“Oh...Happy birthday Haneul!” Hayi said hugging her as she nodded smiling awkwardly

“T-Thank you” she muttered as Hanbin looked at her

“I-I’m sorry” he whispered to his girlfriend as Haneul shook her head

“It’s okay, you must have been busy” Haneul smiled as Hanbin smiled awkwardly nodding

“We just came from the movies because work was getting too tiring” Hayi said sitting with the boys as Haneul looked at Hanbin

 

That felt like a sharp slap on my face...he went to the movies with Hayi on my birthday...he even forgot it was my birthday...how could he...

 

“Oh...” she smiled nodding as she turned to the boys

“Hey guys, you get back to practice oh? I have to go” she said grabbing her bags

“You are not going anywhere” Bobby said pulling her down as the guys nodded

“We are having our own celebrations here and you’re not welcome” June said looking at Hayi

“Y-Yah...don’t make things awkward” Haneul said awkwardly as Yun placed his arm around her neck

“She’s staying with us” he said sternly as Hayi looked at them and then the boys

“Are you guys teaming up against me?” she said unbelievably as Hanbin grabbed Haneul’s hand when Haneul felt another grip...again?!

“Ju—” Haneul said turning back when she saw Bobby grabbing her other hand

“Hanbin, it’s time I start protecting my sister” Bobby said as Haneul felt awe rush over to her.

So maybe that’s how it feels to have an oppa...someone who will always protect you.

 

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