Thirty Six
REDEMPTION"Thank you..." Namjoon puts his cell phone down. He looks out in the distance and sighs. It was from the registrar's office, letting him know that the required alterations are done to her birth certificate. She is a Kim now. He still does not know her name. Apparently the papers have it but Park Sooyoung is keeping it a surprise till her friend's return. Aera had told him that.
Aera...she had not come to meet him since that night. As if she has been avoiding him. He will not say it but he misses her. Also Park Sooyoung has not come to his room due to his fever. Well, not that he minds. She must be busy with her new life...His fever is gone though... He snaps out of his thought. Is he missing her as well??
He does not even pay attention to the knocking and asks the person to enter. He turns around to see Joy standing there with his coffee.
"Good morning. I heard from aunty that your fever is gone. How are you feeling now?" She asks putting the mug on the table and starts working on his attire.
It feels like nothing changed. It was just an interval of more than a week. Their same morning routine begins.
But there are changes. Namjoon can feel it and now he is trying to see it. No criticism at all!! Just observing....
Joy is moving around in slow and steady motions and she is dressed loose winter clothes. Well, he has seen her like this for some months now. The changes visible would be the absence of the swollen mid-section. It is not completely flat but not so much prominent anymore. Her petite figure is curvy now. He smirks. She is chubby.
"Namjoon...what would you like for breakfast?"
He blinks at her question. "Anything would do..." His usual reply.
She smiles and is about to leave when Namjoon says, "Is...ummm...Aera around? I mean she is fine?"
She nods happily, "Yes!! She is very busy with the baby so..." A peaceful smile forms on her lips.
Namjoon sighs, "I think...she is miffed with me...cuz..."
He does not need to complete his sentence.
"Well, She will understand. I'll talk to her..." Joy assures and before he can say anything, a beeping sound begins. Joy takes out a baby walkie talkie and excuses herself quickly.
Namjoon shrugs and prepares for work. He does not have anything else to say to her anyway.
"Thank you for meeting me..." Namjoon says while sipping his coffee. It is in the evening.
"It is ok. Jooyy say you miss me..." Aera huffs in her chair.
He tries to keep his face straight, "I am sorry..." His apology is genuine though.
"Hmmm...you have risons..." Aera speaks in an unusual grown up voice which makes him look at her closely, "Jooyy say that..."
"Umm...thank you for understanding..." He smirks at her playfully.
From the kitchen door, Joy hides her smile behind her hand. So, yes. She had to pacify Aera and make them "meet" in their kitchen. A serious meeting between a 27 and a 4 years old.
They are sitting at the table in the kitchen with their evening snacks. Namjoon with his regular coffee and Aera, well, she is having her yogurt drink which she has put on the table, copying Namjoon.
Now she is trying to imitate his eyebrow raising and solemn expressions!! Joy wonders how Namjoon is still sitting with such a straight face?!
"You...are...not bad appa!! You r good too!! You not beat or say bad words to Baby-ah!! You get gifs and bed and come to party for Baby-ah!! You go to hoshpitel fo' her!! You jus not hug or kiss her!!!" Aera nods understandingly.
Namjoon's smirk vanishes and Joy's muffled laughs stops. They are gawking at the little girl.
"Yesh!! You be bet-r than my appa!! It is ok if you not see or take her in lap!!" She smiles sipping her drink.
They do not say anything. Only the sound of Aera munching her potato waffles are heard.
"So...I am a good father just becoz I do not abuse her physically or verbally...??" Namjoon's voice echoes after a long time.
"Eh? Abush...?" Aera tilts her head in confusion.
He shakes his head. He spots Joy standing at the door. More like rooted...
At that very moment, Noel stands at the kitchen door with a bundle in her hands. She looks around, "So? No more angry?" She looks at the shocked face of Joy and nudges her. The younger lady just shakes her head.
"Noil Aunty!!! Baby-ah!!" Aera jumps off the chair and rushes towards them.
"So all solved?" She walks inside the kitchen and sits just infront of Namjoon who seems unsettled to her...
"Yesh!!! I and Nemjjun unkeel be frens now!! Agen!!" Aera runs to him and gives a tight hug.
Namjoon pats her head lovingly. She kisses his cheeks.
Noel smiles at the scene and looks down at...
"So we've got to know the name of the baby..." She looks at Namjoon, "I thought you should know..." She is happy to see his eyes shift to the tiny human in her hands.
Joy has entered the kitchen and begins to get some vegetables out of the freeze. The maids are at the Kims'. There is some sort of party...
"Oh yesh!! Baby-ah has a name but I call her Baby-ah!!" Aera cheers and kisses the baby who squirmes a little at the touch and coos.
Noel holds the baby a little upright to make him look at her more clearly.
Namjoon can now see her face clearly. He is quite shocked to find out that humans can be this small?! His forearm is longer than her.
She is sleeping peacefully and she looks like...
"She does not look like an old man anymore..." His words spill before he can even understand.
"Yah!! You!!" Noel slaps the back of his head, "Why you say that?!"
"Well...the last time I saw her in the hospital when I took Aera there, she looked like one...wrinkly and red..." He frowns and crosses his arms. Why she would hit him like that?! Infront of them...?!
"You are weird..." Noel shakes her head, unimpressed, "Anyway, Yeri is back so we got to know her name!"
"Yes...I chose it from all the names in the bowl and it is Kim Deiji...Her name is Kim Deiji..." Joy informs, walking towards them and taking the baby from Noel's hands.
Namjoon's mouth opens slightly. He looks shocked.
Joy blinks in confusion, "Is it...bad? You did not like it??" She asks, unsured.
"Huh? No. I mean...it...it is a good name..." He gets up, "Now excuse me...I'll get some rest...Let me know when the dinner is ready." With a kiss on Aera's head and a nod towards the ladies he leaves. But not before taking a long glance at her hands.
"Aunty...I think he did not like the name?" Joy pouts and gazes at the baby. Aera quickly hugs them.
'Oh no...dear. He likes it...a lot!! Afterall it is him who has named her..." Noel smiles knowingly.
"Huh?" Joy looks at her surprised.
"Yes...You remember Aera told us that Namjoon wrote one name at the baby shower?? This is that name...."
Joy blinks, "Really??"
"Yes! I recognised his hand writing when you showed me the chit!! This is why you could not find the person who suggested the name!!" Noel pulls her cheeks softly.
"YEAHHH!!! Nemjun unkeel name Baby-ah!!!" Aera jumps happily.
"Yes, darling. And it has been possible because of you..." Noel hugs her tightly. She looks at Joy who is still lost in her thoughts, "Joy, love. All these things are happening because God wants to give you two a chance...All these things are signs that you two can be together, if you want to...I am sorry. I was wrong. And trust me, I have never felt so happy to be proved wrong before!!! Now, I am telling you, DON'T GIVE UP!!! Keep trying..." She takes Aera in her arms and kisses Joy on the forehead before leaving.
Joy looks at the baby, "Kim Deiji..."
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