14. vierzehn: epilogue

“This package looks pretty don’t you think?” The man pointed to a certain package of big lollipops and candies displayed in the middle of a confectionery shop. “Are you sure it’s okay to give this as a gift for her birthday?” The other just nodded, muttering how their twin nieces really loved candies before taking two nicely-wrapped boxes with a small pink ribbon attached on top of each of them.

“I’m taking these, what do you think?”

“Yeah, those look nicer.” The man answered with a smile as she took one more package. It was way much simpler than the other two, and they only need two, but he actually knew that she’s going to keep it for herself. She went to the cashier to pay, leaving the man to look around.

He suddenly felt a tug and immediately looked down, only to find a small figure, with fingers clutching on his jeans looking up at him with eyes full of hope. A little girl, wearing a fluffy pink tutu, combined with a warm sweater. Her long hair was down, and a big pink flower band on her head complimented her look, made her look even sweeter.

“Uncle, can you take one of those for me?”

The man couldn’t help but smile at the endearing way of her talking. He went down on his one knee to level his eyes with hers. Her eyes were twinkling with happiness but shy at the same time.

“Which one do you want?” He asked as he stood up again to take the candies she wanted. The girl stayed silent as she didn’t know which one to take. But then, it somehow surprised Jongin how she lifted up both her arms, asking Jongin to carry her with a pout on her lips. The man could only chuckle, and carefully he lifted her up and brought her on his arms, letting the girl to take a nice view of the whole package displayed at the upper shelf. “So, you choose, Uncle will buy it for you.”

The little girl only shook her head before saying, “No, Daddy will buy it for me.” But her eyes didn’t lie that she was actually immersed, and currently thinking which lollipop she should take to bring it home with her.

“Haeun, what are you doing?”

The man turned his head at the sudden coming which startling the girl. She wriggled as the other came closer to both of them. “Daddy, buy this for me.” Realizing that the girl was talking to her dad, the man gently put her down and she quickly jump to her father’s arms. He lifted her up as the girl trying to reach up for some other candies.

“Oh, I’m really sorry, she must be troubling you.”

“Ah, no, no. Not at all. She’s really polite. She wasn’t a trouble at all.”

“Say thank you to the uncle, come on.”

“Thank you, Uncle.”

“No problem, little one. What’s your name?”

“My name is Haeun.” She smiled but suddenly yelled when she spotted someone coming through the door, making the doorbell clinking in delight. “Mommy!”

The man turned his head at the door, to find someone who was so familiar, coming inside with some paper bags on her hands.

“Jongin?”

It suddenly felt like the time was stop ticking.

“Hi!”

It was Haneul.

“Oh my god, hi!”

And that means, the little girl whom he lifted up earlier was her daughter. Oh Haeun.

“Surprised to see you here. It’s been so long, hasn’t it?” Haneul asked as she welcomed his hand with a handshake. “Sehun, it’s Jongin.” Sehun nodded with a smile on his face, earning a nod back from the man in front of him.

“Yeah, it’s been too long. How have you been?” Jongin asked casually.

Really. It really felt like the time was stop ticking for a while. But the thing that made him so relieved was, it wasn’t there. The feeling wasn’t there anymore. Instead, he felt happy. There’s a burst of happiness to see her again. It just felt like you meet your long lost best friend which turned out that she already followed by an adorable little girl.

“Oh you can see, already have a little girl tailing me everywhere.” Haneul answered with a chuckle.

“Sorry took me too long, they wanted to wrap this one too.” The girl who came with Jongin was already back from the cashier. “Oh, hello,” She greeted the others with a smile spreading on her lips when she realized that Jongin wasn’t alone.

“Haneul, Sehun, this is my fiancée. Baby, it’s Haneul and Sehun.”

“Jung Soo Jung.” She said as she shook their hands, offering a wider smile. “Hello, little one.” She said as she poke the girl’s cheek. “Aw, Jongin, she’s so cute. What’s your name, Sweetheart?”

“Oh Haeun.” The little girl seems embarrassed as she was getting the whole attention on her because she quickly hide her face on the crook of her father’s neck when Soo Jung cooed on how adorable she looked. The adults could only laugh at it.

As Jongin and Soo Jung needed to come quick to the twin’s birthday party, they asked to leave first to the couple. Soo Jung who seemed to adore Haeun so much couldn’t help but gently pinched her cheek as a goodbye.

“It will be nice to get together sometime later, I’m sure there’s a lot to catch up, Jongin.” Sehun said as he shook his hand goodbye with Jongin.

“Sure. We can arrange.” The man answered lightly, promising to arrange a meeting for them sometime later. They left the shop, with Soo Jung still waving her hand cutely at the little girl who also waved back to her.

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