Chapter Fourteen

part one

Donghae and Hyukjae arrived at their class before the recess time ended. They sit at their seats which were always beside each other, waiting for the next subject’s teacher to come in.

All students were all settled on their seats with books and stationary prepared on their desk. For this upcoming teacher, both Donghae’s and Hyukjae’s classmates, including themselves, really didn’t want to mess up. 

Donghae tried to act normally. Wear a nervous look as he was waiting with the rest of the class for the teacher. Inside, he felt ecstatic. Hyukjae’s answer before had an aftereffect, and now he understood how it feels being accepted.

Surely he knew that Hyukjae considered his confession differently, which was perfectly as what he had been planned for.

He arranged his words on the confession for the whole night and day. It was the result and he thought that it was definitely a success, he didn’t care about anything else anymore because Hyukjae accepted it. It was just a beginning of his plan, treat him differently when there was no school, when the school is over. But it was just the beginning, he had another bigger intention.

The class door creaked open and the situation turned even more quiet.

The teacher walked in. Her eyes roamed all over the class and landed on an unlucky guy sitting exactly behind me.

“Kim Jaesoon, would you help me to distribute this paper to the class?” The teacher spoke.

Sighs of reliefs could be heard from all the students of the room, obviously except the mentioned Kim Jaesoon. He was the slave of the day. The teacher’s main victim.

Indeed, she was a creepy teacher.

---

The time passed by and before they realized it, it was the last subject that time, less than 15 minutes, the school will be over. Half of Donghae’s and Hyukjae’s classmates didn’t pay attention to the subject taught by the teacher anymore, They more thought about what they were going to do next after school.

Donghae already had his plan on his mind and just hoped that it would be running smoothly.

Hyukjae on the other hand didn’t have any idea about what Donghae meant about protect him as lover do, but he was just hoping that it wouldn’t be something harmful. He trusted Donghae after all, he was just the most trustable man he ever known in his entire life. So although saying yes was a bit confusing, he secretly was looking forward on what his best friend could do.

Nothing to lose, right? Hyukjae taught.

He and Donghae be one of the obedient students of the class like always, continued to note things the teacher taught. They didn’t even bothered to join the “we’re-ready-to-go-home” club. They have another things on their mind, and pretending to take notes is the best thing they could do to hide their thinking expression from each other.

A student got impatient so he attacked,

“Ma’am, the bell rang already. Didn’t you hear it?”

The teacher in her not-so-young age stopped writing on the board and looked at the guy who was talking before confusedly, and took a glance on her wrist watch.

“Yes ma’am it was loud enough for everyone to hear it. It’s time already.” The other guy supported.

The teacher indeed was not young, but she was not idiot enough to be fooled that way. But that time she was giving up and dismissed the lesson quickly, followed by the proud smile saying “thank me for it” by the guy speaking before.

Donghae and Hyukjae arranged their things ready to go home. Donghae done it first, actually he was rushing it because he wanted to be the one that wait for Hyukjae. When he saw that Hyukjae was about to finish, he asked him with a rather sweet voice

“Are you finish, Hyuk?”

Hyukjae just nodded though he realized a different tone of speaking spoken by Donghae.

“Let’s go.” Donghae said. So they walked out of the class.

Hyukjae is still be people’s attention. He was still wearing his make ups taught by his brother and that made him more stood out.

They were reaching the school’s entrance and as usual, they saw Leeteuk and his friends. Grouping and talking together, being peoples’ attention like always. Donghae was a bit annoyed by the attention for Hyukjae, but we stayed calm and walk normally.

Hyukjae watched the man named Leeteuk as he passed by the group. Leeteuk noticed him, giving a smile which made Hyukjae blushed, and made the man standing beside him annoyed.

Donghae walked faster and dragged Hyukjae slightly, making him walk faster too.

Just when they were about to reach the main gate, and Donghae’s plan was about to be proceeded when they heard someone said,

“Oppa! Donghae oppa!” That was Yoona.

Donghae, knowing the voice walked faster gripping Hyukjae’s hand.

But Yoona. She really was fast so she approached and shattered all Donghae’s plan for that afternoon.

---

Mom and dad was home. I thought they said that they will be back next month. I was really surprised when seeing both of them in the living room when I was arrived. Hug them tightly and saying how I missed them both. Indeed I was really missing them.

So I now sit in the dining table with my mom and dad, complete with Heechul hyung. He looked so bouncy himself when seeing mom and dad at home. I know he missed them too though he acted like he is nothing care about them.

“Hyung, why you look so happy today?” I say. I am too curious seeing his over  bounciness make me can’t help but to ask.

He looked at me straightly, looked away and then smiled to both of our parents.

“Mom, dad, I have something to say.” He doesn’t answer me but talks to mom and dad instead. I’m anticipating it though.

“Yes, Chullie. What is it?” Mom replied, stuffed with a spoonful of his favorite fried rice. Staying abroad makes her missing Korean food we used to eat together everyday too.

My dad just looked at him waiting for the words to come out from his mouth.

“Hannie proposed on me.” He said that four words which make us choked our food immediately.

“Hyung? When? You never told me.” I say still surprised with his words. Hangeng hyung proposed on him already? That is just… surprising.

“Last week. I was planning to tell to mom and dad first.” Hyung replies me and looks at mom and dad again. He looks nothing nervous. Sometimes I think why he can’t be so confident and brave like that. But he is Heechul hyung.

“Isn’t it too early?” My mom says still in her shocked expression.

“I’m already 25, mom.” Heechul hyung answers.

“No… your mom meant, you’ve just dated him for a while, right?” My father said, he seemed surprised too but not as much as my mom did.

“2 years, dad.” Heechul hyung answers again. I think I can hear a slight disappointed tone on his voice. I know he expected some kind of a supporting answer from the both of them.

“I’m happy for you hyung. You’ve accepted him, right?” I try to encourage him, and it works out, he smiled and he showed his right hand showing a shining ring at his ring finger. How stupid I was for didn’t notice it.

Mom stood up from the chair suddenly, made me and even Heechul hyung nervous. He walked across the table and stopped behind hyung’s chair.

She made a sudden move which was hugged hyung.

“You’ll be married soon, son.” He said tearing up and hugged hyung tightly.

I couldn’t imagined how happy hyung was that time, but I can see from his expression that he was indeed happy. I smiled secretly while looking on my dad, who was smiling too watching the scene between hyung and mom.

And that was the first time I saw Heechul hyung in tears.

-end of Chapter Fourteen, part one-

 

Chapter Fourteen

part two

I laid exhaustedly on my bed remembering how hectic the day was. The thing occupied my mind earlier was running smoothly, but not the next important step itself. I’m 100% sure it was because Yoona’s appearance. Heck, why does she even life at the very first?

*Flashback*

“Oppa! Donghae oppa!” I didn’t have to look back to see who was calling because I knew perfectly it was Yoona’s annoying voice. I walked faster gripping Hyukjae’s hand hoping that she will give up on approaching us. I planned for this all night too, though it seemed to be easier than the one I did about the confession, I made my brain work so hard for the first time to think about it.

And I obviously didn’t want to be disturbed by anyone else. Let alone the girl approaching behind me.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and I thought that the sky had fallen and hit me hard.

“Oppa…” Yoona called and I kept walking, ignoring her. Hyukjae though he was confused he didn’t make any struggle and followed me. Much to my relief.

“Oppa, auntie called.” I stopped walking. Auntie? Does she mean my mom?

I sighed and turned by head facing her, “What?” I said making my expression looked so unhappy.

“She said that you should send me home.” She said again and I could only reply her with a snort and continued walking.

“Oppa… your mother said if she doesn’t see Oppa and me in your house…” She kept following me and continued talking. I slowed a bit wanted to hear the next thing she was about to say. Though I was really tempted to just left her there, but it’s the problem with my mom and it’s connected to my life which means connected to Hyukjae too.

“She will…” She hung her words much to my irritation.

“She said she wanted to see you, right? Don’t you have driver or something? If you don’t just use my driver, he will take you to my house and I will arrive there later.” I couldn’t help but to blurted out. She really was annoying and irritating.

“She will not let you drive on yourself again if she doesn’t see you and me arrive together.” She said. I rolled my eyes seeing her expression. It was a desperate one and I bet she was just lying.

She recognized it and said, “Just ask it yourself if you don’t believe me.” She handed me her phone. Seeing that, I began to feel nervous and quickly said the words,

“Okay, I’ll take you.”

Can’t driving by myself is completely a disaster for me. I didn’t even check it to my mom by phone her.

I apologized to Hyukjae and told him that I will massage him later. Hyukjae though the confusion on him haven’t disappeared yet, he just nodded and leave.

*End of flashback*

I took Yoona home, which I absolutely regretted because Mom wasn’t even at home.

Which made me super annoyed and wanted to slap a particular person named Im Yoona. Of course I didn’t do it, it’s just like digging my own grave.

I took my phone and started typing a text massage for Hyukjae.

Hyuk, tomorrow you have nothing-

Erase. This is too lame.

Hyuk, I heard that there is a new rest-

Erase. Aish, what am I going to write?

One massage received

A massage from Hyukjae. I decided to just read it first and reply him with the thing I’ll do tomorrow.

I have a good news for you, Lee Donghae.

That’s it. I don’t know since when he add something cliffhanger on his text massage because it’s just made him looked like as if he has the whole world’s phone credits with him.

And the last good news I heard from him was involving Leeteuk. I wasn’t that eager on knowing it though, but at least make him telling what he wanted to tell could make him happier.

What is it?

I replied shortly.

Hyung gonna marry soon. He told us at dinner today.

Wow. Heechul hyung will be marrying soon? Heechul hyung and Hangeng hyung are surely the sweetest couple I’ve ever seen. I think it’s because Hangeng hyung is a gentle and patient man. Everyone that can resist Heechul hyung attitude can be categorized as a super patient person.

Really? Tell him I congratulate for his relationship with Hangeng hyung. So your parents accepted it then?

I couldn’t help but to ask. What I knew is Hyukjae’s parents ever forbid Heechul hyung’s relationship with Hangeng hyung. Though they didn’t dispute about same relationship, they still worry about their son. There was a particular reason but Hyukjae refused to tell me.

Of course. I thought mom won’t agree but I’m glad that she accepted it. Hangeng hyung will come tomorrow. Do you want to join the dinner, Hae? I think it’s fine with mom and dad.

I thought for a moment and found out another thing. Isn’t it like Hangeng hyung and me proposing together?

No, Hyuk. It is your family’s dinner. Anyway, you attend tomorrow’s practice, right?

Of course. Why?

No, just make sure you won’t skip it again. I have something to do now. See you tomorrow.

---

The next day just like other Saturdays, Hyukjae and Donghae came to their school’s dance club practice room to practice. It was their weekly activity. Not many of the club members who were present that day.

Hyukjae and Donghae, though they were not very popular in their school, they’re quiet well known by the dance club members because of their amazing dancing ability.

The dance club members are currently busy on preparing the dance choreograph for the school’s event. As said, there will be a dance competition among their school’s group and another school’s. Donghae and Hyukjae were in their school’s main group so they were also choreographing the dance together with the other members.

“Hyuk, drink.” Donghae said offering a can of soda. Hyukjae took it, muttering a simple thanks. Donghae then sat on the ground beside Hyujae and drank his own soda. The practice really was tiring. So they decided to take a 10-minutes break before proceeding to practice more.

“You’re not going anywhere after this, are you?” Donghae said.

“No, why?” Hyukjae asked confused on what was Donghae going to do.

“I’ll take you somewhere.” Donghae said, and took another gulp of his soda.

“Eh?” Hyukjae could only said needing a further description of Donghae’s words earlier.

“Donghae, come here.” A member called him before he could answer to Hyukjae’s confusion.

Donghae stood and walked to where the member is. They needed him to choose which song that was nicer.

Hyukjae left there confused. And when he was called by the other members to start practicing again, he couldn’t do anything but joined them and decided to ask Donghae about it later.

-end of Chapter Fourteen, part two-

 

Chapter Fourteen

part three

Donghae and Hyukjae continued practicing with the other members. When the moves were all decided and the song had been chosen, they decided to stop and scheduled their next practice together.

Donghae and Hyukjae sat on the ground, drinking the mineral water provided and rested their back on the wall. The practice really was tiring, it was a two hours non-stop one. After rested themselves for a while, they started arranged their things, prepare themselves to go home.

Hyukjae then remembered what did Donghae said earlier.

Since he confessed to him, Hyukjae couldn’t help but to think about it every time he had the chance. He was so shocked, literally when Donghae said the things to him. And that time, something was stirred inside him and his mind kept telling him to accept Donghae, which he didn’t even understand how.

He never thought about Donghae liking him, let alone loves him. They were best friends for years, and Hyukjae never thought that Donghae had that kind of feelings to him in those times. Knowing it, he regretted why he told Donghae that he had a crush on Leeteuk. He had hurt him. Though in those times he always considered Donghae as his best friend, he never wanted to hurt him.

He was so confused, it was really sudden. Hyukjae considered that he still liking Leeteuk, and didn’t give up on the ways he did to approach him, but his mind and heart have different opinion and they all just made him more confused.

Donghae did tell too if he could just reject him and continue being best friends like how they were all the time.

But reject Donghae felt wrong for Hyukjae. He knew that their friendship will never be the same again, and there were another reasons he couldn’t understand himself. So he decided to risk anything that will happen later by giving Donghae chances to do what he is going to do.

So when he thought that he should answer to his confession, he replied with a hesitant answer.

“Uhm… Hae. The thing you said earlier… Where do you want to take me?” Hyukjae finally asked.

“It’s a surprise.” Donghae could only said. His attention was fully on his things he put back to his bag.

Hyukjae got more curious about what was Donghae going to do and he just remained silent and copying what Donghae did, he put his things to his bag and took spare clothes he brought from home to change to.

“Change to this.” Donghae said handing Hyukjae a set of t-shirt and jeans. Earning a more confused look from Hyukjae.

“Do you think I will let you wear those uncomfortable stand out clothes when you’re going out with me?” Donghae said still hold the clothes with him.

The set of clothes he brought was just a simple black t-shirt and jeans. They’re all his but he was sure that it will fit Hyukjae as well.

“I didn’t say that I want to go out with you.” Hyukjae said didn’t even touch the clothes Donghae handed him.

Though Hyukjae’s words have double meanings to Donghae, it didn’t scare him. He positively thought that Hyukjae just saying that he didn’t say that he is willing to be taken to the so-called secret place.

“But I took it as a yes. You didn’t decline it after all. Go change with this.” Donghae said again now facing Hyukjae, wear a slight pleading look in his face.

“No. Heechul hyung will be mad at me.” Hyukjae said and stood up, started to heading to the toilet where he was going to change. Actually the dance practice room didn’t have any girls left but being a shy and not so confident about his body Hyukjae, he chose to change in the toilet.

“Hyuk, please… just for today.” Donghae called with a pleading tone and a slight sad voice.

Hyukjae faced his best friend and look at his expression. It really reflexes sadness and being the always kind hearted Hyukjae, he couldn’t do anything but to comply.

“Okay. Just for today.” He said, taking the clothes Donghae held, earning a delighted smile from the latter.

Hyukjae then went to the toilet and changed.

---

The way to the certain place was silent. None of them wanted to open a conversation. They were deep on their respective thoughts.

Donghae parked their car in a parking lot. Hyukjae just woke up from his thoughts when Donghae’s car already parked perfectly and he started to turn the CD player off. He then realized the familiar basement parking lot that he saw.

“Mall?” Hyukjae murmured. If a mall is what they were going to go, why did Donghae have to conceal it from him? It’s only a mall after all.

“Why Hyuk? You don’t like it?” Donghae stopped when hearing Hyukjae murmured and couldn’t help but to ask.

Hyukjae just moved his head a bit, showing an unknown gesture that looked like shaking and nodding in between.

Donghae then opened the car door on driver side but before he got out from it he said the word,

“It’s a date, Hyukkie.”

---

Donghae didn’t know where he got the courage from. Sure he never been categorized as the shy one but he always the one who scared of risks. Especially the big ones. But he thanked himself for being so brave that day. Even the previous night he didn’t expect his plan on going out with Hyukjae will be this… good.

“I don’t know you like shopping, Hae.” Hyukjae murmured under his breath looking confusedly at Donghae.

Donghae was confused on where he should take Hyukjae on that humongous mall. For all he remembered, he only ever going out with Hyukjae less than 5 times since they were in middle school. Donghae never really like going out. Besides, that was his first time on literally going out with someone and he didn’t have any idea on where he should go or what he should do on a date, so he just took Hyukjae with him to a department store.

“Uhm… Hyuk do you have any idea on what should we do here on the mall?” Donghae said earning a disbelief facial expression from Hyukjae. “Ah. Movie. Do you know any good movie that had been out recently?” Donghae continued his sentence, feeling so stupid of himself.

“Why don’t we go to the ticket box and see what we can watch there…” Hyukjae suggested hesitantly. Frankly saying, he was a bit nervous knowing that he was literally on a date with Donghae. But it seemed that Donghae’s attitude didn’t make him nervous but apparently confusing because he never saw Donghae this absentminded.

They then went to the theatre ticket box. While queuing, they saw posters of the movies that were showing that day. The descriptions of the movie in the posters are all in English because in that particular day all movies that showing in the theater were all British and American movies.

A poster caught Hyukjae attention. It has the title “Creek” on it.

“Hae hae. Don’t you think it is a good movie? Hyukjae asked enthusiastically at Donghae.

Donghae looked at the poster and said the words,

“It is thriller, Hyuk. Are you sure you want to watch it?”

“You act like you know everything. I think it’s an adventure, Hae. Let’s watch this.” Hyukjae said. Enthusiasm was thickly showed on the tone of his voice.

“Uhm... alright then.” Donghae couldn’t do anything but to comply. He didn’t mind of watching thriller. He kind of liked it. Despite rarely going out watching movies, his home has a lot collection of movies that his mom sometimes bought. And he did watch some of them.

But he was worry about Hyukjae. He’s not only scared of being alone but also not a fan of scary things.

But seeing the enthusiasm on Hyukjae, not to mention he was still all nervous and embarrassed, he couldn’t do anything but to buy Hyukjae and himself the movie’s ticket.

They decided to buy themselves drinks before entering the theater where the movie of Hyukjae’s choice would be shown. And all that time, Donghae hold Hyukjae’s hand feeling very happy inside.

 

---

“Where did you go, dear brother?” Hyung asked as soon as I stepped my way into the house. His eyes scanning through the newspaper he held.

“Ah hyung you’re home.” I answered trying to divert the topic. But hey, it is right for me to ask him because he usually hanging out with Hangeng hyung in this kind of Saturday. Let alone the fact that hyung just been proposed by him.

“Geng is in the kitchen.” Hyung said shortly beaming happily at the direction of the kitchen that couldn’t be seen from the living room. “Hey, I asked you where did you go.”

I could only look hesitantly for a moment before saying, “I went with Hae.”

He stopped a mere second before curving his usual meaning smirk. “So now it is Hae, huh? Why didn’t you tell me it is him before, you need a completely different way to approach him.” He said closing the newspaper, looking meaningfully at me.

“Eh?” I could just blurt out hearing his words.

“You should just tell me that the one you approached is Donghae not that playboy Leeteuk. I should just lecture you with different kind of ways.” He said again explaining his previous sentence.

“No Hyung, it is not like that.” I tried to deny what he was saying. But I even could felt the hesitation that came out together to the words I was saying myself.

“Yeah, yeah. I believe you. But don’t blame me if you don’t get the chance to be together with him.” Hyung said again. “Have you eaten, Hyuk? Don’t say that brat didn’t treat you or something.”

I then remembered what happened and shook my head. Earning a sigh from Heechul hyung.

The movie was about to start and the screen was showing credits. I was really anticipating the movie, I don’t understand anything that was written on the poster but seeing the design and how the poster was made, I was sure that the movie will be interesting.

“Are you sure you want to watch it, Hyuk?” Donghae asked for the umpteenth time.

“Of course.” I said again enthusiastically. Then, the lamps started to darken and finally turned off signaling that the movie is starting.

The first fifteen minutes was nothing for me. Even I didn’t understand what the movie was all about despite of the fact that there were Korean subs provided.

I turned right to look at Donghae and was surprised seeing a rare smirk appeared on his face. I was about to ask if he understood the movie when I heard an “OMO.” From the girl sitting beside me. I turned my direction back to the screen.

And all I did was only closing my eyes.

Donghae did offer me to eat after watching that damn movie but I refused and ask him to take me home as soon as possible. He looked disappointed at first. I think he was hungry, but he did take me.

I didn’t think I could face anything that will happen after watching that movie. It was definitely scared the hell out of me.

“Chullie… Oh Hyuk you’re here. Let’s eat together.” Hangeng hyung said smiling sweetly. The three of us then headed to the dining room eating the delicious food prepared by Hangeng hyung. And not to forget, letting me envied the couple that affectionately talking and feeding each other all through the dinner time.

---

Affectionate- adjective

Showing in a gentle way that you love someone and care about them