41. UTOPIA

True to Puppy’s words, the news about the two doctors made headlines three days later when they were arrested. Even before their case could go before the court, there was a media trial and they were held guilty in the eyes of the general public. They lost their jobs in the hospital and their social status. Because of their work as pediatricians, there was a wave of public outrage against them.

Puppy and Beagle beamed each time they read the newspapers or saw the news channels. After his successful revenge, Puppy was like a wild man in bed. I got to sleep for only a couple of hours every night. Not that I minded. It was our private celebration time.

I was able to breathe easy after a week of their arrest when Siwon and DongHae discussed the case over after-dinner coffee at our place as usual on Saturday. According to them, it was an airtight case and prison term was guaranteed. It was very difficult for Puppy, Beagle and me to keep our expressions neutral. Heechul and Kibum commented that I was uncommonly happy the past week and looked speculatively at our little gathering.

“Are you pregnant again hyung? Is that why you are all smiles these days?” Kibum asked me but looked at Leeteuk for confirmation.

“I think it’s the thought of marrying Minx that has him so elated. Hyemi is already having sleepless nights.” Sunwoo hyung had his own explanation.

“Don’t you dare put the idea in Kai or Amber’s head. There is no way I want her married before she is 25.” DongHae wagged his finger at Puppy and me.

“Hae hyung, you know your ‘hyung’ is a courtesy honorific from us? As Hyukkie’s much older cousins we outrank you. There is absolutely nothing wrong with our boy. Amber is lucky that he loves her. Do you want to tell Aunt Hee Young that you don’t want Amber to marry Kai?” Tae smiled to keep his words light.

Hyukkie squeezed DongHae’s hand to silence him, “He is not saying he does not want them to marry. He is saying he wants them to wait till they have proper careers first. I am sure even you wouldn’t want Kai to marry before he is well settled, Tae hyung.”

Kibum interrupted before Tae could speak, “I don’t care when they marry as long as she wears a bridal gown. I can’t bear the thought of her in a tuxedo on the wedding day.”

“Don’t worry Key, I will talk to her and make her agree,” Heechul consoled Kibum.

“While you are at it, can you also tell her that I want a granddaughter? There are too many males in the family already.” Kibum went off on a tangent altogether.

DongHae sputtered at that but Hyukkie shook his head and stopped Hae’s tirade before it could begin. Oh yes, my little cousin had his husband eating out of his hands.

“I bet the first girl will be born in Oh family.” Sunwoo hyung’s words broke the tension and caused a ripple of laughter.

“Hey you guys, I think Soo will have a daughter next.” Uncle was very certain.

“Oh no appa, we are not having any more children.” Leeteuk immediately nixed Uncle’s claim.

“Okay, Beagle you have a daughter next.” Uncle turned to Chan Yeol who turned red at the sudden demand.

“Uncle, let the maknae grow up first before you make him a father second time round. He will look like their older brother instead of father at this rate.” Siwon teased Beagle.

“I am already 21, hyung.” Beagle protested.

“And I am 42. You are a baby to me. Want me to prove it? Let’s have an arm wrestle.” Siwon grinned at our maknae.

We moved to the dining table and soon were divided in two teams headed by Sunwoo hyung and Uncle. Even the kids gathered around us to watch the match, cheering one or the other of us. DongHae glared at Amber when she cheered Tae and Kibum. Her response made us wake baby Yixing with our loud laughter.

“I need to take care of my future in laws, appa. So stop making frog eyes at me.”

Ji brought baby Yixing to cheer for his father. Surprisingly, the final match was between Siwon and Kibum. Amber poked her tongue out at DongHae when Kibum sat opposite Siwon. Predictably, Siwon was the winner because Kibum was not at all into exercising. Tae kept squeezing Kibum’s biceps in admiration after that. Kibum whispered something in Tae’s ears which made him cover his . Those of us who caught the silent play between them, laughed but refrained from teasing Tae because the kids were present.

Duckie and Byong were the first ones to leave to go back to playing house with three sleepy little ones – Junsu, Joongie and Yixing. Siwon and Heechul looked at them in adoration. To them it was proof that the two were going to be a couple later. Puppy and I grinned at the hope in their eyes.

“She is only 8. Get a grip on yourself.” DongHae rapped his knuckles on Siwon’s head.

“I am going to have a lot of grandbabies.” Heechul was lost in his own world.

“Tall ones.” Siwon agreed with Heechul.

“Do you think Byong will mind if Duckie is taller than him?” Heechul nodded at Siwon.

“I don’t think height makes a difference in love. Jinki loves the shortie, doesn’t he?” Siwon comforted Heechul.

“Yah, you two! Come to your senses. What nonsense both of you are spouting? I am not short!” Puppy protested and pinched both of them.

“Of course you are not short. You are just perfect for me.” I announced as I wrapped my arms around Puppy.

“Out of everything they said, all he picked up on was that he is short?” Uncle started laughing at Puppy.

“And Jinki jumps to defend him. What else could be expected from them? Which world do these four live in?” DongHae joined Uncle.

Puppy and I just beamed at everyone. Of course, we lived in our own utopia.

“Jinx did you really agree to marry Minx and Sehun after two years?” Heechul’s words brought us back from our utopia.

“If Sehun tops his class and gets admission in a good med school.” Puppy clarified our stance.

“But its too early Jinki.” Uncle was not happy about it.

“We can’t bear the thought of any more intimacy between them before they marry. And it’s getting difficult to keep them apart. We’ve somehow managed for 12 years. We’ve bought ourselves another two years now.” I explained.

“What’s wrong with an early marriage? I married at 19.” Beagle put in.

“You were already professionally settled.” DongHae pointed out to him.

“We trust our boy but I can’t say I am opposed to an early marriage. We think Sehun can take up the responsibility even though he will be in college for some time. And we really love Minx as our own even now.” Sunwoo hyung said thoughtfully.

“Yes, seeing how single-minded they are in loving each other, I have to agree with an early marriage too.” Kibum nodded his head.

Puppy and I looked each other. We never realized that we could meet with opposition for Minx’s early marriage.

“I think like Uncle. It’s too early. Even two years from now, both will still be kids. They need to make good careers first.” DongHae was not in favor.

“But Minx does not want any career. She just wants to be a housewife.” Beagle advocated on the kids’ behalf again. He had spent a lot of time with the teens and knew their minds well. “Keeping that in view, does it make any sense courting disaster by delaying their marriage?”

“Beagle has a valid point. It will not be possible to control them so strictly as time passes. Sooner or later they will stop listening.” Hyukkie seconded Chan Yeol. “Why let it come to a point where they begin disrespecting our wishes?”

“But Hyukkie, Minx will only be 17. There might even be legal issues.” Tae seemed borderline to us.

“If parents agree, a girl can be married at that age even though she’d still be a minor.” Siwon must have researched the legal age for marriage because of Duckie and Byong.

“You want them to marry early as it paves the way for Duckie and Byong.” DongHae was not convinced.

“Do you want to see them kissing on the lips?” Heechul countered.

“Don’t even think about it Hee hyung.” Kibum was the first to protest.

“Well, the two certainly are thinking about it. For how long can you control them?” Hyukkie beat Beagle to a response.

“I don’t think Sehun will do anything to shame any of his parents.” Beagle spoke up for Sehun.

“Let them be legal age first.” Uncle suggested.

“They love each other. Does it make any sense to make them wait that long? Even when they are of legal age, they’ll still be studying.” Siwon asked.

Sunwoo hyung, Puppy and I simply watched them debate about an event that we knew was going to happen. This was our family. And no one considered our rights as the children’s parents. Our family had equal right on the two.

“Siwon is right. Whether 17 or 20, Minx would still be a student. And at 21, Sehun would be a long way off from a settled profession as doctor.” Leeteuk finally added to the debate.

“They are right for each other.” Kibum pointed out.

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. The three of us, who were simply in the audience, smiled in relief that the family had at last reached a consensus and accepted the wedding proposal.

I had one more issue on my mind. “Should we invite Minho to the wedding, or not?”

Puppy whispered to me, “Whatever you think best yeobo.” I smiled at him.

“Dae Hei will never agree to it.” Uncle was clear.

“No.” Heechul was vehement.

“It will be awkward.” Kibum said and Tae nodded.

“Would he attend if invited?” Beagle had his own doubts.

“What does Minx want?” Sunwoo hyung asked.

“Jinki do you want to invite him?” Siwon knew how bad my life had been with Minho.

“Why all this opposition? He’d seemed like a nice guy to me.” Leeteuk spoke from his limited contact with Minho.

“Trust me he was far from it.” Puppy answered Leeteuk first. I rubbed his back to keep him calm. “What do you want Tokki?” Puppy turned to me and asked.

“I think we should invite him out of courtesy. He is Minx’s biological father after all.” I smiled at Puppy and he squeezed my thigh in understanding.

“He does not deserve any courtesy at all Jinx. You are talking nonsense. Have you forgotten Yohan?” Heechul was the first to protest.

I shook my head, “I haven’t forgotten anything Cinder. But I have let it go. I have made my peace with all of it.” I smiled at Puppy and Beagle as I said that. They beamed back at me.

“Oh there is something there. You have the same smile on your face as the past few days.” Heechul looked at the three of us in speculation. He began pinching in his lips in deep thought.

“Don’t sprain your brain Cinder. I am simply happy.” I tried to divert his attention.

“No hyung, it’s beyond simple happiness. But then you don’t tell me anything anymore. I am no longer your baby.” Kibum caught Heechul’s curiosity bug.

“You’ll forever be my baby Bummie. Don’t let Cinder worry you.” I smiled widely at Kibum to convince him.

“It has to do with Minho for sure. But how can anything to do with Minho make you smile so brightly Jinx?” Heechul wouldn’t let it go.

“Minho maehyung wasn’t all that bad Hee hyung. He was a good hyung when he wanted to be. He really cared for Kitty during his pregnancy. Without him, we might not have had Kai with us today, or even my Kitty.” Taemin was a staunch Minho supporter, completely unaware of most of the things. Tae hugged Kibum at the thought of losing him.

“I will always be with you to make your life hell, hyung.” Kibum grinned at Tae to divert his mind from dark thoughts.

“If you can say that Tae, then you don’t know a lot of stuff. I still say we don’t invite Minho.” Heechul looked at Siwon for support.

Siwon looked at Puppy and me who were smiling at everyone and then at his scowling Princess. “Something has changed recently. Jjong never smiled before when it was Minho’s topic. He always wanted to beat the out of him. Jinki would always pretend to smile. But, they are different today. Look at them smile. Now, I am really curious.”

Everyone looked closely at Puppy and me. We tried to wipe out our smiles and look serious, but we couldn’t. Puppy squeezed my thigh again. Finally, I responded for both of us. “Why can’t we be happy? Yixing is such a delight to hold. And Minx and Sehun will be marrying soon. Professionally we are doing well. Of course we are happy. Even the thought of Minho cannot erase our smiles at the moment.”

Siwon and Heechul shook their heads, but Puppy signaled to Siwon to keep silent. Thankfully, they dropped the topic for the moment but Heechul’s eyes clearly told me it was not over.

“Your imo will be upset if you invite Minho.” Uncle brought our attention back to the topic under discussion.

“I will talk to imo.” Puppy smiled assuringly at Uncle.

“You beat him up last time he came to meet Minx. Why this change now? Why do you want to invite him to Minx’s wedding?” Uncle couldn’t hold back his curiosity anymore.

“What? Puppy beat Minho maehyung? When? Why?” Tae was horrified at the thought. Kibum only looked confused. Heechul and Siwon smiled at the information.

“He made my Tokki cry. Do I need any more reason?” Puppy put it very simply.

“But beating up maehyung is extreme. You shouldn’t have done that. Don’t you know Jinki hyung cries easily?” Tae protested.

Puppy lost his smile at Tae’s words. I rubbed his back to keep him calm. Uncle frowned at Taemin. Kibum began wringing his hands in distress.

“If anyone made my Ji cry, I would beat him up too.” Beagle’s softly spoken words refocused everyone’s attention on him. Except Tae and Puppy who continued to stare at each other.

“Tae hyung, it should have been you who did the honors a long time ago. May be you don’t love your older brother like you profess.” Puppy was not one to mince words when it came to my father and brother.

“If Jinki hyung had so much trouble with Maehyung as he proclaims, why does he want to invite him to Minx’s wedding? Jonghyun don’t you know by now how fickle hyung is?” Tae had his own reasons.

“Jinx is not a liar Taemin.” Heechul joined the heated exchange.

“I am not saying he is. I am simply asking, if he had Jonghyun beat up Maehyung earlier, why does he want maehyung to attend Minx’s wedding now?” Taemin was not one to bow out of arguments.

“Tokki never asked me to beat up Minho. Tokki stopped me from beating him to my heart’s content. Don’t blame my Tokki for my decisions and actions.” Puppy was ferocious in my defence.

“Minho deserves everything Jjong gave him.” Siwon spoke in place of Heechul.

Kibum tried to pacify Taemin, “Hyung let it go. Why are we arguing over something that’s long over?”

“No Kitty. It is wrong. Maehyung saved your life. He does not deserve to be beaten.” Taemin shrugged off Kibum’s comforting hands.

“And Jinki deserved the beatings Minho gave him?” Imo’s voice rang out soft but violent.

“That was between Jinki hyung and Minho maehyung, imo.” Taemin refused to keep silent.

Imo turned to DongHae. “DongHae what would you do if Amber’s husband mistreated her and hit her?”

“I would tear his arms out.” DonHae replied without hesitation. “I won’t let any one mistreat my daughter in any way.”

“Think it over Taemin. Puppy did what you and your father should have done long time ago.” Imo wagged a finger at Tae.

I went and hugged Imo and guided her back to Hyemi noona. “Let it go imo. I have. So has Puppy. No one will ever hurt me again. Trust your lapdog to take care of it.” I kissed her cheek and smiled at her.

“Jinki don’t forgive people so easily.” Imo hugged me back.

“Puppy has avenged me. Be happy now imo. Let the past go.” I whispered in her ear.

She looked at me to confirm. I smiled widely and nodded. She took hold of my face and made me bend so she could kiss my forehead. “Keep smiling like this always.”

I nodded at her and rejoined the arguing group. Puppy pulled me to sit down next to him and tucked me into his side with an arm around my shoulder. Beagle stood on my other side and wrapped his arm around my shoulder as well.

DongHae was saying, “If Minho hurt Jinki, then Jjong was right in beating him.”

“You have only hyung’s word for it.” Tae would not back down.

Heechul growled on hearing that, but DongHae lifted his hand to silence him. He continued to stare at Taemin, “Jinki’s word is enough for me. You are once again making Jinki sound like a liar.”

“I am asking for proof. What’s wrong with that? I will not condemn Minho maehyung without proof.” Taemin again shrugged off Kibum who tried to control him.

“I have proof.” Siwon softly declared.

“What? Impossible.” Taemin still wouldn’t believe.   

Puppy spoke gently to Taemin, “Tae hyung, Minho was good to everyone. Even to Jinki at times. But most of his marriage was a nightmare for Jinki that I wouldn’t wish even on my enemy. Just because Jinki bore it silently with a smile does not make it alright.” When Puppy had Taemin’s full attention, he continued in the same gentle voice, “I understand that you loved Minho. But don’t let that love blind you to his mistreatment of your brother. Doesn’t your brother love you too? Hasn’t he taken care of you whenever you needed him? Don’t you love your brother?”

There was silence for a long time after Puppy stopped speaking. I wanted to break the silence but Puppy hugged me tighter. Heechul looked at how Puppy and Beagle remained on either side of me, holding me protectively. He blew me a kiss and I smiled back at him. Sunwoo hyung and Leeteuk were sitting silently in deep thought. This was way too much information for them, according to me.

Taemin finally broke the silence. “To marry Minho maehyung was Jinki hyung’s decision. Good or bad, marriage is forever. Hyung should have stuck it out and things would have been okay with time.”

Everyone looked in shock at Taemin. I couldn’t help but laugh. It started as a soft one but soon I was laughing loudly. Tae would always be Tae. There was no changing my brother. “Oh my god Tae, I love you so much.” I continued laughing even when Taemin looked at me in confusion. “See Puppy this is why I stuck it out for 7 long years. Now you can see first hand what I was talking about in the past two years.” I poked Puppy.

“Tokki you have an amazing family. You were so very right.” Puppy smiled at me and Taemin. He kissed my hair and his smiled widened, “You are so adorable Tokki.”

“Ugh. There they go again. Puppy control yourself. We have company.” Uncle made a face.

Taemin stared at Puppy and me with his mouth hanging open. He couldn’t understand the reason for our happiness. Everyone else also looked incredulous.

“See, Simba see. I knew something’s happened. Just look at the two of them. How could they be this happy when talking about Minho?” Heechul became curious again.

“Beagle do you know anything?” Siwon stared at poor Chan Yeol.

“I only know that ummappa and Puppy appa have decided to let go of the past and look towards the future. Ummappa said Puppy appa helped him heal and that’s all there is to it.” Beagle lied with consummate ease. Puppy had chosen the right person to be his partner in crime.

“How come he told you but not me?” Heechul was not convinced.

“Later, Cinder. Just let it go. Be happy in my happiness.” I smiled at Heechul, trying to make him understand.

Kibum pouted, “That’s what you always said hyung and that later never came.”

I laughed harder at that. “You are so cute when you pout and whine Bummie.” When Kibum blushed I knew he was diverted. “How about we return to the main topic? Do we or do we not invite Minho?”

“Minx, can you come here for a minute?” Sunwoo hyung called out.

“Yes appa you called? Minx came running.

“Do you want your Minho appa to attend your wedding with Sehun?” Sunwoo hyung cut to the chase and found the perfect solution to the argument.

“If he wants to come, okay.” Minx shrugged.

“Why?” Heechul asked.

“I don’t know. I think, maybe, courtesy. If he comes its okay, and if he doesn’t that’s also okay.” Minx had no opinion either way. But she made the same point as me. We should invite Minho out of courtesy.

“But won’t that cause a problem? Two fathers present for the ceremony.” Kibum was immediately concerned about rituals.

“Why should there be a problem? Minho appa will only be a courtesy guest. Ceremony and rituals will be for Puppy appa only. Ummappa will be the mother. I am Kim HyunJin, daughter of Kim Jonghyun and Lee Jinki.” Minx wrapped her arms around Puppy’s neck and hugged him from behind.

Puppy turned a little and kissed her cheek. “Let anyone try to say otherwise Minx. You are our baby girl.”

“Anything else or can I go back to my game?” Minx kissed Puppy’s cheek and skipped into children’s room.

“Who wants more coffee? Sunwoo hyung make sure Sehun fulfills our conditions for marriage. Top rank in school in CSAT, top three in finals and admission in a good med college.” I got up and said on my way to the kitchen.

“What about Minx?” Sunwoo hyung replied.

“Oh don’t worry hyung. Prepare yourself for an illiterate daughter in law. She refuses to study and refuses to go to college. Maybe Sehun can influence her after the marriage to study and pass school at least.” Puppy answered for us then called out to me, “Tokki how did achievers like us end up with a daughter like her?”

“It’s Minho’s genes Puppy. Just pray that our grandkids get more of Sehun’s genes.” I chirped out from the kitchen.

“So either Junsu or Joongie will win a Nobel.” Uncle bumped fist with Beagle.

“And Yixing will be a hacker.” DongHae teased.

“Computer prodigy.” Uncle corrected.

Taemin began laughing, “Uncle, keep dreaming. First predict who will bear the first girl in the family.”

“Beagle. I have full faith in him.” Uncle pointed to the young man.

“Teukkie why don’t you try?” Siwon focused on Doc.

“After Joongie? Not a chance in hell. That one boy is equal to three.” Leeteuk shook his head.

“Then you shouldn’t have conceived him in Australia.” Kibum got his chance to tease Doc.

“Eh? How did you know? Did Soo tell you?” Teukkie blushed.

Kibum smirked, “Jinki hyung and I worked it out. But we need more girls. I am dying to buy cute baby girl clothes and hair accessories.”

“Make Kai give you only granddaughters.” Heechul suggested, ignoring DongHae’s glare.

“Seeing the Lee family tree, the probability is higher for grandsons.” Puppy smirked at DongHae.

“Then I don’t care. I will dress one of them as a girl. If Amber can dress as a boy all the time, I get the right to dress her boy as a girl.” Kibum was adamant.

Puppy joined me in the kitchen and we softly kissed. All serious arguments forgotten, our family was back to its normal bickering.

“I love you, my adorable Tokki.” Puppy nuzzled my neck.

“I love you too, Puppy. But I love it more when you call me Jinki.” I eased my neck to one side, giving him more access.

“And I love it more when I call you yeobo.” He moved aside the collar of my shirt and on my shoulder.

“You know I can see both of you?” Uncle called out.

“Beagle change places with your father in law and ask him to leave us in peace.” I called out to Chan Yeol, as Puppy did not stop on my skin.

“If he wants granddaughters, he won’t trouble you anymore.” Beagle responded. “Right appa?” We heard him ask Uncle.

“I am surrounded by shameless creatures.” Uncle muttered.

Puppy covered up my shoulder to hide the new love bite and grinned at Uncle. Nothing could burst our bubble of happiness. We had created our own utopia.