Chapter 26

He barely slept a wink that night as he tossed and turn on their couch. For some reason he wouldn’t dare sleep next to her, not when she’s about to marry someone, not when he is in love with her. He should know better but to keep distance. He can’t believe that she still has deep feelings about the kiss but he will never understand the tears.

He was only asleep for a couple of hours when he heard faint voices talking

“Why is he sleeping here?”

“I was surprised to see him there as well”

“Aigoo my Yongie is weirded out now sleeping beside me, he’s now a man” cooed Joohyun

He could hear a couple of hushed laughter and in a second a body pressed down on him with strands of hair on his face

“Joohyun when you get married you can’t hang out with him anymore, so go pester and enjoy him”

“I will” she excitedly answered

He kept his eyes close pretending to still be asleep and continued to lie on his side as he felt Joohyuns body on top of him while her arms bear hug him.

“I missed you Yong” she sighed

Since he barely talked to anyone before his leave he really doesn’t know what was up for that weekend. All he knew was that they would have dinner as what happened last night and that’s just about it, he was just planning to hang around the house with his family, or go to his friends and even bond with Joohyun which now sounds so impossible. He was surprised to actually see Seunggi back since he thought that he won’t be coming till next week. Joohyun went home before lunch promising to be back before late afternoon for their trip to the tailor for fitting.

He padded slowly through their garden in deep thought when his mom appeared with a cup of hot chocolate.

“How have you been?” she asked his son

“I’m okay mom” sitting beside her

“Joohyuns wedding announcement surprised you huh?”

“Mom who wouldn’t be surprise?”

She chuckled looking at him “I know right, you’re Seo eomma cried. A LOT. But she’s holding up now she smiles more than she did after Joohyun broke the news and we can all see that Seunggi is making efforts but Heechul is a tought nut to crack”

He just nodded now understanding Heechuls sentiments. They do not agree with the marriage. Or was it? He knew it’s best to talk to Joohyun about it and he’s planning to do it that night since it’s his turn to stay over the Seo residence. Joohyun together with some of their friends did come by to pick him up with Seunggi for the scheduled gown and tux fitting, well for him it’s more of taking his measurement first. The engaged couple was busy talking and just to avoid staring at them he played with Eunhyuk and Kangin which shook the whole van, even Leeteuk and Jonghyun decided to join in leaving Jungshin and the girls laughing.

They crowded at the bridal shop and boxes of gown where scattered everywhere for the 1st fitting. He sat waiting for everyones turn to walk down the “runway” as they playfully held a mini fashion show. A hand tapped his shoulder and found Seunggi standing beside him.

“Yonghwa I’ll be leaving Joohyun now to your capable hands, I have dinner plans with my dad and his friends”

“Ah okay” he just shook his hand

“Please take care of her”

He almost punched the guy in the face like WTF are you asking me to do? Take care of her? As if I’m not doing that for almost 10 ing years you airhead!

“Of course” forcing a smile to get it over and done with. He looked at the two as Joohyun walked Seunggi to the entrance of the shop, they chatted very briefly and then he saw Seunggi giving Joohyun a kiss. A lingering innocent kiss. He willed himself to look away but for some reason he can’t. Will hurting himself make him let go of her? His heart drummed like crazy ready to burst. He thought he’s okay, he managed to tell himself he’ll be okay but no matter how many times he says he’s okay, he’s not. He doesn’t know which one hurts now the most, being inside the army feeling all that he can feel or out here, seeing her with him, happy? His controlled facial expression in front of her? The last 24 hours was much more of a torture than a vacation. His friends were right, He’ll gladly sign up for hell than being here. He realize that minute that he really can’t be happy for her and it saddened him that his head and heart were telling him two completely different things

After fitting they all headed out for dinner at one of the restaurants near by, they chatted and laughed and drank to no end. Making fun of Eunhyuk as he sulk over a piece of meat taken by Kangin. They even made fun of Yonghwas hair saying that he should keep it as it is even after discharge since he looks like a nice man.

“No you’re not!” Joohyun countered

“I am!” he laughed looking at her “Whatever gave you that idea I’m not a nice man? After all these years’ you’re still questioning that”

“You’re a playboy and I don’t think you’ll change”

Jonghyun who was busy eating blurted “Joohyun why do you make fun of Yonghwa like that you liked him before right?” he didn’t look at anyone while he said those words and was just busy making himself pork wraps. He was oblivious to the sudden thick air that hung above the table. The rest stared at Joohyun, they knew it, it’s no surprise but they were waiting for Yonghwa who they thought was still clueless. Yonghwa on the other hand was waiting for Joohyun to say that she already told him but instead he felt her stiffened beside him as he laughed out loud

“But of course she likes me! Who wouldn’t like me when we were in high school! Remember that the head of the cheering squad became my girlfriend!” setting a lighter mode. They all laughed at this but all knew at the back of their mind that there was a lot of unclear issue between the two.

Leeteuk dropped everyone off one by one and the two were walking towards Joohyuns house where her mom and dad is excited to see him. When they arrived it was like a mini feast but instead of dinner its was more of late night snacks with alcohol, surprisingly, Heechul was also there laughing and drinking. They talked about the old times and commented how Yonghwa matured big time. He noticed that Joohyun would sometimes looked a bit sad which reminded him of the talk he wants to have with her. When they were alone and was clearing out the mess

“Tell me the truth Joohyun, how did the family take your marriage news?”

She looked at him surprised at the sudden topic and how he knew. He snorted looking at her reaction

“Please spare me that look J, I might not talk alot during this vacation but I know more than you think I do, these are the things that you can’t hide from me”

She sighed while she helped him wash the dishes

“Dad got angry, mom cried,Donghae oppa talked me out of it and Heechul oppa is still not talking to me, but after maybe meeting Seunggi oppa, they liked him a bit I think, w