Chapter 34- I Can't Give You

         "Baekhyun...?" Mina slowly said as she stared at Baekhyun who was sitting one seat away from her.

At the same time, Baekhyun was also shocked to see Mina there at the same movie theaters. They were both at the same theater and watching the same exact movie? What are the chances? 

Just then, the movie was officially starting and Mina decided to sit back properly in her seat in order to not cause any disturbances or attract any attention. Baekhyun also did the same and brought his attention to the movie screen. But as much as they wanted to act like they were watching the movie, they couldn't. They couldn't stop thinking about how they were sitting one seat away from each other at the movie theaters. 

Suddenly, something or someone in the movie interrupted Mina's train of thoughts and had her turn her attention to the movie. Why did his actor sound familiar? Why did he look familiar?

"Baekhyun...?" Mina asked herself in her head as she continued to stare at the movie screen. So Chanyeol brought her to watch Baekhyun's new movie?! That's why he wouldn't tell her what they were watching?

Baekhyun cleared his throat as he slightly slid down in his chair and fixed his hoodie to cover his face better. It was awkward for him to sit in a pubic and crowded movie theater to watch his own movie. Not to mention that he was sitting a seat away from his ex-girlfriend. 

Meanwhile, there was one person who was sitting a few rows behind them and watching everything. It was none other than Chanyeol. 

"Where are you?! Are you crazy?! Baekhyun is sitting right next to me. I'm going to kill you for allowing this to happen," Mina's text to Chanyeol said. 

A smirk came upon Chanyeol's face when he read this text from Mina. 

"Sorry, something came up so I got to go. Enjoy the movie!" Chanyeol texted back before putting his phone away. 

"Aish!" Mina groaned to herself when she read Chanyeol's text message. 

"Shhh!" someone whispered loudly, causing Mina to quickly put her phone away. 

Mina then sat back in her seat and acted as if she was watching the movie, but really she was cursing at herself for being in a situation like this. It would be kind of rude for her to leave at the very beginning of the movie, so she decided to wait throughout the whole movie before plotting her revenge on Chanyeol. So for now, she decided to ignore Baekhyun and keep her focus on the movie for the heck of it. 

It was an hour into the movie and the movie was at the . People in the movie theater was sitting at the edge of their seats while waiting to see what was going to happen next. They were taken away by how well Baekhyun was able to portray and play his character in the movie, leaving them touched by his acting. 

Aside from these audience, there was only 2 people who was giving different reactions to it. Baekhyun was leaning back in his chair with a bored expression while watching his own movie that he acted in and watched a couple times already. He already knew what happened at the end. But while he was keeping his eyes on the screen, he couldn't help but slightly turn to steal a couple glances at Mina. Was she enjoying it? Was she also touched by his acting? What did she think of it so far?

However, Baekhyun was not able to determine this because the only thing he saw was her sitting straight in her seat with an expressionless face. It couldn't be seen if she was enjoying it or not. It couldn't be seen if she was touched by Baekhyun's acting. It couldn't be seen what she thought about the movie so far. Baekhyun was curious to know about this because in the end, she was the one who gave him this dream in the first place. 

After another half hour, the movie finally came to end and people were leaving while Baekhyun and Mina remained seated as they waited for everybody else to leave first. 

Meanwhile, Chanyeol was also getting ready to leave with the crowd in order to not be spotted by Mina and Baekhyun. As he stood up and was making his way out of the theater, he couldn't help but take one last look at Baekhyun and Mina who was still avoiding each other. 

I wish you two the best. 

He then continued to walk towards the exit since he had no reason to be here anymore. He did what he needed to. He brought them back together to meet in a movie theater again with the hope that they will make up and clear their misunderstandings; just like the very first time. Who would have known that those two would get to meet in a crowded movie theater again and sit next to each other. Chanyeol himself didn't expect it to work out perfectly... Twice.

And in the end, despite all that has happened and how much he liked Mina and hated Baekhyun, he still tried to save their relationship. Because in the end, he was originally the friend of the two who always tried to help their relationship whenever it got rocky, and it was only right to return to his original spot.

So that's why Chanyeol acted the way he did towards Mina earlier at the cafe. He was originally supposed to take Mina to the movie theaters where he also told Baekhyun to come, but first he wanted to spend one last time with her. He wanted to see her beautiful smile and sparkly eyes before he officially sent her off back to his bestfriend. However, his feelings was starting to take control of him again, and the only way to avoid confessing his feeling to her was by bringing up the sensitive topics that he mentioned. It was the only way to stop himself and make them both get out of there as soon as possible.

He liked her. He loved her. But it was only right to stop and let her go. She was never his in the first place. She was originally his bestfriend's first love. 

Baekhyun and Mina were still sitting in their seats with one seat separating them this time. The theater was empty and the light came back on, but they continued to sit in their seat. Was there supposed to be words exhanged? Should something be said? 

After waiting for another minute or so in the silence, Mina stood up from her seat and began to walk away from Baekhyun.

"Mina," Baekhyun quickly called as he stood up. 

Mina stopped where she was and waited for Baekhyun to speak. 

"Whatever you want to say... Say it now," Mina said with a serious tone with her back still turned to him. 

"I just wanted you to know... That I'm sorry," Baekhyun started. "I was wrong,"

Mina stayed silent as she waited for Baekhyun to continue speaking. 

"Chanyeol told me everything that happened... And I'm sorry. I should have acted better back then instead of being selfish, but I couldn't help it. You were the one who gave me this dream, and I didn't want to disappoint you," Baekhyun said as his voice started to shake. "But even so, I should have answered your calls. I should have met up with you everyday. I should have told you how much you meant to me.... I should have been there for you when you waited at the hospital. I should have been there by your side when your dad took his last breath... But I wasn't, and I'm really sorry Mina...

... But I just want you to know that there was not a day that passed by where I didn't think about you. Although I didn't know the truth at that time and I hated you, I still thought about you. Were you eating well? Were you still letting people take advantage of you? What were you doing with your life? Despite all the people that I met along the way, none of them could replace you, because none of them changed me and made me who I am. It was you who did,"

Mina was silent for a brief moment as she thought about what Baekhyun said. After processing the words for a couple seconds, she turned around to look at Baekhyun. 

"So is it forgiveness that you want?" Mina asked with a serious expression. 

"What..?" Baekhyun asked as he didn't understand her question. 

"I asked if it was forgiveness that you wanted, which is why you're telling me all of this. Because if it's forgiveness that you want, then I could give it to you,"

"Mina..." Baekhyun slowly said as he was trying to comprehend what she was saying. "I also want you-"

"But if you're asking for another chance, then I can't do that," Mina said before he could finish his sentence. "Too much have happened and so much have changed between us. So listen because I'm going to say this for the last time Baekhyun. Let's go our separate ways and never meet again. Continue on with your life as an actor. You're already doing so well and there's no point of stopping now... Goodbye," 

Mina then walked away since she made her thoughts and feelings clear to Baekhyun. She gave him what he wanted. Forgiveness. But she won't give him another chance. 

~End of Chapter 34~