Happy Birthday by Nu'Est

Chapter 46 – Love, Hugs, and Kisses

Hyomi’s POV

I was in a daze for quite a while until I heard extraordinary voices. I might be overreacting but heck, I never heard voices that good in person. Well, for a while, I haven’t since back in Busan, my best friends often showcase their talents in singing.

“Machi amugeotdo moreuneun airo geureoke
Dashi taeeonan sungan gachi
Jamshi kkumilkkabwa han beon deo nun gamatda tteo boni
Yeokshi neomu ganjeolhaetdeon ne ape gidohadeut seo isseo”

(“This moment feels like I was born as a child who knew nothing
I closed my eyes again in case it would be a dream
You were standing in fron of my desperate self and praying
Just once, I want to walk side by side with you”)

My attention diverted to the small stage located across the room. One by one, Baekhyun oppa, followed by Kyungsoo and Suho oppa walked out. They smiled sweetly at me and I couldn’t help but tear up. The room was still dimly lit for the only light was that of the spotlights. Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder before a rose appeared before me. After a second of staring at it, I looked up and saw Xiu Min oppa, smiling.

“To our most beautiful dongsaeng,” he smiled.

“Oppa,” I said, tears already flowing. I couldn’t explain how happy I feel. I couldn’t contain the tears that’s why I just let it fall.

“Aigoo, stop crying,” he said wiping the tears away.

“Mianhae,” I said and wiped the tears myself. He smiled once again before running towards the stage and dance.

Again, there was a rose given to me. It was from Chanyeol oppa. Like Xiu Min oppa, he smiled at me before doing what he usually do—ruffle my hair.

“No matter what, I’ll still be your most handsome oppa, ok?” He said and I chuckled. He could really be cocky and today, I think he has it.

“Next to Baekhyun oppa, maybe?” I joked and he stuck his tongue out.

“Just tell it. You meant our maknae, huh?” He said smirking.

“W-What?” I said and tried to hide the blush that was slowly making itself visible but thanks for the dimly lit room, I got to hide it, hopefully. He smirked first before ruffling my hair and running to the stage, joining Xiu Min oppa with the dance.

The other oppas followed until Baekhyun, Suho, and Kyungsoo oppa went down to give roses to me too. The tears were uncontrollable. The song was instrumental when they were giving the roses though the other oppas still danced.

“Stop crying. We want you to smile, not to cry, ok?” Baekhyun oppa said and with both of his thumbs, he wiped away the tears. “There. Just smile. I don’t want to disappoint auntie and uncle,” he said, pouting, before smiling. I softly chuckled. He planted a kiss on my forehead before they walked away, singing, once again.

Seconds later, I heard a voice clearing his throat before I felt a tap on my shoulder. I spun around to come face to face to a bouquet of flowers.

“To the most beautiful girl I’ve ever met,” The person holding the bouquet of flowers said and I knew who it was that instant. I snickered.

“Yeah right. Stop fooling around Oh Sehun,” I said. He lowered his hold of the bouquet of flowers before grinning.

“Did you really forget what day it is today?” He asked.

“What day is today? Uh, Saturday?” I said, thinking how ridiculous that question it. Of course I know that it’s Saturday. He sighed, shaking his head. With the tip of his index finger, he pushed my forehead.

“It’s your birthday today, pabo,” he said and I blinked in confusion. Birthday? It’s my birthday?

“That’s funny. Jeongmal?!” I said and laughter echoed in the room.

“You’re too coped up with the things happening you don’t even know what day it is today,” he said before giving me the flowers that I gladly accepted. “Wait a second. I can’t miss this,” he said before running up the stage, joining them with the dance that I guess is about to end.

From the same position, I watched them with a smile. How could I forget my birthday? How could I not even know that today was when my mom gave birth to me? Maybe it’s because I felt that it was unnecessary anymore. I looked forward to my birthday every year but I guess I was too sad from my loss that I didn’t think it’s a significant day already.

The song reached its end and all the lights went on. That was when I noticed how every corner was decorated with balloons. How each walls were decorated, and how a big banner hanged at a side, with big letters, had a Happy Birthday Hyomi on it. Beneath it were a table filled with different foods. They then began singing happy birthday was they surround me with Luhan oppa holding a cake.

“Make a wish!” They chanted. I closed my eyes for a while before I blew the candle and they clapped.

“It’s party time!” Tao oppa shouted. I laughed as many went to get food but Suho and Kris oppa stopped them, saying it’s supposed to be me who would get the first plate.

“It’s ok,” I said as I let them eat first. They then cheered before getting their own plates but it happened that what they did was to get a plate for me, making me have twelve plates in total. I had a hard time picking so instead, I went to the table and got a plate for myself. They pouted but smiled.

We then sat in a circle on the floor while eating. We were eating and chatting happily, making jokes but they threw teases on me more and that’s when I started to wonder if it’s really my birthday.

“Is it my birthday, for real?” I said sarcastically. They grinned.

“Well,” Chen oppa said. “It’s just a norm.” He smiled and I rolled my eyes.

“Right.” I said. “Anyway, thank you,” I said and they smiled. “It was too much more than what I deserved.”

“What are you saying? Of course not. If you don’t deserve this kind of birthday, we wouldn’t have made it and put time and effort in it,” Lay oppa said. I bit my lower lip as I looked down, feeling my tears well up once again.

“Look, she’s about to cry again,” Kai oppa teased and I sniffed and looked up. I made sure I showed no sign of tears about to fall out my eyes.

“Am not,” I said and they smirked.

“Yeah, let’s just let it slip since it’s her birthday,” Lay oppa teased. They laughed but I just pouted.

“We’re just joking,” Tao oppa said. I stuck my tongue out and Sehun oppa, who sat beside me, ruffled my hair.

“Yah,” I said and pushed his hand away but as my hand touched his, I felt myself stiffen but shook it away.

We continued to chat and eat before we thought of playing games. It was full of fun even though I know it’ll be better when my parents would be around but since they aren’t, I’m already contented with this. I wouldn’t ask for more. I already thank God for at least, even though I literally forgot about my OWN birthday, He gave me them to make me remember that my birthday still mattered. I guess my wish came true. I met twelve amazing guys who rescued me, although there are people who are trying to ruin my life.

It was already eight in the evening when we started to clean up. It took an hour to finish cleaning everything before we separate with them giving me last greetings. I hugged them in return and thanked them because I had enjoyed every hour, minute, second, I’ve been with them.

As everyone had left, I was surprised to see Sehun oppa standing behind me while Baekhyun oppa stood beside me.

“Aren’t you also going to leave yet?” I asked. He shook his head.

“Why, you want me to?” He asked, and there’s a hint of sadness in his voice.

“It’s not that—“ I was cut off as Baekhyun oppa put a hand on Sehun oppa’s shoulder.

“I’ll leave you two already. Make sure you bring my cousin home safely, araso?” He said.

“Wait. What?” I asked. Before I could say anything more, Baekhyun oppa left, leaving me with Sehun oppa. Somehow, it felt awkward. For some reason, I couldn’t stand still as I looked at Baekhyun oppa walk away.

“Don’t you want to spend time with me?” I snapped out of my trance and turned to Sehun oppa.

“I-It’s not like that. It’s just that,” I paused. I don’t know how to say how I couldn’t feel easy whenever he’s there because my feelings that I once thought was just a little crush, grew as days went by. “Why are you even being so dramatic?” I said, raising an eyebrow at him. Better act myself than let the awkwardness eat us.

“I’m not,” he said. I scoffed.

“It doesn’t look like it,” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“If you have no objections, let’s go,” he said before clasping my hand with him, taking me aback but feelings his hand on mine, I didn’t want to let go, instead, I smiled.

We walked around the place, not saying anything. I felt my heart race as he held on my hand so tight, making me feel safe for some reason. Although I was shivering from the coldness, I ignored it but I think he didn’t as he stopped and looked at me worriedly.

“You wore a something different today and you look prettier in it but I guess the hyungs chose something that is not for the season,” he said.

“Kind of but it’s ok, I think,” I said and grinned. He smirked.

“Do you want to go change? I think your clothes are already dry anyways,” he said. I thought for a while before nodding. We then went to the nearest rest room and I changed immediately to my pants though I didn’t change my tops already. I went out the rest room and he smiled.

“Kaja,” I smiled and he nodded. He took my hand again in his and we started strolling around.

“Sorry. Am I wasting your time right now?” He asked as he looked at me.

“What? No!” I said. Actually, you’re making every minute pass by so meaningful. He smiled. There was silence again but a comfortable silence. I was thinking whether to thank him personally for making me so happy today but I don’t know how. I kept stealing glances on him but didn’t say anything.

“Why are you looking at me?” He asked. I was startled that I immediately looked away. I heard him laugh until he stopped and looked around. “Let’s go seat,” he said before we both sat on a bench. “So, are you going to say something?” He asked.

“I wanted to say thank you,” I said, playing with my fingers.

“Thank you for?” He asked.

“Thank you for today. I really had fun,” I said, smiling.

“You’ve thanked us so many times already. I couldn’t even count it,” he said.

“Sorry. It’s just that I felt that even though my parents are not around, you guys are there to make me feel that my birthday is still significant,” I said and he knocked my head. “Yah!”

“Stop saying that,” he said. I sighed. “Do you have something to say more than that?” He asked and I shook my head. “Well then, it’s my turn.” He said and I turned to him.

“What?” I asked. My heart raced but why? I puffed my cheeks while staring at a distance, waiting for him to talk.

“We’ve known each other for so long and I could say that those were one of my happiest days. I’m happy I met you and that I could be someone you could trust and I could proudly say that you’re my best friend. When I left for another country every day felt empty. I couldn’t see you or just even talk to you. You know what my relationship with my dad is and during those times when you were not there to tell me that it’s alright, I felt empty and sad.

“I know I told you I came here because I volunteered to search for the person my parents are looking for but I also told you that I accepted that because I want to come back and see you guys. But there’s one thing I didn’t say.” He took my hand in his and I wasn’t left with any choice but to look at him although I couldn’t look straight at him.

Is he going to confess?

Wait. That’s ridiculous. He won’t like me. He’s too perfect for me.

“Stop the fake relationship already,” he said and I was startled. He wasn’t asking me to stop it. He was demanding it.

“I don’t know. Don’t tell me that but to Baekhyun oppa,” I said. He his lips as he looked elsewhere while I stared at him.

“I like you, Hyomi, a lot,” he said, turning to look at me once again. I felt my cheeks burn. Is this really happening? He’s confessing to me? He do like me?

“That’s funny, Sehun,” I said.

“I’m not joking,” he said. I then kept quiet with that. “I don’t want to waste any time that’s why I’m using this chance to ask you,” he said and paused, “will you be my girlfriend?”

What did he say? I know I might be playing stupid right now but I can’t believe. He asked me to be his girlfriend. Tell me this isn’t a dream. Tell me.

“Hyomi?” He said. I snapped out of my train of thoughts and turned to him.

“I…” I said and puffed my cheeks. What should I say? I want to say yes but I don’t know if I should.

“I’m not—“

“Yes,” I said and there was silence. I looked at him and he was just staring at me. I felt my cheeks burn. Did I just say the right thing? “Are you ok?” I asked. He suddenly smiled and hugged me, taking me aback. I can’t help but smile. After a minute of hugging, he moved away. He bit his lower lip, rubbing the back of his neck. I laughed.

“Are we together already?” He asked and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“What do you think? I already answered you,” I said, shrugging. He smiled.

“Well then, it’s official.” He said. “You don’t know how much you made me happy. It feels as if it’s my birthday, not yours,” he said.

“Actually, you made my birthday one of the best. Thank you,” I said. He smiled. We were quiet and I don’t know if it’s just me or he’s really moving closer?

And that’s it. Our lips met each other.

For the second time.

Sorry for the typos and grammatical errors! :)

I'll try to update again before the weekend ends!

Thank you for reading! :)

Lyrics from Angel.*