Growl - EXO

Chapter 24: Growling.

“T-thank you, Ahjussi.” I mumbled, setting my feet down on the white sand as Lu Han finally let me down.

Lu Han just gave me sneer in return as we both walked back to our resting place. Reaching the location where he and Xiumin-oppa placed the mat and the beach umbrella, we were met by a smirking Tao who was eyeing us mockingly. “So how was your swimming session with this unbelievable mermaid?”

“I am not a mermaid, you panda.” I said, rolling my eyes before taking a seat beside Tao on the mat. “And stop asking so many questions, okay?”

As soon as I was comfortable on my seat, Lu Han went back towards the shores as he forgot to get his shirt. Seeing his back made me flush a bit. I suddenly remembered being carried gently by his arms like I was a baby. Being carried like that was already embarrassing for me, much more since Lu Han was the one who did it. I don’t know what came over me that I even allowed him to.  

He’s just so darn weird. He suddenly dragged me into the deeper parts of the ocean knowing that I can’t swim while just watching me drown. Though it’s not so much for me to get traumatized, the experience horrified me. But then again, because of it, I was able to swim back to him.

I’m not very fond of skinships but Lu Han’s arms were comforting. His hands were soothing and being able to touch him was calming. I felt at peace in his arms and even if it was short lived, I enjoyed it. As much as I’d want to hate him for letting go of my hands, I can’t, because he still got me. In the end, he still held on to me and that’s what matters most.

“Psh, you’re no fun.” Tao scoffed, pursing his lips at me. A little white girl then suddenly walked past us holding a cup of crushed ice with various colourful condiments and fruits on top it. Tao immediately sat up straight at the sight of the delicacy as he swallowed hard before turning to me. “I want one of that.”

“Want what?” I asked, turning to Tao before looking back at the little white kid. “Ah, Baekhyun-oppa told me about that, it’s Helo-Helo.”

“I don’t care about what it’s called,” Tao said, still eyeing the cold dessert with hungry eyes. “Get me one.”

“Wait a sec, why me?” I asked, creasing my eyebrows at Tao as if he’s gone insane. “Can’t you get one for yourself?”

“You said you know what it is so go get us some as a compensation for wasting my time in teaching you how to swim.” Tao said, pushing my shoulder with a grin.

Seeing as Tao would keep on whining if I don’t get him one, I decided to just it up and do the chore for him. If only I can do some Wushu on his mouth to shut him off. “Fine, but you’re paying.”

After receiving some Philippine bank notes from Tao, I stood up from the mat and slid on my slippers. I was about to turn around when Lu Han suddenly appeared, already in his shirt. “Where are you going?”

“She’s going to buy Helo something for us, hyung.” Tao answered for me as I waited in place.

“Helo what?” Lu Han asked in confusion.

“It’s just like shaved ice except there’s other kinds of condiments and fruits.” I said, squinting my eyes in the process due to the blinding sight of the sun. “I’ll be right back in an instant—“

“Where are Sehun and the others?” Lu Han asked as Tao and I turned to each other before shrugging.

“They’re probably playing somewhere.” Tao said, lying back down on the mat. “Get one for them too.”

Lu Han then stared at me for a couple of seconds before walking towards my side. “I’m coming with you.”

“What?” I asked, surprised at his offer of accompanying me.

“I said, I’m coming with you.” Lu Han repeated, keeping a blank look on before walking forward. “You can’t carry all 7 cups by yourself, can you?”

“Yeah, you’re right.” I said, catching up to him with a small smile. “Thanks.”

“Yeah.” Lu Han mumbled but I was able to hear it. I turned my eyes back to the front again and smiled. At least he’s not grumpy.

With the sun shining blindly from the sky, I felt a tad hotter. I’m not really curious about skin colours, but most western races likes a sun-kissed skin tone so I guess that’s the reason why a lot of western foreigners go on a vacation here. My pale skin tone, on the other hand, doesn’t tan easily so I don’t really benefit anything from the scorching sun. Albeit, I made sure to put on a fair amount of sunscreen since too much ultraviolet rays is bad for lightly skinned people.

Also, as far as I know, summer’s actually over here in the Philippines and yet it feels as if it was just beginning. The winds weren’t that hot but the weather was humid like a sauna. If you want to lose weight then here is the perfect place as you’ll sweat nonstop from the heat and climate.

I can feel the bun of my hair loosening, mostly because it got wet, so I decided to redo it. I pulled my hair tie out and was about to gather my locks again when I noticed some teenagers from afar eyeing me weirdly. Judging from their looks, they must be the locals here. Maybe they’re not used to seeing Korean women in swimsuits? But then again, a lot of foreigners go here—western and Asians alike.

Or maybe because I look funny in my attire? I know that I don’t have the nicest body but giving me that kind of look is a bit rude. Although, I can’t blame them for they have their own opinions. I must have looked so horrid for their eyes, that’s why.

I, too, find myself to be quite unsuitable for such swimsuits. If it weren’t only for Baekhyun and Chanyeol-oppa.

I was finishing up the bun on my hair when Lu Han suddenly placed his right hand on my right shoulder and pulled me a little closer to him. I looked at him in confusion but he didn’t say anything and just kept his eyes on the way—his eyes were fiercer though, as if he was glaring.

Maybe he just wanted to rest his hand on something, he always did that to Sehun and Tao anyway.

In less than five minutes of walking, Lu Han and I finally reached a store that sells Philippine delicacies. I wasted no time and immediately walked up to the counter to get what we came here for whereas Lu Han decided to look around the shelves where the other preserved local foods are stored.

“H-hello… I… we… Helo-Helo…” I stuttered, pointing to the glass shelves beside the cash register while finding the right words to say using my limited knowledge in English. Why did I have to agree to this anyway? I forgot that speaking English is one of my weaknesses.

Upon finally admitting to myself that I can’t converse in proper English, I decided to ask for Lu Han’s help. I turned to my back and saw him still looking at the shelves. “Yah, Ahjussi!”

Lu Han’s head shot up as he looked at me with creased brows, irritated for getting disturbed. “What?”

“Help me—“ I was about to ask for his help when I heard the guy managing the cash register speak in my native language.

“Hello there,” The tanned man said, speaking in solid Korean as I turned back to him in awe. “It’s okay, please speak comfortably. I can speak Korean as well.”

“Really? Thank God!” I sighed in relief while beaming at the tall guy. “You’re a lifesaver.”

“A lot of foreigners come here so we needed to learn other languages.” The tall guy smiled as I nodded in understanding. “So I presume you came here for Halo-Halo[1]?”

“Yes, please.” I said, pointing to the colourful dessert inside the glass shelves in front of me. “7 Helo-Helo, please.”

“That’s cute,” The tall guy chuckled, showcasing his white pearls as he proceeded in preparing my order. I tilted my head to the side in confusion as he gave me a smile. “It’s called Halo-Halo, not Helo-Helo.”

“Oh, is that so?” I asked, chuckling at my wrong pronunciation. “My friends told me it was Helo-Helo, though.”

“They must’ve heard it wrong then.” The tall guy said, putting the cups in a big plastic bag before punching some buttons on the cash register. “That’ll be 480 PHP[2].”

“Oh I thought 1 cup costs 80 PHP?”

“The last one’s on me.”

“Really? Thank you.” I grinned and placed the 500 Philippine bank note on top of the table, pushing it towards him before grabbing the plastic bag. He took it in his hands and pressed a certain button as the cash box opened. After processing my payment, the guy handed me a few bills as my change with a smile.

“Thank you so much, mister.” I said as I bowed at him.

The guy then smile and nodded in response while wiping his hand on the black shirt he was wearing. I was about to turn away when he suddenly held his hand out in front