Don't Go (piano version) - EXO

Chapter 54: Last Night.

Jaera breathed heavily, trying to calm herself amidst the utter nervousness she was feeling. The stylist had just finished curling her long dark hair into a bun so her movements were very stiff. She was afraid that her hair and gown would be ruined so she tried her best to minimize her movements. It was easier said than done though, for with the anxiety came an agonizing urge to move around in circles.

Having enough of her pre-party jitters, Seongim finally decided to break the silence with a chuckle. “Dear, it’s just a small party. There’s nothing to be afraid of.” she said, approaching Jaera, who was seated on a small stool right in front of the vanity table.

Jaera bit her lower lip and sighed. “You’re right, mom. Maybe I’m just overreacting.” she then gave out a sad smile as she eyed the pink bracelet that was hanging on her wrist. “I wish Jisoo was here to celebrate with us.”

“I wish for the same thing too, but she’s busy right now. She did wish you well, right?” Jaera nodded slowly. The older female then placed a hand on her bare shoulders with a gentle smile. “Don’t worry, you’ll see her again soon. Right now, you should just have fun. Don’t be nervous, we’re all here for you.”

Jaera held Seongim’s hand and smiled. She was still nervous, but having her real mother right by her side definitely made it a lot better. They’ve been separated for years, but such gap wasn’t enough to break the special connection between them. Even if she was still adjusting, even if they just met recently, Jaera still felt at ease. Jaera still felt comfort the most right by her mother’s side.

A knock was heard on the door, followed by the appearance of Jaera’s . “Am I interrupting something?” Sehun asked, cautiously opening the door as he saw both Jaera and Seongim shaking their heads. “Aunty, we need to go down now. The party’s starting.”

Watching as Seongim go out of the room first, Jaera then breathed heavily and stood up. She took Sehun’s hand as the two of them smiled, following behind Seongim and going out into the staircase leading towards the hall. “Just relax,” Sehun whispered, holding Jaera’s hand carefully as they finally reached the topmost step of the staircase. “I’ve got you.”

Although still nervous, Jaera nodded and held her head high, eyeing the hall with sparkling eyes. Indeed, the party was only small, having only their close relatives and friends as guests, but everyone still donned elegancy, dressed in suits and dresses. As it was only held in the house, the party organizers wanted to change everything around the place. On the contrary, Jaera wanted to keep everything simple, and so in the end, the structure of the house was kept and just beautified with floral ornaments and designs.

As she and Sehun walked down the grand staircase, Jaera saw everyone applauding. Coming from Haeri, Soyeol, and Suho who were smiling at her proudly; Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Kyungsoo, Lay, Xiumin, Tao, Kris, and Lu Han who were just right beside them, cheering for her loudly; other relatives who she just met recently; and lastly, Chen, Kai, Joongki, and Seongim, her family who waited for her with their loving gazes; every people she’s been with through thick and thin were there, welcoming her arrival.

Seeing her friends and family did her wonders, and the apprehension she felt was no more. Only happiness and contentment about everything was left. It was too much even that as she finally stood in front of everyone and held the microphone to speak, tears threatened to pour out from her eyes.

“No words can actually express how happy I am tonight,” Jaera spoke, holding the microphone tightly in her hands. “It has had been thirteen years since I’ve been separated with my real family. I lived by myself all this time, and to tell you honestly, it wasn’t easy. I had to work on my own just so I could fend for myself. I was even kicked out once from the apartment that I used to stay at with nothing but 300,000 Won in my pocket!” She exclaimed, earning her chuckles from a few. Though once she smiled, everyone did as well. “But even with everything that had happened to me, I never felt like I was lacking. Rather, those experiences were the ones that turned me into who I am now. I wouldn’t know what reality is if I didn’t go through them.”

Turning to a specific person who was eyeing her from afar, Jaera then fought the urge to tear up as she spoke. “Especially after meeting a certain person, I’ve come to realize that I wasn’t alone, but rather, I was blessed. That person was the one who helped me to stand up for myself, the one who taught me to be courageous… the one who gave me absolute pain… but most of all, that person was the one who made me see the real beauty of love.” Jaera smiled, seeing the loving gaze that Lu Han gave her. “If it wasn’t for him, then I wouldn’t be here right now. My life would’ve been incomplete. I wouldn’t have met the people who have stayed with me through my ups and downs, the people who cared for me and helped me to grow, and the people that I treasure and love the most.”

Breathing heavily for the last time, Jaera then turned back to everyone, her smile unfading. “Words aren’t enough to express my love and gratitude to all of you, but still,” She then held her chest with one hand and bowed. “Thank you everyone, thank you.”

Loud applause quickly filled the atmosphere as she stood up again, facing everyone inside the hall with a happy smile. It was so mysterious how she felt so nervous awhile ago and yet now, all she felt was bliss, unable to fully believe everything that was being dawned on her. Before she only dreamt of it, having to finally be reunited with her family and the people she loved, but it was different now. It was real now. It took her a lot of trials and happenings, but eventually she made it. Jaera finally returned to the life that was rightfully hers.

The first dance that Jaera had that night was with her father, Joongki. Unlike how Jaera had always expected him to be, Joongki wasn’t that very uptight. He was actually the one who spoke first, asking her about how she was feeling that night and such, and it caused her to speak more as well, making way for more conversations.

Though it hadn’t been long since she met her family again, and that she was still awkward around him, she had actually enjoyed the moment with him. Jaera wasn’t a daddy’s girl as far as she could remember, but after spending time with Joongki, after he made her feel and know that she was his only precious daughter, she began to think otherwise. Jaera actually wanted to stay with her father more than she did with her mother.

She wanted to dance with Joongki more, to get to know her father more, but their moment was quickly ruined when both Chen and Kai appeared in the scene, wanting to dance with her as well. They were even fighting over who could dance with her first, causing an unwanted attention around them. Joongki scolded them, but it wasn’t of much use for their excitement was much more.

Being one who’s always uncomfortable in being in the spotlight, Jaera just resorted to dancing with them at the same time. It didn’t even become a proper dance, for the three of them only held hands—one that caused the surrounding guests to laugh—but both Chen and Kai didn’t complain. They felt happier even, especially Jaera, for it was the first time after years that they’d get to spend time together as siblings again. It was their first time to be with each other again and they loved it. They loved the fact that the three of them were finally reunited.

And soon after, Jaera danced with nearly every people around the room, coming from her friends down to her relatives. She wasn’t that acquainted with everyone, and only a few were close to her, but she didn’t feel any bit of uneasiness. She actually enjoyed each and every moment that she spent dancing with the people around her because she got to know them better. She got to go back to a world which she left behind before, and to continuously feel the emotion she had been feeling since morning—happiness.

“You know Jaera, I was actually