7^th August 2020

(Part II)

The torturous 4hour van ride finally ended, that’s what Chanyeol thought as he scurried out from the vehicle, breaking out in cold sweat that they nearly got into an accident earlier. He cursed and swear at his dongseng after he swerved to one side trying to avoid the incoming car. Luckily he was awake throughout the entire journey. The younger one has always been a safe driver but Chanyeol doesn’t know what’s gotten into him that caused him to speed down the two way road, taking the incoming lane. Luckily the road was almost deserted except for the opposite vehicle, or else.. he would be in heaven singing lullabies with the angels right now.

“My head hurts.” Luhan grumbled as he massaged his swollen head. The sudden brake caused him to hit the front seat and bounced back. Kris and Suho lost all sleepiness after the scare.

Kai remained silent as his hyungs blamed him for taking the wrong lane and how he nearly got them killed. He couldn’t retaliate because it was indeed his fault. Jealousy and anger took over him when he saw how the guy at the back watch the lady sleep, his gaze was too gentle to his liking. “I’m…”

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Sehun held Aleyah arms and turned her around to check if she’s fine just as Kai was about to apologize. “I’m fine Sehun. Look.” The lady jumped a few times to prove her wellness and the guys heaved a sigh of relieve silently. “Good.”

The man looked at the lady and the guy as he swallowed back his apology. The accident happened so abrupt that even he himself was shocked. When the van jerked forward and came to a sudden stop, he instinctively looked up at the rearview mirror at her, hoping she was not hurt. He saw how Sehun used his body to shield her from the impact as he hugged her in his arms, both their eyes tightly shut as though waiting for death together.

Walking past them, Kai stormed right into the orphanage first. “What’s wrong with him?” Kris asked, pointing to the angry man.

“Quarreled with the mighty princess maybe?” Suho shrugged and followed after Kai, obvious that he can’t be bothered with the man’s family affair.

“Sigh, why am I not surprised? Suho, wait for me!” 

******

“Baby don't cry tonight… after the darkness passes… Baby don't cry tonight.. none of this will have happened…” Sehun stood in the middle of the children’s playroom singing with a feather duster in his right hand. He was so into the song that he closed his eyes to enjoy the moment before opening them to look at the lady before him. Slowly walking towards her, he caressed the side of her face with his loving eyes. “It’s not you who will become short-lived.. So baby don’t cry cry – because my love will protect you..”

The romantic ambience that was supposed to follow suit after he ended his song was broken by the lady’s laughter instead. She knew that he was trying to serenade her but he was trying too hard, way too hard. It’s not that his voice wasn’t melodic enough, it’s just that his face was so serious that it became comically funny. “You are supposed to be so touched that you are crying right now. Then I will hug you tightly and comfort you. “

“Hahahah, I think you should just stick to rapping.” The lady patted his shoulder before continuing to wipe the toys. Kai snorted at her witty response from the opposite end of the room. Aleyah turned to look at the man who quickly avoided her gaze and went back to clean the ceiling. He hasn’t talk to her since morning and whenever she tries to smile at him, he would look away. She guessed that something was bothering the man but she can’t seem to find a chance to talk to him alone. To her, him avoiding and not talking to her was really bothersome. She can’t concentrate on anything she does because she would be glancing at him seeing if he’s looking at her but most of the time she was greeted by his back instead.

 “Kai….” Aleyah spinned around and called the man softly, she could hear her voice trembling when she called his name. “Can you sing your part in Growl for me?”

Those hazelnut eyes of hers were sparkling with anticipation when Kai looked into them. After an entire morning of ignoring her, the man himself wasn’t feeling too good either. Many times he found himself struggling to not talk to her or go near her. But when she made that request, breaking the silence between them, Kai agreed to it almost immediately. As much as he was unhappy about Sehun and her, his heart gave in when he heard her calling his name.

Aleyah watched the man before her dance to growl and rapped his part. He was playing the minus one track from his phone as he danced and rapped. I’m warning you just in case. It’s dangerous now. She couldn’t hide her smile when Kai covered his eyes with his signature smirk hanging on his face, it was her favourite part of him in that entire performance. Till today, she could still remember how she would squeal in front of the computer screen whenever this man does this move. His facial expression and his sleek movements made the part so perfect.

Just as his part ended, Sehun continued his. Kai instinctively continued and both of them were dancing and singing around her throughout the entire song. The lady felt so ecstatic that she wanted to cry. It felt like a mini concert. A private concert with her as the only audience. The two of them were performing specially for her. EXO K’s dancing machines were dancing just for her.

******

Aleyah stepped into one of the rooms and was greeted by a wailing child in the middle of 6 men. Suho was waving toys at the crying boy, Sehun tried to stop his crying by making funny faces, Kai attempted to carry him but ended up getting kicked by him, Kris sat there and stared helplessly whereas Chanyeol was glaring at the kid with 2 arms on his waist.

“What are you all doing?” The 6 of them turned at her voice. She had just finished preparing dinner for the children so she doesn’t know what’s the situation in the room. For what it seems like to be, Chanyeol was trying to scare the kid who was barely 2 years old.

“Chanyeol, stop it.” Aleyah scolded him instantly. “I… I didn’t do anything! It wasn’t me who made him cry!” The taller one waved his hand innocently to deny the blame.

“Even the father of 2 kids can’t handle him.” Kris pointed to Suho while he just shook his head in defeat. The boy’s cry was getting louder as the adults spoke. “What’s his name?”

“Youngsoo.” Kai replied.

The lady lifted her long skirt and crouched down. “Youngsoo-ah…” Her voice was so warm and comforting that even the stingiest of stranger would be immediately warmed up by her. 

“Youngsoo-ah, come to noona.” She opened her arms waiting for him with a smile that reached her eyes. Almost magical, the little boy’s wail turned into sobs as he took baby steps towards her. He looked at the older sister before him like an angel appeared before him. When he entered her arms, the boy hooked his small arms around her neck as he snuggled into her collar. Instinctively, the lady embraced him and scooped him up, patting his back to ease his sob as she sang him a song, swaying along with it.

That moment, she captured everyone’s attention in the room effortlessly. All of them were blown away by her overflowing charisma and captivating smile as they all wished that they were the little boy being cradled by her.

Enjoy~