Love Struck Doctor

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White hair..

It’s all I could think of.

All I could do is stare at your beauty

How can someone be even more beautiful

Just by changing his hairstyle?

[Winter. January 2013 ]

///

Kai heaves a sigh as he walks out of the club, leaning against a pillar and not minding as he sees the exact same man who was grinning from ear-to-ear last time. The man apparently is a fan of their main vocalist, Byun Baekhyun. He does not understand why this man keeps on coming back when the main vocalist obviously rejected him the first time he came to visit him.

The man is too scared of other people, let alone a tall man who grins like he’s high, as his fan. The tall man is clapping his hands as he sees the vocalist slowly making his way out of the club. The smaller man stiffens in his place at the sight of the taller man.

Kai rolls his eyes and walks away. He does not want to ruin his day by seeing annoying people doing annoying things. The couples from his workplace are enough to make him puke—he does not need to see another pair.

He is momentarily pushed aside by an angry Sehun, who curses as he pulls a bonnet over his head and walks away angrily. They had their overall ‘make-over,’ as his boss calls it, and Kai complies only because he does not really care how he looks like as long as he gets paid. But Sehun, on the other hand, hates it the most when people try to tell him how he should look. That results in his flaring attitude early in the morning.

Kai notices how Sehun walks the opposite way from where his apartment is. Kai has been working for many years and he knows exactly which direction it is to Sehun’s house; it does not escape his thoughts that Sehun has been going that way for a couple of months now. It seems to Kai that the younger man has been up to something. He notices how Sehun has been acting unusual since that day he was attacked by one of his clingy customers. He sometimes sees him looking all dreamy, like he’s lost in cloud nine or whatever they call that stupid, cheesy place. Sehun is also often outside of the club and comes back with a cold tea in his hand.

Kai thinks Sehun is slowly becoming like everyone else, and he might begin hating him as well.

+++

A hand is waving in front of Kyungsoo’s face.

“Woohooo! Earth to Kyungsoo!” a high-pitched voice sing-songs.

Kyungsoo blinks his eyes twice before looking at the man peering at him.

“Luhan,” he closes his mouth before smiling at his best friend.

“Hmm. Let me guess. The man named Kim Jongin came today and he looks absolutely stunning?” Luhan says in a teasing voice as he leans at the counter, his feet dangling off the floor.

“He changed his hairstyle…It’s...It’s milky-white...” Kyungsoo mutters, his voice faltering in what sounds like confusion and excitement.

Luhan hums, “and he looks beautiful?” he adds in as he grins at his love struck best friend.

Kyungsoo, with his already wide eyes, looks past Luhan to the direction where the man usually sits and sighs. “I think I like him too much…” he says in a very low voice.

Luhan rolls his eyes and chuckles.

“Like? God, you’re unbelievablem Kyungsoo. 2 years and you still think that it’s a mere liking?”

Kyungsoo looks at him, his brows knitting together.

“It’s already called love, Kyungsoo,” Luhan chirps as he walks towards the aisle to look for the supplies he wants to buy. He takes out the necessary ingredients as he walks back to a stunned Kyungsoo, whose eyes are wider than the usual, as if realization suddenly dawns on him.

“Come on, ring me up,” Luhan says as he starts putting the supplies on the counter.

“Oh,” Kyungsoo mutters, finally snapping out of his trance and taking the supplies to scan them. “You ran out of supplies,” he says.

It’s not a question. It’s a declaration. Because Luhan never runs out of supplies, except when he’s too preoccupied with something. Kyungsoo knows how Luhan treasures his little tea shop.

“Yeah…I was kinda busy with something...” Luhan answers as he pockets his hands to his pants.

That’s the only time Kyungsoo is able to concentrate on his best friend’s appearance. He notices the man’s cheekbones becoming more visible than the last time he saw him, his skin looking paler and his eyes looking more tired.

“Have you been taking the vitamins I gave you?” he asks, his voice steady as he eyes his best friend.

Luhan his head to the side and smiles, “Is squishy Kyungsoo worried about me again?”

Kyungsoo grunts and rolls his eyes, “Not because I’m not always around you, I wouldn’t notice when something’s wrong. When did you stop taking them?”

“Just this week. I forgot to buy another pack when I ran out of it,” Luhan answers as he shifts his weight uncomfortably, not meeting Kyungsoo’s gaze. “But don’t worry! I’m buying a new pack today!” he quickly adds.

Kyungsoo bats an eyelash as he puts the supplies into a paper bag, “You better be, if you don’t want me marching to your stall and dragging you to the hospital to have another scanning.”

“It’s only anemia, Kyunggie~” Luhan says, pouting. “Gosh. Your doctor-side is so scary. I wish you’d remain the love struck best friend that you are,” Luhan mutters with a pout.

“Well, that’s because I don’t want to visit that cute little tea shop only to find out that my best friend has passed out due to anaemia. I don’t understand how you were able to coax me from doing the physical scanning myself so I can make sure you’re perfectly fine.”

Luhan pouts even more. “But I’m perfectly fine, Kyungiee. See?” Luhan starts doing jumping-jack.

Kyungoo laughs at the silliness of his best friend. Sometimes he wonders if this man doing jumping-jack in front of him is really older than him.

The next few minutes are spent with the two exchanging new information about each other’s lives. Kyungsoo feels relieved that his best friend is welcomed by the people who also have their stalls beside his best friend’s. There’s a glint of happiness in Luhan’s eyes, and it’s enough for Kyungsoo to believe his words and feel relieved that his best friend is content in his current life.

Kyungsoo then waves good bye to his best friend as the other scurries away when he remembers something.

At least he is fine… and happy.