‘What are you going to do now?’

‘I have to bring him back. I can’t live like this.’

Sehun and his friends were sitting in the university coffee house. It had been a week since Luhan left and Sehun had somehow managed to get out of the house with Shin and HeeYoung’s help. He had been hiding up in the house throughout the week, refusing to eat or drink or meet anyone. Now sitting with his friends, he looked like a zombie with gray skin, dead eyes, thin body and a guttural voice. His friends shoved a couple of sandwiches inside him forcefully. He ate reluctantly almost as if he had a bad hangover and his stomach had been repelling food.

‘You haven’t been drinking, have you?’ Shin asked, concerned.

Sehun simply shook his head which was the truth. He knew drinking would only aggravate his pain and not cure it. So he stayed away from alcohol.

‘How do you plan to bring him back?’ HeeYoung asked.

‘I’ll have to go to Beijing,’ Sehun replied, simply. There was no other way. Luhan had left no phone number and even disabled his email account.

Shin and HeeYoung exchanged glances. They knew Sehun was hell-bent on getting Luhan back. They could try explaining him but it would just be a waste of time. Sehun had made up his mind, right from the time he had seen Luhan’s empty bedroom and read his letter. Shin and HeeYoung had already promised him that they would help him with everything related to Luhan so now there was no stepping back. They settled quietly through glances that they would fulfill their promise to Sehun.

‘Alright, if we are going to do this,’ Shin said, sighing,’ we need a plan.’

HeeYoung nodded and said,’ we need Luhan hyung’s address in Beijing. Do you have it?’

‘No,’ Sehun said, his voice cracking a little.

‘Nothing to worry about,’ Shin said, patting Sehun’s back,’ it shouldn’t be that difficult to acquire.’

‘Do you have enough money for the flight?’ HeeYoung asked, carefully. He knew one more washout and Sehun would crack completely. He already looked too vulnerable.

‘No, I don’t,’ Sehun said, covering his face with his hands,’ I spent all of my money in this Europe trip. Why on earth did I even go for it? Look what happened. If I would’ve been here, Luhan would’ve never…’

‘It’s not your fault, Sehun,’ HeeYoung said, in a placating voice,’ it’s all because of that-‘

‘Don’t say his name!’ Sehun warned and HeeYoung nodded, holding his hands up surrendering.

Hyunae had told Sehun everything about what had caused Luhan’s sudden departure, about how Chang had been telling people that Luhan was insane and how he was like his guardian angel. Sehun had laughed hysterically at first and then cried for a long time after hearing it. He felt so ing depressed than he already was and could only imagine how awful Luhan must be feeling about himself. He wished Luhan would have given him a chance to appease his mind and help in making him believe that he was the most amazing person Sehun had ever known. Sehun had wanted to barge into Chang’s house and beat the out of him but he figured there was no point in dirtying his own hands. He did not have time to deal with a lowlife like Chang when he had a bigger problem in his life, bringing Luhan back.
 

‘I will have to ask my Dad for money,’ Sehun said, painfully. He had always felt proud that his parents never had to fund his education or living expenses. Sehun managed everything on his own, doing part time jobs and bagging scholarships by working hard. But he had nothing left in his account after his Europe trip. He knew his dad would never refuse to give him money so he had some hope there.

‘I think I can manage the money,’ he said, eventually.

‘We’ll handle the other part of the plan then,’ Shin said and HeeYoung gave him a thumbs up.

They dropped Sehun at his apartment afterwards. They had insisted Sehun to live with at least one of them and not stay alone but Sehun had refused. He told them that he preferred to be by himself.

‘He’s a ing mess,’ Shin said, after leaving Sehun’s apartment.

‘I don’t blame him,’ HeeYoung said,’ Luhan hyung left too abruptly. Sehun did not even see what was coming.’

‘Personally, I feel Luhan hyung did not handle this well,’ Shin said,’ he could have at least talked to Sehun about it. Sehun would have understood.’

‘I don’t know if we are in a position to judge whether hyung’s actions were justified or not,’ HeeYoung said,’ but he must have gotten a pretty bad shock after he learnt the truth. Poor guy probably needed some peace of mind.’

‘True, I guess,’ Shin said, shrugging, ’we need to get hyung’s address. Where do we start?’

‘The cheater bastard maybe knows something?’

‘No way, Sehun won’t like it,’ Shin said, shaking his head,’ he wouldn’t want anything to do with that prick.’

‘Hyung’s workplace?’

‘Hmm, every company has HR records,’ Shin said, thoughtfully,’ they most definitely should know his hometown address.’

‘I don’t think they give away that information to anyone,’ HeeYoung said,’ it’s confidential.’

‘Okay, we need to dig deeper in that case,’ Shin said, seriously.

While Shin and HeeYoung were formulating a plan on how to get Luhan’s address, Sehun called up his Dad. He did not waste any time thinking twice about it because he had to have Luhan back as soon as possible.

‘Hey Dad,’ he said, hopefully,’ are you home tomorrow?’

‘Yes, son,’ Mr. Oh said,’ are you coming to visit?’

‘Y-yes, I need to talk to you about something,’ Sehun said, hesitantly.

‘Alright, come down for breakfast,’ Mr. Oh said,’ I’ll let your mom know.’

‘Sounds good,’ Sehun said.

Sehun took a deep breath after hanging up the call. He prayed desperately for things to work out. He wondered how Luhan was holding up. Was he just as miserable as Sehun was? Or was he actually relieved to be with his family and not with Sehun? Sehun did not even know if Luhan would accept him and agree to come back with him. But Sehun had resolved not to give up without taking a chance first.

 

‘Sehun-ah!’ Mrs. Oh cried and hugged him dearly as he entered the door of his house the next morning,’ you don’t look so good.’

She knew about Luhan leaving Korea but she hadn’t met Sehun after that. He had even refused to pick her calls up since he did not feel like talking to anyone. Sehun for sure looked like a havoc.

‘I’m okay, umma,’ Sehun said, trying to smile,’ how are you?’

‘Worried,’ Mrs. Oh said, sadly,’ how are you holding up?’

‘What do you think?’

‘Not good,’ Mrs. Oh said, depressingly,’ you look like one of those zombies from Walking Dead.’

Sehun chuckled genuinely. ‘You watch too much TV.’

He had forgotten how to smile or laugh since the past couple of days. He wished he wouldn’t have ignored his mom’s calls before.

‘Come on, Dad is in the gallery,’ she said, holding Sehun’s arm.

His dad was sitting on a couch reading the newspaper and sipping tea.

‘Sehun-ah,’ he said, his voice booming,’ to what do I owe this pleasure?’

‘Dad,’ Sehun said, rolling his eyes,’ you are acting as if I don’t come and see you ever.’

‘Well, you do come and meet me,’ Mr. Oh said, brightly, folding the newspaper,’ but you never come here asking for a favor and I always wonder, does this kid even know how to ask for help?’

Sehun chuckled and said,’ I do. I just don’t want to be a burden on you both.’

‘I understand,’ Mr. Oh said, proudly,’ I like how self-sufficient you are.’

‘I need your help this time though,’ Sehun said, twiddling his thumbs,’ I wouldn’t have asked but I really can’t find a way out.’

‘Do you need money?’

‘Yes.’

‘How much?’

‘Enough for a round trip to Beijing and some living expenses.’

‘Beijing?’

‘Yes.’

Sehun knew his Dad would not ask what Sehun’s reasons were but he did not want to hide anything from him. He had concluded he would tell his Dad by himself why he required the money so that his Dad could decide if he really wanted Sehun to have it or not. If he was going to take money from his Dad, it would only be if his Dad gave it to him willingly.

‘Is this about Luhan?’ his Dad asked and Sehun started sensing defeat already.

‘Yes, I need to bring him back,’ Sehun said, sincerely.

‘Sehun, why are you obsessing over this guy? Wasn’t he just your roommate?’

‘No, he is a lot more. We are in love.’

‘What?!’ Mr. Oh exclaimed. Mrs. Oh who had been listening in to their conversation from the dining table placed a hand on with surprise.

‘Sehun-ah, when…?’ Mrs. Oh said, bewildered.

‘I don’t know when, umma,’ Sehun said, almost tearing up,’ I don’t know. I always loved him, even though he was seeing someone else. I never made any advances because I knew I did not own him. But he confessed to me before I left for Europe and promised me that he would leave his boyfriend for me. He was prepared to break his one year relation for me, umma. He was ready to go that far for my sake which was not a joke! He loves me and I love him. I love him so much…’

Sehun started crying. He had probably cried more within the last week than he had ever cried in his entire life. He still couldn’t stop crying when he thought about how his utopian world had turned into Pandemonium.

‘I want him back,’ Sehun said, sobbing,’ I’m going to get hold of him, make him apologize for being an and then never let him ever leave my side. Not until I die.’

‘Sehun…’ his mother’s heart went out to him, as she hugged him.

Mr. Oh was silently patting Sehun’s head with a hardened expression. He let Sehun calm down and get some water and food in his stomach because he looked like he needed it, desperately.

After finishing his breakfast, Sehun looked up at his dad hopefully. His mother did the same, wishing his Dad would agree to give him money.

‘Dad?’ Sehun called out, weakly.

His Dad placed his utensils down and folded his hands before he spoke,’ I’m sorry, Sehun-ah. I can’t.’

Sehun’s spirits dropped deeper than they had but he simply nodded back, looking down.

‘You know it’s not about the money,’ Mr. Oh said, softly,’ I can you give you this whole house if you want but I don’t want you to chuck it for someone who himself decided he did not want to have a relation with you.’

‘Dad, its not-‘

‘I admit I don’t know the whole story,’ Mr. Oh said, interrupting,’ but I want you to move on and not be hung up on him. If he left you even after being in love with you, I’m sure he has some solid reasons to do so.’

Sehun did not argue. He had promised himself he would accept his father’s decision of not giving him money. But that did not mean he was going to give up on Luhan. He agreed partially with his Dad when he said Luhan had some solid reasons to leave but that did not mean Luhan did not want Sehun to come and save him. He knew Luhan was waiting for him and Sehun was going to Beijing at any cost. He did not know how he would arrange the money but he was going to figure a way out for sure.

Sehun walked back to his car, dejectedly. He was kind of expecting his Dad to turn him down and he indeed refused to lend Sehun money. How on earth was he going to get the money now? Whom was he going to ask?

‘Sehun-ah!’ he heard a soft voice call and saw his mother walking towards him.

‘Umma?’

‘Keep this.’

‘What-‘

‘Shh! don’t tell your dad.’ It was a thick envelope with a lot of money.

Sehun counted the money and it was a lot more than what he needed for his trip.

‘Umma, I can’t…’

‘I will tell your Dad you went to visit Hyunae in Paris to clear your head,’ his mom said, sincerely,’ so don’t worry about it. Just book your flight and go quickly.’

‘But umma, this is not right…‘

‘I know it is,’ his mom said, assertively,’ I have seen both you and Luhan together and I don’t think anyone can keep you as happy as he does. I don’t think I’ve seen your face brighten up the way around anyone else but him. You both deserve to be together.’

‘You think so too?’ Sehun asked, touched deeply.

‘I believe so,’ his mom said, smiling,’ now don’t breathe a word of this to your father. We’ll tell him the truth when Luhan comes back.’

‘Do you think he’ll come back, umma?’ Sehun asked, hopefully.

‘Who would say no to a loving and gorgeous prince like you?’ his mom said, kissing his cheek.

Sehun chuckled with tears in his eyes. ‘Thank you. I will pay you back, I promise.’

‘I will take 100% interest on it, thank you,’ his mom joked, making Sehun laugh.

He drove back to Seoul with a smile on his face. He was halfway there. Luhan, I am going to see you pretty soon…

Shin and HeeYoung had hit a jackpot while nosing around, trying to find Luhan’s address in China. Three days after Sehun had acquired the money, they were waiting in the lobby of the office where Luhan used to work.

‘We are here to meet Jae Yoon,’ they said, confidently. The security guard looked at them suspiciously because both of the goofballs looked like they did not belong in a well-known software company. He dialed Jae Yoon’s number who replied back hastily,’ yes yes, send them in quick!’

He let both of them in and they rode the elevator to the floor where Jae Yoon’s office was. They had found out that this guy was Luhan’s good-for-nothing manager who was in a pickle because he had lost his most precious asset, Luhan. But there was more to Jae Yoon’s story that people did not know but somehow Shin and HeeYoung had sniffed out a dirty secret about him and were blackmailing him.

‘Don’t mind if we come in,’ Shin said, barging straight inside his office.

‘Oh you are Jae Yoon,’ HeeYoung said, amused,’ dude, you look sadder than the pictures that we clicked of you being an infidel.’

Jae Yoon had indeed aged a lot within last week. His eyes had dark circles around them and he had easily lost a lot of weight due to work stress.

‘Close the door, you morons,’ he hissed,’ I don’t want others to listen in.’

‘Dude, you should have thought about it before sleeping with others,’ HeeYoung said, chuckling and juggling the stress balls on Jae Yoon’s desk,’