『JenSoo Short Stories』 - Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Jisoo tried to stifle her yawn when her manager unnie checked up on her.
She was lounging on a comfortable chair inside her designated tent. She napped for quite a bit since their shooting got extended for two hours due to technical issues. She wanted to call Jennie earlier but she was also being rushed to another scene so she texted her instead.
It was their tenth anniversary and all Jisoo really wanted was to end the day in Jennie's arms.
Her schedule officially ended just now as she smiled and greeted everyone while trailing behind her manager unnie who was talking to someone on her phone.
Jisoo didn't mind as she grinned wider, bumping along her co-workers, including the production team and their director who kept thanking her and Jennie for the delicious meal earlier.
For the nth time, Jennie never fails to amaze and surprise her.
Her girlfriend sent a huge food truck just in time for their afternoon break earlier.
Jennie even had a special snack box and care package prepared especially for her.
Jisoo wonders how Jennie always finds time and ways to take care of her. Every single time. No matter when or where, Jennie remained consistent with her support, love and effort.
It's been ten years.
And yet Jisoo still feels not a lot has changed especially with how deeply in love she is with Jennie.
It still makes her feel giddy and warm whenever she fondly recalls how Jennie asked her out on a date even when it was just a few days since they met and became 'naked buddies' (as Jennie dubbed it on national television, Jisoo still teases her girlfriend about it but the latter was naturally unbothered with it.)
Jisoo could remember how Jennie made every date memorable especially when they were still trainees.
It was hard to pull off when they were still trainees because they only had a very limited free time back then. Jisoo still couldn't forget when she invited Jennie to go with her and her family on Jeju Island. Jisoo rarely sees Jennie nervous and she marveled at the fact that her girlfriend really wanted to make a good impression even when they were secretly dating back then (they told their parents they were dating when they turned 18 and their families didn't even seem surprised about it).
They didn't have it easy. The journey of reaching their dreams while also being in a relationship were filled with uncertainties and unspoken fears, doubts and worries.
However, the passion and desire they have for their dreams as well as their love for each other made it easier for them to fight harder and never surrender.
For Jisoo, she'll always be grateful she has Jennie. She was grateful they have each other to rely on whenever one of them needs an extra ounce of strength, a gentle push or encouragement whenever one of them gets tired, frustrated or afraid of what would happen with all the scary possibilities of the future back then and even until now.
Ten years.
Jisoo couldn't wait for more years to celebrate with her Jendeuk as they continued to hold each other's hand towards whatever was ahead of them.
Jisoo chuckled, shaking her head. She didn't know why she feels extra sentimental today. Maybe because she misses Jennie right now even though she'll see her when she gets home.
Jisoo looks around, she's outside the waiting area where her manager unnie had told her to stay for a while so she could get the car. Jisoo pulled out her phone while waiting. She laughed when she saw the notifications from their blackpink group chat. Lisa and Chaeyoung sent photos of her Jendeuk looking grumpy. Jisoo guessed they probably annoyed and teased her girlfriend earlier when they talked on the phone. Jisoo was very much amused since their best friends and co-members were even cheesier than them!
She sent a couple of hidden memes of Lisa and Chaeyoung to their group chat as her way of protecting and siding with her girlfriend (after saving Jennie's pictures so she can tease her later). The younger couple can be very annoying and infuriating if they want to. But Jennie and Jisoo are a highly competitive couple. They would tease and annoy them just as much and they almost always win (with the exception of competing through the use of physical strength, those two are strong giants!).
Jisoo continued scrolling on her phone, checking if her girlfriend left any messages.
She didn't even notice a familiar, shiny black Porsche sedan stopped in front of her.
"Miss Kim, good day! I will be your driver for today."
Jisoo's head instantly snapped up as soon as she heard her Jendeuk's voice.
And before Jennie knew it, Jisoo already opened her car door and the latter surprised her with a fierce hug.
Jennie kissed Jisoo's forehead as her girlfriend hugged her tighter.
"You came! I didn't know you're gonna pick me up!" Jisoo exclaimed happily, slowly untangling herself from Jennie. She kissed Jennie's cheeks loudly before completely breaking off their hug.
"It's a surprise, Chu. I know you missed me too much so I had to see you." Jennie winked.
"You're lucky it's true." Jisoo pouted. She smiled when Jennie held her face gently and softly kissed her.
"So cute." Jennie said out loud as she stares at her adorable girlfriend.
Jisoo batted her eyelashes and pouted some more, making Jennie laugh.
"Okay, now you're annoyingly cute!" Jennie stated in between her laughs.
"I know!" Jisoo wiggled her eyebrows, smirking at her playfully.
"You're lucky I love you." Jennie shakes her head, smiling as her hands reach for Jisoo's.
"I'm very very lucky." Jisoo's eyes twinkled with affection as she stared fondly at Jennie.
"I'm luckier though, Chu."
Jisoo was amused looking at Jennie's bashful smile while the latter's eyes were focused on their intertwined hands.
After all these years, Jennie still gets adorably shy when confessing her love to Jisoo.
"Jen?" Jisoo called out, tugging Jennie's hands so her girlfriend would look at her.
Jennie finally stared back at her again, wearing a bright smile.
"I'm sorry my schedule got delayed. We were supposed to celebrate our anniversary earlier than this."
Jisoo felt really bad. It was already seven thirty o'clock in the evening in Seoul. They still have a schedule as a group tomorrow and Jisoo knew that their anniversary celebration would have to be cut short since they need to prepare and sleep early later.
Jennie frowned. She doesn't like Jisoo seeing this upset.
"Chu, it's okay. It's not your fault. Besides, we'll make the most out of it. Don't we always do?"
Jennie squeezed her girlfriend's hands. She gently smiled at Jisoo who returned her smile.
"You're right! Thank you, Jendeuk." Jisoo cupped her girlfriend's cheeks, squeezing them before giving her a quick peck.
Jennie grinned widely at Jisoo's actions, her heart throbbed loudly as it always did whenever Jisoo's the one who initiates the kisses.
"Wanna go on a quick road trip together?" Jennie asked, her thumb caressing Jisoo's hands.
"Of course! But we have a schedule tomorrow, Jen?" Jisoo asks unsurely.
"Don't worry about that. We won't be late tomorrow. Just trust me on this one, Chu." Jennie winked.
"Okay! Can I finally get inside the car now?" Jisoo playfully stated. Jennie nodded, clicking the button which automatically opens the door for the shotgun seat.
"And here I thought you'd open the door for me." Jisoo sighed dramatically.
Jennie rolled her eyes playfully.
"You always say that but you always tell me you can do it. That's why I bought this car so you don't need to open or close it by yourself too." Jennie pointed out.
Jisoo laughed. She showed her girlfriend a peace sign before walking to the other side of the car, sitting down on her (un)official comfortable shotgun seat, putting her seatbelt on.
Jennie retrieved Jisoo's favorite Shin Chan pillow and her blanket so her girlfriend can sleep if she wants to, placing it on her lap.
She also has Jisoo's favorite foods at the back seat in case the latter gets hungry. Jisoo had texted her earlier that she was still full from the snacks she had prepared for her so she opened the cooler box she brought where their favorite beverages were stored.
Yes, Jennie was that prepared.
She grabbed one bottle of coffee milk and handed it to her girlfriend who took it happily.
Jennie observed Jisoo who seemed more relaxed and cheerful as she took a sip of her favorite drink.
"Best girlfriend ever." Jisoo stated after gulping down her go-to drink.
"Of course! Only the best for Kim Jisoo." Jennie stated, a proud grin etched on her face.
"I think so too." Jisoo agreed, a grin made its way on her gorgeous face.
"You ready, Chu?" Jennie asked, she gripped her steering wheel tightly, feeling nervous once again.
"Let's go, Jen! Let's go!" Jisoo chanted in a melodious manner, looking excited. She turned on the car's stereo and connected it on her phone. Jennie laughed when Jisoo winked at her, the latter chose to play the song they co-wrote together.
"Let's go, then." Jennie had a lovesick grin on her face when she finally started driving.
Yup, Jennie's definitely certain today is going to be different. Her plan is going really well.
For the last time (hopefully), she's gonna ask the question later.
She's going to ask Jisoo to marry her.
And this time, she's going to make it count.
Jisoo heard a soft classical music playing when she woke up. She rubbed her eyes, opening it fully so she can observe her surroundings.
Where is she?
And where is Jennie?
The car was not moving anymore and Jennie was no longer in the driver's seat. Jisoo figured her girlfriend must've gone outside when she heard footsteps near her. Jisoo wondered how long she was asleep since she didn't even notice they already arrived to where Jennie was taking her.
The headlights of Jennie's car were on and Jisoo's eyes widened in surprise when she finally discovered where they were.
There were windmills. The moonlight also illuminated the field where beautiful flowers were everywhere.
However, there were scattered lights on the ground as if it were fireflies. Those weren't there back then.
That's why it looked familiar to Jisoo.
Jennie brought her to the place where they filmed Lovesick Girls.
Jisoo's heart tugged when she saw Jennie standing in front of the car outside and smiling at her. Jisoo realized Jennie probably saw that she woke up since the lights inside the car were open.
Jisoo slowly got out of the car, still taking in that Jennie drove for two and a half hours so they could celebrate their anniversary here.
Jennie even prepared a picnic blanket where all their favorite foods were laid out beautifully.
Jisoo was staring at Jennie, still in awe.
"Happy anniversary, Chu!" Jennie smiled at her.
Jisoo was still in a daze. She just woke up earlier and thought that maybe they're already back home but that's not what's happening right now.
Jennie reached one of Jisoo's hands and guided her to sit in front of her on the blanket.
Jisoo didn't seem to notice how Jennie's hand is extra cold and clammy even though it's still autumn and the temperature right now is not too cold nor too hot.
"Chu? Do you like it? I know we promised to give each other gifts at home but—oof" Jennie's nervous explanation was cut off when Jisoo tackled her with a hug.
"I love it, Jendeuk! I should've brought my film camera with me if I knew you'd bring me here." Jisoo whispered in Jennie's ears.
"Good thing I brought our film cameras, then." Jennie cheekily stated.
Jisoo hits her lightly on the shoulder.
"You planned this really well! I should've brought my gift to you. It's still in my room." Jisoo whined.
The two slowly removed themselves from the hug as they sat again comfortably.
Jennie could only laugh. She felt relieved, nervous and excited at the same time.
She's been waiting all night if there was something or anything that would hinder her proposal.
But there was none.
Maybe just maybe, the universe finally agrees it's the right time.
"You could give it to me later, Chu. But now, I'll be giving my gift first." Jennie smiles nervously as she hands Jisoo a large bouquet of her favourite flowers and a white-gold frame containing a very special picture of them.
Jisoo was already tearing up. It's true that she rarely cries but when it comes to Jennie, she easily gets emotional.
Jennie framed and preserved their picture when they celebrated their anniversary as a couple in Jeju Island with her family.
Jisoo could never forget that day because that's when she reaffirmed to herself that Jennie will be her first and last.
No one else could come close with how Jennie makes her feel so valued, loved and appreciated.
Jisoo really, really loves her Jendeuk very much.
One hundred years and more. I wuv you. Forever and ever.
Nini and Shyu.
Jisoo was still staring at their framed picture when Jennie called her name softly.
And when Jisoo looked at her, she was surprised at Jennie's expression.
It was so serious yet still so soft and sincere.
"Jen?"
Jennie took a deep breath. She was so nervous. She hopes she'll be able to say what her heart and mind wants to convey.
That in spite of everything Jennie and Jisoo faced as a couple, as members of Blackpink and as individual artists who are exploring another path and career, they stayed beside each other.
They became each other's rock and home whenever one of them was having a hard time.
They did not give up. They didn't give up their dreams nor everything they have.
Most especially, they didn't give up on each other.
Their love remained unwavering and relentless.
Looking back, Jennie felt a strong surge of warmth engulfing her being. They've been through so much.
They have come so far.
And Jennie couldn't help but feel so happy and grateful they're still here, reaching their dreams individually and together (along with their best friends, Chaeyoung and Lisa, of course).
That they're still Jennie and Jisoo. Jendeukie and Chu.
And even when they're carving a new path on their own when it comes to their career and when their schedules have become way more hectic and busy than usual (most especially to Jisoo lately), they've remained supportive, loving and understanding like they always do.
Their connection never wavered nor disappeared as they both grew as a couple and as individuals.
In fact, it grew stronger and became deeper.
And so Jennie affectionately looks at Jisoo with all the courage she can muster, as she presents and offers her heart on her sleeve like she always does when it comes to her soulmate, best friend and love of her life.
It's time.
"Chu, just like the words we wrote there, I want to keep that promise with you. I've been in love with you since I was fifteen. Ten years or a hundred years later and even in another lifetime, I know the only person I'll ever fall in love with is you. Always have been and always will be.."
Jennie gulped, her voice wavering.
She pulled out the red velvet box inside her pocket, opening it gently in front of Jisoo who gasped loudly.
"I love you, Kim Jisoo. And I've been wanting to ask this question for a long time now.."
Jennie took one more deep breath and smiled at Jisoo before uttering the words that wouldn't leave her heart and mind ever since she has met and fallen in love with Jisoo.
"Will you marry me and fulfill our promise to love each other forever and ever?"
Jennie sighed in relief and happiness when Jisoo nodded who was looking at her with shock, happiness and affection written all over her ethereal face.
"I-I love you too, Jennie. Yes, of course! I would love to!"
Finally.
They didn't notice they're both crying until they wiped each other's tears making them laugh.
Jennie took the customized trinity diamond ring inside the box and slipped it into Jisoo's ring finger.
Not a moment later, Jisoo pulled her and gave her a lingering kiss with the promise of endless possibilities for them.
Jennie reluctantly let go of her favorite heart-shaped lips so she could engulf Jisoo in a warm embrace.
"You really proposed." Jisoo whispered, voice still filled with wonder and disbelief.
"I did." Jennie agreed, rubbing her now fiancée's back.
"I thought you wouldn't ask anymore. Took you so long, Jendeuk." Jisoo teased.
With her fiancée's words, Jennie laughed heartily.
"You have no idea how long I've been wanting to ask that."
She'll definitely tell Jisoo about her failed attempts some other time.
Because all Jennie could focus on is the fact that Jisoo said yes and they're going to spend their lives together just like how they always wanted.
They still have a long way to go but Jennie and Jisoo are certain they're already on their way to creating their version of forever.
A love between Jennie Kim and Kim Jisoo.
Jendeukie and Chu.
Always and forever.