Withered - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Chaeyoung keeps glancing over his laptop at Mina full with adoration. He realizes and knows it well, every feature of her face but whenever he looks at her, he discovered something new, something different that spark that familiar feeling again and again. He can't deny it's the best feeling in the world but at the same time very painful.
All this time, he's content just by the fact that Mina is his best friend. Seeing her smile or hearing her laugh makes his heart happy. And being near her is good enough.
He thought of falling in love with his best friend is not a crime because falling in love can happen to the least person we expect. Love is free and people have the freedom to choose whom to love.
Just as much as he loves her, he's afraid of losing the girl, because he cares for her more than he supposed to, he's terrified. The feelings are so intense, and the fear of revealing them can be paralyzing. Thus, he chooses to distance himself, keeping the wall between them. Silently hurting, watching her from afar for years.
He never dares to fantasize his confession let alone dreaming about his future with her. And now, living under the same roof, eating on the same table, waking Mina in the morning, and her carrying their child seems very unconvincing. Well, everything happens for a reason and he hopes that his stupid and unforgivable mistake actually leads to something, something he never knows. Something........meaningful.
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Mina looks up and put her book down. She catches Chaeyoung staring at her, and their eyes meet for merely a second before he coughs and look away, busying himself, full concentration on his laptop screen. They sit across the library room, Mina's on the couch while he's typing at the working desk. Originally, Chaeyoung is browsing the internet reading some pregnancy books. A section dedicated just to dads that has a lot of useful information and how he could help throughout the process. But, he gets a bit distracted by Mina.
"So... how is it?" Chaeyoung asks breaking the silence. He's talking about the book that Mina just finished reading.
"It's good. A story about acceptance and letting go. Though it was hard for him to deal with the truth, she belonged only to his past. Grief and massive guiltiness make him confused, lost and trapped in his own little world. But, it was time to begin to accept it, as much as it hurt to do so. A sad yet beautiful story" She ends it and close the book. Her soft lips stretches into a smile but don't quite reach her eyes. Chaeyoung sighs and walks closer, sitting beside the girl and embrace her. He sees it, how her eyes are shining lit with sadness and what that forced expression meant.
"You're always a soft-hearted person. Never change. Stop reading that kind of books. It's too depressing" He pulls out and wipes her tears while giving her that silly smile, trying to cheer up the girl. Mina chuckle softly and rub her eyes, they stare at each other before she reaches out, hugging him tightly. Chaeyoung is frozen by the sudden action but soon reciprocate it. For Mina, it's sound calming and reassuring. She's trying to liberate herself of the burden of anger and resentment and feel the freedom of granting forgiveness. He hurt her, yes it's a fact and she's still in pain but no matter what it's also a fact that he is someone who had spent half of his life beside her. She decides that their friendship is worth continuing.
They stay hugging wordlessly, her head resting on his chest as she closed her eyes, listening to his heartbeat. Chaeyoung tries his best to control his heart from thumping so loud but at the end, he gives up with the thought and just focuses on her warmth.
It's a simple enough gesture -
affection, perhaps the fragile beginnings of love
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"Wanna go out for ice cream? It's good weather today" Chaeyoung whispers, enough for the other to hear him. Mina bobs her head with the mention of 'ice cream' but tighten her arms. It "Let's stays like this a bit more....it's been a while" She replies. Chaeyoung smile and gently caresses her hair "Yeah, let's do that"
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"As usual?" Chaeyoung asks and smiles when Mina nods her head. He jogs towards the ice cream truck leaving Mina on the bench at the park, staring into the lake. He's not so far as his eyes couldn't leave the girl, watching her from a few meters away while waiting for the order. He thanks the seller and walk back with the double scooped ice cream cone. A chocolate flavour and a mint.
A small smile plays on his lips as he tiptoed and stands behind the girl, he stoops down and leans forward to her ear. "Raw!" He roars causing Mina to jolt and reflexively slaps his face.
"Ouch...What's that for?" He whines as he takes a seat beside her. Mina can't help but to giggle at him and feels no need to apologize since he asks for it. She grabs the ice cream and takes a bite ignoring the latter. He brings his free hand and caresses Mina's handprint on his cheeks.
"That's new. I thought you'll buy a strawberry one" Mina asks, stealing a glance at him. "It's sold out" He lazily replies, now eating his ice cream with a frown on his face. Mina turns her head away, as to hide her smile on how ridiculously he looks right now with his pouting lips.
She clears her throat as guiltiness takes over her. 'Maybe I slap him too hard' She thought. "Is it good? Mint right?" Chaeyoung only nods his head while playing with his feet, kicking up the grass. "Can I have a taste?" She asks leaning closer to take a better look of him. Trying to console the now sulking cub.
Chaeyoung raises his head and playfully glares at her. She blinks her eyes and pressed her lips together---don't know why she did such an effort. But she just did---Chaeyoung looks away and sigh, biting his lower lips to stop himself from squealing and pinch those puffy cheeks.
"Yours first" He declares, pointing at her ice cream with his lips. "Okay" Mina lifts her right hand as he leans and grabs a huge bite. Her eyes widen and soon fills with fire when she's left with nothing but the cone. She snaps her head to her side while grinding her teeth. "Now, Yours"
Chaeyoung keeps his smirk as he faced his ice cream cone her way. He waits until Mina's lips barely touch it then suddenly push the ice cream cone on her face, dirtying all around her mouth. "Oh" Mina  laughs "You're going to get it Chaengie!" She wipes off her mouth using the tissues wraps around ice cream cone. Chaeyoung springs up and sticks his tongue out before running away.
"Catch me if you can!!" He mocks as he runs backwards. Mina is about to throw her sandals at him but stop when she realizes something "Yah!! Look infro--" it's too late when he's already running into the tree, a few second hugs with the trunk then falls on the ground.
Mina worriedly jogs towards him while fighting the urge to burst into laughter. She crouches and chuckles watching the guy groaning in pain, rubbing his forehead.
"Idiot" She whispers softly.
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"Are you sure we don't have to treat this?" Mina asks trailing the cuts and bruises on his face. Chaeyoung lay down on the backseat of the car while his head rests on her lap. He's busy playing with his mobile game and only gives mina a subtle nod.
"That's not how you do it pabo-ya" Mina interrupts him with a slightly annoyed tone. "Why don't you help your squad instead of running away!" She scolds, frustrated on how he plays. "I need to save myself first. If I died then it's over. You don't even know anything" He mumbles the last words but she catches it crystal clear. "We should help them to fight the enemy. Facing them and not running away like a coward" Mina snatch his phone and blindly continue the game not realizing how her words affect him.
Running away like a coward. Coward. A word that exactly describe him.
He's drowning in his deep thought then sighs silently, chewing on his inner cheeks. He forces a smile and slowly put her hands down so they can stare into each other's eyes. "Wanna escape to a beautiful underwater world?"
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As they arrive at the glass chamber aquarium, they're greeted with a personalized dinner set up. Mina confusedly follows and sits across him. She completely immersed in the unique yet serene function space. It's been years the last time she visits an aquarium and it takes her by surprise to sees some non-aquatic species. She can't take her eyes off from the water tank, trying to identify each and every type of fish as they savouring their lunch. Neither of them talking but watching the stunning underwater landscape.
They then walk leisurely as the two surveys the sea life, allows for ample quiet conversation time — but with enough weird and wild fishy distraction that silences between conversation aren't uncomfortable. They walk through the shark tunnel where Mina stops abruptly and face him. "I've been wondering..but it seems really quiet in here" She questions while looking back and forth "Are we the only one? In here?"
Chaeyoung shrugs and lightly pushing her from the back to continue walking. "Let's meet your friends" He exclaimed happily, squeezing her shoulder. Mina glance at her back, brows connected seeing the excited cub.
"Penguins" Mina mumbles as she meets the too-cute rescue rockies through an awesome interactive penguin experience. They then join bird keeper for an informative, fun and exhilarating face-to-face encounter with Mina's feathered friends. One of them even decides to hop onto her lap where she gently touches the feathers.
They're having a great time on their own knowing more about the birds. "They're so adorable, I wish we could bring them home," Mina says sadly as they watch the penguins waddle back to the water. Chaeyoung looks over her and sees her face drop, he smiles and ruffles her hair "We already have one though, a moody penguin" He jokes then receives a pinch on his right side belly. Mina turns her heels leaving him chuckling and trail behind her, mimicking the cute way she walks.
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Chaeyoung drives back to the park and they sit side to side on the usual bench. He watches the lake as flat as a mirror and swans gliding across it, how it reflects the setting sun, the sky of fire. Mina placed her head on his shoulder and moves closer as she shut her eyes. They stay quiet allowing themselves to stay lost in the moment a while longer. His lips bear the semblance of a smile, just enough to show that he is enjoying his thoughts, that they might just be a normal friend again, back to how they are. Though he isn't sure if it will hurt him again, one thing for sure he's thankful that Mina still thinks of him as a friend despite what he did.
When the twilight fades to blackness, he carries sleeping Mina to the passenger seat, buckling her seatbelt before wrapping the girl with his coat then drive home. He places her gently on the soft mattress before heading downstairs to cook dinner for them.
Since they couldn't go out in the wilderness considering Mina's and the baby healthy, he decides to have indoor camping. He finds a campsite in the house that's large enough then set up a tent and puts a thick blanket inside. Then, setting a lantern string around it. He opens a folded table and put the food along with some snacks and beverage. Making sure the tent is facing the large glass window pane in the house so they could stare at the bright stars.
He happily hums a random song while walking towards Mina's room then softly wakes the girl up. He helps the clueless and half awaken Mina to stands properly, leading her to the living room.
"Ta~Da!!" He spread his arms, showing off his masterpiece in front of her. Mina blankly stare at him in disbelief before shaking her head "You did all of this?" She asks as her eyes roam around, chuckling when she sees a fake bonfire.
"Of course I am. The great Son Chaeyoung" he raises his chin, acting all proud of his work. She ignores the latter and sits, eating silently. "Yah! Can you at least wait for me" He whines then sit beside the girl. They don't really talk much when they eat, just sharing a simple conversation. Mina wanted to wash the dishes but Chaeyoung won't let her and after an unnecessary childish quarrel between them. They do it together, he wipes while she washes.
They share some short conversation whilst staring at the starry sky. Mina suddenly stands up when she remembers something, she walks to her room and takes a pink in colour, knitted hat with her. "Look, I made it the other day," She says handing it to Chaeyoung. "Isn't it too small for me?" He blurted out, trying to wear it but she snatches it away. "Because it isn't for you. It's for the baby" Mina huff. He only let an awkward laugh when she glare at him.
"Anyway, where is it?" She asks, averting her eyes from him. Chaeyoung hums as a response, not knowing what she meant. "The scarf" Her voice trails off as she brings her legs and hugs it, resting her head on her knees while she facing his side. "Where is it?" She repeats, staring right into his eyes.
Chaeyoung gulp hearing the serious tone she used and quickly break their eye contact. "I...accidentally left it in my house..you know the day I came late. I was going to my house...umm to take some paint" He laughs nervously while rubbing his nape.
He's lying. Mina closes her eyes thinking whether to ponders over it and directly questions him. They might fall back into an awkward situation and fight about it, which she finds stupid. It just a scarf though, only a scarf. She reminds herself. Brushing off the stinging pain when she knows he lied...again...
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Mina awakens by the ringing bell, she slowly but steady sits up and yawn. Smiling when she sees a white teddy bear next to her. She rubs the teddy's belly remembering how Chaeyoung gifted it to her last night as a companion, she named the bear "Snowball" as how white it is. Her eyes lift to Chaeyoung who's sleeping at the corner of the tent meters away from her. He must be tired She thought as she put Snowball next to him and wraps a blanket around the duo. Smiling when Chaeyoung moves and hugs Snowball.
She fix herself and walks out from the tent. Irritatingly opens the door as it disturbs her sleep. "Ah, Good morning Mina-sii" Irene bow and smile at her. Mina smiles back but it died as soon as her eyes lands on the scarf Irene is wearing.
"Morning. That's a really nice scarf there" She successfully says without stuttering. Forcing a smile as she invites her in.