บท 2: Two: The tense affair
The anticipated night came much sooner than anyone had expected- of course it was a wait for about just more than 24 hours. Mel had almost forgotten about the impending get-together but her mother wouldn't have it. Precise at 4:00 in the evening she came to Mel's room and ordered her to get dressed. She chose a pale yellow sundress with nice beautiful flowers on it. Mel rolled her eyes at the obvious choice. The dress was beautiful, elegant and simple at the same time. She had purchased that on a whim but it sure did do good to her looks and her pitch-black locks running all the way down to her waist. She got up to get ready at around 5:30, as the family of her intended was supposed to arrive at 6:00. She put on the dress; let her hair fall down on her back by clipping them together. She applied her usual make up of a little mascara and a bit of lip gloss. There! Done! She was ready to rock the show that night.
When Mel came down from her room, she first saw her mom buzzing around in the kitchen humming. She helped her out with arranging the plates and spoons on the table. Her papa was currently watching news on the television. At exactly 6:00 the door-bell rang.
Cerise: (grinning from ear to ear) oh, that must be them! Sweetie, you look beautiful, everything is ready.
Mel just gave her mother a small smile and went inside to help herself with some water as her throat and lips had suddenly dried up. The seeds of anxiety which she had been suppressing in herself began to take roots. She was about to hyperventilate but taking deep breaths she calmed herself. She checked her appearance once in the refrigerator door and went outside.
In the living room, Mel saw that her mother was hugging a lady right about her age. They let go of each other when they saw her approach. She greeted the woman and a middle-aged man- who was her husband.
Sun-hee: Oh my! Cerise, Is this Mel?
Cerise: (nodding) yes.
Sun-hee: (patting Mel's head) she sure has grown into a beautiful young woman.
Mel: (blushing at the compliment) Thank you.
Sun-hee: Kai is just parking the car. Ye-Jin and he will be coming in soon.
Right at the cue, a young girl of 16 walked in. She looked like the woman in front of her but her eyes spelt 'mischief' everywhere she looked. The girl greeted everyone present in the room and sat down beside her father. Following her after a beat came in an orange-haired person. Mel had a serious hard time keeping her mouth shut. It was dying to drop down to the floor. He was gorgeous, that was the only thought running in her mind. He glanced once at her and turned back to the parents who were present.
Sun-hee: Kai this is-
Kai: (smirking) Mel or should I say Yoo Min-Soe?
A light bulb went off her in head. That smile was familiar to her. He had addressed her by her traditional name. She was trying hard to remember the guy's name. It was on the tip of her tongue.
Kai: (still smiling) so we finally meet again. Two nerds.
Mel: (surprisingly shocked) Oh god! It can't be true! K-K-Kai?! (Closing her mouth in shock and turning to her mother) mom! Wha-
Kai: (pleased) you know me.
Mel could only nod her head once in agreement. She was still not sure if she was dreaming or awake. The famous idol was in her home. Moreover he was smiling at her. She was once again close to hyperventilating but instead settled for flushing red to the tips of the root of her hairs.
Cerise: I am so happy that you guys remember each other.
Mel: (turning to her mother) Mom? How-
Sun-hee: we are close friends sweetie. Kai and you are the reason that we became close friends.
She nodded once again and peeked a glance at her celebrity crush standing right in front of her. She wanted to fan her face as it was burning red. As a light bulb switches on another realization hit her hard not after a moment of the previous one.
Kai was not just a stage name but in reality his name was Kim Kai. A memory tingled at the back of her mind. The memory of a popular kid from her class in middle school. The boy was a huge hit among guys and girls alike not because he was cute but because he was brains with beauty. In huge contrast to herself who preferred isolation. She blinked out of her trance and stared at him for a moment longer from the corner of her eyes.
She kept her realization to herself as everyone had busied themselves in exchanging pleasantries.
Sun-hee: Why not both of you quit standing there and go catch up.
Cerise: I am sure; you'll have a lot to talk about.
Kai just glared at his mother but without wasting another beat he came to stand in front of Mel. She just nodded and motioned for him to follow her.
Both of them walked out to the back porch and Mel pointed him to a chair to sit. He made himself comfortable before looking up at Mel who was standing in front of him, frowning and biting her lip.
Kai: How have you been?
Mel: (looking up at him in surprise) I have been fine. I never could have guessed it-
Kai: what?
Mel: Mr. Popular guy of class had made it huge and became Mr. popular across the world.
Kai: (smiling) guess my hard work paid off. So-
Mel: (taking a seat beside him) did you know about this?
Kai: (shaking his head) no, mom told me about it yesterday morning. So what should we do?
Mel: (fidgeting with her fingers) I honestly have no idea.
Kai: (placing a hand on top of hers) even I have no idea but I know for sure that they would all be extremely hurt if we say no.
Mel: (staring at his warm hand currently resting on her sweating palms) I know. So should we agree?
Kai: (sighing) I think so but I would really like to get to know you before-
Mel: I understand. Even though we knew each other from school, we are poles apart. We need to work on everything if we have to make our families happy with this relationship.
Kai: (smiling) so-
He was interrupted by Jin walking out and tearing them apart.
Ye-Jin: Sis Min-Soe, brother, it's time for dinner.
Mel: (nodding and getting up) sure.
Kai: (glaring at his sister) ok.
The trio walked in to see both set of parents looking at them expectantly. Kai bit back a chuckle watching their eager eyes before telling them their decision.
Sun-hee: so?
Kai: We are ready but we want to get to know each other first.
Cerise: (hugging her daughter) I am so happy sweetie.
Woo-bin: we can start the preparations then, the day exactly a month later is very auspicious for marriage.
Kai nodded and gave them all a smile. On the other hand Mel stayed quiet mulling over her decision in her mind. She didn't give the impression that she was excited about everything but she did show some enthusiasm for the remaining night when it was required from her.
That night Kai lay in his room thinking back to the events of the evening. He couldn't sleep because of Mel. She was ruling his thoughts. She hadn't seemed overtly excited and thrilled about marrying him. He was sure if it had been some other girl, she would be eating out of his hand already.
Mel was aware that he was popular, heck she was a fan but she didn't succumb to his charm as easily as others did.
He chuckled thinking about how she had bluntly told him that she would get to know him before proceeding with the marriage. He remembered how right it felt when he had placed his hand on her fidgeting ones to calm her nerves and he had noticed it work the next instant. He drifted off to sleep still lost in her thoughts.
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