How It Started, How It Ended || Haechan (NCT)

29

〖 How It Ended 〗

"Um, you probably don't remember it but... I magically happen to carry my passport with me all the time. For emergencies." Haechan says with a nervous smile, then he hands the bouquet of peach roses. "And this is for you. Congratulations on your graduation."

"Thank you." Saemi speaks softly, staring at the flowers in her hands.

She's very speechless.

She can't believe what Haechan had gone through this morning—and the last seven months—just to get to where she is. She can't believe the things he did just to see her.

She can't believe he's really here, right in front of her.

She thinks it's a dream, that it's not real, so she's afraid to touch him. She thinks he will disappear.

But she's surprised when he speaks. Or perhaps, it's his words that surprises her.

"I'm so sorry, Saemi." Haechan says sincerely. "I'm so sorry that it took me this long to realize that I can't live without you."

He walks even closer to her, and he sees how her eyes shake.

"I'm so sorry for what I did to you. I'm so sorry that I hurt you. I'm so sorry that I couldn't tell you how I really felt for you. I—I know I don't deserve you but I..."

Saemi looks down. She's afraid that he won't be able to say it, once again. She remembers the pain she felt that time, and she can't bear to look at him.

"I'm in love with you, Saemi."

But he says it.

And her light brown eyes land on his dark brown ones, startled.

"I'm in love with you, and I'm so sorry that it took me such a long time to tell you that."

"Haechan..."

Haechan flinches when he hears that. He knows it means she hasn't forgiven him yet, because she didn't call him by his real name.

"I... I don't know what to say..."

Saemi says the first thing that pops up on her mind. She really doesn't know what to tell him.

The words he told her, it's the one she's been waiting for. But now that he'd said them, she doesn't know how to feel about it.

It overwhelms her.

"I just... want you back, Saemi. Will you take me back?"

Haechan worries when her eyebrows crease. He thinks he's already made a mistake in his words, and he fears he won't get the result he wanted.

"But—but aren't you... mad at me? Aren't you mad that I called off our engagement? Aren't you mad that I caused you so much trouble?" She asks, ever doubtful of herself. "I... I thought that's what you wanted? For me to disappear, because you didn't want to get married to me, right?"

"No, that's not what I want." Haechan quickly responds, shaking his head. "Not anymore."

"Wait. This—this isn't about the partnership, is it? Did my parents stop supporting you?"

"I quit." He interrupts.

Saemi pauses, eyebrows furrowing deeper. "What?"

"I quit my dad's company. I'm not taking over it anymore. And your family—" he stops to look at her parents, who are actually just behind her several feet away. The look on their faces indicates their shock in seeing him here, but he ignores it and focuses back on Saemi. "They stopped supporting us."