Hold Me Tight (Completed) ✔️

Chapter 66

Seokjin's pov

I was nervous, happy and excited after I talked with her parents. Sitting and talking with her dad was nerve-racking especially when she wasn't by my side. But everything went perfectly and I couldn't be more happier. Their glowing eyes told me much.

I opened the door to our room and saw her coming out of the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel. We were planning to leave shortly and maybe do some sightseeing before heading to the airport.

I wasn't lying when I said I wanted come back to India, this place was really breathtaking and the people were so nice and polite. I would love to see around more next time.

My thoughts stopped abruptly when I saw the frown on her face as she hung the towel on the stand to dry. She didn't see me entering and I knew without even telling that she was nervously thinking about something.

"What is it?" I asked her, she looked up quickly and saw me. She smiled showing glimpses of her dimples. "I was thinking about something I realised I should have done long ago."

"I never went to his house after that day. Never talked to his mom or even see her." I understood she was talking about Lucas's mom. She have told me before how she blamed herself for his death and that made it difficult for her to face his mom.

"If you want, why don't you visit her today?" I suggested.

"I was thinking the same. I won't be able to unburden myself if I don't reconcile with her." She agreed. She hugged me by my waist and rested her head on my chest.

I circled my arm around her, holding her and asked," Do you want me to come with you?"

"Will you?" She asked.

"I will if you want me to."

"Thank you. I didn't think I will be able to do it myself." Her hold tightened.

"You are a strong girl, if anyone you are capable of doing it alone. I'm just lucky to be around you." I kissed the top of her head.

-

It was only a ten minutes distance if we go by foot to Lucas's house. It was a one storeyed contemporary styled house with a beautiful garden blooming with flowers even at December. I understood why she loved it in here, it had a welcoming homely atmosphere.

Eliza pressed on the calling bell nervously, I took hold of her hand and conveyed she was not alone again.

After a few seconds the door was opened by a lady in her early sixties. She looked young for her age and had glimpses of grey hairs scattered around the black hair.

She was confused seeing me and then grew surprised when she saw Eliza. She engulfed her in a tight hug and I heard her whimper. Eliza's hands were shaking too as she closed her eyes and held onto her.

"Ela, you look so beautiful now. Have you grown a few more inches?" She asked, her voice quivering and eyes lined with tears as she looked at her up and down while still holding onto her hands.

"I guess I did. You know I am a late bloomer." She laughed but I could see how much emotions she was trying to hold in leash. "You still look pretty like always, age never comes after you."

His mom laughed and then looked at me that smile still lingering and asked who I was.

"Mom, this is Kim Seokjin and Jin this is Naina Peter." She introduced us to each other.

"Nice to meet you Miss. Peter." I shook her hands.

"Nice to meet you too. And just call me Naina." She added. "Is this the beast?" After looking at the both of us alternatively she whispered (but not really) to Eliza making her laugh again. Naina shook her head and laughed again when Eliza nodded and then invited us in to the house.

"Beast?" I whispered purely amused how open they called me a beast right in front of me.

"Well when I watch beauty and the beast with Lucas I would always say I liked the beast more than when he turned to a prince and I would find my beast in the future." She said scratching her head probably feeling stupid for her kid self. But God she look so cute.

"Turns out I found my beauty too." I whispered giving a quick kiss to her cheek as Naina's back was turned to us making her blush.

Once we reached the living room I realised gardening was her hobby and she loved plants. There were many plants and succulents on every corners of the room.

I saw framed photos hung on the walls and some placed on the table. Most of it was of a boy with black messy hair, took from his early age to his twenties. Lucas. I realised. He was handsome just like how she told me. In some of the photos I saw her too. Just by looking at it I knew how much they meant to each other, how close they were. Even I felt a pang in my chest when I remembered we lost such a beautiful minded person from her life.

Ela already took a seat beside me while Naina sat across us. Her eyes scanned the room, familiarity washed over her face lighting her eyes in an ember glow. Her ears started turning red as her eyes shifted to the framed pictures. I understood she was on the verge of crying but was somehow holding back.

"I am sorry for not coming here sooner. For shutting myself out." Her voice was strained and trembling as he said those words.

"No Ela, there is nothing for you to apologise for. You were hurting too. If anything I can understand you more than anyone how hard that can be." She strode to Eliza's and placed her arm around her shoulder.

"But I should still have come. I should have been there for you. Lucas would have hoped for it too." There she cried. When his name flowed out of her mouth all her restrain crumbled as she broke down. I wanted to engulf her in a hug and soothe her but Naina was already by her side holding her as tears of her own started flowing.

"It is fine, honey. When we feel broken, when we feel like we lost a part of ourselves, we find our own ways to heal. Some might heal while talking about that person, some might shut people out and have some time for themselves to process, some completely avoids acknowledging the truth. But the point is, it is always for a single cause. A desperate attempt of any person to get through their life. We fail only if we try to stop our life but if we don't we have already won. And you did it your own way while I did mine. No one is at fault and even Lucas would know that."

Her words brought tears to even my eyes. Such simple words but words which had an impact forever on our minds. We all stayed for an hour more as they recollected their past with Lucas, told me about how they both spent their time together, how they pulled tricks on others, their planned archery classes and then we told Naina about us, how we met, how we became the beauty and beast in each other's lives. We avoided the part of her graduation day instead stuck onto happy memories only. We also talked to Mr. Peter through the phone and promised to meet him in person the next time we visit.

When we left the house I looked at their pictures again. Even if she didn't realise I knew he will always be her first love. A love she never got to explore, a love that was forced away from two beautiful souls.

I made a promise to Lucas and myself as I looked at his picture with Eliza on her high school graduation. I may never be able to fill the hole he left in her life, but I could brim it with a life full of beautiful memories and love. A life to hold onto and cherish.