CAELUM

CHAPTER 30

TIME SKIP:

SEASON: WINTER

MINSEOK'S POV:

Driving my car to York, my eyes land on the snow softly sitting on the trees. Snow... one of the favourite things of Seren and Nova. It's their fav as Nova Is born in Winters and Seren loves the soft feeling of snow. I still remember Seren throwing snowballs at us while we were playing with snow the last winter. The way she laughed, smiled reminded us of Nova. She used to make snow angels, smiling, giggling. I wonder how she never got tired of doing it. Whenever it used to snow, her eyes lit up. While many dislike winter cuz it's cold and gloomy, but these girls love winter. It's currently 6:30 pm and I'll be reaching in an hour. Sipping on my coffee, I continue driving. Moms cooked dinner for her as they know she must have missed the homely taste, though she herself cooks well.

I call Dae. He answers the call. "Good evening, Min". "Good evening Dae. Are you guys' home?". "Yeah, we are... is there something you need?". "No, it's just that I'm going to meet Seren". "Oh alright. She's home. She looked really tired. I heard from Mrs Ji that she didn't even rest or eat properly. That incident took a toll on her health. Luckily, nothing to worry about as they are acute issues. But she can't have her medications without having her dinner. Mrs Ji also told me that she sometimes hears muffled cries from Seren's bedroom saying that she never meant to do that, that she isn't what they think her to be. It seems that she also blames herself while crying". I sigh hearing that. Baekhyun was right. It not only took a toll on her physical health but also took a toll on her mental and emotional health.

"She doesn't even smile like she used to. Surprises, Gifts, Flowers, going out.... Nothing excites her. Even when she's given books to read, her eyes don't shine. Sometimes she draws to take her out of those feelings but ends up falling deeper into it". "She's going through a lot". "Yeah min, she is. Though my family is always there with and for her, but I'm sure she misses you all". "Hmm". Silence enters between us. "Min". "Yeah, Dae". "Can I ask you something?". "Sure, go ahead". "Do your parents as in both sides know this happened". No matter how much we tried to hide, it did go to parents of both of the sides. "Yeah, they do". "Oh no. When did they get to know?". "My fam got to know it on the day Seren left for York, and my in-laws a few months ago". "Dang it. Sorry for that". "It's okay Dae, don't say sorry for such a small thing".

While talking I reach the address Baekhyun sent me. "I reached the address sent by Baek". "Oh, that's great. Should I come as well?". "If you wish to". "Alright, I'm coming in a few. Hold on". "Hmm alright. Drive safely got it?". He laughs. "Okay". I laugh as well. After what like 30-35 mins, I see the headlights of a car making its way towards me, parking it right behind my car. Dae comes out. "Hey Min". "Hey, Dae". We give each other a hug. "How have you been". "Pretty good and you". "Coming back to normal". He smiles. "That's good". "Yeah". "Let's go in". I say slightly swinging the boxes moms packed and the flowers dads gave. Dae also has a bag in his hand. "Yeah, my mom knitted a few sweaters for Seren. She usually does it for my wife and our princess, but as she also knew Seren and all of you, she made it for everyone. I must tell her dedication is too hard. She completed making all of them in a month". My eyes widen.

"That was quick". He giggles. "Yes, it is". We click on the doorbell. We hear footsteps. The door opens and we find Seren in her woollen clothes, hair tied up in a bun with a few small tresses resting on the side of her face and eyes having eye bags. "Oh, Minseok and Jongdae, come in". We go in and slip into house slippers. Seren walks in front of us and we chuckle softly when we see her wearing a boot house slipper. We keep the food and gifts on the table and hug her. She hugs us back. "Just checking on our sister". She giggles softly.  "You didn't have to come all the way here Minseok and Jongdae. I'm fine". Breaking from the hug, we make our way to the living room. Mrs Ji comes to the living room.