𝐌𝐘 𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐂𝐔𝐑𝐒𝐄

CHAPTER 3

Just as the crowd was about to close in on Jin, a chaos broke out.

Someone had decided to set off firecrackers in the down, causing an immediate panic among the onlookers. Added to the mayhem was a dog and few cats running around, threating to bite or claw anyone in their way.

Everyone was too distracted to notice the small boy creeping up to Jin silently and nudging him to get his attention.

"Let's get out of here." he said trying to pull up Jin from the ground.

Through his hazed eyes, Jin looked at his supposed knight in shining armour, who to be honest looked more like a bunny with huge Bambi eyes. Though, he didn't have the time to study the boy's features further as he was jolted by him, reminding that they had to get going. So, he silently followed the boy into one of the narrow alleys, away from the heartlessly selfish mass of people.

They came to a stop in front of a huge building, the only mansion in the small town.

"This is my house. No one will be able to hurt you here." the boy declared.

"Thank you for saving me from those people. Dad was right, all of them are bad people. I shouldn't have disobeyed him." he seemed to be on the verge of tears again.

"Hey, don't cry. Everyone isn't bad. I'm good, am not I? You can also be my friend and come to play with me every day."

"Really? I have only Becky as my friend, but she can't see in the morning, so sometimes I feel lonely." Jin was visibly excited at the prospect of making a new friend.

"What's your name?" he questioned.

"SeokJin"

"Jinnie and Kookie, friends forever." the boy smiled and linked their pinkies together.

"Kookie? Do you like eating cookies?" Jin thought out aloud at the unsual name.

"No. My name is Jungkook, but my friends and mom call me Kookie." he explained with a faint blush.

Before they could talk anymore, a dog interrupted them by barking loudly and running to Jungkook.

"Good job Hea." Jungkook patted her.

"She is the dog from the town square!" Jin exclaimed upon recognising her.

"Yep, she assisted me in saving you. Isn't she great?"

Jin nodded in reply and tentatively forwarded a hand to stroke Hea lightly on the head, who nuzzled him fondly in reply.

"Who is this little angel? Are you Kookie's new friend?" Mrs. Jeon spoke while walking towards them from the garden.

She had heard the barking of Hea and guessed her son had returned home but when he didn't come inside even after several minutes, she decided to go out and inspect, only to find him talking to another boy of his age. She didn't remember seeing him around earlier so guessed that he was a new friend.

"Mom, he is Jin, my new friend." Jungkook introduced.

Jin bowed to her.

"Come inside kiddo, I have made some chocolate and I think we have enough to share."

Chocolates made Jin remember about his dad who was supposed to bring some for him from the city. He must be worried about his disappearance.

"Thank you, ma'am, but I must go home now, or dad will be worried."

"Fine but since it's getting dark, let Hea accompany you. It's not safe to go along."

Saying his goodbyes and promising to meet Jungkook again, Jin set out for his home with Hea.

•·.·''·.·••

Jin tiptoed into the kitchen and peeked at his father, who had not spoken a single word to him after finding him midway to their home and giving Hea a biscuit as a reward.

On the other hand, Hwan concentrated in cutting the vegetables for dinner silently, deliberately ignoring his son standing behind him.

"I'm sorry dad. I won't disobey you ever again." he tried to apologize once again.

Hwan merely hummed in response, which was better than total radio silence, but Jin wasn't used to his father ignoring him for so long so, he tried again.

He went out and emerged minutes later with a bouquet in his hands and presented it to his father with his best possible apologetic eyes.

No matter how much Hwan tried, he couldn't be angry on Jin for long and his heart melted at the sight of his son threatening to break into tears at any moment.

"Do you promise to be a good boy and never break rules again?" he questioned sternly.

"I promise dad, I'll do everything you say and never go out again."

Despite what he said, he sounded a bit gloomy which didn't escape Hwan.

"Do you want to say or ask for something?" he enquired kindly.

"Dad......Will it be okay, if I.......I go to play with Kookie sometimes? I won't go anywhere else." he asked apprehensively.

"Who's Kookie?"

After Jin had explained that Kookie was his new friend and the owner of Hea and how Mrs. Jeon had been kind to him and offered him chocolates, Hwan was thinking hard. He knew Jin was a lone child and needed friends but he was apprehensive about his safety at the same time.

"I'll think about it and inform you about my decision later." he sighed.

"Thank you dad."

He was grateful that his request hadn't been outrightly rejected as he had expected.

That night he spotted a shooting star and wished upon it to be able to play with Jungkook again.