Our Love

❃ 11 ❃

~Three Months Later~

"I'm a bit surprised that we were suddenly invited over to eat. Is there a special occasion?" I asked Hamin as my mom, who was on a phone call, trailed behind us with a bright smile on her face as she gazed at us.

"Not that I know of. I found it strange too."

We walked inside the apartment complex and he led us on up to their apartment where his mother greeted us, but there was a strained smile on her lips.

A chill ran down my spine when I walked past her while she clutched the skirt of her dress with one hand while the other hand had something that was crumpled up.

"It's so good to see you again." My mom hugged her while Hamin and I sat ourselves at the couch.

"Yes, likewise. I'm sorry for the sudden invitation."

"It's not a problem at all! I was thinking of stopping by one of these days now that business has been slow," cheerfully said my mom until she noticed her clenched fist. "What's that in your hand?"

Hamin's mother slowly unfolded her clenched fist and revealed a photo strip.

"Did you know about this?!" She remarked as she brought it up to my mom's face and Hamin and I suddenly looked at each other with wide eyes and feeling a slight panic arising.

Hamin got up on his feet and walked on over to her and snatched the photo strip away from her and asked, "Why were you looking in my room?"

"The academy called and informed me that you rarely show up anymore! It's because of (Y/n), isn't it?"

"I was volunteering," he calmly responded as he tried to smooth out the photo strip as best as he could before putting it in his back pocket.

"R-Really?" She stuttered out as she was taken by surprise, but her eyes lit up and a smile graced her face. "Where? I'm pleased to hear this, but it's something that we should be aware about."

Hamin glanced at me and I grew nervous and wondered if he was going to lie or be honest.

"At-"

"Didn't you know that they were working with children for some time?" Informed my mom and the smile on Hamin's mother instantly faded and turned into a thin line.

"You skipped the academy for that?" She questioned.

"Yes."

My eyes widened for a second when I saw her raise her hand and slap him across the face leaving a stinging red mark on his cheek. He merely stood there with his eyes casted to the ground.

"Looking after a child isn't going to help you get into medical school or law school!" She angrily shouted and added on, "How do you think your father would feel if he were to find out that his money is going to waste!"

"I-It was my idea," I stepped in while my mom pulled her aside and tried to calm her down.

"(Y/n), as much as I adore you, you can't date Hamin," forbade his mother.

"What's wrong with them dating? I don't see a problem with that," spoke up my mom.

"Why can't we? Hamin and I really like each other." I reached for his hand and gazed over at him, but his hair casted a shadow over his eyes and he was unable to meet my eyes.

"You're only distracting him from his studies. He can't afford to fall behind, especially now that he's entering his last year."

"I'm not distracting him and he has been a lot happier lately."

"Your relationship isn't going to give him the grades he needs nor help his career!"

"Watch your tone with my daughter," lightly warned my mom.

"Hamin, tell her how you really feel. Tell her what makes you happy!" I urged and lightly shook his hand.

"(Y/n) is..." started off Hamin until he saw Jaemin cowering by his room with tears brimming his eyes. His mother also noticed Jaemin and reminded Hamin, "We agreed that we would let Jaemin do whatever he wants as long as you did as you were told. Right?"

Hamin froze momentarily with his mouth going dry and he found it difficult to breath for a second. He swallowed the lump in his throat and he could feel a bitter taste in his mouth as he regretted his next words.

"I don't think we should continue this. I'm sorry." He slipped his hand away from mine and my heart cracked as he turned his back on me and left towards his room without another word before I could see the tears that were threatening to spill from his eyes.

"Hamin," I desperately called out as I chased after him, but he shut the door in my face. I turned the knob, but he locked it and I called his name once again.

"I think you're being too harsh on Hamin. You always have been and it's not healthy," said my mom as she tried to change her friend's mind.

"I have seen how lenient you have been on your child and it's not going to help her get far in life," shot back her friend which greatly offended my mom and she slapped her.

Hamin's mother was stunned and placed her hand on her slightly reddened cheek and felt slightly humiliated.

I sharply looked over at her and scoffed, "How selfish. Do you not want him to be happy?"

"He will be happy when he realizes everything we did was to help him have a secure future."

"The life you want him to have has made him feel miserable!" I argued back.

Hamin quietly stood on the other side of the door as he heard the chaos and words spewed. He crouched down with his hands covering his face as his world began to crumble and an endless wave of self hatred surfaced within him.

'What kind of brother would I be if I put Jaemin through everything I've been through."