APPA

15

"Where did you go, Kooki?" Yoongi and his parents rushed towards them.

"Your child?" Namjoon looked at them. They exchanged glances, and the father carried Jungkook. "Sorry." The three of them walked back, Kooki staring at Namjoon. Joon also looked at the little boy. "Cute," he smiled.

Namjoon knocked on the room door. "May I come in?"

"Yes," the person gave permission.

"Seong, I'm sorry." Joon sat in front of him with a guilty face.

"It's okay, Joon. I can understand you," Seong smiled.

"I shouted at you, made you leave my house. You know, he's just three years old, and my mother-in-law wants to make him perfect."

"I understand that. I already told her Jimin doesn't need any speech therapy, but you know, I can't say no to her."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Joon. Leave it." The others smiled in assurance.

"Thanks. Who is that boy? The one with the wound on his cheek."

"Oh, that's Jungkook. A missing case. A pediatrician is attending to him."

"Can I meet that boy? He looks very familiar," Joon asked.

"Why not? Second floor, first room."

***********

"Do you know what your husband did?" Jin's mother shouted at her son.

"What happened, Mom?"

"He insulted me. He kicked Seong Min out of the house."

"But, Mom..."

"Jin, your husband hates you. He married you only because we have shares in their hospital."

"What are you talking about, Mom?"

"Just think, Seokjin. He never treats you better after marriage. And then Jimin was born. Now he only loves his son, not you."

"No, it's not like that. He..."

"Jin, he doesn't love you. He just married you for the money. Try to understand that." She walks out of the room, leaving Jin leaning on his chair.

************

"What is your name?" Namjoon asked.

"Jungkook."

"Cute name for a cute boy. Why did you run away from home?"

Jungkook looks down. "Finding my Appa."

"Appa? Where is your Appa?"

"Don't know."

"His name?"

"Don't know."

"Photo?"

"No." Jungkook nods his head with tearful eyes. "I don't know anything about him, but I will find my Appa for Momma." He wipes his eyes.

Namjoon stares at him, then kisses his head. "I will help you find your Appa, okay? Friends?" He shows his hand.

Kooki looks at the man and places his little hand on Namjoon's big hand. "Friends." He smiles.

"Okay. Then tell me, why do you want your Appa? And why did he hurt you like this?" Joon asks, noticing fading marks on Jungkook's face.

"That kidnapper," Jungkook says without looking at him.

"Of course, a lie," Joon knows that. "Oh, we will punish that kidnapper, okay?"

Jungkook nods his head.

"Are you hungry, baby?" Joon asks.

"No."

"Babies don't lie," Joon says. "Uncle will buy something. What's your favorite food?"

"Bimpamb," Jungkook smiles.

"Oh, mine too. So, we are same-same. Come, let's go and eat something outside." Namjoon carries the boy and walks towards Mr. Min.

"That kidnapper died," Mr. Min said to his wife and son.

Fantastic... Both mom and son highfighied...

"What the?" Both mom and son kill a man and are happy about it.

"We killed a criminal who tried to hurt our Kooki," Mrs. Min said.

"Our Kooki? Since when?" Min looks at them.

"Since we met him," Yoongi replied.

"Excuse me, sir. Can I take him out for lunch?" Joon interjected

"No, Mr. Kim," Mr. Min said.

"Yes, Mr. Kim," Mrs. Min said. "Maybe our little Kooki is hungry. We will go home after lunch. Isn't it?"

"Yes," Yoongi agreed. "Come if you want." He said to his father.

Namjoon and others stare at Jungkook, who arranges the tablecloth neatly, pours water perfectly, and arranges his plate and spoon too.

"How cute and neat. Learn something from him, you dumpling," Mrs. Min pinches Yoongi.

"I will tell everyone that you killed a man, idiot lady," Yoongi glares at his mother.

"Oh, wait, both of you are left-handers?" She smiles at Joon and Kooki.

Joon looks at Kooki. "Are we relatives?" He laughs. Jungkook too.

****************

Namjoon didn't leave Jungkook even after Mr. Min asked. He decided to stay with the boy, finding some happiness with him. Namjoon brought some dresses and toys for Jungkook, playing with him. Mrs. Min and Yoongi went home, compelled by Mr. Min to protect the family due to the crime they committed.

Soobin stops his car in front of the hospital. He inquired about Jungkook.

"2nd floor," he said to others and ran to the lift. Hani, her mother, and Hoseok followed him.

Soobin knocked on the room door. "Kooki! Oh my God!" He rushed to the boy, hugging him while he was playing with Namjoon. "Why did you do this?"

"Kooki," Hani also hugged him. "You know how much we cried."

"Little brat, I almost lost my life," their mother also shouted.

Hoseok slowly entered the room.

"Momma," Kooki called him, apologizing as he immediately hid behind Namjoon.

Joon looked at Hoseok. "You are his mother?" he asked.

Hoseok leaned against the door. His breath became abnormal, vision blurry, tears flowing. "Joon," he whispered with a cry.