Arrange Marriage

Ch 17. /Line Id/

Pavel approached Pooh, who was standing by the lakeside with earphones on, lost in the music.

Pooh, softly murmuring: But you haven’t seen my man? You haven’t seen him.

Pavel, gently placing a hand on Pooh’s shoulder: "Pooh."

Startled, Pooh turned to face him.

Pooh: Oh, when did you wake up?

Pavel: Just about half an hour ago. I showered and came down.

Pavel: By the way, is that Lana Del Rey’s 'Sad Girl' you're listening to?

Pooh: Yes. You like her too?

Pavel: Absolutely, she’s one of my favorites.

Pooh, smiling, offered an earphone: Would you like to listen with me?

Pavel listened to the song until it ended, then took the earphone from his ear and said to Pooh:

Pavel: Pooh, Misa is calling us for breakfast.

(Misa is grey friend who was introduced earlier but I forgot to mention her name.)

Pooh: Oh, okay. You must be hungry too.

Pooh then said, "Let’s go," as he switched the song to "I Like Me Better" by Lauv, seemingly hinting at the lyrics for Pavel:

"I like me better when I'm with you,
I knew from the first time,
I'd stay for a long time 'cause,
I like me better when…"

They picked a cozy corner table where they wouldn’t be bothered by others. Misa served them milk tea and sandwiches for breakfast. After finishing breakfast, Pooh suggested they head back home, and Pavel agreed. Pooh and Pavel then approached Misa to say goodbye.

Pooh: Thank you for everything. I really appreciate it.

Misa: "It’s no trouble. Pavel is like a brother to me, so that makes you my brother too. Since you are his future fiance"

Misa said this with a straightforwardness that made both Pooh and Pavel feel a bit awkward.

Pavel: Thank you, Misa.

With that, they collected their things and headed to their car. As they drove away, soft music played in the background. Pavel enjoyed the view, and the atmosphere between them was comfortably quiet.

Pooh: "Pavel."

Pavel, absorbed in the scenery, turned his attention when Pooh spoke.

Pavel: Hmm?

Pooh: Since you'll be heading home today, how can I contact you?

Pooh indicated he needed Pavel’s number. Pavel was pleasantly surprised but pleased by the request.

Pavel: Oh, my number.

Pavel: Give me your phone, and I'll share my Line ID.

Pooh handed over his phone without hesitation.

Pavel: Uh, the password?

Pooh: Love at first sight.

Pavel: "I mean, your phone's password."

Pooh: Just type 'love at first sight.'

Pooh, aware he'd be handing his phone to Pavel, set the password to "love at first sight" as a subtle way of showing his feelings. Pavel noticed and wondered if it was a romantic hint, but he chose to brush it off, remembering Pooh's profession as a romance writer.

After a long journey, they finally arrived at Pavel’s house. Just as Pooh was about to leave, Pavel stopped him.

Pavel: At least stay for lunch.

Pooh: I think I should go. It’s getting late, and Pon is probably waiting for me.

Pavel: Please, stay for lunch. I promise I won’t keep you after that.

Convinced by Pavel’s request, Pooh agreed and joined Pavel, his mom, and his dad for lunch.

Pavel’s dad asked, What do you do for a living, son?

Pooh replied, “I’m a writer.”

Dad: Oh, that’s impressive. You must know a lot about books.

Dad: My son loves studying books too. He should have read yours by now.

Pooh: He has.

Everyone chatted and enjoyed lunch together, feeling as if they were all part of the same family. Pooh had never felt so comfortable with someone else’s family before. When it was time for Pooh to leave, Pavel’s mom and dad tried to persuade him to stay for the day, but Pavel reassured them that he had promised Pooh he could leave.

Pooh: Okay, I think I really need to go now.

Dad and Mom: Alright, son. Do keep coming by.

Pooh: Khap.

Pavel walked with Pooh to the gate as he prepared to leave.

Pavel: Goodbye.

Once Pooh was in the car, he called out:

Pooh: Pavel.

Pavel: Yes.

Pooh: I hope we can meet again. I hope you won’t forget me.

With a smile, Pooh drove away to his house. Pavel watched him leave, feeling a flutter of excitement in his heart.

Pavel, to himself: Did Pooh really say that?

On the other side of the house, Pavel's dad remarked:

Dad: It looks like they're already quite close.

Mom: I told you.

Dad: Approved from my side.

He made a subtle gesture that only they understood.