Beneath The Surface || KNJ

11

As Hana finished arranging the plates on the table, she heard the front door open and close, followed by the familiar sound of her father’s voice. He entered the dining area, his eyes lighting up in surprise when he saw Hana there.

“Hana! This is a nice surprise,” her father exclaimed, walking over to her with a warm smile. It wasn’t often that Hana visited, and he cherished these moments when the family could be together.“Hi, Dad,” Hana replied, returning his smile. There was something comforting about being here, surrounded by the people she loved, even if things hadn’t always been easy between them.

Her mother, noticing her husband’s arrival, called out to him. “You’re just in time! Go freshen up quickly, dinner is almost ready.” She turned to the staircase and called up, “Jimin! Come down, dinner is ready!”Jimin’s door creaked open upstairs, and soon after, the sound of his footsteps could be heard descending.

Meanwhile, her father nodded and headed off to wash up, leaving Hana alone with her thoughts for a moment.As she busied herself with setting the final touches on the table, Hana’s mind raced. The decision she was about to share was no small matter, and she knew it would change the dynamic in their family. Agreeing to the marriage with Namjoon wasn’t just a personal choice; it had implications for everyone, and she wasn’t entirely sure how they would react.She took a deep breath, steadying herself.

This was the right thing to do, she reminded herself. Namjoon was a good man, and she had made her choice after careful consideration. But knowing it was the right decision didn’t make the moment any less daunting.

Just as she was about to lose herself in her thoughts, her father returned, followed by Jimin, who was pretending not to be curious about what was going on but failing miserably at it. He took a seat across from Hana, eyeing her with a mix of curiosity and something else—perhaps a hint of concern.

Their mother entered the dining room, her presence bringing an air of warmth and comfort. “Everything looks wonderful, Hana,” she said, beaming at her. “It’s so nice to have you here with us.”“Thanks, Mum,” Hana replied, her heart swelling with affection for her stepmother. She had always made her feel welcome, no matter how complicated things got.

Once everyone was seated, and the food was served, the room settled into a comfortable quiet, the clinking of utensils against plates filling the air.

Hana knew this was the moment. She needed to speak up before the lunch ended, but the words felt heavy on her tongue.Finally, after gathering her courage, Hana cleared her throat, drawing everyone’s attention.

“There’s something I need to tell you all,” she began, her voice steady despite the nerves fluttering in her stomach.Her father and stepmother looked at her expectantly, and even Jimin seemed to perk up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he focused on her.Hana took a deep breath and continued. “I’ve decided to agree to the marriage with Namjoon.

The atmosphere around the dining table shifted the moment Hana’s father spoke up, his voice laced with both happiness and a hint of concern. “Hana, I’m glad to hear that you’ve agreed to marry Namjoon, but I want you to know that you don’t have to do this just because I arranged it for you. You should only say yes if it’s what you truly want.”

His words hung in the air like a bombshell, the impact immediate. Hana’s stepmother and Jimin stared at him, their expressions a mix of shock and confusion. It was clear that neither of them had any idea about the arranged marriage, and the revelation left them both reeling.