Arrange Marriage

Ch 24 /Embrace/

After Pon forced Pavel and Pooh to leave his own house, he had no choice but to face Pooh.

Pooh: Pavel.

Pavel, visibly anxious and with trembling hands, caught Pooh's attention. Noticing Pavel's distress, Pooh took his hands and gently intertwined their fingers. Since the morning, Pavel had been overwhelmed by a series of shocks, and despite his apprehension, he grasped Pooh's hand in return, causing Pooh to smirk slightly. As they felt each other's touch, both grew increasingly nervous and flushed.

Pavel: Khap.

Pooh: You wouldn’t mind marrying me sooner, would you?

Pooh said, facing Pavel directly and taking his other hand as well. Pavel, unable to meet Pooh's gaze, nodded his head down. Pooh noticed this and gently lifted Pavel's chin to make him look up. He saw Pavel's cheeks flush a deep red, looking as if he were a bride shyly averting her gaze on her wedding day. Since Pavel didn't respond, Pooh decided to speak further to understand Pavel's feelings.

Pooh: Are you shy???

Pavel: Umm, noo.....  It's not...

Pooh: Can I hug you??

That was the final straw—Pavel's face turned even redder.

Pavel: In this open space?

Pavel said, his voice trembling as he averted his gaze. Pooh gently took Pavel by the hand and led him to the side of a tree that provided a bit of privacy, shielding them from the view of onlookers.

Pooh: What about now??

Pooh noticed the gentle smile on Pavel’s face as he looked down, and it filled his heart with warmth. Pavel didn’t utter a word but gave a slow, shy nod. Seeing this, Pooh couldn’t resist the urge to embrace Pavel tightly. The moment was enveloped in a cocoon of warmth as they closed their eyes, savoring the closeness. Pavel, in turn, began to gently caress Pooh’s back, reciprocating the hug. The tender touch sent a flutter of joy through Pooh, making him feel a rush of emotion, as if his heart were dancing with the excitement of the moment ,his stomach feeling like a zoo of butterflies.

Pooh (in his mind): I never imagined love could feel like this. (while hugging Pavel)

Five minutes had passed with them wrapped in each other's embrace, neither of them wanting to let go. The hug grew tighter, almost overwhelming. They gently patted each other's backs, while Pooh buried his face in the crook of Pavel’s neck, inhaling his comforting scent. Pavel, aware that he couldn’t face Pooh if he stayed any longer, slowly broke the embrace. Without meeting Pooh’s gaze, he ran towards the front door of his house. Pooh watched him go with a broad smile, his heart overwhelmed with a torrent of emotions.

Pooh (to himself): So my wifey is shy??

Although Pavel had hugged Pooh before, at the blue engagement party, the emotions he felt now were far more intense. He placed a hand over his heart, feeling its rapid beat.

Pavel (to himself): I don't know how I'll face him after we're married.

He knocked on the door, and Pon opened it almost immediately.

Pon: Oh, where's Pooh?

As Pon spoke, Pooh appeared, making his way towards the door. Pavel quickly dashed inside, leaving Pon puzzled. Pooh couldn’t hide his smile even in front of Pon.

Pooh: Come on inside.

He said, placing a hand on Pon’s shoulder and guiding him towards the hall.

Pon: It looks like things went well with you and Pavel.

Pooh: Call him P'Pavel.

Pon: Oh, someone seems more smitten than I thought.

Pooh: Of course. Your future brother-in-law is gorgeous.

Pon: I can’t deny that. He is indeed hot and attractive.

Pon glanced at Pooh, who looked at him with wide eyes.

Pon: I didn’t mean it like that.

Pon quickly corrected himself, giving an awkward laugh as he turned his face in another direction.

Pon: I mean, my brother-in-law is beautiful and meant for you, only you.

He said, a bit nervously fear evident in his eyes, before moving towards his aunt.

Meanwhile, Pavel stood beside his mother, pointedly avoiding Pooh’s gaze. Pooh could still sense Pavel's shyness.

Pooh (in his mind): I wonder how you'll manage to face me on our wedding day if you're this shy now.

Pooh’s gaze remained fixed on Pavel, while Pavel continued to ignore him.