Downpour | Kim Taehyung

chapter 19

Unlike Mr. Kim, Mrs. Kim's reaction when she had found out that Taehyung and I had gotten married splattered of glee and satisfaction.

When she had opened the gates for us earlier this morning, she had stood astonished, as if she had seen a ghost. It took her a good three seconds before she finally gave us her warm, welcoming smile and let us in. Somehow, I also got confused. I wasn't sure if this visit was supposed to be a surprise, but based on Mrs. Kim's reaction, perhaps it was. Just maybe her reaction was a little too...exaggerated.

We all ended up sitting on Mrs. Kim's veranda whilst Taehyung and I explained to her that we married each other, including the part about Aeri being adopted. There hadn't been a chance for Mrs. Kim to take it negatively, because the moment she had seen Aeri, she instantly requested to carry her.

And until now, she hadn't let go of the child.

"Little Aeri is such a cute angel," cooed Mrs. Kim.

The veranda had a white and navy blue accent. There was a two-seater bench and a single one, both with cushions and throw pillows. A low rise, white coffee table with a flower vase on top separated the seats. From here, you'd see her garden with assorted types of flowers, arranged meticulously.

Mrs. Kim occupied the two-seater bench together with Aeri who was then standing on her lap. Mrs. Kim secured Aeri with a hand on both sides to steady her as she swayed Aeri gracefully.

I had noted that Aeri seemed to like Taehyung's mother as well. She responded with her baby talks, giggles and smiles.

All the while, Taehyung and I watched them from the single couch across. I situated myself on the seat while Taehyung only sat on the armrest, leaning his palm on the backrest for support.

"So, how old is Aeri?" asked Mrs. Kim, giving us a glance.

"She recently turned 5 months old," I told her with a smile.

"Isn't she lovely?" gushed Mrs. Kim. "But I do hope I'll have a grandchild from both of you, soon," she joked... or well, maybe she was actually serious.

I let out a slow laugh, smiling whilst Taehyung stayed silent with no reaction. However, his hand caressed the crown of my head playfully.

"Yah! Kim Taehyung," fussed Mrs. Kim as she adjusted Aeri to sit on her lap. "How come I wasn't informed you're back in Korea?" she demanded. "And you suddenly knock on my door after such a long time, and already married?" She glared at his son.

A half-apologetic smile crept up to my face for two reasons. First, it was partly my fault that Taehyung was 'married', and second, I could relate to Mrs. Kim on the part where Taehyung just showed up all of a sudden, without warning.

But, hmmm? I kept a straight face to prevent my brows from knitting. If I interpreted Mrs. Kim's words correctly, how come had she not seen Taehyung 'for a long time'. Did it mean that...Mrs. Kim remained in Korea all along while Taehyung had left? This just drew more queries in my mind.

"I was planning to surprise you," countered Taehyung, giving his mom a half-smile.

"Or were you just too busy? Aigoo. You rarely even contact me the past few months." Mrs. Kim teetered Aeri's headband and smoothed her hair. "Look at your father, ignoring halmeoni." She repeatedly clicked her tongue as she shook her head dramatically.

Taehyung chuckled. "Eomma." His voice was deep. "Don't be like that. You know I always think about you and your well-being."

Mrs. Kim continued with her act, turning her head elsewhere. "When little Aeri grows up, don't forget halmeoni, okay?"

Years had flown by, yet Mrs. Kim still hadn't changed. She might have grown a few wrinkles on her forehead, but she sure still was young at heart. The same nice lady that I met that one sunny morning in our old neighborhood.

"But that aside," she said. "I'm glad you saw each other again. Took you long enough to ask Kyungmin to marry you."

"Eomma," drawled Taehyung.

"If he hurts you, file a divorce immediately." She shot a convincing and serious look at my direction, and I couldn't help chuckling at her.

Taehyung grunted. "That's not how marriage works."

"I'd know for myself," Mrs. Kim stated as a matter of fact, and Taehyung didn't say more.

Mrs. Kim and Aeri had their small conversation, getting along swimmingly. Like the two of them exactly knew what they were talking about despite Aeri's lack of words.

Aeri's shoe suddenly fell off, and Mrs. Kim's laughter radiated through the area. It was so candid, causing a little guilt to coil inside of me. With Mr. Kim, I hadn't felt this way. He might not have been satisfied with the situation, but perhaps what was more dejecting than not getting a positive regard was building up someone's happiness with something fabricated.

My jaw clenched as I gritted my teeth with my mouth closed. I'm sorry, Mrs. Kim. I didn't really mean to lie. I respect you so much, I'm so sorry.

A poke on my cheek snapped me out of my reverie. I lifted a brow at Taehyung, whose index finger still hadn't left my cheek. He shook his head as a response before he dropped his hand.

This guy really, not missing an opportunity to show his childish side.

"Yah, Taehyung," I spoke just above a whisper and Taehyung intently stared at me. "Why weren't you with your mom as she says so?"

Taehyung directed his attention elsewhere, but it was evident in his eyes that he was giving it a thought.

"Well, things just happened," he simply replied, not bothering to turn back at me.

"Is this related to when you left?" I curiously asked.

"Yeah."

Taehyung had a hesitant expression all over and maybe he was a little too uncomfortable about my questions. Though the inner me wanted to ask further, I prevented curiosity from winning over and just let it go.

After all that had happened lately, there was a feeling of trepidation inside me that we'd just go to a negative square. It didn't change the fact that there was still this part of me that had not alleviated the bitterness in Taehyung's disappearance before, but it had lessened somehow. Maybe I had focused too much on myself to realize that Taehyung might have had his own problems ahead of him.

"Aeri likes your mom," I muttered, trying to shift the conversation.

"Huh?" Taehyung blinked quizzically before his gaze softened again. "Oh...yeah. They both look happy."

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❝sorry for boring you out with this chapter ;-; I still love u all, thank you for keeping up with this book. you all even made it possible to rank up to #871, I'M SO GRAPEFUL ♡

also, there have been earthquakes occurring in my country, and I hope you all are safe wherever you are❞