Arranged Marriage with Luhan

Respect and Love

Chanyeol’s P.o.V.

I smiled with jolliness as I stared at the view by the window; it looks like there is already a newly-formed couple. Jjeolbae and Luhan laughed after a long pause, much to my relief. Modesty aside, I proudly declare that I was one of the people who played a major role in doing so.

“What’s with the creepy smile, Yeol?” Xiumin asked as I shook my head and arranged the curtains neatly. I then turned to them and helped the gang in their parts, since I have finished mine.

I took a pair of red scissors resting by the glass table and sat down. Kris handed a stack of papers as I stared at the drawings—no, his drawings, and laughed. He looked at me sharply as I gulped and cut them up neatly. After a second or two, all of us heard the door creak.

“Welcome back.” Suho mentioned without staring at the two. I took a glance at them and saw the paper bag Jjeolbae is holding. Before I could even stand up, Sehun, Kai, and Tao immediately rushed in and engaged themselves on the items. They cheered and howled as they brought her groceries and placed it on the table. Hungry beasts, they are, really. One by one, they started eating their parts as I took mine from the brown paper bag and opened the pack. Slowly, I paced to the kitchen room and closed the door. They were somehow occupied with the food, and I think that this would be a great chance to inform the mastermind. After doing so, I picked my phone from the pockets of my jacket and dialled a number.

“Hello, Chanyeol.”

“Good evening, ma’am. The plan is going well, and they have finished confessing their feelings.”

“Is that so? What a relief! Now, we shall proceed with the next step to strengthen them.”

“Alright, ma’am.”

“Thank you very much, Chanyeol. You were of great help! I know that you’ll be a great man someday, trust me.”

 

“Is that so, ma’am? You’re welcome. It’s nothing....Mrs. Lu.”

The connection disrupted as I smiled to myself. I placed my hands on the table and sat down for a little bit. I ate the half of the pack’s contents and drank water. I have been practicing rap these days, and it seemed to go well. I don’t want to ruin my pretty voice because of this. After a while, I opened the door again, only to see Luhan smiling at me. He bowed in front of me as my eyes widened. I just took out a small smile and nodded after that.

“Thank you Channyeol. A lot.” He said as I nodded again and stared at him. I patted his shoulder and took out a candy from the pack that I was holding.

“No problem, dude.” I said and ate the candy. I really am happy for the two of them, although I had a little crush with Jjeolbae. But that was in the past, of course, and it was just tiny, probably as friends. I went back on the table as I saw them stretching and packing their things up. I guess they were done, since a bunch of pins and a large stack of papers varying in sizes were assigned on the corner of the table. I just helped tossing things on the bin, which Sehun and I enjoyed. The two of us rolled the scratches up and shot it on the bin like playing basketball. I have already gained five points, while he had a point ahead of me. I shot again and again, but the two of us ended on having a tie.

“We won.” I said as the two of us laughed. After that, we bid goodbyes and slept on our rooms.

Jjeolbae’s P.o.V.

Luhan and I were left on the first floor while the others were resting upstairs. I was still cleaning the plates that they have used up, while Luhan was resting on the couch.

“W..whom are you waiting for?” I asked like nothing happened a while ago. It felt a bit awkward, but I have decided to massage the tension forming between us. He stared at me and opened his mouth to speak.

“You.” He said as I shook my head and stared back.

“You could now go upstairs.” I said as he shook his head and laid on the couch lazily. I stared at the plates left, and there were still three. I took them up and scrubbed soap on them. But after a while, I heard footsteps coming towards me. I saw Luhan come near me, inspecting the plates left. He asked if he could be of help, but I just shook my head in negation.

Luhan’s P.o.V.

I reached my hand out; I was about to hold her arm, but I gained second thoughts. I shook my head and retreated as I sat on the chair by the table. I waited and waited as I stared at her keenly. I must have wasted a chance, since in dramas, this is where a cute but sweet scene takes place. But I am not like that, of course.

Since I have finally realized my feelings for her, my actions have become clearer than ever. I have learned that I was avoiding her not because I don’t like her; but I respect her. I have figured a few scenes that had happened a while ago which is somewhat connected with the respect I am talking about. While we were walking by the sidewalk, I did not respond that much, not because I don’t like her questions, but because I was too shy to respond. I would answer, but I will only shake my head and nod in response. Then, after that, when we were on the gates. The Luhan before would hold Jjeolbae’s hand to prevent her from opening it. This time, I stopped her by placing my arm in front of her. Then lastly, the one which occurred not a moment ago. I was about to hold her arm while she was washing the dishes, but I felt that I was too reckless and became shy all of a sudden, and that’s when I decided to sit down and wait for her.

“Are you not going to sleep?” A voice asked, interrupting me from my thoughts. I stared at the speaker, who happened to be Jjeolbae.

“Are you done?” I heaped another question as she nodded. I stood up immediately after that and looked at her.

“Alright. Let’s go up now.” I said as she nodded and followed. We navigated upstairs without a word as we walked down the corridor.

“Why were you waiting for me?” She asked and stopped by her door. I did too as I looked at her and blinked a few times.

“I..I...” I said, but my mind went a little bit blank. I wanted to say that I want her to greet me a good night, but I was afraid to speak. She stared at me again as I heaved a sigh.

“Just say it.” She said as I nodded and clenched my fist for support.

“P..please say good night to me.” I said and bowed at her. I can hear her chuckles, which made me more nervous. I bit my lip as I played with my fingers nervously.

“Why are you being formal to me? Alright alright. Is that all? You should have asked. Good night, Luhan.” She said as I kept my posture. I feel that I am not contented, and have decided to look away with tensed eyes.

“Is it not enough?” She asked as I looked down the floor and nodded slowly.

“I....want you to...uh...call me...” I said and looked at the vase resting by the corner of the corridor.

“C....can...we...do..uh..pet names?” I questioned with a stutter. I know that it was somehow a stupid thing for me to ask, but I really...really want it. Childish, you might call me. I admit, since there is no point of resisting.

“Are those the cute names they use....as a couple?” She askedand paused shyly. I know that it is getting awkward, but I am glad that she is not avoiding me. I nodded in response and stared at her eyes. She smiled and nodded timidly after that.  I felt happy, and I felt jumping.  I don’t know what I am feeling right now, but I can feel my heart flutter.

After that, she took out a nervous chuckle.

“Could you decide on them?” She asked as I nodded patiently and innocently like a puppy, a small dog. I muttered a greeting of good night and a word of gratitude as she nodded and turned back. I have decided to do the same when I heard her voice.

“But for now, good night, my sweetie.”