"MUM!!! DAD!!" Ash shouted as soon as she saw them coming out with their luggage
Haneul, who was using his mobile phone, pocketed it quickly and followed Ash's excited gaze
Ash ran towards her family and hugged all three of them at once, Haneul stood behind her, scratching his neck, not knowing what was he supposed to do at such times.
They finally broke the hug after a good 5 minutes and Ash introduced Haneul to them,
"mum, dad, flora, this is um.." she pointed towards him
Haneul smiled and bowed, "good evening! I'm Haneul. Nice to meet you all.." he introduced himself as he bowed again
Ash's mother smiled and hugged Haneul suddenly, which shocked Haneul and Ash
"you're even more good looking in real life.." she whispered, which made Haneul blush
"It's nice to finally meet you, son.." Mr.Tuan said, patting Haneul's back
"son.." Haneul felt nice hearing that word.
Haneul bowed, "the pleasure is all mine, sir.." he said, then he turned to look at Flora, Ash's little sister, who wasn't that little anymore, she was 22 years old, Haneul smiled, "you must be Flora.." he said as he extended his hand for a handshake, Flora nodded and shook his hand, "nice to meet you..uh.." she looked at Ash, not knowing what to call Haneul
"you can call me oppa, here in korea, girls call their elder brothers oppa.." he explained, she smiled, "nice to meet you, oppa.." she greeted
Haneul nodded, "same here.." he replied
"Oh Mr. and Mrs. Tuan! Welcome to the republic of Korea!" someone exclaimed from behind, it was Haneul's grandma along with his brother, Joon.
Until all of them greeted, the driver took their luggage and loaded it in the car,
"let's go.." Grandma said as she held Mrs.Tuan's hand and started walking
"where are we going grandma?" Haneul asked
"your in laws wanted to stay at a hotel but I stopped them from doing so...I told them to stay at the mansion, it's too big for only three people, we'd love to have them there.." she explained to Haneul
Haneul nodded, "of course, I had the same idea, you'll be more comfortable back home instead of in the hotel because at least you'll be able to communicate well.." Haneul said
Ash shook her head and smiled because he looked too happy with what he just said
"..you came to pick us up from the airport, we're very thankful but we don't want to burden you anymore.." Mr. Tuan said
"umhm! because of you, there will be sound of laughter and chattering in the mansion..I'll feel less lonely.." grandma replied,
when they reached the parking lot, "Flora, Joon, Ash and Haneul can ride in Haneul's car and the rest of us will take the other one.." Grandma decided as she sat inside the car with Mr. and Mrs. Tuan, she rolled down the window and called out to Haneul,
"yes grandma?" he asked
"they say they won't be having dinner since they ate in the plane and the timings are a little different, so, show Flora around the city and buy her ice cream, she'll love the night lights!" Grandma winked
Haneul let out a small laugh, "grandma, later, I'll drop Joon and Flora back at the mansion but Ash and I have work early in the morning so we'll stay at our places.." he said
Grandma turned to look at Mr. and Mrs.Tuan who gave a reassuring nod, "however you're comfortable.."
Haneul bowed and they left
"okay so..this is going to be fun, Flora are you hungry?" Haneul asked
Flora looked at Ash, who gave her a questioning look, "uh..kind of..I only ate snacks in the plane.." she said
Haneul smiled, "that's good because I am starving, your sister didn't let me have lunch because fast food isn't good, she said.." Haneul told, receiving laughs from Flora but a hit on the arm from Ash.
Flora and Joon sat at the back while Ash and Haneul sat upfront.
"Joon, suggest a good place to eat.." Haneul said, looking at him through the rear view mirror, "oh but make sure it isn't a fast food place, a nice restaurant would be fine. Your sister in law is a picky eater.." he pointed out
This made Ash a little stiff, she thought she had to tell Haneul the truth about Joon and herself once they end everything. But not now.
"uh..well there are a lot of places but bro I eat at the fast food joints because the food's cheap and fulfilling, that's what a student needs..you on the other hand eat at big places almost every other day so you tell.." Joon replied
Haneul nodded,
"Actually.." Flora spoke up, "if you don't mind, I'd like to try spicy rice cakes, please.." she said
Haneul grinned, "why of course! If I'm not wrong, you'll be able to spot a food truck somewhere on the right, if you do, tell me..we'll buy them from there, they sell the best spicy rice cakes.." Haneul said
Ash gave him a questioning look,
"..I had a driver who'd always stop here to buy the rice cakes whenever he came to pick me up from the airport.." Haneul explained
"for his family?" Ash asked
"no..for me..because I used to have just that time to eat, I was a busy person.." he slowed the car down
"oH! there it is!" he pointed out, driving the car towards it and parking it right in front of it,
"okay so Flora and I will go get the spicy rice cakes and you and Joon go and buy ice cream..which flavour would you like Flora?" Haneul asked
"I'm okay with anything.." she replied, Haneul nodded, "that's good, okay let's go.." he said as all of them got off
Ash didn't wait for Joon to get off as she started walking towards the convenience store, Joon followed her quietly, he knew he deserved all the hate.
"Give me a chance to explain myself at least.." he whispered, standing behind Ash as she chose ice cream from the freezer
"..you have exactly 3 minutes to explain yourself..I'd also like to know what did I do wrong for being treated like that.." she said as she took a basket and put ice cream in it and started walking around in the store, checking other things out
"it was my mother. She realized that you were somehow related to Haneul, my big brother, she knew him well and had been keeping an eye on him. She thought, if he finds out about my truth he'll steal me away from her..she was scared and so she told me to end things with you as soon as possible and go back to Canada but-"
"so your sickness was all a part of the plan?" she asked, interrupting him
He nodded, "it was all her plan..but I was wrong as well because I helped her with it. She liked you a lot Ash, she didn't want to hurt you that's why she came up with this plan.." he said
Ash nodded, "a normal breakup without any reason is way better than the unexpected death of a loved one. You don't know how that ruined my whole life. Your single lie, disturbed my whole life. I had to leave Korea, I had to see a therapist for a whole month..ugh..why am I even telling you any of this!?" she held her head in her hand, dropping the basket on the floor
"ASH!" someone shouted as she fell on the floor, she could see faces, Joon, Haneul, Flora and several other faces she couldn't recognize<
"Ash! are you alright? Ash!!" Haneul held her in his arms and shook her
"just like the moon.." Ash whispered lightly
"what? Ash! wake up!" Haneul said once again, Ash held his hand on her face
"you're okay?" he asked holding her hand
She nodded, straightening up, "I'm okay.." she whispered
Haneul hugged her, raking his fingers through her hair, "do you think you can get up?" he asked and she nodded as she broke the hug and started getting up
Flora reached her hand and helped her up, "what happened?" she asked, worried
"I haven't eaten anything since morning..my blood glucose level might have dropped suddenly.." she explained as she patted Flora's back, "I'm okay, so no one back at home should know about this.." she warned everyone and they agreed
They ate in the car, Haneul felt a little bad for not taking Flora to a better place but she seemed happy and really satisfied
~
"I had a lot of fun. The food was delicious and the ice cream was really yummy as well..Thank you oppa. Ash, take care of yourself, you too oppa.." she smiled and waved them goodbye.
Haneul got off the car, "Thank you for enjoying everything! Also, Joon-ah, go get Yoona from her room, I'm sure she isn't sleeping, she just updated her SNS, bring her down.." he ordered and Joon listened to him
He brought her down, "what is it oppa?" she asked, but went quiet when she saw Flora and Ash standing next to him
"how are you? going for therapy regularly?" he asked as he kissed her forehead and tucked her hair behind her ear
"you don't even know..in any case, I'm okay..Oh! you must be Flora! I've been waiting for you!" she exclaimed as she extended her hands towards her, Flora took her hands and smiled, "I've been wanting to meet you since forever! I've heard so much about you from Ash..you're really beautiful!" she complimented
Yoona shook her head, "your sister talks about me but she rarely comes to visit me..she's such a busy person!" she complained, receiving a hug from Ash,
"but why did you call me out?" she asked Haneul
"Oh right!" he exclaimed, "I got these for you!" he said, taking out a shopping bag from the car, "wear this tomorrow! And this here.." he took out another bag, "is ice cream, your sister in law chose for you..I wonder how she knew exactly what to choose for you.." he said as he handed her both the bags
"Thank you Ash!" she exclaimed as she hugged Ash
"I also got you something.." haneul pointed, making everybody laugh
"yes, finally, thank you. Now go..before grandma gets up, she's going to make you stay here! go.." she said as she gestured them to run away
Haneul gave a small peck on her forehead as he got in the car, Ash waved everyone goodbye as she too got in.
"drive safe!" both Yoona and Flora exclaimed together, followed by laughter
"something tells me I'm going to have a lot of fun in Korea because of you and with you!" Flora exclaimed, which made Yoona happy.
~
Haneul and Ash were quiet the whole time, none of them said anything on the way back home. When they got back Ash went to take a shower but Haneul couldn't do anything and anxiously waited for her because he was worried she'd pass out again.
"we need to talk.." he finally said as soon as she stepped out of the bathroom
"let me change my clothes please, you should also take a shower before we talk.." she said
Haneul resisted for a while but he nodded, "you're right..okay.."
When he came out, he saw Ash sitting on the couch staring at the wall aimlessly,
He cleared his throat, grabbing Ash's attention
"sit down.." she scratched her head as he sat down, then she turned to look at him, "I don't remember anything, but.." she stopped and took a deep breath
Haneul, instinctively held her hand, "you said something..just like the moon or something like that.." he told
Ash became stiff, "an old memory that I want to forget..I was reminded of that.." she told
"emotional trauma..do you know what triggered it?" he asked
"a breakup without any reason is better than the sudden death of a loved one.." whatever happened in the convenience store played in her head, She had a sudden urge to tell Haneul everything but she stopped, remembering how Yoona, Haneul and Grandma think it's a miracle that Joon is here with them today, how happy they are. She didn't want to ruin any of this. So she shook her head, "I don't remember, probably the convenience store..anyways, I'm fine now..so don't worry..we have a big day tomorrow, we're going to break so many hearts.." she said, in an uneasy tone
Haneul rubbed the back of his neck, "about that..let's just..not break any hearts..let's just do as they want us to, your family specially came all the way from London for this special day, I don't think I'll be able to live after breaking their hearts and shattering their dreams.." he confessed
Ash nodded, "I've been thinking the same, my family and yours, they're all too happy for this..I didn't want to break their hearts either..but I felt selfish saying it to you.." Ash, too, confessed
Haneul let out a sigh of relief, "let's just have fun tomorrow, get engaged, get that problem out of the way, there's still one big problem waiting for us.." Haneul reminded Ash
Ash nodded, "I almost forgot about it..okay, slowly, let's get rid of these problems..okay, I'll go sleep now, goodnight!" she said and ran to her room without waiting for Haneul's reply
But he had nothing to say except, goodnight either..
