"Where are your parents?" Taehyung asks Ae ra as she plops herself down beside Taehyung. Ae ra looks at him sadly and shrug her shoulders.
"I don't know ahjussi..." Taehyung's heart sink. "I have been living under this bridge since I was born, I guess? I don't know who are my parents." Taehyung nods, listening attentively while he lays his head on his hands.
"How have you been feeding yourself? You look so thin Ae ra yah.. it's hurting me."
"Just, when people happen to come by the under the bridge, they are kind enough to give me some food..." Ae ra pouts. Taehyung pats Ae ra's head and pinches her natural rosy cheeks. This made both of them laugh.
"Ae ra, let ahjussi bring you home ok? I have to feed you before you get even thinner. How long have you not gotten proper food?" Taehyung carries Ae ra in his arms as he started walking.
"I don't know ahjussi. Ae ra, Ae ra, Ae ra! I love my name!" Ae ra places her baby sized arms around Taehyung. Taehyung smiles, lasting for a few minutes. It has been so long ever since Taehyung had been this buoyant. He can't help but feel cheery when he sees children. He loves them, very much.
"Fried chicken and kimchi, Ae ra?" Taehyung asked while walking in his small loft. Ae ra shrug.
"What's that?" Ae ra looks at Taehyung with a puzzled look on her face. Taehyung scrunches up his nose and chuckles, adoring Ae ra's innocence.
"It's ok! I'll just whip that dish up for you." Taehyung took out kimchi from his fridge and his seasoned chicken. He quickly oils the pan and fries the chicken while laying out a fistful of kimchi from the container.
"Wah! It smells good! My stomach wants to eat!" Ae ra dash to the kitchen and sat on the floor.
"Ok Ae ra! Let's eat." Taehyung passes a bowl of chicken and kimchi to Ae ra then hesitates and takes back the bowl. "Ae ra. I'll feed you, treat you as my own and shower you with the love any parents will be willing to give their child. Ae ra, I'll be a fatherly figure to you. Okay?" Taehyung spoke in a soft tone.
After knowing about Ae ra, he wanted nothing more than just to shower her with the parenting love she deserves and needs for the past 4 years.
"appa?" Ae ra whispers while staring at Taehyung with her big doe eyes.
Taehyung heard what Ae ra said, despite the soft whisper. Taehyung went forward to caress Ae ra. "Thank you for accepting me. I'll be a good father to you. Always."
With that assurance, Ae ra lets the threaten tears fall freely. I have a father! Ae ra exclaims in her thoughts.
