My Love That Is Forever (EXO FF)

4: Some Fates Just Had To Be Met

"How have you been buddy?", Junmyeon asked Baekhyun as he took him into a man hug, slapping his back. "And how are Aunt and Uncle?"

"They are good hyung, thanks for asking", Baekhyun answered as he left Junmyeon's embrace.

"When are they coming back?", Minseok piped up, hugging Baekhyun next.

"Next year hopefully, once they both retire", Baekhyun's father was in foreign office, which was why they'd shifted to New York back when Baekhyun was in junior year of high school, while his mother was a college professor.

They had all gathered at a snooker club downtown (Chanyeol's suggestion) to welcome Baekhyun in the evening that Sunday after he'd gotten settled into his new apartment and rested a bit.

"Hey man!", Yixing came up behind Baekhyun slapping his butt, and Baekhyun turned in delight and enveloped the guy in a bone-crushing embrace. Though Baekhyun had only met Yixing a few times (the later had only become a part of their group in university when Baekhyun had already been away in States) during his yearly summer trips to Korea, but they'd had grown closer quickly.

"Where's Sehun?", Baekhyun asked, looking around Yixing, after they were done catching up. He'd been looking forward to meeting the guy he'd only seen through video calls.

Yixing gave him a look. "This is club dude and he's underage, like Kai. Besides he had a test to prepare"

"Oh", Baekhyun had completely forgotten the guy was still in high school. He had hardly ever considered Jongin as someone younger than him, they had always gotten along so well. At times even better than he did with Kyungsoo.

"Are Kai and Sehun any similar? I haven't talked to Sehun much?", Baekhyun asked in curiousity.

"Umm", Yixing fell into thought. "Well they both love dancing. Apart from that, I don't know, they never really talk about each other much"

Baekhyun mumbled in responce and they all took to a table a few paces away, upon Junmyeon's call. "Junmyeon told me you took Journalism too. I am going to be your senior at the university", Yixing commented, raising an amused brow.

Baekhyun narrowed his eyes. "You're not thinking of taking undue advantage of your seniority right? Bullying is illegal"

Yixing chortled at Baekhyun's remark and they all got settled into the leather benches around the round table.

"How come you haven't properly answered any of the messages I left these past few weeks, huh?", Jongdae complained.

"Yeah sorry about that bud, I was busy with some things", Baekhyun replied.

"Did those 'things' have breasts?" Jongdae smirked and they all laughed, well aware of their friend's coquettish nature.

Baekhyun laughed as well, before answering firmly. "Very funny, but no"

He had been busy because of his Dad's health issues during the past few months. His father had had a heart attack, a few weeks after Baekhyun got his transfer work done to the university in Korea. But he didn't tell anyone about it, thinking there was no point in spreading undue worry.

It hadn't been a good experience for Baekhyun, seeing his father so close to death. His easy going, happy-go-lucky behavior had changed a bit, as he realized that life wasn't something to be taken lightly. He had been quite unwilling to come to Korea, but Mr. Byun had reassured him that he was much better now and him staying back after planning for so many months would only make him feel bad. And so he had.

.................................................................

Chanyeol walked upto to Kyungsoo, who was sitting quietly at the bar, watching his friends make fools of themselves at the dance floor.