Cold Shoulder [Completed] ✅

Chapter 26

Seokjin and Aaria had finally arrived at their destination. Seokjin couldn't believe that he was here after all these years. This was where he and Taehyung had grown up. It was a sort of pilgrimage to pay homage to him and also for his daughter to see her parents birthplace and meet her grandfathers.

They walked up to the house and Seokjin started to feel nostalgic. He pointed out a tree to Aaria, showing her the place that her abeoji and appa had built their treehouse.

Seokjin's heart warmed. The moment was bittersweet as he thought about all those days and nights that he and Taehyung would escape their rooms and meet stealthily. They would sit for hours up there and talk about their futures. Taehyung had always wanted to become a designer but his family were never supportive of his dreams. Seokjin had always been there for him and he for Seokjin. They shared their passions and dreams, marking out their lives until that fateful day that Seokjin had written a letter and confessed his feelings.

He often thought about that. If he had been just a little braver and told Taehyung earlier, would it have made a difference? Would their lives have turned out differently? But it was never a good thing to tread on that path. A path where he would live on 'what ifs' and 'what could've been'.

He wiped away a stray tear and knocked on his father's door. When there was no answer, he frowned. He hadn't seen his father in years and he had deliberately not kept up with him. Seokjin looked around the farm. The place looked unlived in and uncared for. That was strange to him as he always remembered this place to be bustling with activity.

He decided to walk up to the main house and call on Taehyung's father. Here too they encountered a quiet welcome. A maid appeared and greeted them.

"Is that you Seokjinah? Oh my word! You look so handsome. Please do come in. Master is in his study. I will call on him."

Seokjin smiled at her politely. She was old but her memory was still sharp. A few minutes later, Mr Kim Chiwon appeared. He looked older, but still upright.

"Seokjin....and is this my granddaughter? Aaria?"

Aaria looked from her appa to her grandfather, seeking permission to go to him. Seokjin nodded and she ran into his waiting embrace. Tears flowed out of his eyes unexpectedly as he watched their interaction.

They made their way to sit in the drawing room where Seokjin was shocked to find a meter wide portrait of his Taehyung hanging above the fireplace. He walked to it and touched the thick frame.

"I had that made after he passed on. Although he hated me, he was still my son and in my own messed up way, I did love him," Chiwon said.

Aaria joined her appa to gaze at her abeoji. He was really good looking.

"Mr Kim, is my father here? I went to his room and there was no answer." Seokjin asked Chiwon.

"Oh, he's here Seokjin. He lives with me since he became really ill about 5 years ago."

This was news to Seokjin. He started to feel guilty for not checking in on his father before.

"I didn't know...." his voice trailed off.

"It's okay Seokjin. You can come up to his room. I'm sure he'll be happy to see you and Aaria."

They followed Chiwon up to the room and Seokjin gripped Aaria's hand firmly. He was nervous to face his father after all these years.

The room was dark but clean. His father lay on the bed, weak but still alert. He looked old and very thin.

"Seokjinah, is that you my son?"

Seokjin walked to his bedside and held his hand. "Papa, I'm sorry. I should have come sooner." His eyes filled with tears seeing his father in this condition.

"It's okay Jinah. I had my friend taking care of me." He looked up and smiled weakly at Chiwon. "And who might this young lady be?" Hojin smiled softly, looking at Aaria.

"This is your granddaughter Aaria," Seokjin said, bringing his daughter closer for his father to see her better.

"My granddaughter? Wow! She's beautiful. She looks just like you Jinah." He hugged her slowly as his body was too weak to exert himself any further.

"Hojin don't sit up. You'll tire yourself."

"Nonsense Chiwon. I haven't felt better in so many years. Let me have my fill of my granddaughter." He smiled happily and Aaria went to sit with him on the bed.

"She's not only your granddaughter but mine too. So you can't monopolize on her," Chiwon joked with his old friend and former employee.

Seokjin smiled softly. The afternoon passed by pleasantly enough. Aaria bounced around the farm, enjoying the fields. She was unaccustomed to such places. Seokjin was happy seeing his daughter enjoying herself.

Chiwon came to join Seokjin on the porch swing, watching Aaria.

"I gave up everything Seokjinah. I promised you I would put an end to all my illegal activities and I did. Now I just take care of your father and we live a contented life here. But it's a sad life Seokjinah. We don't have our children nor grandchildren. I failed my son. I failed his mother too. I can't undo the past but I can hope for a better tomorrow. Thank you for bringing Aaria here today. I wish you could stay longer but I know Jungkook must be waiting for you both."

"Mr Kim, Jungkook and I are not together. In fact, he's getting married. That is why Aaria and I have come to Korea."

Chiwon looked at Seokjin. He hadn't expected that. He knew that Jungkook was deeply in love with Seokjin and he adored Aaria. Something didn't feel right.

"Well I'll be damned! I thought you two had a thing. I guess I was wrong."

Seokjin scoffed. "He wanted it. But I couldn't." He looked away, watching Aaria try to catch a butterfly.

"Is it because of my son?"

Seokjin turned to look at Chiwon. Never in his life did he ever think that they would sit on a porch swing and speak so freely.

"I love your son Mr Kim. He was my life. I could never be with anyone else besides him."

Chiwon nodded. "Yes Seokjin. But do you think he would have wanted you to be alone? For Aaria to be alone? I may not have a say in your life or Aaria's but I knew my son. He was always full of life. He would never have wanted you to live in his memories. He would have wanted you to move on. Taehyung embraced life always. He would want you to do that too."

Seokjin teared heavily and Chiwon reached out to him. He didn't realise that he was in his embrace until he felt Chiwon rubbing his back slowly.

"Don't lose out on a chance at happiness. I know for a fact that Jungkook loves you. He would forget that other person in a heartbeat if you told him you wanted him too."

"I can't....I can't do that to him father. He deserves to be happy too. I....I have too much baggage."

"That's nonsense and you know it my son. Your fear of letting go of Taehyung is holding you back from happiness. Jungkook is your happiness Seokjinah. Embrace him. Show him how much you love him. I promise you, he will accept your love. And if he doesn't, I'll just shoot him in the leg."

Seokjin laughed lightly. That broke the tension for a bit. "Thank you for taking care of my papa. I promise to be a better son from now on."

The day ended when Jungkook called. He was missing Aaria, so Seokjin drove back to him, his heart a little lighter and his soul a little unburdened.

.......

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Hey my swties 💗

Thank you for over 11K reads.
I hope you are all enjoying this book. The pace will pick up again from the next chapter. Until then....stay safe and take care of you and your loved ones.

I purple you 💜

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Love Swty 😙