LOST AND FOUND

THE MEETING

The time finally came, everyone arrived at the restaurant on or before time because the eldest is very punctual. All the members came with their spouses and kids. What they didn't know was that they were being eyed by someone from outside the window. They cut the cake, had some beer and had happy time together. The women gossiped about the habits of their husbands while the kids discussed how not-so-understanding their parents were towards them. Since, they were all of same age group and went to the same school, they were as close as their parents.

The males were all busy telling each other what they did the whole year, congratulating Sungmin for new single while Henry composed a new album for D&E  who owned their own label. Also, under their label worked the members of SJ - M, who were preparing for their comeback.  Hee Chul had a busy life in front of media as he hosted 12 shows simultaneously without break. He even worked on weekends to keep himself busy. Everyone knew why he was doing that because the moment he is free, his mind would wander around useless memories and he will break. Yesung's cafe was working in full beam while the place they  were sitting in was also doing good. Siwon's company had reached new heights and Kyu's school became pretty famous not only for studies but also extra curriculum. Kangin owned a bar cum club because the thing he knew the best was always about drinks. Eunhyuk and Shindong became famous idol choreographers and stage designers cum producers while Donghae was a known lyricist and composers. 

The meeting ended post midnight and everyone went  back home happily after wishing Merry Christmas to each other. Hee Chul was the last one to leave always, as he helped Ryewook close the restaurant. He hadn't gone far from the restaurant when he felt a tug at his sleeves. He looked at his side and found a cute little girl clutching onto him, feared of going away from him. He bent down, took her hands in his, dried her tears, kissed her on her forehead and then asked "what happened little girl?" She replied " you look like my eomma and I have lost appa. Also, I am not little girl, I am 7 and my name is Park Heemi."

He was taken aback. Only one person knew about this name and that was his love. His heart started beating heavily so he questioned her again " what is your appa's name, Heemi?" She cheekily replied "Park Jung Soo, and he is a big fan of yours. He watches all your shows and tells me that if circumstances would have allowed, you would be my eomma." He was shocked beyond limits.

He couldn't control his sobs and stabilized after a few minutes. She looked at him and said again " can we now go and find my appa? He must be worried for me." He nodded, took hold of hands and started walking. Since they didn't know which way to go, he asked her again " how did your appa dress up, dear?" She said sobbingly "he doesn't like to dress up so he just wore a black coat on blue jeans with black mask and black beanie." He hummed in response and then asked another  one " where did you last see him?" She was tired and was losing her balance so she clutched on him tighter and said " on the bench in front of the restaurant you were in. We always spend our Christmas eve there only."

Looking at her clutching him tightly, he lifted her up and walked faster than ever to reach the spot she just mentioned. He didn't know what to expect. He felt her grip loosening and found her falling asleep in his hands. When he reached that place, he saw a man sitting and crying frantically saying " where are you Heemi? Come back to appa please. If you don't like it, we won't come here next year on wards. Just come back please. I  can't loose another family. I have lost enough family members. Please come back."

He found himself loosing his sanity and stability after seeing his love like this. He found enough courage to utter " are you by chance looking for this girl?" The man he asked to turned around and they were both equally shocked. He could only stutter "Hhe.....Ch......ulll" while the other just nodded. They stared at each other for God knows how long and their staring contest broke when Heemi stirred in her sleep. She looked around and shouted in joy when she saw her appa in front of her "appa. Appa I am sooooo sorry for leaving you earlier like that and making you worried but look who I found. He is the one you always stare at lovingly when we watch tv, isn't he?"

As soon as those words left the tongue of his daughter, he felt uncomfortable and awkward to look back and thank him for bringing his daughter back safe and sound to him. But it didn't last long as Hee Chul himself said " I am a bit tired and my house is very far. Also, I don't have any vehicles right now. So, if your house is nearby, can you let me stay please?" Both looked at him together, one in love and other in awkwardness. The daughter looked at her father with puppy eyes and pleaded him to let him stay in their house.

He kept silent for a few minutes and then said "my house isn't very big, so you might feel uncomfortable. But, if you insists, you can stay. Let's go." He held  Heemi in his arms so she could sleep there while leading the way to his house to his long lost love.

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What do you think happened next? Did they confess or kept being awkward around each other?

Stay tuned to read the next chap.