THE UNLIKELY ROMANCE [✓]

𝕌𝕟𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕕 ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕤...

Rin was in the kitchen, making delicacies for the family, helping her mother and aunt.

A sudden jolt bustled through her, as a warm beary hug, pulled her into a tight embrace.

"You foolish girl, I missed you!" There was no mistaking, in recognising who this hug and an excited high pitched voice belonged too, as the person planted a wet kiss on her cheek.

"Ha Ra! You don't want me to burn your lunch, do you?" Rin turned around, with a smile on her face.

"Look at you, Choon He! I just greeted you and look at you making a fuss about cooking me lunch. You never show any manners." Ha Ra wrinkled her nose, but still moved to the side, only by an inch, so that her cousin could feed her with the delicious food, whatever she was making.

She hadn't tasted her cousin's cooking for long. Her culinary skills seemed to have improved a lot.

She was calm, swift and deft around the kitchen, like always. Her actions graceful to watch.

After a long hungry wait, the dishes were at the table, ready to be devoured. Ha Ra had her chopsticks ready, amusing the eyes of her aunts and Taehyung. Rin silently served her cousin, her favourite dishes, with a smile.

"Swallow and speak!" Rin reprimanded Ha Ra, as she tried to speak with her mouth full.

The slight word, had got her attention around the table. Rin's mother, aunt and cousins looked at her in a confused, yet awe, way.

She sounded so mature and prim just then. It was an usual behaviour, expected from a twenty-four year old. But not from Rin.

"You seemed to have matured a lot!" Her aunt mused. She had been watching her niece for the past whole week, since her arrival.

"It's nothing Gomo! Don't worry yourself over trivial matters." Rin pushed aside the topic with a gentle smile.

Ha Ra budged in, filling her mouth and talking all about her studies and friends and her 'Hoseok'.

Rin interfered occasionally, chiding her to swallow, or to wipe away crumbs from her cousin's mouth. A beautiful smile plastered on her face, her eyes reflecting it.

Taehyung sat silently, enjoying the food, as he eyed his cousin skeptically.

Four years bought a drastic change to his cousin. She talked less, except for the occasional teasing and interjecting words.

As the family dissolved into the routine, the three cousins planned to take a walk.

The park wasn't far away from their home.

"I am planning to find a job at the 'Kim's Construction'. I applied for the interview."

Rin's sudden confession bought an outburst.

"You mean the one..." Ha Ra exclaimed in a mixture of shock and surprise.

"Are you f*****g kidding me?" Taehyung's voice was strained.

"Hmmph! The very one! It's one of the best firm, in the whole country." Rin smiled.

"No! I won't allow you to go there!" Taehyung frowned, angrily.

"Yes! I agree with him. It's better you opt something else." Ha Ra was serious.

"I didn't ask your opinion. I already planned. I am not going back. Moreover, his face won't provoke me. I just wanted you to know and not worry. He probably doesn't even remember me." There was an unusual calmness in Rin's face, as she ended her words.

Guilt covered Taehyung's and Ha Ra's face. Rin didn't know the part after she left. They had purposefully hidden it from her.

Taehyung was still not ready to accept her decision. But he couldn't go against his strong willed sister, nor could Ha Ra.

The three retraced the steps back to home.

"Ah! Here she is!" Taehyung's mom pulled Rin front, as she entered.

It was evident, they had guests.

Rin smiled politely, bowing and greeting them.

"This is Mr. Nam Dong-Hyun, Choon He! He is a long time acquaintance of your father." Her mother explained.

"Nice to meet you Sir!" Rin smiled graciously.

"You are such a beautiful child. You would be perfect for my Joo-Hyuk!" The elderly man smiled widely.

Rin looked at the elders with a confused glance.

"He bought us a marriage proposal, for you, with his son." Her mother briefed, as her aunt agreed to it.

Taehyung and Ha Ra were sure, their cousin would say a firm 'No', even though they exchanged surprised looks.

"Yes! I would love to meet your son, Samchon."

Rin's voice fell like a thunder on a fine day, on her cousin's ears.