Arranged by chance and Married by choice - Chapter 14：Fourteen

Kai sat in the balcony of their room with a cigarette lit in his hand. He couldn’t sleep much later even after Mel had fallen asleep in his arms. He was too hyped to even get a blink of sleep. The reason being all the feelings coursing through him- the familiar feelings he had been writing about from a long time in his songs. He wouldn’t deny that he hadn’t been in love with any one of the girls he had dated. With them, it had never been as intense as it had been with his woman now- his wife. The word which he had been scared of a few months ago now made him feel complete. His heart filled with joy whenever he thought about her. This time around his feelings were more pronounced- so much that they almost made him cry in happiness. He sat there reminiscing all the moments he had spent with her. He couldn’t stop himself from penning down his emotions as new lyrics for his song.

Mel sat up in bed and saw that there was still a lot of time for the sun to come up. She saw Kai in the balcony working on something. She grabbed a shawl from her bedside and went out of the room. She stood behind him and he didn’t notice her as he was immersed in his work. She wrapped the shawl around him and he looked up in surprise.

Mel: you’ll catch a cold, don’t be up for long.

And just like that she went back to the bed and once again fell asleep in a few seconds. Kai couldn’t help but be amused by her ability to sleep. That woman could sleep anywhere was his last thought before he too wrapped up his work and joined her in the bed. She moved close to him and wrapped her arms around him before sighing in content. He didn’t miss a beat in pulling her closer and pecking her forehead before drifting off to sleep.

***

It was after three more months and Kai, along with his team was standing on the stage in front of his fans- those who had come to attend their concert. It was the last day of the year and almost nearing midnight but the concert had been planned in a way that it coincided with the most anticipated New Year’s Eve. The fans all waited to step into the newest year with their favourite stars. It was a moment to reckon with. Mui was speaking to the people present and trying to pass the remaining time- measly 30 minutes. He couldn’t focus on his member’s speech as his mind kept drifting back to his wife.

Kai: will you attend our concert Baby?

He had asked her a week ago, eager to spend their new year together. He had released his album, finished his world tour and was on the last leg of the tour with his members after which he had a long break from work.

Mel: (pouting adorably) no Love, they have handed me a project on that night. I’ll be spending most of my time with my new assistant and my camera.

He couldn’t help the sudden rush of disappointment that ran through him at her refusal but he acknowledged her without any qualms.

He shook his head in an attempt to clear it and focus on the job at hand. He couldn’t help the smile which made its way on his lips when he thought back to the instant he had released his album. A few hours ago when he was giving his solo act- all he could focus on was Min-Soe’s smiling face.

Three months ago when he had released his album, he had returned home in anticipation. He was sure that Min-Soe would have heard his songs. He didn’t know how she would take them. She had been waiting impatiently for him.

Mel: Love, you came!

Kai: yes, you are early today?

Mel: (rolling her eyes) no, you are early tonight. So how was it?

Kai: how was what?

Kai: (turning away in embarrassment) hmm, it was as usual. I think fans liked it.

Mel: alright, then you should freshen up, dinner is ready.

That night he took more time than usual to wash up. By the time he came down, he saw Mel sitting on the couch with earphones plugged in. His heart jumped into his throat in anticipation. When it came to others, he was more than confident about his music but he still didn’t know the reason for his fear when it came to Min-Soe. He wasn’t that confident around her. As on cue, she opened her eyes when he reached the last step. Her eyes were brimming with tears and she was trying hard to blink them away.

Kai: what happened?

Mel: (wiping away her tears) I am fine, I was listening to your new title track. It just felt like-

Kai: -it was about us.

Mel: (nodding her head) yes. It’s beautiful.

Kai: (kissing her knuckles) I am glad you liked it.

She had spent the remaining part of that night replaying the same song and loving every moment of it.

When he blinked his eyes, Kai was back on the stage with lights glaring at him. He saw that now only five minutes were left until New Year. He felt a tap on his shoulder and he looked up to see Ray slyly pointing him to look towards a particular section in the audience. His eyes scanned the area and they stopped at a particular figure in the sea of their fans. She was grinning up at him and waving at him.

He was lost by her sudden appearance. He didn’t know how to react but before he could form a proper thought the countdown began. Being a professional he was, his body automatically reacted to the music and the renewed energy of his fans. He desperately wanted to start that new-year by kissing his wife but he settled with moving as closer as possible to the section where Min-Soe was present. The other members could only roll their eyes at his hopeless state and follow suit.

Right on dot at midnight, the whole stadium packed with the fans welcomed the New Year before the guys presented a special re-encore for all who had come to see them and enjoy the show. After the guys bid goodbye to their fans with a promise of returning to them soon, they returned to their waiting rooms. Kai was a different case- his eyes were searching only for his lady love backstage. The guys forcefully pulled him into the waiting room and ordered him to stay still until they said.

Kai: Hey! Bro! Why did you drag me here?

Timo: (rolling his eyes) you would’ve run like a mad man looking for little sister instead of being patient and waiting for her like a sane person,

Kai: (defensively) no! I would’ve-

His words got stuck in his throat when the door opened and Min-Soe herself peeked in.

Mel: can I come in?

Ray: you don’t need to ask for permission Min-Soe.

Mel: (stepping in with a grin) you guys were all so cool!

Mui: Really? Did you watch us this time?

Mel: (nodding) yes, from start until the end.

Vic: sis-in-law, happy New Year, we are really happy that you could join us.

Mel: Thank you, Vic, if it hadn’t been for you-

Kai: (shouting in surprise) you are really here?!

Mel: (jumping up in surprise) oh my! Love, you really scared me.

Kai: (pulling her in for an urgent hug) I am so happy baby!

Mel: (turning a deep shade of red) I couldn’t miss this for the world.

Kai: then what about that project?

Mel: Vic came through and whoosh! I am here.

Kai: Vic-

Mel: (glancing meaningfully at Vic) yes, you were really fabulous on stage!

Kai: (pulling away from her) of course I was. I’ll change and come. Wait for me.

He left her with the other members with a meaningful glare.

Vic: you do know who had planted that project in your way right sis-in-law?

Mel: (frowning) yes, I think she took my warning lightly last time.

Timo: who? What are you both brewing?

Vic: Lee In-Soo is creating troubles for sis-in-law.

Ray: In-Soo?! Kai’s ex?

Mel: brother, not now. I’ll tell you about it some other time. It’s the New Year.

The quartet agreed with her before getting ready for the night.

Kai was grinning from year to year as he walked hand-in-hand with his lady love on the busy streets of Seoul city on the New Year’s night. The streets were buzzing with life as the night was a special one and everyone was out to celebrate. They had left the others behind after their celebratory dinner to spend some quality time with each other.

Mel: Love, why are we here on the streets? Isn’t this dangerous?

Kai: (chuckling and rubbing her palm with his warm ones) no baby, most would be too drunk to notice, besides I don’t think anyone would recognise me.

Mel: ok but where are we going to?

Kai: you’ve come back after ten years and this is our first new year together so I wanted to do something special but again I cancelled all those plans after you told me that you would be working tonight-

Mel bit back a curse at that.

Kai: -and then you surprised me so now I have to make up for all my preparations.

Mel: (sullen) really sorry Love.

Kai: I am happy that you are with me. (Pulling her closer) and you are warm too.

Mel: (giggling) it is really too cold tonight but you still-

Mel couldn’t complete her sentences when the first firework went up in the air lighting up the sky in its colourful glow. She squealed in excitement and pecked her man on the lips quickly before turning to watch the show. He had brought her to the riverside where they held the biggest fireworks show every year.

Kai was lost in her joy-filled eyes and couldn’t look anywhere else but her face- which had been filled with pure ecstasy at that moment. He would swear later that he fell more for her at that moment.

Mel: (pointing at the sky) aw! Love this is really very beautiful.

Kai: (softly looking at her) yes, beautiful.

Mel: (resting her head on his shoulder) I am really happy right now. (Sighing) I love you, Kai.

The time stilled for them at that moment, Kai couldn’t believe his own ears. He thought he was dreaming about it. She had confessed about loving him. Mel looked up at him when she didn’t hear any reply from him after a long time. She saw that his eyes were filled with unshed tears and he was staring at her. His face was blank as a board.

Mel: is there something on my face?

He didn’t reply to her- he couldn’t reply. He was in a state of shock but when she pulled away from him to wipe her face he didn’t like it for a single moment. He reacted and pulled her in for a warm embrace. They stood there like that for a long beat until the increasing cold broke them apart.

Mel: (shivering) let’s head back to home.