FALLIN'

[11] Oxytocin

*Annie's POV*

"It's okay. I understand.. I think I'm gonna wait in the living room with Grandma & Grandpa", I said while leaving the kitchen.

I went to the living room & sat beside Grandma..

"Well hello there pretty lady.. did you guys talk?"

"Yes, we did Grandma. Thank you...

Where's grandpa? I thought I heard his voice?"

"He went to the garden.. "

"Oh"

"Say, Annie?"

"Hm?"

"I was thinking... would you perhaps like to see pictures from Jinie's childhood? I have Chang's yearbook from when he used to stay in Gwacheon, when our daughter was still...." grandma's voice cracked..

"Don't cry grandma.."

"No, I am not. It's just some dirt in my eyes", said Grandma rubbing her eyes.

Annie hugged Grandma from the side saying,"You're so strong Granny"

"You bet I am! Now lets go.."

Granny took her to a room which was full of pictures of a woman..

"This is Chang's mother, Lisa's room. Sit down.. I'll bring the book"

I couldn't help admire the woman in the photographs..

"She's so beautiful"

"She was my daughter after all", said Grandma with a smile on her face.."Here, this is where you'll find little Jinnie"

I started flipping through the yearbook..

"The one on the left is him, right?", I asked Grandma.

"Yes"

"He didn't change much, huh? Aww, look, he's looking so cute in here"

"Isn't he?", Grandma smiled.

"Uhuh, he is.."

We spent quite some time looking at the pictures & talking about Jin's childhood.

***After a while***

"What are you guys talking about?", said Jin entering the room..

"Was telling her about your embarassing days"

"Granny!! Not anymore.. lets go.. the food is ready... & it's getting pretty late.. I'll have to drop Annie home after this..."

"Umm.. don't mind me. I can take a cab from here", I objected.

"You don't have to. I'll drop you"

"I said I can take a cab"

"Uh oh, looks like the old lady should give some space to the young lovers. I'll be downstairs. You guys take your time", said Granny before leaving the room.

As soon as Granny left, I wanted to leave too. It felt so awkward to be alone with him after what happened in the kitchen.

*Jin's POV*

I finished cooking & preparing the table for us to eat.

I wonder where Annie is.. she said she'll be in the living room.. but there's no trace of her..

All of a sudden, I heard somebody laughing. I followed the sound.

'There she is.'

"What are you guys talking about?", I asked.

She didn't respond to me..

'I need to talk to her. I guess there has been a misunderstanding'

I told Granny that the food was ready & I'll have to drop Annie as it was getting pretty late, so we needed to start with the dinner now..

But Annie kept arguing that she'll take a cab.

As soon as Granny left, I thought I'll have the chance to talk to her but she was in a hurry to leave the room as well..

'No, I'm not letting you go'

I grabbed her hand & started explaining, "Annie, listen to me, I am sorry. I thought you were going to be mad at me for trying to kiss you, so I went defensive. I didn't mean to upset you"

"Why would I be upset? It's fine"

I could tell she was lying.

"If you're really fine then why were you about to leave the room after Granny"

"Because I'm hungry"

"you sure you're okay?"

" Yes, 100%" she said with a forced smile on her face..

I understood she wasn't really okay, but decided not to press it further for now..

"Okay then, lets go eat"

*Annie's POV*

He apologized. How am I suppposed to react?

"Why would I be upset? I'm fine", I said but I could tell he wasn't convinced.

He asked me further, why was I trying to leave the room..

I diverted the question stating," I'm hungry"..

After that, we joined Grandma & Grandpa for dinner..

We all laughed, talked, shared stories with each other...

It felt so good to have dinner with so many people around... I almost forgot the flavour of having a family.. I need to thank Jin for this day...

Moments flew by & it was already time to go home..

"Bye Grandma, bye Grandpa. It was nice to meet you both.. thanks for having me here today"

They waved happy goodbyes to me & Jin, while he drove away from Chang's Grandpa's house..

***********

*Third person's POV*

The car stopped infront of Annie's house. Both of them remained silent as Jin got out of the car & opened the door for Annie..

She was absent-minded & didn't hear Jin calling out to her..

Jin bent down infront of the car door, pulling Annie out of her trance..

"Hey we're here"

"Huh?"

"Your home"

"Oh... yeah", she said, coming out of the car.

She flashed a weak smile towards Jin & started walking towards her front door..

He couldn't understand what was going on in her mind but he guessed something wasn't right..

Instead of leaving her at it, he decided to follow her..

Annie was unlocking her door when Jin spoke up, "umm.. Annie? Is everything alright between us?"

"....yeah, why?", said Annie, turning around to face him..

"Uh.. about what happened between us...in the... uh...you know...I kind of...panicked...I thought you were gonna think that I'm some desperate guy who...."

"Thank you so much, Jin"

"who wou.... huh?"

"I said thank you"

"....Why?"

"For taking me out on this beautiful date.."

"I...um...are you being sarcastic?"

"No, I am not. Thank you so much for taking me to meet Grandpa & Grandma. They're wonderful people...

You know... it was after years that I felt the warmth of a family", Annie's voice cracked..

She continued with teary eyes, "It was after years that I didn't eat alone....*almost whispering*.... thank you...."

Jin pulled her close in a hug, trying to calm her down, "Shhhh... it's okay.."

"No, it's not. Really... thank you... after so many years.. I sat with a family & had dinner...& not just in my sofa watching some random s**t on tv that I don't even like.... this...this means so much to me, Jin", Annie said holding him tighter..

Jin didn't utter a word...he knew one thing for sure that right now Annie needed somebody to listen to her..

"I look miserable, don't I? Acting all smart at first & then crying on the first date.. heh! Poor Annie", she mocked herself.

"Hey, look at me..."

"No, I look so..."

"I don't care! Look at me...

Did I ever say, you look miserable?"

Annie nodded her head in disapproval..

"Then? Don't decide for me..

I know we just met few weeks ago, but I've never seen a strong woman like you... it's okay to break down at times.. that's what makes us more humane.. & I'm glad I could make you happy..even if a bit", said Jin cupping Annie's face..

Annie couldn't stop her tears from flowing..

Jin softly wiped her tears with his thumb & slowly bent down, pulling her face closer to his..

He placed soft kisses on her eyes..

"Mmhm yaaa salty", he said while making faces.

Annie laughed out loud, "Shut up, you jerk!"

"Yeah... that's the smile I was looking for", said Jin smiling from ear to ear...

A merry feeling bloomed inside Annie..

Something that she would call 'The work of Oxytocin' ?

".............would you... like some coffee?", she asked smiling, not wanting the night to end yet..

"...Um..sure.....", he agreed at once.

********

*Peter's POV*

I kept calling her, but she didn't pick up. I am so frustrated right now. Its 11pm already! Where is she?? The food I ordered was cold by now..

Did she forget about our plan?

I quickly ran upto her house, only to find the door locked.

I don't know how should I react right now? Should I be mad or worried?

I don't even know where they went..

'Ughh! So damn frustrating'

I called her for the n-th time...still there was no response.

I lit up a cigarette & went to the balcony. I needed some fresh air..

After few moments I saw a black car stopping infront of Ann's house. A guy came out & opened the door to the passenger seat..

'There she is! Let the guy leave... I'm gonna be so mad at you! Just you wait, Ann.

I'm not gonna give you Chicken!'

But instead of leaving, the guy followed Ann.

'What the hell? I knew he's gonna be a creep. I need to get there'

But before I could move, I saw them hugging each other..

My heart dropped at the sight...

'......Not again'

I balled my hands into tight fists.

He kissed her eyes.. and sooner they went inside..

'Oh? That's it? That's all it takes to forget Peter? So much for "what would I do without you Pete?".. Doesn't feel that way to me...'

She forgot about our plan tonight..

22years of being there for her & one date with some random guy is all she needed to forget me..

'Wow'

*********

To be continued ...