The Perfect Strangers

Cont. Chapter 9: The Love Locks

We were laughing like crazy. Oppa sent Chanyeol off to the gate while I went to my room in pain.

***His POV; I had a wonderful night with Zee. It was one of the best nights ever and the best Namsan experience for me. I feel relieved that she is staying with Baekhyun, who I know would really take good care of her. "Why didn't I realise that she was the friend Baekhyun picked up last week? Oh, maybe because I never asked." I am looking forward to tomorrow. I couldn't stop smiling. I know I look like a crazy person right now but what can I do? I waited for this moment to come. "Mmmmmm.... What to do tomorrow with her???" While on my way home, driving my mom is calling me. ~smiled~

Mom: Did you meet her? ~sounded so excited~

Me: Yes.

Mom: What happened?

Me: We had dinner together.

Mom: What else???

Me: Eommoni, I am 10 minutes away from home. Let's talk when I get there. I love you.

Mom: Okay! I will wait for you soon. Bye.

Me: Bye.

I have never heard my mom sound so excited about a girl I was dating. She and my sister have always been my protectors but today it was different. It felt like they were relaxed and relieved if I were to date Zee. "Zee, you surely are a lucky girl. ~smiles~" I arrived home and as expected, all the members of Park family are waiting for me. They're at the dining area as if they were having a meeting and I greeted them. "I'm home!" and they all asked me, "How was your day?"

Mom: Please sit down.

Me: ~I sat down on the chair beside eommoni~ what's this gathering about?

Yoora: It's for you.

Me: Me? Why?

Yoora: Yah! Stop asking, just tell us what happened.

Me: Why are you all curious about her?

Mom: Because this is the first time that we have seen you do something you did just to find someone.

Yoora: I thought after a year you would forget her but you didn't so, we know she might be really someone for you. I was actually happy to meet her earlier. She even said sorry to us for staring because she really couldn't believe we were talking to her.

Mom: ~laughs~ yes yes. I was observing the way she talks; she seems to be well mannered and poised. A pat on the back for her parents especially to her mom.

Me: did you just say poised eommoni?

Mom: Yes, why?

Me: ~laughs~ she must really be shy.

Mom: Why? Is she ill-mannered to you?

Me: Oh, definitely no eommoni. I was trying to say that she was not usually shy of people. She was always confident talking to someone even though she was a bit boyish.

Dad: So, what happened to your date?

Me: You too abeoji? ~smiles~

Dad: Of course.

Me: Okay.

Yoora: How did you know she'll be in Namsan Tower?

Mom: Did she tell you?

Me: No. We never spoke about her visiting Korea one day. I knew she'll be there because we had our first fight and our first date on the hotel rooftop back in Romblon. And she is just a simple woman, enjoying the simple things in life.

Dad: How was the first date here?

Mom: It would have been best if she went here in November.

Me: Why? For my birthday?

Yoora: No. For the first snow.

Me: Oh, I see.

Mom: Hey, tell us what happened on your date?

Me: I saw her as the elevator opened. It feels like the world slows down right that very moment that I saw her. She was standing near the window and watching the scenery. When I saw her smiling, it was as if she was trying to paint them inside her mind. Then I called her name.

Yoora: Then....

Me: She was crying when she saw me. She was always a cry baby. ~smiles~ Then I asked her on a date like every gentleman would do.

Mom: Did you give her flowers?

Dad: Did you?

Me: No.

Mom & Yoora: YAH! PARK CHANYEOL!!!

Yoora: That was important.

Mom: Did you give her something instead?

Me: Yes of course. I gave her a bag of candies. ~smiles~

Dad: Why?

Me: I knew she would cry and candies will always make someone smile.

Dad: Woah. You did great on that son.

Mom: What happened after you asked her on a date?

Me: We went around the park like a normal tourist does. We enjoyed our visit. Then we did the love lock. I wrote; "Zee, you're someone worth waiting for." And I saw hers, "CY, you are my dream come true." The next thing I knew she was Baekhyun's friend.

Mom: Oh yes. He told us earlier.

Yoora: Do you really know why she was here?

Me: What? Why?

Mom: It was her birthday 2 days ago.

Me: Really?

Yoora: Yes! They said they can't wake you up at that time so they all visited her and greeted her on the day of her birthday.

Me: If I knew it was her, I should have gone there. Mmmmm... Can we rest for tonight?

Mom: ~hugs Chanyeol~ I am happy for you, my son. She was truly worth waiting for. I know you'll be happy with her.

Me: Thank you eommoni.

Yoora: I think you have finally found your match. Someone who would annoy, argue and laugh with you 24/7. I know she's a good woman. So better take care of her okay.

Me: I will. ~hugs my sister~ Good night, everyone. I'm sorry, I really had a long day today.

Then I went back to my room. I saw the marble bracelet I bought for her in Romblon. I guess it's time to give this to her. ~smiles~ "But what should I do tomorrow? We can't just go on a date again. I can't ask Baekhyun because they might be sleeping. Hmmmmmmmmm... something she hasn't tried???"

***Her POV; I heard Baekhyun oppa came in and he saw me lying on the bed like a fetus. He ran towards me to ask if I had taken my medicine and I said yes. I know he has a lot in mind to ask me about my headaches but all he did was to comfort me. I went out of my room after an hour, the pain went away because of the medicine again. I saw oppa watching a movie and joined him on the couch.

Me: I'm sorry oppa.

Baekhyun: For what?

Me: For causing trouble and for making you worry about me.

Baekhyun: It's okay. Come on, tell me.

Me: Before I went here, I have been experiencing headaches from mild to moderate and severe. I was feeling dizzy all the time and vomiting has become frequent. We thought it was nothing until I had my first severe headache and vomiting which worried my father more. So I went to see my doctor with my dad and found out I had glioblastoma.

Baekhyun: What was that?

Me: Mmmmmm... it was a form of brain tumor. Deadliest as they say and mine was aggressive.

Baekhyun: How?

Me: Mmmmmmmmm... oh well they can't tell yet because I had a vehicular accident 3 years ago and maybe I inherited it from my mom. She had cancer too but hers was just fine.

Baekhyun oppa faced me and looked me in the eyes. I saw him crying but all I did was smile and hugged him. I assured him I was okay and still alive.

Baekhyun: So how about work and school?

Me: I have given my resignation to the airlines before flying here and they said if I could reconsider doing a ground position for the meantime. And as for school I am waiting for my graduation.

Baekhyun: Did you get a second opinion?

Me: Yes, we did. We had to get a third opinion because my dad couldn't believe what the other doctors said. But they all ended up saying the same thing and every time I hear it, it feels like I was listening to a recorded voice.

Baekhyun: What did Abeoji say after?

Me: But of course, he's devastated. He can't lose a beautiful daughter like me. ~laughs~ He went to contact a few of his friends from America who knew someone who can help me.

Baekhyun: Did they say how long?

Me: Yes! I have a year to live but if I start my treatment earlyI'll get a chance to live for 3 years.

Baekhyun: You should start getting treatment Zee.

Me: I don't know. Maybe after graduation.I don't want to look unpretty on my graduation photos. ~laughs~

Baekhyun: You're such a stubborn little sister. But do you want to consider getting treated here in Korea? I mean our medical field is one of the best.

Me: Oppa, I only have less than a year to live.

Baekhyun: Don't you want to make it at least a year to live? Come on Zee.

Me: Do you really want to try?

Baekhyun: Yes! Undergo surgery or seek medical treatment that can lessen the prognosis of the tumor. Come on Zee please?

Me: If you say so then let's do it.

Baekhyun: ~hugged her tightly~ Thank you Zee.

Me: Oppa, I want a burger and fries. You want them too, right? ~laughs~

Baekhyun: No, I don't.

Me: Wooooooo. No pero hingi ka mamaya. Please?????

Baekhyun: Fine. Let's call for delivery.

Me: Nope. I want to eat at McDonalds.

Baekhyun: But it's late.

Me: Please oppa. I'm hungry.

Baekhyun: Fine fine fine. What can an old brother do when his younger sister was putting on an act just to eat at McDonalds at 12 midnight. ~smiles~ Such a spoiled brat.

Me: Oh yes, I am oppa. ~ hugged Baekhyun~

I knew he was worried about me after what I just said. Oppa was waiting for me outside. We were both wearing pajamas. There were a few people who noticed him and were too proud to brag about having a sister. Then the crew played his song UN Village and I was asking him to do the McDonalds version of rolling rolling rolling. And of course, he did. He made everyone happy, especially me. That was the best McDonalds experience I ever had in Korea.

***Baekhyun's POv; I was observing Zee, I knew how positive she is and can be after realizing how fatal her condition would be. That very moment I decided to be on Zee's side and will continue to fight cancer with her. I was one of the people Zee trusts, first was her father and second was me so she was too comfortable talking about this with me. And to her, I was her real brother and so is she to me. For the first time in 7 years, I saw her scared. I looked up and prayed; "If you can hear me, please let my sister live longer and cure her. We still need a beautiful soil like hers. Please..." ~wiped his tears~ before I went to bed went to Zee's room to say goodnight personally.

Me: ~knock knock knock~ Zenaida are you still up?

Zee: Yes!

Me: Nothing, just checking if you're okay. I brought in a pitcher of water just in case you needed to take your medicine. If something is not right just call me.

Zee: Yes sir!

Me: Goodnight Zee.

Zee: Goodnight oppa. See you tomorrow.

Then I left her room. I was awake every hour trying to check if she needed me. But she was sleeping soundly like a princess.