Chapter 21

"Permission to love"

"And then..." 

The three people seated around Ha Na were looking at her with large widened eyes, waiting for her to continue. 

"...he kissed me." 

Jung Hwa was squealing and put her hands on her cheeks to cover up her redness. Namjoon just froze on the spot, his eyes staying the same size while he was staring at his little sister, and Hakyeon widened his eyes even more while he clenched his fist and just focused on his breathing.

"Then what happened?" asked Jung Hwa with great enthusiasm.

"I kissed him back," replied Ha Na while blushing.

"How could you allow yourself to be alone with a boy?" said Namjoon, sounding more worried than angry.

"It was raining, would you want them to stay out there and get sick?" snapped Jung Hwa and Namjoon drew back in defeat.

"Besides," signed Ha Na, "I trust Jimin as much as I trust you guys."

"You really trust people easily," said Hakyeon, who hadn't spoken the entire time since Ha Na began her story, "you have known us basically your whole life, but Jimin, whom you met for the first time a few months back, you trust just as much?"

"I sense jealousy," sang Jung Hwa while signing.

"No, I am just amazed that it didn't take more for Jimin to peck his way into our Ha Na's heart."

"Oppa, you promised to be supportive," pleaded Ha Na, "I am already dying, just thinking about telling my mom and dad, if I have to convince you as-"

"Yes, yes!" said Hakyeon and interrupted Ha Na, "I am sorry, I will be supportive."

"Thank you!" signed Ha Na.

"Are you really going to tell mom and dad?" asked Namjoon.

"Of course!" exclaimed Ha Na, "I don't want to keep a boyfriend a secret from them." Hakyeon gulped once he saw the word "boyfriend" being signed from Ha Na. Almost unconsciously, he got up from his seat and all eyes landed on him.

"I forgot I... have plans with someone from my company tonight," signed Hakyeon, his sign language a little bumpy, not seeming very trustworthy.

"You have other friends?" signed Jung Hwa and made a sarcastic face.

"In fact I do, so I will leave now." Hakyeon walked out of the door before anyone could have get the time to say goodbye, but Ha Na didn't give up and ran after him. She caught him just in front of the door and grabbed his shirt, which sent an electric shock through his body.

"I don't have time," signed Hakyeon once he turned around, "I am already late."

"I will be quick!" signed Ha Na and Hakyeon nodded along, allowing her to continue, "I just want to say thank you for being so supportive lately. The way you helped Jimin at the competition, and at the hospital when you spoke to his dad."

"Well... you are welcome, I guess," signed Hakyeon, feeling a slight pain in his chest.

"I really hope you two will become good friends, I want my boyfriend and my best friend to get along." The word "boyfriend" hit again, and just as hard as the first time Ha Na had used it.

"I will... see you later, Ha Na," signed Hakyeon and then left without hesitation. Ha Na stayed for a while, looking at the closed door and wondered why Hakyeon was acting so weird, it worried her. But before she could think too deeply about it, she was shocked when an arm swung around her neck and she turned her head to be met by Jung Hwa's happy and careless smile.

"Want to sleep over tonight?" asked Jung Hwa in sign language, once she had let go of Ha Na, "we can talk more about you and Jimin when your brother goes home." Ha Na nodded eagerly and gave Jung Hwa a quick hug.

"Is something going on with Hakyeon Oppa?" signed Ha Na, "he is acting really strange."

"He just doesn't want to lose you," replied Jung Hwa, "he will be himself soon enough, when he realizes that you getting a boyfriend doesn't change our friendship with each other."

"Do you think?"

"I am sure," signed Jung Hwa, "now come on so we can kick Joonie oppa out of here and have a real girl talk!"

The afternoon turned into evening and once the evening arrived, the night slowly crept in and made both Ha Na and Jung Hwa tired and sleepy. Jung Hwa was the first one to doze off while Ha Na laid in the opposite side of the bed while her mind kept replying yesterday's event.

As if on cue, her phone woke her up completely by the vibration from receiving a message, and a big smile turned up on her lips when she saw Jimin's name on the sender.

From: Park Jimin 🐨

Are you sleeping?

Reply to: Park Jimin 🐨

No not yet

From: Park Jimin 🐨

How was your day?

Reply to: Park Jimin 🐨

I had a great day, I told my brother, Hakyeon and Jung Hwa about you and me

From: Park Jimin 🐨

Oh really? Then should I expect to receive my death sentence soon?

Reply to: Park Jimin 🐨

No, you're being silly! They were all happy on our behalf, I'm more nervous to tell my parents, my mom can be really scary sometimes. 

From: Park Jimin 🐨

It's because she doesn't want anything bad to happen to you. 

Do you want me there so we can tell them together?

Reply to: Park Jimin 🐨

No I think it's better if I tell them and then wait until they've softened a bit before you come over again.

From: Park Jimin 🐨

That sounds like a good plan.

As Ha Na was in the middle of typing out her next message, Jimin beat her to it.

From: Park Jimin 🐨

I can't believe you're my girlfriend, it doesn't seem real.

Reply to: Park Jimin 🐨

I know, I feel the same. Did you tell Jungkook and Taehyung? And Hoseok?

From: Park Jimin 🐨

I told Tae and JK because they asked me about it the minute I returned home yesterday and I told Hoseok when I was practicing with him today. They all congratulate us.

Did you change my name under your contacts?

Reply to: Park Jimin 🐨

No you're stilled saved under the usual name

From: Park Jimin 🐨

So I'm just Park Jimin? I even put a "❤️" next to your name

Reply to: Park Jimin 🐨

I put a "🐨" next to yours

From: Park Jimin 🐨

Why would you put a koala next to my name?

Reply to: Park Jimin 🐨

Because koalas are cute and so are you ❤️

I'm going to sleep now, goodnight

From: Park Jimin 🐨

Sweet dreams ❤️

Ha Na turned off her phone and hugged her blanket while feeling happy and giddy in her entire body, but when she felt Jung Hwa move a bit next to her, Ha Na made sure to stay still, in fear of waking her up. So instead, Ha Na closed her eyes and with a smile on her face, thought about Jimin until the second she fell asleep.

***

While Ha Na was walking around at the library, putting away book after book and helping the different customers, Ji Eun noticed that something seemed a bit off. Other than acting distant, she seemed tense and nervous and when she dropped the tenth book of that day, Ji Eun pulled her to the side.

"Is something wrong?" asked Ji Eun, "did you already fight after going out for only two days?" Ji Eun already knew all about what happened two night ago and even if Ha Na had tried to deny it, the log showed that her password was used to disable the alarm. But Ha Na didn't try to deny it, in fact she was the one who came to Ji Eun and admitted that she had used the library as a shelter from the rain, so when Ji Eun heard that and remembered that Ha Na and Jimin had a date that night, she demanded to hear the full story.

Things are fine between Jimin and I. We haven't had a fight

Was what Ha Na had written on her phone to show Ji Eun.

"Then why are you acting like something is wrong?" asked Ji Eun, seeming like she wouldn't let Ha Na go before she got an explanation.

I have tell my parents about Jimin and I'm afraid how they'll react

"Ah, I see," said Ji Eun and rubbed her chin, "I understand why you are nervous, but I am sure it will turn out alright. Once they see how happy he makes you, they will want you to be with him as well." A smile appeared on Ha Na's face and even though this didn't take away every worry she had, it did make her feel more at ease.

Thank you Ji Eun, you're always so kind to me.

"Stop being so sentimental, I just can't have my employee going around dropping books and making a fuss, right?" Ji Eun winked at Ha Na and a light giggle left her mouth.

"Now go work hard." Ha Na nodded and then ran out in the library again, feeling a newfound energy rushing through her body.

After the short pep talk from Ji Eun, the day seemed to pass by much quicker, Ha Na's mood having been lifted, but when time neared closing hours, Ha Na felt the anxiety return. She didn't walk home directly, but ended up taking a short detour, simply to calm down her nerves, before she finally reached home and walked in to see her mom smiling as she was cooking dinner. 

"Welcome home, honey," signed Eun Ji and smiled at Ha Na before she began stirring the food again. 

"It smells good in here, when is dad going to be home?" asked Ha Na, her hands starting to sweat. 

"He is going to be home soon, and Namjoon already returned so it is going to be all four of us tonight." Ha Na tried to look excited, but the truth was, she had kinda wished for Namjoon to work late today. She really didn't want to tell them while her brother was there, because no matter how supportive he said he was, he was still a momma's boy. 

It didn't take long before Byung Ho returned home and all four were sitting at the table, eating. Getting some food in her stomach, did help calm Ha Na down a bit, but Byung Ho still couldn't help but notice her strange behavior and when she hadn't said something for the entire meal, he confronted her. 

"Is something wrong?" signed Byung Ho and Ha Na looked at him and gulped. 

"Did you have a good day?" signed Eun Ji and joined in, also noticing Ha Na's behavior. 

"Actually, I would like to talk to you about something," signed Ha Na and looked at her mom and dad. 

"Well of cause, sweetheart," signed Byung Ho, "what is it?" 

Ha Na started thinking about what to say, when she remembered Namjoon who was still sitting in his seat, curiously looking at the scene. She looked up and sent him a glare that seemed to make him wake up. 

"Ah, I have to look over a case for tomorrow, so I will take my leave now," said Namjoon, completely forgetting to sign, but that didn't matter. 

"Sure, if you finish early, then come downstairs later and we can all watch a movie," replied Eun Ji and Namjoon nodded along. 

"I will," said he before quickly getting up from his chair and leaving Ha Na alone with her parents. 

"So, Ha Na," signed Byung Ho, "what did you want to talk to us about?" 

"Well," started Ha Na, "do you remember that boy, Park Jimin, who followed me home a few months ago?" 

"Of course we remember." Eun Ji was quick to reply. "Why are you bringing him up now? You said you two probably wouldn't meet again." 

"I did meet him again." Eun Ji's eyes widened when that sentence was finished and as soon as Byung Ho noticed, he put a hand on her shoulder, telling her to let Ha Na finish. 

"We actually met a few times... in fact... we spent a lot of time together." 

"What are you talking about?" said Eun Ji while signing, "you always tell us who you are with and you never mentioned him." 

"Because I lied, I told you I was hanging out with Jung Hwa, but sometimes that meant we also hung out with Jimin... and his friends too." 

"YOU LIED?" yelled Eun Ji out, but Byung Ho stopped her before she could continue. 

"Ha Na," signed Byung Ho, "why would you lie to us about that?" 

"Because I knew you would never let me hang out with anyone you didn't trust." 

"Of course not!" said Eun Ji who was too upset to use sign language, "what parent would let their children be with people they didn't trust?" 

"I understand that," signed Ha Na, "but you don't trust anyone when it comes to me. Namjoon hangs out with a bunch of people from his work and a few old classmates once in a while, but if you as much as hear me talking about someone besides Jung Hwa or Hakyeon, you freak out. You won't even try and get to know them." 

"I didn't know you felt like this," signed Byung Ho, "we only wanted to protect you." 

"Yes honey, the world doesn't care about people like you. They would take any change they have to take advance of you and before you know it, those so-called friends, would leave you." 

"That is not true!" signed Ha Na aggressively, "Jimin isn't like that! He is sweet and caring and never puts himself first, he is humble, but passionate, and... I am in love with him!" If Eun Ji's eyes weren't filled with rage before, it certainly was now and Byung Ho just looked shocked, not knowing what to do. 

"He likes me too, we want to be together." 

"That is totally out of the question!" said Eun Ji, "you can't be serious, thinking we would go along with this!" 

"If you would just give him a chance-" 

"We will not! And you will text him right now and say you won't meet him again and then delete his number!" 

"I will not do that!" 

"Give me your phone," said Eun Ji and got up, but Ha Na just did the same. 

"Both of you sit down," said Byung Ho, but Eun Ji was already running after Ha Na, trying to get to her phone and none of them cared to listen to Byung Ho. In the end, Eun Ji was both stronger and faster than Ha Na, but when she finally got the phone, she came to a realization. 

"What is your password?" signed Eun Ji, but Ha Na just shook her head. 

"Eun Ji, this doesn't lead to anything good," whispered Byung Ho to his wife, "let us talk about this in a calm matter." 

"How can I ever trust her again after this?" yelled Eun Ji and glared at Ha Na, "I will keep this phone, and you are grounded until you either tell me your password or tell him yourself that you won't see him again." 

Ha Na looked at her mom who just stared back at her and for several minutes, no one said anything. Byung Ho was trying to figure out how to calm things down, while the tension between mother and daughter was only building up. Then suddenly, Ha Na looked away from Eun Ji and walked with firm steps to the hall where she put on her shoes and grabbed her jacket before storming out. 

"Yes, you go cool your head so you can start thinking clearly!" yelled Eun Ji even though the only one hearing it was her, Byung Ho, and Namjoon who had been watching in hiding. 

Outside the sun was setting, but Ha Na didn't even care to stop and watch the beautiful colors that played around on the sky. Instead she walked fast, while she cried silently. She didn't even think about where she was going, as long as it was far away from home, Ha Na was okay with that. 

The jacket she had grabbed just before running out of the house, was a thin summer jacket and as the night was approaching, the weather turned colder and Ha Na found herself shivering. But she wouldn't turn back. She would never look her mother in the eyes again, she would never forgive her, not even if she had to live on the streets, she wouldn't give in this time, she wouldn't allow her to keep her trapped, hidden away from the world. 

Back in the house, Eun Ji was walking in circles while Byung Ho sat on a chair with his head in his hands, the worry growing into a severe headache. Namjoon walked into the living room and looked at his miserable parents. 

"She hasn't come home yet?" asked Namjoon and Eun Ji shook her head, "then why are you all sitting here doing nothing? It has even started to rain." 

"What should we do?" said Eun Ji, "I took her phone and I have no idea where she went. With the way I talked to her, she probably ran far away." 

"That doesn't mean we should do nothing, same to you dad, pull yourself together!" Byung Ho looked up at his son and for the first time realized how much of an adult he had become. But then again, he always was mature of his age, even when he was young and Ha Na became sick, he handled everything so well.

"You are right, son," said Byung Ho and got up, "We will go out and search, we can take the car. Eun Ji, you stay here in case she returns." 

"Mom shouldn't be left alone, I will go to the Cha family and make Jung Hwa or mrs. Cha come over. And I will ask Hakyeon for help as well." 

"No really, it is okay," said Eun Ji, but her already broken self was showing and Namjoon and Byung Ho didn't stay long enough to argue anymore about that matter. 

Soon after, Byung Ho was driving around in his car, while Namjoon and Hakyeon had decided to go by foot, in hope that they would find her. Once in a while, they were about to call out her name, in hope of a response, before they both remembered that it wouldn't work with Ha Na. So they had to be even more thorough when they looked for her. 

"Maybe we should split up," said Hakyeon while the heavy rain lashed on to his rain coat, "seriously, why is it raining so much when it is still summer!" yelled Hakyeon, but Namjoon didn't bother commenting on that. 

"Yes let us split up, I will go towards the center and you go further into the residential neighborhood. There are some playgrounds over there, make sure to check them as well." 

"Good idea, and maybe try calling Jimin," said Hakyeon, "I know he lives far away, but just in case." 

"I will," said Namjoon, "and keep your phone on sound so I can reach you." 

They both turned around and ran off in different directions, but with a shared goal. Hakyeon's heart was pounding as he felt the rain getting heavier by the minute, no sight of clear skies ahead. An hour passed by soon and he was starting to worry. He checked his phone every minute in hope that someone had found her, but no new messages was shown. It was lucky that the area he walked in was filled with streetlights because the dark night had finally arrived and he did not bring a flashlight. 

As he walked into the fifth playground he had been to, he noticed something that seemed like a tiny human laying on a bench. Without even thinking, he ran towards the person and was shocked to find Ha Na passed out on the bench, soaked from the rain, and her body blue because of the cold. 

To: Namjoon 

I found her, I'm bringing her home now 

As soon as the message was sent, Hakyeon put his arms around Ha Na's frail and cold body, lifting her up and holding her close to his body in hope that his warmth would spread to her. She was ice cold and there was not a minute to spare so Hakyeon tightened his grip and ran towards the house as fast as he possibly could.

Hello everyone!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, make sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think.

Also, remember to take good care of yourself and stay safe.

Love, Annalise~