Beautiful Goodbye
CHAPTER 35: Highlight Back {Akhir}

Have You Ever Thought About 'If'?

       The question is, when did you start thinking about it? Today or later? Maybe until now. Is it enough to just one answer? Or will there be questions and answers without showing signs of ending? Too many question marks (?) Now I ask again ..., have you ever thought about 'if'?

       If for some things.

       'If' time can be repeated, if there is no such thing as a meeting, if it never happens, try to correct the arrangement that should not be this way in the future. Not to change everything, just ... assume something so that not forever the memory ends badly. But in the end, everything remains the same. Nothing will change and be changed.

       For a fragment of the story that was originally broken. If you or we could change it a little on that grey day. Will you repeat it?

        Do you remember the little girl who was waiting?

       *He's bored. It is certain to feel careless when someone who is expected to never come show forced. Cursed alone on a wooden bench while peering at the reflection of a group of clouds that happen to be in a divorce. Walk driven everywhere, because the caress of the wind is irregular. It's a sunny summer. Perfect for playing bubble foam. Her tiny smile instantly popped up with a new memory emerging, imagining the fun of a foam bubble game played together in the middle of summer.

     "Taehyung must come, I must stay here. He couldn't possibly break his promise." Sohyun still believes in Taehyung who will come to see him.

      No matter if you have to wait a long time, although this time it feels strange, not usually, his best friend is late for two hours. What is clear, little Sohyun still hopes to see the promised goods Taehyung, the friend—gift on his birthday special day—he had seen in the shop on the side of the road.

        "Yoot!"

         One more cry of bells surprised women who were initially bowed lethargic. The little girl raised her face, stalling a big smile, finding the long-awaited ten-year-old boy finally revealing a nose stick.

        "Tae!" pekiknya cheerful. A little run up to her Tae.

         "You've been a long time. I almost want to go home! You're lucky to have such a patient friend like me" Sohyun said with a lip. A habit when girls are being stricken.

          Taehyung paused, then grinned. "Sorry, I need permission first." The box smile plus the new front teeth grew after the date of decorating her plain face.

          Sohyun nodded unconcernedly. "When did you ask permission?"

        Of course Sohyun will not be so easy to believe. Taehyung even taught her to leave the house, often taking her away from her parents' supervision, just spending time playing in the hill park on the afternoon after Taehyung school.

        "Then, where's the bell? You said you wanted to give it to me?" Sohyun charged, his right hand stretched out, ready to receive the items he wanted since yesterday.

         The one asked was just like a thief afraid of being caught red-handed. His head turned to the side, directing attention to the steps of the hill. Main line; the only way to get to the top of the hill.

         "Wait a minute" Taehyung said as he stared at the puzzled glow at Sohyun's tiny bead.

         Before long, a foreign sparkle was trapped in Sohyun's perceiving senses. The owner of the tall body that was hit by the sunlight came closer. Staring straight at Sohyun. The girl was dumbstruck between confused and astonished to see the stranger—who had just seen her first. The most striking thing was, the face of the older boy was at a glance similar to Taehyung. Sohyun assumes that the figure has a blood bond with his best friend, Tae.

        Taehyung quickly approached the figure of the man. Holding a hand larger in size than it was, it moved towards Sohyun who was aware of the conflicting thoughts.

        "Include ... My brother, Kim Jaehyun," Taehyung said.

       The instant Sohyun was fixated before clucking in admiration staring at the temperament of the teenage boy before him. Surely just now.

      "Woah, he's so handsome!" Binar was delighted when Hyung's performance from Taehyung caught his attention.

     "You dare to praise him in front of me?"

     "Can't really?"

     "Can't!"

     "Remember, I'm your future husband. In the future you'll be my wife."

     "I don't want to. My husband must be a tall man and not spoiled."

      "Wait a few more years, my height will increase."

     The fifteen-year-old shook his head. Snoring the glory of watching the behavior of the sister with her best friend. Jaehyun raised his voice, showing an anxious face. "What kind of man doesn't want to give in to women? Hey, Taehyung, if you want to marry her ...," looked at Sohyun, "never force!"

        Taehyung glared sharply, while Sohyun giggled triumphantly, because of Jaehyun's words. Sorry for Taehyung, taking his older brother to the hill garden.

        Understanding Taehyung's unpleasant eye-to-eye meaning, Jaehyun warned, "Remember, if not for me. Today you have been sent to Amsterdam. So take care of your attitude and don't mess around. Put your eyes in, your shot will get your eyeballs out."

     Then the more obvious the irritating look of Taehyung's. The boy was only able to clench his annoyed hands. A hard fist hidden next to his thigh.

       "Oh, yeah .. You're Kim So Hyun, right? We're not acquainted yet, I'm Kim Jaehyun."

      Sohyun welcomed Jaehyun's carefree hand. "It's good to see you, Oppa!"

👣

       Decing bells adorable ....

       The teenage Jaehyun smiled happily at the happy wrinkles on his younger siblings' faces. Not only the lips were raised, the two boys laughed loosely just because of the sound of bells that many times he sounded through the long rope that was connected. She had argued with her sister, because her position was far from the reach of Sohyun and Taehyung's hands. As a result, according to Sohyun's advice, he was given a long theme used to tie his fairy tale book bundle that filled the corner of the tree house room.

       Three hours without walking. For those who do not know the intricacies of the world, is not playing the most fun thing? Except for Jaehyun who is stepping over the level of adolescence to adulthood.

        A tired roar emanated from the lazy faces of the three of them. Longitudinal in a lying state. Caught up in the thoughts of each other. Remembering what they went through. The chase followed by a series of traditional games completes their story on that day.

         The most memorable time, can it be repeated later?

      "I thank you so much." Sohyun pulled out two hands that he had purposely hooked. Fused on his stomach.

        "Tomorrow can we be together like we are today? Until we grow up" Taehyung continued.

        "could certainly. Are we not friends from today? Tomorrow and beyond .. forever we'll be together!" Jaehyun shakes his spirit.

         Taehyung to the point of frowning, seeing the spontaneous enthusiasm of Jaehyun. His brother who is famous yells like a child who has just been given a gift. It really doesn't make any sense. But his lips lifted wide, not in vain his meeting with Sohyun brought a positive side to a man like Jaehyun.

      "Why with your facial expression, Tae?"

       Taehyung glared in any direction, to avoid Sohyun's suspicious gaze. "none. Just ... Suddenly my stomach feels hungry," I Taehyung who is not entirely wrong. The boy skipped his breakfast and lunch just to be able to meet his best friend in the hill park. Roaring with the explosion of crying no noisy, as long as it can thwart the plans of his parents who plan to move abroad.

        Luckily there were Jaehyun who followed crying, they were compact like a couple who did not want to be separated. Hugging each other until the departure plan to the airport is canceled.

       "Let's promise, tomorrow we'll meet here again!" Sohyun gave a suggestion. Without aba, reaching for two large little fingers coiled around his tiny finger.

       "cheat!"

       "What did you say? I cheated?!" Sohyun pleaded not to accept, Jaehyun said he was cheating.

       "Tomorrow I'll have to go to school. Hurry up big so you know what it's like to be a student who has to come home with a lot of PR every day." Jaehyun pulled his right pinky, leaving the little finger just flanking the Taehyung's jerji that was sneaking at him silently.

        "Oppa, is school that bad? If so, I better go to school at home," Sohyun said.

        "Can't!" ban Taehyung, making the two people on his left look shocked. "Remember your promise to go to school with me. Watch out if you dare to break it!"

       Taehyung's statement got a sigh Sohyun did not like being threatened.

        "Don't listen to Taehyung. He's just bluffing, and all you have to know is that Sohyun, school isn't as bad as you think. All are age-adjusted, after all ... Oppa sure, you're a smart kid."

         Sohyun smiled proudly. The girl was delighted and amazed to hear Jaehyun's words.

         "I became jealous of Taehyung. Why isn't Oppa my sister?" whinek Sohyun, straightening up into half-sitting was greeted by Taehyung's glaring gaze.

        "It's not that easy."

       Jaehyun sneered at the temple, it seemed like he had to be extra patient if his two sisters were at odds like now. There will be no end if it is not immediately broken. It could be that he would witness a ferocious fight afterwards.

        "It's time to go home, kids!" The teenager exclaimed, cutting off their debating action as an alibi. Jaehyun hurriedly stood staring at the innocent eyes of Taehyung, especially at Sohyun, the only woman who looked cute and cute at the age of six. He should have brought a gift as a gift, if he knew today was the birthday of the little boy. Maybe next time, not today, because the teenager is convinced of tomorrow. At a meeting that will repeat itself in the future.

👣

        Sohyun had been sitting sweetly in the car seat. At the wheel, Jonghoon continued to perfect his smile when he heard the employer's chat with his friend. What a fun day to remember. Not free, persistence and enthusiasm to come to the hill replaced by a cheerful laughter that is difficult to extinguish.

        "Hurry home, eat a lot so you can grow up like Oppa Jaehyun."

      Taehyung nodded lazily, it was the strangest message he had just heard. One of the big mistakes he introduced his brother to his best friend Sohyun if this will be the end. His ears turned red, unable to hear all the sweet praises for Jaehyun since at the tree house.

      "I'll go home first. You guys be careful on the road. And. see you," said Sohyun before the car walked away.

       The brothers were silent looking at the slowly fading puff of exhaust smoke. The more unstoppable awakened the two to quickly return home before the sky darkened.

       "Thank you."

       Jaehyun turned his head, looking at the curious meaning of his sister's words.

       Taehyung breathed a sigh of relief. "If you hadn't helped me, maybe Sohyun would have hated me for not coming to see him."

        His lips curved, creating a loose smile. Jaehyun patted his sister on the back and said, "That's what brothers are for, complement each other and be there when needed."

      Taehyung. "Oh, I'm so moved."

      It was printed on his face. And it didn't take long, Taehyung called out, "Let's go home!"  Bright changes in the number of seconds. Grabbing his bike before driving away from Jaehyun.

       "Hey, wait!"

       Taehyung paid no heed to Jaehyun's shout, his slender body, pedaling nimbly down the hill road. Ignoring Jaehyun who was troubled with his bike. A flat tire was the reason why the teenager arrived late and now a similar incident must be repeated, where his legs were overwhelmed to keep pace with Taehyung's bicycle wheels.

Should he have taken his words just now?

        While in front, Taehyung was constantly laughing at the older brother. For this time, allow Taehyung to be a half-brother, let himself be free of revenge because the presence of Jaehyun makes Sohyun's attention divided in two.

         "Ah, tired ...," complained Jaehyun sweeping sweat when he arrived in the yard. Plunge his body on the floor of the house's face accompanied by the roar of fireworks. Imagining the long hillside streets had taken his mind, and because Taehyung had to pedal bicycles for miles. Twice as heavy.

          "Here, fetch!"

          His eyeballs glanced at Taehyung. Looking without intending to receive the item outstretched in front of him. Tumbler contains drinking water, to be exact.

         "You don't want to, yasudah, let me drink it."

         "Eh, are you really not going to give me a drink?" Jaehyun snatched the bottle that was almost contained. Quickly, the drink ran out wetting his dry arid throat.

       "Uh, the leg."

       "By leaving me alone first. That's how you mean?"

        And with ease, Taehyung confirmed Jaehyun's words. Sontak Jaehyun again threw a rough breath, afraid to be patient with his younger brother's behavior.

👣

      The sedan car stopped missing upon arrival in front of the yard.  Jonghoon stared for a long time at Sohyun's cheerful face, something he didn't even understand. The movements of his lips involuntarily followed the width of the imprinted smile.

       "Happy lady?" his tan smiled wryly looking at the expression of the little girl behind him.

        "That's for sure, Uncle!"

       The man chuckled, nodding in understanding. "Frequently," he said before getting out of the car, opening the door for Sohyun who was still not strong to open the door himself. Sohyun hugged Jonghoon's long legs, looking up to see the happy look of his family's loyal employee.

        "Sohyun dear, Uncle Choi!"

👣

        Sloppy may be the most suitable middle name for the Kim family's only child. Just stepping on the floor of the living room, Sohyun had been hit by an accident due to not being careful. Running without looking at the surrounding that just crossed. Sohyun was stunned, sitting still while hiding a bruise on his knee. She wanted to cry, but what the mother would say. Sohyun is already big, can't cry. So he said, to strengthen the mental health of his children.

       "You're home yet?" 

       A soft voice penetrated his shadow. Sohyun turned his head happily, intending to visit the owner of the source of the voice. But it must stop when the pain ringis airs from his mouth.

       "What's wrong?" The figure ran in haste, approaching Sohyun.

       "You hurt?"

        Sohyun.

        "So did anyone hurt you?"

       Sohyun remained silent.

       "Not wrong anymore."

         Sohyun ducked deeper. Shamefully raised his face against the woman in front of him.

        "I'm sorry, Mom."

       Dragging his breath, the woman called Mother Sohyun squatted down, aligning the position equally high in front of the child. His essence was fixed on a new wound that somehow visited his daughter's body. Flipping over, Soran patted his back. "Let's treat your wounds!" invite him to Sohyun to accept his sling.

        Sohyun grimaced in excitement, chanting an arm around Soran's neck.

        The girl was silent during the treatment. No screaming, maybe so used to getting similar injuries. Only a look of admiration and curiosity that struck him in his mind.

       "Why look at Mom like that? Is there something weird on Mom's face?"  soran asked, after treating Sohyun's bruise. The daughter shook her head, now that the tiny hand was cupping her face, the look in her eyes made the woman stunned.

       "I love Mom and Dad very much. Don'tgo. Please don't ever leave Sohyun."

        Soran is getting full. Sohyun's tears rolled, and he panicked. "Why are you crying, are your wounds getting sick?"

       Sohyun returned. She holds Soran's body and sobs the sedan on his mother's shoulder. No one knows what is raging in the fruit, Sohyun thought. He was afraid, for something he did not know the cause of.

      From the other side, Janghyuk who just returned home smiled faintly, haru collapsed about the bottom of his heart in. Happiness that can never be replaced by anything. Families.

👣

       Families.

       How to describe that one word. Too big to dive in, too deep to wade in. But, it will feel even more difficult, if not trying to find out. Togetherness, love each other, support each other, and the words are too succinct to describe the meaning of family. Together, joy and sorrow forever. Is beautiful.

       "What's your day fun?" Janghyuk asked, he pointed to Sohyun.

       Sohyun who was learning how to improve reading and writing nodded without hesitation. "Dad knows, my friend increased by one, besides Taehyung, now I have Oppa Jaehyun." Storytelling with passion.

      "Woah, great. I'm glad you have friends" Soran said no less happy.

       "And I wish you could choose a friend."

       "It's not good, if Sohyun is surrounded by many friends, especially if he has entered elementary school next year."

       "You remember our advice, son?"

      Sohyun nodded his head in understanding, "Not to discriminate, but also to put limits."

        "Good!"  Four thumbs up for Sohyun.

        "Excuse me, Mr. Madam."

         The three fell silent, while the familiar voice of someone came. Sohyun immediately turned to face the person standing behind him. Glad to see the nanny finally returned from her childhood.

      "Aunt Hwang!"

       Sohyun splashed into the woman's arms, sagging spoiled until reluctant to take off his hand checks.

       "How are you, Miss?"

       "As usual" Sohyun replied.

        The woman's forehead frowned, looking thoughtful. "Definitely go to the hill park" he guessed.

        Sohyun developed a smile. Silence is yes. Hwang Yoon eun, the nanny looks happy to see her Young Miss happy. When looking around the house, it is certain there will be no birthday celebration of the employer. Just like in previous years. Sohyun's birthday celebration was held simply without a festive feast.

       "I brought a gift for Miss" Yoon Eun said seriously.

        Sohyun listened carefully, waiting patiently for the gift his nanny meant.

        "What is that, Bi?" tanyakanya.

         Without waiting for a long time, Yoon eun's gift appeared from behind her back. Come suddenly. The figure of a female of Sohyun's age who was smiling shyly looked at him.

         Don't ask Sohyun's expression, the little girl looked up. Judging the child's appearance before a smile re-emerged.

        "Han Yeo Jin!"

👣

         New friend. Not knowing how many times Sohyun expressed his delight, that his nanny's daughter would stay home with him. And now, they were preoccupied with play shows. Without hesitation, Sohyun invites Yeojin to his room, looking at the collection of toys that surround each corner of the room.

       "I wish they could be friends. Glad you brought Yeojin here," Soran said, still watching the behavior of super active children.

       Yoon eun chimed in, "All thanks to your help as well. Because of you and Janghyuk, Woojin got a better job, and I'm so happy that Yeojin can be friends with Young Miss."

       "How many times have I said, do not call Sohyun as Young Miss, remember that she is also your daughter. You and I aren't best friends? Just like Sohyun, I will also treat Han Yeojin like my biological daughter as well."

         "They'll grow together."

        A statement came from Janghyuk who accidentally passed by. "Being a beautiful woman and sharing for everyone."

        "That's for sure!"

       They approve. Soluble on the happy scene ahead there*.

👣

        "What a beautiful story."

         The woman next to him responded to his words with a nod. Forms of approval from him who just finished watching the story they assembled.

         "If the story of the two of us went like that, maybe there would be a different plot to end our lives."

         Taehyung welcomed Sohyun's response with a gentle smile. "I used to regret what I did."

         "But everything happened. Whatever it is, God is the one who determines the end of the story of each of His beings" Sohyun continued.

         The question is, is it possible if the story can be repeated?

         Open-mouthed. Sohyun and Taehyung would consider themselves greedy creatures, if they expected that to happen. The world is too complicated to understand. However, there is something much more difficult, understanding yourself.

           They're both. Sitting on top of the green grass, just above it, a large tree stood firm, nurturing. Give coolness. The vast savanna field stretches as far as the eye can see. Splashing clear waterfalls add to the feel of nature. It's beautiful and intoxicating. A place that feels far away.

   "This place is very comfortable," Taehyung went back to telling stories, laying on Sohyun's lap that wiped his mane. Enjoying the delicate caress of Sohyun's soft hands, he enjoys it too much that he wants to feel the same treatment all the time. His eyes are closing now.

        "Your people, because of you."

         Sohyun blushed, the two sides of his cheeks blushing pink. "I love you."

          "I'm not."

**The End\(less\) Love**