Monday Blues (1/1)

October 1, 2012 Monday “Yeorobun, I’ve decided that today will be the day I will ask Soyou to marry me.” “Ah, geurae?”  “Erm, I hope she says yes, hyung…”  “Are you serious?!”  “Way to go, Dongwan-hyung!”  “Waeyo???”  The Shinhwa men were gathered together in the CEO’s office that morning for some coffee and a bit of conversation before their work week officially starts. “Neh, Hyesung-ah… I’m praying she says yes, too, Andy-ah… I am dead serious about this, Minbong-ie… Thanks a lot, Jinnie! And Eric-ah, do you need a better reason than the fact that I love her?” “But don’t you think it’s too soon to be thinking about marriage?” Hyesung pointed out. “Hyesung’s right! You’ve only known each other for a few months, Dongwan-ah…” Eric further elaborated. “I totally agree… It would be best if you get to know her a bit more before jumping into what’s supposed to be a lifetime commitment, hyung!” preached the maknae. “Andy-ah, I know you mean well… But your situation and Dongwan’s are totally different… Although you guys do have a valid point…” The charismatic man defended the witty guy yet concurred with the majority’s thoughts regarding the latter’s impulsive decision. “It’s not like we don’t know Dongwan-hyung that well. He’s not one to make a life-altering decision such as this and take it lightly. I’m sure he’s already thought long and hard about it.” Junjin proclaimed, ever the supportive dongsaeng. “Thank you for your concern over me, guys. Like what Jinnie just said, I have been contemplating about this since Soyou and I got back from Bangkok. I was about ready to marry her the second we set foot on Korean soil but I held myself back because I wanted to make sure she was the one I’ve been waiting for all along. My mind’s all made up and my heart’s already telling me there is no need to wait any longer.” “You know, whether or not we agree with your decision, we will still support you all the way.” E-CEO spoke on behalf of the others. “Well then, it’s settled! When are you planning to hold the wedding?” Minwoo immediately shifted roles from worried best friend to enthusiastic wedding planner. “Hyuuung~ You now have a serious problem on your hands… Who’s going to be your best man?!” Junjin inquired, secretly hoping he would be the chosen one. “Yah, yah, yah! Before we all get excited about Dongwan’s wedding, don’t you think he has to go through the proposal first? There’s still a possibility that Soyou might reject him…” There goes Hyesung being his usual killjoy self again. “But Dongwan-hyung is the most persuasive person we know, I think he’s very confident that he’ll get the answer he’s hoping for.” Andy declared. “And in the off chance that he fails, there is always Minwoo-hyung who can smooth the way for him!” *** Their conversation was cut short minutes later when Hyukjae called to inform Dongwan that they were now ready for their quarterly equipment maintenance check at the hotel gym. The maknaes exited not too long after him leaving Minwoo and Hyesung calmly lounging in Eric’s office couch. “Whoa! Dongwan’s getting hitched… Who would have thought he’d be next?!” Eric exclaimed. “Wae? Who did you expect it would have been?” Hyesung was curious because he also shared Eric’s thoughts. The general manager pursed his lips and pointed at Minwoo without a word. “Me?!?” “Yeah, you were the most likely candidate among the five of us. Eric’s Suzy is still too young. Bora and I have too many issues. Dongwan just met Soyou at the beginning of this year… And Jinnie hasn’t had a serious girlfriend.” “How long have you been with Sunny? More than two years now? You guys have the most stable relationship. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk about any problems you’ve had with her.” “It’s not like our relationship is perfect… We’ve had arguments, too.” “Of course, you do! But I bet it’s nothing compared to the many conflicts I’ve gone through with Bora.” “Well, Eric doesn’t seem to have any major issues with Suzy either…” “His girlfriend’s still not mature enough to have any real concerns.” “Yah! I’ll have you both know that Suzy is pretty mature for someone her age.” “And we’re all aware that you have the mindset of a 15-year-old when we’re not talking business.” Minwoo mercilessly teased the eldest because he knows full well he can get away with it. *** “Is everything okay with you and Solbi now, Andy-ah?” Junjin inquired cautiously since their youngest could be hypersensitive at times. “We talked about it yesterday right after we got home. I told her that I respect her decision about not wanting to have kids but I couldn’t tolerate how she made me believe she was going along with my wishes when she was actually going behind my back and lying to me. She clearly understands how important honesty is to me and promises to be more open about her feelings next time.” “It’s good that you’ve settled that problem. Does she really stand by her choice of not wanting children at all?” “She mentioned that she’s trying to get used to the idea of us having babies and that she’s not totally against it… But it’s not going to happen right away, maybe in a few years… Who knows?” *** “Chagiya, how do you feel about living together with me from now on?” Dongwan and Soyou were now in the former’s car driving back to the city from the airport to see Hyorin off. Junjin purposely did not go with them, mumbling something about hating goodbyes and the witty guy just let his dongsaeng be. “You want me to move in with you… And your eomma?!” Soyou had quite a horrified expression on her face. “Yeah, why not? We have a perfectly spacious house… Eomma loves you already and I’m sure she won’t mind it if you lived with us.” “I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable moving in with your eomma there, Wannie-oppa… Not that I don’t like it, it’s just… What are your neighbors and relatives going to say?!” “What other people say doesn’t really matter to me, chagiya, that’s why I’m asking you how you feel about it…” “Please understand it from my point-of-view, our situation is not the same as that of Sunny-unnie and Minwoo-oppa… If it were, then maybe I wouldn’t have any second thoughts agreeing with you about it.” “Of course, this is totally unlike Minwoo and Sunny’s living arrangements, chagiya. I am not casually asking you to live with me and eomma like that… Remember when I asked you in Bangkok if you think I’d make a good husband?” “Neh oppa, I totally recall telling you that it was still too soon to be talking about marriage. But what does that have to do with any of this?” Dongwan only responded with a wide, knowing smile which made Soyou bug her eyes out when she finally realized exactly what he’s been pointing at. *** Later that evening… “Yeoboseyo?” It was obvious that Hyorin was exhausted from the almost 9-hour flight from Seoul to Dubai. “Unnie, you have to make sure to come for a visit earlier in February…” “Neh Soyou-yah, I landed safe and sound in Dubai, thank you for asking!” Insert older sister’s sarcastic tone here. “Unnie!!!” The younger woman whined. “Arasso… So where do you want to celebrate your birthday then?” “Not my birthday, unnie… I’m getting married and I want you to be my maid-of-honor!” *****