"Love does not begin and end the way we seem to think it does. Love is a battle, love is a war; love is a growing up."  

~James Baldwin

"It was a spring day, cherry blossoms were on full bloom...flying around at their own will...blessing the world with its presence... while the nature was so full of colors... the three of us sat inside the café with no one speaking a word, Nishi was looking down at her coffee... Jimin looked outside trailing down the path of the falling cherry blossoms with his eyes... Simmi looked around at the people going down the road and Augustin was reading a Webtoon... with a slight shade of pink in his cheeks... and there were me and Kookie... looking at each other, sighing. If you are wondering why were we in such an awkward environment... lemme tell you, it was due to Sugar hyung, it was his idea of a 'Triple Date'.... quoting his words... "Why don't you guys go on a Triple Date... I mean, it's so obvious, why don't you try figuring things out among yourselves.... it'll be fun". 'Fun' he says....

"Guys! What are we doing? Why don't you talk to each other?" I slammed the table in irritation.

"Umm...there's nothing to talk about Noor" Nishi said.

"She's right" Simmi said in an ignorant tone. 

"It's supposed to be a date.... at least we should enjoy each other's company..." Kookie spoke up, finally someone spoke for me....

"I think they're right. We shouldn't be like this" August said, Simmi suddenly started paying attention to him...hmm.....interesting. Finally August is speaking up... I hope this works. Kookie looked at me and winked and that was enough to creep up warmth up my cheeks and painting them a crimson shade....

"Noor.... can... me and Jimin talk to you for a while... ?" August asked me all of a sudden.

"Hello? Am I invisible? Ask me first.... I'm not allowing-" Jungkook barged in with his jealousy issues.

"Sure. You. Stay. Right. Here" I glared at Kookie after giving them an okay sigh.

The three of us came outside sitting on the bench under a cherry tree. 

"Why the hell are you two so nervous? Why don't you just say it? I already told you their answers!!!!!" I was literally shouting at them.

"Noor... keep your voice low... they might hear us..." Jimin said.

"Oh...sorry...yeah"

"I am nervous.... I know the answer.... but.... ah!!!!!!!" Jimin said and got up in frustration.

"Jimin... August... it's okay... I understand. But if you give up on them today... you might regret it later.... when things change to something you wouldn't want. Just say it... come on. I promise nothing would go wrong. I'll take responsibility. Just go for it!" I tried to calm them down putting my arms around their shoulders and patting their hair. Both of them gave a lil smile to me.

"Let's do it" I grabbed both their hands and dragged them back in the café.

"Oh....you are back? What were you talking about? Is it a secret? Why are we excluded?" Nishi pouted at us. Everyone became silent when we didn't answer. The silence was long.... there was this nervousness and curiosity flowing in the air.

"Nishi.... will you be mine.....forever?" Jimin asked.

"Sophiah.... will you marry me?" August asked the next second of Jimin.

Nishi and Simmi looked at each other with their jaw dropped. After a long time of processing what's going on they looked at me. I went to them and hugged them. Tears filled their eyes but they nodded their heads anyway. I released them and August and Jimin took over my position. Now everything was perfect. They loved each other so much but none of them were ready to confess... finally they did and now I can die in peace.

 We went out of the café. The boys had a plan in their mind... which I was not aware of. We were blindfolded by the boys and taken to an unknown place... the journey was so long I started to have my doubts that they might be kidnapping us....but that wasn't a bad idea either..... 

Our blindfolds were finally undone and all three of us gasped together as our eyes adjusted to the lights and the view in front of us. The boys hugged us from behind.... and they were in perfect sync. Kookie grabbed my waist tightly yet delicately and rest his chin on my shoulder inhaling my scent and closing his eyes in pure bliss.

We were in the middle of a flower field...with so many types of flowers... I can't even name them... it was so colorful... so beautiful...soothing to the eyes and soul. 

"Beautiful......." Simmi breathed in. We stayed silent for the longest time taking in the moment and feeling the emotions building inside us. All of us were complete now... we were here... in this heavenly place with the love of our lives... living this moment to the fullest.

After two months came our big day... the D-day. 

We hugged each other. What in the world can be more satisfying than the fact the we.... best friends since eternity and to eternity, are sharing our big day with each other. Yes, we decided to marry at the same day and there was no end to our happiness. We were ready in our bridal outfits with our flower bouquets in hands. We took a deep breathe...smiled at each other and stepped together to walk down the aisle.... and there stood each of our's destiny.... 

Our eyes met.... Jungkook looked as breathtaking as ever in his black tuxedo and plaid white shirt. He gave me the most satisfying and beautiful smile as soon as his eyes met mine. There was a sense of pride in his eyes... a promise... to keep me safe and happy forever.... to be by my side no matter the circumstances... to change the destiny, that brought us together, if needed.... his eyes hold the power to change the destiny.... just to be with me.... just to be together.....

Cheers could be heard from the crowd...  from our beloved family.... 

I inhaled the scent of lavenders.... yes... my dream came true... the whole place was covered with lavenders.... my second most favorite smell in the world.... because the first one belongs to my Kookie... 

"You may kiss the bride now" 

And my world was stopped yet again... as Jungkook engulfed me in his embrace... hands on my waist and the nape of my neck. Our lips were working their way to conquer each other's hearts and minds... the butterflies came back to greet me and the lavenders spread their scent through my whole body.... our lips danced and sang in their own harmony... a song only meant for us...."

"Ohhhh..... that was a nice story!!!!" Ethan squealed and jumped out of my lap. "Let me open my gifts now!!! I am so excited!!!!" He kissed my cheek and ran to the Christmas tree.

Everyone was asleep on the couch in their own weird ways...snuggling in the blankets...hugging their cushions. Nishi and Jimin cuddled together and so did Simmi and Augustin...although they don't like to show much affection in front of us... they're a shy couple...totally opposite of NiMin. Kookie was sleeping next to me...hugging me by my waist. 

I removed his hands and was going to get up... but then Kookie pulled me back by my hand and I landed on his lap... he supported me on his lap by holding my waist with one hand.... and the other hand.... he intertwined with mine....

"Cherry...." He spoke softly... looking lovingly at me....

"Hmm...." 

"My hands are cold..... Share some warmth......with me....." he said smiling.... in these years a lot has changed.... but his smile... remains the same..... and our love.... that, keeps growing...