Chapter 15: Good times

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A week slowly passed away into nothing. 

While the busy world bustled, Taehyung and Ella remained cooped up in their apartment. Occasionally, they would get out to run errands but the constant struggles of their lives always demotivated them. 

Both tried their best to support each other mentally, but that could only work so much.

Ella didn't know how she was doing. She remembered the initial few days where she had fallen to the pits. But so many days had passed since she'd last seen Jimin.

Of course, she missed him with all her being. She grudgingly accepted that fact. And yes, she could still feel the underlying anger whenever she thought about him.

But time had helped to defuse the bomb just by a little. She felt like she was somewhere in the middle.

After weeks of unproductivity, Taehyung finally urged her to go to school. She had taken leave for all the days she was absent with a lame excuse. There was only so much she could delay.

So with a heavy heart and tired eyes, Ella made her way to school.

She tried her best to lighten up her mood by thinking of her wonderful students. Their bright faces always put a smile on her face. There was no doubt that she had missed them.

They were the only reason she hadn't resigned so far.

Her mind began to worry as she thought about the possibility of them forgetting her. As she began to drown in concern, a loud cheer echoed from the classroom.

Her heart leapt repeatedly in shock and her eyes widened as she lifted her hand to clutch her chest.

The room was messily decorated with balloons and party items. On the blackboard, words along the line 'We missed you' were chalked.

Ella's gaze found the thirty smiling faces that had jumped out of their seats with the intention to surprise her.

"Welcome back!" they screamed loudly.

Ella's face immediately broke out into a wide smile as she observed the sweet faces of her lovely children. Tears of joy sprung up automatically as she clasped her mouth.

The amount of love and care that she had received from a bunch of seven year olds seemed to rejuvenate her worn out spirits.

The day was off to a great start. Soon, hugs were exchanged and songs were sung. The class had prepared a wide range of performances to show off to their beloved teacher.

Ella happily watched their acts as she swayed her head and clapped along to the beat.

Her heart swelled with joy as she began to admire the delightful group of thirty. 

How could she ever think of leaving them? She was an idiot for every questioning her love for teaching.

While the class functioned, one of her students came up to her and shook her leg to gain her attention.

"Did you like our performance?" the small girl let out nervously. A warm smile took over Ella's face as she pinched the girl's cheek.

"Yes, Sooah. Your teacher is very thankful to all of you."

"Don't thank us! You should thank the good looking uncle who gave us this idea", Sooah let out.

Huh?

"Which uncle?"

"The uncle who came to us the day before to tell us to surprise you. He said that you were very sad. So we prepared something to make you happy."

Ella raised her eyebrows in suspicion.

"What was his name?"

"He told us to call him Uncle Tae."

The teacher let out a small smile as she nodded and patted the little girl's head in gratitude. 

Taehyung did this for her? When did he have the time? Wasn't he in the house with her?

A warm feeling took over her insides as Ella couldn't help but feel touched. He had done so much for her in so little time.

She was going through a very difficult time in her life, but his support and his effort to make her happy overwhelmed her.

Ella's smile never faltered. 

That day she had realized that she hadn't lost everything in life.

She had her passion to fulfill. She had thirty students who cared for her deeply. She had Taehyung.

And if this storm ever subsided, then she had a whole life of wonders to look forward to.

****

Ella calmly hummed to herself as she made her way to Elmo's pub.

She and Taehyung decided to meet up there just like old times. It had been a while since she'd been there and she missed the pub's homey atmosphere.

"Hello there, Miss", Taehyung playfully remarked as they settled on the barstools.

"Hi", Ella giggled as she ordered a beer.

"So, how was work? Any surprises?" Taehyung asked as he wiggled his eyebrows.

Another snicker left her mouth as she looked at him with teasing eyes.

"Yeah, a huge one. The kids sang songs, showed me a little dance that they had worked on. It was heartwarming."

Taehyung smiled proudly as he remembered the group of adorable kids that he had to convince.

"They also told me some guy named uncle Tae helped them with the idea. Do you happen to know anyone like that?"

Taehyung's smile dropped for a second. His dumbfound expression made her laugh.

"I told them to keep it a secret", the twenty five year old whined.

"You forget that you were talking to a bunch of seven year olds. They can't keep a secret even if their lives depended on it. But thank you anyway. It was really thoughtful", she spoke genuinely.

"I thought you could use some cheering up. Your depressed face is really starting to get on my nerves."

"Hey! You're face doesn't look that great either", Ella clapped back. 

"Yeah, whatever."

The evening went into downing beer and water. The two spoke about their days as Ella provided extra details about the kids' activities. 

"Do you feel better now? You're smiling a lot today", Taehyung asked.

Ella's gaze fell on his as she lost herself in deep thought. His words always made her think.

"Today was refreshing. You and the kids really cheered me up. But I don't know if I'm feeling better or anything."

Taehyung kept quiet as he listened to her intently.

"Taehyung, the first time I had gone through a crisis was when my father died. He was the only family I had left. My mom ran out on us right after I was born because she wasn't ready to handle a child. She never wanted to get pregnant, so I was a misfortune to her."

"But dad, he was always there for me. He was my hero. And when he passed away, I lost a piece of myself and never got it back. Then, Jimin came into my life and made me the happiest person. He loved me and I loved him. He was the first person I had let in since my dad."

"So leaving him tore me apart because it felt like my dad had died all over again. Except it's worse this time. The fact that I'm able to smile at all is a big deal for me. And that wouldn't have happened if it weren't for you. So in a way, thank you."

Ella drew in a deep breath as she finished speaking. Her throat felt clogged up as memories of her father invaded her mind. She infinitely missed his presence, especially at times like these when she needed him the most.

Taehyung had helped her so much. She couldn't express her gratitude. She would have never known what she would have done without him.

Taehyung flashed a small smile as he wrapped her hand in his as a form of comfort. 

"You helped me first, Ella. The moment you called out my name in Han river, I kind of knew that you were a person that would grow to be very dear to me."

Their eyes fixed on each other as intense emotion filled their bodies. They felt the need to cry as hope sprang up in their chests. It was the first time something positive had embodied their minds. And it was all because they had the reassurance that somebody would always be by their sides.

The atmosphere shifted as melodic jazz music described the scene. The lights slightly dimmed into a golden brown as people walked towards the dance floor in pairs.

Taehyung watched the numerous pairs swaying their bodies slowly to the music. He recalled the first time they had come to the pub. Both were too timid to make a fool out of themselves in public. 

Well, somethings could change.

He looked at his partner and reached out for her hand.

"Let's dance."

Ella hesitated for a second, but took his hand eventually. They made their way to a spacious spot as Taehyung's hands wrapped around her waist and Ella's found their way to his shoulders.

The band passionately played the calming tune as the two friends twirled with the melody.

Their faces beamed as they danced playfully. 

Ella rested her head on his chest. She thought earnestly.

She had done a lot of things with Jimin. She had spent so many undoubtedly good times with that man. But there were still so many things that she hadn't done.

She didn't play in the supermarket with him. She didn't dance in pubs with him. She didn't meet him in strange places at three in the morning.

No, some things she could do only with a person who trusted her, who understood her, who knew what made her happy. 

Some things she could do only with Taehyung.

And she wouldn't change that for the world.

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A/N:

Loong chapter. Did you like it?

Thank you for reading❤