Author's note:
Hola peeps! I thought of uploading the part yesterday but got caught up with few works. Well, now I got the time. And moreover, I started a new book, The Golden Casket. Do check it out...

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"Child, I will be leaving now", ajhumma told me and I nodded. It's time the shop has to be closed. I saw so many customers today, some happy, some cheerful, some nervous, some sad, and some anxious.

It wonders me how the flowers can symbolize any emotion to mankind. And that made me even closer to people's feelings. Every customer who buys a flower from this shop has a reason. And my habit of talking to every customer makes me know of their reasons too. My day just gets passed on like this.

"Ajhumma, take care okay?", I told her as she was about to step out of the shop. She turned back and walked to me. She planted a kiss and caressed my face.

"God Bless you child", she spoke with tears in her eyes. Why is she getting emotional now?

"Ajhumma, Why are you crying now?", I asked her and she wiped her tears. She brushed my hair with her fingers and let out a genuine smile.

"It's just that fate was never so good to you since first", she mouthed and I gave out a smile. This ajhumma is getting too emotional these days. I let out a giggle and pulled out a rose from the back.

"Here, take this. And let me tell you, fate is actually good to me though not from first. I have Seo Joon and also you. So, don't worry about me. Take care of your family ajhumma", I told her and she patted my head. She walked out of the shop and I smiled at her retreating figure.

Ajhumma had been with us ever since we started this floral shop. She was more like a mother to us. She lost her son and daughter in law in an accident and had to grow her granddaughter on her own. So, that's why she had to work. She is so much like a family to us and we respect her a lot. Her granddaughter comes here at times and plays with me.

Lately, since that accident has happened, she has been behaving differently to me. Not the kind of bad, but weird. She is being emotional and talked a bit weird too. I yelled at her too but Seo Joon made me calm down. I know she was afraid seeing my condition when I got to know about Seo Joon's accident.

She calmed down after a few days and started being nice again. But a little bit different, like getting emotional often and such. I felt it normal since she was having a bad feeling since that incident and gave her the space.

I was about to turn the closed board and I noticed someone coming to the shop. He looked down and I stopped turning the board for the moment. And when he came nearer, I realized it was Hoseok ssi. Why is he here now?

"Is the shop still open?", he asked in a faint voice and I nodded. He doesn't seem to be in good mood. He walked inside and I switched the lights on.

"I think it's about closing time. I am sorry if I troubled you", he apologized and I shook my head. I don't at all mind and especially when someone is in a bad mood.

"Do you want some water Hoseok ssi?", I asked him and he nodded. I fetched him a glass of water and he thanked me.

"So, you want tulips again?", I asked him and he shook his head in negation. So, I guess he got rejected. I showed him a calm smile and took the empty glass from him.

"If tulips don't work out, daffodils can, and even if they don't, lilies can. All that matters is the flower we have at last", I mouthed and he looked at me surprised.

"How do you know that tulips didn't work out? I mean how do you know?", he asked me and I let out a small smile.

"That you got rejected?", I asked him and he nodded.

"Well, it's understandable Hoseok ssi. You used to be cheerful while buying flowers and today you looked down. And you didn't want tulips, isn't it easy to guess?", I asked him and he pressed his lips into a thin line.

"So, are you sure about daffodils and lilies then?", he asked and I chuckled. This man must have been really broken at the rejection that he wants to find another way of happiness. Why not? He deserves it.

"Maybe, but I am sure you will end up with a beautiful flower perfect for you", I stated and he looked at me with a different expression. An expression of hope, perhaps.

"I will buy daffodils today", he spoke and I nodded. I picked the daffodils and billed him. I smiled at him with an expression of assurance. He still looked a bit gloomy and somehow I didn't like that.

"Hoseok ssi, can I walk you home?", I asked him as I thought a company would help him. He thought for a second and then nodded. Thank God! He didn't refuse the offer. It would have been awkward for me.

"Ahh, just a second", I told him and turned the board sign indicating that it was closed. I messaged Seo Joon but there was no reply. He never replies back and only responds to them after coming home. I understood that he was busy and didn't make it an issue. I don't at all like fights and especially the ones with him.

"I am sorry, I don't know your name", he started and I smiled.

"It's because we never talked so much. Don't apologize about that. I am Nari by the way", I forwarded my hand and he shook it.

"I am Hoseok and that you already know", he mouthed and I nodded with a chuckle. His handshake was a comforting one though.

"And please don't call me Hoseok ssi. It's too formal you know? Just call me Hoseok or Hobi", he showed his smile and it looked good on his face. Good because he was down before.

"Hobi is good. Cute to call", I spoke and he let out a shiny smile. This guy actually smiles a lot, I guess.

"Well! I should not be getting people to my dorm. I mean you know I am a member of a kpop band", he mouthed. What would I even do with his address?

"It's not like I will be stalking you or your members from now on", I stated and he showed a sheepish grin.

"I didn't mean to say like that. What I mean is like ....", he stuttered and I laughed at that.

"I was just kidding. It must be one of your kpop norms right?", I asked him and he nodded.

"Yeah! And I thought you were taking it seriously", he huffed and let out a smile.

"Do you know BTS?", he asked and I nodded. I know something is existing like that but I am not a fan.

"Wow! Are you an army? Which song do you like? And wait! Who is your bias?", he asked as if he was doing a rap. Gosh! I just know that a band named BTS exists. He is speaking some alien terms now.

"I am sorry. I just know the name. I am not really into pop you know? I mean I prefer the old classics", I told him and he nodded understandingly.

"But you should try listening to them. Do you know? You could like the music and eventually fall in love with pop too", he spoke with an exciting tone and I chuckled at that.

"Hoseok ssi, I mean Hobi, I don't really like the fast beat music and the heavy growls, the rapping where I can't even understand what they are singing. I think I am better with the smooth and soft ones", I frankly stated and was shocked to see his mouth wide agape.

"Yah! You should not say that you know? Especially when someone who belongs there is right in front of you. Rapping has its style and growls show the power. The fast beat gives the vibe", he shook his head. I think he is a bit offended. Uh oh! I shouldn't have spoken like that.

"I am sorry", I blurted and he smiled.

"That's okay! You are honest though", he stated and I nodded.

"So, what are you? I mean what do you do in the band?", I asked him and he scratched his neck.

"Well!! Umm, I am a rapper", he uttered and I covered my face in embarrassment. Ugh! What the hell did I even speak? It must have been so awkward for him. I am so stupid.

"Hey hey! It's okay. It's your opinion by the way. I am not offended, so don't worry", he spoke in a clear tone. I am still embarrassed.

"So, Nari right? You like flowers so much I guess", he stated and I nodded. Flowers have always been a part of my life.

"Isn't that obvious? I own a floral shop and I talk mostly about flowers", I mouthed and he smiled. He halted at a position and I stopped. I guess we reached his house or say dorm for him. I think the other members also live here.

"Well! Thank you so much for today. You know it was hard to accept the rejection but still, I am happy that your words helped me", he thanked me with a genuine smile.

"That credit goes to you Hoseok ssi, I mean Hobi. Not everyone could accept it and try to move on. My words did nothing. It's your heart which made it easy for you.", I spoke and he gave out another wide smile. Should I name him Mr. Smiley?

"Even then, it isn't that easy to accept it so early. But still, your company has helped me to forget that for some time. Thanks for that", he mouthed and I nodded.

"So, what are we now?", he asked out of nowhere. What are we?

"We could call ourselves friends. Because we are already referring to each other by first names and also talked about our interests", I mouthed and he nodded.

"Well! We are friends. And I am happy that we are", he spoke and I nodded

"Well! What I would like to say is that whatever happens in your life, one thing which you should not lose is your hope. You hope is the only thing which lets you walk amidst the troubles. You should hope to find happiness wherever you go. And not just that, you could even be the hope for someone else at some point of time. And then you might realize, that it's worth having hope to find happiness", I completed and he looked at me in silence.

"Woah! I never heard anything so powerful until now. I am so thankful for those words", he stated and I smiled.

"Well! They aren't my words. It's from someone special", I spoke and he looked at me in surprise.

"Who?"

"My boyfriend"

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Hobi's smile to make your day