Chapter 12：Twelve: The gift

Mel couldn't control her laughter when they got in the car. She was continuously imagining Tae-hee's pale face and her husband's mean glare.

Kai: (confused) what is so funny Baby?

Mel couldn't answer him and still continued to laugh. Kai couldn't take it more and a smile reluctantly made its way on his lips- clearly affected by her infectious laughter.

Kai: (shaking his head) ok, keep laughing like a mad woman.

Mel: (calming down herself) where are we going?

Kai: it depends on you, we can go someplace fancy or we can get a take-out and have a mini picnic in the park.

Mel: (eyes lighting up in excitement) I vote for a picnic then.

Kai: (chuckling) I thought so.

Based on their momentous plans the couple drew to a park, which was empty during week days. Mel held their make-shift picnic basket- i.e., the covers containing their food. Kai pulled out a blanket from the boot of his car. They found a secluded spot in no time and enjoyed the lunch in peace.

Mel: (frowning) did Ray send you?

Kai: (shaking his head) part of it was his doing but I played the main role.

Mel: huh?

Kai: I had planned various things for today from a week, like those flowers but I forgot about all of it today. Ray kind of got me back on track again.

Mel: you didn't return home last night, I was actually worried.

Kai: (rubbing his neck) my title track isn't coming out as planned. I am stuck in a place.

Mel: maybe you need a change of pace or a change of company.

Kai: that's why I am here now.

Mel: (pouting) and here I thought you came for me.

Kai: (chuckling) I am hitting two birds with a single stone.

Mel hit him on the shoulder before digging back down into her lunch. She sure had a good appetite like a healthy person when it came to food, unlike him who just watched her eat for most of the time. She was right about his ruined appetite.

Mel: Love why aren't you eating?

Kai: (making a face) I do not feel hungry, baby. Guess I am missing home-made food.

Mel: that reminds me, mom called me this morning- she has invited both of us for dinner and has told that your excuses won't work this time, it is her order.

Kai: (nodding) ok.

Mel: what?

Kai: (shaking his head) I was just thinking about them, it's been months since we met them.

Mel: just you.

Kai: huh?

Mel: I've been visiting our parent's constantly. Don't worry they understand that you've been busy.

Kai: (rubbing his face) that makes me feel more terrible. Ugh!

Mel: (in a singsong voice) it's my birthday, cheer up. You still have to take me shopping.

Kai: (startled) shopping?

Mel: yes, I am going to make full use of your black card.

Kai: Hey! Those were the lyrics for the song, I didn't mean for you to literally make me go bankrupt.

Mel: (standing up) I am just going to do what you said- besides it's my birthday.

Kai: (laughing) I never thought my lyrics would back fire on me. Ok, let's get going. Where do you want to go?

Mel: (pulling him with her) let's go!

To his surprise, she pulled him into a kids store and started looking through the toys section. He was confused would be an understatement. She then went ahead to the gaming section and started to browse through the digital games. He kept quiet until they were back in their car to start questioning her.

Kai: well-

Mel: (cheeks heating up) these aren't for me except- (holding up the CD) this one.

Kai: then?

Mel: I am going to courier these toys back to Sydney.

Kai: why?

Mel: when I was there for the past ten years, I had two friends there whose birthday is the same as mine- these are for them.

Kai: (confused) I still don't understand!

Mel: I'll tell you about it tonight.

He nodded quietly and drove them both back to their home.

Kai: ready to mail them?

Mel: (nodding) yes, tomorrow I'll be doing that before going to work.

Kai: so who are those for?

Mel: back in my sophomore year- the situation wasn't so great in Sydney, especially to foreign students. Riots broke out almost every week. Since I was a major in journalism; I was selected in a group for a project to cover those riots. So while working on that, I found two little kids- twins actually- who were hiding in a shabby alley after the riot had broken out.

Kai: Oh!

Mel: (nodding) since then they have become my friends and they gave me a present on my birthday back then. I am simply keeping the tradition alive.

Kai: so how do you know that they would like these toys?

Mel: they sent me a list this morning.

Kai: (laughing) these kids are really close to you then.

Mel: (smiling) yes, they think of me as their sister.

Kai: I could've never guessed the reason behind these gifts but what about that game? It looks like its action/adventure.

Mel: (turning red) yes, it's for me to play. I have been addicted to games from a pretty young age.

Kai: (surprised) baby, you are really something else.

Mel: no, it's just that I kept my games hidden from Mom, she wouldn't like it. It was a secret between me and Papa. He used to gift me a new game every year on my birthday. Since he couldn't do it this year, he told me to buy one.

Kai: (nodding in understanding) I guess we still have a lot that we don't know about each other.

Mel: yes, are you going to record tonight too?

Kai: no, I want to spend tonight with you.

Mel: (lighting up in happiness) Really!-

She wanted to tell him something more but at that moment the doorbell rang indicating someone's arrival. Mel left Kai alone to see who was at the door at wee hours of the night.