The Empty Canvas

Seven: Choices

A cold yet soothing wind breeze welcomed Baekhyun. He breathed heavily, appreciating the smell of his hometown. The lofty, colored establishments and sidewalks gave him nostalgia. He missed this place. He missed streets he used to wander. He missed the shops and the foods. He misses Chanyeol.

Oops! That seemed out of the place

Baekhyun was in deep thoughts when his phone interrupted him. Kyungsoo was calling.

"Where are you?" Kyungsoo asked from the other line. Baekhyun sighed. He couldn't really escape Soo.

"I'm in Bucheon," Baekhyun replied.

"Why don't--"

"I want to be alone, Soo. Besides, I don't want to bother you anymore. Don't worry, I'll be home tomorrow night. Don't wait for me... And I'm fine," he told, not giving Kyungsoo any chance to argue before he ended the call. Kyungsoo was worrying too much. Baekhyun's fine, just a little, you know, broken. But it doesn't mean he couldn't be fixed. He just need some time alone to think and reflect.

"Excuse me, Sir?" Baekhyun asked when he saw an old man standing right in front of her grandmother's door. No one's living in there since he left for his life in Seoul. He just visit the place from time to time for couple of days every end of the month or during holidays. And he wasn't expecting a visitor. "How may I help you?"

The man looked back. It was strange but Baekhyun was certain that the man teared up. "Are you okay?" He approached the man and caress his back for comfort. The man was wearing coats and warm clothes from signature brands and he looked dignified yet humble. It was cold so Baekhyun decided to invite the man inside.

"Sorry for the dusts. It was left unattended since last month," Baekhyun apologized as he started to wipe the couch with a clean cloth. "No problem. I was just visiting the place," the man spoke kindly. Baekhyun was comfortable with the man's presence since he looked familiar.

He prepared cups of tea and offered one to the man. "How are you, Baekhyun?" the man asked. Baekhyun was surprised that the man knew him. Maybe they really knew each other. Maybe he was one of his grandmother's friends but he just couldn't remember. "I'm fine, Sir," Baekhyun smiled.

The man took a sip from his cup and looked at Baekhyun straight to his eyes. "Your eyes say otherwise," the man replied. Elders do really know things about life and people. "And why are you calling me, Sir? Have you forgotten about your Grandpa Park?"

Baekhyun's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh. I'm so sorry, Grandpa," the man chuckled with Baekhyun's expression. Baekhyun was too young when Grandpa Park last saw him and the latter understood why Baekhyun couldn't remember him. "It's been years but you still look as handsome as before," Baekhyun complimented and gained a chuckle from the man.

"You never changed. You always complimented Grandpa," Baekhyun smiled. They were reunited again after so many years and Baekhyun was more than glad that he met the only Grandpa he knew.

"It's because I'm stating a fact, Grandpa. Anyway, how's Suho hyung? I think he grew up as a great painter," Baekhyun said while reminiscing the memories he and Suho made together.

"He is. He told me once that he wanted to see you again so he could give you a present."

Grandpa Park has always been nice. Baekhyun could remember the old days when Grandpa visits them with his grandson, Suho. Just like his Grandpa, Suho's kind and warm-hearted. He looked after Baek, like he's his younger brother. He gave him any toy or food that Baekhyun wanted.

Baekhyun was in a middle of conversation when Kyungsoo rang him again. He had no choice but to answer the phone or he'll make him worried again. Kyungsoo was a cool guy but a bit paranoid when it comes to Baekhyun.

"Baek, do you, uhm... Do you have time tomorrow night?" Kyungsoo asked, a bit hesitant.

"Why?"

"Chanyeol, Jong In's brother wanted to meet you."

"Who?" Baekhyun repeated. He wasn't sure if he heard it right or he was just hearing things nonexistent.

"Chanyeol. Look, I'm not hooking you up with him. He just wanted to meet you so Jong In and I decided to asked you if you're available tomorrow night. Don't worry, we'll be with you," Kyungsoo explained as he was trying to pursuade Baekhyun to approve.

"Does he look like the one in the painting?" Baekhyun asked out of the blue. Kyungsoo has no idea about the guy so Baekhyun owe him a clear and believable explanation.

"Which painting?" Kyungsoo asked.

"The one in the library," Baekhyun answered. He heard Kyungsoo sighed from the other line.

"It's a silhouette, Baek," Kyungsoo replied in a dejected tone. However, Baekhyun was puzzled. Chanyeol is real. He saw him with his two eyes. He was with him. Sehun saw him as well but how can they see a silhouette when he vividly sees a young man? "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Baek? Are you still there?"

"I'm sorry, Soo but I can't make it. I have prior plans," Baekhyun lied. He just don't want to meet someone who has the same name with the man he wanted to forget. He'll just remember Chanyeol more and it would just hurt more. He couldn't pretend to be happy in front of someone who could remind him of his pain.

"Okay. I understand. Take care," Kyungsoo told. Baekhyun was left in daze after the call. It's strange that he clearly see Chanyeol in the painting while other people see a silhouette. Does it mean, he is fated to meet Chanyeol?

"It's strange that as we try harder to forget something, life always has its way to remind us of that thing," Grandpa Park spoke from behind. Baekhyun looked at him and smiled. He was right. Baekhyun wanted to forget Chanyeol but small things reminds him of the latter. "That only means that we can't escape the reality. We have to accept and embrace it," Grandpa continued. "That's what Baekkie told me."

"Because she can't forget your love. She accepted that you can't be together so she could be happy... And she did," Baekhyun replied. Grandma and Grandpa Park's story was tragic but their love remain as is after so many years. It still blooms like an evergreen flower that never failed to fascinate everyone. Baekhyun loves romance and his grandma's story is his favorite one.

Baekhyun saw the smile on Grandpa Park's lips. It's genuine. "I'm glad she did. I didn't choose to be with her and it haunted me until I knew that she never blamed me for anything."

"It's because she loves you. However, mere love can't bring two people together," Baekhyun uttered bitterly.

Grandpa Park held his shoulder and said "It's about choices, Baekhyun. If two people choose to fight for each other, no matter what the circumstances are, they can be together. No matter how complicated it is, choose your happiness, son. Don't take the same path I took."

Baekhyun stared at Grandpa who only gave him a smile. It was as if Grandpa Park knew everything. His words stroke something in him. He wanted to ran back home--back to Chanyeol's side. He made up his mind and that's choosing his happiness over anything else.

He chooses Chanyeol.

••••

Oh! Sorry for grammatical errors and for this lame update.