Jennie was fidgeting at the living room of their shared dorm.
She was walking back and forth in front of Chaeyoung and Lisa, her best friends and co-members. She didn't even notice the two sharing meaningful looks and whispering to each other, trying to figure out why she was acting like that.
She was gripping her phone tightly, trying not to give in to the urge of calling and following up if her plans are all in place.
Just like her previous attempts, she did her two hundred percent best on this one.
Jennie hopes it will go well unlike before.
A few seconds later, Jennie jumps in shock when her phone rang. Chaeyoung and Lisa knew something's up. They already know Jennie gets surprised easily, however, she was indeed extra jumpy and fidgety today.
Jisoo may not have the slightest idea about it since their best friend and co-member has been really busy lately especially for the past few weeks.
However, in front of the two youngest members, Jennie Kim is definitely not being subtle with the way she couldn't sit still.
Chaeyoung and Lisa already made a bet on it. They hope this time it would actually push through.
They continued watching Jennie silently, already guessing who the caller is when the latter's phone rang earlier based on their best friend's lovesick grin right now.
Whipped.
Jennie looked at her phone, feeling relieved. She couldn't hide the happy grin on her face when she saw who the caller was.
It was her best friend and the love of her life.
Jennie answered it immediately, putting her phone on her right ear. She rolled her eyes when she heard Lisa and Chaeyoung whine, muttering that she should've put it on speakers instead. Jennie just stuck her tongue out, chuckling when she saw the two stuck their tongues out as well.
There's no way she'll let the two hear her phone conversation with Jisoo. They always tease them whenever she calls Jisoo and vice versa.
Chaeyoung and Lisa once told them they're so annoyingly sweet and cheesy, especially on that one vlive when Jisoo made a surprise call to Jennie who was just in her room, waiting and watching her girlfriend's vlive. She grinned as she recalled that short yet sweet phone conversation which was broadcasted live. She remembered laughing out loud when they checked twitter and read tweets of the fans' reactions.
They couldn't blame them.
They weren't really that subtle.
Well, they didn't try to make it obvious, either.
The couple rings, necklaces, shoes, clothes and even the complementary names of their children (Kuma and Dalgom) and how they became naked buddies or how they have created nicknames for each other didn't really give away their real status of relationship, right?
Jennie and Jisoo are indeed the bestest friends, be it in public or in their private lives.
However, they've always been more than that too.
The public probably didn't know that fact (apart from their close friends and family, of course).
Or so they thought.
Jennie chuckled as she realized some fans who seem to be really good at observing them may or may not figure it out. Even Chaeyoung and Lisa weren't that subtle either when it also comes to their relationship.
Actually, she really didn't mind. And so did Jisoo.
They'll eventually figure it all out anyway especially when she and Jisoo will get married.
Jennie grinned wider at that thought.
She shrugged her thoughts off for now as she heard Jisoo whining on the other line, calling her with the infamous nickname her girlfriend made for her.
Only for her.
She's Jisoo's Jendeukie.
"Chu? I thought you're still shooting right now?" Jennie asked, silently hoping her girlfriend wouldn't notice how nervous she is with the tone of her voice.
Jisoo may be oblivious and clueless at times but Jennie was more than aware that her girlfriend is super smart, sensitive and observant when it comes to her moods, actions and expressions. There have been countless times when Jisoo would sense what she needs or wants without even saying it outright.
She's definitely my soulmate. My baby Chu.
"I'm on a break right now, Jendeuk. I just wanted to call you. I'm sorry I couldn't get the day off for our anniversary." Jisoo's voice was a bit sad and really apologetic on the other line. Jennie didn't like hearing her upset, not especially when Jisoo's been working so hard with what she's also been wanting to do since they were trainees.
Her Actress Chu.
"It's okay, Chu. We already talked about this. We can still celebrate later! There's a carrot cake and a strawberry cake waiting for you." Jennie's cheerful voice emanated from the room.
Her heart melted when she heard Jisoo chuckling on the other line. It's true that Jisoo's the one who makes her laugh the most. That's why whenever Jennie's the reason for making Jisoo laugh and smile, she feels extra proud of herself.
Jennie just wanted to make Jisoo feel appreciated, loved and happy. And every single day since she met her, she promised herself to do everything in her power, efforts and actions to show her best friend and girlfriend what she deserves to be treated.
Jennie sighed in contentment as she hears Jisoo's hearty chuckles.
They just saw each other earlier and yet Jennie already misses Jisoo.
"Jendeuk, I thought you bought that? Didn't you buy all the cakes you gave me before?" Jisoo teased.
"Kim Jisoo! How dare you doubt my love and effort behind picking and ordering those cakes!" Jennie gasped, acting like she was offended which she was totally not. It was hers and Jisoo's inside joke. Jennie even answered in her high-pitched tone which made them burst in laughter.
Jennie may not be the one who baked those cakes but she really tried her best in picking a cake that would suit her Chu's taste. Besides, she wanted Jisoo's cake to be delicious and special. Jennie's still learning how to cook and bake. And she just wants to make sure she can bake a delectable and delicious cake for Jisoo once she trusts her baking skills to do that.
"I'm just kidding, Jendeuk. You know I appreciate all of them, right? Even when you forgot to give me a gift and write my name on our secret santa tradition with Chaeyoungie and Lisa." Jisoo continued, her playful tone reassured Jennie that Jisoo's sullen mood earlier seemed to dissolve already.
"I know, Chu! And how many times do I have to tell you that I didn't forget your name and gift that time? I intentionally didn't write yours so I can be your secret santa. I'm cool and amazing like that." Jennie proudly stated, earning giggles from Jisoo.
Chaeyoung and Lisa were smirking, who were now cuddled up on the couch, giggling and enjoying Jennie's reactions and replies to their other best friend and co-member.
"I still can't believe you did that every year, Jen! You didn't have to do that! We always give separate gifts to each other already." Jisoo laughingly exclaimed.
Jennie grinned widely, giving herself a mental pat on the back for her genius ideas over the past ten years to consistently woo and show her love to Kim Jisoo, her soulmate and one true love.
She thanked her fifteen-year-old self for having the courage to ask Jisoo out on a romantic date three days after they met, right after they went to the sauna together and became roommates.
It was no question to Jennie that she was so damn lucky.
In this whole, complex universe, she found her soulmate when she was fifteen while reaching their dreams together.
Oftentimes, whenever she climbs on Jisoo's bed to cuddle and spoon her, she'd stare at Jisoo before going to sleep, reminding herself everything is real between them.
Ten years into their relationship, she's still as smitten and very much in love with Jisoo.
In fact, if Jennie may say so, it grew stronger as the years passed by.
Jennie already has plans about her future with Jisoo since she was fifteen.
Yes, she was that sure she wanted to spend the rest of her lifetime with Jisoo.
And Jisoo told her she wanted a future with her too whenever they have their late night conversations before going to sleep.
That being said, it's no question Jennie's very much willing to marry Jisoo and spend their lives together.
After all, She already had a ring prepared since Jisoo's twenty-fourth birthday.
The ring she gave to Jisoo during her twenty-fifth birthday was a different one. She wouldn't have given it if her third attempt of proposal during that time was successful.
Jennie didn't realize she got lost with her thoughts for a while until she heard Jisoo's voice calling her name on the other line.
"Jen? Are you still there?"
"Still here, Chu. Sorry. What were you saying?"
"I told you earlier that you must really love me for you to do the secret santa thing." Even though Jennie couldn't see Jisoo's face, she was sure her girlfriend was grinning on the other line.
"I thought you already knew that! We wouldn't last this long if we weren't in love and whipped with each other, Miss Jisoo Turtle Rabbit Kim." Jennie teased.
"You're even more whipped than me, Jendeuk!" Jisoo exclaimed, still laughing.
"Hey! Don't let others hear that!" Jennie joked.
"I think we both know you aren't subtle, Miss Jennie Ruby Jane Kim. Even our fans have noticed it." Jennie finds herself enchanted with the sound of Jisoo's laugh.
Yup, she's definitely whipped and what about it?
Who wouldn't become whipped and smitten and hopelessly in love with Kim Jisoo especially when she is more than who Jennie hoped and prayed for?
Unknowingly, Jennie's other unoccupied hand fiddles with her coat's pocket which has a small velvet box tucked inside.
Suddenly, Jennie hears someone calling Jisoo's name on the other line, telling her the break's over.
She heard her girlfriend sigh.
Her Chu's been really working hard especially lately. Jennie knew Jisoo always works hard yet she works harder more than she already does. That's why Jennie makes sure her girlfriend is well taken care of.
"I gotta go. I can't wait to see you later! Love you! Happy tenth anniversary, Jendeuk!" Jisoo sweetly stated in spite of her hurried tone.
"Love you too! Have fun and good luck, actress Chu! I'll see you later! Happy anniversary to us, baby!"
They ended the call at the same time. Jennie was worried that Jisoo might be too tired after her filming. She hopes the food truck and care package she had prepared would arrive just in time for Jisoo's afternoon break. Jennie hopes it will cheer her girlfriend up.
Now, she just needs to wait for Jisoo and her plan would be put into action.
She really trusted her instincts on this one.
Because for the fourth and (hopefully) the last time, she's going to ask Jisoo to marry her.
Jennie thinks and believes she's been patient enough. She has done and tried it thrice yet it was never the right time or there was always something that would hinder her plans of proposing.
She wasn't planning the proposal of the century. That went down the drain when her first, second and third attempts of proposal failed.
She just wants to create the best proposal possible for the love of her life.
And most definitely, she needs, wants and hopes for a yes from Jisoo.
She grimaced as she recalled how she'd consider herself unlucky in those moments.
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The first time Jennie planned to propose to Jisoo was when they were in Amsterdam for their world tour.
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Amsterdam
Jennie was unbelievably nervous. Fiddling with her coat's pocket, a red velvet box was hidden.
To hide her nerves, she continued taking photographs of her favorite muse.
Jisoo looked so happy and beautiful while they explored Amsterdam together.
It was their only free day before they perform for Amsterdam tomorrow. No one knew that she was going to propose to Jisoo (except for Jisoo's family when she had asked for their blessing and the pancake place's owner where they are currently lounging and enjoying the superb pancakes, as her girlfriend had told her).
Jennie watched her girlfriend munch happily, feeling relieved that she didn't seem to notice they were the only customers inside for the meantime (the managers already went outside after they finished eating).
Jennie wondered if Chaeyoung and Lisa and the managers knew about it because they decided to be extra mindful of giving her and Jisoo space and time to spend this day together (with the managers keeping their distance but never taking their watchful eye on them).
She didn't know she was staring into space until she blinks back at Jisoo who pinched her cheeks lightly.
"Jen! Did you hear what I said?" Jisoo looked at her in amusement, her beautiful heart-shaped lips stretched out widely.
"Of course, you mentioned that the pancakes were superb here! I told you I know the right place for your craving." Jennie confidently stated, her heart beat went faster as Jisoo smiled bashfully at her.
Kim Jisoo and her breathtaking and stunning smile. No matter how long they were together now, the effect Jisoo has on Jennie never really changed.
It makes her feel calm and giddy and nervous at the same time because of her smiles and loving stares.
"Jen?"
"Hmmm?"
"I want to go here again. I think we can even live here together. Maybe in the future?" Jisoo almost whispered. Jennie found her so adorable especially when Jisoo blushed.
Jennie gulped, swallowing a non-existent lump on her throat.
She took a deep breath before speaking.
Jisoo already gave her an opening. All she needs is some courage and the postcard she gave to Jisoo earlier.
"Chu? About that. Remember the postcard I gave you earlier?" Jennie uttered, looking directly at Jisoo's hopeful eyes.
"Two lips from Amsterdam?" Jisoo asked.
"Yeah. That one. Can you get it for me?" Jennie nodded.
"What do you mean? Didn't we give it to the old tourist couple earlier?" Jisoo's eyebrows furrowed.
Jennie's eyes widened.
Oh no. They didn't.
Jennie couldn't possibly give that card where her short message and the question was written, right?
"Wha-how-?" Jennie stuttered.
"Jendeuk, we put it inside your bag earlier before we went to that jewelry store, right? Are you okay?"
Jisoo watched how Jennie searched for it inside the latter's bag. Jisoo's bag was small so the postcard wouldn't fit. She became worried when her girlfriend looked frantic and was mumbling some words she couldn't understand.
"It couldn't be. This was not how it's supposed to be." Jennie mumbled.
Her shoulders slumped when she found a travel guide which was supposed to be the one they've given to the wandering sweet old couple who were also tourists here in Amsterdam.
"Jen? What's wrong?"
Jennie looked at her girlfriend who had a worried look on her face and she couldn't help but feel guilty. She willed herself to smile and shrug her disappointment of her plan not going according to what she initially wanted.
She's just going to ask it directly, then.
"I'm okay, Chu. It's just-can I ask you something? It's kinda related to what you were telling me earlier." Jennie smiled nervously.
"Of course, Jendeuk." Jisoo smiled back, her worry dissipating when she saw Jennie's eyes light up again.
Jennie took a deep breath, thinking that maybe she could just wing it and ask Jisoo right then and there.
She smiled.
Maybe she can do it now.
"Chu, will you—"
Jennie was cut off when their managers hurriedly entered the pancake place, approaching them with apologetic looks on their faces.
"Sorry, we need to head back. You both need to wake up early tomorrow. Rosé and Lisa are already back at the hotel." Their manager unnie stated.
Jisoo nodded while Jennie sighed.
She wanted to scream in frustration.
She almost asked the question until they were interrupted.
Jennie couldn't bring herself to be angry. She was just really disappointed with herself. She was surprised when a warm pair of hands pulled her up and placed a lingering kiss on her cheek.
"Maybe you can ask me next time?"
Seeing Jisoo's gentle and reassuring smile, Jennie feels way better and lighter.
She intertwined their hands together, kissing Jisoo's forehead.
"Okay. I will." Jennie whispered, wearing a fond and grateful smile on her face.
Oh, She definitely will. She already has another plan in mind.
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A/N:
Happy 6th anniversary to Blackpink!
(The pinks are finally back :D)
Also, the next part will be published soon 😝