Mall Hangout

"People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life."

– Elizabeth Gilbert

"Girls, come down!" my mom shouted from downstairs.

I was watching the music videos of BTS on my laptop and Jimin was surfing through my phone as usual. Hearing my mom, Jimin raised his head and looked at me. I sighed closing my laptop and headed downstairs.

Mom and dad were standing in the middle of the hall along with Liya and Diya.

"What's it?" I asked descending the last step.

"We are planning to go to the HiLight Mall tonight." Dad grinned.

"Really?!!" screamed Diya hugging Liya, who was equally excited.

"Yeah, we're gonna watch a movie too so be ready by 6," mom said.

"Super cooool!" now both of my sisters hi-fied. Duh!

I just nodded at them and went upstairs.

"What was that?" asked Jimin finally pulling out his earbuds eagerly.

"We are going to a mall this evening" I shrugged.

"Really?!!" he jumped up from his chair squealing, "Won't you take me?"

"Well duh, I've got no choice anyway" I rolled my eyes.

"Yess!!!!" he started jumping around the room excited. Aish why?

I should buy some books to read, it's been a while since I read something due to my hectic high school life. Mm, should buy some Korean novels for Jimin too, he'd finished all of them. I'm starting to care for him huh? Guess it's the least I could do for giving me some company. Oh and some books about paranormal activities too, I should really find a way to bring his soul or whatever back to his body. But...when and if I succeed, I can say I'm gonna miss him. I sighed looking at the excited boy who jumped into my bed drained by all the jumping.

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"Liya...Diya...hurry up!" my mom shouted again.

They are late as usual, yeah yeah definitely busy pilling up makeup and selecting what to wear. My sisters!

I was currently sitting on the couch in the living room checking my dead social media accounts with Jimin leaning in to look at my phone sitting beside me. I was the first to get ready. I just wore a white hoodie and ripped blue jeans along with a black cap. I pulled my hair into my usual high ponytail and put on my white sneakers. I saw Jimin face-palming at my fashion sense yet again but I ignored him.

"Mom, dad!" called my sisters walking into the living room where all of us were sitting and waiting for them. They posed as models with a cheeky smile on, "How do we look?"

Liya wore a dark purple T-shirt under a denim jacket along with black skinny jeans and high heels. Her hair was down with a whatever-hair-accessory on her head. While Diya had on a bright yellow frock up to her knees with pink designs all over it and white heels, hair up in a braid and a band. And the makeup is at the maximum.

"Pretty as always!" cheered my dad with an approving nod from mom.

"Dad, the tracker watch you gave me is super cool," Liya showed us the purple watch, "I'm gonna wear it everywhere." she squealed.

I turned and looked Jimin who had his mouth wide open eyeing both my sisters. See! Men are always whipped for pretty women, no matter who they are. And this guy here is no different from all those morons. What did I expect? Every man is the same! I scoffed at him and stood up.

"Dad, it's getting late," I said gesturing towards my watch.

"Oh, c'mon, we should avoid traffic," said Dad and rushed outside with his car keys.

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All of us were sitting in the car headed towards the city. I was sitting at the very back of our SUV. Both of my sisters wanted window side also Jimin wanted to sit somewhere right? Yeah, I'd asked him to teleport but he said he wants to see the places, traveling. So, I asked my father to pull up the seat and I sat at the very back with Jimin at my side gawking at the sights. He kept tugging my hand and squealing in delight seeing the green sceneries and usual sights. I got annoyed by his childish behaviour so I put on my earbuds and blasted metal music. He kept tugging but I blocked out his voice gladly, thanks to the inventor of earbuds for saving my day.

We finally reached the mall after heavy traffic. My sisters raced towards the elevator after parking the car underground. I followed my family like a sidekick all the way. The atmosphere inside the mall was a little cold because of the winter season plus air conditioning. I cursed myself for not taking a scarf like my sister, rubbing both my hands.

"Do you want me to make you warm?" asked Jimin with a slight smirk walking beside me.

I kept my mouth shut as my family was walking in front of me chatting and laughing. They'll doubt whether I have some problem with my brain talking to apparently nothing.

"Okay, you can't talk" he chuckled, "I'll do without your consent then".

He then reached out to grab my arm but I shot him a glare.

"Guess not" he raised his hands in the air giggling, "Your loss".

Can I seriously kick his butt?

"You can roam around the mall a little" I suggested, "The movie is in Malayalam, you won't understand a thing".

"No, I want to stay with you" he smiled clinging onto my arm.

We were finally in the FilmCity waiting for our movie in the lobby. I was standing a table away from my family; my sisters chatting and giggling while my parents act all lovey-dovey. I really felt out of place but this is what happens every time, I'm used to this. Besides, I have a companion; though he's annoying.

"Fine, don't ask me to translate" I murmured under my breath.

Well, the movie went great. Jimin just sat on the floor beside me. He didn't say anything all the while though there were ooohs and aaahs. I can say he doesn't understand the story at all. Hearing the jokes and comedies in the movie people will laugh loudly but he would look around trying to figure out why they're laughing, almost like a lost puppy, with a small pout on his plump lips. There are wide range of differences between South Korean and Indian movies. It's ...hard to explain. Hehe!

After the movie, we parted ways. My sisters went shopping for some clothes while my parents went to the supermarket to buy some stuff. I took my walk towards my favorite spot on the top floor: the book store.

"Why didn't you go with my sisters? I could've had some time alone" I muttered under my breath only loud enough for Jimin to hear.

"Nah...they're no fun!" he shrugged.

"I've read that you loved shopping?"

"Yeah, I always dragged Hobi hyung shopping. He would...." oh here he goes blabbering out stuff. Well woalah, I'm a good and patient listener!

We reached the book store as I went straight towards my place; teen-fiction. Luckily there was no one so that I could choose my books peacefully.

I was reading the review of a book when Jimin came beside me.

"Don't you have comics?" he asked looking around.

"No, not like in South Korea, I guess. There might be a few in the corner or something. We have our own comics" I said putting the book back on the shelf.

"Mm, that's sad" he hummed walking around.

I picked up four books and headed towards the International Best-selling section. Jimin followed behind me trying to read the book titles. I looked for Korean books and finally found the shelf. There were only a few books as people don't know the language and all. I was checking out the book when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I thought it was Jimin and turned around.

"What is it, Ji-" I stopped abruptly.

"Hi" waved a guy around my age.

He wore a black leather jacket over his red T-shirt and had ripped tight jeans on. He was handsome by Indian standards with his unnatural greyish green eyes.

"What do you want?" I asked blankly void of any emotions.

"Are you alone?" he asked.

"Nope, I'm here with a ghost" I admitted. Well, it's true, right?

"Hehe, sry. I'm Haneen. Don't you know me from the art club? I'm quite popular at school" he asked with an obvious-to-me-Mia-the-great smile. Hm, from my school?

"Did you by anyway not understand my question?" I asked raising my eyebrows.

"Well...I want to ask you something" he said scratching his neck nervously under my stare.

My gaze caught a group of boys hiding behind a huge shelf peering at us. They have an evil and mischievous glint in their eyes. I averted my gaze away hastily and looked at the nervous boy in front of me. Boys never change.

"You got a dare didn't you?" I asked narrowing my eyes at him.

His eyes widened. Bingo!

"How did yo-"

"What's the dare?" I asked cutting him off.

He was still mute staring at me.

I sighed, "The time's ticking," I said tapping my wristwatch.

"Oh, yeah, it was a dare," he said, "It was to talk to the coldest girl we see first and get her...number".

I smirked, "You've come to the right place, buddy".

"B-Buddy?" he parroted.

"Now, you want my number or what?" I asked coldly.

"Yes!" he then took out his phone. Mm, he's rich.

I recited the number to him as he typed it happily.

"Thank you!" he smiled widely, "What can I do for you in return?"

"Just get your butt out of my sight," I said turning towards my selected books, "May we never meet again".

With that, I walked away from him but he stopped me.

"Hey, you didn't tell me your name!"

"Your dare was to get my number not my name" I replied coldly and walked away to the counter.

"Yah! Why did you give your number to him?" asked Jimin. Oh, I forgot about him again and he understood what we were talking about. Hm, he was watching us silently, wasn't he?

"I didn't give him my number," I said flatly.

"Don't lie to me. I don't understand the language but that doesn't mean I can't see what you are doing, Mia!" he said irritatedly.

"I'm not lying. I didn't give him my number" I repeated.

"But you give him a number. Who's was it then?" he asked scrunching his eyebrows.

"Mental health counselor," I said simply.

"Huh?" I pointed at a group of teenagers giving out pamphlets around. They had a huge banner behind them, they had written their contact number in it. I recited their number as it was the first thing my eyes caught looking through the transparent glass of the store.

"Oh" was all he said with a small smile on his lips.

"And even if I did it's none of your business" I added.

His smile immediately vanished.

What's wrong with the guy?

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"Mia, you alright?" asked my dad eyeing me concerned.

Both of us were sitting at the food court eating out food we bought. My mom and sisters had gone to a stall to get separate food. So, we are practically alone except for a ghost sitting beside me eyeing at our delicious foods with a pout. Can't blame him though! The food indeed was mouth-watering.

My dad always asked me that question after what happened 2 years ago. Well, I don't blame him for worrying about me after what I've gone through. What? Well, that's the story for another day.

"I'm fine, dad" Lies. Easy to say but hard to digest. "You don't have to keep asking me that".

"You are not yourself, Mia" he held my hand over the table, "I miss my little Mia".

"I miss her too, dad" I sighed glancing at a confused Jimin, I know he is not dumb. He might have understood it was a serious talk. I'm glad that he can't understand the language." But this is who I am. And I don't regret that at all. I'm happy the way I am now". I gave him a slight smile.

"Is that so? Then, I won't object. But don't hurt or punish yourself, Mia." he said urgently, "You are beautiful the way you are".

The word beautiful and I are far away, dad.

I faked a smile, "Thanks, dad".

"Make way for the pizzas!" squealed Liya as she placed two plates of pizzas on our table, Diya and mom followed behind her with food in their hands.

End of discussion!