>Next Day

We had an early morning flight and were already in the plane, flying back to Korea. I was looking outside the window at the still clouds floating through the crimson red shades of the sky, hoping for a miracle.

In the whole fourteen hours flight, I couldn't sleep even for a second. Jimin was worried and asked me to atleast close my eyes for awhile before we landed. I just couldn't do it, for her image never left my sight. It just received more resolution with my eyes shut.

After the hours passed brutally slow, we landed and were welcomed by our adorable ARMY. We all tried our best to keep a straight face in the airport. And within a short span of time, we were all in our van.

J : (-looking at me-) Are you sure, you can go to the funeral?

I nodded weakly and insisted them to freshen up before following me to her funeral ceremony.

They headed to the dorm and I came straight to the latter, since I couldn't bear to be anymore late than I was.

Dad's assistant received me at the gate, making sure nobody saw me.

As I went closer to her quarters, my steps grew heavier; they wouldn't just go. The sharp corner of the door cut the palm of my hand as I entered clumsily. It started bleeding but too vague to the emotional pain at that moment for me to even register it.

I saw Mom and Dad seated by her picture. My soul quivered as I saw her frame. She had her sweetest smile on it. Mom felt a presence and turned to look when Dad called out my name.

MOM : (-coming to me-) Oh, my son, we are so sorry. (-crying-) We couldn't save them. (-hugging me-) My poor, poor child.

I remained silent for a while. Almost traumatized, and inquired at Dad, towering beside.

ME : (-with a heavy heart-) Where is she?

DAD : (-looking down-) We've already buried her.

I shot glares at him in resentment. All I wanted was to see her one last time. But, I was robbed off that one last opportunity to caress her face. To feel her against my hand, and to bid her a farewell.

MOM : (-releasing me-) Taehyung-ah, we couldn't have-

ME : (-yells-) Why?! Why, dad?? Why didn't you wait for me?

Tears finally formed in my eyes and Dad came across with a stern voice to calm me down.

DAD : How could we have waited? Moreover, your relationship wasn't official. How would you have gone out? There are eyes everywhere watching you.

ME : Is that all what you were worried about? To hell with what people saw!

I tried to bottle it down and fisted my palms. Jae Ra always had to compromise for my fame. She was always shadowed because of me. But, she never complained.

I looked up deep into her eyes in that picture of hers, guilty and remorseful. I felt like the tiniest speck of dust before her.

Mom and Dad left the room giving us some time alone. 

JIMIN's POV

Reaching the dorm, everyone grieved after Jae Ra. She was very caring to all of us, and we shared a close friendship.

Taehyung adored her so much that we were all worried about him, uncertain of the ways to keep him contained and help him recover.

He was extremely elated and looked forward to the future he imagined with their first child. We hadn't seem him that happy. He was in his prime. But, everything shattered, everything crumpled in a matter of seconds. How unpredictable life is, a humbling reminder. But came rather too abruptly and unexpected.

It was still hard to believe.

Cautious of the public to avoid unnecessary traction, everyone left the dorm separately. No one had a lot of words. We had all gone somewhat speechless, too shocked.

I reached the funeral home before anyone else, and I saw Taehyung wailing hard. He was seated on the floor, leaning against the wall with blood stains on his face.

The blood scared me, and I rushed to him in a hope that he didn't do anything stupid.

ME : Where are you bleeding from?

I looked all over and noticed he was bleeding from his right hand. He had it casually rested on his lap with the fresh slit bare. 

ME : How did you hurt yourse-...

I deliberately cut my own questions and got a First aid box to treat his hand. He was seated like a lifeless body—eyes shrivelled and tired from crying. Lips chapped and dehydrated. Body barely moving.

I sighed, wrapping a bandage on his hand as I leaned to the wall and sat next to him quietly. I had never seen him this forsaken and mournful. No one but Jae Ra had the potential to ease him, then. It seemed anyone or anything was incompetent other than her.

In a while, the other members arrived. They paid their respects and condolences to the dead.

.

.

.

.

Days went by and each one of us took the utmost care of him. We always made sure he was never alone. We always made sure he was intaking enough water and food to sustain living. Not that we could compare it with him, deep down we were all felt Jae Ra's absence.

Taehyung didn't lay his foot in his family house ever since, and stayed with us in the dorm. Much unlike past, where he would find the lamest excuses to head home to be with his wife.

I got him some food a while ago, but he was firmly refusing to have it.

ME : Come on, TaeTae. It's Japchae. Your favorite. Please have a littl-

I was cut off by a sudden call on his phone. It was on the nightstand and I saw the ID say, "DAD". He came back from the window where he was standing by all these time, and received it as he sat on the bed beside me.

*Over the phone*

TH : Yes, Dad. (-slight pause-) What?! (-slight pause-) Okay, fine. I am coming. (-hangs up-)

He stood up quickly and was leaving in a rush without an explanation. I interrupted.

ME : What happened? Where are you off to?

TH : I have to go, I'll tell you later.

ME : Wait, let me come with you.

TH : No, it's fine. I am going home. Don't worry, Jimin-ah, I'll be fine.

He passed on an upset smile and I slightly nodded, not wanting to bother him.

ME : Okay, be safe.

He nodded and left. I sighed as I saw him leave in a hurry with no heed to me.

TAEHYUNG's POV

Dad called me over a ridiculous thing, refusing to tell me the entire story until I showed myself up. Hence, I had to comply.

Not wanting to trouble Jimin however, I didn't let him come. And that turned out to be a big mistake. Sometimes, I wish I had taken him with me, then.

I got in my car, racing towards the Kim's mansion.

Reaching there, I saw some unexpected faces. In my room, besides my Dad was his biggest business rival, Mr. Jeong. And his daughter, Jeong Ji Hae, who was laid like a patient on my bed.

She was the one Dad wanted me to marry over a business deal. I was seeing her after almost a year since she left to abroad after that day. The day, when she tried to persuade me into marrying her. However, I made it clear that I was already married to my love, Jae Ra, and that I would never leave her.

I still couldn't forget that day, since it was the first time Kimchi had a misunderstanding. And, we had a very heated argument on that. I drank alot later that night over the fight I had with her. And I still regret that, for I had promised Jae Ra that I would never drink.

ME : (-going in-) Why did you call me here, Dad?

He moved away to turn towards me, revealing a baby crib behind him. There rested the most precious little life in a peaceful sleep.

DAD : (-referring to the baby-) Because of him.

I looked at the newborn and saw his tiny palms curled lightly into a fist, occupying the smallest space.

ME : W-what do you mean? Who is he, and (-looking at Ji hae-) why is she here?

She didn't say a word nor had any eye-contact with me.

Mr. JEONG : He is your son.

ME : (-flustered-) WHAT?!

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