Jimin struggled to fall asleep. It felt as if all the memories of the past five years were flashing before his eyes. He closed his eyes tightly, hoping for the darkness to engulf him to sleep. But his mind refused to settle, filled with thoughts of the tragic past. Frustration built within him. He let out a shriek, staring at the ceiling of his house. The surroundings were silent, but his mind wasn't.

Unknowingly, a tear slipped down Jimin's cheek. He couldn't pinpoint the reason behind it. Not caring about anything else, he wiped it away and turned his pillow upside down, hoping the coolness of it would bring some peace to his restless mind.

Gradually, his mind began to calm. Slowly, his eyelids grew heavy, and he drifted to slumber. Dreams played their role, painting vivid and unnatural scenarios before him.

In his dream, he found himself in a park-a park where they used to play together ten years ago. The very same park where they had first met, thanks to their parents. He held an ice cream cone in one hand, while the other was gently held by someone.

It was Jungkook, his memories taking him back to that special day.

His eyes shot open, filled with a mix of emotions. He didn't want to see Jungkook anytime soon. He believed he hated him now. Jimin tried to get up, but his body seemed to be immovable.

Struggling to even move a finger, Jimin realized that his body was asleep, while his mind remained awake. Sleep paralysis, he thought. He had become used to experiencing it regularly over the past two years.

He tried to fall back asleep, knowing that doing so would regain control over his body. Just as he closed his eyes, he found himself back in the same park. But this time, it was a different day. He walked slowly toward their special tree, tears trailing down his cheeks as waves of nostalgia washed over him. He gazed up at his shoe, tied to the tree with his friend's shoelace. It was a day, filled with happiness and joy.

Jimin was startled by a familiar voice speaking from behind. As he slowly turned around, he came face-to-face with someone he loved from the depths of his heart, yet also someone he despised.

"Why don't you just go away, Jeon? You already left me," he managed to whisper, struggling to catch his breath.

"I never left you, Jimin. I miss you so much," the taller spoke with a gentle voice, coming closer to Jimin.

"Stop!" Jimin shut his eyes tightly, not wanting to meet Jungkook's gaze.

"I'm just a call away, Jimin," that's all he heard before sunlight hit his face, jolting him awake.

It was a new day, yet a worse one. Jimin sat up straight, looking around. His eyes were swollen, and he struggled to keep them open.

Glancing at the tear-stained pillow, he sighed. This had become a regular sight over the past two years-tears accompanying his sleep. It seemed to happen every day.

Today, he had to visit Busan, the place where all his miseries lay, the place he was born.

_____

Fortunately, he didn't miss the train this time. Otherwise, it would have saddened his mother.

His parents had been urging him to visit Busan for a long time, but Jimin had always resisted. He never wanted to come back. But deep down, he knew that someday he had to face his birthplace again.

The main reason Jimin avoided visiting Busan was because of him-his past lover, Jungkook, the one to whom he had given his heart, only for him to leave.

Previously, Jimin used to cry whenever he recalled his past, but now he had promised himself to become stronger, to let go of the grief that held him. He believed that revisiting Busan would only worsen the painful memories. He wanted to move on- to overcome his past.

He sighed as he stepped out of the train. He remembered every corner of this place vividly, as if he had left it only yesterday. Without wasting any time, he started walking toward his childhood home.

Although he tried his best not to look back, he couldn't resist turning around one last time to gaze at the park situated near the station-the same park from his dream. Unspoken words echoed within him; he surely missed that place.