CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

KYUNG EUNSOO

I was able to secure a delivery job at a restaurant, but the pay was barely enough to support Taemin with the bills. Taemin still had to work eventhough he was sick and I tried to stop him but he didn't listen.

His mum came by a few times and I felt really bad seeing her so worried. If I wasn't here, Taemin wouldn't be suffering so much. If I wasn't here, Taemin would have peace of mind.

LEE TAEMIN

I walked into the house and went straight to the sofa. I lay there, unmoving and just staring at the ceiling fan.

" Welcome home ". Eunsoo said as he towered over me.

" Hold me ". I said and stretched out my arms towards him.

He chuckled and gently lowered himself into my embrace.

" Did you have a hard day at work? You came home really late today". He asked softly.

" Aah it feels so good to have someone waiting for me at home"

He suddenly held down my two hands over my head and began to tickle me.

" Do you still feel good? Huh? ". He asked amidst laughter.

" Are you crazy? Please ". I said and burst into laughter.

" Beg me "

" Eunsoo....haha....please "

I was really ticklish so I had a hard time controlling myself. I managed to push him off me and we both fell to the floor laughing.

" I feel like I'm a kid again "

" Me too "

.....

We had dinner and then took a bath together before calling it a night. I woke up really early and saw Eunsoo sleeping so peacefully, so I proceeded to make breakfast for the both of us.

I dropped the plates of food on the table and went into the room. I felt bad waking him up, but I had to or else he would be late for work.

" Hey! Eunsoo wake up "

" Huh? Hi "

" You're going to be late. Get up "

" Work? I have the afternoon shift ". He said and rolled out of bed.

" Oh I'm sorry. I should have let you sleep more "

" It's fine "

" I made breakfast. Come on "

I ate my breakfast, had a quick bath and hurriedly put on my clothes. I grabbed my bag and walked to the door with Eunsoo.

" Bye Eunsoo. I'll see you later ". I said and stepped out.

" Let's breakup "

I stood there, frozen in my tracks before slowly turning towards him. I probably didn't hear him properly.

" What did you just say? "

" Let's breakup "

" What are you talking about? It's not even funny so stop joking around "

" I think we should breakup. It's what's best for you "

" Best for me? What bullshit are you saying? Why? Huh? We were fine last night and this morning so what's this all of a sudden? "

" I'm sorry "

" Stop fucking apologizing and explain this to me "

" I'm really sorry "

" Hey! Look at me. I don't know what you're thinking but please don't do this...please. I love you "

" You'll be late for work "

" What? "

" Let's talk when you get back ". He said and gently shut the door in my face.

.....

I kept checking the time and restlessly waiting for work to be over. I could barely focus on work and kept making mistakes. After waiting endlessly, the clock struck and I bolted out of the office and down the stairs. A part of me wanted to rush home and confront him while the other wanted to hide somewhere in fear and denial.

I opened the door and went straight into the kitchen but he wasn't there. I went into the room but there was still no sign of him. He wasn't in the bathroom either and he wasn't taking my calls. I paced around restlessly, still trying his line but there was still no answer. I wandered into the living room and slumped into the sofa. The clock kept ticking and soon it was morning. He still isn't back home and still isn't taking my calls.

...

KYUNG EUNSOO

It's been a couple of weeks since I left Taemin's house and I am currently working three part time jobs. One of my bosses was kind enough to let me sleep in the shop after work hours. I occupied my self with work in hopes that I wouldn't go to see Taemin but it wasn't working. Almost every night, I stood outside his complex hoping to see him. I just wanted to make sure that he was doing okay.The urge to go up to him and hold him in my arms kept getting stronger so I decided to distance myself from him totally.

I felt terrified to be with him because I might end up causing him pain again. With time, I got accustomed to my new life and focused solely on bettering myself so I could someday be worthy enough to stand next Taemin.

I used to get text messages from Taemin occasionally but I couldn't bring myself to reply. I was scared that if I replied, I would want to holler on to him. Lately, the text messages have become fewer and fewer.

....

2 years later

KYUNG EUNSOO

I yawned loudly and opened my eyes slowly before looking down at the small hands that were wrapped around me. I chuckled softly before tapping his shoulders.

" Ya....Bada....Han Bada wake up "

He rolled off me and pulled the sheets over his head. His long wavy white-blonde hair was splayed on the bed in such a funny way.

" Just one more minute ". He mumbled from under the sheet.

I pulled the sheet away from him and laughed as he squirmed about on the bed. He has quite a small stature, so he looked funny and cute in the oversized pajamas he had on.

" We have to get ready now. Our car will be here soon "

" Ugh ". He groaned

" I told you to stop wearing my clothes. You never wash them "

" Why are you nagging so early in the morning? "

He got off the bed sluggishly and threw one of the pillows at me.

" You would have been up early if you hadn't made a fuss about watching a movie all night "

" Aagh. Let me be ". He yelled and went into the bathroom.

" Don't you have a bathroom in your own room? "

" I'm going to age so fast because of you ". He yelled from inside the bathroom.

I chuckled and picked up the shirt he had thrown to the floor. Two years ago, a couple of months after I left Taemin's house, I got acquainted with a young man that was about three years younger than I am. I delivered food to him almost everyday, so we formed a sort of friendship since we had a lot in common. I met a bunch of new people through him and it made me feel like I was given a second chance to restart my life. Thanks to him, my life took a new turn.