Chapter 44: Quest for Taesung (Part 1)

Fahami's POV:

The next morning, after waking up, I found myself on the floor, still hugging the huge teddy. I slept on the floor last night.

My whole body was stiff due to sleeping on the floor. My head pounded hard. Every time I promised myself, I wouldn't drink, something bad had to happen. Useless!

This headache would kill me if I didn't take aspirin now. I looked at the teddy. Taesung choose it for me. Hyunsu saw Taesung and he deliberately did it. Bastard!

Then I remembered Eunjin's saying. "If you really loved him and said it to him, he wouldn't leave. Are you sure you don't love him in that way?"

Her words echoed in my mind. What she said wasn't wrong. I was responsible for this. But, did I really love him more than just a brother? Why didn't I ever feel anything? Even when Taesung kissed me, I didn't feel the connection. Still, I kissed him back, not because it was sensual. I kissed him, in fact passionately. If all I considered him as a brother, then why did I kiss? Why did it matter that I owned his heart?

My headache was increasing. I looked at the teddy, "From now on, I will call you Tae. Will you be my Tae?"

The teddy didn't reply. I hugged it, "Where are you now? I am worried."

I had to find him at any cost. If he didn't return in a few days, I would be crazy. I was already losing my sanity. I would barely stand another week without him. Brother or Lover, I didn't give a damn. I wanted him here, with me. I had to bring him back.

After freshening up and taking breakfast as well as medicine, I started my quest. I went to the restaurant first. If he wasn't here, he must be in his hometown. I needed his address and I guessed only the owner could help since Taesung was working here for five years.

*****

"Hello Sir. Can I speak to you for a minute?"

The restaurant owner stopped counting money and looked up at me. He looked a bit puzzled, "Yes, what do you want to talk about?"

"Taesung have been working in your restaurant for a long time. I suppose you know where his hometown is. Please, tell me." My voice sounded desperate.

He looked uncomfortable, "Look young lady, I can't tell you about his personal matters. He trusted me and that's why he told about his past. I can't share that with you."

"Past, if you are trying to say that he had an abusive father, I already know about that." I said firmly.

He looked shocked, "He told you about his father?"

Maybe, he would tell me Taesung's address. "Yes, I have seen the scars, and he told me the reason of every scar. Please, tell me. Where can I find him?"

The astonishment was written all over his face. He quickly composed himself, "Look, Taesung has a very dark past. He shared these with me, but I can't tell you anything about that. His hometown is the biggest part of his past. I promised him that his secrets will be safe with me."

No, I had to find him. The owner didn't understand. If I didn't find Taesung, God knew what would happen to him. I couldn't take that risk.

I kneeled before him and pleaded, "Please. You don't understand. I don't know where he is. He hasn't returned in a week. God knows what he is doing, what he is eating, if he is safe or not, if he engaged in any fight and injured himself. He needs my help. I have to find him. Please, try to understand. Tell me, where can I find him? Please."

I didn't know I was crying until I could taste my salty tears on my lips.

' Please, God! Make him tell me.'

I didn't know if I saw it right or did I imagine it, he looked relieved.

In fact, he surprised me by smiling, "Seems like you care about that boy so much. It is good for him. He needed someone like you in his life. Your tears are telling me, how badly you are looking for him. Fine, I will help you."

He would help me! I got up and bowed to him. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

He smiled at me and took a paper, wrote something and handed it to me. "This is his address. I don't know if you will find him there or not. But, I hope it will give you clues."

I nodded and smilingly bowed.

When I was going to leave, he said, "If you find him, tell him he can still work here. My door is always open for him."

I looked back and nodded.

Then I started my quest for Taesung. I took the bus and went to the village where he grew up. South Korea was a beautiful country. The landscape, the green fields, it reminded me of my own country.

After reaching to the bus stop, I asked lots of people about Taesung. Some of them looked at me weirdly, some of them didn't even reply. It was quite creepy.

Then I thought it would be better to ask about the directions. I had almost the same reaction from others, except for a boy. He was probably eleven or twelve years old. He showed me Taesung's house and told me, no one lived in here for ages. It was a hunted house.

I didn't believe in ghost, and I didn't care a damn even if a ghost tried to frighten me. I had more important issues in my hands to solve.

But I was disappointed when I saw the lock hanging. Was really Taesung not here?

"Excuse me, who are you?" A middle-aged female voice asked me in English from somewhere. I looked back and saw a middle-aged woman standing there. She looked curious, probably seeing a foreigner in front of Taesung's house.

I decided to reply to her in Korean. It will make her feel comfortable.

"Hello, Ma'am. Do you know, where are the family members of this house?"

Her eyes widened in surprise. Well, lots of peace didn't expect me talking in fluent Korean.