FORGOTTEN

CHAPTER 7

The days passed slowly with little to no change in Jimin's condition. The rap line and vocal line took turns sitting by Jimin's bed, leaving only when the hospital forced them to do so. Only Ji-hoon was allowed to stay round the clock. There was a sense of comfort for the young manager to be there for the idol. He held the young man's hand through the night as the doctors' all recommended skin-to-skin contact as a way to let Jimin know he was not alone and he was loved. 

Ji-hoon still couldn't imagine how anyone could look at Jimin and not love him. He was a perfect angel willing to give up his very being for someone else. They didn't deserve him. He was far too good for them. 

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On the morning of the thirteenth day Jimin had been in the hospital, Ji-hoon was awakened by a soft moan and a light squeeze to his left hand. 

"Please," Jimin whimpered in his sleep. "Please."  his voice was weak. Tears began to leak from the corners of his still closed eyes. 

"Jimin, it's okay. No one is going to hurt you." Ji-hoon whispered in the younger's ear. "I'm here for you." He smoothed Jimin's hair back from his forehead and pressed the call button on the bed. 

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Ji-hoon stood outside Jimin's hospital room waiting on his boss and the six band members to arrive. Joon was the first one off the elevator and down the hall. 

"Ji-hoon, is it true? Did Chim really talk?" 

"It's true, Namjoon. He did speak just two words, but it was so wonderful to hear his voice again." And for the first time in thirteen days, Ji-hon allowed the facade to break, and he began to weep.  The thought had only just occurred to him that he may never have been able to hear that sweet voice or see the mischievous grin again. His heart ached at the very thought.

Joon held the weeping Ji-hon in his arms, a look of shock frozen on his face. What was happening to their manager? He was crying as if he'd lost his lover. 

"Ahem," Jin cleared his throat to catch Joon's attention. The leader looked at the eldest with a puzzled expression. The elder pursed his lips. For being of genius-level intelligence, Namjoon was quite dense in some areas of life. Then as if someone had flipped a switch, a look of understanding came over his face. He stared wide-eyed at Jin, who chuckled at the younger's belated realization. 

"Mr. Park is awake but quite weak. He is asking for P.D.-nim?" A doctor informed the group.

"That's me," Bang raised his hand before walking to the dor. Ji-hoon tried to follow Bang P.D. into Jimin's room, but Joon tightened his grip on the distraught manager. 

"Why don't we get you cleaned up before you go in? Yeah?" Joon asked softly. "You don't want him to see you this upset, do you?" The manager shook his head and allowed the leader to guide him to one of the washrooms a few doors away from Jimin's room. 

It was beginning to look as if Jimin wasn't going to be alone for much longer. The thought was enough to put a smile on Joon's face. 

-----

"Jimin?" Bang P.D. called out as he walked in. 

"P.D.-nimm?" Jimin answered weakly. "I'm sorry."

"For?" Bang P.D. sat next to Jimin.  

"I should have taken better care of myself. The group was compromised because I was careless."

"No," Bang P.D. shook his head. "This was beyond your control."

"I spent an evening out in the cold and rain watching the carnival lights. I was just so lonely."

"If your bandmates had been less self-absorbed, you wouldn't have felt that way. If you hadn't felt that way, you wouldn't have been out there in the rain, and if you hadn't been out in the rain, you wouldn't have gotten sick."

"It really isn't their fault. It is pretty easy to forget about me." Jimin murmured.

"I wish I could fix this, but I can't." The older man sighed. "By the way, they are all outside. What should I tell them?" Jimin bit his bottom lip and thought hard.