Therapist • KTH ✔

58. His Parents

🌺
To find someone broken and make them feel beautiful, that alone might be the most fulfilling feeling in the world.
🌺

Taehyung's POV
*flashback to Taehyung's meeting with his parents*

I checked my watch nervously; it was about time. My dad wouldn't judge me, but my hands still trembled a bit. Breathing out my nervousness, I gathered my thoughts together, mentally rehearsed my lines, and rang the doorbell.

After a few seconds,
"Taehyung-ah... how have you been?" My mother opened the door with a broad smile—one that she passed on to me through her genes—and hugged me tight.

"Eomma, I've been doing good. How are you? You seem to have become a little chubbier?" I poked her cheek, laughing.

"Maybe it's because I've been smiling a lot. Come on, appa and I were waiting for you," she ushered me inside, and I walked behind her smaller frame.

How will I handle this? Taehyung, you can do it. Just think about Amy and the baby. They're your happiness in life. You need to do this now!

"Appa," I walked up to my dad and hugged him tight, my heart already thudding rapidly.

"Taehyung-ah, how have you been?" He pulled back and asked me, holding me by my shoulders.

"I'm good..." I smiled back, nodding.

"He really does look so much more handsome in real life than in photos. Even though he looks good in the photos, they do seem unnatural. What do you think?" He rubbed his chin and questioned my mom.

"I think so, too," my mom chuckled as she brought out some snacks and set it down on the coffee table in front of us.

I was laughing and blushing.
"I'll work harder to make the photos look more natural."

My dad laughed,
"You're doing good, son. So what was it you wanted to talk about today?" My dad arrived straight at the topic of focus.

My body stiffened instantly, and my forehead broke into a sweat, which he immediately noticed, causing his eyebrows to furrow in intense concentration.

"Appa... what do you think it is about?" I quizzed him.

He nodded slowly.
"Something very important I know for sure."

"Of course, appa, eomma... please hear me out till the end. I've had some issues with my mental health in the recent past. I was experiencing strange emotions and a complete disassociation with work. It wasn't as enjoyable as it used to be. I wasn't able to have fun at work, and I felt tired all the time. I couldn't laugh or joke about as I used to. I couldn't even sleep well..."

My mom moved to my side and held my hand in hers comfortingly, listening to me without interrupting.

Giving her hand a light squeeze, I continued,
"I was doubting myself if what I was doing in life was what I really wanted to do. It was depressing and annoying. Remember Soo Han from middle school?" I asked, and they both nodded.

"He suggested that I get some professional help. I thought about it and went ahead with therapy. I really wanted to feel better. St. Mary's hospital is famous for counselling services and psychology-related treatments. So, I went there last year. That was when I was at my lowest point. I was going through it for almost eight months back then," I breathed out.

"My therapist seemed to have magical powers. She was so wise and kind and considerate. I totally confided in her, and she never judged me for any of my actions or emotions. She was a gem that I discovered. Without her, I wouldn't have given up my unhealthy habits. She helped me through my lowest days and gave me lots of hope and happiness. Have you noticed any changes in me?" I asked, looking at my dad and then moving my eyes to my mom.