Still With My Memories

46. A Step Closer

Taehyung can't control the shaking of his hands as he watches the alternating view of yellow green and pink trees they passes through as officer Jung tagged him along following the location of the suspect's car.

Few hours ago, a witness finally came by carrying a substantial information in order for them to find the suspect's car location. The car's plate number, he was able to note it. The witness, who happened to be doing maintenance on the parking lot that day saw everything but was too scared to tell the police. "I was too scared for my own life, those guys are merciless," says the witness after narrating the terrifying event with quivering voice. "I'm sorry for telling you just now." He looks down and clasps his shaking hands together.

As Taehyung heard everything, he can't help but feel wounded. Internally. The two most important person of his life gone through so much while he was there sitting peacefully knowing nothing. What kind of brother and a friend he is? The thought makes his mind clouded.

"Are you alright?" He flinch when Officer Jung gently taps his shoulder all of a sudden taking him back to reality. The officer does not look at him and keeps his focus on the road.

"I... I don't know." Taehyung mumbles averting his gaze on his trembling hands. Even without saying, anyone can feel the heaviness in his chest. The officer can feel it through his bones. As much as he wanted to comfort the other he doesn't know what to say nor know the right thing to do. He just lets out a soft "that's okay" and ruffles Taehyung's hair.

Moment of silence fills the car right after their short conversation until Taehyung breaks it with a question "Tell me officer, what are the chances ... that I can see them alive?"

The officer's brows twitched. In all honesty, he doesn't know the answer. The car's location doesn't even assure that they will see the missing people there that's why he constantly insists Taehyung not come but the latter begged him, and so he let him with the condition that he will be accompanying his car. Taehyung sure is not on the right state of driving.

"I could not tell Mr. Kim, for now, I don't wanna keep your hopes up. Let's better to prepare for the worst." The officer utters in careful but candid manner.

Taehyung can only answer a nod and averts his gaze back at the side road. His jaw clenches as he forced himself not to cry. "Okay." He answers in whisper.

***

"Will you be my boyfriend Jimin ah, for real." Jimin's mouth gape open; his chinky eyes widen. Their breath are hitching and Jimin feels like he is floating. 'Was it just a dream?' He thought as everything seems to be unreal.

Jungkook finally opens his eyes and meet his gaze with a hopeful and loving smile. He is looking at him like he was asking for the most precious thing in the world with and unsaid 'please' in the end.

They are not in movies but Jimin feels like everything is moving in slow pace, only his heartbeat is skipping in fast forward. There are muttered noises around them but he can't understand a thing except for Jungkook's pleading eyes and beautiful smile. He gasps before uttering a soft "okay" as his answer. As dumb as it may seem, that's the only word he can utter. Internally, he is jumping around and rolling over in joyfulness.

It's been years after all,

since he felt such happiness again.

Jungkook blinks profusely. 'Did he just accept my proposal?' His already rounded doe eyes turn bigger and his lips quiver in pout that eventually turn into a wide smile "S-s-so we are o-o-official now?!" He stutters. He wants to shout and boast but his words sounded a whisper as he is careful about Jin and others who might discover their real relationship.