WEEPING WILLOWS [sebaek | chanbaek]

SPRING THAT NEVER CAME

'Spring is around the corner but I don't-'

"Baekhyun." Kris called him, making his pen pause, "Not going for work, you said they'll start recording today?"

"No." Baekhyun smiled and continued, "I'm done with my part and Chanyeol is their vocal coach so, I don't have to worry much."

"Good then, take some rest. You haven't taken a single day off for the past three months." Kris said, "Don't forget to eat your breakfast, bye."

"Wait a minute, Kris." Baekhyun hurriedly got off his bed and bent down to pull a box from under. "Here," he gave the wooden box to Kris and before he could explain anything, something flashed inside his head. He turned around and looked at his notebook on the bed. "Wait." he walked back to it and sighed looking at his unfinished poem.

He took his pen again and wrote a few quick words at the end of the book, 'Thank you. I really hope that I don't meet you any sooner.' He then put the notebook into the box that Kris was holding. "Please post it to this address, and don't write my name or address, just post it." he requested pointing at the address letter plastered on the box.

Kris agreed and took the box with him.

Baekhyun had his day as leisurely as he wanted, he watched an animated movie on his bed, had three cups of coffee, took a stroll around the neighborhood and fed fish to the stray cats, and finally got dressed up for a night river walk.

With the pink scarf covering his lower face, he looked at the river sparkling under the city lights. Leaning onto the high railings of the bridge, he quietly felt the wind gently touch his face.

There were many people walking by, everyone had their own reasons to wander. Though his eyes were seeing the waters, his ears were busy hearing the voices around him. He heard lovers sweet talk, yelling of an angry real estate broker, a bunch of teenagers lying to their parents about their extra study hours, he kept listening to everything within his ability.

"People are-" he sighed and said to himself, "Shallow."

He slowly took out his phone and dialed Chanyeol's number.

"Hey, hello Baekhyun."

"Hey," He hesitated a lot to speak, "are you busy?"

"Obviously." Chanyeol said casually, "it's a mess here, so hurry, why did you-" he paused feeling something odd, "where are you? Why is it so windy." he asked leaving the recording room.

"Oh, sorry about that, I'm out for a walk so,"

"Aha, good then." initially Chanyeol wanted to end the call immediately but Baekhyun calling him casually while having a walk didn't seem quite normal to him, "is there anything you want to say? You can talk, it's ok I took a small break." he cautiously added seeing how Baekhyun remained silent and walked out of the clamorous office halls.

"I've-" it was just a single word but his voice quivered making it hard for him to speak.

"Baekhyun, you alright?" Chanyeol felt nervous hearing the fragile sounds.

"Yes, yes. I just-" Baekhyun took a deep breath, "I always think that there are three main phases in depression,"

"Ok."

"The very first phase; the quietness, a silent cry which is embarrassed to show itself to the world. And then comes the loudness, a bold attempt to let everyone see the scars in order to seek unattainable comfort. And the final one, the indifference where nothing hurts anymore. But the terrible part is its circular nature. These phases keep repeating and repeating, trapping the one inside forever." Baekhyun was lost for breath when he finally managed to say it all. He sighed heavily as if a huge weight was taken off his chest.