Decoupled • KTH ✔

Chapter 52

Taehyung

"Uhm, the divorce certificate is here," Maya's voice lowers, causing a sudden quake within my chest, and my limbs tremble a bit too.

"Oh, it's here already?" I pointlessly ask her, and she says a soft 'yeah'.

"Dated when?"

"The letter is dated two days ago," she responds, once again in a soft tone.

"Okay..." my voice trails off as my fingers weave through my hair, and I lean back in my chair.

We end the call in a few more seconds without exchanging any elaborate words.

It's Friday, and I would be meeting Areum tomorrow. I've been doing it for a while now, but somehow, I'm suddenly a little anxious about this weekend because for some reason it doesn't feel the same.

A few dreary minutes later, I receive a text message from Jang-Mi, and her messages perfectly align with my gut feelings that things aren't going to be the same this weekend.

Jang-Mi:
Areum wants to sleep in her room tonight, and she also wants to stay the weekend with you.

Jang-Mi:
Will that be okay? If not, I will talk to her.

Me:
Yeah, I want her to stay the weekend with me.

Jang-Mi:
I will drop Areum at her piano class today and leave her things at home.

Jang-Mi:
I have the keys, forgot to return them. I'll leave them in the usual place.

Jang-Mi:
You can pick her up from the piano class.

Me:
Okay

Throughout these past few weekends, I've only been spending my evenings with Areum after she has her lunch. And it is always the usual things that we do together like going to the park or having ice-cream or playing arcade games before I drop her back at Jang-Mi's place.

This would be the first time that Areum and I would be staying alone at our home, and it makes me a little nervous. It isn't that I can't take care of her on my own, but what makes me a little edgy is the amount of questions that she would barrage me with.

I call Maya right away to tell her about the plan for the weekend.

"Maya, Jang-Mi just messaged me that Areum wants to spend the weekend with me, and that she also wants to sleep in her room," I speak softly, exhaling all my worries in a long breath, and I pause for her response.

"Oh, that's nice, and you've also been missing her a lot. I think you really need to spend more time with her..." she responds sweetly.

"Yeah, I think so too..."

Maya takes a deep breath, and it feels as if she just sensed that something is not okay with me.
"Taehyung, relax. Let me know what else I need to do, and I'll, maybe, stock up some food and grocery. Will you be able to manage on your own?" What she says doesn't register in my mind, but the cautionary tone of her voice implies that she is as anxious as I am about this entire situation.

"I'm not sure, but I will try," I answer quietly before we end the call.

Numerous thoughts peak within my mind, and I find myself unable to actually concentrate on my work.

The divorce declaration, handling Areum on my own this weekend and answering her questions—everything is worrying me. Not to sound mean or anything, but at a time like this, I really think I need some time alone to let the truth sink in.