Yours Truly

101: In your every action, I see our end

"Eomma... But Sierra?"
Taehyung tried his best to keep his voice low. Why was it that, these days, there were no easy choices? It was always a bullet or knife.
Sierra, didn't want to eavesdrop. She instead took a magazine and flipped through the pages. She is too familiar to this hospital. She is a regular here.
Taehyung slumped next to her. Obviously tired and worn out. He rubbed his temples, eyes flinched close. Sierra scooted closer, offering him her shoulder. She took his hands in her lap and played with it. She softly said,
"You know, it will take me sometime here. Then I can always go home..."
"You are not going alone, Juliette. I won't let you."
She smiled,
"But it's your sister. You should be with your family now. You need to be with your sister. It's her fourth attempt. That is crucial. You need to be there for your sister, your family. Besides, we live together."
"I am not leaving you alone. We'd first have this schedule, fulfil it. Then I'll drive both of us to the hospital. I am not taking no for an answer, Juliette."
"Please, I can go alone. It's not far..."
"Sierra Juliette Jeong. I said no."
Sierra flinched for a moment. Every muscle in her body freezing. She gasped for air, silently enough. Her nightmares rushing back. Why was everyone calling her by her name? As if she had gone back to being a child all over again and she had done a grave sin. She lowered her head, tears bundled up in her voice,
"I... I'm sorry."
He was agitated. Agitated enough to forget her triggers. But before he could say another word, she was called in. She rubbed her tears dry, daring not to look at the man in front of her.

It was a dreadful hour. For both parties. Sierra had to relive all the painful moment again as she told the psychiatrist. And Taehyung. He was just torn apart. Something was splitting him apart, but he doesn't know what. He felt restless and drowsy. Anxious and hazy. He didn't know what to feel. He didn't know where it hurts. But it just does.
Sierra slowly walked out. Head low, she whispered,
"I'm sorry I wasted your time."
Taehyung jumped back to his feet. Kissing her knuckles, he whispered,
"My Juliette. My Angel, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lashed out on you. You are going through tough times. It's just I had a lot on my plate. I'm sorry."
She smiled, half heartedly as that's only what's left in her ribs,
"It's alright, I get it. Now, we are already late. Let's get going."
Taehyung didn't let go of her hand for one moment. He tied her seatbelt, and drove with one hand only. He had his fingers intertwined with her. As if she'd disappear.

It was not her first time here. The corridors and the waiting area outside of the cabin. It stub her. Last time she was here, things were different. She remembers talking it out with Yoongi. She remembers the very fresh wound of losing Rosé. Back then, they didn't know it was a russian roulette. Back then, they didn't know how it would drive them to their own insanity. She rested her head on the wall. Closing her eyes for a moment, Taehyung was inside. Think happy thoughts, she tried. Trust me she tried. But it was a whirlpool of images. Blended together. Klaedioscopic patterns.
"Annyeong."
She shot open her eyes, vaguely wishing that the voice would go away. But it didn't. In front of her was the young boy they lost quite recently. He was in a white tee, black hoodie on top. Pale face, etched smile, empty eyes. She tried ignoring him. As if he didn't exist. Yoongi smiled,
"Yah, Ae-ra-ya, do you think I'm a hallucination?"
She tightly shut her eyes close. She kept on reminding herself to breathe in and out. She knew it was a hallucination. Her Oppas or aunnies would never call her by her first name. Yoongi rolled his eyes mockingly,
"Ae-ra, I'm real. As real as my death. We miss you. Don't keep us stuck here. Join us, Ae-ra. Join us."
She tilted her head another side, still keeping her eyes closed. Tears came out of her closed eyes. She murmured to herself,
"I'm sorry."
"Jeong Ae-ra. Are you talking to me? Interact with me more. Ae-ra mention my name."
"Ma'am? Are you alright?"
She snapped out at the feminine voice. A nurse, skinny, tall, dark wispy bangs. She looked visibly worried. She gently patted Sierra's shoulder. Sierra got up to her feet, bowing,
"I'm terribly sorry. Ca-can you show me the washroom?"
She smiled,
"Yes, it's to the right."
Sierra bowed hastily,
"Thank you."
She left the space hastily. Glancing over her shoulder, she looked at the seat. She could see no one but the nurse. She scurried to the washroom, slamming the door close. The tap water running as her fingers went across the knob. She splashed her face with the cold water. Trying to drown her tears away, she looked into her reflection. She told herself off,
"I will be happy. I will not follow my Unnies or Oppas. I will mourn for them, remember them, but for myself I'll be happy. I'll stay and be happy. For me and for Kim Taehyung, who is investing his all in me. I will be happy."
She stepped out. The waters dripping down her face. Atleast now, she had a reason to be this pale. The water must have washed out her colours. She thought of going back to her seat. When she heard a rather familiar voice,
"Greetings, Jeong Ae-ra."

Taehyung stepped out of the cabin, fear dawning over him. His feet went cold, he asked the nurse that was passing by, in his most hoarse voice,
"Have you seen this woman? She was sitting here. Tan skin, long wavy hair, blue highlighted undertips. She looks like a foreigner..."
"I-I don't know... Sir..."
He huffed sprinting away. He started feeling nauseous. He swore he could smell his own blood. It hurt him to the point that he felt his eyes had needles going through his cornea. He thought his feet might snap off.
He doesn't know how long it took him to find Sierra. He found her by the staircase at the back of the building. Blankly zoned out. He threw his arms around her, breaking into feats of sobs,
"Juliette... I thought I lost you."
She hugged him back, tighter than ever. Patting him, assuringly, she whispered,
"Me too. I also thought I had lost me too."
"Ju-juliette, are you alright?"
"I'll be. From now on. I'll make everything alright again. Just like how everything used to be."