• M a k t u b : Spirit of the desert • [ Taekook ]

20. Taehyung, wish

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The hospital was on the outskirts of the city.

It took Taehyung about twenty minutes to brought Jungkook to the institution with the help of two older locals.

- Help! I need help! - he shouted in English, hoping that at least someone would come and answer.

It was a small hospital, befitting a small town like Essaouira. Everything was white. Several hospital beds stood opposite chairs that were probably meant for waiting. There was no crowd, which was in Taehyung's favor, because it meant that they would receive Jungkook right away.

Sweat was dripping from Taehyung's face, his tears were threatening to be shed, but nothing was as important as the fact that Jungkook would get the help he needed.

Several nurses with blue hijabs over their heads immediately came at Taehyung's call. Only when Jungkook was placed on the white bed behind the curtains, the elder could see how much damage those talibans had done to him.

He was so angry with himself that he allowed his lover trick him and persuade him to run away, while he stayed. How could he be so naive?

Taehyung should have known that Jungkook would try to do that. He should have stayed by his side and helped him. Every blow Jungkook took should have been his.

Taehyung wished he could be in his place. He wished he was lying injured in the hospital, not Jungkook.

Several cuts on Jungkook's cheeks were blooming. The elder could guess that his stomach probably looked the worst since he found him curled up on the cold concrete.

The doctor quickened his pace when he saw the unfortunate young man lying unconscious. He quickly lifted his shirt and Taehyung immediately turned around because he couldn't hendle with all those injuries on the young man.

The doctor said something in Arabic to the girls with hijabs and they ran to the nearest cabinet with medical supplies. And before Tae could take one last look at Jungkook, one of them pulled back the curtain.

- Hey, excuse me... he will be okay, right doctor? - he asked the man who headed to the other side of the room, which was probably the emergency center. The young doctor in a white coat looked at him and came a little closer.

- The injuries are very large and superficial, but they are not life-threatening. As soon as the nurses have cleaned him, I will send him for a scan. I think everything is fine with the organs.

Tae nodded, and only then allowed himself to wipe the beads of sweat from his forehead, as he settled down on one of the chairs.

- Sir, did you bring the injured man? Do you want to tell me what happened? Should I call the police? - the doctor asked the other, but Tae looked at him with wide eyes.

He swallowed the lump in his throat and immediately left the hospital.

- Fuck... - he sputtered as he hid behind the wall, out of sight of everyone else.

Tae knew no one knew he was there with Jungkook. What will happen if the police really come and examine everything?

What can they say why did those attackers chase them in the first place? If he gives the police a good description, then maybe the men will be found and caught. After all, this was a small town. And what if the men say what they saw on the beach?

That could really screw up Jungkook. After all, he accepted their religion, which means he could be punished for adultery.

And if he survived the sentence, then he would probably also end up in prison because that adultery took place with another man.

Shit!

Even if Muhammad knew, who knows what would happen. He didn't know what to do. He lost himself in his own thinking.

It was almost morning, the older man was tormented by fatigue and pain in his chest because of Jungkook. Tae wanted to go to the cottage and pack the necessary things for him, but how could he leave his love there all alone?

At that moment the two men who helped him bring Jungkook to the hospital were passing by, and Taehyung approached them finally with the intention of thanking them.

- Hey you, do you speak English? At least a little? - one looked at him palely, but then the other spoke up and Tae turned to him.

- A little. A little... - the other repeated.

- Oh thank God! Please, can you stay here with the man we brought while I go home to pack his things? - when he saw their faces it was evident that they had no idea what the young man had asked them.

- You... here with him... - he pointed with his hand towards the entrance to the hospital and then continued.

- Me home to bring his staff... - he had the impression that he was a little better understood. And when they both nodded with a repeated yes, Tae headed towards the cottage, hoping to guess its location on the first try.

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The doctor rejoined the nurses. When the youngest of them connected the sapling to the infusion, the doctor asked.

- Is it known who the man is?

- Yes, doctor. We found his wallet in his pocket. Jeon Jungkook. - one of the nurses said and the doctor's expression changed immediately.

- Jeon? Is he the well-known businessman and son-in-law of Mr. Muhammad? - the doctor asked again, and the nurses just looked at each other.

- Ok, get it ready to scan him while I go make a call.

The man walked hurriedly towards the office, when he reached the phone, he opened the directory with numbers and immediately saw the name of the man he wanted to call.

Everyone knew Muhammad in this city. Especially when he bought a cottage for his daughter and son-in-law a few years ago. The man himself often stayed there and came with his wives on holidays. All the locals knew him, and so did the young doctor.

He dialed the number carefully and cleared his throat when he heard a voice on the other end of the line.

- Good evening or better to say good morning, Mr. Muhammad. I apologize for calling at this time, but I am calling from the hospital. Your son-in-law Jeon Jungkook was just admitted to the hospital with multiple injuries.

The man stopped to hear what the other was saying, then nodded and continued.

-Yes, yes. The young man is currently having his abdomen scanned because of the blows, I think he was beaten. The police? I haven't contacted the police, I'm waiting for the gentleman who brought him to inform me about everything. - the man ran his hand through his hair and continued to answer the questions.

- It'll be fine. Sir, I have to go now... you can come visit him... Marrakesh? No, I'm calling you from Essaouira.

Then the connection ended.

Taehyung knew Jungkook was in good hands with the doctor and medical staff. He also knew that he would soon join him. And that he would take care of him.

But what he didn't know was whether his path would cross again with Muhammad, a man he hadn't seen in five years. Only that this time the circumstances wouldn't be friendly.

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...to be continued...