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

22. Taehyung, drink

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It was already late in the afternoon when there was a knock on the hospital door.

Jungkook sat up a little on the bed, running a hand through his hair, when he saw a familiar face. Muhammad was carrying a bouquet of roses in his hands when he turned and told his driver to wait outside.

Then his entire attention was again occupied by the young man who had a gentle smile on his face.

- Jungkook, my son... what did they do to you? - he asked curiously as he placed the bouquet next to the bedside table, where Taehyung's coffee had been before.

- I'm fine, Muhammad. I look much worse than I really am.

- Don't worry, son, we will find those who did this to you. I have already started working on it. - he assured him while gently stroking the younger man's hair.

Muhammad has always seen Jungkook as his second son. Even before he became his son-in-law, he had always respected the younger man. For him, Jungkook has always been a capable and well-mannered young man, and this is confirmed by the very fact that he gave his most beloved daughter to him.

And it was hard for the elder to imagine seeing such a strong and wonderful man now in a hospital bed with bruises and cuts on his face.

- What do you mean?... - Jungkook stuttered, fearing that this incident could cause something that would later turn out to be an irreversible condition for the younger man.

- I talked to the doctor, Jungkook. He told me some men brought you here early this morning, before dawn. Two of them left immediately and a young man who spoke in English remained with you. Later he also left, but the nurses told him he came back again to ask about your condition. - the younger swallowed the lump that choked him a little at the very mention of what happened. Then when he was ready to open his mouth, the elder continued.

- You had big abdominal injuries, probably because of the blows. Tell me, boy, what were you doing here in Essaouira anyway? And why did those people attack you? - his dark eyes looked directly into Jungkook's and for a moment Jungkook felt like he was losing ground. He didn't know what to say.

- I... um... I don't remember very well, everything happened quickly... - he started but suddenly a picture of Taehyung and him on the beach flashed before his eyes, hugging and smiling... intoxicated with wine, then the next picture of Jungkook talking loudly to Taehyung to run, then his attempt to hide his head from the heavy blows.

A drop of sweat appeared on his forehead. Jungkook was reaching for a bottle of water, Muhammad got up from the armchair and put his palm on the younger's forehead.

- Oh you're hot, boy... wait I'll call the nurse... - he said that, and he went to the door.

The next thing the younger man saw were those two nurses injecting something into his infusion.

His eyelids became heavy, getting heavier every second and Jungkook didn't feel anything anymore.

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About two hundred kilometers away, in Marrakesh, Taehyung was in his hotel. Nervousness took over him the same second he left the hospital and left Jungkook, not knowing how he was.

The man made small circles around the apartment, while his hands rested in his hair, and then on the hips. He kept wondering if the younger man was okay and if he was out of the hospital, he also wondered if his father-in-law had arrived.

If he doesn't hear anything about Jungkook by morning, he has to do something. Staying in a hotel was no longer an option.

Tae quickly turned the phone and called the reception, feeling his body yearn for something that could relax him even a little from his gloomy thoughts.

- One bottle of whiskey, please. Yes, send some dinner with that. - he hung up, making a few more circles around the room, and then he went to take a shower until the staff brought what he asked for, still thinking about him along the way.

Taehyung was in his bathrobe when the young man in uniform brought in a cart with a variety of food. His eyes sought only one thing, and when they finally landed on a glass bottle of liquor, he quickly tipped the young man and closed the door behind him.

His hands had swift movements as he opened the lid and immediately poured. One sip and then a little pause. Taehyung wiped his mouth with his palm, then slumped on the green sofa, feeling tired.

Taehyung wasn't so tired from running and carrying Jungkook all the way to the hospital, but from the overwhelming fear he felt that made his body go numb.

When he took another sip, he smiled to himself, to his love and the infatuation he felt for the younger man. He thought about his long-term acquaintance with him and everything he experienced all those years while he was waiting for something to happen. It was no longer a calm, indifferent impression. And after what seemed like a century, he would still think of him.

A thousand other things troubled his mind, which he couldn't control. He wondered how Tannie was doing and if Marissa was still taking care of his rose. He tried not to think about the one that tormented his soul and thoughts the most at that moment.

But in vain.

He was returning again and again to the previous day spent in that bed, consuming him as if it was their last.

And he could have sworn he felt a kind of happiness that he might never have known before. In his mind was only him, the young man whom he met for the first time in this country so many years ago.

Maybe they were really destined to stay in Morocco.

Maybe that's destiny.

Maybe it was just like Jungkook himself said, maktub.

One more sip of whiskey and he found himself even more reclined in the soft sofa. His eyes slowly closed and his thoughts remained focused on only one person.

The phone rang and all Taehyung's imaginary thoughts evaporated. He came back to reality.

- Taehyung? - he heard his name on the other end of the line.

- Marissa? What happened? - he asked in a worried tone.

- Tannie keeps asking about you, I barely put him to sleep last night... when are you coming back? - he couldn't lie and say this question didn't annoy him and start some bitterness in him.

Was it possible that Marissa was so desperate for his attention that she used their son?

Tae knew that Tannie was missing a father and he promised himself that when he returned he would make sure he would spend more time with him, but such questions of hers were constantly a thorn in his mind.

- Marissa, I'll be back... soon. I can't tell Oman's family I am going back when they need comfort and support. - a lie.

- I miss you too. - then another one.

Taehyung didn't even notice when he became so selfish and such a liar. What he hated the most, he adopted and he blinded those lies as if he had grown with them.

But then he appeared before his eyes.

His Jungkook.

And every lie was worth it.

The phone disconnected, and Taehyung craved the younger's scent again and his presence. He wanted to know how he was.

That question constantly disturbed his inner pease, but he had to stay in the hotel for now, Jungkook will find him there.

His desert rose.

Centuries could have passed, he would have loved him with the same passion.

The elder was so lost and tired that he didn't even notice he was slowly falling asleep. A new day will bring with it new questions and maybe he will finally be able to put his decision into action.

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...to be continued...