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

39. Jungkook, remember

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It was a cold morning in early autumn, when two naked bodies occupied a large bed. Thick fog rolled between the rows of small houses that looked more like cottages. The window of their room was almost fogged up, both from the heat inside the house and from the yellow rings of fog that looked like smeared shapeless blobs.

The small lamp next to the bed was switched on and illuminated the empty plate, where the last crumb of dessert could be recognized. Glasses of wine stood defiantly beside, as witnesses of another sleepless night filled with love.

Jungkook had been silent all morning, constantly burying his head in the white pillows, protesting with a loud growl whenever Taehyung moved a little away from him.

- You know, love... later we can go on a city tour... - Taehyung softly whispered to his lover, as they both lay under the white sheet.

Jungkook lay on his chest, sleepy eyes, which he occasionally opened and also closed due to fatigue. The older one gently brushed his fingers through his tuft, excited to share his plans with the other.

- There is a cliff from which you can see the whole city, while your back is facing the sea. I spent days and days there thinking about you, about us... - the kiss followed and Jungkook smiled without thinking, as if it was a completely natural reaction to Taehyung's kisses. He mumbled quietly, knowing that the blue border between waking and sleep is getting closer and closer.

The younger had never felt so safe before in those vulnerable hours of the morning, when almost every living soul is asleep.

- Just sleep now, my love... - with those words, they fell asleep, leaving behind vague plans, but that wasn't of great importance because they had all the time in the world for their love.

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It was almost eleven o'clock when the phone rang.

Jungkook immediately jumped up in bed, leaving a confused Taehyung, rubbing his own eyes with his mouth agape.

- Yes?

- Jungkook? - a male voice was heard on the other side of the wire, and it was immediately clear that all the previously agreed plans would surely fall through the cracks.

- Muhammad? What happened? - Jungkook was already on his feet, looking for his boxers.

- Kid, you didn't answer yesterday all day. I was a little worried, is everything okay? Nadira told me that you stayed there to visit Choi...

- Yes, yes... I saw him, Muhammad, and he's not good. - the younger man spoke quickly, thinking about what he would say if his father-in-law asked him where he was.

- Well, about that... you're right, my boy. The woman you put in charge of taking care of him called me this morning, and she informed me that she found Choi dead. He died in his sleep, calmly, kid. - the ringing in his ears almost distracted him from his thoughts and from what Muhammad was saying.

Among other things, he could hear several of his lines, but he had no comments on any of them. His tongue tied with the thoughts of this man he had known for as long as he had known his own parents.

- She tried to call you... you didn't answer... she called me... Choi is gone, son... I'm coming to Korea.

- W-what? - he spoke quietly.

- Jungkook, I don't know where you were the last few days, nor do I want to ask. Just so you know I'm coming to his funeral. Right now I'm waiting to board the plane and I expect to see you there at the airport. So that together we can send our dear friend to his eternal rest. - a few more words were exchanged and then the connection ended.