FORGET ME NOT

■ Chapter 15 ■

"How beautiful to find a heart that loves you, without asking you for anything, but to be okay ."

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I saw him standing on the balcony, lost in his thoughts while staring at the night sky. His silhouette was outlined by the moonlight, making him look even more ethereal than usual. I felt a pang of love and concern in my chest as I approached him quietly.

He didn't notice me until I was right behind him. He turned his head slightly and I saw tears rolling down his cheeks. I gasped and reached out to wipe them away with my thumb. He looked at me with his deep brown eyes, full of sadness and pain.

I whispered softly, "Tumhare aansuon se aasmaan bhi rota hai, taehyung. Tumhara dard mujhe bhi mehsoos hota hai. Tum itna kyun tadapte ho?" (The sky cries with your tears, taehyung. I feel your pain too. Why do you suffer so much?)

He didn't say anything. He just leaned his forehead against mine and closed his eyes. I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly. I felt his heartbeat against my chest, fast and erratic.

I inquired gently, "What's on your mind?"

He hesitated, struggling to find the right words. I sensed his reluctance and didn't press him further. Instead, I said, "Taehyung, from the day we met till now, I've noticed you in tears at night, as if something is weighing on you."

Taehyung attempted to respond, but the words seemed to escape him. I continued, "Don't feel bad, Taehyung. From the very beginning, you've worn a mask, a smile that hides so much pain. But, I won't force you to reveal anything. When you're ready, you can confide in me."

He still didn't say anything. He just nodded his head and buried his face in my neck. I felt his tears wetting my skin. I kissed his hair and stroked his back. I wished I could take away his sorrow and make him happy.

I said, "Tum mere ho, taehyung. Tumhara har khushi aur har gham mera hai. Tum mujhse kuch bhi chupa nahi sakte. Tum mujhe bharosa karo. Main tumhe kabhi akela nahi chhodungi."
(You are mine, taehyung. Your every joy and sorrow is mine. You can't hide anything from me. Trust me. I will never leave you alone.)

He finally spoke, in a low and broken voice. He said, " 나야, 사랑해. 하지만 난 널 적합하지 않아. 넌 나보다 너무 좋아. 네가 모르는 일을 했어. 네게 말할 수 없는 일들. 매일 밤 나를 괴롭히는 일들. 나는 괴물이야, 나야. 네 사랑을 받을 자격이 없는 괴물이야".
(Naya, I love you. But I don't deserve you. You are too good for me. I have done things that you don't know. Things that I can't tell you. Things that haunt me every night. I am a monster, Naya. A monster who doesn't deserve your love.")

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I leaned against the railing of the balcony, feeling the cool breeze on my face. Taehyung stood next to me, his arm casually draped around my shoulder. We didn't say anything, but we didn't need to. We were comfortable in each other's silence, enjoying the night sky.

Suddenly, I saw a bright streak of light across the dark canvas. A shooting star. I gasped and pointed at it, hoping Taehyung would see it too. He followed my gaze and smiled.

"Wow, that's amazing. It happens only once in a year, you know. We should make a wish." He said, his voice low and warm.

I nodded, feeling a surge of excitement. I closed my eyes and thought of something I wanted. Something I had wanted for a long time. Something I was afraid to say out loud.

I opened my eyes and looked at Taehyung. He was still staring at the sky, his eyes closed. I wondered what he wished for. I felt a sudden curiosity and decided to ask him.

"Hey, what did you wish for?" I asked, nudging him gently.

He opened his eyes and looked at me. He shook his head and smiled.

"I can't tell you. You know the rule. If you tell someone your wish, it won't come true." He said, teasing me.

I pouted and gave him a playful glare.

"Come on, please. I won't tell anyone. I promise." I said, trying to persuade him.

He chuckled and leaned closer to me.

"Okay, fine. I'll tell you. But only if you tell me yours first." He said, his eyes sparkling.

I hesitated. I wanted to tell him, but I was scared. What if he didn't feel the same way? What if he laughed at me? What if he rejected me?

I decided to play it safe. I decided to trick him.

"Okay, I'll tell you. But you have to promise not to laugh." I said, lowering my voice.

He nodded, his expression serious.

"I promise. Go ahead." He said, encouraging me.

I took a deep breath and said my wish in my language.

"I wish for ishq." I said, hoping he wouldn't understand.

He frowned and tilted his head.

"What? What does that mean?" He asked, confused.

I grinned and shrugged.

"It's my wish. You don't need to know what it means." I said, smug.

He groaned and rolled his eyes.

"That's not fair. You're cheating. You have to say it in a language I can understand." He said, complaining.

I shook my head and stuck out my tongue.

"Nope. You didn't say that. You just said I have to tell you my wish. You didn't say in which language." I said, sticking to my argument.

He sighed and gave up.

"Fine. You win. But I'm going to do the same thing to you. I'm going to say my wish in my language." He said, getting his revenge.

I raised my eyebrows and challenged him.

"Go ahead. I bet I can guess what it is." I said, confident.

He smiled and leaned closer to my ear. He whispered his wish in his language.

"I wish for sarang." He said, his breath tickling my skin.

I felt a shiver run down my spine. I knew what that word meant. I had heard it before. I had heard him say it before.

He pulled back and looked at me. He waited for my reaction.

I smiled and hugged him tightly. He also hugged me back.

We broke the hug and rested our foreheads together. We looked into each other's eyes and smiled.

We didn't need to say anything. We knew what we wished for. We knew what we felt.

We wished for love.

We felt love.