Broken || Kim Mingyu ||

20

Author's Pov:

It's been four days since their anniversary. Mingyu is rarely home now, he spends most of his time with Eunji. Today Aera decided to talk to him.

"We are leaving tomorrow, Mingyu. Can you atleast stay tomorrow? Not like we will never meet you but can't we just stay as a family for last time?", Aera asked. Mingyu looked at her, "I-I will be there tomorrow". Aera gave a small smile.

"Aera", Mingyu stopped her from going, "I wish you happy life after this. I wish you to find a person who will love you more than me. Who can give you all the happiness".

Aera bit her inner cheek and nodded. Closing the door of his room, slowly tears fell from her eyes, "Why I am getting so weak day by day? Why am I even crying now?". Aera rubbed her tears.

Mingyu stood by the door listening to her, "I am sorry, Aera. I can't see you leaving me or this house". Mingyu removed his glasses and called Seokmin,

'Can we meet?'

Aera saw him going out but didn't question him thinking he must again be going to Eunji. They have already signed divorce papers. Aera also has started shifting her things to Jeonghan's house. Aera wanted to live in her own apartment but  Jeonghan too stubborn to listen.

In these four days, everyone was slowly changing. Jiho had become quieter now a days. Mingyu is rarely home. Aera is becoming more emotional, slowly losing herself but still staying strong for Jiho. Whenever they both are together, there is an awkwardness.

Aera was again alone in the house. She remembered the half completed painting of Mingyu. Entering the room, she saw the painting still laying there. "Should I complete it?", Aera whispered.

About Minghao, Aera didn't hear about him since their anniversary. The painting he made of her was still in her mind, she had questions about it but Minghao was not here. She got to know that Minghao has gone to China to meet his family.

It felt as if time was going slowly. Aera completed her painting but something looked missing in it. There was something lacking in it. As she continued to stare at the painting, Aera realized that it was a reflection of her own emotions.

Aera sighed, a mix of frustration and sadness. She couldn't understand what was happening to her, she was slowly losing herself, she was slowly changing into a different person. Busy in her thoughts, Aera didn't notice the sound of door opening. She turned around to see Mingyu who was staring at the painting she made. His eyes met hers and for a moment both stood there in silence.

"What are you doing here?", Aera asked. Mingyu shook his head, "Uhmm, no. I came to tell you that I am not going anywhere tonight". Aera nodded. It hurted both of them see the distance which they were slowly creating within themselves. A small invisible line was drawn in between. Both knew this distance is hurting the other but still decided to ignore it.

"I'm sorry, Aera," Mingyu finally spoke, his voice filled with regret. "I never wanted things to turn out this way. I never wanted to hurt you".

Aera looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of pain and understanding. "I know, Mingyu," she replied softly. "But sometimes, even when we don't want to, we end up hurting the ones we love".

Mingyu nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I wish things could have been different," he whispered. "I wish I could have been the person you needed me to be".

Aera walked towards him, her heart heavy with emotions. She reached out and gently touched his arm. "We can't change the past, Mingyu," she said, her voice filled with compassion. "But we can choose how we move forward from here."