Broken & Ruined | TAEKOOK

twenty-nine

As Taehyung entered their home, he immediately asked Yeojin's whereabouts. He yelled, "Yeojin, I'm home! You hungry?" as he put off his shoes. "Yeojin?" Yet he heard no response. She wasn't in the kitchen either─ the house was too quiet. "Where are you?" Something in his chest began thumping fast, faster than it was. His footsteps dragged him to the bathroom, then finally to their room.

He heaved a deep breath and sough in relief when he saw her sleeping on the desk. Her thin arms wrapped around her favorite old worn-out teddy bear to serve as her pillow. There was an empty cup of ramen beside her and a notebook. She must've eaten while she was writing until she fell asleep. He glanced at his wristwatch and saw the time, 7:40 pm. She must've been tired as well.

He checked the room temperature and opened the window so the wind could come through. He caught her move as she shifted her position in her comfort as he tried to get the empty cup to dispose of it. He attempted to carry her to the bed so she could sleep comfortably, but she woke as soon as he carefully placed her.

"Tae-Tae," she mumbled. He hummed in response and asked her, "Do you want to eat dinner? I saw an empty cup noodles on the desk, but I thought you wouldn't be full without rice," he smiled.

Yeojin nodded, "I'm still hungry."

"Right, Mr. Lim wanted me to bring you some sausages. He knows it's your favorite too," he chuckled. "I'll cook a quick dinner. You want to fry the sausages or boil them?"

"Fry!" She shrieked, making him laugh.

"You seem like you have recharged now."

"Of course!" she laughed.

They just had dinner together and let her watch something on the television before she goes back to sleep. He also just did the dishes and joined her for a moment. He remembered they never got to watch on a TV like this before because their father owned it, solely for him since it was old, broken, and the only channel that works was Joonsun's favorite. He glanced at his palms; it was still full of small scars from the wounds he got when he was young. He closed them, tight and convinced himself; 'he's gone, and he would have no face to show up again... if ever he's still alive.' But he wished he's not. He wished it is really impossible for him to go back.

"Do you think he's still alive?" Yeojin suddenly asked, looking at him. Taehyung looked back, his lips apart, "What?" he mumbled; a bit surprised. It was as if she had read his thoughts.

"Do you think he's just hiding somewhere? What if he comes back to hurt them again?" She added. Taehyung glanced at the show and realized she was talking about the show, not Joonsun.

He breathed, "I don't know. I have no idea," he responded.

Yeojin pouted, "Right, you're not into TV drama," and fixated her attention back to the show, clutching her teddy bear.

A smile crept on his lips, noticing. "Why don't you buy a new stuffed toy? Isn't it too old for you now?" He curiously asked.

"Taejin will never be too old for me. Don't be rude to him!" Her lips curved and gave her brother a mean look, making him laugh in disbelief.

"That thing has a name?!" He uttered, eyes wide and lips hanging open. "And a gender─ really? How come I did not know?" He chortled.

"When did you ask though?" she responded.

"Why Taejin?"

"I named him when I was younger. It's the combination of our names─ and I'm changing it now!" She added firmly, ".. To Jin!"

"I like Taejin. Why are you changing it now that I know his name?"

" 'Cause thinking I named it after you and my name makes me─ ergh," she replied, acting disgusted.