FORGET-ME-NOT | kth

Chapter 28 - Hate

I woke up, my eyes wide open, and a sudden wave of panic washed over me. The sun hadn't risen yet, but the room was dimly lit with the early morning light, hinting at the approaching dawn. As I lay there, I felt an uncomfortable, wet sensation between my legs. Carefully, I slipped out of bed, making sure not to disturb Taehyung, and checked the sheets. To my relief, they were clean.

Quietly, I made my way to the bathroom, tiptoeing to avoid making any noise. Once inside, I closed the door softly behind me and unbuttoned my jeans. A sigh escaped my lips as I saw the unmistakable red stain. I had gotten my period, and what frustrated me was that I wasn't at home. Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I fastened my jeans and looked at the mirror.

As I adjusted my hair, I noticed the purple marks on my neck. Curiosity piqued, I pulled my t-shirt lower and saw the marks trailing down my skin. A surprised smile spread across my face, memories of last night flashing vividly in my mind.

I slipped out of the bathroom as quietly as I had entered and Taehyung was still asleep, his peaceful expression bringing a soft smile to my lips.

I grabbed my phone from the side table, tucking it back into my pocket. Leaning down slowly, I planted a tender kiss on his forehead, careful not to wake him. He squirmed slightly but didn't wake up, his face relaxing again.

With a lingering smile, I left the bedroom, moving silently through the apartment. Each step was deliberate, ensuring I made no noise.

I gently closed the front door behind me and walked towards the elevator.

Once I had cleaned myself up and taken care of my period, I sat by the window with a warm cup of coffee, watching the sunrise. Taehyung's words kept repeating in my mind.

I love you.

He said, I love you.

He said he loved me.

I smiled to myself, but the smile faded quickly as doubts clouded my mind.

Should I just change my plans?

My contemplation was interrupted by the sudden vibration of my phone beside me. It was my sister calling, and I glanced at the time-it was only 6:30 am. I wondered why she would call so early.

I answered the call with a light heart, expecting a casual morning chat. However, the conversation took a serious turn as she delivered the unexpected news. My grip on the phone tightened instinctively, and I felt tears welling up in my eyes as her words sank in.

She ended the call abruptly, urging me to act immediately, but I found myself frozen in that moment, struggling to process the sudden change in circumstances and unsure of what to do next.

Dad is in the hospital, she had said, her voice tight with urgency. He's in critical condition due to stroke.

The words echoed in my mind as tears blurred my vision, but I couldn't move. I couldn't figure out what I was feeling or make a decision about what to do next. My body felt paralyzed by the weight of the news. I sat there, frozen in place.

In a surge of frustration and helplessness, I threw my phone away and hugged my knees. When I had moved to this city, I had vowed to never return. I had declared to their faces that I was no longer their daughter, that I didn't want to see them again, that I hated them. So why? Why was this agonizing?

I wiped my tears and gently picked up my phone, dusted it off, and placed it carefully on the table. Clearing my throat, I tried to focus on something practical, like what to cook. I moved calmly around the kitchen, opening the fridge and searching for ingredients, but hunger was the furthest thing from my mind. I knew I wouldn't be able to eat. So, I abandoned the idea of cooking and decided to do my laundry instead.