FORGET-ME-NOT | kth

Chapter 29 - Love

Taehyung's POV

My eyes fluttered open, and I took in the scene around me. The morning light seeped through my curtains, signaling the start of a new day. As I slowly came to full consciousness, memories of yesterday flashed through my mind. I instinctively reached to my side, expecting to find her there, but the space was empty.

Yesterday, I hugged Maya to sleep. Her warmth and presence beside me had been soothing, even though I barely slept. Her absence in the morning puzzled me. I ran my hand over the sheet where she had lain, and a smile formed on my lips as I felt the faint warmth she had left behind. My fingers caught a strand of hair, longer than mine and with a burgundy tint that shone in the sunlight. I picked it up, smiling.

Why did she leave so early? The question bothered me as a small wave of disappointment washed over me. I gently placed the strand of hair back on the bed. Then, the memories of yesterday flooded back, and my eyes widened.

I confessed to her. I said I love her.

Panic began to set in. Did she leave because of my confession? The thought filled me with worry as I turned to face the ceiling, trying to piece together her reaction. From what I could remember when I said I loved her, she looked pleased, even though there was a hint of tension. She kissed me back and stayed in my embrace.

But why leave without a word? Did my confession scare her away, or was there something else on her mind? The uncertainty was almost unbearable. I closed my eyes, replaying the moment over and over, searching for clues in her expression and body language.

Maya's face had softened when I told her that. There was a light in her eyes, a flicker of happiness that matched my heart's emotions. Yes, she had seemed tense, but not in a way that suggested discomfort, more like the weight of a big decision or realization. 

I sat up, running a hand through my hair. The room felt emptier without her.

"Maya?" I whispered to the empty room, her name a solace and a question at the same time.

I reached for my phone and frowned, seeing notifications from Maya. I immediately tapped on it and read her message.

After reading her text, I got worried. She said she was going to her home town because her dad was in the hospital. But strangely, there was also a sense of relief in finding out she left without a word not because of my confession.

I texted back, asking her to call me when she was free, and I tossed my phone on the bed. I sighed, glancing at my phone, waiting for it to ring. I knew she needed time and space, but the urge to hear her voice and know she was alright was overwhelming.

I got up from the bed and accidently stepped on my shirt lying on the floor. I smiled, remembering how it ended up there. I picked it up and tossed it onto the bed.

I was surprised by my own action. It was the first time I was tossing my worn shirt, which had been lying unusually on the floor the entire night, back onto the bed.

Standing there, I realized how much Maya had already influenced my life. Small changes in my routine, like leaving the bed unmade, felt significant. My usual meticulous habits seemed to bend around her presence, and I found myself not minding it at all.

I smiled and walked to my bathroom, not wanting to tidy away the lingering presence of her in my bed. 

The entire ride to school, I couldn't shake off the idea of Maya leaving so suddenly. She could have woken me up; maybe I could have gone with her. 

What will be doing? Is she alright? Is her dad alright? The questions swirled in my mind, creating a storm of concern and unease. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, wishing I could drive faster, not to school, but to wherever she was.