FATE REWRITTEN.....

6.Memories Revisited (Part-2)

Yeonjun excitedly took the picture from Soobin's hands, a bright smile on his face. "This pic is from when my mom and I first visited your house. Grandma and Grandpa took such great care of me that day. I can still remember the taste of Grandma's food. I miss them."

Soobin's eyes were fixed on the photo, a lump forming in his throat. Yeonjun, oblivious to the wave of grief welling up inside Soobin, continued, "Are they still in the U.S.? We should visit them during summer vacation! I'm excited to meet them again. Let's do a video call tomorrow."

The words hung in the air, and Soobin's silence made Yeonjun pause. "Soobin?" he called softly, reaching out to tap his shoulder. When Soobin didn't respond, Yeonjun's worry deepened. "Soobin? What's wrong?"

Soobin's entire body felt heavy. He didn't want to break down in front of Yeonjun, but the weight of the memories was unbearable. His grandparents, the ones who had raised him, the ones he had leaned on for so long, were gone. And Yeonjun didn't know.

Yeonjun noticed the tears that had begun to fall silently from Soobin's eyes. Alarmed, he scooted closer, placing the photo aside and gripping Soobin's arm gently. "Soobin, why are you crying?"

 Yeonjun's voice was soft but filled with concern, his heart aching at the sight of his friend in pain.

Soobin took a shaky breath, wiping at his face, but the tears wouldn't stop. "They're not in the U.S., Yeonjun," Soobin whispered, his voice barely audible, trembling with emotion. "They... they died."

Yeonjun's heart stopped for a moment, the words hitting him like a tidal wave. He could feel Soobin's pain radiating in the air between them. "What?" Yeonjun whispered, his voice barely holding together. "What happened?"

Soobin closed his eyes, the memories too painful, but he knew he couldn't hold it in any longer. "It was an accident. They were coming to visit me at school. I hadn't seen them in a while, and they wanted to surprise me. But on the way... there was this car, speeding, it... it hit them. They didn't make it."

Yeonjun's eyes filled with tears as he listened to Soobin's words, the grief and guilt evident in his friend's voice. Soobin's hands shook slightly as he tried to continue. "I... I didn't even get to say goodbye. If they hadn't been coming to see me that day, maybe... maybe they'd still be alive."

Yeonjun's heart broke hearing this, and the tears he had been holding back spilled over. The thought of Soobin carrying this pain alone for so long made him feel helpless, but he wasn't going to let Soobin carry it anymore.

Soobin wiped his face with the back of his hand, trying to compose himself, but the years of grief, guilt, and sorrow poured out all at once. "I didn't want to tell you because I didn't want you to feel sorry for me, but... I couldn't handle it. Yeonjun, I came back because I couldn't stay there anymore. Everywhere I went, I saw them—everything reminded me of them. I needed to get away. I needed to come home."

The depth of Soobin's pain hit Yeonjun like a flood. His own tears streamed down his cheeks uncontrollably, and without hesitation, he reached out, wrapping his arms around Soobin in a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry, Soobin. I'm so, so sorry."

Soobin let out a shaky breath, his body trembling as he finally allowed himself to lean into Yeonjun's embrace. He had held it all in for so long, but in this moment, the floodgates opened. He buried his face in Yeonjun's shoulder, his body wracked with silent sobs.

Yeonjun held him tighter, his own tears falling freely as he stroked Soobin's back in comforting circles. "It wasn't your fault, Soobin. It wasn't your fault," he whispered softly, though his voice cracked with emotion.

"I miss them so much," Soobin's voice was broken as he choked on the words. "I didn't know what to do without them. They were the only family I really had. I didn't want to burden you with all of this..."

Yeonjun shook his head fiercely, pulling back slightly so he could look into Soobin's tear-filled eyes. "You're never a burden, Soobin. Never." His voice was firm, though his face was soaked with tears. "I'm here for you, always. You don't have to carry this by yourself."

Soobin's gaze softened, the weight on his chest easing ever so slightly. Yeonjun's presence, his words, his tears—they were all reminders that he wasn't alone. For the first time in what felt like forever, Soobin felt seen. Felt understood.

Yeonjun reached up, wiping away the tears from Soobin's face with gentle fingers. "I wish I could've been there for you back then. But I'm here now. And I'll be here for as long as you need me."

Soobin nodded weakly, still overwhelmed, but the warmth of Yeonjun's embrace began to replace the cold emptiness he had carried for so long. He leaned into Yeonjun again, resting his head on Yeonjun's shoulder, and closed his eyes.

"I miss them too, Soobin," Yeonjun whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "Your grandparents were always so kind to me. They were like family to me too."

Hearing Yeonjun speak so softly and sincerely made the tears fall anew, but this time, they weren't just tears of grief. They were tears of release, of comfort, and of the bond that now felt stronger than ever between them.

Yeonjun gently tightened his arms around Soobin, vowing silently to himself that he wouldn't let Soobin carry this pain alone anymore. They sat like that for a long time, the photo album still lying open on the table, a testament to the memories of the past and the people they had lost.As the night deepened, the weight of their shared grief somehow felt lighter—because they carried it together.

Eventually, the soft glow of the lamp began to dim, and the silence in the room wrapped around them like a warm blanket. Soobin's breathing slowed as he leaned into Yeonjun's embrace, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Yeonjun's heart ached not only from the weight of the day's revelations but also from the overwhelming desire to protect Soobin.

"Let's get some rest," Yeonjun suggested softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He gently released Soobin from their embrace, looking into his eyes to find a flicker of weariness mixed with gratitude.

"Okay," Soobin replied, his voice hoarse but resolute. Yeonjun stood up, still holding Soobin's hand as he led him to the bedroom. The gentle, comforting atmosphere of the room surrounded them, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil they had just shared.

Once inside, Yeonjun pulled back the covers of the bed and gestured for Soobin to lie down first. Soobin complied, sinking into the soft sheets, and Yeonjun followed, lying beside him. They were still so close that he could feel the warmth radiating from Soobin's body.

"Thank you for being here," Soobin murmured, glancing over at Yeonjun, who had propped himself up on one elbow, his gaze steady and comforting.

"Always," Yeonjun promised, his voice firm yet tender. He reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Soobin's ear, his fingers lingering for a moment. "You're not alone, Soobin. I'm right here."

End of Chapter 6.2

16/10/2024

to be continued...