Separation (Repitition)

Chapter 7: Beliefs

Chapter 7: Beliefs

As Taehyung was sleeping peacefully, he was forced to wake up because of his phone ringing. He slightly sat up on the bed with his back on the headboard. He lazily answered the phone after yawning.

“Yes? Who's this?” Taehyung inquired in his deep morning voice. He asked since he wasn't able to see the caller ID because of laziness.

“It's me, your mother,”

Taehyung groans as he hears his mother's voice.

“Why did you call, Eomma?” he mumbled under his breath, lying back on the bed with his eyes closed.

“I and your Appa had talked about it, and we hoped that you would visit us now. Do you think you can do that?” his mother inquired.

“I'm not sure about that, Eomma,” Taehyung mumbled.

He just didn't want to be with them, it felt suffocating.

“Come on, you barely visit us. We just wanted to know about your situation,” his mother insisted.

“Fine, I'll get ready then.” Taehyung then ended the call.

He simply sighed and shook his head in frustration.

The familiar scent of kimchi and garlic filled Taehyung's nostrils as he stepped into his parents' house. A wave of anxiety washed over him, a feeling he couldn't shake whenever he visited. He knew the ritual: the warm embrace, the forced smiles, the endless questions about his life, and the inevitable sermon about God.

"Taehyung-ah!" His mother, Ha-eun, rushed to him, her face beaming with a joy that felt a bit too intense. His father, Daehyun, followed close behind, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he offered a hearty, "Welcome, son!"

Taehyung managed a weak smile, his heart sinking a little. He knew this was the start of a performance, a carefully choreographed act of love and concern that always left him feeling suffocated.

They ushered him to the dining table, a feast of Korean delicacies spread across the surface. The familiar aroma of bulgogi, bibimbap, and japchae filled the air, a comforting reminder of his childhood. But the comfort was quickly replaced by a sense of unease as his parents began their usual pre-meal ritual.

"Let us pray," Daehyun said, his voice resonating with a deep piety that Taehyung found both admirable and suffocating.

Taehyung bowed his head, his own faith a quiet and personal one, not the boisterous, public display his parents favored. He felt a pang of guilt, a sense of inadequacy in the face of their unwavering devotion.

After the prayer, the questions began. "How is work, Taehyung-ah?" Ha-eun asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"I'm fine, Eomma," Taehyung replied, his voice flat and devoid of emotion.

"You should come back to church, Taehyung-ah," Daehyun said, his voice laced with disappointment. "You know God wants you to be devoted to him."

Taehyung sighed inwardly. He knew this was coming. He was a good person, he believed in God, but he didn't need to be a preacher or a missionary. He wanted to live his life, make his own choices, and explore the world beyond the confines of their religious dogma.

"I'm looking for work, Appa," Taehyung said, hoping to change the subject. "I have a sideline for now, but I'm hoping to find something more permanent."

"That's good, son," Daehyun said, his face softening slightly. "But you should also spare some time for God. He's the most important thing in life."

He launched into a sermon about the importance of scripture, quoting verses from the Bible and emphasizing the need for constant prayer. Taehyung listened patiently, his mind wandering. He knew his parents meant well, but their constant emphasis on religion felt like a suffocating blanket, smothering his own personal growth.

"And how is Yoongi?" Ha-eun asked, her voice suddenly sharp. "Is he still a bad influence on you?"

Taehyung's heart sank. This was the part he dreaded the most. His parents had always disapproved of Yoongi, their disapproval growing stronger with each passing day. They couldn't stand that Yoongi was a "non-believer" and that he had a "questionable" lifestyle.

"Yoongi Hyung is a good friend, Eomma," Taehyung said, his voice firm but calm. "He takes care of me."

"You should find a new friend, Taehyung-ah," Daehyun said, his voice laced with suspicion. "Someone who is more...decent."

"Why?" Taehyung asked, his voice rising slightly. "What's wrong with Yoongi Hyung?"

"We've heard rumors," Ha-eun said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Rumors about Yoongi's...lifestyle."

Taehyung's blood ran cold. He knew what they were talking about. The rumors about Yoongi's sexuality, the whispers, and the gossip that circulated among their religious community.

"That's not true," Taehyung said, his voice shaking slightly. "Yoongi Hyung is a good person. He's just different from us because he is not a religious."

"Different is not always good, Taehyung-ah," Daehyun said, his voice heavy with disapproval. "God doesn't approve of that kind of relationship. You should beware of him."

Taehyung felt a surge of anger. He couldn't believe they were talking about Yoongi like this, spreading rumors and judging him based on their narrow-minded beliefs.

"Please, Appa, Eomma," Taehyung said, his voice calm but firm. "Don't talk about Yoongi like that. He's my friend."

"You should not become like him, Taehyung-ah," Ha-eun said, her voice laced with a warning. "You should strive for a better life."

"A better life?" Taehyung asked, his voice laced with sarcasm. "What kind of life is that? A life where you have to conform to everyone's expectations, where you can't be yourself?"

"We have someone in mind for you, Taehyung-ah," Daehyun said, his voice suddenly cheerful. "A young woman named Jiyeon. She's a wonderful girl, very religious, and she's just your age."

"Jiyeon?" Taehyung asked, his eyebrows furrowed. He had never met this Jiyeon.

"She's perfect for you, Taehyung-ah," Ha-eun said, her eyes shining with excitement. "She's everything you could ever want in a wife. She's beautiful, kind, and she loves God."

"She's also a virgin," Daehyun added, his voice filled with pride. "It's hard to find a good girl like her these days."

Taehyung felt a wave of nausea. He couldn't believe they were already planning his future, setting him up with a girl he didn't even know. He was not ready for marriage, not now, not ever. He wanted to live his life, explore his options, and find his own path.

"I'm not interested in marriage right now, Appa, Eomma," Taehyung said, his voice flat and emotionless. "I want to focus on my career, on building a life for myself."

"But you're getting older, Taehyung-ah," Ha-eun said, her voice laced with disappointment. "It's time to settle down."

"It's not that simple, Eomma," Taehyung said, his voice rising slightly. "I can't just marry someone because you think she's perfect for me."

"But you have to choose wisely, Taehyung-ah," Daehyun said, his voice filled with concern. "You have to choose someone who is good for you, someone who will help you grow closer to God."

Taehyung sighed, his shoulders slumping. He knew this conversation was going nowhere. He was trapped in a cycle of expectations and pressure, a cycle that seemed impossible to break. He felt like a puppet, his strings being pulled by his parents' beliefs and desires.

He excused himself from the table, his stomach churning with a mixture of anger, frustration, and a deep sense of sadness. He retreated to the living room, seeking solace in the familiar silence.