Wanting You (A tale of love & loss)

Chapter - 9

Jimin's graduation day had finally arrived, a moment he'd dreamed of and worked so hard for. The campus was buzzing with excitement and laughter as students posed in their caps and gowns, basking in the pride of their achievements. Taehyung was by his side, just as excited, and the two of them posed for countless pictures, capturing memories of this milestone. Even though Do-yun couldn't be there in person, he had planned ahead to make this day unforgettable for Jimin.

As the ceremony wrapped up, Jimin received a series of notifications. It was a surprise that had been prepared by Do-yun in advance: a series of heartfelt messages and a video of him congratulating Jimin with a bright smile, followed by a flower delivery arranged from miles away. Tears filled Jimin's eyes as he read each message, feeling the love and effort Do-yun had put in to be there in spirit. It was everything he needed to feel Do-yun's presence, even from across the world.

Shortly after, Jimin was offered a job as a developer at a well-known IT firm, marking a strong start to his career. His life was falling into place, and he felt on top of the world. He shared every bit of this journey with Do-yun, who was doing well with his own internship and studies in the U.S. In the beginning, they managed to keep up with daily calls and texts despite the time difference. They missed each other deeply, but they found ways to keep the connection alive. When they did fight—mostly over frustrations of distance and time zones—they always managed to make up within two days, never letting the disagreements fester.

But just as Jimin began settling into his new routine, tragedy struck. His appa, who had always been a strong, constant presence in his life, suffered a sudden heart attack. The world seemed to tilt off its axis for Jimin. The doctors managed to stabilize his appa, but the situation left Jimin shaken. Despite the deep ache in his heart, he kept everything to himself, not wanting to add to Do-yun's stress, especially with the demands of his new job. Taehyung stayed by his side, offering support and comfort as Jimin navigated the exhausting weeks of hospital visits, worry, and restless nights.

Finally, after days of uncertainty and anxious waiting, Jimin's appa was discharged and brought home. Relief washed over Jimin, but before he could fully settle, his appa's words caught him off guard.

"Jimin-ah, I want to see you get married."

The words stunned him, and Jimin looked at his appa with wide eyes. "Appa," he whispered, his voice trembling, "why are you saying this? You're going to be fine. You just need time to recover."

His appa reached over, cupping his cheek with a tender look. "I want to believe that too, Jimin-ah. But I can't shake the feeling. I've wanted to wait until you were a bit older, more settled. But I'm afraid I may not have as much time as I thought." His eyes softened with a vulnerable honesty. "Your brother, he's an alpha. He can live independently. But you, my precious omega son, I want to see you with someone who can take care of you, so that I can rest easy. Will you do this for me?"

Jimin felt a storm of emotions surge within him—fear, sorrow, and a sense of duty all tangling in his heart. "Yes, Appa," he managed to say, unable to do anything but nod. He wanted his appa to feel at peace, even if his own heart felt on the verge of breaking. Jimin hoped he'd have time to talk to his appa about Do-yun, that he could explain and maybe even receive his blessing. But the days moved faster than he anticipated, and his appa introduced him to a potential suitor within the month.

Jimin knew he couldn't wait any longer to tell Do-yun the truth. With shaky hands, he dialed Do-yun's number, waiting as the call rang. His heart ached with a mix of guilt, fear, and desperation. After a couple of rings, Do-yun picked up.

"Jimin-ah!" Do-yun's voice was full of excitement. "Why didn't you answer my call yesterday? I have big news—I got the job! No more internships! I'm officially an employee now, Jimin!" His voice overflowed with happiness. "I wanted to tell you first and just... hug you so tight! I can't believe it's all happening."

For a few moments, Jimin could only listen to the joy in Do-yun's voice, swallowing back the lump in his throat. After a pause, Do-yun noticed the silence. "Jimin? Are you listening?"

Jimin hastily wiped away his tears, forcing a bright tone. "Yes, yes, I'm here! I'm so happy for you, Do-yun. You deserve this, really." He tried to keep his voice steady, to mask the turmoil brewing inside him. But as they continued talking, Jimin found himself holding back the truth he so desperately wanted to share.

Later that night, as he lay in bed, he realized just how fragile this happiness felt. While Do-yun was busy making plans for their future, dreaming of a life they could build together, Jimin felt as though the ground beneath him was slipping. He wanted nothing more than to share in those dreams, but with the weight of his appa's expectations and his own unspoken fears, he felt torn between love and duty.