"But I was just joking. " -Kim Taehyung
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Taehyung and I have been best friends since we were still in our mother's womb. We've been inseparable since we learned how to walk. (That's what our parents would always tell us.) Our mothers were high school best friends. They were and until now are still inseparable. Taehyung is just a minute older than me. Funny right? We could've been twins. Our story - oh no wait. My story is a cliche one. Just like those typical stories wherein you are best friends and then one fell in love but the other loves someone else. The only difference is that he promised.
We were both thirteen that time. He was broken hearted from his first girl crush. I didn't like him back then. Or maybe I did. I just didn't know.
<Flashback>
"Ya Taehyung-ah!" I yelled at him as soon as I saw him at his usual spot in the soccer field. He just gave me a weak rectangular smile.
"Ya! You okay? You seem weird. Although you are really weird but this is a different kind of weird. Hmm. Well, why are you weird?" Again, he just flashed a weak rectangular smile.
"Am I ugly?" I literally blurted out at his question.
"Ya! I'm serious!" He said.
"Wait. Hahahahaha. For real Taeyi? Hahahaha."
"Aish!" He stood up and started to walk away but I grabbed his hands.
"OK. Fine. I'm s-sorry." I told him trying to control my laughing. "You're not ugly. You're actually cute. Especially your smile. But you're weird. Hahahaha."
"Do you think I'll be alone forever?"
"Ok let's have a deal. When we reach 22 and we're still both single, we'll be together so that you don't have to worry about being alone forever. I'll be there for you no matter what."
"Ok. Deal." Finally he showed his genuine rectangle smile.
I pulled out a sheet of paper from my bag and wrote:
*insert date here*
I promise that when I turn 22 and I'm still single, I'll end up with my bestfriend.
Signed: Kim Taehyung
Signed: Cha Eunkyung
"Ya here! Sign this." I handed him the paper and he signed.
Days, weeks, months, and years passed. We were both 18 when he introduced us So Myunghee, his girlfriend, over a dinner with our parents. I saw how much he loved Myunghee, how he cared for her like she's the most precious gem. We stayed the same -we would hang out when we both have time- until Myunghee left him 3 years later. For whatever reason, I didn't know.
Taehyung was extremely devastated that time. He wouldn't eat. He locked himself out. It was horrible seeing him so miserable. He was very depressed. One time I knocked on his door, I saw blood all over his room. He was suicidal so we had to confine him in a hospital. I never missed a day to visit him, to check on him. Every single day of seeing him that way was hell. That was when I realised I couldn't see him that way. That I want to see his rectangular smile again. That I love him. I tried my best to bring the Taehyung we had before Myunghee came into his life but I failed. For his whole stay in that hospital, there was no progress. Every time I try to feed him, he would just slap my hands causing the food to be spilled. Whenever I talk to him, he would just stare at the wall- not showing any emotion. He was like a robot, a toy robot.
One time I visited him. I tried feeding him and he ate. I talked to him the way we used to and he was laughing. God knows how much I missed him. I wanted to stay that way much longer, for forever, but he had to rest. I told him to sleep so he could rest and he obeyed. I left his room when he was deeply asleep and went to talk to his doctor. I told her everything that had happened today and she said that was a good sign. I also told our parents what happened and they were happy. His mom wouldn't stop thanking me.
The next day, I went to visit him again hoping to see him much better than yesterday but he wasn't there. My heart beat ten times faster than it normally does. I called his mom and dad immediately. I rushed to the nurse station to inform about Taehyung. We were all in panic. Taehyung was suicidal and we all know that he is capable of ending his life any minute.
"Where's Taehyung?! Where's my son?!" His mom cried.
"Check all the CCTVs please." His dad commanded.
While they were all trying to figure out Taehyung's location, I tried contacting the only person who can end Taehyung's suffering but she wouldn't pick up. I felt hopeless. It's like the whole world was toppling down. I sent that person the reason why I was calling and the address of the hospital.
"That's him! He went inside the elevator!" His mom said.
"Fast forward. See what floor he went!" His dad exclaimed.
"Rooftop." The operator said. I swear, my heartbeat stopped upon hearing rooftop.
"Shit!" I cursed and ran to the elevator faster than Flash. His parents called the cops for help. Taehyung's parents, the doctors, cops and nurses followed me.
I kept pushing the up arrow but it's taking forever. I can't wait for that damn elevator to open.
"I'm taking the stairs." I said. I was about to run when a nurse pulled me.
"The rooftop is in the 28th floor and you're in the 1st floor."She said.
"I don't fucking care! I'm taking the stairs!" I said ran towards the stairs. Some cops followed me.
Because of the adrenaline rush, I was able to climb up to the rooftop. I saw Taehyung. One wrong move he might slip and fall down. With the last piece of energy I had, I called out his name.
"Kim Taehyung!" He looked at me.
"Remember this?" I pulled out the paper in pocket. And ran nearer to him. "We promised each other when we turn 22 and we don't have anybody else, we'll be together right? It's our 22nd birthday today Taehyung." My tears started falling.
"I-I'm sorry Eunkyung-ah but I was just joking that time. I only said that to play with your game. I never meant it." He uttered. That was it. I never had any relationship because of that damn paper but it was all a joke. It felt like a I was shot with a bullet straight from the heart.
"Taehyung-ah!" That voice. Her voice.
"Myunghee." Taehyung muttered. He ran to her arms and passed me. He hugged her so tight. My bones softened, I couldn't even feel my muscles. I accidentally let go off of the paper and the wind blew it to where Taehyung and Myunghee were standing. Taehyung stepped on it.
<End of Flashback>
I am left in the rooftop. Everyone, literally everyone's attention was at them. It feels like I don't exist for them. I gathered the energy I have left and walked toward just behind the railing. I glanced at Taehyung for the last time who was smiling like nothing had ever happen, like she never left him.
"Taehyung-ah sorry I couldn't keep my promise. I once told you I'll be here no matter what. Mianhae. I love you forever." I whispered in the wind and decided to close my eyes. FOREVER.
