save me; taehyung

09

Sighing, I glanced at the candle on the floor in the corner. With a smirk, I scrawled towards it. Looking at the flames, I allowed memories to flow, memories that I can't forget no matter how much I wanted and tried to.

I was studying under the lights of a candle. I was given the day off as midterms were around the corner. Sungjae-hyeong wasn't home and mom stepped out too.

We couldn't save enough money to pay for the electric bill, hence why I was forced to study in the dark.

My phone suddenly buzzed. I glanced at it to see dad's contact on the screen. I jumped to my feet and ran to his room, where he just laid down.

He lazily turned his head to look at me. I was waiting for his box smile that he would always give when he sees me, but it didn't come.

"Appa..." I whispered. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just thought I was left... alone."

Walking to his bedside, I grabbed his right hand. "You're never left alone...when hyeongnim and I go to work, eomma is by your side."

"You're saying that with so much confidence, I almost believed you."

Realisation hit me. "Wait- Appa...do you mean she leaves you alone!"

He averted his gaze towards his left side and gave a slight smile. His actions answered my question. He was always alone.

"Why didn't you tell me!"

"Forget that now," looking at me again, he said. "I wanted to talk to my boy, I miss him."

He squeezed my hand and his signature smile passed across his face for a few second.

"I'm sorry, it's just that I've been studying and all."

"Don't over do yourself, it will get you nowhere."

"But I'll have to try-"

"Taehyung-ah, can you please bring the blue box in the closet?"

He pulled his hands away from mine and pointed at the old, wrecked closet in the dim room.

I nodded excitedly and walked toward the closet. I couldn't open it at first, but pulling it with more strength played the trick.

"There's nothing here," I said.

"Oh well...maybe your mom threw it away."

I closed the closet and walked to my spot. "What was inside it?"

"My academic background."

"Huh?"

"You're so clueless," he chuckled with his box smile plastered on his face as he ruffled my hair. "It had all my certificates and medals."

My eyes widened. "Aren't you angry! They're all gone!"

"My dear boy, the only reason I wanted you to see them was so you can understand, that us humans, need luck. Studying won't do you much. Being an A student didn't make me successful in life. Look at us now...what would have the certificates done for us if they were here? Nothing.

"This is why, Taehyung-ah, I don't want you to kill yourself with studies. I want you to be lucky, and most importantly happy. These certificates didn't give me happiness, if anything did, it would be my family and friends... they left me now...but they were the reason behind my smile."

"Appa..." my eyes welled and I knew that I wouldn't be able to hold my tears any longer.

"But I'll be happy as long as I have you and your brother..."

He had so many friends and it hurt me that only my brother and I were left for him.

"Taehyungie, I'm sorry I couldn't get you things you wanted-"

"Appa! What are you saying! You got me everything even when it was impossible!"

"If only my certificates helped me, I would have given you the best of everything."

Hugging him, I cried. I let my tears stream down my face.

True when they say, even a thirty five year old man is a baby to his parents. I was being one, crying like the world would end.

Little did I know that my world was holding its last breath that night. Because a few hours later after I left his room, I heard a loud cry from Sungjae.

There was no need for me to rush to Appa's room to know what happened.

I smiled as I blew that candle in front of me, making the darkess engulf the room. The darkness didn't bother me. Thinking back about it, it was that night that all the brightness left my soul.

Because that night, after crying on my father's shoulders, at around 11 o'clock, Appa left us for a better place. As much as I knew it was best for him, I couldn't help but to think selfishly.

~▪~▪~▪~

(A/N)

Sorry, This turned out to be a little too long! Don't worry, this will be the longest chapter in this story (I'll try doing that)

Anyways, I hope that by now you have already got an insight on how the story will be going. Whatever is written in italics is flashbacks/memories. Don't be confused ❤

And thank you so much for the votes and comments.

Ry, you hoe, this one is for you. The motivation you give me....wa77 😱😙😙 @daegu_boyz