Falling for Mark Tuan | (Sequel) | Markson

Chapter 20 | Forgive

"Aren't you supposed to help your mother clean next week?" Jackson questioned, my eyes glued to the Xbox in front of me and a remote in my hand.
"Yeah, it'll take nearly a week to do," I responded, my fingers rapidly tapping the buttons on the remote.
"I can come and help, a spare set of hands can help things move faster," Jinyoung offered from beside me, another remote in his hand and his eyes glued to the screen.
"I can too, that way things will get done extra fast," Jackson chimed in from the space on the floor in front of me.
"Really? Can you both? It would mean a lot to me."
"Of course, besides, it's technically a holiday before our holiday," Jackson responded again, and Jinyoung nodded in agreement.
"Why is she cleaning anyway?" Jinyoung asked, and I replied.
"Dad is coming over for a two week holiday and we need to clean out the house and get rid of all the belongings Mum told him she got rid of months ago."
"Oh, then I'd be happy to help."
"It would be a lot of lifting so I'm grateful for your help."
"No problem Mark," Jinyoung replied.

A few moments of silence passed, then Jackson turned his head around and looked up at me.
"Did you wish Minhyuk a happy birthday?"

Oops.

"Not yet."
"Why not?"
"He's probably too busy with Hoseok and his own parents... anyway, I don't have the time," I lied, but he saw right through me.
"You forgot, didn't you?"
"Yes... but I didn't mean to forget."
"I'm not even his friend, but I remembered."
"You remember everything."
"And you don't?"
"Jackson, he doesn't need to hear from me."
"You're probably the most important person he needs to hear from."
"Not after what I said," I sighed heavily, placing my remote on the space beside me.
"What did you say?" Jackson continued to look at me, almost trying to read me.
"I said he was messed up in the head."

Silence.

"He has anxiety doesn't he?"
"Yep."
"Why would you say that to someone with anxiety?"
"It just slipped out... I didn't mean to-"
"Did you say sorry?"
"No."
"Have you said sorry yet?"
"No."
"So let me get this right, you and Minhyuk got into some sort of arguement."
"Yes."
"And you told Minhyuk he was messed up in the head."
"Yes."
"And you still haven't apologised."
"That's it."
"Have you talked to him since?"
"No."
"So you have left someone with anxiety to believe that you think they are messed up in the head for all this time?"

At this point, I was starting to feel waves of guilt, and being interrogated wasn't helping.

"When you put it that way..."
Then Jinyoung contributed to the conversation after hearing the dilemma, "call him, Mark. You can't go wrong with trying. Let him know you still care for him."
"Didn't you beat him up earlier this year? Why do you care?" I retorted.
"I don't car-"
"I don't either."
"You're impossible," Jinyoung scoffed, putting his remote down and leaving the dorm without another word.
"Just think about it," Jackson soothed, standing from the floor and giving my hair a small ruffle. "I'm going to go talk to him."
"Alright," I half-smiled, watching my boyfriend leave the dorm to try and reason with Jinyoung for me.

If Jackson can do that for me, the least I could do is give Minhyuk a call.

So I did.

~
The dial tone and the indication of the call going through sent my heart rate through the roof.

What do I say? I'm sorry I said you were messed up in the head, I was stupid and I wasn't thinking. I miss you please forgive me, I love you. Happy Birthday too?

Or do I say Happy Birthday first?

What do I do?

"Hello?"

Oh no.

"Minhyuk."
"Mark?"
"Yeah... it's me."

There was an unbearable silence, one of recognition.