#02: Zhu Zhengting
⇢ angst
⇢ word count: 1153 words
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zhengting was a caring boyfriend. he would often take you on dates whether its a stroll at the mall or a ride in the bike. he always made little efforts that makes your heart jump out.
but that was before..
it was before you graduated college. before he was drowned in a pile of paperworks he would often bring home because he couldnt finish it in the office.
but you understood. you completely understood it because of course. both of you arent getting any younger and sooner or later, you two would want to settle down.
you were remeniscing your memories with zhengting when the door opened. it revealed the stressed and worn-out zhengting that was holding a bag in his hand.
"hey zhengting, do you want to eat?" you asked him as you made your way to the door.
"i already ate." he said coldly as he hung his jacket and placed his keys in the small table. he shoved your hand away from his and made his way to the kitchen.
"oh," you muttered as you followed him. you checked on the spare food you left for him. it was already cold, just like your relationship with him.
"i'm going to sleep." he said lowly. all you could do is nod. you were out of words as you didnt know what to reply.
not long after, you heard heavy footsteps going upstairs.
probably zhengting. you said in your mind.
you cleaned up a bit and watched an episode of a drama before going upstairs.
before turning off the lights, you noticed a white thing that fell below his jacket. you picked it up and realized it was a number written in a ripped piece of paper.
you thought it was just a number of one of his colleagues and didnt think much about it.
as you entered your shared bedroom with zhengting, you noticed he was still up. using his phone and obviously texting someone. he felt you prescence and threw you a quick glance before shutting his phone down and laid on the bed, his back facing you.
"hey zhengting." you called him as you sat down on your side of the bed.
he answered with a hum.
"how's work?" you asked him.
"tiring." he replied faintly.
you tried to brainstorm some questions to ask him. you felt the atmosphere being heavy and cold, it was suffocating.
you heard zhengting's soft breathing, he was already in deep slumber. he looked like an angel. a boy who couldnt hurt a fly. he was breathtaking.
but somehow, looking at his sleeping figure pained you. this face used you to be the face you saw first thing in the morning. this soft snores used to wake you up from dreamland but no.
you would often wake up and his of the bed already empty and his car keys already gone.
you turned back as you felt tears brimming in your eyes. you hugged him from behind, giving him soft kisses behind his neck.
you fell asleep in that position.
the morning came and zhengting wasnt there anymore. it was a sunday, so it was his day-off.
on sundays, he would usually wait until you woke up. softly planting kisses on your nose and playing with your features but today, like all the other days of the week, zhengting wasnt around.
you noticed a piece of paper in the headboard of your bed.
Hey Y/N,
im going somewhere today and probably wont be home until 9PM, dont wait for me anymore.
Zhengting
"where could be possibly go?" you questioned yourself but eventually shrugged it off. "maybe he wants a day for himself."
you did your morning routine. you cleaned up and ate your breakfast.
you were lazily moving around your house when you decided to stroll in a nearby park.
taking your coat, you start to walk. the number u saw last night was still in the floor. picking it up, you opened the door and shoved th paper in your pocket.
the way to the park was not long. you found yourself looking at happy families and couples who were having picnics and dates.
thats exactly like us before, you said in your mind.
you were just humming to your favorite song when a certain couple caught your attention.
you stopped your tracks as you look at them. they were facing their backs at you.
the girl had long, straight hair. you concluded she was very pretty, she had a nice body. while the man, his figure was similar to zhengting's.
you were about to continue your way when the boy stood up.
the sun shined in his eyes as your heartbeat drops for a moment. it was him, zhu zhengting.
he still looked beautiful as ever. his pointy nose and white skin made him look sweet and elegant, and the smile he used to show you before, it was there. he mumbled a few unaudible words to the female before walking away.
unconciously, you got your phone from your pocket, together with the number that fell from zhengting's jacket.
"there's no harm in trying.." you said as your hands shaked. you dialled the number and as you expected, the girl sitting before your eyes answered the phone.
"hello? who's this?" a sweet voice spoke from the other line.
you smiled bitterly as you felt your throat tighten.
"that's not important." you hoped that your voice wont crack. "p-please.. take care of him." you heard a gasp from the other line.
"he likeds toast bread in the morning. his coffee shouldnt be too sweet." you continued. "he likes hugs from behind. his loves it when you kiss his cheeks."
"sometimes, he misses his family and cries himself to sleep, please always hold him tight. always remind him you love him and he is perfect the way he is. tell him that he is appreciated and his efforts are always worth it because zhengting.." you cried silently.
"zhengting is a great boyfriend. too bad, were over now." you chuckled sadly. "he would never be ashamed of showing his love for you.
you noticed zhengting was already on his way back, holding two ice creams in his hands.
"tell him to go home safe and to not worry about me anymore. i'll be fine. tell him y/s/n y/n called." you immediately ended the call.
you stayed for a moment, looking at zhengting a couple more times because you knew there was a chance you might not see him anymore.
you saw that the girl was talking. looking at zhengting, a pained expression was visible in his face.
gathering all your courage, you took the way back home. it wasnt a home anymore though, because you knew it well.
that home. home will always be anywhere as long as you were with zhengting.
