Secrets and Dreams

Chapter 18 - Saying Goodbye

Sicheng stood on top of a grassy knoll squinting from the sunlight's glare, using his hand to shield his eyes. He knew he had to find Taeyong but surveying the vast grassland he didn't know where to start much less where he was. The air felt heavy, oppressive almost and not a soul was around. Not even the birds made any sound and it made Sicheng apprehensive. Where was he?        

Sicheng made his way down the hill trying not to slip and tumble to the bottom. He was confused but instinct told him his purpose. A memory started to tickle his brain but it faded even before he could recall it. He knew it had something to do about losing something...or someone...but...no, he had a more urgent cause. Find Taeyong. Find his love.        

From the far of distance he could see a garden of sorts, enclosed by an assortment of flowering shrubs. A sudden breeze brought Sicheng chills. Was it coincidence that the sun faded and hid behind the thin clouds? It was unusual on a summer day like this. He should have been perspiring by now. Sicheng shrugged the thought off and decided to make his way towards the garden.        

Upon reaching the small enclosure, Sicheng froze. His heart started beating wildly with what greeted him. It was a small cemetery dotted with gravestones marking each mound of earth. At the edge of the burial ground a man in a black shirt and pants stood with bare feet over a grave slightly apart from the rest. His head was bent down as he placed the flowers he held on the ground in front of him, dark hair lightly shimmering in the muted sunlight. Sicheng immediately recognized the man despite his back turned towards Sicheng. It was undeniably Taeyong.        

"Taeyong!" Sicheng ran to him as he hollered, relieved to have found him. Taeyong slowly turned around and looked at Sicheng with a cold gaze.        

"Don't come near me," Taeyong ordered harshly.        

Sicheng faltered as he slowed down and halted a few feet away from Taeyong. "What? Are...are you alright?"        

"Why do you care," he spat.        

Sicheng frowned at Taeyong's behavior. This was not like him. Something was off and it didn't sit well with Sicheng. "Taeyong? I...was worried. I thought I lost you so I looked for you."        

Taeyong merely stared expressionless.        

Sicheng blinked, confused. "Is something..."        

"Get out of my face. I don't ever want to see you again."        

Sicheng balked at Taeyong's curt replies. Surely there's an explanation to this oddity. "Wh-what...why?"        

"You're a burden to me, Sicheng. It's annoying and I'm tired of this. Of you. So leave...or I will."        

Sicheng could feel anger bubbling from the pit of his stomach. This was starting to irritate him. If it were a joke Sicheng didn't find any humor in it. "What the hell are you saying. Snap out of it Taeyong."        

Taeyong just stood there unmoved, face as if it were chiselled in ice. "Forget about me."       

Sicheng motioned to get closer, fists balled up. "You're not making any sense."