I only see him 5 minutes a day-Total.
He gets on & off at the train terminal across from me.
I don't know where he's going, where he comes from, what he does, what he likes.
I don't even know his name.
But I find that day by day, I learn something...
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MAY 03, 20XX SUNDAY
I am Taehyung's girlfriend.
Nine months ago, I was just a girl across the platform who wished she could know more about the boy who rode the 7:50am train.
Now, I proudly had his fingers interlaced with mine. The distance between us minimal.
Taehyung invited me over his house today, so he picked me up at the bus stop. My heart pounds as we walk the path.
Am I going to meet his mother? His siblings? Isn't it all too early? I wasn't ready. What if everyone hated me?
I hear Taehyung chuckle. "Nervous?"
I smile up at him. "Yes."
"Don't be. Only my siblings are home."
He gives my hand a gentle squeeze until we stand directly in front of the gate of his small, cozy home.
"Hyung!" His little brother noticed us through the open door and came running up to Taehyung. He tries to be lifted, but Taehyung shakes his head. "You know I can't lift you."
His arm.
He isn't using it.
I take a mental note to try and tackle the topic today.
The twin girl comes up with a confused look on her face, finishing the last bite of rice from her bowl. "Oppa, why are you...?"
He takes the boys hand and rests his right hand on the girl's shoulder. "Let's talk inside."
Taehyung looks over his shoulder at me and tilts his head as a signal for me to follow him inside.
He whispers, "You're the first one I brought home."
I hear the girl giggle.
With a smile on my face, I follow them inside and have a seat on the couch. Taehyung pushes the kids back into the kitchen, leaving me with time to look around. I note all the photos on the wall. There's so many. It's like their parents wanted to capture every moment of their lives. They captured big moments like zip-lining to small moments like a lost tooth.
Taehyungs laughing diverts my attention from the photos as he comes out from the hall.
"Sorry, I should have filled them in about you. They had so many questions..."
"It's alright. Um, are your parents home?" I whisper to him. He plops himself on the couch and puts his arm around me.
"They're currently on a well deserved vacation. My grandma is taking care of us, but she's not home. You can meet her next time."
I nod and shyly look at Taehyung. He starts to lean in and my eyes flutter close.
"Jennie-unnie are you going to take care of my oppa?" The small voice makes me leap into the air. Taehyung stifles a laugh and takes his left arm from my shoulders.
I look at the cute girl, now making herself comfortable on the couch. "As best as I can."
"Never leave him alone. He doesn't like it." the boy enters the room whispering loudly.
I grin at Taehyung. "Never!"
He playfully leans over to tickle the boy as he walks by. "I thought you two were going to go play outside."
The boy sticks his tongue out and holds up The Little Mermaid. "We decided we wanted to watch a movie with you guys."
He tries to wedge himself between me and the girl, but she doesn't budge.
"I want to sit next to Jennie-unnie!"
"No, I do!"
"You both can." I laugh at their bickering. I look at Taehyung, who I unfortunately kicked off the couch.
Taehyung pouts, "Fine, then I'll take this comfortable hammock over here."
They giggle and make themselves comfortable beside me. Taehyung hands me a blanket and places a kiss on my cheek before making himself comfortable on the hammock next to us. I smile and make sure the blanket covers the twins' feet. Right now, I feel so warm and bubbly from their love. I don't have siblings of my own. Taehyung's lucky that he has two.
We all watch The Little Mermaid, but I find myself staring at Taehyung more. He's resting his head on the hammock, not fully laying on it. I look and notice that he treats his arm very carefully, like it's broken. He looks up to catch me staring at him. His smile gets bigger.
"They're asleep." He points to them.
My eyes widen and I peer over to look at their faces. The angels have fallen asleep.
"Should we move them to their rooms?"
Taehyung looks away from me and rubs his neck. "No, they can sleep on the couch. They're pretty heavy."
Now's the time.
"Taehyung..."
He puts down his arm and turns to me.
"Um, what you have? It's treatable?"
He gulps and loses eye contact with me. "Yeah. I had mono and it got pretty complicated for a while. I was on antibiotics. I'm cured now though. The hospital bracelet is just from checking in from time to time. My parents worry over a little cough. Do you want me to get you a drink?"
He starts walking to the kitchen.
"Then what's wrong with your arm?" I quickly bite my lip, wishing that I hadn't said anything.
"Nothing, see?" He holds up both of his arms. "Fruit punch or Lemonade?" He resumes walking to the kitchen.
"Taehyung..."
I hear him sigh from the kitchen. He returns with a glass of water.
"We only have water. I'm going to go look for more blankets for them."
He runs up the stairs. I can't help but notice his clenched fist.
