you and i

1

Park Jimin adjusted his clothes once again as he got ready for his audition. He was from a rich family, and he was supposed to inherit their family business. But Park Jimin, being Park Jimin, had always been musically inclined. His parents hadn't thought much of it, until he refused to be the next CEO of Park Industries, to become a singer.

And now here he was, auditioning to be part of BigHit Entertainment's 'next big thing'. And by 'next big thing', he meant the new K-Pop group they were launching. Jimin bounced up and down on his toes, excited. He ran through the song once more, just to make sure —

Jimin frowned. He had practised this song thousands of times, so why on earth couldn't he remember how it started? He hummed in concentration. Must be nerves, he thought to himself, nervously. What if this happened up on stage? They would never recruit him. His heart sank.

Just then, Jimin's phone rang. It was his doctor. Strange. Why would he call now? His frown deepened.

"Hello? Jimin?"

The familiar voice of his doctor floated through the phone.

"Speaking."

"Jimin... you need to come here. Now."

"What? Why? Look, I'm kind of in the middle of something, maybe later."

"No! It's urgent. Please, Jimin."

Jimin's heartbeat quickened. His doctor never said please.

"I— has something happened to —" Jimin's voice cracked. If something had happened to either of his parents, Jimin could never forgive himself. Especially at that point of time, when Jimin wasn't on good terms with them.

"Just get here." The call ended. Jimin took one last look at the queue, before rushing out.

❄️

"What?!" Jimin's mouth dropped open. "Are— are you sure?"

The doctor—what's his name again— took a deep breath. "Yes... I'm sorry Jimin..."

Jimin ran a hand through his hair. "But— but are you sure? Maybe you got something mixed up or..." Jimin trailed off. It sounded feeble, even to his own ears.

"I understand that the truth may be shocking to you. But the fact remains — it's the truth. You have Alzheimer's disease."

After a lengthy discussion with him, Jimin finally understood some things. A lot of things started to make sense.

Jimin licked his lips. Why me?

Clutching the report in his hand, Jimin walked out in a daze.

❄️

He walked and walked. He didn't know where he was going. Glancing down at his report, he noticed that the doctor had scribbled down an address. A support group that'll help you get through this, it said. Cringe, Jimin snorted. Despite everything, he laughed. He threw his head back and laughed. People on the street shot him strange looks before minding their own business.

He shuffled over to a near bench and plopped down on it. Laughs turned to sobs as he buried his face in his hands. All his dreams — ruined. Living the rest of his life just waiting to die.

Get yourself together, man.

He glanced down at his report again. Oh well, he thought, nowhere else to go anyway.

❄️

The moment Park Jimin stepped foot into the room, a wave of nausea hit him. He already hated this place. But he went in anyway.