The Bet - Masters of Puppetry » Jikook

서른셋

Part Thirty-Three
"Mama."
     
    
Thump thump thump.

Silence. Absolut silence except for Jimin's uncontrollably fast beating heart. He could even hear the blood rushing into his ears.

Thump thump thump.

"Why is no one answering the door?," Jungkook wondered out loud before he rang the bell again. He sincerely hoped somebody would welcome them because he wasn't quite sure whether his boyfriend would be able to work up the courage to come back here a second time.

Probably not.

Thump thump thump.

"Maybe they're not at home," Jimin breathed so quietly, it was almost inaudible. The thing was, he didn't really know whether he should feel relieved or be sad. This would've been his one chance to find closure but, at the same time, he hated confrontation. "How about we just go home?"

Thump thump thump.

"Jiminie, I understand you're nervous, I do. But I really don't think that's such a good id-"

"Who is it?," a woman suddenly called from within, her melodic voice going straight to Jimin's heart. Both men lapsed into silence when they heard approaching footsteps on the other side of the door. "I asked who it was."

Thump thump thump.

"I- It's me," Jimin responded, clearing his throat as he tried not to sound too unsure.

"Who?"

"Me. Jimin," he repeated himself, his voice now a little bit louder and clearer. "It's me, mother."

"J- Jimin?," the woman asked incredulously. Jimin? Her son? Here? After all these years of silence? She couldn't believe it, didn't dare open the door for them yet. It all felt way too surreal. "My boy?"

"Yes," the blue-haired responded nervously before he met Jungkook's hopeful gaze. The younger fondly caressed his boyfriend's head, planting an inaudible peck on Jimin's cheek as a sign of support and love. "Would you please open the door now, mom?"

Shortly after, his mother gave in to his wish and finally appeared in front of them.

"Oh my God, it really is you," she uttered, eyes wide open while she observed the grown man on her doorstep. Even though he was much older than he was the last time she had seen him, he still somehow looked the same, except for his hair and physique. "Jimin!"

"Mama."

Her heart broke.

Although Jimin thought about hugging her, he couldn't help but solely gaze at the woman who looked at him as if he was a ghost. In a way, he was. He had haunted his mother's mind for half a decade, seemingly dead but not quite.

She was still as beautiful as Jimin remembered, but she had obviously aged. It made him fairly sad to see his mother like this; mournful, older, fragile almost.

"Come on in, son!," she finally commanded, tugging at his jacket while trying to pull him inside. "Where have you been all these years? Why did you leave me, dear?" There were tears pricking her eyes and she felt devastated yet utterly relieved. Never had she genuinely believed to see him ever again. Needless to say, she had still prayed everyday, hoping that Jimin would be back one day.