AND THEN YOU CAME

25 회

We've been sitting here for minutes, i guess almost an hour. None of us says a word. I don't even think i should. I just ruined everything.

I take deep breaths repeatedly, trying really hard to suppress the urge to break down again.

My heart hurts.

Just then, i feel my hand being pulled, and someone beside me holds it tightly. Her hand is warming up my cold one.

I can't even look at her.

"Why didn't you tell me about this? The fact that your mom.." she pauses, taking a deep breath. "You should've not struggled alone."

I know she's trying to suppress her sobs too.

I look down, closing my eyes tight.

"Jimin, please say something." She pleads, almost crying. "Don't keep quiet like this."

I don't want her to cry, so i speak in the end. "I'm sorry."

Her breathes hitch, as if she's waiting for me to continue. Her hand squeezes mine tighter, but i don't do the same.

"I don't know how to tell you about this." I admit. "I just think that you'll run away if you find out."

"Why do i have to do that?" She replies immediately. "Just because your mom's face looked like me?"

That's the truth. The truth that i'd been hiding for months from her.

Mom's face looked a lot like her, and that's the reason i fell in love with her at the first place. Because she looks so much alike like somebody i just lost.

"Listen, you don't understand." I finally dare myself to look at her, and she's surprised to see my teary eyes.

"I approached you because you look so much like mom. It's like.. i only use you because i have to distract myself from mourning too much."

I think it's so mean. I am mean.

"I'm so sorry, Jieun." I shake my head.

"No, stop Jimin. You listen to me." She says. "Is that the only thing you feel for me now? The fact that you're just using me as a replacement to your mom?"

Deep down inside, it's not. It's not just that, at all. I love her for who she is. Her appearances might have attracted me in the first place, but i as the time went by, i fell in love with who she is. Her personality is even the total opposite compared to mom's, but i love her anyway. I really, really love her.

But..

-Jieun's POV-

I'm scared that he might say yes to my question. What if he does? What am i going to do?

I don't want to be the only one in love again, please.

He doesn't answer me. Oh, i swear i really want to cry right now. So this whole time, i am the only one thinking that we're in love? Why is my life so full of joke?

I am so ready to burst out crying when suddenly, he answers me.

"I love you for who you are, Nam Jieun."

When i heard that, i still burst out crying. I still cry, but in a happy way. I'm relieved to hear that.

I thought i was fighting alone this whole time.

I'm supposed to cheer him up, what am i doing now? He even hugs me, which makes me cry even more.

Oh, screw you Jieun. You're such a crybaby!

"What took you so long just to answer? Were you actually doubting? How dare you! I thought i was the only one in love again!"

He hugs me even tighter, and i can hear his sobs too.

"No, no, no. Don't ever think that way." He denies immediately. "There's no way you're alone, Jieun. I love you as much as you do, even more."

I choke at his cheesiness. He never, ever admits that way. He's always been a shy boy. And the fact that i made him do that is so delightful.

"Then you don't have to feel bad for me." I say, putting my chin on his shoulder. "You're such an idiot, you know? You can even tell me when we first met, i wouldn't even get mad about it."

Well honestly.. maybe i would. I mean towards strangers. But if it's Jimin, i don't mind.

"Sorry." he says again, but i can see a smile from his voice just now. Which makes me feel relieved.

How much pain has this boy born this whole time?

I am so going to shower him with love.

-Jimin's POV-

I still couldn't believe that Jieun came all the way to the crematorium just to find me. And the fact that i hid everything from her is cruel. She has such a pure heart, how could i not believe her?

I am so going to shower her with lots of love, even if i have to die.

However, as the night comes, i can't help but to overthink again.

Actually, it's not all. I mean, she knew about mom, she knew about my darkest secret, but she has no idea about this.

Wait, listen. It's not about me anymore. It's about her.

If i tell her about this, she's not going to forgive her dad. I don't want to ruin a family just because i'm selfish. But in the end, am i not selfish too to keep her by my side? Even though i know the fact that no matter what, we're not going to end happily?

God, please. I love her so much, i don't want her to get hurt. I mean it.

Just then, a notification pops out on my phone. I get up, grabbing my phone as i already know who is the person sending me text late at night.

jieun❤️
are you asleep?

jimin🥰
no babe
what's up?

jieun❤️
you're not overthinking again
are you?

jimin🥰
well i kind of
don't worry about me idiot
go to sleep now

jieun❤️
how can i go to sleep when you're like this?

And how can i sleep if i think about losing you?

jimin🥰
are we going to fall in love over and over again? until we're old?

jieun❤️
of course, if only you feel the same :(

jimin🥰
i don't feel the same as you, baby
because i love you more than you do

jieun❤️
good! so we're going to last until we're old, don't worry ^^

A smile creeps up on my face as i read the text. However, a tear falls down together with it.