With Love

43. Unspoken apologies

Leah suddenly sits upright, jerking from her sleep and looks around the room. She feels her head throbbing with pain and pulls her hands up to rub her eyes. She blinks furiously while trying to grasp where she is and what's the time. She turns to look for her watch which she had placed at the lamp stand and her eyes fall on the cup of coffee. She slips her fingers through the handle and lifts the cup up to her lips. However, it was cold.

Very cold.

And that's when it dawned on her.

Leah: Shit! Taehyung!

She scrambles out of her bed and rushes out. She heads to the living room where she finds the others sitting quite solemnly. Hoseok appears out of the kitchen and notices Leah.

Hoseok: Oh Leah, your food is in the kitchen. You can-

Leah: Where is Taehyung?!

Everyone turns to look at Leah.

Namjoon: He's gone out.

Leah: Where?!

Namjoon: I don't know. He took the car keys and left without a word. When I asked him where he was headed to, he didn't reply.

Leah's eyes begin to tear but she fights them back. She rushes outside the house as though expecting to see Taehyung pulling out of the driveway. She notices that only one car stood near the tool shed.

Leah: He's gone? He's really gone!

She crouches on the ground and begins to sob. She feels a hand on her shoulder but doesn't look up.

Jin: He left almost two hours ago.

Jin pulls Leah up by her shoulders and turns her around to face him. She continues to cry while burying her face in her hands. Jin gently holds on to her fingers.

Jin: Hey. Wipe those tears and look up at me.

Leah does as she's told but a fresh batch of tears threaten to fall off. Jin throws his arm around her and ushers her inside the house will rubbing her arm gently.

The living room is now empty. Everyone had settled into their rooms. Jin helps Leah on to the sofa and heads to the kitchen to get her a glass of water. He returns soon and hands it over to her. She takes it gratefully and sips on it.

Jin: Now tell me what happened? Did you and Taehyung get into a fight?

Leah nods. She clenches her glass of water firmly and looks down.

Leah: It's my fault. I told him I needed some time to think about us. I hurt his feelings and I can't bear to think that he left because of me. Where did he go? Is he alright? He won't do anything stupid, will he?

Jin: Aye! In my eyes you didn't ask for something unreasonable. It only makes sense to figure out how you really feel about Taehyung. Not only him, the whole idol package that comes with him and us members; the whole pressure of being associated with us. My my, it must all feel quite burdensome to the three of you'll.

Jimin: Jin Hyung, Taehyung is not picking up my calls. What do I do?

Jin: Let him be for some time. He must have gone around here nearby. He'll come back soon I'm sure.

Jimin: But I'm worried about him-

He glances at Leah and she is unable to meet his gaze.

Jin: A little time to himself will not do him any harm. Don't worry yourself too much.

Jimin nods and leaves Jin and Leah to themselves. Leah sniffles as she tries to gain composure.

Jin: Look now, all your tears are collecting in this glass of water. Hush! Taehyung will be fine. My Taehyungie is a strong man. And you too are a strong, beautiful young girl. Everything will be alright in time. Time is the greatest healer.