Fleeting Moments With You

024

I was getting my boxed possessions outside of my unit when I heard someone humming 'Fix You' and the sound made me frozen for it was a familiar voice and it was a special song. Her footsteps echoed and I stared at the empty space in front of me, waiting for it to be filled with a picture I was trying to bury deep in my memories. My breath hitched when I confirmed that it was Dahyun who was humming to the song we danced with.

"Hi there," she smiled once she spotted me. She squinted as she asked, "What's your name again? Park Jeongmin?"

And that question immediately crushed my hope. I sighed as I corrected her, "I'm Park Jimin."

"Sorry," she mumbled apologetically. She then eyed the boxes that were in front of my door and the one that I was holding. She probed, "What's with the boxes?"

I let silence occupy time before I answered, "I'm moving."

"Why? Is there something wrong with your unit?" Dahyun continued on asking.

"Yes, because it is beside yours.You who had come like a storm, leaving me in a state of devastation."

But I swallowed all the words and instead, said, "It's my step one in trying to begin again."

Dahyun smiled sweetly at me – the kind of smile I fell for – as she replied, "Then, I wish you good life."

I was supposed to be happy for her blessing but her approval of my plan to leave affirmed my insignificance for her right now.

I cursed myself inwardly. I should have done better in avoiding her.

----------

"How is it?" I asked my friends as I welcomed them in the apartment I was planning to live at.

"Cozy enough," Jaebum replied as he sat on the couch. He looked around as he remarked, "This is smaller than the other one though."

"It's cheaper, that's why," I shrugged, "Just some cleaning and I could transfer all my things, don't you think so?"

Jaebum nodded, "We could help you if you want."

"Thanks," I beamed.

"Something's missing with this apartment though," Jisoo announced as she creased her eyebrows.

"What is it?" I curiously asked.

Jisoo met my gaze as she answered, "Your heart is not here."

I sighed when Jaebum added, "He must have left it with Kim Dahyun back there."

"Seriously?" I groaned as I scratched the back of my neck.

"Is this really what you want, Jimin?" Seulgi seriously questioned.

I looked at her and asked back, "You too? You're discouraging me from moving on too?"

She shrugged and gave a small smile. It was Jisoo who stated, "We are not discouraging you from moving on. We are discouraging you from giving up on pursuing the one who makes you happy."

"Loving Dahyun is not that simple. You know her case," I argued, "I don't know how long I would last with that kind of relationship and if I allow myself to stay with her longer, the pain would just grow more and more."

"You've been nothing but empty these past few days, Park Jimin. Admit it," Jaebum uttered.

"Hyung," I called Jaebum, "You're the one who told me that this love would just feel unrequited."

I wanted them to tell me to stop all the hopefulness raging inside my heart. I wanted them to kill the fire of love I have for Dahyun, not to kindle them.

Instead of answering, Jaebum asked me, "Yes. That's true but is the pain not worth it anymore?"

"But I could have better options. Maybe I could find the kind of love that would not be as painful as this," I retorted, "Maybe this new life could make me forget about her. Maybe this new life could bring someone new too – and perhaps a new beginning for a love less... complicated."

"Seulgi," I turned to the short-haired girl with an exasperated look in my eyes as I looked for an ally. I reminded her, "You told me that I deserve better, right?"

"I told you to look for the love that you deserve," Seulgi whispered earnestly. I could see the sincerity in her eyes as she added, "Jimin, the love that we all deserve is not one which would not hurt us but one which we would be willing to fight for despite all the pain."

"You told me that you're not a quitter," I retorted, "Why are you pushing me away, then?"

"I'm not pushing you away. I'm trying to make you go back to where you really belong," Seulgi argued back. "And I... I think I tried but failed and would continue on failing if you would not properly sort out your feelings."

"Wait. Is there something that's going on between the two of you that Jaebum and I do not know about?" Jisoo interjected.

"Certainly not one that we should be nosy about," Jaebum glared at Jisoo before looking back at me, "So what's your decision?"