Continuation...................................................................17th Page Update.................................

Taemin not a word spoken but a sigh and a nod opens his hand to gesture acceptance of request pointing to a chair where Kibum could choose from any chairs he wants to sit.
 

From where they both stand, the atmosphere seems to blend in well; everything is so quiet and passive. It is as if all around them is so dark, though the moonlight gleamingso bright, it does not offer anything – feels like the time is so long that just surviving this numbing situation is a dilemma.
 

Taemin’s breathing is edgy, even when seated; he has to hold on the rail of the chair to maintain his control grip and wishes that just this moment the absence of emotion could at least help him deal with the unbearable situation. But he knows that somehow things need to get better for him to move on.
 

However, just as Taemin thinks and expects, the sweet sound of Kibum’s voice echoing throughout the darkness of the room - filling the gaps of what it seems like ghostly sounds of depression bellowing the whole area will somehow help him endure the wandering feeling in all better.

“(sighs) Thank you Taeminnie...
for everything that you have done for me.
I wish for you to be happy.
I understand if you act indifferent from now
on perhaps somehow in that way, it will help
you to move on.
I allow you to feel hatred and remorse
towards me as I have hurt you deeply bad.
I just wished that somehow life would have
been different for us. 

It is good to be with someone who loves you
more than you love the person, and I felt
that with you.
But it did not mean that I did not love you at all.
I was extremely happy and blessed to be
loved by you.
I guess fate and destiny did only give us a
chance to experience a love that is genuine
and unconditional...
(sighs) just for a short time...

It hurts a lot too just so you know...
Lucky is anyone who you will eventually
love completely because I have experienced
those moments of how much you love me
passionately and deeply that sometimes you tend to forget
yourself but not the person you love most.

But seeing you with Onew smiling around
him - it makes me happy even when I am no
longer the reason.
Am going to miss your laughters and smiles
- It will make me sad every now and then
probably in tears but I have to accept it
because I know I will no longer be the one
to make you happy.
But the fact that you are smiling and
completely happy is enough for me.

Kibum pauses to look at Taemin with gentle eyes and says in a much softer soothing voice...

"I will love you unconditionally and keep you
forever in my heart Taeminnie so please
always remember that..."

Kibum after saying those words, waits for a moment hoping that somehow Taemin responds but none not a word or just a slight body movement, with a heavy heart lowers his head the feeling of sadness encompasses his entire being, he gets up and pushes the chairs backward and with a heavy heart starts his step away from Taemin.

Then just a foot away from the door, Taemin speaks...

"Thank you too Key..."

Kibum suddenly stops and could not move as if his body and mind have frozen that he feels that his feet flatly cementing its footing on the floor. He lifts his head and breathes out loudly grasping his heart; he smiles and stays waiting for the next thing to happen then as expected Taemin speaks again...

"It will be hard to forget the love we shared,
but life has to move on just because it
moves too fast, perhaps not in this time or
world - we will see each other again.
I can feel that. You are my soulmate.
I know that. I can feel that as well too.

Just like I can feel up to now how much you
care for me and how much I love you but
yes for this time I will have to say...

Good-bye... my always beloved Key..."
 

These words hit Kibum so bad that it feels like a part of him shut down and that his chests tightens so that just to manage his self, he bends his body down and rests his hands on his knees and breathes in deeply and after a minute feeling at ease and confident straightens himself and turns to face Taemin and says...

“Can I hug you at least...”

 

Both of them start to walk with open arms. Taemin this time a smile drafting his face walks a bit faster and replies...

“Sure...and you can still...”
 

“Be good...Be happy...
Be loved....Taeminnie...”

Embracing Taemin tighter this time, Kibum carries him Koala style and swirls Taemin around the room foolishly making the latter laugh out loud with all his might.

Then after the human carousel merry go round, Kibum panting brings down Taemin and whines...

“You have gain a bit...
you are a bit heavy now...”
 

“(chuckles) Aaaiisshh... Key...
of course, you will get tired from that
endless spinning that I myself is dizzy...”

Kibum:             (regains his composure) Ooohh...
                        By the way, how things are going - the two venues...?

Taemin:           (smiles) everything is doing well... I hope you like it...
                        Onew and I really made it sure that everything as much as
                        possible is perfect...

Kibum:             (gets his phone and dials) Onew hyung...
                        kindly come join us please...

Taemin:           (gasps) Oh... where is he...?

Kibum:             Just attending to some minor requests...

Onew arrives and shock to see that Kibum and Taemin are doing well. He walks towards their direction with a huge grin in his face thrilled how things came about.

Kibum:             (waves) Hi hyung...
                        I just want to call you so at least to let me know if anyone
                        needs anything from me for additional help or something.

Onew:             I believe we are just fine unless otherwise
                       Taemin needs more...
                       (looks at Taemin) Do you...?

Taemin:           (shakes his head) No nothing...
                        just some minor final touches and a good sleep tomorrow
                        whole day for the two-day event....

Kibum:             Don’t you like to join the fun to go for a sightseeing tour
                       with our parents...?

Taemin:           (sighs) We have been here for two weeks and I believe
                        Onew and I have seen both of the islands entirety...

Kibum:             Oh yeah... silly me...
                        (takes a deep breath) so... I guess everything is fine...
                        I will leave you both to do whatever things you need to
                        accomplish today...

                       (waves both of his hands at Taemin and Onew)
                       So... I have to go...
                       please do not stay up late too much... alright...?
 

Onew:             (nods) Yes... we won’t.... Thank you Kibum-ssi...

Taemin:           (chokes and coughs a little) ahum... okey...see you...

Kibum smiles to both of them and turns his back almost looking normally happy but as he gets out of the room, he takes a deep breath and releases the build up of emotions that he tried to suppress for the entire time and softly says...

“I love you Taeminnie but I love Minho too...
If situations could have been different
I could have chosen to spend my life with you
but the circumstances are different, and it is
selfishness to even continuing to be with you...
I can not afford to hurt you more so
I am letting you go...
Be happy and be loved by Onew Hyung...”

Meanwhile as soon as Kibum disappears at the door, Taemin body shakens and takes a hold of Onew’s arm for support. Onew without a doubt understands what is happening to Taemin, embraces the latter in a cocoon and allows to settle the emotional struggles within.

“It is okay... Tay... cry if you wish to...
please do... I am fine with that...”

Page 54 Chapter 40 Ends Here....................................next page please.........................................