[ Chapter VIII ]

It’s All Mine, My Fantasy

Sixteen years, never in Taekwoon’s sixteen years did he think he would ever agree to steal something from his father. He has only learned to avoid and fear his father who had the most power and control in the Underworld. Not only did Taekwoon feared his father but everyone in the Underworld feared the man even despite all their gossiping and murmurs.

Taekwoon’s father was once a God from the Heavens along with his two elder brothers. But when they agreed to battle one another in order to divide their powers over the different realms, they betrayed Taekwoon’s father together and banished him down to the Underworld to rule over. Once a God was banished from the Heavens, they were to never step into the skies again. The grudge and thoughts of vengeance remain within Taekwoon’s father and he would stop at nothing for revenge, even if it meant turning the Underworld upside down with his rage.

When Taekwoon agreed to help Ravi, it didn’t take much hesitation for him to agree but now that he’s alone, Taekwoon began to worry. For one, he feared about the consequences if he was to fail in stealing the Moon from his father and two, he never knew about the existent of such an item until Ravi mentioned it. Therefore, he didn’t know where his father could possibly have hidden it. The next several days, Taekwoon was secretly exploring the mansion as thoroughly as he could. The place he called ‘home’, was still a mystery to him because he never cared to go anywhere else except the rooms he frequents. In order to figure out where his father might be hiding the sacred item, he would try to retrace his father’s steps and actions in hopes that his father would automatically lead him to what he was looking for.

Although Taekwoon was working hard to finding the Moon, he couldn’t help but continuously have thoughts of doubts and worries. Is what he’s doing really be worth it in the end? To the point of taking such a risk? And what if he fails?

*   *   *   *   *   *

 “Ya!”

Taekwoon snapped from his thoughts.

“You’re not listening to me again are you!?” Hakyeon yells at Taekwoon from the other side.

“Huh?”

Hakyeon sighs.

“I know you’re quiet but you’re acting extra strange today. I know you’re definitely distracted by something and you’re not listening to me at all!” Hakyeon pouted. “Is something wrong?”

“Nothing… sorry,” Taekwoon answered. He was too deep in his thoughts for the past week or so, to the point he forgot that they were in the middle of celebrating the ‘tenth’ year since they’ve met one another.

“Taekwoon-ah, remember when we first met here?”

“Mhmm.” There no way Taekwoon could forget. He remembers every detail and moment since they first met and how his lifelong friend has become the most important part of his life. Without Hakyeon and his influences, who knows what Taekwoon would’ve become? He could still be the boy who was timid, inferior and silently enjoying the teasing from others in order to gain their attention. But because of Hakyeon, Taekwoon learned about laughter and joy, expectations and the wonders outside of the Underworld. Hakyeon was Taekwoon’s only light and the reason that his heart would skip in rhythms each time they met.

“I know we don’t get the chance to talk much lately since we’ve both been busy and well, I say this a lot too but…. Taekwoon-ah, you’re my lifelong friend and I want us to remain together for a very, very long time. I don’t regret ever making you my friend, even if it felt one-sided at first. I know it’s cheesy to say this but I’m not lying each time I say it. I just feel like telling you this again because, well, I don’t get to say it as much as I used to.”

Hakyeon may be that boy who seems self-centered and super outgoing, at times even too playful, but he never lies. He’s always sincere about his every action and every word. People just don’t understand that despite his extroverted outer appearance, Hakyeon has times where he feels like the world is against him to the point of hiding. But when he met Taekwoon, he had a place to go to, someone to share his emotions with and someone who was able to accept him for who he really is.

“Me too. I don’t regret it either.” Taekwoon brought out his courage to reply to Hakyeon’s sincerity despite feeling a slight embarrassment after saying it.

The two remained silent for a minute until Hakyeon spoke up again.

“Actually, there’s something on my mind and I’ve been debating whether or not I should say it… It’s been on my mind.”

“Hmm?” Something wasn’t feeling right. Hakyeon was suddenly more serious than usual and Taekwoon had an uneasy feeling up his chest.

“You know how my mom is still really sick right now and because dad is too busy looking after her, I have to look after our store as well so that’s why I’ve been too busy to meet up, right?”

“Mhmm.”

*   *   *   *   *   *

The Cha family ran a baker for generations in their town and have carried both influence and history for a long time. But Hakyeon’s mother’s health has been dropping very drastically recently and it has been affecting both the family and their business. She was the head baker of the store. Everyone loved her and the bakery. Although Hakyeon and the other workers at the store have tried to learn her skills, they just couldn’t produce the same results as his mother. When she fell ill to the point of being bedridden, Hakyeon’s father became her assistant and support, looking after her every minute and hour of the day. Taekwoon was envious each time Hakyeon told him stories of how his parents met and fell in love. After all, Taekwoon’s parents were never or will ever be like Hakyeon’s parents.

“We haven’t been able to meet much lately because of it… so I’m really sorry and thank you so much for understanding and also not forgetting about me.” Hakyeon’s voice sounded as if it was diminishing. “I… I’m actually afraid. There’s another reason I might not be able to meet you as much as anymore even though we barely got to meet already…”

Taekwoon began to worry.

“Actually, our mayor proposed to help out my family’s business and help my mother find the best doctor he could to cure her. Of course, that’s the best news we could ask for and we really appreciate it too but… he asked for something in exchange…”

Hakyeon didn’t know how to say the words. He was hesitating to continue and Taekwoon could feel the slight sadness in Hakyeon’s voice.

“What’s wrong?” Taekwoon asked.

Hakyeon took a deep breath.

“Our mayor is really influential and powerful in our town so it’s definitely not a problem for him to help my mother find a doctor. However, he had a request of his own. His family doesn’t have any sons and rather, three daughters that he really cares for. He … wants me to marry his youngest daughter because I’m the only son of my family and he wants me as his son-in-law to help carry on their family heritage. Since his daughters can’t hold such powers or status, he wants me to do it instead. I don’t know what to do.”

Now Taekwoon knew why he had that uneasy feeling about Hakyeon’s seriousness. Just hearing the word ‘marriage’ made Taekwoon’s heart clench in pain.

Why? Shouldn’t he be happy that his lifelong friend was getting the help he needed and marrying into a powerful family is supposedly a good thing, right? Endless thoughts began to overwhelm his mind to the point of filtering out the sounds around him. His heart was throbbing to the point that he felt it was hard to breathe. How was he supposed to react or digest everything he just heard?

He didn’t like it. The feeling he got from imagining Hakyeon having to marry someone else or belonging to anyone. Taekwoon wanted Hakyeon for himself.

Yes, Taekwoon wanted Hakyeon.

“I have met her a few times since we go to the same school but I don’t know… she’s cute and I can see why everyone loves her too but… this is marriage we’re talking about! But I don’t know if I can refuse it either since he’s willing to help my family. What do you think I should do? Taekwoon-ah?”

Why are you asking me… Taekwoon thought as he began to feel annoyed at Hakyeon’s obliviousness and how insensitive he was to Taekwoon’s feelings. The words that Taekwoon wanted to say to Hakyeon would definitely break Hakyeon’s heart so he held them back. If only Taekwoon had the power to destroy the obstacle in his path and steal Hakyeon from the other side.

He was beginning to feel disgusted by his own thoughts and emotions but can you blame him?

*   *   *   *   *   *

Somewhere during the time they became friends, Taekwoon was starting to feel differently about Hakyeon. At first, Taekwoon only saw Hakyeon as his first friend and comfort but as they grew older, the feelings of friends became more. He had a hard time accepting what his heart was feeling at first but he came to accept it. Except, accepting the way he felt about Hakyeon would only have a sad ending. Taekwoon was powerless to break all the laws and rules between the Gods and humans and he’s never even met Hakyeon in person. What if Hakyeon wasn’t real and that this was simply a fantasy that Taekwoon made up to ease his pain and loneliness when he was younger? What if this was just some sort of illusion that the Forest of Nightmare created for Taekwoon when he stepped into the forest for the first time when he was seven. Such a sweet yet frightening nightmare, he thought.

“I don’t know…” was the only thing Taekwoon could say to Hakyeon while trying to control his emotions from exploding. He had to be rational, even if it was the last thing he could do. Just because he felt that way about Hakyeon, it doesn’t mean it’s mutual. It was only his ‘fantasy.’

“…Sorry, I totally ruined the mood just now, didn’t I? Let’s not talk about it! I’m sure everything will fall in its place and I’ll figure something out, right? I’m smart after all!” Hakyeon tried to comfort the both of them while laughing awkwardly.

The two continued their celebration as happy as they tried to make it but in the end, Taekwoon wasn’t happy about what had happened and what he heard. They tried to talk about other things to forget about the topic but the two knew they were still feeling awkward. Hakyeon felt awkward for bringing up the topic in the first place and Taekwoon couldn’t take his mind out of his negative world. If Hakyeon went ahead and marry this girl, will their times together finally come to an end? Is it even possible to celebrate next year together on this exact same day? The true tenth year since the two first met and became friends.