The Twenty-Fourth Chapter

It was preposterous; it couldn’t be possibly true. The detective could be wrong for all Sehun knew. He refused to believe what he just read on the email – even if there were some evidence attached to it, like hospital records, an obituary and photos of a grave. No, it was all a lie. He would never believe anything unless he could see it with his own two eyes. A part of him wanted to break down and cry, curse the heavens for the miserable luck but he refused to succumb to the bitterness.

The next day, Sehun was already boarding a plane headed to Canada. Kris came with him, and like Sehun, the former refused to believe the news. Not a word was exchanged between them the whole duration of the flight. They were both on the edge of their seats, knowing that the worst was yet to come. Sehun had his eyes closed but he never slept; all he saw was Daesom’s face smiling at him.

The private investigator that Sehun hired met them at Ottawa International Airport. Kim Junmyeon’s face gave away nothing as the two men neared him. He bowed respectfully. “I have the files you wanted to see in the car. Do you want to head to the cemetery now?”

Sehun clenched his fists at his sides. He didn’t like how the man was taking things lightly but Sehun couldn’t blame him. Junmyeon was just doing his job. “Where’s Jung Daehyun?” He asked instead.

Junmyeon shook his head. “He left Ottawa together with his parents right after the funeral. They are trying to hide their tracks, since I think they know that I’ve been trying to find their family for months.”

Kris frowned. “So we were right when we assumed that they were hiding Daesom from us. But I don’t get why.”

“Darn that Jung Daehyun.” Sehun cursed the guy in an undertone.

“Daehyun must have a reason.” Kris defended his old friend.

To that, Sehun let out a snort. “Don’t stop on searching for them. I need to see Daehyun so he could tell me everything. I need to see Daesom.”

“Sehun-ssi,” Junmyeon started to say. “Jung Daesom.. is dead.”

“I don’t believe it.” Sehun growled.

Kris sighed and placed a hand on Sehun’s shoulder to calm the latter down. “Just take us to whatever you want to show us, Junmyeon-ssi. Are you sure that it’s Daesom?” Kris asked suspiciously.

“I’m positive that it’s her. It was quite hard to get her information at the hospital because it was highly private. She was confined for more than a week, before her body finally gave in eight days ago. Her funeral was held two days later after her death. From the files I found, it seemed that she was getting special home treatment this whole time. She had a private doctor. That was why I couldn’t find any other records about her after the first hospital she was confined in when you were still in contact with her.” Junmyeon continued explaining until they got inside his car.

Things were making sense and at the same time, they didn’t. What Junmyeon told them was factual, but the mystery still remained on why they hid Daesom from Sehun. Why did she stop keeping in contact with him? Knowing Jung Daesom, she wouldn’t let their communication to be cut off – unless if she was the one who wanted to hide from him.

No, that was impossible. Daesom loved him as much as he did. He strongly believed in that. But, did he, still? Did she, really?

Junmyeon mentioned a few more things, but Kris was the only one talking to him. Sehun sat at the back and trained his eyes outside the car window. He tuned out everything else and thought about Daesom. He didn’t want to believe that she abandoned him but with all the information that was being fed to him now, everything led to that conclusion. If that was the truth, then why? Why did she disappear on him just like that?

Sehun didn’t notice that Junmyeon had already stopped the car until Kris tapped him on the shoulder. He looked around them and his chest started tightening. “Why are we here?” He asked angrily.

“You wanted to see for yourself, right?” Junmyeon asked indifferently before going out of the car.

Kris looked at Sehun, telling him silently that it was time that they face the truth. Sehun wanted to punch him for easily believing what the private investigator told them but Kris was already out of the car. He didn’t want to step out, but something told him that things might make sense if he faced it now.

There was no one in the cemetery aside from the three men. The fallen leaves rustled under Sehun’s feet as he followed Junmyeon leading them. It was the middle of autumn and the wind was blowing harshly, but he didn’t care. After a few minutes, Junmyeon stopped in front of a tombstone. It looked quite new, the surface still smooth and spotless.

When he took a step closer, he immediately backed away as he read the name that was inscribed on it. He felt like he was going to be sick. Bile was coming up on his throat and he started shaking his head furiously. “No. This can’t be real. No.”

“Sehun..” Kris reached out for him but Sehun flinched away.

“Don’t tell me you believe this , Kris? It’s not Daesom. She isn’t dead yet.” Sehun wanted to speak with conviction but he was surprised with his own voice trembling. It sounded like he was trying to convince himself and not Kris.

He glared at the tombstone where Jung Daesom’s name was engraved with two dates written under it. There was no way that underneath them was the corpse of the only girl he loved so dearly more than anything else he ever had in this world. He turned around to face Junmyeon and grabbed the latter’s collar harshly. “This got to be some sick joke, right? Didn’t I pay you good enough? You can’t be serious with this. I thought you were the best on your job, huh?! Where’s Jung Daehyun?” Sehun shook him, ignoring Kris who was trying to get him off Junmyeon. “Why don’t you answer me?!”
 

Junmyeon simply looked at him and after a few seconds, he spoke in a quiet voice. “I’m sorry.” For the first time, Sehun saw genuine sympathy on the older one’s eyes.

Sehun shoved him away. “This is ing bull.” He placed a hand on his forehead and shook his head in denial. “This isn’t real. Someone tell me this isn’t real.” His words were coming out as a helpless croak. He broke down on his knees and clutched the dirt with his hands.

Pain, anger, frustration – everything was clogging up on his throat and his tears raced down from his eyes. Everything was hurting inside him that he felt like he was going to die. And he wished that he would just go that way. He could hardly breathe and yet he screamed out all his pain. His agonizing cries and wails filled the silence of the cemetery. He could hardly see anything with his tears blurring his vision. He crawled nearer to Daesom’s grave, his whole body shaking in tremors.

“Why? Why, Daesom? You said you’ll come back or that I would go to you. Why didn’t you wait for me? What am I going to do now without you?” He continued sobbing chokingly, muttering her name over and over again.

Daesom’s rare smiles, her snarky remarks, the twinkle in her eyes, the softness on her voice when she told him that she loved him – everything was still clear inside