“Are you awake now?”

 

 

 

Jisoo could hear someone speaking.

Why is she hearing a man’s voice when she’s living alone in her apartment?

 

 

“Goodmorning..”

 

That voice again..

 

Wait..

 

Isn’t it Taehyung’s voice? But why can she hear him this early in the morning?

Does it usually happen when all she thinks about is him everytime? Will she hear his voice even in her sleep?

 

 

“You aren’t waking up yet?” 

 

 

But why does his voice sound so real? And why does it become louder as it were coming towards her?

 

She opened her eyes immediately.

 

Familiar ceiling.. but not the ceiling of her apartment..

 

Oh no! She slept at Taehyung’s bedroom!

 

She got up quickly and found herself on his bed with him sitting down while looking at her with a grin on his face.

 

“What am I doing here? How did I-..?”

 

“You’re asking me what you’re doing here after everything we did last night?” asked Taehyung folding his arms.

 

Jisoo’s eyes widened.

 

After what they did.. last night? What does he mean?

 

She looked at her clothes immediately.

 

But she’s still wearing her clothes from last night! Only her shoes have  been taken off..

 

Taehyung went closer to her.

 

“You still don’t remember? You were.. how should I put this?” he said thinning his eyes. “You hugged me tightly and even-..”

 

He bit his lower lip as he stared at her.

 

Jisoo’s throat moved fast.

 

She hugged him tightly and what?

What is it that she did?

Why can’t she remember anything?

Did she drink perhaps?

 

And wait.. why does this situation feel so familiar? 

Just like the first time they met.. that’s right.. but that time it was him who couldn’t remember anything because he was drunk..

 

“Just.. what did I do?” she asked helpless.

 

She didn’t do anything weird to him, did she?

What if she threw herself to him and tried to touch him?

That would be embarrassing!

 

“Tell me.. what did I-..”

 

Taehyung kissed her lips quick.

 

“Nothing..” he said smiling. “You fell asleep even before we could finish reading a page together..”

 

Jisoo pulled her head back as she covered her lips.

 

“I haven’t brushed my teeth yet..” she said embarrassedly. “Why would you kiss me-..?”

 

Taehyung held her by wrists and pulled her close to him.

 

“You were snoring with your mouth open before.. I have already smelled everything.. there’s no reason to feel shy..” he said holding her face with his hands.

 

Jisoo pushed his hands away.

She snored? With open? She did? That can’t be true..

 

Taehyung noticed she was in deep thoughts..

She isn’t mad at him, is she?

Why does she look so cute when she’s serious? 

Look at that messy hair and fluffy eyebags of hers..

 

“I was just kidding..” he said hugging her. “Why are you taking it seriously?”

 

Jisoo heaved a sigh.

 

“I’m glad I didn’t snore with my mouth open.. that would have been ugly..” she said smiling.

 

Taehyung shook his head.

 

“Everything apart from that was a joke..” he said looking serious.

 

Jisoo hit him on his chest.

 

“You shouldn’t have told me anything!” she said frowning as she pulled herself away from him.  

 

Taehyung was just laughing at her.

 

Then Jisoo turned to him again.

 

“But.. didn’t I fall asleep on the couch? What am I doing here in your bedroom?” she asked thinking hard. “Don’t tell me.. we slept-..”

 

“I carried you here and I slept on the couch..” said Taehyung. “I was afraid you’d misunderstand..”

 

Jisoo refrained herself from smiling.

How can he be such a gentleman?

And he didn’t really have to sleep on the couch by himself when the bed is big enough for the two of them..

 

“You look disappointed..” said Taehyung seeing through her. 

 

Jisoo’s eyes widened.

Why can’t her face hide what she’s feeling inside?

 

“Not at all.. I was thinking that you should have woken me up so I could have studied and-..”

 

She stood up on the bed.

 

University! They are late! What are they still doing here when they should have already gone by now!

 

“Today is Saturday..” said Taehyung pulling her down to sit again. “You don’t have classes today..”

 

Jisoo took her phone and realized it was indeed Saturday.

 

She heaved a long sigh of relief.

That made her nervous for a second!

 

“I want to see you like this everyday..” said Taehyung smiling as he looked at her. “My life will never be boring with you..”

 

Jisoo pursed her lips.

Is that supposed to be an insult?

 

Taehyung went close to her and kissed her on her cheek.

 

“Do you have work today?” he asked as he pushed the hair that was covering her eyes. 

 

Jisoo shook her head shyly.

He’s making her swoon as soon as she wakes up.. what should she do?

 

“No work today..” she replied as she glanced at him. “But I’ll go and see my mom this afternoon..”

 

Taehyung lowered his hands to hers holding them tightly.

 

“Can I come with you?” he asked squeezing her hands. “I want to.. introduce myself to your mom..”

 

Jisoo’s lips curled up into a smile.

 

Introduce him to her mom? That would be amazing..

She’s sure her mom will like him.. 

 

 

————————-

 

 

 

Jisoo was smiling as she stared at the flowers Taehyung had bought for her mom.

She told him he shouldn’t have bought anything but he still insisted..

 

They were white roses.. how can they be beautiful? They even smell good..

Her mom would love to see these flowers.. if only.. she could wake up and take a look at them.. that would be.. nice..

 

“Ms. Kim Jisoo.. please come in..” said the nurse assisting her. 

 

Jisoo stood up and held Taehyung’s hand.

 

“Only the family can pay a visit Ms. Kim..” the nurse continued.

 

Taehyung lowered his head.

Well.. it can’t be helped.. maybe he can visit her mom another time..

 

He was about to pull his hand away when Jisoo squeezed his hand tightly..

 

“He’s my family..” said Jisoo to the nurse. “He’s my boyfriend.. and I want to introduce her to my mom..”

 

The nurse smiled at her.

 

“Then.. please go inside together..” she said giving way to the two.

 

Taehyung knew his ears turned red the moment she introduced him as her boyfriend.. and family..

 

Why did it sound so nice? Hearing it from her made his heart flutter..

 

They arrived in front of the room.

 

Taehyung took a deep breath. Why is he feeling so nervous right now? Her mom will like her, right?

 

Jisoo opened the door and noticed the fresh sunflowers right away.

 

“Jhope came..” she said softly.

 

Taehyung turned to her.

 

“When? And how did you-..?”

 

“He’s the only one who knows that my mom likes sunflowers..” said Jisoo smiling. 

 

Taehyung smiled seeing her looking relieved.

He was worried about her and maybe Jhope as well..

They did become close in that one week he spent at his house..

And he did help him in understanding his feelings more..

 

Then his eyes went to Jisoo’s mom who was lying down on the bed.

 

“You must have taken after your mom..” he said whispering to her. “You look just like her..”

 

Jisoo chuckled.

 

“Everyone says so..” she replied. “My mom looks pretty, doesn’t she? My dad said he married her because she was the prettiest in their neighborhood back then..”

 

She smiled as she remembered those few memories she had when her family was still complete.

 

Her dad was a prankster.. and her mom was the quiet type.. 

She doesn’t know it either how her father managed to capture her mom’s heart.. 

Maybe her dad made her laugh a lot?

Her mom had a pretty smile.. and her dad had a loud voice..

 

She sighed a little.

She’s missing them the most today..

Wouldn’t it be nice to introduce her first boyfriend to the two of them?

 

Her dad might have scolded her.. and her mom might interrogate Taehyung all night!

 

She was still imagining things to herself when she heard Taehyung clearing his throat.

 

She turned to him.

 

“Good afternoon.. Mrs. Kim..” he said bowing before her mom. “I am Kim Taehyung.. your daughter’s boyfriend.. please take care of me..”

 

Jisoo smiled.

She loves it that Taehyung is giving respect to her mom like this..

 

She was always afraid of being judged for having a mother in coma..

There were other kids back then who mocked her for not having parents..

Because her father committed suicide and her mom fell sick because of him..

 

But Taehyung doesn’t seem to care about it.. instead he sympathizes with her and gives her consolation..

 

“Can I sit here beside her?” asked Taehyung turning to Jisoo. “I want to-..”

 

He stopped as he noticed her eyes were tearing up.

 

He went to her and held her by her shoulders.

 

“Why? What’s wrong?” he asked worriedly.

 

Is she feeling sick?

She was just smiling a moment ago and she’s suddenly crying now..

 

Jisoo shook her head as she wiped her tears.

 

“Don’t mind me..” she said as her eyes went to her mom. “I’m just.. happy.. because I know my mom is also happy at this moment..”

 

She pulled him to sit just beside her mom.

She organized the roses he had brought into a vase before sitting beside him.

 

“Thank you for the roses..” she said to him. “My mom would be really glad.. if she saw them..”

 

Taehyung held her hand.

 

“From now on.. I’ll come with you to visit her every week..” he said looking at her. “Maybe if she hears more voices.. she will wake up sooner..”

 

Jisoo smiled as she turned to her mom.

 

“Did you hear him, mom?” she said softly. “Taehyung oppa said he will come with me to visit you every week-..”

 

She took a deep breath before she continued.

 

“So please.. wake up.. so I can introduce you.. to him..”

 

Taehyung put her head on his shoulders.

 

“She will wake up soon.. just wait a little more..” he said whispering to her ears.

 

He doesn’t know how painful it is for a daughter to see her mom in that state for ten years.. knowing she isn’t in peace.. knowing her mom is fighting her own battle silently everyday.. while Jisoo herself is doing everything she can to support her mom and herself..

 

Maybe he’s luckier that his parents have already passed away.. because he didn’t see them suffering for a long time.. because he knows they are at peace now..

 

Jisoo’s eyes watered as she looked at her mom.

She was suddenly reminded of that day again..

 

That day that changed her life..

 

“It was my fault..” said Jisoo softly.

 

Taehyung patted her on her arms.

 

“Don’t say it was your fault-..”

 

Jisoo shook her head.

 

“It was my fault..” she said again. “It’s all because of me.. that my mom is lying down in front us.. and that.. my dad is not here anymore..”

 

Taehyung furrowed his brows.

 

What could have happened for her to say with her own mouth that it was her fault?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*10 years ago*

 

 

 

“Wow! This looks really cool, dad!” Jisoo exclaimed as she hugged her dad. 

 

Naeun, Jisoo’s mom, looked worried as she watched her daughter holding her new bike.

 

“Why did you buy her a bike?” asked Naeun to her husband Dan. “She almost fell down and got hurt last month..”

 

Dan smiled.

 

“It’s an advance birthday gift to our d