𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 [ Chapter - 8 ]

 

"Whispers of the Past"

The morning sun cast a golden hue over the grand gates of Seoul University. The campus buzzed with excitement — students walking briskly with coffees in hand, laughter echoing in the air, and a crisp breeze carrying whispers of the new beginnings.

The majestic main building stood tall and proud, wrapped in early sunshine, while cherry blossom petals gently danced to the rhythm of spring. It was the kind of day that felt fresh… hopeful.

But for three boys sitting on the stone bench near the economics department—things were far from simple.

Taehyung sat quietly in the center, fingers loosely locked, eyes staring at the grass below. Jungkook and Jimin flanked him on either side, waiting… watching.

The silence between them was thick, almost heavy, until—

Jungkook: "What?!"

His voice cracked the air like thunder.

Jimin: "Wait—wait—hold up. What did you just say?"

He leaned forward, both hands on his knees, eyes wide with disbelief.

Taehyung didn’t look up. He sighed.

Taehyung (calmly): “They fixed my marriage. When I was a kid.”

Jungkook (jaw dropping): “Bro, are you serious?! That’s insane! How can they just— I mean… without even asking you?!”

Jimin (angrily): “That’s not okay! This is your life, not a childhood board game! You should’ve taken a stand!”

Taehyung finally looked up. His eyes were quiet, but burning with something deeper.

Taehyung: “What makes you think I didn’t?”

Jungkook and Jimin both fell silent.

Taehyung (voice low, yet steady): “I tried. I fought. But... this decision wasn’t just his. It was hers too. That’s why... I said yes."

Taehyung’s voice was low, calm—almost like a whisper carried by the wind.

Jungkook and Jimin's faces immediately dropped, their playful spark replaced by a quiet sadness. Jimin stepped forward, gently placing a reassuring hand on Taehyung’s shoulder, his eyes filled with warmth.

Jimin: “If this is truly their decision... then the least we can do is respect it.”

A small smile played on all three of their lips—forced, yet comforting in its own way. Jungkook, trying to lift the tension in the air, threw in his usual teasing tone.

Jungkook: “Alright, alright, enough of the drama. Now tell me—who’s the girl you’re getting married to?”

Jimin: “Yeah Taehyung! Who is she? What’s her name?”

Taehyung inhaled deeply, as if he was bracing himself for a storm. Under his breath, almost too soft to catch, he whispered the name—

Taehyung: “Yn.”

But Jungkook and Jimin couldn’t hear him.

Jimin: “Come on, man! Speak up already!”

This time, Taehyung took a slow, deep breath… and finally said it out loud.

Taehyung: “YN.”

Silence.

Dead silence.

The next moment, both Jungkook and Jimin looked like someone had just electrocuted them—complete shock. But before long, their stunned expressions slowly melted into uncontrollable laughter.

Jimin (between laughs): “HA! Bro… are you serious?! You expect us to believe this?! Hahahaha! This has to be a prank!”

Jungkook: “YOU and YN? Dude—what?! Hahaha! Where did you learn acting like this? Oscar-worthy!”

Both of them literally collapsed onto the floor, laughing so hard that tears formed in the corners of their eyes. Taehyung stood there, completely unamused, arms crossed and eyes narrowed.

Taehyung: “ENOUGH.”

That one word—firm and commanding—was enough to shut them up. They immediately placed fingers on their lips like guilty schoolboys... though their shoulders still trembled from holding back their laughter.

Taehyung: “I’m not joking. YN’s father is my dad’s old best friend. And that girl... is none other than her.”

The air shifted.

Jimin blinked, the reality starting to sink in. He gave a long sigh and looked at Taehyung, half-pity, half-laugh.

Jimin: “Damn. At first I was really upset… but now, I just feel bad for you.”

Jungkook: “Same. I mean—dude, seriously…”

Taehyung rolled his eyes and walked away, muttering something under his breath.

The laughter faded. Jimin and Jungkook exchanged a look—serious, for the first time since the conversation began.

Jimin (softly): “Do you think… their chemistry will work?”

Jungkook: “Who knows? But if they are getting married… all we can hope is that they stay happy.”

Jimin: “Yeah… nothing else matters. Taehyung deserves happiness. Just… let them be okay.”

Jungkook (grinning mischievously): "This is turning into a perfect enemies-to-lovers scene."

Jimin (smirking): "Exactly! Now it's going to be even more fun. I better book my popcorn in advance."

Both of them burst into laughter.

Jimin (with a playful glint in his eyes): "But before the real drama starts... why don't we have a little fun of our own? Shall we head over to Yn?"

Jungkook (quickly): "Nope."

They exchange a knowing glance, mischievous smirks spreading across their faces. Then, in perfect sync—

Jungkook & Jimin (teasingly): "Mrs. Kim."

They place their arms over each other’s shoulders, chuckling like troublemakers, and walk off together, ready to stir up more chaos.

[Scene: University Canteen]

The canteen of Seoul University was nothing short of a chaos-filled symphony.

Students flooded every corner — some laughing over inside jokes, others glued to their phones, a few couples sharing shy glances, and a group of boys in the far corner arguing over who’d win the upcoming football match. The aroma of spicy tteokbokki, fresh pastries, and strong brewed coffee mixed in the air, tickling every hungry soul.

Glass walls allowed sunlight to spill across the marble floors. Trays clinked, chairs scraped, and laughter bounced off the walls. It was noisy… but full of life.

At one window-side table, sat four girls, their energy loud enough to match the rest of the room.

Hana, always the most dramatic, leaned forward like she was interrogating a criminal.

Hana: “Kaise?”

Sumi: (mouth half-full of noodles) “Kab?”

Hana: “Kyu?”

Sumi: “Kaha?”

Yn: (groaning dramatically, dropping her head on the table) “Kallllll...”

The girls stared at her like she was speaking in riddles.

Hana: “Okay drama queen, you better start explaining.”

Yn lifted her head, her face calm… but her eyes carried the weight of something deeper. She fiddled with the rim of her cold coffee, her lips parting slightly as she took a shaky breath.

Yn: “What could I have done? For the first time in my life… Appa asked me for something. And it wasn’t just a request—it was a wish. His respect, his emotions... they were all tied to it. How could I say no?”

Her voice cracked ever so slightly.

Sumi’s teasing smile softened, while Hana blinked, caught a little off-guard by the seriousness in her tone.

Sumi: “If this is your decision, then we’re with you.”

Hana: “Always.”

The three of them reached out at once, hands covering hers in silent support. Yn smiled, touched beyond words.

Hana: (grinning again) “Okay now that the emotional scene is over... who is the lucky guy, huh?!”

Sumi: “Yeah, and is he at least good-looking or do we need to cry for you?”

Yn’s heart skipped a beat.

Now or never.

She took a deep breath, avoiding their eyes, her voice barely a whisper—

Yn: “Ta... T...”

Hana: (leaning in dramatically) “Ta what? Taemin? Taesoo?”

Yn: (hesitating) “Tae... Ta...”

Sumi: “Girl, if you don’t say it now I swear I’ll explode—”

Yn: (blurting) “TAEHYUNG!”

Dead silence.

A long pause.

And then—

Hana: “Yn… do you see ‘stupid’ written on our foreheads?”

Sumi: (bursting into laughter) “OH MY GOD! Taehyung?! As in the Taehyung? You’re hilarious!”

Hana: (laughing uncontrollably) “This girl’s acting deserves an Oscar, I swear!”

Yn’s face fell.

Her shoulders slumped slightly, lips trembling.

Yn: (softly) “I’m not joking.”

The laughter faded, replaced with confused expressions.

Hana: (still unsure) “Wait… are you serious right now?”

Yn: “Yes. It’s true. Taehyung is the guy. His father is my Appa’s old friend… it was all decided long back. I didn’t even know… until yesterday.”

A stunned silence followed.

Sumi: (blinking) “Wait... our Taehyung? Like, Kim Taehyung? The guy you hate?”

Yn: “Exactly. That’s why... no one in class should ever find out.”

Her voice dropped to a serious tone.

Yn: “This secret stays between us three… and those three idiots—Taehyung, Jungkook, and Jimin. That’s it. No one else.”

Hana: “You mean... no one in the entire university?”

Yn: “Yes. Not a single word. If this gets out, my peace... or what’s left of it, will vanish.”

Sumi: “Understood. Secret. Sealed.”

Hana: (raising her hand) “I swear on all my skincare products.”

They all chuckled lightly.

Yn leaned back, staring at the ceiling like the world was playing some twisted joke on her.

Yn: “Welcome to my nightmare.”

[Time skip - After 2 days]

The morning was quiet, yet the sky was slightly overcast — as if someone had gently blown on old wounds. Yn walked slowly toward AN Multi-Speciality Hospital, her steps soft, heavy, almost hesitant… as though each one carried the weight of a thousand memories.

As she approached the main gate, her eyes caught the little flower stall by the corner, where an old man was arranging roses. She paused. Her gaze lingered for a moment before she picked up a soft white rose — just like she always did.

The moment she entered the hospital, the faint scent of antiseptic wrapped around her like an old, painful memory. The place felt strangely familiar — a mixture of comfort and ache that only she could understand. She pressed the elevator button and stepped inside, her fingers instinctively tapping the number 5.

The doors opened with a soft ding, revealing the long, silent hallway. Cold, quiet… and yet, her heart knew this path like it had walked it a hundred times.

Room 509.

Her fingers wrapped gently around the doorknob as she pushed the door open. Her eyes instantly landed on him — lying still, motionless. The sound of machines filled the air: the low beeping of the heart monitor, the soft whoosh of the oxygen mask, and the silence in between.

His face looked peaceful. Pale. Tired. A few strands of hair fell softly over his forehead. He hadn't moved in weeks… but to her, he was still everything.

Yn slowly walked in and sat beside him. Her gaze softened as she looked at him. Her hand reached out and gently rested on his cold fingers.

"You know… I got into another fight today," she whispered, voice barely above a breath. "But you weren’t there to stop me. You always did that, remember?"

A faint smile touched her lips, though her eyes glistened.

"You’re so protective… sometimes way too much," she said softly, a small chuckle escaping her. "Like you thought the world would hurt me the moment you looked away."

Her voice trembled.

"I miss you… so much. Every single day. Every little thing reminds me of you. I… I love you. So, so much."

There was a long pause as she stared at him, searching for any twitch, any flicker — anything.

"I know you're listening. I can feel it."

She leaned forward and gently kissed his forehead — a kiss full of care, of unspoken stories, of a thousand memories frozen in time.

"Come back soon… my world feels empty without you."

And just like every visit, she stood up slowly and walked out of the room, leaving behind a part of her heart once again. But today, there was something different in her eyes.

A small hope… quietly burning.

---

The car ride back home was silent. Yn sat by the window, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the glass. The city lights passed by in a blur, but her mind was still stuck in that cold hospital room, in the sound of those steady beeps, in the quiet warmth of her brother’s presence.

As the car entered the gates of the luxurious Jung mansion, she straightened up and took a deep breath, putting on the calm mask she always wore at home.

The moment she stepped inside, soft lights welcomed her. The house was glowing with elegance, but for her, it still felt a little too quiet… a little too empty.

“Yn, you’re home,” Mrs. Jung’s graceful voice echoed from the living room.

Yn turned toward her with a faint smile. Yn: “Yes, Mom.”

Mrs. Jung walked toward her, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor, holding a magazine in one hand and her phone in the other. She looked absolutely radiant in her silk pastel outfit, but her eyes scanned Yn with soft concern.

Mrs. Jung: “You look tired. Did you go… there again?”

Yn nodded quietly. “Just for a while…”

Mrs. Jung didn’t say anything more. Instead, she gently brushed a hand over Yn’s hair and sighed.

“Well, rest today. Because tomorrow…” she paused dramatically, a teasing smile playing on her lips, “you and Taehyung have to go for wedding shopping.”

Yn blinked. “What?”

Mrs. Jung raised an eyebrow. “Don’t act so surprised. The dates are already getting closer, sweetheart. It’s time you two stop fighting and start picking color palettes.”

Yn opened her mouth to protest, but Mrs. Jung cut her off.

Mrs. Jung: “No excuses. The stylists are booked. Outfits are ready for trial. And the Jung-Kim family wedding cannot look like a war zone. So behave, okay?”

Yn sighed dramatically and walked toward the stairs. “Great. Just what I needed — a full day with Mr. Attitude.”

Mrs. Jung chuckled softly behind her. “At least he has good taste in clothes. Maybe he’ll help you pick something decent this time.”

Yn turned slightly and narrowed her eyes. Yn: “I always wear decent—”

Mrs. Jung: “Goodnight, darling!” 

Mrs. Jung laughed and walked away, leaving Yn groaning halfway up the stairs.

As she entered her room and closed the door, she leaned her back against it, exhaling sharply. 

Yn: “Wedding shopping with Taehyung Kim… someone please save me.”

She glanced at her calendar… the date was coming closer.

And so was the storm.

[Scene: Kim Mansion]

The atmosphere inside the Kim Mansion was quiet, the kind of silence that echoed. A golden chandelier hung overhead, casting warm light across the vast living room. Mr. Kim sat on the couch, flipping through a few documents, his expression cold as ever.

Taehyung entered the room, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.

Mr. Kim (without looking up): "Be ready tomorrow. You’ll be going for wedding shopping with Jung Yn."

Taehyung stopped in his tracks, eyebrows tightening. His voice was low and stiff.

Taehyung: "I said yes to this wedding. But I never said I’ll be playing dress-up for it."

He turned around, clearly done with the conversation, and started walking toward the staircase. But just then—

A soft voice stopped him.

Grandmother (gently): "Taehyung… wait, my child."

He paused, eyes shutting for a second. That voice—it was warmth in a cold world.

He turned back, finding his grandmother standing near the hallway, wrapped in a light shawl, her kind eyes gazing at him with affection.

Grandmother (with a small smile): "What did you think… we’re sending you shopping only for this wedding?"

She stepped closer, her presence calm and loving.

Grandmother: "I needed to get a few things for myself… so I thought maybe we could pick something for you too. And for Yn as well.

You’re still my baby bear, aren’t you? Won’t you get some clothes for your old grandma?"

Taehyung’s jaw clenched slightly. He looked away, trying not to melt.

Taehyung (softly, yet grumpy): "Aish… you always do this."

Grandmother (smiling): "Does that mean you're going?"

A beat passed.

Then Taehyung finally nodded.

Taehyung: "I’ll go. For you."

Her smile widened, eyes twinkling like stars.

Grandmother (teasing gently): "Just wait… You’ll be the most handsome one at the wedding."

Taehyung rolled his eyes but couldn't hide the small smirk tugging at his lips. He didn’t say another word and walked upstairs—but this time, his steps weren’t filled with frustration.

They were soft… touched by a grandmother’s love.

******

"I hope you like it"

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