I carried a secret within me - stage 3 cancer. Only my family knew, for I chose to shield the world from the weight of my diagnosis. Each day was precious, filled with moments of love and laughter. I wore a mask, hiding my fragility from friends, fearing their pity. But I found comfort in simple joys and embraced the beauty that surrounded me. In these final days, I strived to live with grace and gratitude, leaving an imprint of love on the hearts of those I hold dear.

Taehyung, my best friend, remained unaware of my secrets. Neither did he know about my disease nor my feelings for him. Our bond was precious, and I dared not risk it by confessing my love. The fear of losing him outweighed the desire to reveal my true feelings. So I cherished our friendship, cherishing the moments we share, even if my heart yearned for something more.

With a heavy heart, I dialed Taehyung's number, craving the attention of his company. The phone rung, and my anticipation mixed with a tinge of uncertainty. He answered, his voice warm and familiar.

"Hey, Taehyung. I was wondering if we could hang out today," I asked, my voice laced with a quiet hope.

There was a brief pause on the other end, followed by a hint of hesitation. "I'll try, but I have a date scheduled with Minji for this evening, so I'm not sure if I can make it," he responded, his words tinged with regret.

A pang of disappointment resonated within me, but I quickly masked it with a forced smile. "No worries, Taehyung. I understand. Have a great time on your date," I replied, attempting to sound nonchalant.

We exchanged a few more pleasantries before saying our goodbyes. As I hung up the phone, I felt a mix of emotions swirling within me. Part of me longed to be his priority, to have him by my side in these uncertain times. But I pushed those thoughts aside, reminding myself that our friendship is a cherished treasure, one that I'm not willing to jeopardize.

---

The passing days had blended into a haze of sickness and solitude. My absence from school weighted heavily on my heart, and the silence from Taehyung amplified the ache within me. Not a single call or text, leaving me to wonder if I've slipped from his thoughts entirely.

Whispers from friends reached my ears, carrying gossips of Taehyung's newfound busyness. They spoke of his time spent with Minji, his girlfriend, painting a vivid picture of their togetherness. Each word stung, a painful reminder of the growing distance between us.

---

As I step foot into the school hallway, a sinking feeling washed over me. There, in plain sight, stood Taehyung locked in a passionate embrace with Minji. My heart clenched with an ache, the sight burning into my memory like a cruel brand.

Unable to bear the pain any longer, I turned on my heels and rushed to my classroom. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if carrying the weight of a shattered dream. Tears blurred my vision, threatening to spill over, but I fought to keep them at bay.

As the bell rung, signifying the end of the class, I braced myself for the encounter I had been dreading. Taehyung's presence was suddenly before me, and I couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope amidst the ache in my heart.

"Hey," he said, his voice laced with concern. "I noticed you haven't been coming to school. Are you okay?"

I swallowed hard, forcing a weak smile to mask the pain. "Yeah, I wasn't feeling too well," I replied, my voice trembling slightly.

He furrowed his brow, genuine worry etched on his face. "You should've told me. I would've checked up on you."

A pang of bittersweet longing swept over me, knowing that his care and concern were reserved for a friendship, not the love that lies hidden within me. My voice barely above a whisper, I responded, "It's okay, Taehyung. I didn't want to bother you."

His expression softened, but then he said something that twisted the knife deeper into my wounded heart. "Why don't you come and meet my girlfriend, Minji? I'm sure she'd love to get to know you."

The words hit me like a blow, but I forced myself to nod, my voice betraying none of the pain I feel. "Sure, I'd be happy to meet her," I replied, my voice strained.

As Taehyung led me toward Minji, my heart pounded in my chest, anxiety coiling within me like a serpent ready to strike. We approached her, and I offered a polite smile, despite the unease that festered within.

Minji's eyes briefly flickered over me, her expression tinged with amusement. She smirked, sizing me up, before finally speaking. "So, this is the famous Y/n? Taehyung talks about you all the time."

I offered a weak smile, my voice laced with a hint of nervousness. "Nice to meet you, Minji."

She chuckled, a hint of condescension lacing her tone. "Oh, the pleasure is all mine, I'm sure."

Taehyung interjected, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Come on, Minji, be nice. Y/n is a great friend."

Minji raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Oh, I'm sure she is," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Just look at her. Quite the catch, isn't she?"

The words hit me like a sucker punch, leaving me momentarily speechless. Taehyung shifted uncomfortably beside her, his gaze darting between the two of us.

I gathered my strength, refusing to let her words break me. "Well, we all have our own unique qualities, don't we?" I replied, my voice steady despite the tremor in my heart.

Minji smirked, clearly relishing in her role as the tormentor. "Sure, if you say so. But you know, Taehyung and I have something special. Something you can only dream of."

Taehyung's discomfort was palpable, but he remained silent, his eyes darting between us, unable to find the right words.

I took a deep breath, my voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of pain. "I'm happy for you both. I hope you cherish what you have," I said, my gaze meeting Taehyung's for a fleeting moment before turning to leave.

As I walked away, the weight of Minji's cruel words echoed in my ears, reverberating through my wounded heart. I retreated to a place where I can nurse my wounds in solitude, finding solace in the knowledge that my own worth is not defined by someone else's opinion.

In the depths of my pain, I clung to the flickering embers of self-love, vowing to rise above the hurt and continue on my own path. For I know that true happiness awaited me, even if it lied beyond the realm of Taehyung's affection.

---

Sitting in the stark white doctor's office, anxiety coiled in my chest, I waited for the verdict that I knew would shatter my world. The doctor entered, his expression etched with concern, and I braced myself for the inevitable.

"I'm sorry, Y/n," he said gently, his voice laced with sympathy. "There are no more treatment options available. Your condition has progressed, and your heart could stop functioning at any moment."

A wave of sadness crashed over me, engulfing me in its suffocating embrace. Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them back, refusing to let them fall. The reality of my limited time sunk in, a heavy weight settling upon my shoulders.

Leaving the doctor's office, I found myself yearning for solace, a temporary distraction from the bleak prognosis that now hung over my head. In a moment of vulnerability, I reached for my phone and texted Taehyung.

"Hey, Taehyung. I know it's been a while, but would you like to meet up? I could really use a friend right now."

As I waited for his response, a glimmer of hope fluttered within me, desperately seeking refuge from the pain. His reply arrived, and my heart skipped a beat as I read his words.

"I would love to, Y/n," he wrote, his response tinged with regret. "But Minji isn't comfortable with us meeting. I'm sorry. Maybe some other time if I can."

Those words striked me with a force I never anticipated. The pain that surged through me was a bitter reminder of the growing distance between us, a reminder that our once unbreakable bond had been overshadowed by the presence of another.

Tears spilled over, tracing silent paths down my cheeks as I struggled to make sense of the heartache that engulfed me. The realization that I was no longer a priority in his life cut deep, leaving me wounded and raw.

---

Author's POV ;

In the bustling cafeteria, the atmosphere was filled with the clatter of trays and the chatter of students. Minji and Taehyung sat together at a table, their faces flushed with a mixture of excitement and desire. Their gestures carried an undertone of flirtation, their words laced with innuendos as they playfully teased one another, lost in their own little world.

Their playful banter was abruptly interrupted by the loudspeaker crackling to life, capturing the attention of every student in the room. The familiar voice of the school principal resonated through the air, commanding silence as he addressed the somber news that had cast a shadow over the school.

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please?" The principal's voice rung out, carrying a weight of formality that demanded reverence. "It is with deep sadness that I must inform you of the passing of our dear student, Y/n. She fought valiantly against stage 3 cancer, but unfortunately, her battle came to an end."

A hush fell over the cafeteria, the energy in the room shifting from animated chatter to stunned silence. Taehyung's eyes widened, shock etching itself onto his features. In that moment, the world seemed to come to a standstill as the reality of Y/n's absence washed over him.

With a mix of urgency and remorse flooding his heart, Taehyung swiftly retrieved his phone from his pocket, his trembling fingers dialing Y/n's mother's number. His heart pounded in his chest, his anxiety mounting as he waited for the call to connect.

As the line finally connected, he heard the quivering voice of Y/n's mother on the other end, her sorrow palpable even through the crackling connection. Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to steady her voice, her heart breaking as she replayed the painful truth to Taehyung.

"Taehyung, she had stage 3 cancer," she said, her voice choked with grief. "We didn't want to burden her friends, so we kept it a secret. She fought so hard, but in the end, her body couldn't endure any longer."

Remorse gripped Taehyung's heart like a vice, squeezing tightly as the weight of his actions and his obliviousness settled heavily upon him. The realization of his missed opportunities to be there for Y/n, to offer comfort and support, filled him with an overwhelming sense of guilt.

As he listened to Y/n's mother's sobs on the other end of the line, he found himself at a loss for words. The weight of his remorse hangs heavy in the air, a haunting reminder of the precious moments he can never reclaim.

In that moment, Taehyung's heart became a canvas painted with regret, regret for the moments not shared, the words left unsaid, and the love unexpressed. With a heavy sigh, he vowed to honor Y/n's memory, to carry her spirit within him, and to never take the precious connections in his life for granted again.

---