*Pain - Uncontrollably Fond*

Taehyung hurries out of there. The air suddenly feels very heavy. Being this close to Hong after so many years made him feel things he used to feel. How he longs to run his hand through her beautiful hair, cup her cheeks into his hand and tell her he loves her. He loved her. He loved her so much that it hurts. Why did he have to touch her cheek? No, he does not remember anything! He forgot everything about her.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a car honking beside him. He gets in the car. The hour long drive felt like an eternity to him. He was alone in the dark, only with thoughts of Hong to give him company.

FLASHBACK

"Babe it's okay. It's just a tunnel. It will pass." Taehyung says hugging Hong and rubbing her back. All he could hear was her silent sobs. "Babe please don't cry. I am right here. Shh...It's all okay."

Tae never understood Hong's fear of dark places. He was told that it might be because of a childhood trauma but he doesn't want to ask her until she feels that she should talk about it.

The tunnel was 15 minutes long and when Tae saw a bit of light ahead of them, he rubbed Hong's back , "Baby, see we are already out." But he sees Hong sleeping in his arms. All he could do was stare at her and wish that this moment never fades away. All he wanted was her to forever, be in his arms just like this.

He tells the cab driver to slow down a bit so that she could sleep peacefully.

FLASHBACK ENDS

The darkness seems to make things worse for Tae. He tried but he can't get her out of his mind. He covered his face as he felt weak and tears start to roll down his cheeks. Now all he could do was cry.

The driver stops in front of Tae's house. He felt a bit relieved that this is the last time he was meeting her. He gets out of the car and notices the lights in his house were SWITCHED ON! It means that..Hye Jung is back! Even though they were just engaged and they hadn't moved in, they still had keys to each other's house. Being here with Hye Jung was a better option than being alone with Hong's thoughts. Although, he met Hye Jung only a month and a half before, she became close to Tae and his family. She was there with them when the hospital wasn't doing well. More importantly she understood Tae and became the friend he needed when he lost himself.

"I think she is the perfect girl for you." Tae's mom suggested during a family dinner with Hye Jung.

"I would gladly call you mom. And who gets a chance to marry their first love?" Hye Jung chuckles.

"We should set up a meeting with your parents then!" Tae's dad said cheerfully.

"I don't think so they are willing to. They wanted me to marry someone else and I refused. I did not want to be in a loveless marriage." Tae gulps at that. He could not do that to a friend.

Later, when they finished dessert and Hye Jung was about to leave, "Wait, I'll drop you home. It's late and a cab won't be safe now." Taehyung says grabbing his keys.

"Omooo... Already? Don't worry Tae, you can stay out all night. We won't wait up for you." His mom chuckles and Tae turns all red. Hye Jung laughs a little before saying her goodbyes.

As they reach Hye Jung's house, she puts her hand on Tae and he flinches at the touch. She understood the signal and took her hand away.

"Tae, I know you don't love me the way I do. I know you see me only as a friend. I know I am not the one who makes your heart beat like no tomorrow. But I can assure you this won't be a loveless marriage."

"But..." Tae looks at her, confused.

"Because the love I have for you will be enough for the both of us." She kisses his cheek slightly and goes towards her house. All Tae could do was stand still and stare. He thought that this might be the time to finally move on.

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Tae snaps back from his thoughts when he sees the front door slightly open.

"Hye Jung-ah...Are you home?"

No response.

Suddenly the landline rings and Tae picks up the phone. All he could hear was incoherent speech from the other line.

"Mom, mom, Calm down and tell me what happened. Are you okay?"

"Tae...the papers...the cash...everything is gone. She took them...I can't find your dad...she took him too...."

"Mom, what are you talking about? Where is dad?" Tae is now very worried.

She explains him everything between her sobs.

"Mom, don't worry. We will find dad. I promise." Tae hesitates a little but finally asks her,

"Mom, is the patient named Jung Yoon Do still there?"

"Tae, your dad has been possibly kidnapped, your fiancé robbed us and ran away and you want to know about your damn patients?" She says angrily between the sobs.

"Mom please, this might be important." Tae pleads.

After a long silence, "No, it seems like he was discharged yesterday by...Hye Jung...But the details..."

"What about them mom?"

"It says that all he had was minor surgery and can be discharged. But he was treated for a bullet wound right? Also here it says that you were the only surgeon along with your assistants. Tae, what is going on? What is all this about?" She asks with a worried voice.

"Mom, I swear I'll explain everything but not now. Please go back home and take a rest. Love you ma, don't worry."

"But Tae..."

Beep.

Tae runs upstairs and looks at his locker.

"I knew it." He clenches his fist.

The hospital papers were gone!

*Edited by - Krutisha Kayasth 🐒*