AROHA

I take a deep breath of fresh air as I step out of the car, I felt suffocated from the travelling and the car ride. 

Instantly, I feel a hand slip into mine, and I smile. Yoongi oppa's hand has changed over the years. It used to be soft, but now it's rough, calloused, and much bigger than mine.

"Oppa? Is this... our old house?" I ask softly, my voice laced with nostalgia.

He hums beside me, a gentle sound of acknowledgment, keeping his other hand on my back as he gently guides me forward.

Suddenly, a loud screeching sound pierces through the air, pulling me out of my reverie. I grip Yoongi oppa's hand tighter, my heart racing as I become aware of my surroundings.

Before I can ask what's happening, a body slams into mine, nearly sending me to the ground. I would have fallen if it weren't for Oppa's steady hand on my back, keeping me upright.

"Aroha... you're back."

I immediately recognize the voice—it's a bit different now, more mature, but still unmistakably my sister. Without hesitation, I throw my arms around her, desperate to feel her close, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"Cassie..." Her name escapes my lips, my voice trembling as tears spill from my unseeing eyes.

I hear her sob in response, her own emotions breaking free. Our embrace tightens, as if holding each other could somehow make up for all the lost time, for all the words left unsaid. We cling to each other, the weight of our shared emotions too heavy to contain.

She was my best friend, my partner in everything, the keeper of all my secrets. We used to cry and laugh together, sharing every moment like it was our own little world. 

We'd spend hours playing with dolls, crafting stories only we could understand. Those were simpler times, filled with innocent joy and endless imagination.

She suddenly pulls back, her hands cupping my cheeks with a familiar warmth. "Open your eyes." she pleads, her voice cracking. "I want to see my favorite blue eyes, Aroha." She coos at me

I knew she is crying and despite the ache in my chest, I can't help but chuckle softly. Slowly, I open my eyes.

She gently caresses my cheek, and I hear her sigh in relief. But deep inside, I feel a wave of desperation wash over me. If not the whole world, I just want to see her—my sister and my beloved ones—just once. But I can't. 

The darkness remains, and the ache in my heart only deepens knowing that probably I will never be able to see them.

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I sat on the soft couch, resting my head on my father's strong shoulder. His familiar scent and presence brought me a sense of calm. I'm finally back with them.

Cassie, ever the caretaker, had already wrapped a blanket around my legs because of the ache that had settled in from the long journey. 

Surrounded by their love, the exhaustion slowly began to fade, hearing them chatter and talk around reminiscing the past.

I didn't dare bring up my mother's memory, knowing it would cast a shadow over this precious moment. I didn't want to be selfish or ruin the happiness that surrounded us. 

The sadness had long been set aside; now, it was a time for joy and reunion.

Cassie is now a married woman, and Yoongi oppa has joined Dad's company, taking care of it and ensuring its success. Dad, too, seems genuinely happy with how everything is going.

I had feared that I might return to a broken family, that their lives would have been shattered in my absence. But seeing them now, so content and happy, fills me with a profound sense of relief and joy. 

Their happiness reassures me that despite everything, we're still whole as a family. I would do anything for them to remain happy.

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AUTHOR POV

Cassie paced back and forth in the hall, growing increasingly anxious as evening approached. Her husband still hadn't answered her calls.

She called again from the telephone, her patience wearing thin, and this time, he finally answered. 

"Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you for the past ten minutes!" she said, her voice laced with frustration.

"And I informed you that I have a meeting and can't attend the family gathering today." he said, his voice firm and final. He ended the call, leaving her heartache in his wake.

"My daughter?" her father called from behind. She turned, blinking back her tears, and managed a smile. "Yes, Dad?"

"Where are they? It's evening, and we were supposed to have dinner with them." he said. She replied, trying to stay upbeat.

"Dad, he's in a meeting and can't make it today, but Uncle and Seokjin are coming, I assure you." She offered a reassuring smile.

"Are you alright?" her father asked with concern. She nodded, smiling brightly. "Yes, Dad, everything's okay!"

As her father turned and left, she grasped the edge of the table and exhaled deeply, a tear rolling down her cheek.

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A man in his late twenties picked up the glass and downed the entire drink in one go. The burn in his throat and the numbing sensation in his mind momentarily eased his stress.

"Stop it, Taehyung, that's your seventh shot!" Jason, Taehyung's work colleague sitting next to him on the stool, said with concern.

Taehyung raised his index finger to the bartender. The bartender caught the signal and began preparing another shot.

"I'm definitely not driving you home—book yourself a taxi!" Jason said, huffing in annoyance.

"You sound like my wife, she also has a habit of running her mouth unnecessarily." he said, sneering. He picked up the shot glass, examining it as if it were the strangest thing he had ever seen.

"It's enough, Taehyung. You're going to wake up with a headache tomorrow." Jason warned. Taehyung turned on his stool and said, "You think this will make me drunk? I have more tolerance than you think."

"But why the hell do you drink so much? It's disgusting! At this point, you're practically inhaling alcohol!" Jason complained, just because he had to be the one who is dragged along. 

"What do you even know about me? You only see a rich man with a happy marriage." he sighed, slumping against the bar, feeling the coldness of the surface against his cheek.

"Let's go, it's getting late!" Jason said, but Taehyung remained still in his place.

"Taehyung?" Jason nudged him, but the man remained stiff and unmoving.

Jason stood up and turned, only to see Taehyung's mouth slightly open and his eyes firmly shut. 'This man had passed out on him again, hadn't he?' Jason thought.

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Cassie returned home with the family, she was eager to stay the night and spend time with her sister who had come after a long time. 

However, she had to because her husband had a party tomorrow which she had to attend with him.

She smiled and waved goodbye to Minji as the family headed to their own rooms after a long day.

She turned, her face contorting into a scowl as she stomped her way up to her bedroom. She tore open the door to her room.

She stood in the doorway, staring at her husband Taehyung, who lay face down on the bed, looking wasted with his shoes and coat still on.

Today, she had requested him so humbly to join her at the family gathering, but he claimed he had a meeting. Now, he looks completely wasted. Is this how he's going to treat her?

She strode to the bedside, raising her purse as if to strike his peaceful, sleepy face, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead, she dropped to her knees and began to sob softly.

Why does he refuse every request she makes? She's just his wife. It's not like he treats her badly—he's never even raised his voice at her. But it hurts to see him so careless towards her.

It hurts her to see that the person she loves doesn't love her in the way she needs. She shook her head and wiped away her tears.

She stood up and gently removed his shoes and socks from his feet and keeps it aside. She gently tried to remove his blazer. He reeked of alcohol, and his face was flushed red.

After successfully removing the blazer and placing it in the basket, she sat beside him and tucked the sheets around his body.

She pushed his hair back and gently ran her fingers over his soft cheek, cherishing the rare moment when she could properly look at and admire him.

"I wish that one day, you'll love me back."

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