chap 2

lTaehyung grimaced as he pressed his fingertips against his temples, feeling the dull throb of a headache pulsing through his skull—a relentless reminder of last night's endeavors.

He struggled to recall the events that had led him to this state, his memories fragmented and blurred by the fog of alcohol and smoke.

Yet, in a bittersweet irony, he knew all too well what had happened, the same old routine playing out over the past six months, burned into his memory.

The room spun slightly as he sat up, his senses overwhelmed by the lingering scent of liquor and stale cigarette smoke.

Rubbing his temples in a futile attempt to alleviate the pain, Taehyung winced against the harsh light filtering through the curtains, his thoughts muddled and disjointed, mirroring the daze from the night before.

He pushed himself upright, swinging his legs off the bed as he squinted, attempting to shake off the haze of sleep completely.

Suddenly, a nagging feeling tugged at the edges of his consciousness, a sense that something was amiss, something he couldn't quite grasp, jolting him fully awake.

Shaking his head and shrugging off the lingering unease, Taehyung stumbled into the bathroom to cleanse himself of the telltale scent of a drunkard. However, the feeling of wrongness persisted, refusing to dissipate even after freshening up.

With a sigh, Taehyung dressed hastily, his mind racing as he tried to pinpoint what was causing his gut to sink.

Despite his persistent thinking, he couldn't find what was out of order. In the end, he had to push his feelings aside, chalking it up to the aftermath of a restless night.

Skipping breakfast, with no appetite, Taehyung gathered his essentials with purpose, guided by a quiet resolve. Eager to leave the disarray of the house and the uneasiness behind, he stepped out into the fresh air and made his way to his car.

Sliding into the driver's seat, he started the engine, the familiar hum filling the space around him. As he pulled out of the driveway, he made a conscious effort to clear his mind and concentrate on the road ahead.

By the time Taehyung reached his office, the feeling of unease resurfaced with a vengeance, creeping into the corners of his mind like shadowy whispers. Try as he might, he couldn't shake the feeling this time.

Walking into his cubicle with an anxious heart, Taehyung grabbed his phone, hoping for some distraction from the relentless churn of his thoughts. However, what he found only deepened his sense of dread—three missed calls from Jungkook and ten missed calls from an unknown number.

His heart lurched in his chest, a heavy realization settling upon him like a shroud. Since the break of dawn, an insidious sense of foreboding had gnawed at him, each passing moment only deepening his unease.

It started with a subtle prickling at the back of his mind, a whisper of doubt that refused to be ignored.

As the morning wore on, the feeling intensified, his gut twisting with an unsettling certainty that something was amiss. Taehyung tried to dismiss it as mere paranoia, but the nagging sensation persisted, growing stronger with every passing minute.

And now, as he stood in his office, the weight of his premonitions crashing down upon him, he realized with chilling clarity that his gut feeling had been right all along.

Frantically, he dialed Jungkook's number, his hands trembling as he waited for the call to connect. Yet, his efforts were met with silence, the call diverted straight to voicemail, amplifying his growing panic.

Desperate for answers, he hesitated only momentarily before dialing the unknown number that had also haunted his missed calls. His breath caught in his throat as he held the phone to his ear, the anticipation of a response leaving him on edge, his mind racing with countless possibilities.

The call is picked up, and with a nervous exhale, Taehyung hesitantly asks, "Hello?”

"Hello, this is Seoul Central Hospital," a calm voice greeted from the other end of the line.

"Sorry?" Taehyung responded with a hint of confusion.

"Is this Mr. Kim Taehyung?" the voice asked, sending a shiver down Taehyung's spine as he braced for the worst.

"This is him," he replied, his breath catching as panic engulfed him.

"We regret to inform you that Jungkook has been involved in a serious accident," the voice says solemnly. "He's currently in surgery, and his condition is critical.”

Taehyung's breath catches in his throat, shock and fear gripping him like an icy hand. "Wh-what happened? Is he going to be okay?" he stammers, his voice cracking with emotion.

"The details are still unclear, but Jungkook sustained multiple injuries," the voice explains gently. "It's best for you to come to the hospital and speak with the doctor directly for more information on his condition."

Taehyung's mind churned like a turbulent sea as he grappled with the weight of the news. With a shaky voice, he managed to respond, "I'll... I'll be there right away." As he struggled to maintain composure, he added, "Thank you," expressing his gratitude for the hospital's consistent effort to reach out to inform him about Jungkook's condition, before cutting the call.

Without a moment's hesitation, Taehyung quickly informed someone in the office of the emergency before bolting out the door.

The fact that they were broken up meant nothing if Jungkook dies; he couldn't let their last conversation be truly their last, especially if, by chance, Jungkook doesn't make it. With his heart heavy with the weight of possibility, he raced towards his car.

With shaky hands, he fumbled for his keys, his mind consumed by thoughts of Jungkook and the irrevocable consequences of his own inaction.

Taehyung's grip tightened on the steering wheel as he drove towards the hospital, his resolve wavering amidst the onslaught of fear, regret, and disbelief.

The news of Jungkook's accident had hit him like a ton of bricks, shattering the fragile semblance of normalcy he had clung to since their breakup. Each passing second felt like an eternity as he navigated through the maze of streets, his heart heavy with worry and guilt.

Despite their breakup, the thought of Jungkook in pain stirred something deep within him. It wasn't just about their past together; it was about the person he still cared for, no matter what had transpired between them.

As he sped towards the hospital, a sense of urgency overpowered his doubts and fears. This wasn't about dwelling on what could have been anymore; his love for Jungkook ran too deep for him to turn away.

As he pulled into the hospital parking lot, Taehyung's pulse quickened with a sense of concern. Ignoring the dull ache in his chest, he sprinted towards the entrance, his footsteps resounding through the corridors bustling with activity.

With each passing moment, the gravity of the situation weighed heavier on his shoulders, threatening to suffocate him with the weight of uncertainty.

Finally reaching the reception area, Taehyung stumbled forward, his voice barely above a whisper as he asked for Jungkook's room. The receptionist's sympathetic gaze only served to fuel his rising panic as she directed him toward the elevators.

As the doors slid open, Taehyung stepped inside, his heart pounding in his chest. Each floor felt like an eternity as he ascended toward the unknown fate awaiting him on the surgical floor. His mind raced with a million possibilities, each more terrifying than the last.

Arriving at Jungkook's room, his breath stilled as he pushed open the door. What he saw before him was a stark reminder of the fragility of life, as Jungkook lay unconscious on the hospital bed, surrounded by beeping monitors that seemed to be keeping him alive. Tubes and wires snaked from his body, connecting him to various machines. A ventilator gently rose and fell with each breath, while IV drips delivered crucial medications to his weakened body.

Taehyung's breath caught in his throat as he took in the scene before him. After six months of silence and distance, seeing Jungkook in such a vulnerable state filled him with a mix of emotions.

Memories of their past flooded his mind, mingling with the anguish of their breakup. Yet, amidst the chaos of his thoughts, one thing remained crystal clear – his love for Jungkook, constant and unwavering.

Taehyung's steps faltered near Jungkook's bedside, his heart weighed down by worry. With cautious movements, he moved to sit on a nearby chair.

His gaze fixed on Jungkook's still form. With hands that trembled slightly, he reached out to brush a strand of hair away from Jungkook's face, his touch gentle and tender, as if afraid to disturb the fragile peace of the moment.

In that instant, all the reasons for their separation seemed trivial compared to the overwhelming need to be there for the person he still loved.

Taehyung's fingers lingered on Jungkook's cheek, the warmth of his skin a complete contrast to the sterile chill of the hospital room. He fought to hold back tears, his emotions threatening to spill over at any second. This surreal moment felt like a cruel twist of fate, a reminder of how fragile life truly was.

As Taehyung caresses Jungkook's skin, a tear or two slips from his eyes. he swiftly moves his hands to wipe them as a knock on the door preempts his action.

The door creaks open, revealing a middle-aged man in a white coat.

"Hello, I'm Doctor Shim," the man says as he enters the room. "I'm the attending physician who operated on Mr. Jeon. I'd like to discuss his condition with you, if it's alright."

Taehyung, visibly distressed, nods silently. "What happened? How did it happen?" he inquires, his voice tense with worry.

"Mr. Jeon was brought into the emergency room after an accident that occurred nearby," Dr. Shim explains. His voice maintains a steady demeanor as he continues, "Upon initial examination, we identified internal bleeding, which necessitated immediate surgical intervention."

"I want to assure you that we acted swiftly, and the operation was successful in addressing the internal bleeding," Dr. Shim continues, his tone reassuring. "As a result, Jungkook is currently stable and under close observation."

"In addition to the internal bleeding, Jungkook also suffered from a facial laceration, a shoulder dislocation, femur fractures, and unfortunately, several rib fractures that affected his breathing by putting pressure on his lungs. However, everything is taken care of. These injuries were promptly tended to, and he has undergone the necessary procedures to stabilize the fractures and address the dislocation and laceration."

After listening attentively, visibly concerned but relieved to receive detailed updates about Jungkook's condition, Taehyung simply says, "Thank you," his voice filled with gratitude.

Dr. Shim nods with a gentle smile. "It's my duty," he says warmly. "And yes, if you have any further questions or if anything comes up, please don't hesitate to reach out to me."

Taehyung agrees in understanding before asking the question weighing heavily on his mind. "When do you think Jungkook will wake up?" 

The doctor offers a reassuring smile. "If there are no complications, Mr.Jeon should regain consciousness by tonight," he replies optimistically. "We'll continue to monitor him closely to ensure a smooth recovery process."

Taehyung breathes a sigh of relief, gratitude evident in his expression. "Thank you, Doctor Shim," he says sincerely. "I appreciate all that you're doing for Jungkook."

Doctor Shim gives a slight smile before preparing to leave the room, pausing as he realizes he forgot to ask a crucial question. "I completely forgot to inquire about this earlier," he admits, his expression thoughtful. "Does Jungkook have any history of mental illness or psychiatric conditions? Witnesses of the accident reported to the paramedic that Mr. Jeon drove into the car."

Taehyung's brow furrows with concern at the question "What?" he pauses. "No, Jungkook doesn't have any history of mental illness," he replies firmly. "He's always been mentally sound."

Doctor Shim nods, taking note of Taehyung's response. "Thank you for clarifying," he says, his tone appreciative. "It's important for us to consider all aspects of the situation."

With that, the doctor exits the room, leaving Taehyung to ponder the implications of the last conversation.

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