Do you ever wonder if your dreams carry whispers of a life you've lived before? Taehyung often found himself pondering this question, especially on nights when sleep brought him vivid scenes that felt far too real to be pure imagination. Lately, his dreams had been filled with fragments of a life that didn't feel like the present but carried an undeniable weight, as if they belonged to a past he couldn't fully remember.
In one such dream, Taehyung found himself reliving a bittersweet moment that had been etched into his heartâa culmination of years of silent longing and quiet hope. He stood outside the campus greenhouse, the setting sun casting a golden glow over the scene. In his hands, he held a bouquet of freshly picked flowers, their delicate petals trembling as much as his hands were.
There, just a few steps away, was Cha Gyunghoâthe man Taehyung had admired from afar for three long years during college. Gyungho had always been the center of attention, effortlessly charming with a magnetic presence that drew people to him. Taehyung had never dared to confess his feelings aloud until this moment, despite the endless hours he'd spent daydreaming about it.
Gathering every ounce of courage, Taehyung took a shaky step forward, his heart hammering in his chest. "Gyungho," he began, his voice soft but steady, "I like you."
The words hung in the air, as if time had slowed to a crawl. Taehyung held out the bouquet, the vibrant colors a stark contrast to the uncertainty flickering in his eyes. For a brief moment, he thought he'd miscalculated, that perhaps his feelings would remain unreciprocated, just as they had been all these years.
But then, Gyungho smiledâa warm, genuine smile that made Taehyung's breath hitch. Without a word, Gyungho reached out and accepted the bouquet, his fingers brushing against Taehyung's. The simple gesture was enough to fill Taehyung's chest with a rush of warmth, melting away the fears that had kept him silent for so long.
Despite dating for three years, Taehyung couldn't shake the hollow feeling that lingered in his heart. Gyungho, the man he had once adored with every fiber of his being, seemed incapable of reciprocating his love. Instead, their relationship left Taehyung feeling invisible, especially around Gyungho's friends, who made it their mission to humiliate him at every turn.
One afternoon, Taehyung decided to do something thoughtful, hoping it might bridge the emotional gap between them. He went to the basketball court, where Gyungho and his friends often spent their free time. Clutching a chilled bottle of water, he stepped onto the court, feeling the heat of the sun and the weight of unspoken judgment from Gyungho's circle.
As soon as Taehyung entered the court, Siwooâone of Gyungho's closest friendsânoticed him. His lips curled into a mocking grin, and his voice rang out loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Oh, look who's here," Siwoo jeered, his tone dripping with derision. "Gyungho's little feet licking boy has come running again."
Laughter erupted from the other players, their eyes following Taehyung as if he were some sideshow entertainment. Taehyung froze momentarily, his fingers tightening around the bottle. He tried to ignore the humiliation burning in his chest, forcing himself to keep walking toward Gyungho, who was sitting on the bench wiping sweat from his face.
But the taunting didn't stop. As Taehyung passed Siwoo, the latter deliberately bumped into him, his shoulder colliding hard enough to make Taehyung stumble slightly.
"You really think you've won, don't you?" Siwoo sneered under his breath, his words sharp and cryptic.
Taehyung didn't understand what Siwoo meant, but his mocking tone stung nonetheless. Still, he pressed on, determined to reach Gyungho. When he finally stopped in front of him, he offered the water bottle with both hands, his eyes searching Gyungho's face for any trace of warmth or affection.
Gyungho took the bottle without even sparing Taehyung a glance. His expression remained indifferent, as if Taehyung's gesture was nothing more than an inconvenience. Without a word of thanks, Gyungho stood and walked away, leaving Taehyung standing there, the laughter of his friends still echoing in the background.
Taehyung felt a crack form deep within his heart. His chest ached, not from the jeers of Gyungho's friends, but from the cold indifference of the man he had spent three years loving. For a brief moment, he wondered if all his efforts had ever meant anything to Gyunghoâor if he had been chasing a love that was never truly his.
It took timeâthree long, painful yearsâfor Taehyung to finally piece together the truth behind Gyungho's indifference. The realization struck him like a blow to the chest: Gyungho's heart had never truly belonged to him. It had always been reserved for someone elseâShin Jaea, Gyungho's childhood sweetheart and first love. Her name lingered in the spaces between Gyungho's actions, in the quiet moments that Taehyung had misread as thoughtfulness. Now, it all made sense.
As life often does, it took an unexpected turn. While Gyungho remained tethered to his memories of Jaea, Taehyung found himself rising to stardom. His deep, angelic voice captured hearts across the nation, transforming him into one of the most celebrated celebrities of his time. Yet, even amidst the dazzling lights and roaring crowds, Taehyung's heart carried the weight of a love that had never been fully returned.
On the day Taehyung and Gyungho were supposed to announce their relationship to the world, Taehyung felt a strange mix of excitement and dread. He had hoped this moment would be a turning point for them, a chance to solidify their bond publicly. But Gyungho had other plans. That same day, Jaea was returning from France after a decade away, and Gyungho was adamant about picking her up from the airport.
Taehyung waited for him in the dimly lit parking lot, desperation building as he clutched his phone tightly. When Gyungho finally appeared, Taehyung rushed to intercept him, his heart pounding with a fear he couldn't fully articulate.
"Gyu, please don't go," Taehyung whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. His wide, tear-filled eyes searched Gyungho's for any sign of hesitation, his hands reaching out to grasp Gyungho's arm. "Please... just this once. Stay with me."
But Gyungho's face hardened, his patience visibly wearing thin. He yanked his arm free from Taehyung's grasp, his voice laced with irritation. "Taehyung, can you stop being so unreasonable? Do you really think I have to attend every single concert of yours? I don't have time for this. Jaea just got back from France, and she doesn't know her way around here. If I don't pick her up, who will?"
His words felt like icy daggers to Taehyung's already fragile heart. He wanted to scream, to beg, to make Gyungho see the pain he was causing. But all he could do was stand there, rooted in place, as Gyungho climbed into his car and started the engine. The sound of the vehicle roaring to life echoed through the otherwise silent parking lot, each vibration resonating with Taehyung's shattered hopes.
Without so much as a backward glance, Gyungho drove off, leaving Taehyung standing in the darkness. His hand lingered in the air, where it had last held onto Gyungho, before falling limply to his side. In that moment, Taehyung realized that no matter how much he tried, he would always come second to someone who had held Gyungho's heart long before he ever could.