5 Minutes More 》 KTH ✓ (Book Two)

Remember

March 17, 20XX
Tuesday

I'm rushing down the hallway, the nurse following after me.

Visitors aren't allowed during this time, but she made an exception for me.

With the baby asleep in the nursery, I finally had time to visit Taehyung.

As I sprint, Jungkook's phone call plays in my head.

"Taehyung's been in an accident..."

Struggling, I focus on the getting to Taehyung.

"While crossing the street...a car hit his side hard. He...he flew back, landing on his head. T-there was so much blood..."

Tears storm down my face, looking back at the nurse for directions.

"He's at the same hospital and just woke up the other day..."

The nurse rushes to my side, pointing down a hallway as she whispers, "Room 486."

"He remembered his name and a c-couple other things..."

Sprinting through, I read all the room numbers until I see his.

"But Jennie..."

I slide open the door so rough, it jerked slightly forward.

"...There's something you need to know."

Panting, I hold on to the door frame, eyes meeting Taehyung's as he slowly looks up.

"He has forgotten most memories before the accident."

My eyes scan over all of Taehyung, noticing the bruises and scars, and the bandage over his arms and around his head.

"E-Excuse me?" Taehyung's voice rose slightly, sounding startled by my sudden entrance.

I connect my eyes with his, fearing the worst.

"Are you lost?"

With a silent gasp, I bring up my hand to cover my mouth.

He couldn't have...

A hand on my shoulder causes me to look back.

The nurse lets me know she will be sitting outside, giving us privacy.

Taehyung sits up more, frowning as I'm left alone in the room.

Taking steps closer, I make way to his bed, legs trembling the whole way.

As he looks at me, his face softens slightly.

"Why are you crying?"

Until he pointed it out, I had not realized that tears were rolling down my cheeks.

"Taehyung..." I say his name, hoping and wishing that this was all just a moment of confusion.

He reacts to his name, but not to me.

I feel my legs wanting to give out and I slowly kneel next to his bed, burying my face on my arms resting on the bed.

Letting the silence swallow me, I cry.

I think about nothing else, but the numbness of my heart.

Because that's all I could take right now.

Not our past, not the future, not our baby, not us...

Nothing.

All of a sudden, I feel the warmth of his hand come over mine.

Sniffling, I lift my head up in confusion.

"We're married."

I blink away the tears, hope building up.

But following his gaze to our matching wedding band, it all withers away.

"Yes."

Taehyung holds my hand tightly, his head ducking lower. "I'm sorry."

I wipe away my tears, looking at him with knitted eyebrows.

"I'm sorry that I've forgotten. It must hurt you..."

I rub my thumb along the back of his hand.

For now, just having him here is enough.

I'm thankful for that at least.

"You're hurting more," I whisper afraid to what's under the bandages.

Taehyung tilts his head, "Why are you here at the hospital? Were we in the accident together?"

I shake my head, tears brimming my eyes all over again. "No...I had our baby...our son, Yejoon."

Taehyung's eyes widen. "I have a son?"

I smile sadly.

"Was I rushing to you? Is that why..."

I look down.

Do I tell him he missed the birth?

"Taehyung, do you know what happened to you? Do you really not remember anything?"

Taehyung brings up a hand to his head, pain etching on his face immediately.

"N-no-"

I quickly bring down his hand, squeezing it as I try to calm him down.

"It's okay, let's take this one step at a time, okay?"

Control whatever it is your feeling, Jennie.

It's not about you right now.

Taehyung's shoulder drop.

"They say...that it's retrograde amnesia."

Retrograde amnesia?

"It's where I forgot everything before the accident... which explains why I can't remember you, but also..."

His eyes drop down, his voice getting raspy, "They believe I may never get those memories back."

No.

It can't be.

My throat burns and all I can do is look away to hide the pain written all over my face from Taehyung.

As my hand slips away from his, he tightens his grip on it.

"I'm sorry."

I look up at him, teary eyed.

Nothing I hate more than those two words.

"It must hurt like hell, but I promise that I'll try my best to make up for it. To live my life again as Kim Taehyung. I promise..."

All that I can say is, "Why?"

Taehyung wipes away my tears with his thumb.

"It's the least I can do, because I may never remember you..."

My heart shatters.

"...but unfortunately, you will always remember me."