The Ardent Lovers

014

When Dahyun stepped out of the bathroom after a hot shower, the sound of the hair blower echoed in her ears. Turning to its source, she found Taehyung drying her bag along with her things that were inside it.

Hearing the door creak, Taehyung spared her a glance as he said, "You're done? I've prepared a cup of milk for you."

She only nodded in reply as she saw the cup on the desk beside her bed. She sat at the edge of the bed and when her icy hands grasped the cup, she found comfort in the warmth it gave. Looking back at Taehyung who continued on fixing her wet things, she realized that between the two of them, it was always Taehyung who travelled the extra mile to show that he cared.

She wouldn't claim that she cared less for him than he cared for her. She believes that they equally love each other, but it was always Taehyung who gives extra effort to prove how much he loves her.

He'll even make it rain if he needed to.

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It was in the spring of her second year high school when Taehyung found Dahyun along the hallway, blankly staring outside the school's windows. She didn't even notice that he was already standing beside her until he coughed.

"Oh, sunbaenim," she smiled but Taehyung didn't fail to notice how gloomy her eyes were.

"Is there something wrong?" he bluntly asked.

He saw how worry crossed her eyes, but then she faked a smile again as she sighed and said, "I was just wondering if it'll rain today."

Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows as he stared at the sky. It was impossible.

"Why?" he asked.

"Just," Dahyun shrugged her shoulders, "I think I need some rain."

When the bell rung, Dahyun quickly bowed to say goodbye and Taehyung was left staring outside. But then, it did not take long before Dahyun heard running footsteps before her, and a hand pulled her to turn. While confusion was written all over her face, Taehyung's was painted with a big smile. Before she knew it, she was dragged to their school's garden.

"Wait here," Taehyung said as he situated her in the middle of the field.

Even before Dahyun could ask, she felt little drops of water land on her skin. She looked up and the sky was still very clear and blue. The sun's rays were even blinding her eyes but at the same time, she was being drenched. She let out her palm and smiled as water started accumulating on her palm.

It was raining.

"Well, technically, it's not rain," Taehyung said as he stood in front of her, "But I think it would be enough to hide your tears."

He knew how she always wanted to appear strong even if she was breaking inside but she could never deny her vulnerability, so the solution she resorts to most of the time is to conceal it. Crying in the rain was one of her ways but she couldn't remember how Taehyung discovered about her secret.

"It's okay now, Da," Taehyung urged and gave her a reassuring smile, "You can tell me."

With just those words, her walls crumbled down, and she started crying. She tried covering her mouth with both of her hands to muffle her sobs, but then, Taehyung removed them, and instead let his chest be her pillow. He hugged her tight, caressing her back to give her the support she needed.  

"I really miss my family," she cried, "I miss my mom."

"You're going to see them soon at the family day."

"I won't," she sobbed more, "They said their money is not enough for them to travel to Seoul."

Taehyung could only close his eyes and hug her tighter as he whispered, "We'll find ways, Da. You're going to meet them. I promise."

And Taehyung never broke his promise.

It was in the summer of the same year when Dahyun stood in the hallway, staring outside the window as the rain poured down. Not too long later, she heard footsteps running towards her. When she turned, she found Taehyung, gasping for breath. As she smiled, that of a genuine one, he sighed in relief.

"My tears are not always scheduled with the time of the rain," she teased.

Taehyung chuckled before saying, "You don't need to wait for the rain. You already have me. I bet I do a better job of comforting you."

But even after that day, Dahyun kept anticipating for the rain because she knew that every time the rain would fall down, Taehyung's mind would be filled with no one but her.

----------

Dahyun was disrupted from her thoughts when she felt a towel land on her head. She put down the now empty cup on her desk.

She looked up to witness him sigh as he said, "Your hair's still wet."

Instead of drying it by herself, she pushed her back towards Taehyung's chest and the latter understood that she was making him do the job. She was hugging her knees while she sat in between Taehyung's legs. She closed her eyes as Taehyung ruffled her hair with the towel. She loves being pampered, especially when it's Taehyung. After all, she would only let herself be weak and vulnerable in front of people she knew would protect and take care of her.

Taehyung stared at her at the mirror and as he saw her swollen eyes, his gaze on her softened. Putting the towel aside, his arms circled on her waist and he pulled her closer to him.

He whispered, "I'm really sorry."

"It's okay," she tried to convince him as she patted his head.

But Taehyung shook his head as he said, "No. I should be the one drying your tears, not the one behind them. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

She turned around and faced him. Seeing his eyes filled with worry and sadness broke her heart. It was her turn to envelop him in an embrace.

"There are no perfect relationships, Tae," she told him, "But only few are worth fighting for."

Taehyung nodded as he hugged her back whispering, "Just two years more, Da, and our love would also be given freedom. I promise."