Chapter 2

It was 11:30 pm.

Even though God doesn’t like that boy sleeping peacefully.

Suddenly there was a blackout in their area.

It’s not that good for Taehyung because he has nyctophobia.

Utter darkness causes his panic attack and that fear started when his parents locked him in a closet for a night when he was 6 years old.

He always avoids any situation that leads to darkness like a nightclub with fewer lighting, and late-night alleys.

Also, he used to keep a night lamp on when sleeping.

Even if he does that, it would trigger sometimes like this sudden blackout.

Now, he shot open his eyes and saw the whole room turned into pitch black.

His limbs started to shake slightly but he tried not to think about that.

He turned on the phone’s flashlight and approached the door.

But his panic raised when he can’t open the door. It was locked from the outside. His breath became unstable and he felt his mind become hazy.

He knocked on the door hard and received a burst of wicked laughter from the other side.

It was his father.

“you got guts to defend me now, isn’t it?

The apartment owner said there will be a blackout for some repair issues.

Now, learn your lesson for talking to me like that, you brat”

Then he laughed and added,

“and I took away the flashlights from your room. Enjoy yourself, my son”Then some footsteps can be heard as that demon walked away.

Taehyung searched for flashlights in his room but there were none.

“w-why?”

That’s all Taehyung can breathe out and his trembling got worse and he felt his chest tightening and discomfort.

He slid on the floor with his back resting on the wall bringing his legs close to his chest.

“you are alright, be calm”He mumbled these words repeatedly and played audio on his phone.

It was his granny singing his favorite song when he sleeps.She used to sing this when Taehyung felt low and cheered him up though it was a sad song.

It holds many emotions for Taehyung as it has a good memory with his granny hoping that it would calm him down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjwCPwYUa_w

(A/n: I love this song. I found this in a Spotify playlist. simple yet effective lyrics. Do listen to this)

he focused on his breath and closed his eyes hearing that song.

His discomfort in his chest slightly reduced and he only focused on his steady breath and that song.

After a few minutes, he heard his phone ringtone.

He opened his eyes and saw the ID. It was his friend Jimin.He attended to the call and kept the phone near his ear.

He heard Jimin speaking to him in a soft tone.

“hello taehyung ah, are you alright now? I saw some workers repairing near the electric box. I-I wanted to know”

Taehyung slightly smiled and answered in a weak voice,

“y-yeah, I-I”He breathed out and closed his eyes.

He doesn’t want to recall the moment now.

Then he heard Jimin answering him calmly,

“don’t worry tae, I’ll be in front of your house in a minute, focus on your breath tae.I’m with you now. You’ll be alright. You are strong and brave.”

Taehyung nodded and heard his best friend’s soothing voice that’s trying to comfort him.

“tae, open your window and see outside. I’m standing in front of your house.”Taehyung stood up and went to the window.

Jimin and Taehyung are living in the same neighborhood.

Their houses were separated by 11 buildings in between.so, it’s easy to get to his house.

They used to walk to school together with primary school and classmates.

Taehyung only trusted Jimin and lean on himself for comfort and a homely feel.

Jimin likes his friend so much and supports him in everything.

Then he saw Jimin waving at him and saying sweet things on the call.

He watched Jimin and sooner his breath became stable and his body stopped trembling. He muttered thank you in return.

“no need Tae, I’ll be there for you. are you alright now?”

“yeah chim. I calmed down and thanks for that.”

“it’s ok. I’ll ask the workers now. They should complete the work fast. Such irresponsible people, disturbing others this time”

Jimin said and went to the workers and asked them to complete fast in a stern voice.He nagged them until they finish the work.

Taehyung chuckled at his friend’s behavior. He is always like this, so caring.

After that, the night lamp radiated its golden glow in the room. He turned on the room light and saw the window.

“and here, the lights are back. Sleep well tae and happy birthday to my adorable taetae.”He said and anyone can see that eye smile radiating comfort.

“thank you Chim Chim for comforting me.”

“anything for this tae and I prepared for the room you asked. Tomorrow is the happiest day for you I think.”

“yes, Now go to sleep”

“ok, sleep well. I’ll always be with you from tomorrow. I’m so happy now”

“hmm, good night Chimchim. See you tomorrow”

“good night”

He hung up the call.

Then taehyung watched his friend walking away and giving death glares at the workers for doing the work at the wrong time.

“thank you chim”He mumbled and lay on his bed.

Slowly he closed his eyes with the secure and warm feeling of his friend supporting him.

~~~

Soon the sunlight hit Taehyung’s face indicating it was time to wake up.

He woke up and went to the restroom for the morning routine.

Then, he tried to open the door and it was unlocked. Good thing.

He opened it and went to Jimin’s home.

His friend wished him and gave him a bone-crushing hug.

he thanked him and ate breakfast there. Then He returned to his home.

He was sitting on the couch watching some series on TV.

Then he heard his mother’s voice calling him.

He turned his head in the direction.

“you know, you have to sign some papers today.”

He sighed and replied with yes.

“why not? Who wouldn’t like to leave the hell?”

He said and went to his room.

He started to pack his things and stacked his books and tied them.

he texted Jimin that he is ready.

After 15 minutes, he heard knocking on the door.

He opened and met with a familiar disgusting figure, his father.

“come down now, I think you know what I’m asking you now.”

Taehyung nodded and went to the living room.

His father looked surprised that he didn’t make any scene.

They are gathered in the living room with a lawyer.

His father started,

“you know everything, Mr.Choi. I want my father’s assets back to me now. Please proceed with the formalities. I don't care about other things."he said looking at his son.

The lawyer nodded and read about their assets information and placed a paper on the coffee table.

“so, your assets are registered in your son’s name. if your son signs and agree to give the assets, you may proceed further to change the names. Also, your son Kim Taehyung turned 18 and he should decide now”

They all looked at Taehyung.

“ok, I’ll agree. I’ll sign the papers and I want to read about the assets.”

His parents were shocked at his sudden approval but happy that there was not any drama.

Taehyung read the paper carefully and signed it.

“here it is, the wealth you always wanted”He spoke glaring at his father.

“also Choi shi, I want to ask something.”

His father’s face was fuming with anger now. always disturbing him.

“ok, what is it taehyung?”The lawyer asked.

“I want them to disown me completely like they should not meet me or have any connections with me in the future. I don’t want to have any responsibility for them.

I’m no longer their son now and is there any law to disown their child completely?”

His parents were stunned at his son’s words but not hurt. they are happy that they can be happy without him.

The lawyer's eyes widened and replied,“There are exactly no such laws. You are 18 now and you can leave the home and live by yourself. There is no right for your parents to control you now”

Taehyung nodded happily and replied yes.

He grinned and thanked the lawyer.

Their parents have never seen him so happy as that.

When the lawyer left, his father cleared his throat and started to speak,“I--- “

“I’m leaving the house. I’ll live in a dorm and let’s not meet ever again. Forget you have a son and lead a happy life with your greed and huge wealth. I won't come back to you again and this is our last meet I think.”Taehyung interrupted and walked to his room.

They both shrugged off.

Then Taehyung came down with his huge suitcase and a backpack.

“Don’t disturb me and I want you to do one last thing for me”

“burn all my photos with me in front of me now. There are only a few.”

His mother laughed and replied,"We didn't take any pictures of you. We only have one family picture for some registration purposes. Let's get rid of that now"

His father smirked and burnt his photo as he said.

He smiled and said,“This is the best birthday gift I've ever received.”

Then he approached the door and went outside.

He slammed the door shut and went to Jimin’s home.

~~~

He plopped on the couch in the living room.

He sighed in relief and a genuine smile escaped his lips. It looked so alluring and bright. It radiated relief and longing happiness. The smile looked so attractive coz it was back and faced lots of difficulties to decorate Tae’s face again.

Jimin hugged his friend after seeing his friend’s boxy smile.

"I believe you'll have all the happiness you deserve"Jimin said and smiled at his friend.

Then, Jimin's mom brought a cake and they celebrated Tae's birthday.

She always cared about Taehyung and it made her sad when they didn't treat that angel right.

She treated taehyung as her son.She used to pack him lunch and snacks for both of their sons and also give him pocket money to buy clothes and accessories.

Now she is happy that he came out of that hell.

She placed the cake on the coffee table and spoke,"Here it is. Make a wish and blow the candles"

Taehyung closed his eyes and held his hands together.

--My wish is to lead a happy life with my loved ones. I want to live with the love of my life in a utopia where I can't see my parents and with an everlasting spring season because I should live with the blooming blossoms blessing us with a happy life. --

Then he blew out the candles and they ate the cake.

They played some video games bickering each other. Their room was filled with laughter and giggles.

Jimin's mother smiled seeing their sons and went to work.

Little did they know, that happiness won’t last long.

👀👀