“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all - ~ Emily Dickinson

4

Taehyung woke up. He heard his father's car pull up in the driveway. He sighed. It had been a shitty night. He couldn't sleep well. Giving up any hope of having a decent bout of sleep. He grumpled out of his sheets. He went to the driveway to look at his father but was surprised to see another middle aged man with his father. Tae was kind of shocked. His father rarely brought his friends home. Of course, he met them outside but rarely at their home especially when he has been away from his wife for so long and he knew she missed him. Well it must be someone important, he thought. Thinking how his mom is going to be pissed as she must have been waiting for him to join her in her slumber so that she could wake up to his husky voice.

Tae chuckled. His dad was going to get his ass kicked tonight. With a smile he went to his washroom to shower and get ready even though it was a Sunday. He could work a bit from his home office he thought.

Tae went down and saw his father and his friend having a cup of tea in the garden. He went to them after taking his cup of hot water from the kitchen that was instantly warmed by the househelp for the young master. Like everyday. He made his way to his father and bowed and greeted both of them.

'Ahh, you are here Taetae. Meet my friend, Jeon Haem.' Tae's father introduced them to each other. Tae kept listening to them talking as they had their tea as Tae kept sitting their with half his mind on the calmness on the morning whereas the other half Listening to the old friend's conversation.

A few words from Mr Jeon caught your attention. 'I am telling you Kim, I don't know what the hell goes inside that brat's head. Half the time he doesn't listen to me and the other half just ignores me. I have no clue how he is going to handle my company. The worst part he never learns anything from my Joonie. Sometimes, I wonder what wrong we did when we could raise one angel son how could we go so wrong with this other one.' Mr Jeon ended his rant and took another sip from his tea.

Tae's father laughed and said, 'It's nothing like Jeon I met him on last convention. He only shows he doesn't care. He was very meticulous with everything and very respectful not at all a brat.'

'I am glad at least he shows respect to others. Honestly speaking I know he is a good child.. Life has just been a bit harsh to him...' Mr Jeon looked into the distance as of lost in some painful memories. Tae was quick to notice the look. He knew too well what it meant.

'Anyway, I wish someday he meets Tae and learns something good from him.' Mr Jeon says.

'Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something Jeon. That is why I asked you to visit us.' Mr Kim said and looked towards Tae. Tae could sense that his father was uncomfortable becuase of him. So he took their leave politely and went to his mother. Though, it would be understatement to say he wasn't shocked. His father usually never hesitated to say anything in front of him.

Thinking of this he didn't realise when he landed himself outside his parent's room. He had so many memories just at the door of the room. Whenever he would be worried he would come and stand here and one of his parents would notice him and call him inside. He didn't know why his feet had brought him here today. He knocked and heard his mother's 'Come in baby'.

Tae pouted, 'How did you know it was me and not someone else?'

'Hahaha! A mother knows everything.' Ye Sura said. Tae came and sat on the side of the bed. His mother sat a bit away from him at the dressing table wearing her earrings. She looked at Tae from the mirror and saw his under eye bags. Saw the vacant look in his eyes and the fake smile he always plastered on his ehen she was not around. She picked up her necklace and tried to close the clasp.

'Let me eomma!' Tae said as he tool the clasp in his hands and helped his mom knowing full well his mother found it problematic to clasp her neckpieces and always looked around for her husband before any party so that he could clasp it.

Tae secured the clasp and adjusted his mother's hair, looked at his mother in the mirror and said 'Beautiful Angel' as he smirked.

'Yeah! Don't make fun of your old mother. Find a guy your age to flirt with. These Kim men I tell you, irritating me to the core.' Ye Sura fake grumbled to hide her blush knowing full well Tae purposely said what her husband always say to embarrass you. Ye Sura gets up from the dressing table stool and sprays rose water on her face and finally goes towards Tae and holds his ear.

'Aish sorry mom. Sorry.' Tae whined.

'Better'. Ye Sura said and left his ear.
'Now tell me why did you not sleep last night?'

'Umm.. it's nothing like that mom.' Tae said hesitantly.

'Taetae, I might have gotten old but I haven't lost my senses. Some would still call me young looking at my skin, you know. ' Ye Sura chucked.

'Haha yeah mom' Tae said. His smile not exactly reaching his eyes.

Suddenly, Ye Sura's demeanour changed. She took Tae' hand in her hands and said, 'Do you trust me Taetae?'

'More than myself mom. Why are you asking like that? Everything is okay right?' Tae asked shocked.

'Yes, Yes, everything is alright. It's just... I am worried about you.'

'I am okay mom. Don't worry about me.' Tae said.

Ye Sura looked at him and said, 'Tae I want to get you married.'

Tae breathed, 'Mom... Umm.. i don't... I don't know... I haven't... Um.. mom you know...' No matter how hard he tried. He wasn't able to form a sentence and complete it. Of course, he wanted to be married and he wanted someone. But Tae had always had trouble trusting people. His sexuality didn't help either. Even if he could find a boyfriend, he didn't know how he could explain his feelings. His mother understood him he never really needed to explain his feelings. He wasn't good at expressing them. Tae looked down at his hands as his mother looked at his face imagining his inner turmoil.

'Tae, I know you don't want a woman. I respect that. I have my eyes on a nice boy. He is a little troubled right now but he is good. I promise. Trust me. He will make you happy. I know you are not good at feelings but i have this hunch that things will work out with him. I am not forcing you to marry him just liek that. Go, meet him. Maybe you will also like him.. If you don't like him, no one will pressurize you. I promise' Ye Sura urged her only son.

'I need some time to think mom...'

'Of course darling. You can tell him whenever you are ready.' Ye Sura says.

'What's his name?' Tae asked looking down. Embarassed all of a sudden.

'Jeon Jungkook'

An: please vote and let me know if you are liking where the story is going.