At that moment, the world slowed down for Taiga. He was surrounded by silence. He was stunned where he was standing, his body felt like lead. His eyes focused on one thing…
Ten Minutes Ago
“Sorry, but I gotta go, guys.” Taiga said with a smile on his face as he stood up from his seat.
“You don’t even look sorry at all. Not one bit.” Yugo rolled his eyes. “That’s what happens to people in love.”
“I know the feeling,” Hokuto said. “And I know someone who’ll be interested in Yugo.”
Yugo let out a sigh while shaking his head.
“Maybe you should find love too.” Taiga blew them a teasing kiss before making his way out of the bar.
Taiga took out his phone once he was out in front of the bar. Juri had messaged him and sent him a picture of the gasoline station close to the bar where he met up with Yugo and Hokuto to catch up. His friends extended an invite to Juri but his boyfriend declined politely as he wanted Taiga to still be able to enjoy alone time with his friends. Juri had been coming along with them often after all.
Taiga knew better than to send Juri a bunch of messages while he was driving, he only replied that he had seen the message and will be waiting by the lamp post near the bar for Juri to easily spot him. The read stamp was enough for him to know that Juri was on his way to him.
He placed his phone back in the pocket of his coat. He did not really bring a bag with him anymore since Juri had told him he’ll be picking him up whatever time he wanted to. Taiga confidently went out of their shared apartment with only his keys, wallet, and phone. Fully trusting that Juri would know what he would need and even be on call for whatever.
Taiga looked up and turned sideways to face the intersection where Juri would be driving by any minute now.
Not too far, he could already spot Juri’s silver Audi, which came at a full stop just as the light turned red. It was the only car in the road at the moment.
60 seconds… just 60 more seconds…
Two Years Ago
Taiga had arrived at the bar a little too early than the time he and his friends agreed to meet up. The bar was a bit full as it was a weekend but he was still able to get a seat by the bar. He ordered a daiquiri to start the night.
“Hello there, pretty.”
Taiga inwardly groaned. He had just got there but it seemed like there was already someone that wanted to disturb his peace.
“I’m not interested.” Taiga said without even looking at the stranger.
“Oh come on, pretty boy.” The man invaded his personal space and he could already smell the alcohol on his breath. “Just one drink and a dance. It won’t hurt.”
The man’s hand was ghosting on his shoulder but there was a sudden movement that pushed the man’s hand away.
“He said he’s not interested.” Another guy said. This time, Taiga looked in his direction.
The new guy was lean built and had various piercings on his ears. Lean guy’s gaze on the strange man was intense, like he was intent on making the man leave Taiga alone.
“Tsk. Buzzkill.” The strange man walked away. When he was at a considerable distance, the lean guy had relaxed his stance.
“Thank you,” Taiga said.
“It was nothing.”
“Taiga?” Someone called on him.
Taiga looked towards the direction where he heard his name. “Jesse! Yugo’s not here yet though.”
“Oh dang,” Jesse said. “You’re alone waiting for them? In a crowded bar? You should join us. I see you’ve already been acquainted with Juri. He just looks like that but he means no harm.”
“Thanks, man.” The lean guy, Juri, said. “That was really the first impression I was going for.”
“Well, let’s have Taiga join our table while he waits for his friends and get you some time to clear your image.”
The night ended with Taiga looking at Juri’s contact number on his phone before he fell asleep.
One Year Ago
Taiga groaned loudly as he joined Juri on the bed. “Hold me.”
Juri placed down the manga he was reading and opened his arms to welcome in Taiga. “Finally finished with your project?” He kissed the top of Taiga’s head.
“It will never end as long as this client demands for revisions. Graphic design is hard enough, I even have to deal with these kinds of clients.”
Juri held Taiga closer. “What can I do to make you feel better?”
“Hm,” Taiga squirmed in Juri’s hold and looked up to for them to be face to face. “You’ve been coming over a lot because of my busy schedule. Almost as if you live here.”
“My apartment doesn’t miss me nearly as much as my clingy boyfriend does.” Juri quickly pecked on Taiga’s forehead.
“Since you’re apartment doesn’t even miss you that much, why don’t you just move in?”
“Taiga, are you sure about this? Moving in is a lot different than just staying over each other’s place.”
“I am,” Taiga had a relaxed smile on his face. “I’m sure about this. I’m sure about you. I’m sure about us.” He leaned up to lock their lips together. “Say yes.”
“I’ve been sure about you the moment you agreed to be mine. Yes, I would love to move in with you.”
60 seconds…
50 seconds…
Juri was not one to speed up at night. He always told Taiga it was more dangerous to drive fast when there were not many cars on the road. But a few seconds of waiting was nothing.
10 seconds…
The moment the light turned green, a few seconds passed before Juri started driving again. Just as he was about to cross the intersection … a speeding truck hit his car.
At that moment, the world slowed down for Taiga. He was surrounded by silence. He was stunned where he was standing, his body felt like lead. His eyes focused on one thing…
Juri’s car that turned due to the collision.
“Taiga, you forgot your —”
“JURI!!!”
Hokuto was quick enough to hold Taiga before he could run over to the toppled car. It was a struggle but while holding down Taiga, Hokuto was also able to dial the emergency number to report the accident.
“JURI!!!”
One Year After
“Hey, Juri. My love.” Taiga said as he slipped a ring on Juri’s fingers. He placed his hand on top of Juri’s, placing their rings on top of each other. “They found this along with your other things. They said you weren’t allowed to wear it as it can block circulation or something but I got a go signal from your doctor. I just had to promise not to put it on for long on you.”
The only other sound in the room was those made of the machines hooked up on Juri and the airconditioning unit.
“You’ve been fighting a long battle, my love. I’ve been here with you. Working independently did have its perks, huh? I can do my work right here in your room. My love, I hope that you can still feel my love for you. I hope you still hear my voice.”
One year. One year that passed by longer than it should have. One year of Juri being in a coma. The doctors said there was a possibility of Juri waking up. But it has already been one year. And Taiga felt so bad about putting Juri’s body through all these machines without his consent.
“We’ve been fighting for your life, my love. I do want you to live. My only wish for the rest of my life is for you to wake up.” Taiga’s voice was starting to shake, tears pooled in his eyes. “My love, I want you to live. But… but if you’re tired of fighting… It’s okay to let go.”
Taiga got up and kissed Juri’s forehead. “My love. My life. If that is what you choose. It’s okay to let go.’