Wildest Dreams | Taekook

Chapter- 5

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As the last bell chimed, signaling the end of another day at college.

Taehyung and his friends walked out of campus, excited to enjoy the evening. The air was cool and fresh, with hints of spring all around. Students were chatting and laughing as they filled the sidewalks. Among them were Taehyung, Seojoon, J-Hope, and Suga—a close group of friends who had grown even closer through shared classes, late-night studies, and endless fun together since childhood.

Seojoon, who always liked to get straight to the point, turned to Taehyung with a playful smile and asked, “So, what’s the plan for your 22nd birthday, man?”

With a resigned sigh, Taehyung shared his plan for the evening: "Nothing, just gonna sleep after dinner as always." It was a response that spoke volumes about his lack of enthusiasm for the occasion.

For Taehyung, birthdays were more of an inconvenience than a cause for celebration. He couldn't understand the fuss that surrounded them, especially when it meant being woken up at midnight by well-meaning family members eager to mark the occasion with cake and candles.

As he spoke, memories of past birthdays flooded Taehyung's mind, each one a bittersweet reminder of unmet expectations and dashed hopes. He remembered the disappointment he felt when his parents failed to notice his preferences, gifting him with items that didn't align with his tastes or interests. The video game they gave him one year was the same one he already owned, and instead of his beloved black, they presented him with blue clothes, assuming it was his favorite color.

With each passing year, Taehyung's excitement for gifts and celebrations dwindled, replaced by a sense of resignation and disillusionment. It was a feeling that had taken root deep within him, fueled by years of unmet expectations and unfulfilled desires. He had stopped expecting anything from his parents, resigned to the fact that they would never truly understand him or his wants.

And so, as his friends continued to discuss plans for his birthday, Taehyung couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment from the conversation. For him, birthdays were a reminder of the disconnect between expectation and reality, a reminder that sometimes, the people closest to you are the ones who let you down the most..

As Taehyung made his way through the familiar halls of his house, he could sense the familiar buzz of activity that always surrounded his birthday. The soft clinking of pots and pans in the kitchen signaled his mom's preparations for what would undoubtedly be a lavish meal. His dad's presence added to the atmosphere, a comforting presence that reminded Taehyung of the family gatherings that had become synonymous with his birthday.

In the living room, his grandpa sat on the sofa, his weathered hands expertly shaping pieces of sweet treats. It was a scene that Taehyung had witnessed countless times before, a ritual that played out like clockwork every year. And yet, despite the outward appearance of celebration, Taehyung couldn't shake the feeling of detachment that had settled over him like a heavy shroud.

With a sigh, Taehyung retreated to his room, seeking solace in the familiarity of his own space..

Taehyung had already eaten a lot with his friends earlier that day, on purpose. He filled his stomach just so he wouldn't have to eat the big fancy dinner his mom probably made at home. Even though he knew he’d probably get hungry later, he decided to stay in his room. He just wanted to avoid the overly sweet but suffocating attention that always came with his birthday.

As he settled onto his bed, the soft glow of his phone casting shadows across the room, Taehyung couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt at his decision to distance himself from his family. But it was a choice he made out of self-preservation, a small act of defiance against the expectations and obligations that had come to define his birthday year after year.