Remember Me

Chapter 24

I woke up with a warmth clinging to my front, and in my daze I snuggled into it cozily. It wasn't till a few moments later when my eyes flew open and I realized that I was digging into another person. I was staring up at Jimin's sleeping face, with my own face squished into his chest. I slowly tried to move, only to realize he had an arm locking me in place, and I'd placed my arm under his to hold him too.
A million thoughts raced in my head: Oh my god. Why do you move in your sleep so much, Zara?! This is nice. This is wrong! I need to move! I don't want to move. I'm sleepy. Should I go back to sleep and make it his problem for whenever he's up? I could hardly think straight as I felt the contours of his body on mine, me wrapped in his stupid addicting detergent scent, and his light breathing on my forehead.

I decided that it would be unfair for Jimin to have to deal with this, especially when he had a girlfriend he had to return to soon, so I quickly pried myself from him, so fast that he groaned a little at the sudden coldness, but adjusted back in his sleep right away. It took me a second to breathe and calm down, but I went ahead, freshened up, and made us some breakfast.
In a bit, I heard Jimin yawn from his room, and took his plate to him. "Wash up," I said as I handed him the food, unable to make eye contact in fear of embarrassment. "There were eggs and spam in the fridge, but the other stuff's expired. I threw 'em out."
I turned to leave but he gently grabbed my hand. I felt a shiver go up from his touch and turned to look at him in surprise. He had a strange look on his face, and a lopsided smile, but he just shook his head and let me go.
"I'll do the laundry and order lunch. You take it easy."
I blinked and blushed as I stared at his goofy smile. All I could do was mumble a little "sure" as I ran out of the room, feeling spoiled in this illusion, this dream. It was like a delicious, addicting taste of something I could never have, someone I can never call my own.

_______________________
Jimin

When I woke up this morning, it was earlier than Zara, for the first time, and boy was I thankful that I did. I woke up with a weight clinging to my chest, and looked down to see Zara's peaceful face as she slept, her arm wrapped around my waist. I almost laughed. Zara, that's rather forward of you, isn't it? I didn't expect that. I chuckled internally.

Not wanting to ruin the moment, but not wanting her to let go, I slowly put my arm around her and tucked her in closer to me ever so slightly. As I stared at her face in the brightening rays of the dawn, I wished I could stop time altogether, but with the lull of her breathing, I too fell back asleep. When I next woke up, I almost stopped breathing.

I don't know since when the simple things had been getting to me, but just seeing Zara with her hair back in a messy bun and in my oversized shirt and shorts made me want to run and hug her, maybe get down on a knee. With embarrassment I realized we were already engaged.
I couldn't resist looking at her, and when our eyes met, I knew deep down that this was the woman I wanted to be with for the rest of my life, the face I wanted to wake up to every morning.

Both of us had a lot of work to do that day, and my time was divided between chores and learning more about my musical career.

Once we'd eaten lunch, Zara asked if I was ready to go back to her apartment.
I pouted childishly, "We have to go back? Why?"
She looked at me in surprise before her cheeks got a little pink.
"I mean, no, this is fine... I just need to go to a party tonight, so I have to fetch... clothes and all that. You want to stay here?"
I walked up to her and smiled, "Let's stay here for now? You should get your stuff over."
Zara looked at me like she was ready to say yes for a moment, but then something clicked behind her eyes and she pulled away from me. "I... don't think that's a good idea."
"What do you mean...? Why not?"
"There's already rumors surrounding us. We don't want to create any misunderstandings..."
"Misunderstandings? Zara, we're engaged."
"I know... it's just... it's just not right. We can stay here, but I'll bring a futon or something."
I stared at her, struggling not to let my feelings of disappointment show. She clearly held back from me, from what we had... and for what? I don't know. I couldn't do much but trust her and acquiesce to her request.

"Let's go to your apartment for now then. I'd love to come back here sometime."
She gave a pained smile and rubbed her forehead. "Yea, we can be back soon. You might have a better chance of recovering your memories here."
I wanted to comfort her, ask her what was on her mind, but I knew she wouldn't respond. And I bet the reason was lost somewhere in my memories. I remembered my story from last night, and knew that I could wait for her, forever if need be. I think I could search high and low and never find a woman like Zara again, someone who understood me and fit with me so perfectly.

It wasn't until much later that night did that faith start wavering, and I realized what I might be losing.

A couple of hours after she'd left, I felt bored and tried doing some chores in Zara's apartment. When I couldn't find the cleaning bleach, I sighed and decided to call her to ask her where it was. But when I called, the person who picked up was definitely not Zara; it wasn't even a female voice.

"Hello?" A man picked up her phone, and for some reason the voice rang as familiar in my head. I paused for a moment.
"Hi... who is this?" I asked, suddenly feeling a little fearful.
"I could ask you the same...?"
I froze, wondering why he had such an accusatory edge to his voice, why he'd picked up her phone.
"Can you ask Zara to call me back once she's by her phone?" I asked softly, with dawning realization.
He simply hung up without a word.

I sank to the floor, feeling limp as I was stung by the betrayal. Is... Zara cheating on me?