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They were such a good pair. Loved by their friends, everybody wished them well and are certain that they will have a happy life ahead. At some point in their life, they start to agree with what others had thought of them. They were content with what they have.
It's not a secret that Minho's been wanting to take their relationship one stage higher, sealing their hearts with a ring on their fingers. His friends already had an earful of Minho's excited babbles of wanting to marry the younger for so long. As a good companion they always motivate him to go ahead and shoot his shot. It's now or never!, they said.
Until one night in a particularly warm season, Minho took Hyunjin to their tree house where they reside whenever they want some quiet time. Along with the sound of crisping leaves getting blown up by the wind, he proposed to Hyunjin. His hands are a trembling mess, resonating the pounding hearts inside his ribcage. The cigarette that was usually present in between his thumb and forefinger is no longer in sight, replaced by a silver ring with beautiful diamonds adorning the metal. Though Minho felt like he was about to combust at that moment, he is so excited to knit his future together with Hyunjin, as shown through the hopeful eyes that stare at his lover expectantly.
Much to his dismay, Hyunjin let him down because he just wasn't ready and probably never will be.
"I have thought about this long enough. And I appreciate you for wanting to start a little family with me. But Minho, I am not meant for marriage", stated the younger with fat tears welling in his eyes.
"So after all this time, I meant nothing to you?" was all Minho could ever utter.
Hyunjin huffed out a heavy sigh, flailing his hands in a random pattern gesturing that he did not even think of going that direction. His once gleaming eyes are now red with tears and frustrations, as he said, "I love you Minho, more than love allowed. I love you, I cherish you a lot but I never thought that I would be a good fit for someone like you. I have a dream to chase, I want to be free. I don't want to waste your planned life just to end up with someone like me."
The sudden turn of events broke Minho down. The ring dropped to the wood underneath them, bouncing a few times before it came to a full stop. As the sound of the rolling ring has ceased, guilt starts to eat Hyunjin from the inside, who can only watch his loved one slowly fall apart. In the worst of it all, sparks of love still remain in the deep of Minho's eyes, making Hyunjin feel like a villain for disappointing not only Minho, but their friends and families who have been nothing but supportive towards them.
The painful silence accompanied them as they took their time to process everything. Time was ticking too slow, as they eventually agreed to end things up for good, wrapping the story in them with the last line being quite aching. Sincere wishes barely rolled off of Hyunjin's tongue, somehow he can't say those words without having his heart getting wrenched every time he looks at the lifeless eyes before him. A relationship takes two souls to commit, so this situation is quite hard for both of them and not only one party is hurting.
After fighting the lump that formed on his throat from feeling too overwhelmed, Hyunjin managed to say one and two things he'd always wanted to say to Minho. He wished Minho to meet another soul to wed; one who could mend his heart, a soul so gentle who would treat him so much better than him for the past seven years. Minho smiled at that, the kind of smile that doesn't reach his eyes.
And for the first time in years, Minho lied.
Lying about his feelings, lying for saying "thank you" to Hyunjin's wishes, lying to himself to convincing that he would be better off without the younger.
Maybe Minho is still in denial, and failed to assure himself. In spite of all that, he doesn't think that he could eventually live without the presence of Hyunjin. How could he? When his everyday life involves the younger in the smallest details possible. From how he started his day with a brewed coffee over the small talks in their kitchen island, to how he ended his days after writing his diary entry with Hyunjin's head on his lap as he wrote. It's only natural for Hyunjin to become a part of his daily life. So how is he supposed to live without his Hyunjin henceforward?
His mind is in a frenzy, not any different from his heart that's been crying since the second the carefully-crafted ring dropped down the floor. But to love is to respect each other's decision, and that is exactly what Minho did. Letting the light of his life walk away, leaving him in the tunnel for God knows how long.
Minho might not be able to write a new book (with a new main character alongside him) soon after they broke things up. He is a firm believer that time will heal. But would it be selfish of him if Minho wants to rewrite their book, instead of starting a new one with a character that's yet to be revealed?