"Good afternoon, Mrs Chi," Yoongi cheerily greeted his elderly neighbour, on his way back from getting groceries.
"Good afternoon, dear," she greeted him back and indicated the bags with a nod of her head. "Is there a special occasion?"
"Ah." Yoongi lowered his head and looked at the vegetables that stuck out of the bag. "It's my girlfriend's birthday today, so I thought I'd cook her favourite meal."
"I see." The old lady gave him a sympathetic look. "She was a very lucky girl."
"Yes." Yoongi grinned and bid the lady goodbye before entering his house.
"Poor boy." Mrs Chi shook her head and turned to her friend. "How many years has it been now?"
"Two," her friend answered. "Such a shame, she was so young."
"Yes, such a tragedy."
The old ladies continued to gossip, and Yoongi stepped over the threshold of his home and slipped off his shoes.
"Yoongi, you're back!" An enthusiastic voice sounded out in the quiet hallway. Then a tiny figure jumped at him, throwing herself into his embrace. "Welcome home!"
"I'm back." His smile strained at the edges and he released the girl, then moved towards the kitchen. He set the groceries down on the side and movement showed in the corner of his eyes. A flickering figure could just be made out, and he swallowed the lump that was in his throat.
☽
The girl sat patiently before the table and waited for him to finish cooking. The smell of her favourite food wafted from the kitchen and lingered about her. If it was possible, she was sure her stomach would be rumbling.
"Here." He placed a steaming plate of food in front of her and then placed his own down on the opposite side. Straightaway he dug into the food, whereas hers was left untouched.
"Yoongi..." She spoke after he was done eating but was interrupted by the flames that appeared in her vision.
Tears streamed down Yoongi's pale cheeks and his hands trembled as he held up a cupcake, with a singular candle burning brightly on top of it. Unshed tears glistened in her own eyes, but it was no longer possible for them to fall.
She moved closer to the crying male and thought of ways to comfort him, however, no matter how much she tried she couldn't touch him. She would never be able to again.
"Happy Birthday, Byeol."
And as the candle was blown out, and the flames disappeared, so did she.
