Let Go

Chapter 5- Recollection

The room was filled with gloomy light in bright orange color. The flame flickered with every passing wind from atop the chimney. Namjoon moved a little to the left so that Seokjin and Jungkook could sit beside him on the couch. He scanned Jungkook's weary face. "Will you be alright?" he softly asked, Jungkook firmly nodded. Hoseok threw a few more woods in the fireplace and then sat on the floor. The warmth of the floor is comforting considering he did not have a blanket to cover himself from the cold. Seokjin stood up again, he prepared some ginseng tea for each person in the kitchen. The cold started to dampen the cabin's woodwork. The scent of wet oakwood filled the air, contradicting the smell of the vegetable stew. He carefully served the tea along with the big bowl of stew. Hoseok pulled the short-legged table near the fireplace. Then, they all sat near the dancing flames which casted wobbling shadows on the walls and floor of the kitchen.

They had their dinner, all except Jungkook. Seokjin barely touched his food. As they drew closer to finishing their dinner, Namjoon started to tell the story. "Kim Taehyung. He was such a cheerful little fellow. He grew up at a small town in Daegu, in a family of farmers. During the recession period, his parents left to look for a better opportunity so he and his siblings could live comfortably. But his parents never returned. A few months passed and their town suffered in plague and only a few survivors were rescued, mostly, children. Among those was Taehyung. He was sent to the orphanage where I grew up," he begun.

"Taehyung was a quiet child when he first came to the orphanage. He's quite an observant and he would rarely play with the kids his age. Jungkook arrived a few weeks later. Before they all came, I was the youngest among the orphans along with a kid they called "hope". He and the older kids were soon adopted, and I was left becoming the eldest in the orphanage."

The story sounded familiar to Hoseok. "I'm sorry, but, I just need to ask. This Hope kid, were you ever close to him or her?"

"Yes, being born on the same year, we grew fond of each other. I could still remember, I gave him a necklace as a gift. I told him that when we grow older, I will leave the orphanage and come find him. It was silly of me to still hold on to that promise even when I am stuck here." Namjoon laughed drily.

"I don't think it's a silly decision though. I have one more question, the orphanage you are talking about... was it in Dalbang Institution for Orphans?"

Namjoon was shocked upon hearing the name of the place. "How did you--" he was cut off.

Hoseok rolled his sleeves up and unwore the silver bracelet underneath. "Are you... Randa? Is this the necklace you were talking about?" Hoseok dangled the bracelet which happened to be a necklace wrapped twice across his wrist.

They were both in awe and speechless with the discovery of this chance encounter. Seokjin got confused at this turn of events. Jungkook was just spacing out, his doe eyes were wide open.

The woods crackled again at the fireplace. Dark smokes went up the chimney.

"If you are Randa, then... this Taehyung you were speaking of is...?"

"Yes. Vante. Jungkook calls him V-hyung. The child who died the day you left the orphanage." Namjoon responded as if he read what Hoseok was thinking of.

This confirmation left everyone in stirring silence.

"Vante... what happened that day? I need to know." Hoseok pleaded as he stood up from where he sat, reaching out his hand to Namjoon.