Tangible or Illusion

"The emotion that can break your heart is sometimes the very one that heals it." -Nicholas Sparks

Darkness.

That's all I could see and feel. There was this light-headed feeling as if I lost something. My mind wheel was still turning and processing everything around me. My brain felt rusty and unused almost like I hadn't touched it for days. I couldn't feel any emotions nor any pain; everything was a blur. What happened?

My eyes twitched and throbbed to be opened. My hands felt empty and heavy at the same time, my body weak yet firm.

I slowly pried my eyes open.

Bright light blurred my vision immediately. I had to blink a couple of times to adjust to the light and the surroundings. White. Everything was white exactly contrasting to what I experienced before. I made out a red cross pointed on a post up.

Hospital?

The door burst open revealing a white-dressed nurse.

She walked towards me with a steel tray and put it on a table to my right to turn around. As her eyes landed on me she gasped visibly and stood staring at me for a while. She then rushed out of the room without a word.

I tilted my head in confusion.

After a minute or so a male rushed inside, the doctor I presume with the white coat and stethoscope, two nurses behind him. He paced towards me with a gentle smile reaching his light brown eyes.

"You woke up, Mia," he said taking his stethoscope and placing it in his ears. He placed the tip on my chest and checked my heartbeat carefully. I heard him hum and retrace, "You're perfectly alright" he smiled again.

"How long have I been here?" my voice felt hoarse surprising myself.

"A week to be least," he said watching me intently.

"What happened?" I squinted my eyes.

"You don't remember?" now it was his turn to squint.

Suddenly, everything rushed into my head in a flash. Liya being kidnapped, my alliance with Haneen, abandoned place, fighting them, me being hit, me collapsing and Jimin running to me.

Jimin!

I shot up from the bed with wide eyes. I opened my mouth to ask where he is then I realized they couldn't see him, closing it reluctantly. I looked around the room but there was no sign of him. He said he won't leave me, right, he should've been here then. Did he go back to his body? No, he can't leave me like this. Or...oh my god!

My entire body froze.

"Mia, I know you have a lot to know," the doctor smiled at me placing his hand on my tensed shoulder, "I'd contacted your family. They'll be here any moment and explain everything to you, okay," he stood straight, "Just rest" then turned around to leave.

"Doctor!" I called as he turned around. I gulped and touched my bandaged head. That wasn't a dream then, "I got hit in the head, right? Does that mean I forgot any memories or...did my memories alter in any way?" my voice quivered.

He looked at me confused then he thought for a while, "No, there isn't much damage in your brain as far as I've checked. But there can be, considering the spot where you got hit. What's it, Mia? Did you forget something?"

I shook my head vigorously my hand clutching the bed sheet, "No"

"I'll check again if you want, just to make sure," he said and left.

I slumped down on the bed thinking about what he said. With shaking hands, I reached out to where my blue crystal necklace should be instead was met with my own skin. My mouth filled with bile as I struggled to swallow the huge lump in my throat. I was right.

That was all a dream.

All of it.

Jimin didn't exist. At least, the ghost version. He might be the force that brought me to wake up or something. I mean it's possible considering the place I got hit just like the doctor pointed out. I touched my bandaged head absent-mindedly, thinking about all the possibilities. I should accept the truth, Jimin doesn't exist.

All those moments we shared. The smiles, laughs, cuddles, hugs, and...kisses, are all my imagination. The soulmate thing, everything. Were they all my subconscious' work but they felt so real?

Unknowingly, a tear flowed down my cheek.

He promised not to leave me but look at me.

I'm alone.

Again.

The door opened again. For a moment I thought I would see Jimin walking through with that signature eye smile of his and hug the air out of me but my face fell after seeing my mom and Diya walking...scratch that...running towards me.

My mom engulfed me into a hug which I gladly returned letting my tears fall. She sobbed into my shoulder but held me tight no matter what, rubbing my back.

"You're alright," she whispered in between the sobs.

I opened my eyes to see Diya standing there and crying like a child. I chuckled and gestured for her to come closer. She immediately hugged us and we cried into each other though I was crying for a different purpose.

We broke the hug and I wiped my tears just to convince them there is nothing more.

"Why didn't you tell me?" mom scolded me, "I was worried sick when the police called me in the middle of the right. I could've died due to heart attack hearing that you're injured"

"I'm sorry, mom" I sniffled trying to contain myself from the grief, "I couldn't think straight knowing Liya's in danger. I'd to do something as a sister"

"You did well at that, Mia" my mom smiled, "You're a hero for many girls now"

I frowned at her words.

Then the door slammed open and a bunch of police officers came inside followed by the district police officer, I assumed. All of them had a wide smile on and I was more than confused seeing them bring a dozen bouquets. I blinked as my mother stood up and moved away from me with a bright smile.

The District officer smiled widely at me.

"Are you feeling well, Miss Mia?" he asked.

"I guess so, sir" I croaked out though my heart was torn apart inside.

"Delighted to hear that," he remarked and took a bouquet from another officer giving it to me.

I was surprised and shocked, nevertheless, I accepted it. I examined it but nothing made sense.

"Why...?" I trailed off looking up at him.

"You saved your sister from one of the wanted criminals in the district," he said almost like announced, "By saving her you also saved the dignity of three women who had been trapped inside that building" my eyes widened at that, "Because of your brave act, we were able to catch them and send them to jail with the solid evidence of your camera. For all of this, you've been honored by the collector of our district and may I say, you have quite a lot of fans now"

I merely blinked at him wheels still turning.

"Your friend, Haneen, told us about everything" he pointed at Haneen whom I'd not noticed before standing in a corner with a smile, "The video is now viral and everyone is amazed by your fighting skills. The guys have still not recovered from your punches and kicks" the middle-aged man grinned "You have proved that girls are not weak with your immense bravery. The collector had requested to meet you personally after you've fully recovered to discuss some matters" he winked at that.

"Okay," I said blankly, "Thank you for telling me, sir" I bowed.

"No problem," he smiled, "And these..." he gestured towards the remaining bouquets and the policemen kept them on the table near me in neat piles, "...are from your fans and well-wishers"

I looked up at my mom and she smiled widely at me along with my sister.

"We'll be going then," the officer said, "I thank you on behalf of all the citizen in our district,"

All of them then saluted me.

I became stiff and I bowed after a moment.

"Thank you for not putting me in jail for my impulsiveness," I said.

"Not at all," some of them chuckled, "You are a public figure now. We will have to meet again, Miss Mia. Until then"

All of them left with a smile as I saw Haneen coming towards me with a bunch of fruits.

"Hey, Mia," he said with a smile going to the table to place it but retraced seeing it full he then gave it to my mom who was giving me a nasty grin.

Oh, mom!

"How're you doing?" he asked stiffly as a rock.

I raised an eyebrow.

"MIA, THAT WAS AWESOME!!!" he shouted but mom and Diya shushed him, "Sorry, I mean that move it was great. I've never seen something like that. You just smashed and boom boom boom. I'd seen the police taking those jerks," he chuckled, "They can barely walk. One of them had to be lifted by the police to carry him straight to the ambulance."

I smiled at his outburst but recalled something.

"Mom, where's Liya?" I asked abruptly.

"Oh, she's taking therapy," she answered, "That had caused her trauma. She said she'll be here after the session, don't worry"

I sighed hearing she's okay. I mean I was there because of her. I leaned against the bed and sighed when my mind drifted off to a certain someone. I really needed to be alone.

My mom sensed it because she got up along with the remaining two.

"I'll visit you some other time," Haneen waved, "Get well soon!"

"We'll get some food from the cafeteria," my mom dragged Diya, "Get some sleep"

I nodded wearily.

I stared at the ceiling blankly after they left.

Was that all really a dream? Was my mind really messing around with me? Jimin..he never existed? Why's life so cruel? Why? For once in my life, I understood the meaning of love and this is what I get? Why can't you give me what I want? Why did you give me if you meant to take him back?

Someone up there messed up, huh? I stared as tears welled up and flowed down to the pillow.

But it's not his fault, it was me, my head.

My nostrils flared as I sat up pulling my knees into my chest and started crying like there is no tomorrow. I didn't care if anyone saw me, I just didn't care. Why? I kept repeating in my mind as my loud sobs filled the entire room.

"Mia" I heard a low voice.

I froze.

That voice...that angelic voice I'll recognize anywhere.

I slowly lifted my head not wanting to believe that my mind might be playing with me again.

I gasped when I saw Jimin standing at the door. He had that concerned look and was hesitating to come near me, it was in his eyes. I stared at him as he stared back at me. I keenly observed as he made his way towards me with slow steps as if I'd explode any moment. My face was blank as he stood right before me.

His gaze took every inch of me when he stared at me with glistening eyes. There were care, adoration, and...love in those eyes. I didn't want to look away from him nor blink, I was afraid that if I even blink he'll disappear into thin air leaving me alone.

My whole body trembled and he noticed it. He sadly looked at me before taking my hands clutching the bedsheet hard. His one-touch shoot electricity through my body causing a concealed shiver. He released my grip on the clothe and took them into his own soft ones.

"Mia, it's me" those words and the spark in his eyes were enough to convince me that this was real.

Jimin is real!

I broke down tears uncontrollably falling just by seeing him. He pulled me into a hug and I dissolved clutching onto him never wanting to let go. I hiccupped due to crying but couldn't stop inhaling his scent convincing myself it really was him.

"Ssh, I'm here" he rubbed my back reassuringly, "I'm not going anywhere" he kissed my neck.

After a couple of minutes, I broke apart sniffling. Jimin stared deep into my orbs wiping the tears away and pushing hair out of my face. I didn't release my grip around his shirt, afraid to let him go. I stared at his face as he cupped my cheeks, caressing them. I held his cold hand and stared at him.

"Why did you cry?" he whispered, "Were you afraid?"

I nodded still sniffling, "I-I th-thought y-you we-re no-t re-al" I gripped on his shirt tightly, "I thought all o-of it-t w-was a d-dream" tears came down again.

He wiped them with his thumb, "This is not a dream, Mia. I'm here and I always will be. I'm sorry I didn't come earlier. I should've been here when you woke up. Please forgive me" he whispered.

I smiled slightly and pulled him by his shirt towards me, crashing my lips on his.

He immediately responded smiling into the kiss. I wrapped my hands around his neck as he deepened the kiss, falling prey to his plump lips. He wiped a stray tear that fell from my cheek and tilted my chin upwards. That spark, that tenderness, his passion, and his pure love, everything was in it and I knew it was never a dream.

Jimin is my soulmate and forever will be.

I broke apart in need of air and panted hard against his lips. He attached our foreheads and I saw him smiling amidst his ragged breaths.

"Where were you exactly?" I asked leaning away, "You should've been inside the hospital for all I know" I raised an eyebrow.

"Oh I was playing with a baby in the room next door," he said like it's nothing, "It can see me and it's super cute" he smiled innocently.

I gasped loudly as I looked at him in disbelief, "While I was bawling my eyes out here, you were playing with a baby?!" I shouted.

He smiled sheepishly rubbing his neck, "Sorry"

I gasped dramatically and kicked him out of the bed. I heard a loud thump and a grunt.

"Yah! This's a freaking five-story building," he got up dusting his clothes, "I don't want to go to the ground floor passing through the floors" he reasoned trying to act serious.

"Whatever," I laid back against the bed.

He sat down beside me on the bed and took my hand on my side rubbing circles on them. He watched me staring at the ceiling with a wide grin. I heard him chuckle and glanced at him planting soft kisses on my hand his eyes never leaving me.

"What is it, funny boy?" I raised an eyebrow.

"I can't believe I got worried about you for a week," he said planting the final kiss, "I thought...you'd end up like me. I regretted even not stopping you. I almost died a second time when I saw you falling to the ground unconscious," I saw him shivering, "It was horrible. I thought I lost you" he whispered the last part looked at me with dismal eyes.

I reached out to rest my hand on his, "I won't leave you. Ever" I smiled.

He smiled back. His gaze traveled down to my neck, his eyes widened, "Oh, I forgot!" he exclaimed and scrambled off to search for something in his pockets. Finally, he stopped with a relieved sigh and pulled out my crystal blue necklace, "It fell off from you when you were taken to the ambulance," he said grazing the locket with his thumb.

How stupid of me to think that all of the moments with him were untrue when I'd only lost my necklace. Aish, this turtle brain of mine. I mentally facepalmed myself a couple of times for my stupidity. Who would even think stuff like that so impulsively?

"Can I put it on you?" he asked eagerly.

I nodded with a smile.

I turned my back facing him. I felt him brushing off my hair from my neck, cold evening wind hitting my skin swiftly yet softly. The frigid metal of the chain glided through my neck and rested beautifully just below my collarbone, the blue crystal shining upon greeted by the setting sun. A small smile graced my lips when I got to touch it, feeling the material on my fingertips.

Hands wrapped around me from behind and I relaxed into it as I rested my hands on them. A kiss was placed on my left cheek and a head nuzzled into my neck. I reposed my head on the comfortable shoulder and watched the sun through the window going between the city buildings. It was more than peaceful; staying in the arms of your soulmate and watching the sunset, though through a hospital it's still magical.

"Mia?" Jimin whispered against my earlobe.

"Mhm?" I hummed feeling his hands tightening a little.

"I love you" he whispered, "I love holding you in my arms. Every time I wrap my arms around you, it's like coming home, to where I belong. I missed this. I missed you" he kissed my bandaged head, "I think you were made to fit perfectly in my arms."

Heat raised into my cheeks at his words. I was glad he couldn't see my face now, he'll tease me for a lifetime, "Jimin!" I hit his hand, "Geez, that's so cheesy. Where do you get that? I don't even know what to say. You know I'm not good with words," I pouted.

He chuckled, his chest vibrating, "I can say you're pouting without even looking at you," I blushed again, "You don't have to say anything. You're there to listen to me, that's all I want. In all my life, I never believed I'd find a love like this. I'm glad you're mine and I'm yours"

"Me too," I sighed joyfully.

"The more I see you, the more I want you~

Somehow this feeling just grows and grows~

With every sigh, I become madder about you~ " He sang to me with his sweet and mesmerizing voice. I closed my eyes to concentrate solely on his voice reverberating around the walls of the room.

He had sung to me before, many times on my request. I just loved listening to his soothing voice and he knew it, thus singing to me once in a while. It never fails to leave me speechless and soothe all my nerves, immediately falling prey to his pied piper or that call of the siren, crossing out the dangerous part. His voice is so angelic and magical that it draws you closer and closer unconsciously.

Just when I was on the brink of falling asleep in his arms, leaning against his toned chest, the door burst open. I immediately regained my posture as Jimin's warmth left me whining internally and cursing whoever interrupted our moment.

I turned around to face the door.

Liya was standing there with a plastic cover in her hands.

Surprisingly enough, she wore simple clothes and not even a speck of make-up on her pale face. I took in her form slowly. She'd dark bags under her eyes and had lost some weight, her collarbone showing. I tilted my heading in confusion, assuming things in my head, whether it was part of the depression or trauma she'd gone through. Was she not eating and sleeping at all?

"Sis..." she trailed off walking slowly towards me with tears dripping down her cheeks.

I smiled a little and gestured for her to come near me. She did and abruptly hugged me, cutting off my air supply. I glanced at Jimin who'd a smile on his face. He caught my gaze and gestured for me to hug her back. Just like he said when Taehyung hugged me.

I hugged her crying and petite form in my arms. I stroked her hair lovingly and rubbed circles on her back. Thanks to Jimin, I know how to console people now.

"I-I'm s-sorry for g-getting you i-into t-trouble, s-sis" she sobbed into my shoulder.

"No, you didn't," I said gently pushing her back to see her face.

"I d-did," she sniffled hiccuping, "B-Because of m-me-"

"It's alright," I said patting her shoulder, "I won't lie that it's not your fault because it clearly is. Not that I'm in the hospital, because you had to go through that. You should have been aware of the consequences of breaking people's hearts." I smiled at her, "You still have time to make things right"

Liya looked up at me with red eyes, "H-How?"

"You have not been sleeping or eating anything, am I right?" she nodded looking away, "Is it because the guilt is building up inside you?" she nodded again not meeting my scrutinizing yet sharp gaze, "Because of two things. One you cleared right now; It's not your fault I'm hurt, I should've seen that bastard coming," I gritted my teeth but shook my head, "Anyway, you've one more thing to clear," she finally met my gaze, "Talk to him"

Her eyes widened as she shook her head with horror, "What're you saying-"

"He seemed to genuinely like you...but not in a right way" I interested her my gaze traveling to a confused Jimin squinting his eyes clearly trying to understand the language. I held in a chuckle at his cute face, "Whatever he did was not right and never will be. But I really did see regret in his eyes. You should talk to him and ask for his forgiveness for breaking his heart. He may be a criminal but he has a heart too. And promise to him that you'd never play with someone's heart."

She opened her mouth but I cut her off.

"Also, make sure to not use your flirting demeanor there, he's still a criminal. But something tells me he'll be your greatest well-wisher," her eyes widened again, "in a good way" I added.

"Wow, sis" she gasped at me, "I never thought you'd say that. Shouldn't you be hating him? I mean, he was the reason you have these bandage and bruises. Are you forgiving him?"

"I don't hate him," I shrugged then my expression darkened, "I despise him" I spat causing her and Jimin to flinch, "But, I want you to get his forgiveness or you'll never get mine"

"O-Okay" she mumbled, "I'll visit him"

"Good!" I stated.

"Oh!" she jumped from her spot giving me the plastic bag, "I bought you chocolates"

"Really?" I jumped and snatched the bag from her, rummaging through it with a wide grin.

Liya chuckled, "Don't eat too much, the doctor will kill me" I clapped getting the one I was searching for, "Not even a thank you" she muttered under her breath.

"I won't" I smiled innocently tearing off the wrapper away from my fav.

"I'll get going then," she got off from her spot, "I've to complete some homework at home"

"Mm," I munched on the chocolate but stopped right when she reached the door, "I heard you're taking therapy. How's it going?"

"It's pretty good," she smiled then it turned it into a smirk, "The doctor's very handsome"

"Liya!!!" I warned her before she rushed out giggling.

I smiled happily devouring the chocolate leaning on the bed.

"So, you like chocolate? I didn't think you were the type to like chocolates," Jimin came and occupied the seat beside taking the bag of chocolates from my lap to examine them. If anyone else had taken them, I'd have slam punched them with a kick but seeing as he can't eat it, I didn't throw a fit.

"Not any chocolate," I said gesturing towards the bag, "Just that brand"

"Diary milk?" he read the cover squinting his eyes. His English pronunciation terrible.

"What? You don't get that in Korea?" I asked.

"Nope, we don't have that" he put it back in my lap.

"What?!!" I almost shouted making him flinch, "You don't have this piece of heaven?"

"I guess not" he shrugged his shoulders

"Then, I'm not coming there" I leaned on the bed licking the chocolate.

"What?! Then how can you become my wife?" he gasped dramatically turning to me.

I choked on my sweet and looked at him with wide eyes.

"What the hell?!" I shouted.

"Don't you want to be my wife?" he smirked with amusement.

"Do you want to be kicked to the ground floor of this building?" I threatened, raising an eyebrow giving a 'try me' look.

"No thank you" he adjusted his coat and looked straight.

I hifi-ed with my sassy self and went back to my devouring session.

The room was taken over with silence and I was surprised. Jimin never stays silent in my presence. What happened?

With doubt, I turned towards him but caught him staring at me, licking his lips. He was staring at my lips and I unknowingly bit on them feeling self-conscious. I mean who wouldn't if a handsome hot man was staring at you?!

I raised an eyebrow.

"Can I taste it?" he asked.

I held the chocolate towards him but he shook his head pushing it away.

"Not this," he rubbed his plump lips seductively with his thumb and gestured towards my lips, "That" he smirked.

My eyes widened as I blushed immediately, flustered and embarrassed. His gaze was too hot and too much to handle for a normal human being like me. I'd have to die of severe heart pumping because my heart was literally throwing sacks of blood out of it.

I started hitting him continuously as he laughed at my flushed face.

"You don't get to say stuff like that, you pervert chipmunk," I said in between the hits.

"Is it wrong to ask for a kiss from your girlfriend?" he asked with his hands stopping my wrists from hitting him.

"I'm gonna send you to the ground floor" I aimed his butt for a nice kick.

"NO!!!"