Epilogue

                                    

                                          
Irene sat on her knees in front of the headstone and smiled. "Hey.. long time no see?" she said softly and felt the wind passing by her side. "You're doing well...hmm?"
                          
She opened up the folded page and caressed it with her fingers.
                          
Hey there beautiful. 
                          
Don't start crying, it'll ruin the ink and you won't be able to read the next lines. There there... yes that smile. Like that always keep smiling. 
                          
If you're reading this letter then... I'm gone. I know I know you must be missing this beautiful face. Ah don't let your husband read this. He'll get jealous...hehehe. 
                          
How are you doing good? Ah... of course you're doing well. Right? 
                          
It's been a long time. isn't it? I wrote you this letter because I knew this time will come when I won't be there for you or him. He is all alone after I and Namjoon leave. I want you guys to be happy, whether it's together or with someone else. I want you two to know that you meant the world to me and I can't be thankful enough to God that I found you and my brother in this short life. 
                          
How's he doing? Ah... let me guess still making his not so funny jokes? I'm gonna miss you guys. 
                          
Calculating that, it's my 10th letter for you... it's been 10 years... 10 years without me. Don't miss me much because I'm watching over you two even when I'm not around and just for your information I do miss you two... I miss my brother but the bond we two created during our time... It was special and meant something to me.
                          
Oh Did you fulfill my request? You did right? I hope your son is named after me... Aisshh I must be looking crazy right? I've been asking you for the same thing in every letter hehehe... Since it's my last letter... I wish you two happiness. 
                          
I hope you're doing well Irene.
                          
Irene choked on her breath as tears streamed down her face. She placed a hand over her heart and whispered. "I miss you too dear friend" 
                          
"Omma (mom)?" 
                          
Irene immediately wiped her tears and folded the letter in her hand neatly. She forced a smile on her face and turned to see her 6 year old son standing there. "Omma uljima (mother don't cry)." he said with a sad face. "Why are you crying?" 
                          
"Omma isn't crying. Come here." Irene opened her arms wide and watched as her son came to her with small steps. She wrapped her arms around his small frame. "Omma is fine. She's happy." 
                          
"Then why were you cryi-" 
                          
"Omma met her friend after a long time." she gestured toward the headstone. "She misses him." 
                          
"Oh!" 
                          
She watched her son staring intently at her. "Omma Why isn't he here? If he's your friend... he shouldn't make you cry." 
                          
Irene let out a deep breath and looked at her son. "Omma's friend is somewhere far away. He can't come to meet omma. Omma hope he's happy wherever he is." she told him gently. "He's like this passing wind... I can't see him but he's always there with us." 
                          
"Debaek! (Amazing) Omma's friend have super powers." her son exclaimed and she giggled nodding her head. "Where's your father?" 
                          
"Omma he's so lazy.. you know he always.." 
                          
"Suho." Irene narrowed her eyes at her son and watched how her son froze in his place and let out a gasp. "You're here." she looked behind her son to meet her husband's gaze. 
                          
"Appa (father)!" 
                          
"Yes my Jinnie jin." Suho said sarcastically. "You were saying something?" 
                          
"Appa. I didn't... it was mom." Jin at once pointed at Irene and the husband wife duo laughed. Jin pouted and lowered his head. 
                          
"He's just like Jin." Suho said shaking his head as he walked to them. "I miss you brother." he sat on his knees and placed flowers in front of headstone. "And yes we named our son after you." he whispered looking back at Jin who was playing with Irene. "Because of you... I'm leading this beautiful life with my loved ones. Thank you brother." 
                          
A slow wind caressed his face as he smiled softly. "I know you're watching over us from up there. We're doing fine but we always miss you. May we meet again in another life and take birth as brothers. I won't let you go that time." his throat constricted thinking about his dear friend and brother. "Pogoshopoyo (Miss you)." 
                          
He felt a warm hand caressing his shoulder and lifted his head to stare at Irene. She smiled gently, her eyes talked with him, they clearly said 'I'm here... You can cry'. He nodded his head and lowered his head crying for his brother. Irene also sat beside him as they both cried for Seokjin... someone who gave them this life.
                          
Irene lifted her head up when the sounds of gunshots died. She stared at Suho who was looking pale as white sheet but was breathing. "Suho..."
                          
Suho squeezed her hands as people came to them for help. "There there... easy Ambulance is arriving. Hold on." Irene's father told him. 
                          
He nodded his head and with the help of some people stand up. He looked around him but his knees gave up, seeing a familiar person's sprawled in blood behind him. "Hyung!" 
                          
Irene's head snapped to her right as a gasp escaped her lips. Jin was laying there in his pool of blood. "J... Jin?" she fell on her knees beside him. 
                          
"Hyung.. hyung you're going to be fine... open your eyes. Hyung." She watched Suho panicking and her eyes filled with tears. 
                          
"Suho..." she placed her hand on his shoulder but he didn't react. He kept shaking Jin's body. 
                          
"He's the guy who took shots instead of Suho." Irene's father said. "He covered you guys when firing started."
                          
Suho was shot two times but after that nothing... He knew the reason behind it now. His brother was protecting him. He closed his eyes as his hands were shaking, covered with his brother's blood. All the memories they created... flashed before his eyes and he let out a piercing scream in agony.. 
                          
"Hyung!" 
                          
and then he lost consciousness.
                          
The letters were found in Jin's hospital room. He made a nurse write them in his last hour. 10 letters. For every 1 year. He sacrificed himself for Irene and Suho.He gave them their life. 
                          
"He'll be always remembered." Irene told her husband as she caressed his cheek. 
                          
"Thank you for always being there for me." Suho said holding her hand. "Where's Jin?" he asked looking around. 
                          
"He's with Yeri." Irene said. "Let's go?" 
                          
Suho nodded his head before standing up and smiling down. "I'll see you soon." he said. Irene held Suho's hand and he gave her a thankful look. It wasn't easy for them at all... to get over everything they went through, to start a new journey but they did. 
                          
They moved past their fears... anxiety and build a life on their own and now they were happy together. Suho chuckled when he saw his son pulling Yeri's hair. "Aisshh you brat!" she whined. 
                          
They all laughed when Jin giggled. Suho lifted him up in his arms and side hugged Irene. Yes he was happy with his own little family and it was all because of him. 
                          
His dear brother. 
                          
Kim Seokjin. 
                          
Irene placed her head on her husband's shoulder and she smiled to herself. 
                          
She was happy. And, it was all because of the sacrifice of the person who her son was named after.