Fire (1/1)

"Idiot! Can't you do anything good for once? You're useless!" A booming voice echoed around the house. It was so loud it wouldn't be impossible if the neighbors hear. The voice deep and loud it was frightening and tears apart the once peaceful night. "I-I'm sorry, Minho.. I didn't m-mean to.. I fell as..leep." Despite the former, a weak and strained reply came out of the latter lying pathetically on the floor head bowed down low it was touching the ground. Minho, the angry man snorted."Didn't mean to? Stupid! What if my house burn down? Huh?! What are you gonna say, that you fell asleep?" He grabbed one of the chairs of the dining table and slammed it down on the floor. Both which broke -the chair smashing into pieces and the tiles cracking. "Well, if it did happen I hope you burn down with it! I'd be much happier, Taemin!" He spitted once again. Meanwhile, the frail young man remained unmoving below. He was already crying not because he was scared, but because of the foul words being thrown at him. He was never scared of Minho.. He was used to his dark side but not his words. Everytime the older gets mad it was of different insults and curses. Mostly death threats. "Screw you and your foolishness! I wish I was never married to you! It's because of you I'm stuck in this hellhole forever!" After shouting those last hurtful words Minho stomped out of the messy dining room and to his own bedroom. Taemin flinched when his husband slammed the door hard he felt the walls vibrate. Why is he crying? It's his fault he forgot he was cooking dinner for Minho after cleaning the whole house and yard and doing the laundry whole day he lazed around and slept on the couch. It's his own fault he became tired of the everyday routine. So why would he cry and lie there like a damsel in stress? Minho was right, he was useless. It was rare that his husband would get satisfied with his dinner and he had blew one up that he feared might cause the last time the older would eat his food. From waking up early -before the sun rises- in the morning to the minute the sun went down and darkness filled the skies, Taemin had been cleaning Minho's house because it was his duty. He really didn't like it. Having to work in a house where it was supposed to be his and his husbandbut didn't acknowledged him was very tiring. Often times he had thought of leaving but he can't when he thinks of his mother who is now alone since his father died four years ago. His father and Minho's are the ones who planned that whatever happens their children should get married even if they were both males. Funny, Taemin thought, what if both him and Minho became girls? Impossible. But eventhough the two disagreed they couldn't do anything. They met back in junior year, both in the same year. Minho was just a few months older but at the same time smarter, more attractive and mature. As for Taemin, he was known as the school's 'Noona killer'. Sunbaenims adore him because he looked like a middle schooler and because he was clumsy. At first he liked the attention but when he realized people see him as a cute clown rather than a cute junior he stopped doing those things.Taemin stood up from the floor result of being pushed down by none other than Minho. He picked up the broken chair and placed it back. Picking up also the plates and wiping the soiled dishes scattered on the wooden table. It was difficult to play the wife role. Why should he be the one to stay in the house like an obedient housewife -slash- servant? Why can't it be Minho? He was starting to have a grudge against his father. Taemin washed the dishes and cleaned the sink afterwards. He grabbed the broom and mop then started cleaning the floor. What a hypocrite. He builds up anger against his father for doing such things but here he was still acting as the good old maid for his master. Taemin made sure the dining room was spotless before he turned to walk upstairs. It was quite a while since the older left him to his own room. And it has been Taemin's ritual that whenever he does something that makes his husband mad he would go to his room. Cracking open the heavy door, the play-wife was welcomed with darkness. As usual, Minho's bedroom was always dark. His husband was lying in his bed on his side facing the door -and Taemin. He had his eyes closed shut indicating he was in deep sleep. Taemin had never gone to Minho's room even once. He wasn't allowed to and he wasn't asked to clean his room either. So he also didn't break that one rule. Peeking only his head inside -like how he always does- he stared at Minho's built figure. He had his lips jutted out slightly and his eyebrows were creased together. "Minho-ah.." Taemin called softly. Eventhough he knew the other was asleep he still made sure that he will hear it in his dreams. "You still look angry. I guess it's because you haven't eaten dinner yet. I know you're tired and all and I had to mess up. Minho-ah, I know you don't want this marriage. Believe me I don't want this too. I'm tired. I don't want to pretend to be the wife here anymore but I can't do anything. It's my fault.. I'm sorry." Slowly, he breathed out those words. What a coward, he can only say this things when he knows Minho can't hear him. Well, he guessed it was better this way. When Taemin closed the door and retreated to his own room at the end of the hall, the sole figure lying -pretending to sleep- in the bed rose up. Minho hung his legs on the edge of the bed, he exasperatedly sighed. He had heard everything his husband said. He knew it was just Taemin's conscience guiltying him up. When he came home that night the house was fogged with heavy smoke from the dining room he panicked. He panicked because he thought his house was going to burn down with a person who was supposed to be his life partner inside. What more added to his distress was when he found that person on the couch seemingly unconcious and unaware of the situation. He screamed his name and that's when everything broke down. After putting the small fire tempting to spread in the house and opening the windows to let the smoke out, Minho started shouting and cursing at the frail, scared young man. Their fight was one-sided. He admits he was guilty for pushing Taemin but he had to show he wasn't. The younger had always seen him as scary and he had to keep that pride. He'd done various things to make Taemin lose his cool and decide to give up this unknown relationship. But he was strong willed, he knew Taemin lengthens his patience longer for his mother. Ever since Taemin's father died a year after their forced marriage, his mother told him to be the best husband for him in behalf of his of father's wish. And it gave them more than what they expected, Taemin's father's last will was to give half of his wealth to the both of them and half to his mother. Minho used the money to buy this house but not for the both of them.Their parents thought he bought it for him and Taemin and for their future family but no. He made clear to him that this was his house and he'll only let him stay here for the commitment arranged for them. He'd never once looked at Taemin and he did too. They were the couple living as strangers in one roof. The next few days passed by smoothly. Still no communication between the two individuals living in the house. Taemin still did the chores everyday while Minho goes to work. The younger hadn't failed to prepare the older his meals ever since the feud but the latter still doesn't appreciate him. One day Taemin caught a terrible flu. He had been vomitting all morning that he wasn't able to vaccuum clean the living room. He stayed in bed for a while but an hour before his husband comes home he forced himself to get up and cook his dinner. Taemin was seeing double as he cuts the vegetables and meat. A few willed minutes later he successfully prepared the dish. He couldn't wait for the other because he was really dizzy and keeps on stumbling so he went to his bed. He couldn't sleep yet though. What if Minho wants something? Then he can get up and get it for him.  A week passed but Taemin's cold still hadn't gone. He thought it was because he keeps on working even if he had fever so he ignored it and kept on drinking his own prescribed meds. But after a month and he wasn't feeling well yet he decided to go see a doctor for good. Once when he was showering he noticed a few dark bruises on his body. They were everywhere that he wondered why he hadn't seen them earlier. There were some on his arms, abdomen, and legs. When he went in the hospital expecting nothing, -like he only got those bruises from bumping into something constantly- he walked out feeling like he was carrying a huge boulder on his head. He felt weaker when the doctor told him his theory of Taemin's condition. And that he had to go back to know it by doing tests. He already had a blood test and according to the expert it wasn't good. He was anemic. Medicines were prescribed until he goes back for further examinations. It wasn't known yet so he decided to keep it to himself until then. That same night, after preparing Minho's dinner, Taemin took a shower. He let himself be engulfed by the warm water as he sinks in the doctor's diagnosis. He couldn't believe what she said. Maybe she was just joking. Maybe it was to make him laugh about how pathetic he is. Maybe it was life playing a game on him. Why him then? He followed everything he was told to do. Why him? Suddenly, what Taemin was seeing double became triple, quadruple with sparks of different colors. Then everything went black. Minho came home and ate the dish waiting for him. He also expected Taemin to come and clean but he was nowhere. He thought maybe he was asleep. He could give him that. He decided to take a shower but noticed something when he passed by the door of the bathroom. The lights were on and he heard the silent dripping of water. Is Taemin in there? He tried to knock but there was no response. "Taemin-ah? Are you in there?" He asked yet still no replies came from inside. Is he joking with him? "Ya! Taemin!" He shouted but silence answered. Minho tried opening the door but it was locked. He started to get nervous. Taemin was never to play with him. Especially him. Before he got more antsy, Minho ran to get the key by the main door. He returned immediately then pushed the key. When he finally got to open the door, he was utterly surprised. "Taemin.." "M-Minho?" The younger was wearing his bathrobe when Minho came pushing the bathroom's door unexpectedly. "I thought.." The older stuttered but suddenly his already creased brow pulled together impossibly more. "Ya! What do you think you are doing? I was calling for you, stupid! Why aren't you answering?" Taemin visibly flinched at the raise of the other's voice. He bowed his head and apologized. "I-I'm sorry. I was.. Brushing my teeth! Yes." At this, Minho visibly didn't believe the younger's excuse. He had the feeling something bad had happen. "You know what? Whatever. Get out. I'm taking a shower." "Do you want anything?"Taemin asked but was replied with the door closing on his face. That night he wasn't able to sleep well despite the doctor's advice for him to get a good rest. He couldn't take out of his mind what happened to him earlier in the bathroom. He knew what happened to him in there and he just can't believe it. He was seriously lucky Minho hadn't seen him in that state. He's becoming more frightened about his condition and it itched him more to know more about it. Taemin remained sitting at his bed, staring at the empty wall. What if he leave? What if he hide somewhere where he couldn't be a bother to someone? Where he will not fear about someone catching him lying unconcious on a floor? These thoughts and more cluttered his mind all night. And everytime a suggestive cloud pops in his mind he'd glance at his door fearing if Minho would catch him like that. He was extremely scared the moment his husband open the bathroom door. He had heard his first calling right when he just got back his senses but he was still dizzy to answer back. Still not knowing what to do, he forced himself to stand up and put on his robe right when the hatch burst open by Minho. Formulated a nonsensical excuse he knew the other would not believe but it was the only thing he could do rather than say directly to his husband that he fainted because he was sick. Until the sun rose at dawn Taemin remained wide awake. He kept thinking what to do now that he realized it himself that he was really ill. He can't let Minho know. Not now. Not ever. He knew that once the older finds out he'll tell his mother and he can't make his poor mum get worried about him. He'd been already a bother to his husband, he can't burden his sole parent too. At six, an hour before Minho wakes up, Taemin went to the kitchen and cooked. He noticed the sink was clean when he clearly remembers he hadn't washed the dishes Minho used for dinner last night. He hadthe slightest idea of what and who did it but refused to let it through. When Minho had gone to work, Taemin packed his things then headed to the hospital. He thought it the whole night too. He was curious what kind of virus was making him weak to the point of fainting. He had never blacked out before, not even once. He may be thin and weak-looking but he had a strong immune system. And now that this happened his fear of being sick was eating him. He didn't want to be ill and make someone take care of him. Especially Minho.. He can't let that happen. After this, whatever result comes out Taemin decided he couldn't let himself be anymore a burden to Minho. His husband had already have too much to stress about his work he can't add up to that headache. "Mr. Lee, we will be taking another CBC to look if there is progress with your hemoglobin count. Have you taken your medicines on time? I hope you followed the advices I gave you about having good rest?" The doctor asked as another nurse came to assist in taking Taemin's blood. The needle used was long and obviously new as well as the syringe. When Taemin saw how his blood flowed to the transparent tube he nearly fainted -yet again. Last time he remembered having the test his blood wasn't that dark. Yes it was a dark red color but now it became frighteningly darker. Figuratively he'd say his blood was a shade of black. And he knew it was bad. Seriously bad.Taemin decided to be honest. "I have taken my meds properly but uhm.. I wasn't a-able to get the rest. I am married and I'm the one left at home. My hu-husband wants the house to always be spotless and I have to prepare his meals on time. He works really hard and that's the only way to appreciate him."    .. Well, at least half honest. "I see. So your partner doesn't know about your condition?" "Yes. Unfortunately. " He replied with his head hung low. The doctor wrote something on her jotter pad before ripping the page and giving it to her patient. "After the blood test and some more examinations, we'll find out your diagnosis. But for the mean time I strictly prescribe these things for you. Since you said your husband doesn't know this, but I also advice you to tell him, you'll have to take extra care of yourself. Are there any more things you want to discuss?" Nervously fiddling with his fingers, the young man told his doctor the weird stuff he noticed scattering his body. "Actually I found dark bruises on my arms and legs the past few days. I have been very dizzy I had a count of fainting." "That's not good. We'll need to do the exams faster. I think the cause of the dizziness is due to your anemia and the fainting must be from dehydration or lack of blood flow in your head. You should drink plenty of water, Mr. Lee. And as for the bruises, may I see them?" Taemin didn't hesitantly show the doctor his weird body. He strongly wished everything would be fine. That this was just a very bad flu. He feared the exams but he dread most the results. Two weeks after the continous trips to the hollow institution, Taemin received