A Way To Your Heart - Chapter 30: Chapter 30

"You said you're hungry but why aren't you eating anything? You don't like it?"
"Huh?"
Taehyung flinched when he was brought back to reality.
He had been zoning out since he came down from his room to have dinner. He just let his hand hold the chopsticks but didn't eat anything yet. He lost his appetite since his mind was already clouded with so many questions he want to ask Jungkook about what happened between him and Yoonji after he left them. But he didn't have enough courage to start the conversation about it. What made him more difficult to ask about it was that Jungkook didn't even utter a single thing or get mad at him for leaving them just like that.
"No. I like it."
He just shook his head.
"Then why aren't you eating? I cook that Japchae for you eventhough you didn't carry me. You should at least thank me, you know."
"Ok. Thank you."
"Good. Now eat."
Jungkook smiled as he continued eating but Taehyung just stared at the other who didn't seem to notice his gaze on him while focusing only on his food.
"You want to say something?"
Jungkook said as he looked up making Taehyung flinched again.
"Huh? Uh... well, today... I... uh... Yoonji--"
"Taehyung, let me ask one thing."
Jungkook said as he kept his chopsticks on the table.
"Did you set me up for a date with her? Is that why you left us there?"
Taehyung couldn't even look at Jungkook's eyes as he tried to look elsewhere.
"Uh... I... I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I--"
"She's a nice girl."
Jungkook cut him off making Taehyung to finally look at him with his words.
"You wanna know what happened after you went, don't you? Isn't that why you kept staring at me the whole time?"
Jungkook knew what he was thinking. There's no way Taehyung could deny he wanted to know about it. So he just kept quiet.
Jungkook nodded when he understood Taehyung's silence. He sighed before he start speaking.
"Since you said you want us to get to know each other, we did talked after you left. Well, a lot. And I think everything you said about her was right. She's a nice girl, sincere and sweet and... pretty too."
Taehyung was fidgeting his fingers while listening to the other. Jungkook said she's pretty. Of course he know Yoonji is pretty and what kind of person she is but why did he felt like a pile of jealousy and sadness pressed over his heart the moment it came out from Jungkook's mouth?
"Ah! I told you she's a nice girl, didn't I?"
He didn't have any choice but to fake a smile.
"So, are you guys dat--"
He was cut off when Jungkook's phone started ringing. He couldn't see who was on the phone since Jungkook quickly grabbed his phone from the table before he could even look at the screen. Not that he wanted to check but the way Jungkook grabbed the phone and walked out to speak on the phone made it look kinda weird.
Wait, is that Yoonji? Are they already dating? But why would Jungkook try to hide it from him when he was the one setting them up? Or... did he want a private talk with his girlfriend?
H-his g-girlfriend? Wait, that... hurts?
"Taehyung, finish up your food. I'm already done. So I'm going to my room. Ok?"
That was what Jungkook said from the door and ran up the stairs to his room with the phone still on his ear.
Taehyung just sat there, staring at the empty chair in front of him across the dining table.
Shouldn't he be happy if Jungkook is dating Yoonji because that's what he wanted? That's what he thought. That's why he did it.
But why is it bothering him now?
He hate that feeling. He hate that he felt so jealous of his best friend, that Jungkook might look at her with those loving eyes which used to look only at him.
‐
"So, when is the meeting?"
Jungkook said as he let out a relief sigh after closing his door.
He panicked when Hoseok called him while eating. He would be in trouble if Taehyung happened to see the name on his phone screen because he saved Hoseok's name as 'Secretary'. He would always hear naggings from Hoseok to change it to 'Hyung' but he never did to tease him. But guess he really need to change it to something else now.
"Tomorrow. Mr. Min Yoon Sung also said he would want to have lunch with you after the meeting."
Lunch? Then what about Taehyung? But the meeting with Mr. Min was really important for him and it wouldn't be good to decline his request. Guess he need to make another excuse again.
"Ok. Fine. Also, you need to get ready all the files we need to bring tomorrow."
"Yes. I've already prepared everything."
"Hmm. Alright then. Thank you very much hyung."
"Woah. What's with that? So formal out of the blue? I like it. It makes me finally feel like I'm elder than you."
Hoseok bursted out laughing when Jungkook thanked him in a very formal way to tease him.
"But I like it more when you tease me you know. We look more closer like that."
"Well. Don't worry about that. I'm gonna tease you till your death anyway."
"Good to hear that. Guess I could die in peace."
Both laughed together before they hung up their call.
Jungkook kept his phone on his bed as he walked out of his room to the kitchen to find it all cleaned up already. Taehyung wasn't in the kitchen, may be he already went to sleep.
As he was just about to open his room door, he heard footsteps behind. He quickly turned back only to find Taehyung standing behind him with messy hair in his pyjama.
"Taehyung? What are you doing here?"
But Taehyung just stood there with his head hung down, fidgeting his fingers.
"Taehyung? It's late. Go and sleep. Ok?"
Jungkook turned to open his door but two arms suddenly wrapped around his waist from the back.
"What's wrong Taehyung?"
He tried to remove Taehyung's arms so he could turned back but Taehyung only tighten his grip, clutching on his shirt and burying his face on his back without saying anything.
"Are you just going to hug me like that? You're not going to tell me what's the mat---"
"Don't sleep here. Let's sleep together. In my room."
Taehyung said while still burying his face only to get a chuckle from the other.
"I thought you don't want me to come to your room?"
Jungkook said in a serious tone but pressed his lips right after saying it to supress his laugh.
"But... I... I want to hug something when I sleep."
"Then you can hug your pillow like always."
Taehyung suddenly loosen his grip and pulled Jungkook by grabbing his arm making him turn back to face him.
"Ok. Let me be clear. I want to hug you and YOU only. Not some stupid pillow. So I want you to sleep in my room. With me."
He didn't even know what's gotten into him but he said it, well more like ordering the other. He didn't understand why he did that and why he desperately wanted Jungkook to sleep in his room. Is he jealous? Or scared? That Jungkook might ignore him?
He didn't know. But he felt so frustrated for no reason.
Jungkook just stood there and stared at Taehyung who quickly pulled off his hand that was grabbing his arm and trying to look anywhere at the ground.
"Ok. I'll sleep in your room. With you. Happy?"
Taehyung finally looked up to meet Jungkook's eyes that were already staring at him with a smile.
Those eyes... that smile... he really want those eyes to look only at him, he really want him to smile only at him, just like now. It felt so comforting.
"Go to your room first. I'll take my phone and come there."
"NO!"
Taehyung yelled again.
"Don't... don't bring your phone. And..."
He hung his head down and lowered his voice as he bent forward so his head rest on Jungkook's shoulder.
"Don't talk to anyone on phone."
Jungkook let out a quiet chuckle as he ruffled Taehyung's long permed hair.
"But I need my phone to--"
"I said don't bring your phone. If you want to check time then there's a big clock in my room. If you want to talk then talk to me."
Jungkook could feel Taehyung was being bothered clearly from his voice.
"Why are you being so clingy today?"
He was trying to hold his laugh. But he wasn't wrong when he said Taehyung was being clingy. Not that he hate it tho.
"So I can't be clingy to you?"
Taehyung quickly lift his head up.
"Then who do you want to be clingy to you? Yoonji?"
"What? Why do you need to bring about her here?"
Jungkook could clearly see Taehyung was being jealous for sure.
"You're defending her now?"
"I'm not."
"Then why don't you want me to be clingy to you?"
Taehyung bursted out into tears all of a sudden.
He didn't even understand why he was crying but he cried. But seriously? How many times he's going to embarrass himself by crying in front of Jungkook? He's really going to tease him by calling a crybaby again. But he just couldn't stop his tears. Maybe he couldn't hold all of those unfamiliar emotions.
"Hey. Why are you crying now?"
"I don't know. But I'm not a crybaby as you think."
Taehyung said between his sniffles while wiping his tears with his hand but Jungkook just started laughing, he couldn't hold his laugh anymore watching the other.
"Ok. You always say you're not a crybaby but you're still crying like a baby."
Jungkook said between his laugh but got a slight slap on his arm from Taehyung who started walking away back to his room.
"If you leave me here, I won't come to your room."
Jungkook crossed his arms standing in front of his door as Taehyung instantly came back stomping his feet and grabbed his wrist to drag him along.
But Taehyung couldn't see the smile on Jungkook as he let him drag to his room.
‐‐‐
"He left?"
Taehyung said to himself and sighed as he stared at the small sticky note in his hand.
He couldn't find Jungkook when he woke up, so he came running down the stairs to check in the kitchen, hoping Jungkook would be there making breakfast but only found a small sticky note sticking on the kitchen door saying he left breakfast for him to eat when he wake up.
"I told you to wake me up before you go."
Taehyung traced his finger on the piece of paper.
"I wanted to see you off at least-- woah wait. What am I even saying? Why would I even-- Urgh!"
He shook his head to get himself together as he went back to his room to freshened up before he eat the breakfast Jungkook made for him.
‐
"WHAT? Have you gone crazy Taehyung?"
Jimin banged the table making the other customers look at the two.
"I mean, how could you do that-- like-- oh my god Taehyung. What am I going to do with you?"
He whisper yelled at Taehyung who was sitting beside him with a pout. He didn't want his customers give them weird looks again.
Taehyung came to his cafe and told him about everything, how Jungkook turned out to be the one Yoonji told them about, how Yoonji asked him to set them up for a date and how he actually left them at the restaurant.
"What would I probably do? She's my best friend and she likes him. I know she's a great girl and will take care of him."
"Then did you ever think about Jungkook? Whether he likes her or not? If not, will he be happy to be with someone he don't like? Have you ever ask him? How could you just do like that without thinking of other? If you don't know what to do then you could've just ask me before so we could discuss together."
"He said she's a nice girl. And... pretty too. I think he likes her. He even texted me saying he won't be back for lunch since he already had plans. I don't know if he's having lunch with her."
Taehyung said with his head hung down.
"Then have you ever ask yourself if you're happy with him going away from you with a girl? Your wedding was just a deal between you two or whatever but he's your husband for now."
Jimin asked making his best friend look at him but didn't get any response.
He saw the other fidgeting his fingers so he took those hand to hold them.
"Taehyungie. I know you fidget your finger just like this whenever you're nervous or confused about something. You're confused about your feelings, aren't you?"
Jimin smiled when Taehyung looked away saying he's not.
Denying when he's already being obvious. Like always.
"Have you fallen for him already?"
"No way!"
Taehyung yelled back as he drew his hand back from Jimin's.
"Well. That sounds quite defensive. Then do you like him?"
"Isn't that the same question?"
"Not at all. If you think it's same then let me ask another. Do you feel jealous when he said Yoonji is nice and pretty?"
Jimin asked as he rest his chin on his palm looking at his friend trying not look away.
"I was the one who let them meet. I shouldn't feel jealous if he likes her and they end up dating. But I--"
"Oh, isn't that Jungkook? He's with a girl. Oh wait. Isn't that Yoonji?"
"Where?"
Taehyung snapped his head up when Jimin said that and started looking around the cafe.
"Not here idiot. There."
Jimin point his finger the big restaurant in their front across the road.
They could see Jungkook and Yoonji standing in front of the restaurant through the glass window.
"What are they doing there? Wait. So he's really having lunch with her?"
Taehyung said, never leaving his eyes from them until the two enter the restaurant.
"Are they on a date? So... does that mean they're dating already? I never thought Jungkook would really--"
Jimin couldn't even finish his word when Taehyung suddenly got up from his seat and walked out of the cafe.
"Yah! Where are you going? Wait!"
Jimin quickly ran after Taehyung who already crossed the road.
"Taehyungie, wait."
Jimin quickly grabbed Taehyung's wrist to stop him.
"Where do you think you're going? What are you going to do there? If they're on a date then just let them be. You're not thinking of ruining their date right?"
"I'm not going to ruin their date. I'm just going to watch them from afar."
"But-- Taehyungie! Wait. Don't go. Taehyung! Oh god."
Jimin couldn't stop the other from going inside the restaurant so he just followed his friend, not wanting to just leave him either.
"Taehyungie, I don't think this is right. Isn't this stalking?"
Jimin whispered as he try to hide his face with the menu after they took a seat by a corner where they could take a clear view of the other two.
"Just keep quiet Jiminie. We're not stalking them. We're just checking on them. Don't worry. I'm just going to watch them from here."
Taehyung whispered back while his eyes were busy watching the two talking and laughing.
He took out his phone and text Jungkook to ask where he is but only to receive a reply saying he's in a meeting.
Is Jungkook lying? Why would he lie about this? He could've just tell him the truth that he's with her but why would he lie to him? He just stared at the reply from Jungkook on his phone screen
"But isn't it the same thing as stalking? We definitely look like stalkers. What will you even do by watching them from here? It's not like you're going to get anyth-- Uh? Wait... Isn't that Yoon Sung uncle?"
Jimin blinked his eyes in disbelief when he saw Yoonji's father came out of nowhere and sat along with them.
"Yoon Sung uncle?"
Taehyung looked his eyes up from his phone.
"He is. But why is he here with them?"
Taehyung whispered.
"Hey, did Yoonji already introduce him to her dad? Are they really serious about their relationship?"
Jimin said as he turned to Taehyung but the other suddenly got up from his seat.
"Taehyungie. You're not going there, are you? No. Taehyung! Wait. Come back Taehyung. No!"
Jimin whisper yelled and tried to stop his friend but Taehyung already walked straight towards them.
Taehyung didn't even know what he was doing but he couldn't stop his feet from taking steps more further only to realize himself after he stood in front of them who were looking at him with surprised and confused eyes.
He didn't want to ruin anything but he couldn't help it.
It hurt. It hurt when he saw Jungkook with another girl. It hurt when he saw Jungkook smiling at another girl. It hurt when he imagine Jungkook looking at another girl with those loving eyes. It hurt when he think about Jungkook leaving him.
He knew he was late to realize this, he knew he was being selfish even after the fact that he himself was the one who let them meet.
But, just for one more time, he wanted to be selfish even if he was late.
Because now, he finally found the answers to Jimin's questions just a few moment ago.
Even if he want to deny it so hard, even if he hate to admit it, without him knowing since when it all started, he knew he had already fallen for Jungkook.
A lot more deeply than he could ever imagine himself.