A Way To Your Heart - Chapter 35: Chapter 35

"So... you won't be back for lunch?"
Taehyung asked, pouting while fidgeting his finger, but dropped his shoulder when Jungkook hummed a yes as an answer.
He got up from the bed and stood in front of Jungkook as his arms unconsciously wrapped around Jungkook's waist, blocking the other from looking at the mirror.
"You said you want to go to Jimin's place right?"
Jungkook smiled as he ruffled the other's hair who nodded with a pout.
"I'll drop you there if you want me to."
"No. You'll be late for work. His place is in opposite direction with your work place anyway. So I'll go by myself. Just come back early."
Taehyung smiled when Jungkook poked his nose with an "alright".
He knew Jimin must be worried from the way he left his cafe that day. He didn't get to contact him from then and he forgot to bring his phone when he went out with Jungkook but found 50 missed calls from him when he came back home. So he wanted to go to his place instead and talk to him properly.
"I'll go now. Don't skip your lunch. Eat with Jimin if you don't want to eat alone. I'll call you when I'm free. Ok?"
Jungkook caressed Taehyung's face who came to see him off to the front door.
"Come back early."
Taehyung said when Jungkook stepped out from the door who nodded with a smile.
He stood by the door and watched Jungkook going away, already opening his car door.
"What? He won't even look back? He was so bold pecking my cheeks in front of my mom before. And now, he's just going away just like that? Hmph, annoying."
Taehyung murmured alone crossing his arms but,
"Damn. I thought I won't be able to go if I kiss you now but I don't think I'll be able to go if I don't kiss you."
He didn't even get time to be surprised when Jungkook leave the car door opened and returned back to the doorstep where he was standing, instantly reaching his hand out till his hand grab his nape and pulled him closer for a kiss.
He closed his eyes when he felt the gentle touch of those soft lips on his, his hands clutching into Jungkook's shirt while the other caressed his nape as they smiled into the kiss.
That's it. That's what he wanted.
"I already miss you. Shall I just stay here?"
Taehyung chuckled when Jungkook said while resting his forehead on his with a pout.
"Shut up. You already took too much leaves for this month. Your boss will fire you one day. Didn't you say he's strict?"
"Well..."
Jungkook cleared his throat.
"That's true."
That's true because he would actually fire any of his employees if they take too much of unnecessary leaves. So it's unfair for him to take any just because he's the boss.
"See? Now go or you'll be late."
"Fine."
Jungkook playfully rolled his eyes while Taehyung squeezed his cheeks.
"Hyung will wait for you."
"Not again."
Jungkook frowned but chuckled while looking at Taehyung's satisfied laughter.
"Why? Aren't you the one who was desperately calling me Hyung and whining to buy you cotton candy just yesterday?"
"Don't bring that up again."
"Why? You were so cute calling me Hyung. Call me that again."
"No. I'm going."
"You can't go if you don't call me."
"I'm late."
"Oh, Hello Mr. Late. Call me hyung and go."
"Ugh! Ok. Fine. Hyung, I gotta go now."
"Aww. So cute. You could've just said it earlier."
Taehyung laughed as he pecked the other's cheek before the other got into his car.
"Jungkookie!"
He yelled the other's name who slid down his car window to ask what happen, but...
"I saw you blushing just now."
He stuck his tongue out.
"Shut up!"
‐‐‐
"Oh my god Taehyungie! You're here? What happened to you? You didn't even pick up my phone the whole day. I was thinking of going to your house to meet you."
"Wait. Wait. Jimin! Stop!"
Taehyung had to balance himself when Jimin jumped over him just after opening the door.
"What do you mean by stop? Do you know how worried I was? I thought you locked yourself in your room due to depression. I thought you--"
"Ok. Ok. I know. That's why I came here by myself. Stop exaggerating. And I'm totally fine. Ok?"
"What? Exaggerating? Am I exaggerating? Do you know how many times I tried to call you?"
"50 times."
"Yeah. And why didn't you pick up any of them?"
"Because I left my phone at home."
"Left your phone at home? So you went out? Where? Did you go to some cliffs?"
"What cliff? Why would I go to cliffs?"
"Then where did you go the whole day?"
"On a date with Jungkook."
"Ok you went on a date with Jungkook. YOU WENT ON A DATE? WITH JUNGKOOK? WHAT? FOR REAL?"
Taehyung sighed looking at Jimin yelled, dropping his jaw with wide opened eyes.
He put his finger on his friend's chin, pushing his jaw up so he would close his mouth.
"Now, would you let me get inside at least? I came to tell you the details."
"Oh. Yeah. I forgot. Come here."
Jimin grinned as he dragged Taehyung inside his room.
"Now, spill the tea. What's going on? You went looking all down and depressed after you saw Jungkook with Yoonji that day. And you went on a date with Jungkook yesterday? Is he two timing? Should I just go and beat the hell out of him?"
"Jiminie. I told you to stop exaggerating. It's not like that. I'll tell you everything, ok?"
"Ok. I'm listening. Now spill."
Taehyung took a deep breath when Jimin finally sat properly.
"Well. That day, he came after me and told me it wasn't a date but just a meeting with his boss and uncle Yoon. His boss brought him to the meeting and found Yoonji also came with her father."
"So they aren't dating? Wait. But why did he come after you and explain it to you? You both aren't even in a married couple relationship, right? You said you don't like him but you still went on a date with him?"
"Jiminie, are you going to hear me out or ask questions?"
"Ok. Sorry. I won't ask anything."
Jimin put his index finger over his pressed lips waiting for Taehyung to continue.
"Ok. So after that---"
Taehyung stopped when he realized he was the one who kissed Jungkook first.
He's sure he'll get too much teasing from his friend if he tell him he fell in love. He was the one who kept telling he hates dating and it's a shame to his own motto of life and his self esteem. So he cleared his throat before continuing.
"Then... uh... we talked and..."
"And? And what?"
"Uhh... we... ah... he said it was his birthday, so we went for shopping yesterday."
He shortened but Jimin didn't look satisfied.
"That's it?"
"Y-yeah. Of course. What more might be? I left my phone so I couldn't pick up your calls."
"So you went for shopping the whole day? Who in the world takes a whole day in shopping? You said you went on a date with Jungkook. Now where's the date part? I want details or else I will go beat that Jungkook if he forced you to go with him."
Taehyung dropped his shoulder when he knew he won't be able to get away from Jimin.
"Well... actually... we..."
He bit his lips while fidgeting his fingers.
"We confessed."
"What?"
Jimin dropped his jaw again and blinked his eyes.
"Yeah. We confessed how we feel for each other that day itself as we talk and we went for date after shopping since yesterday was his birthday. He's not that much annoying like before. He's quite sweet... and... cute?"
He smiled at his own words as his face blushed when he recalled their sweet moments together.
"Ooohhh. So you both are finally in a real married couple relationship, right? Aww. See how you're blushing."
Jimin laughed as he touched the other's red tinted cheeks.
"Oh my, your face is burning. I can cook ramyeon here."
"Shut up."
Taehyung pouted as he hit Jimin with the pillow on his lap.
"Am I wrong? I can clearly see how red your face is right now. Shall I bring the ramyeon here? We can eat together later. I'm already hungry by the way."
Jimin laughed when Taehyung continued hitting him with a pillow, the red tint never leaving his face.
"Fine. Fine. Stop hitting me."
He snatched the pillow from Taehyung who finally sat with his crossed arms.
"I already knew something like this is definitely coming but I can't believe it to be this fast. You actually fall for him? Well. Yeah. Jungkook is handsome, so of course it's understandable."
Jimin tapped his friend's shoulder who was glaring at him.
"I don't even know how and when I start liking him. I mean, he was so annoying before, teasing me and smirking when I get pissed off."
"Don't worry. It happens."
Jimin nodded teasingly, only to get a slight slap on his arm from Taehyung.
"But isn't it good that you finally found someone who can help you break your anti dating rule? I mean, you never used to agree with this dating thing before. I gotta congratulate that Jungkook for successfully making you fall for him."
Jimin laughed when Taehyung rolled his eyes.
"Well. What about Yoonji? What are you going to tell her? Are you still planning to hide the fact that Jungkook is your husband? Come on. She's our friend. She definitely has the right to know the truth. Or else she would be hurt."
Taehyung bite his lower lip as he listen to Jimin.
"Well, to be honest, it's not like I don't want to tell her or want to hide the truth from her. It's just... this marriage was just a deal between me and Jungkook only for three months. I thought it will be over between us after three months. So I thought there's no use telling her about us, and I thought, if she really like Jungkook and if Jungkook likes her too, they'll be together after our deal is over."
He sighed as he continued.
"But the thought of Jungkook going away from me bothered me so much. It hurt when I missed him more. I must be crazy and selfish but I realized I just want him for myself. I realized I actually like him only after I set them up and... I regret what I did. But I don't want to leave him and I don't want him to leave me. I must've like him so much, so much that I'm scared of this remaining one month. It seems too short."
Jimin smiled as he hug Taehyung who almost tear up.
"Hey. Don't think too much. It's not like you two must strictly separate each other after your three months deal. And it's not like your parents know about this deal thing too. If you both want your relationship to go further then you can still be together."
"What if Jungkook doesn't want?"
"What are you saying? You said uou both confessed each other right? It's not like you're the only one to have feelings for him. He likes you too right?"
"Yeah. But--"
"Taehyungie. If he likes you, then he'll definitely want to be with you. And if you're still doubting, just talk it out with him and ask him what he want."
"What if--"
"No more 'what if's. If you talk with him, everything will be clear. If he want then it's well and good. If he don't want, then you should learn how to move on. But just talk with him first."
"Jimin. I don't want to talk to him about it. Just... not yet. I'll be happiest if he agrees but I don't know I'll be ready if I ask him now and if he don't agree. Instead, I'll just happily spend this remaining one month with him to the fullest. He agrees or not, I'll just leave it to fate and to the faith I have in him."
He smiled as he further continued,
"And I'll make sure he wants to be with me after this one month too. Even if he still don't want, then I'll make sure he miss me afterwards."
"Woah. I never thought those words will actually come out from your mouth. But I'm impressed hmm?"
Jimin winked as he bumped his arm to Taehyung's who was smiling shyly.
"So... how far you two have gone till now? "
"What do you mean?"
Taehyung furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
"Don't act dumb. You both kissed already right?"
Taehyung chocked in his own saliva while Jimin kept winking with a smirk.
"Why are you asking it? It should be a privacy policy."
"What privacy policy? So that means you both kissed, right? Right? Oh god Taehyung."
Jimin rolled on his bed while laughing while the other wore a so done face, of course a blush was present.
"What's there to laugh here?"
Taehyung rolled his eyes when Jimin didn't stop laughing.
"Then what more you two did than kissing?"
"Shut up. We just kissed and cuddled, ok?"
"So you finally admit you guys kissed."
"Urghh! Stop!"
"What? You admitted it yourself."
Taehyung shook his head with a sigh.
"Well. Enough with my stories. Now, when are you planning to tell me yours?"
"What's there to tell about mine?"
"Don't act dumb. About Yoongi hyung."
Jimin's faked a smile.
"There's nothing to tell about us. We're just good brothers now, and I'm fine with that."
"Don't lie Jimin. You're not going to tell me because I won't understand? How will I understand if you never tell me what happened between you two? Come on. I think I can understand, at least now."
Jimin just let out a plain chuckle as he hug the pillow beside him while Taehyung eagerly wait for the other to start.
6 years ago:
"Yoonji, when will Yoongi hyung finish his practice?"
Jimin asked as he lied flat on Yoonji's bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Oohh. Can't even wait huh?"
Yoonji smirked as she plopped down on her bed next to Jimin.
"It's not like that. It's getting late so... I should go back too... but--"
"But you want to see him before you go. Is that it?"
Yoonji winked while Jimin smiled shyly.
"Aww. You like my brother that much?"
"Sushhh! You're too loud."
Yoonji frowned when Jimin put his finger on her lips to shut her up.
"What? There's no one in the house. We locked our room and he's practicing upstairs in his practice room. No one will hear us."
"But still..."
Jimin pout while his index finger drew small imaginary circles on the bedsheet.
He wasn't afraid of telling out about his feelings to Yoonji because she herself asked him if he likes her brother. From that day onwards, she was the one who start helping him so he can spend more time with Yoongi.
"You know, I'm all ready to change how I call you. Like... brother-in-law?"
Jimin slapped Yoonji's hand when she started teasing him.
"Stop it already. I don't even know if he think of me like the way I think."
"Jimin. I'm telling you, he definitely likes you. You know he'll always pick a fight with me but he's so gentle towards you. He'll scold me more eating his snacks but he gave you his. He's like a whole different person when he's with you."
"That maybe because you're a troublemaker sister and I'm his sister's innocent friend."
"What? You think you're innocent?"
Yoonji laughed kicking her feet in the air.
"Well. You do look innocent from outside but I know you sure think my brother is hot in your mind."
"Shut up!"
Yoonji laughed, totally ignoring the glare from Jimin. She was having fun teasing the blushing boy beside her.
"You can just go upstairs and meet him if you can't wait for him to finish. You can also hear him playing the piano if you go there. You can't even hear anything from here."
"I want to go but... I'm afraid if I'll disturb him."
Yoonji chuckled when she saw the pout on Jimin.
"You can go if you want. What are you waiting for? He won't get angry even if you disturb him."
"He won't?"
Jimin smiled, a beam of hope rose up in his eyes.
"Of course he won't. Did he ever get annoyed whenever you go to his practice room?"
"Well, to be honest, he never did. But it's different today. He has a competition tomorrow, so he might--"
"He might be nervous and frustrated and that's why I'm telling you to just go and comfort him. Encourage him for the competition. Go go. Good luck."
He jumped down from the bed and dashed out from the room waving his hand to her who put her thumb up with a wink.
He paced up his steps until he paused in front of Yoongi's practice room.
The room was soundproof so he couldn't hear anything from outside but a smile curled up his lips when the transparent glass door helped his eyes to see the male playing piano inside the room.
He hesitated a bit but held the doorknob tightly, pushing the door inwards and just when he opened it, male turned his face towards the door.
Jimin gasped when their eyes met, scared of what the older would say for just entering the room without even a knock.
But he let out a sigh of relief when the older flashed his gummy smile, hand signing him to come inside.
The practice room became familiar to him, because he'll sit beside Yoongi, watching how focused the elder is while playing the piano. Jimin would admire the serious look on Yoongi while closing his eyes as he let his fingers danced over the black and white keys. He would drown himself to the elder's melody which never failed to make his messed up life feel beautiful.
He clapped with a smile when Yoongi turned to look at him after concluding what he was playing.
"How was it?"
"It's beautiful. As always."
Jimin replied with a smile and it was enough for the elder to chuckle.
"Thank you."
Yoongi traced his finger over the keyboards of his piano.
"Do you think I'll win tomorrow?"
"Of course you will."
Jimin sounded so sure that it made Yoongi laugh and he swear that will always be his favorite song.
"I'm not that good tho. I just play it because I like it. There are so many talented people out there."
"No. You're the best pianist I've ever known and for me, you're the most talented person. So.."
Jimin held Yoongi's hand, caressing it gently and smiled.
"Don't worry Hyung. You'll definitely win tomorrow. Don't be nervous. Just remember that even if you think nobody likes your song, then I'll love your song."
He saw the way Yoongi smiled at his words and felt proud of himself for making the other smile.
He felt chills when Yoongi tightened the grips between their hands, interlocking their fingers together.
"Thank you for always encouraging me. I'll do my best and win tomorrow."
"I'll wait for the best news."
Jimin smiled as their eyes met.
He thought he could take his eyes away like he always did everytime they had an eye contact, but wondered why he couldn't this time. Instead, as if those brown eyes were pulling him closer, as if those alluring half parted lips were calling him, his mind went blank and let his heart take all the strength to move closer until his lips finally feel the other's.
He didn't know if he should be happy for finally able to know how soft those lips felt, or if he should regret for what he did.
Never knew he was that brave until he realized he was the who took the first move. But never knew he would become too weak to move back.
Didn't know if he was weak or wanted to be weak to move back, but it felt like a dream, and he wanted his dream to never end, because he had no idea if he would get the chance to experience the same dream again after waking up.
But when he felt a hand on his shoulder, pushing him away and dragging him out from his dream, the bitter reality welcoming him a cold glaring eyes.
"What are you doing Jimin?"
The same voice that used to sound like melody when it calls his name turned cold and sharp that slashed his dream and hope into pieces.
Yeah. What was he even doing?
He regretted. He could get so much love and care from the elder that he became greedy, greedy for more love than what he already got. He crossed the line that he shouldn't.
"I-- I-- I'm sorry."
He wanted to slap himself, so hard until he forget what he did.
What if Yoongi feel disgusted of him now?
He wanted to cry out loud but he at least wanted to act strong in front of him.
"Jimin. I--"
"No! Don't say anything hyung. It's my fault. I shouldn't have done it. I'm sorry. I'm sorry hyung."
Never thought the most comfortable place to let his heart bloom would turn into a place that destroys the tiny blossoms in his heart.
Never thought there would come a day when he feel ashamed of himself to dare looking at the face he always admired.
He stood up when he felt awkward to even sit next to him as he dashed out from the room, without looking back.
Tears encouraging his feet to walk faster until he actually start running.
Present:
"I ran until I reach home. I never thought I had the strength to run that fast, but I ran. I didn't even feel any tiredness. Maybe because my heart was more tired. And I never got to meet him after that, more like I tried to run away from him. Then I heard he went abroad after some days."
Jimin let out a sigh as he turned towards Taehyung who was listening to him silently.
"It's not some complicated story that you won't understand. But I didn't tell you because I wanted to forget what I did. I was so young back then and couldn't control my feelings and myself. And what I said you won't understand was not the story, but my feelings."
He chuckled when Taehyung hung his head down with a pout, he looked sad.
"Hey, don't make that face. I'm fine now. It's all in the past."
Taehyung looked at him with a faint smile.
"But you still like him right?"
Jimin breathed out at the question.
"Should I be honest?"
He smiled when Taehyung nodded.
"Yeah. I still do. But I'm fine with being just his good brother now. I still feel awkward around him but that's fine. He's such a caring brother. I'm happy he still tries to talk to me. Guess he still take me as his little brother."
"What will you do if he start liking you now?"
"That's impossible. But even if he do, we're in a totally different world. He's going to take his father's company soon and I'm managing my small cafe, living in this cheap apartment. I won't be able to reach him now."
"Hey, don't say like that. And... I'm sorry for bringing this up again. You're going to be sad now."
"I'm not sad. In fact, I feel more lighter now that I told you. It had been frustrating me for too long. I needed to let this out anyway. And you shouldn't say sorry, I should say thank you for bringing this up again. I feel much better now."
"Ouww Jiminie. I can't believe I let you suffer alone all these time."
Taehyung pout as he hugged his friend tightly.
"Even if he don't like you, you know I love you right?"
"Yeah, yeah. I know. Enough now. So let me go."
Jimin chuckled as he try to escape from Taehyung's arms around him.
"Jimin. I'll treat you a nice meal today. Let's go to a nice place and eat as many as we want. I'm hungry. Jungkook won't be back for lunch so I can eat with you. Eating tasty foods will help you reduce stress. Let's go."
Taehyung excitedly jumped down from the bed and dragged Jimin out from his room.
Taehyung insisted Jimin to eat more, feeding him with the best food from the restaurant.
Then he took him to a mall saying he would buy him clothes despite of Jimin pleading him not to.
He was so happy dragging Jimin to every stores, until his eyes fell on two familiar faces in front of him.
"Taehyungie, this much is enough. I don't need new clothes anyway. Let's go ba-- what's wrong? What are you staring at?"
Jimin trailed his eyes to where Taehyung was staring.
"Oh? Aren't they Yoonji and Jungkook?"
Why did the two come together? When Jungkook said he won't be back to have lunch with him?
He didn't even call him like he told him earlier, he thought the other might be busy in work. Then why?
Taehyung knew it might be nothing, he trust Jungkook.
But why he felt so sad seeing them together? When he knew Yoonji likes Jungkook, it bothered him seeing them beside each other.
And it hurt him when the two looked so comfortable around each other.
For some reason, he felt scared of someone taking Jungkook away from him.
"Oh? Taehyungie? Jiminie? You're also here?"
He realized he was already standing in front of the two with Jimin behind him when Yoonji noticed them.
"Yoonji, what are you two doing here?"
Jimin asked when he saw how Taehyung was standing there without saying anything.
"Oh, I heard it was Jungkook's birthday yesterday. He didn't tell anyone so I couldn't give him anything. I dragged him here so I can buy a gift for him."
Taehyung didn't give much attention to what Yoonji was speaking, but just stared at Jungkook.
Why? Why he felt so sad? Why he felt so scared?
Love is complicated. That's why he always wanted to stay out of it.
But no. Not when he's already in it now.
He can't let anyone take Jungkook away from him. He can't lose him. He's a possessive person who gets jealous easily, he's someone who's used to getting whatever he adore only for himself.
So he took a deep breath and turned to her.
"Yoonji-ah. I should've tell you this before. I'm sorry but..."
He chose to be selfish because he's not used to people taking away what's his.
So he hooked his arms around Jungkook's, linking their arms together and stared at the big eyes already staring at him.
"He's mine."