PANDEMIC ESCAPADE | TAEKOOK ✓

32 ➷

Taehyung's Pov

What?!

"I love you."

His soft voice echoed in my head, making my heart beat faster. What? What did he say? Does he mean it?

I look away, my face flushing a crimson red.

"I love you," he said it again! Why?! He sighs. "And I'll keep telling you that if I have to. I'll do anything, Tae, please forgive me."

"I don't know," I mumble, crossing my arms.

"No, you're not just a stranger to me," he began. I could feel like he's about to say a whole essay for an apology. "You're so much more than that. I was just angry and surprised that you were leaving. I'm sorry. It's all my fault."

"No it's not..."

"I understand how you feel, I really do. And it was real shallow of me to beg for Irene the first time I saw her in months, I'm sorry for that, too. I didn't understand what I felt and who it was for, but now I do," he grabbed my hand. "I don't regret coming to Daegu at all. In fact, I'd come there everyday if it meant seeing you."

My heart fluttered at his words. Did he really mean it? I look at him, our eyes meeting, and for a minute I felt relieved. Like nothing bad happened.

"I'm sorry," Jungkook said.

"I'm sorry, too," I said, avoiding eye contact. I wasn't all the best with apologies. "I was just sad."

"I know," he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a hug. I felt safe in his arms.

I, too, am confused with what I'm feeling towards him. And even if it would take a million years to understand then I'm willing to spend a million years trying to figure out my feelings for him.

To love is to sacrifice.

—

Flashback To A Decade Ago

"Taehyung," my mom called out. "You have to wear this beanie, it's getting cold out here."

"No!" I whine, snatching the beanie out of her hands. "I don't wanna!"

"Taehyung, don't be like that, hun," her voice was so gentle.

I pout, sitting on the swing.

"Remember what I told you?" She smiles as she kneels in front of me.

"Mama knows best," I giggle.

"Yes, so smart," she squishes my cheeks. "Truly my boy."

I giggle. I'll always be mama's boy!

"Now c'mon, put this on," she said.

"Okay," I sigh. It is getting cold out here.

She puts on the beanie on my head, it reaches my eyes and I pout because I couldn't see. My mom laughs- I love her laugh -as she pulls it upward to clear my vision.

Just then, a group of teenagers pass by us, holding their phones in the air.

"Mama," I called out to her as she watched the teenagers play.

"Yes, hun?" She looks at me with her beautiful brown eyes, the shade of brown I've always loved.

I poke my finger at her cheek, smiling. "When I grow up to you think I'd have fun like them?"

"Well, of course, darling," she picks my up from the swing and carry me. "My, you're getting heavy!"

I giggle.

She sighs. "Of course you'll have fun. Teenagers are meant to embrace youth while they still can. Don't let anyone or anything stop you from having fun."

"What about love? Do you think I can find love like yours and papa?" I ask.

She smiles at me before speaking, like she was choosing the right words to say. "Yes. Yes, you will. And whoever it may be, they will treat you right. But don't forget, challenges occur. To love is to sacrifice."

I smile at her and wrap my tiny arms around her neck. "I love you, mama."

"I love you too, hun."

End Of Flashback

—

To love is to sacrifice. That is the beautiful yet painful truth I learned at the age of 7. My mom always treated me like a prince, and before she passed away she told me one of the most important lessons I brought until my teenage years.

Loving is not easy, because sometimes we're afraid we'll mess up. Sometimes we're scared we'll lose it all with one wrong move. Love is like chess. One wrong move, you lose. You have to think it through and be careful, because each moment, each knight, king and queen, can cause a lot of damage.

But we have to remember that it's okay to lose sometimes. Because the longer we practice, to love others, the better we get at doing so.

I understand now.

I look at Jungkook in the eye, I see my reflection in his beautiful dark brown eyes. Almost the same type of brown my mother had.

"I forgive you," I smile. "It's okay now."

"You do?" He sounds surprised. "Really?"

"Really. Yes," I said. "Now, how about we go out for ice cream? I'm hungry."

"What about ramen?" Jungkook places his hand on his stomach. "I'm starving."

"No, ice cream," I frown.

"Ramen," his eyebrows furrowed.

"Ice cream."

"Ramen."

"Ice cream."

"Ramen."

I giggle and slap his arm playfully. "Fine. Ramen," I said.

"Thanks for the sacrifice," he says dramatically.

"Your treat tho," I giggle.

"Oh come on!"

—

To love is to sacrifice.