Mortal Enemy | Liskook

14

i slowly opened my eyes as soon as he removed his hand. my mouth parted a bit, realizing that he took me to the beautifully landscaped rooftop garden. palm trees and lighted fountains surrounded it. not to mention how the city lights and the twinkling stars added a magic to make the scene look absolutely magnificent.

i took a deep breath and fumbled through my purse for a tissue.

"here," he said, obviously anxious to do something. he handed me his soft silk handkerchief, and i wiped my eyes quickly with it. i slowly gathered my composure and thanked him.

this is not the first time he'd seen me cry over that guy. in fact, this is the third time he was there to pull me back from the sadness i was feeling. his changed behavior surprised me. he was, after all, a knight in shining armor.

i wanted so much for them to think that i can handle it, but the truth is i'm not yet strong. the expression on my members faces suddenly flashed. how their concerned faces turned into anger every time they see me in pain. i tried to reassure them that i was fine, but they're my unnies - they see right through me.

"stop crying now," he said in a voice that was barely above a whisper. i don't know whether he was troubled with my tears or just wanted to shut me up because he had enough of my boy drama. who knows, maybe both.

his handkerchief lay crushed and forgotten in my hand. he reached out and wiped away my tears with his fingers. to my surprise, the gesture seemed to come naturally to him. i guess he learned that from his hyungs.

as his fingers touched my face, for a moment my mind went blank to everything else except the sensation on my cheeks. i looked at him. as our eyes met, he became conscious of what he was doing and jerked his hand back.

"have you eaten anything? i can ask the waiter to fix something, if you want," he said, getting up and sitting on the bench.

"no thanks," i replied as i sat beside him, "have you ever been in love, jungkook?"

he was startled by the question as i asked him something that was out of the topic. he paused for a brief moment and looked at me, carefully thinking his response.

"love is a strong word for it, yet i did get my heart broken." he laughed.

"am i good enough to hear it?" i asked.

he stared at me as if he was trying to make a decision. he sighed heavily as he turned his face away from me.

"it's hard to sum up really," he said, "she's gorgeous, funny, smart, loyal, all those sort of things. i even told her i'll marry her. indeed, it was an innocent, puppy love."

"yah, you said love is a strong word for it yet you addressed it as puppy love."

he chuckled, seeing my confused face. "you see lisa, we were young back then. both of us were inexperienced at life, lacking judgment to the concept of love."

i tilted my head, still lost at his words. kook gave out a big smile and spoke, "think of it like this, puppy love is another term for strong crush. on the other hand, romantic love is genuine. it requires time and maturity."

i nodded as i begin to understand his point. "then why'd you break up?" i spoke curiously. all my ears set on him as to what he has got to say.

"you're nosy," he said with a laugh, "but it's because i was about to be debuting."

i looked away, wondering how easy that answer was. the bad side of being a newly-debuted idol? you have got to cut off all romantic relationships to avoid scandals. i recall how dara unnie shared her stories with us during her younger years. how the managers would confiscate her phone and scold her right away.

even some of my friends who would've debuted as a pinkpunk member. all were kicked out once the boss found out they were dating other people.

"got anymore questions, lovesick girl?" he teasingly asked. i scratched my neck and looked down.

"yes actually," i said making him sigh and laugh in defeat, "who's the one you're head over heels with now? i remember you saying that you like someone, right?"

"liking someone doesn't necessarily mean i love her, pabo. i simply admire that person, that's all." he replied, fixating his gaze onto the night sky.

"whatever, i think you're just holding back. maybe if you let yourself be you, then you'll find out your answer." i replied.

he messed my hair and jokingly said, "alright dr. love who can't seem to move on from her unrequited love."

i playfully smacked him on his arm and got up. my unnies must be worrying right now. he was still laughing as we walked to the door, when a thought arrested my steps.

"kook," i called out. he turned towards me. i wanted to look at him while i asked my question, but my eyes remained glued to the floor. "will you always be there when i'm sad?" i asked.

he remained at the door for a moment. then he was before me. with his fingers, he lifted my chin and forced me to look at him, "always, brat. you have my word."

he was looking straight into my eyes, and i couldn't help but smile at his words. they did not clearly match the personality that i had seen of him the first day we've met. i get to see his expression filled with sincerity, and perhaps it's the best thing that had happened today.

as we again started moving towards the door, he turned a little towards me and said, "you'll be alright, manoban. no more heartaches."

i nodded, taking a deep breath of resolution. no more heartaches, i repeated.