Heartbeat

Hate The Idea

I was dragged back to the counter by Avantika, the four boys trailing her as she insisted upon them joining us for a bit. It was awkward for me as well as for them but out of courtesy, they didn't refuse.

Nishant was telling another story now and our arrival broke his flow. Although a bit hurt (looked like that because of the alcohol effect), he quickly shifted his focus to the company we had brought.

The four handsome men became the center of attention for all of them. Ruchi teasingly and very loudly asked, "So, which one of them is your boyfriend Jia?"

Jimin and Hoseok pointed towards Yoongi while Jungkook, I, and Yoongi himself said "None" in chorus. As if all my colleagues looking curiously at me wasn't embarrassing enough, Hoseok loudly exclaimed, "Hyung! She isn't your girlfriend?"

On the other hand, Yoongi was pretty much perplexed as to how he was supposed to handle this situation. I said, "Technically, all of them are boyfriends, they are boys and they are my friends."

The alcohol running in the system of most people made them find this explanation funny. I looked at the boys to catch Yoongi's eye but he had vanished from his spot. I shook my head a little vigorously and looked again, and saw him standing there fiddling with his hands.

Was my drink spiked as well?

I caught his eye and was about to motion him to separate them from us, Aniket came towards us with a bottle of beer and exclaimed loudly just like Hoseok had, looking at the boys, "You have a very unusual friend."

"That's called unique, in case the word didn't occur to you," Yoongi replied, coldly. Yoongi had always been quick to recognize the true nature of people. By the look in his eyes, he clearly disapproved of Aniket and the way he talked about me. He made his way to stand near my seat and put an arm around my neck, lightly and affectionately, and looked at Avantika, "Avantika, didn't you just mention how good Jia is at her work?"

Avantika caught the look on his face and smirked indicating that she was going to play along, "Oh yes! Did I mention that she never once lost her cool even under so much stress and pressure?"

"I know, right," Yoongi continued looking at Aniket now, "That's how good of a person she is. And I am glad you said that. Knowing that so many people admire her makes me proud of my best friend."

Aniket scoffed and poured the beer into glasses, grinding his teeth, and began handing them out, "On me Jia, come on. Just one glass." He knew full well that I did not like drinking with so many people around. I refused a few times but he still pressed on with that stupid smirk on his face.

Yoongi intervened again, his hand still around my neck resting lightly on the shoulder, "We are really sorry, we can't drink. You see, we need to drive back."

"You live together?" Ruchi asked, a mixture of surprise and tease in her tone.

"On the way," Yoongi smiled.

For the rest of the night, we made fun of Aniket putting all the blame on the beer. He grew irritated after some time and left. Some guys took to the dance floor and entertained everyone with their twerking. Jungkook too joined in all excitement and performed the 'Coming of Age Ceremony' along with Jimin. Although hardly anyone understood the lyrics of the Korean song, everyone did enjoy the absolutely breathtaking dance the duo performed. It was greeted with a huge round of applause. Jungkook was already too driven even without drinking, I wondered what this boy was like with alcohol running in his system.

One by one, people headed back home. Hoseok and Jimin too left towards the end. Avantika asked me if I could drop her at the metro station and we came out in the parking lot.

"Keys," Yoongi said.

"Huh?" I turned around to find him holding his hand out expecting me to hand the keys over.

"You have just been to a bar, you aren't fit for driving." He stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"So have you. Besides I didn't consume alcohol."

Behind us, Jungkook and Avantika had slid in the backseat of the car, quite exhausted.

"You had that coke. I haven't drunk anything at all. So I should be the one driving." 

"Oh come on!" I whined.

"Keys." He still had his hand out. I huffed because never have I ever been able to refuse him something, be it my homework or these damn car keys. I tossed him the keys and slid into the passenger seat in the front and huffed again.

"You never mentioned these boys, Jia," Avantika said.

Of course, I didn't. I moved back to India so as to keep minimum contact with these guys. Besides, my high school life had never been a topic of extensive discussion between the two of us even though she was my best friend at office. I did not like exhibiting the fact that I had been to South Korea.

"They friends from high school, Avi. South Korea, remember?" I said. But I was sure she did not remember what little bit of information she had.

"Oh, yeah..." She mumbled. "So when did you guys move here?"

It was addressed to the boys but I quickly responded, "Quite recently." Although I am sure, one and a half year can't be considered recent. "Will you be able to go alone?" I asked her.

"Oh yeah, don't worry," She said, "I am not that drunk. I'll reach home safely. And I'll call to let you know, okay?" 

Avantika got out in front of the entrance to the underground metro, wished us good night, and hopped, a little too happily down the stairs.

And we headed home.

"So Jungkook also drinks now, huh?" I turned slightly to look back at him. He had his face in his hands.

"Noona! I am overage now," He added after looking at me, "in India."

"But you are still underage according to South Korea," I smirked.

"Actually he is not," Yoongi said. I looked at him, "He 20 now, so he is overage there as well."

"Siding with your brother, are you now, Yoongi?" I chuckled at him.

"Thanks, hyung!" Jungkook hugged him from the back in swift motion catching Yoongi off guard. The car skidded a bit but he quickly took control. In a moment all three hearts in the car began beating very fast.

"Yah! Sit down properly unless you don't want to reach home alive." He scolded.

Jungkook mumbled an apology and sat down. For the rest of the ride, he didn't speak a single word. Meanwhile, Yoongi looked like he had been punched in the face instead of back hugged. Yoongi did not like skinship from the start but it did not apply to Jungkook. This might even be the first time that he raised his voice at his younger brother. Probably because the car skidded a bit.

We reached home. Yoongi got out of the car and pulled Jungkook in a hug, mumbling a sorry for yelling at him. I smiled at them endearingly before heading inside to change into comfy clothes. Jungkook soon went to sleep. The coming day was Sunday. He could sleep in late. While I and Yoongi sat in the living room staring at the fan hanging from the ceiling, revolving.

"It's unlike you to become so angry at anything, Yoongi," I said after a while.

He looked at me for a good one minute before answering, making me uncomfortable for asking, "I hate the idea of my loved one dying in accidents. It's very unsettling. I just hate to think about it."

"It's natural to detest such a thing," I gently placed my palm on the back of his.

"I don't want their end to be like m..." He mumbled something further that I couldn't hear. He held my hand moving his thumb at the back of my palm, eyes closed, head resting back, feeling my hand as if to ensure it's real and that I really was there. 

Or maybe I was thinking too much again, crossing my line as I had done many times before.

From the corner of my eye, I saw a pearly drop trickle down his cheek.

***