ALIGNED BY TIME AND HEART

SOLUTIONS FOR QUESTIONING HEARTS (38)

- ' So...he still likes that boy? '
- ' No idea Hoseok...maybe yeah...or maybe..not...'
- ' I understood the whole situation your highness...but why are you so confused with this? Is there something else you want to tell other than that incident? '

The day came back in the prince's mind when Antonio called Namjoon and the scientist broke down into his arms.

This was the day after Taehyung and team had their outing and this time, Namjoon went out with Seokjin and Hoseok. Right now, Namjoon went to pack their lunch from his favourite restaurant because they're going to a waterfall inside a forest which is a bit far from the main city.

Hoseok and Seokjin was sitting on the car and Jin described the whole incident ...but he couldn’t answer the question of the butler. He himself doesn’t know what was bothering him.

- ' Uh...I'm..not confused. Just....a bit concerned maybe? '
- ' For Namjoon?'
- ' Yes. He's such a gentleman... he deserves better. '
- ' He'll definitely get someone one day. '
- ' He really deserves love and care. '
- ' Who deserves, Jin? '

Namjoon opened the car and poked his head inside
- ' Uh...nn..no-one. We were just talking about our kingdoms and people. Nothing much. '
Namjoon eyed both of them but didn’t question further.

The ride was pretty long but all of them enjoyed it. After reaching the forest, they went inside. Usually people take guide....but when Kim Namjoon is with them, they didn’t bother. It's his favourite place after-all!

After wandering through the fresh and wild greens and enjoying the tweeting of the multicoloured bird, they reached their destination in half an hour.

It was a forest end, securely hidden from the human eyes. Only those who can connect with mother nature are granted here. Namjoon found this unknown waterfall a few years ago, when he was walking down the woods.

Deep, dark greens covered the surface as the small yet beautiful slow stream of water was running down from the stone step.

Jungle was so dense here that only patches of the sky can be seen. Sweetly  singing birds greeted them as they sat down on a boulder nearby.

- ' Wow Namjoon! This place is wonderful. '
Hoseok exclaimed while gaping at the scenario.
- ' Yeah...this place is really closer to my heart. Whenever something bothers me or I just want a break from everything, I come here. This place has an enchanting effect on me.'

As the three of them silently sat there, Hoseok eyed the other two and something striked him instantly.

- ' Well..you guys sit here...I'm just going to walk around the place a bit.'
- ' Hoseok you don’t know anything here...let me go with y-'
- ' Namjoon...I'm not a child who'll get lost...and I've found my way in more dense and dreadful forests. Nothing will happen. '
- ' But- '
- ' He is right Joon. He's one of the most capable and valiant explorer I've ever seen. He always knows how to find paths. Besides, woods in our kingdoms are way more dangerous. No need to worry about him. '

Namjoon couldn’t argue more and Hoseok went away to explore further.

- ' You know Seokjin...when I found this place? '
- ' You never told. '
Namjoon gently half layed on the tree trunk besides
- ' It was in my University days...on a hot summer afternoon, I came to this forest with a group of my friends. He...was... there..'
Seokjin immediately understood who is the "he" but said nothing and listened quietly.
- ' It's been months...since I was crushing over him and I was realising that things are not just mere likeness. I wanted to tell him how I feel..because I was almost sure that he felt the same way. That day, when all of us were casually wandering around the woods, I saw this forest end and thought that this  is the perfect chance. I sneaked away with him and came to this place. '

Namjoon stopped, eyes looking at nothing in particular. He looked lost in thoughts. Seokjin slowly reached out and touched his fingers
- ' Then? '
Namjoon came back in reality
- ' Then...I...'
- ' You told him how you feel? '
Namjoon nodded.
- ' And? He said it back? '
Namjoon again just nodded. After a moment of silence, he looked at Seokjin
- ' I still remember every moment of that day...it feels like just yesterday I opened my heart to him...'
- ' You miss him? '
- ' I..maybe...don't know. '
- ' You still like him? '
Namjoon looked at Seokjin with blank eyes and the prince understood the answer. No one said anything. Just Namjoon kept staring at their half-held hands.

- ' Jin? '
- ' Yes?'
- ' Is it possible to fall in love again while already loving someone else? '
- ' No Namjoon. It's definitely not possible. You know why?'
- ' Why? '
- ' Because love is mutual. Whenever one among the two walks out of it, there is no love left...there's only false hope with a hint of melancholy and memories. '
- ' So..I don’t love him anymore? '
- ' You don't love him since the day he left. Love was vanished between you two....that’s why he could leave like that. Otherwise, even if situations were pulling him away....he would tell you....he would come back. No-one can abandon their love like that Joon.'
- ' Then what is this feelings? Why I feel empty without him? '
- ' This is that blank space where once love lived. Since the moment love disappeared, you became like this. '
- ' This will last forever? '
- ' Nothing lasts forever Namjoon. If happiness, peace, serenity is changeable, then so is pain and sorrow. I truly believe that if your deeds are full of humanity and kindness....then nothing bad will happen to you for lifetime. This emptiness, this torment and desolation will go away too. '
- ' Then how will I know that the person who can heal me has arrived? '
Seokjin smiled fondly
- ' Your heart will let you know Joon. No need to rush things...let it be. Even you're not totally okay, still...let yourself enjoy the little moments in life. Embrace what you already have. Give time to yourself....pamper yourself and keep your heart open. You'll definitely feel the knock of love on the door of your heart again. '

Namjoon kept looking at Seokjin and the prince smiled again
- ' What? '
- ' You...are..different. Different than anyone I've ever met. '
- ' Is that so? Then do me a favour? '
- ' How can I do favour to a crowned prince, your highness? '
Seokjin laughed at his comment and Namjoon smiled along.
- ' Well...you can. '
- ' Then please tell me what can I do for you? '
- ' Don't push me away? '
- ' Uh...what? '
- ' Let me be your that friend to whom you can be just yourself. Everyone needs one person to lean on. Don't forbid me to do something for you. Just let me do my part and you just enjoy it. You obviously deserve to be cared and pampered. Untill your love comes, let me do it? Let me be a good friend? '.

Namjoon went silent and looked down

- ' You were hurt that day when I told you to stop caring about me, right? '
- ' No Joon. I understood your feelings. I'm not hurt... I just don’t want to give up on you. Please...give me a chance to be a good friend? I promise I will try my best. '
- ' You're already more than enough Seokjin. No need to do anything else. I...I will let you do whatever you want . I'll not stop you. Sorry...sorry for misbehaving. I was afraid...but...not anymore. You'll be my bestfriend. Okay?'
Seokjin gave his best smile and side hugged Namjoon
- ' Thank you Joon. I never had such friend...being prince is..hard enough to say the least. We can't just befriend anyone. But...now I can. And you're not anyone, you're really a special and wonderful human. Now I'm grateful that your machine messed up. See, I got my one and only friend.... Jimin and Yoongi confessed their love...my sister listened to her heart....Jungkook is so happy nowadays... Hoseok and Lisa are enjoying their lives apart from the work pressure. Everything seems in place. '
- ' For once...I too am grateful for that mishap. Everyone found their happiness  here. '

Both shared a smile and silently basked into the nature surrounding them as the questions of Namjoon's heart found its answer and the prince found his one and only friend in a whole different timezone.

As the Prince described what love is and became a friend to Namjoon, will this conversation lead them to a different emotion?

Keep reading to find out!

Thanks for reading 💜✨