Euphoria

35: My Universe begins with U

"I'm sorry, Kookie."
Jungkook almost jumped, hearing Maya sob. He quickly rubbed away her tears,
"Please don't cry Angel. It hurts to see you crying. I should be the one to say sorry. I misinterpreted your words. I was stressed and was having mixed feelings. Since you know, I invested all my teenage years and missed out on so many things and turns out we gave our everything for nothing. We don't even know what would we do after the disbandment. Take another career option? How am I even supposed to forget this life? How should I give up my happiness? My happiness is singing and dancing and rapping and performing. It is in the practice sessions. It is in the studio. It is... It is something that the Jungkook from other realm has and I don't. I envy him. He is me, isn't he? Then why are we so different? I just don't know me anymore. I just don't."
Jungkook's face soon hid behind his palms. Maya quickly wrapped him in her arms. She couldn't feel the pain, but she could understand. He of course was in love with his music. He was dedicated enough to get his fandom name tattooed on his hand.
The height difference was a huge one between them. She stood on her knees. His head on her chest. He was sobbing. Doesn't he know, her heart breaks when he's going through a lot?
"Please don't give up your happiness. Do whatever it takes to keep you happy. Whatever it maybe. Whatever it might take."

The fresh air hitting up Maya's skin. She leaned on the window. Jungkook's family liked her. Yeah they genuinely liked her. Maya glanced at Jungkook, eyes fixed on the road. He looked so darn good.
"Kookie, do you think we are going too fast?"
"I don't think so. I want to keep you by my side forever. And you know, since I'm already losing my first love, my idol career. An irrational fear has grown on me that I might lose you. So I just want to hold you close till I can."
Did she really find herself someone like him? Really? As if he was stitched from fairytales and dreams and lovesongs.
"You know I love you more than this wholewide world combined, right?"
"Yeah, I'm so lucky that I found you. And I'm gonna treasure you till the end, Sunshine."
Maya smiled warmly. A sudden hought clashed inside her braincells.

"When opposites clash one has to give in
The moon and sun don't stay together in the same morning
I can tell since I've seen peasants, I've seen kings
Dear lovers, it ends where it begins..."

The last line going on a loop inside her mind. It ends where it begins. It could mean that the trauma and pain of the nightmares end when they find out where it began. Could it possibly merge two worlds? Is this the real world? Is this a dream? Her dream and his nightmare.
"Kookie, do you possibly think the coffee shop exists?"
Jungkook inhaled from in between his teeth. His eyes fluttered off the road. Her gaze dreamy. Her fingers playing with the hem of her dress. Should he? Yes maybe.
"I don't think so Sunshine. See, every detail we see in our dreams has a connection to us here. I work in BigHit in both the realms. Your house is painted sage green in both. Your foster parents here, are the owner of the foster care you grew up in, in that realm. But I haven't even heard of the cafe once. So there might actually be a possibility that it doesn't exist."
Maya hummed a yes, half heartedly. She believed that the cafe exists. They just don't know it yet.
A red flash of light triggering their eyes. They both frantically scratched each other's palms. Jungkook swiftly took a rough turn towards the left. His knuckles crashed against the gear.
"HIT THE BRAKES JEON. WE WILL CRASH INTO SOMETHING."
Maya screamed, ger nails digging in her palm. Sweat covering her. Eyes scruntched up.
Thank Goodness she knew what do to in situations like this. Her brain worked fast. Just like Namjoon. The car tire screetched against the dusty road. With a thump they both slumped back in the seat. They breath exhaled a breath they held inside.
Jungkook stepped outside screaming,
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU HIGH ON? YOU BASTARD!"
Maya sobbed jumping in his arms. Tears running down her eyes, her nose red,
"I thought we were gonna die! I didn't want to die!"
He wrapped her in his arms. His skin turning into chicken skin. She was shaking. He was scared to death. The cold wind brushing past them.

Maya held his hand tight. She was balled up in the passenger's seat. The glimpses of the red light coming back again and again.  Shivers ran through her veins. What could have happened if Jungkook didn't turn at the right moment? What could have happened if she didn't yell at Jungkook to press on the brakes? Tears running down her eyes. She felt as if her lower lip was about to bleed from the constant biting. The car ride was awkwardly silent. Jungkook was sobbing himself.

"Feeling better?"
Maya looked at him. His cheeks and nose rosey. Like a watercolour human. He had two ramen bowls in his hands. Maya scooted a bit towards her left. The hood of the car was comfortable indeed.
He sat close to her, taking a mouthful of warm ramen. The neon light of the convenient store shining on them. The cold winter breeze hitting them.
Thank Goodness, Jungkook had brought along another extra hoodie. Maya's overcoat was feeling a bit professional for her. Or maybe she just didn't wanna wear it. She wanted to feel the same warmth as Jungkook. His cologne still on the hoodie.
After what happened in a few days. First the fight, then how she lost control over her emotions, then he staying with her, caring for her, meeting his family and lastly the "almost" accident. To be honest it was an emotional rollercoaster. Tonight, the fear of death has gotten on her nerves. What would she do if she loses him?
Maya's eyes fluttered to the young man beside her. Eating ramen, frowning. Pro tip, if Jeon Jungkook frowns when he eats something, it's hella tasty.
The ramen broth sticking to the corner of his soft lips. Maya smiled, using her long finger she rubbed away the ramen broth.