Hidden (Taekook)

Chapter 5: Uncontrollable Feelings

Taehyung and Jungkook were seated on the floor as they took out Taehyung's clothes from his suitcase and then folded them right after.  They worked in silence at first, but Jungkook took the opportunity to find out more about the older one.

"So, where are you from, Taehyung?" Jungkook asked.

"I grew up in Daegu and then transferred to Seoul to go to college."

"Which university?"

"Actually, make that universities. I went to Hybe School of Arts and Design since that's my first choice, but then had to transfer in my second year to B.E. University to take business."

"Wow, those are really big schools. I guess your family's pretty well-off, huh?"

Taehyung realized he made a mistake of telling Jungkook the truth about him.  He didn't mean to.  It's just that he felt so comfortable with the latter that telling the truth just came naturally.  He just decided to downplay it.

"My dad just really worked hard for us to get to good colleges."

"Us?  So, you have siblings?"

Taehyung looked at Jungkook and saw the sincerity and child-like curiosity in the latter's face.

How can I even lie to you? 

Taehyung thought to himself and just decided not to overthink it and just go with the flow. 

"Yes, I have an annoying younger sister that I'm quite close to."  Taehyung said and before Jungkook could even ask more questions, he decided to turn the tables on him.

"Enough about me.  How about you? What's your story?"

"Well, I grew up in Busan, went to highschool here in Seoul.  At 15, I started training to become an idol and became a member of BTS. That was eight years ago and now, here I am."

"So you practically spent almost half of your life with BTS, huh?"

"Hmmm, never thought of it that way actually, but yeah you're right. " Jungkook chuckled.

"Have have you ever felt like you've missed out on a lot of things through the years?"

"Sometimes. But, I wouldn't have it any other way.  This was really my dream since childhood."

"How does it feel?"

"Being an idol?"

"No.  Being able to live your dream?  Living the life you want?  How does that feel?" Taehyung asked.

Jungkook stared at Taehyung and he felt his heart clench. He could see sadness in his eyes and he didn't like the feeling one bit.  He paused and thought about what to say, as he knew that whatever his answer would be will either make Taehyung feel worse or feel good.

"Living the life you dreamed of isn't always sunshine and roses, Taehyung.  I went through a lot of hardships, disappointments, sleepless nights, spent most part of it away from my family, I can't have a relationship...it's tough. But, I've to keep fighting because I don't want to wake up one day and realize that the dream is over.  I have to work hard to be in it...stay in it. I'm sure it's nothing different from the life you lived nor anyone else's."

"Believe me, it's far from the life I lived.  Where I came from, I didn't have a choice. I didn't have my own voice, I wasn't allowed to dream, I was forced to make decisions that were far from what I wanted and I can't be myself.  I was a puppet, basically."  Taehyung said, not even realizing that he was shedding tears already. 

Jungkook didn't know what to do, but just followed his instincts.  He quickly crawled to Taehyung's side and placed his arm around him and rubbed the latter's shoulder.