Aurora

05

Jisoo knew better than to act on an impulse. She knew better than to listen to her mind. But it was all too much for her. And she had to do it now. Once the couple stood right in the middle of the venue and the ledge, she stopped. Turning back to Jimin, who was mindless of their location, she began.

"You love me for who I am, don't you? You love me because I'm unpredictable and adventurous and you once told me you would support me no matter what my decision is. Now if that is still true.." he seemed to nod his head in confusion. "Then I'm about to make the most irrational and impulsive decision of my life. This one decision means throwing everything that I've done into the gutter. Every single thing that formed our relationship—the struggles we went through, the warmth that we felt and the friendship that we had or even the simple matters like cheek kisses, little dates, parties, everything. And finally, you."

He wasn't dumb enough to not understand what she was talking about. But he tried his best to keep it all in. "You are throwing me away? Into the gutter?" The tiny crack in his voice gave it away, though.

She quickly moved forward to hug him, and he should have pushed her away from all the anger he felt now, but he wanted to feel her warmth. One last time.

"Of course not, silly," her husky laugh was ironic compared to the tears that were streaming now. "I'm not throwing you or anything away. I will keep them in the bottom of my heart, locked away with the rest of my precious memories. But would it be fair to you if I looked longingly towards him while holding your hand?"

He began to sob harder now. Gripping her white dress even tighter as he almost trembled. His worst nightmare hadn't been as bad as his wedding. His failed wedding.

"Why now? I thought you were over him. And you loved me, didn't you? All the dates we went to, warm hugs we had and the kisses—you can't tell they aren't true!"

She smiled through her tears. In their foolishness, another soul had to suffer. "Shh, calm down." She soothed him. "I never said they weren't true, did I? They are. I loved you and will always do. You are my college sweetheart and how could I ever forget that? From the beginning, I loved you." Before she could continue, he questioned her again.

"Then, why?" A whisper was all he could muster while his heart was breaking into pieces.

She pulled out and looked into his eyes. "In my blindness that what we both had was perfect and content, I never acted on the lingering crush that I had on him. And I didn't plan to, until now. I was completely fine marrying you, happy even. But the moment he confessed, all the unconsciously suppressed emotions burst. You were the one who were by my side when I was moving on. And I slowly fell in love with you and was sure that if ever something like this happened—yes, I had considered this situation already—I would be able to turn him down politely. But that is the thing, the more I suppressed them, the feelings burst under too much pressure. After all, the heart wants what it wants, right?"

He sniffed. "I was the one by your side when you were moving on so I should have made you confess then and there. This wouldn't have happened." She couldn't help but feel the bitterness had what he said had happened. "It was my fault. So you never completely moved on from him, did you?" Her reluctant smile was his answer.

He nodded again. "So now you want me to just give up on you? On all that we had? I'm sorry but that is something I can't do. I can't just forget us." Before she could speak, he held up his hand. "At the same time, what you said is true. It wouldn't be fair to us and to him. So please stay with me until I've moved on completely. It's a strange request, I know, but it's the least you could do after ruining me. Us."

His words were harsh, cruel and went right through her but that is the same as truth. She was relieved that he'd said it to her. If he'd suppressed it, then another repetition of the same, another heart break might take place. She was glad to say the least.

"I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here, asking for your forgiveness until you give in, because I'm breaking your heart now. And I'm sure he isn't the possessive boyfriend, neither am I the type to just leave someone behind, so I will make sure we have moved on from our relationship." The brilliant smile she showed him afterwards was a reward in itself for him. He wasn't ready to let her go, but he will learn how someday.

They separated their ways then, Jimin making his way towards the venue and Jisoo retracing her steps back to him. When she finally got back to the white ledge, he was still there. Eyes closed, he was leaning against it and legs spread out leisurely.

"I'll somehow get the ring out, I promise. I just need time." He said as she sat quite close to him.

Jisoo completely ignoring him, stared at his face. She felt free this time, no barriers between them and she was going to use this freedom to the fullest. "We have never had one full conversation."

He raised his eyebrow, still not opening his eyes. "You're here to console me? Believe me, that isn't what I need right now." A mock smile playing on his lips. Was it the sadness inside him acting up when she chose Jimin once again in front of him?

She cleared her throat and began solemnly, "I had everything I ever wanted with Jimin and was content. He was a gentleman to me, a sweet boyfriend and an amazing fiancé. And it took him one whole year to earn that. But all you had to do is say the words and I come running right back to you." She paused, forming her next words. "That makes me sound so desperate, but I don't care anymore. This is what I want and I left everything else behind for this. So now you better take responsibility." When she had finished, she felt it all. Happiness, freedom and above all, love. 

Taehyung had already opened his eyes by the time she started speaking and now, her trembling lips were forming into a smile. He didn't notice but he was doing the same. 

"Are you implying what I think you're implying?"

Tears in her eyes. Happy tears. It was the first time she had ever felt them. "I need my soul mate by my side while I face the world, don't I?"

The smile that was spreading on both of their faces was by far the brightest the moon had ever witnessed. And it was enough to prove that the universe succeeded this time, and it always will.