The Unexpected (Namkook)

Part 7

Their names in the voice they were craving for, seemed like a bliss out of nowhere. In spite of the crazy yearning of each other's company, the sudden conversion of dream to destiny was accepted with invisible open arms. The names were addressed but no exchange of greetings took place due to the tranquility of the surroundings.

Staring at each other's eyes provided more relaxation than expressing the feeling of joy in the small coincidence. Jungkook tapped his fingers inside his jacket pocket to shake off the nervousness before starting to speak.
"Didn't think you would be here!"
"Me neither!"

Only the almighty knew how smooth those two lied on their faces. The lies were followed by a cute bunny smile and a soft dimpled one.
"So, how have you been?" Jungkook asked, still tapping the fingers to overcome his anxiety.
"Been good, how are you Jungkook?" Namjoon asked back without finding any other question to get over the tension running through his veins.

"I'm good too. I guess the place is closed now." Jungkook pointed at the now fully closed door of the shop.
"Yeah, you were supposed to pick dinner from there?" Namjoon's question clicked some marvellous idea in the other's mind.
"I bought groceries today but wasn't feeling like cooking, so thought of- um- do you know any other place around?"
"There's one down the street but the hygiene of that place is really questionable." A small chuckle with those popped down dimples made Jungkook forget all about the phrase "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" that he learnt during his training.

"Let's go then!" Namjoon staggered to his feet swaying a little to process the moment. He definitely wants to spend time with the other but the silent reciprocation of the idea seemed to astound him.
"I just ate." Jungkook's face fell down while Namjoon being unaware of proper dating, didn't understand the fact that Jungkook was inviting him for spending time rather than having a meal together.

"Maybe you can suggest me what items are best to order." Jungkook was determined not to leave the ground until he scored the goal.
"Okay, sure." The hesitation was just superficial as Namjoon didn't want to show too much of excitement in his tone.
"We can go in my car." Jungkook pointed at his own parked few yards away.
"I also have mine parked."

The eatery Namjoon referred to was just half a kilometre away from their current location but the loss of opportunity to have more time with Namjoon, saddened the cop who finally decided to give up.
"Then shall we meet at that place?"
"Sure."

As the two proceeded towards their respective vehicles, something struck in Namjoon's mind.
"Hey! You don't know the place, right? Just follow my car."
"As you say." Jungkook agreed without letting the truth out. He already knew the place but asking about the recommendations from Namjoon was the excuse he needed to passively ask the man out.

********

Namjoon ordered one bowl of hot ramen and some chicken wings for Jungkook who planned to share the food with the former as a more interactive gesture. As the food was placed on the table with two pairs of chopsticks, Jungkook picked one up and handed to Namjoon ignoring all the protests he faced.

"Just a few bites won't kill you." It became difficult for Namjoon to reject the request that came out with a bunny smile on the side.
"Just so you know, I had a full meal few minutes back." He said picking up a small bite of ramen. The discussion on food review continued during which Jungkook tried to take a different route.

"So, what do you do?" He asked wiping the vegetable bits off his chin that got stuck while slurping on the noodles.
"I'm a final year law student."
"That's great! Planning to be a lawyer?"
"Kind of. My father is one, so maybe. What do you do?" Namjoon picked up the glass of water.
"I'm the man who reaches the crime scene first."

Keeping down the glass, Namjoon stared at the other with a frown before realising the meaning of Jungkook's words.
"You're a cop!" He exclaimed earning a chuckling nod from the other.
"You look too young to be a cop. How old are you?" Namjoon continued.
"I'm 26 and you are?"
"22 but taller for my age I guess."
"You're handsome and perfect!" Jungkook's chuckle now turned to a huge smile that sparked a realisation in Namjoon's heart.

The countless times Ha-jin complimented him in her seductive voice felt nothing but annoying. The times the girls in his class passed cheesy pickup lines for him sounded cheap desperation. Moreover, Namjoon has never fostered any affection for anyone in his heart. This is where his mind and heart asked his soul simultaneously if there was something more about Jungkook.

"I mean you look cute." Jungkook mistook Namjoon's silence as a negative reaction of his previous words, so tried to pitch in the exact thought he was having.
"Thanks! You look fine too. I guess you have to follow strict diet in your profession." Namjoon finally came back from the endless thoughts and came up with a new topic to cover up the blush piling up inside him.
"I do but I give importance to exercises more than food. Come on, let's be real, who can stay away from carb!"

After a prolonged conversation, it was getting depressing to part ways, but they have to carry on with their respective daily routines. Exchanging the phone numbers, they drove off in their own ways.