It can't be him

Chapter 5

August 2022

NAMJOON

Namjoon could only stare as Thanvi practically fled the room. He would have found her reaction hilarious if the situation wasn't so messed up. Thanvi has always been an entertaining presence ever since she entered his life, and he has thoroughly enjoyed her shenanigans till now. Her running away from unwanted situations has always seemed funny to him, until now, when he's at the receiving end of it. But what if she really is his soulmate? What then?

It was last night that he noticed the tattoo. He had finished his verses for the track they were working on and walked back home. When he saw that tattoo, the relief he felt after the initial shock cannot be described. He's been waiting for the day he would meet his other half. And the wait for this moment has been torturous. He had been waiting for 5 years! Every time one of his members found their soulmate, (which has happened 4 times already now, mind you!) the longing became a little more intense. It's not like he was not happy for them, he really was. But he was also a bit envious. Even little Jungkookie found his woman! His momentary relief had soon turned into panic when he realized that he had NO IDEA who his soulmate was. And he spent the whole night wondering who it could be. And now he's left behind by the girl who has the most chance of being his soulmate. The girl he's known for almost four years now. The girl who lives on an entirely different continent. The girl who has over the years been very vocal about not wanting to find her soulmate.

Namjoon's mind was reeling with all possible scenarios. If she was indeed his, then what would they do? Would she even acknowledge the bond? Would she give them a chance? How are they going to work it out living in two different countries? Most of all, does he want her?

That question made him pause. Does he want her? Sure, she is an attractive woman who is smart and talented. And sure, he initially had a small, very small crush on her. But that was in the beginning. If he really wanted her, wouldn't he have developed feelings for her over the years that they knew each other? But that was not the case! She's fun to be around, and quite insightful. They have the same ideology when it comes to many topics. But he has never looked at her as a potential partner. So how will it happen now?

Namjoon's internal debate was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see a worried Hoseok and an apologetic Zach. "Please don't take her reaction personally. You know how she is with the whole soulmate thing. Just let her get her head straight. She'll come to you", Zach told him, trying to make things better. "Do you think it's her? It could be just a coincidence", Hobi offered. "I don't know. She is one of the very few people I interacted with yesterday. But yeah, it could just be a coincidence for all we know", Namjoon shrugged, trying to be calm. "There's a way to know '', Zach looked at them "Just show me your tattoo. I've seen hers. If it's the same there's a very high chance that our assumption is right. But if it's different, we don't have to worry about it anymore. What do you say?" Namjoon knew Zach was trying to help, but the thought of finding the answer also scared him. He wasn't sure if he wanted it to be the same tattoo or not.

Calming himself down as he made sure that everyone else has left the room, Namjoon lowered his T-shirt's neckline and showed Zach his tattoo. He didn't have to wait too long as Zach responded, "Yup. That looks like hers. But you really need to check with her as I had not gotten a very thorough look". "Why would you? It's literally on her chest!", Namjoon thought but didn't sound it out loud. "Um, okay. I'll try to talk to her after she's done with her work", Namjoon responded. "Wait! Did you take any medicine? You must be feeling weak", Hobi asked, worried. Namjoon shook his head, prompting Hoseok to inform him that he had some in his studio. "I had started to take them last month when Miyoungie had to go to London for the three-month contemporary dance workshop", he clarified. Miyoung and Hoseok are one of the luckier soulmate pairs when it comes to schedule clashes. Miyoung is a choreographer and dancer working with Bighit. So she gets assigned to them whenever they go on tours. She's a wonderful dancer, almost as good as Hobi, and it's convenient for the couple.

Promising Hoseok that he'd get the medication a little later, Namjoon left the conference room with his head full of questions, leaving his bandmate and Zach concerned. Unfortunately for him, the woman who should be concerned does not seem to be so.