part 24 (search in russia)

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Chapter 25: The Search in Russia

Taehyung returned to the hotel with a new resolve. The conversation with Joon had clarified what he needed to do, and it was time to take action. The situation with Jisoo had reached a breaking point, and he couldn't continue living in denial. His heart had always been with Jennie, and he needed to find her and face whatever came next.

After a brief but tense conversation with Jisoo, during which he explained that he needed to go to Russia, Taehyung quickly packed his bags. He booked a flight for the next morning, feeling a mixture of anxiety and determination. He knew finding Jennie wouldn't be easy; she had made it clear she wanted to start fresh, away from the complications of their past. But he couldn't live with himself if he didn't at least try.

The flight to Russia was long, giving Taehyung ample time to reflect on everything that had led him to this moment. He thought about the good times with Jisoo and how they had drifted apart. He thought about Jennie, her laughter, and the warmth in her eyes. The memories brought a bittersweet ache to his heart, but they also strengthened his resolve. He was going to find her, no matter how long it took.

Arriving in Moscow, Taehyung was struck by the city's vastness and the sheer number of people. It felt overwhelming, a stark contrast to the small circle of familiarity he had left behind. He had no concrete plan, only an address where Jennie was supposedly living. With the city's sprawling layout and the language barrier, he knew this would be a challenging task.

Taehyung began his search, using what little information he had. He visited the address but found that Jennie had moved out a few days prior. Undeterred, he decided to visit local cafes, libraries, and parks, hoping to spot her. The days turned into a blur of fruitless inquiries and wandering the cold streets. He tried reaching out to mutual acquaintances, but most were either unresponsive or unaware of Jennie's whereabouts.

As the days stretched into a week, Taehyung felt the weight of the city pressing down on him. The language barrier made communication difficult, and he encountered few people who spoke Korean or English fluently. He left messages at places where Jennie might visit, hoping she would see them. His heart sank with each passing day without news.

Meanwhile, Jennie was struggling with her own emotions. She had settled into a modest apartment and was trying to build a new life, away from the memories and pain of her past. She had made a few friends, including Jimin, her kind-hearted landlord, who had helped her adjust to the new city. Despite the support, Jennie felt a lingering sadness, a void that couldn't be filled.

One evening, Jennie decided to visit a quiet café she frequented. She needed to clear her mind, away from the noise of her thoughts. As she sat sipping her tea, she noticed a familiar figure standing at the entrance. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized it was Taehyung, looking worn and desperate. For a moment, she considered slipping away, but she knew it was inevitable—they had to talk.

Taehyung spotted Jennie and felt a surge of relief mixed with anxiety. He walked over to her table, feeling the weight of her gaze. She looked at him with a mix of surprise and guardedness, her expression unreadable.

"Jennie," Taehyung began, his voice trembling slightly. "I've been looking for you everywhere. I need to talk to you."

Jennie sighed, gesturing for him to sit. "Taehyung, what are you doing here? You should be with Jisoo. There's nothing left for you here."

Taehyung sat down, leaning forward. "I had to find you. I couldn't stay away, knowing you're out here, alone. I needed to tell you that... that my feelings for you never changed."

Jennie's expression hardened. "Feelings, Taehyung? I left you guys fpr your own good and i already moved on.. You want Just forget everything and go back to how things were?"

Taehyung shook his head, struggling to find the right words. "I know I hurt you, Jennie. I made a mistake, a terrible mistake. But you have to understand, my heart has always been with you. I tried to make things work with Jisoo, but it's you I love. It always has been."

Jennie looked away, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "You can't just come here and expect me to forget everything, Taehyung. Do you know how much it hurts me to move on..but i did finally.. I came here to move on, to find myself again. And now you're here, confusing everything."

Taehyung reached out, his hand trembling. "Jennie, please. I know I've been a coward, running away from my feelings, from the truth. But I can't change what happened. I can only promise you that if you give me another chance, I'll never hurt you again. Please, just give me a chance to prove it."

Jennie stood up abruptly, causing Taehyung to flinch. She looked down at him, her expression torn between anger and sorrow. "Go back to Jisoo, Taehyung. That's where you belong. I'm done being second choice. I can't do this anymore."

She turned and walked out of the café, leaving Taehyung sitting alone, stunned and devastated. He knew this was a possibility, but the finality in her voice cut deep. He watched her disappear into the crowd, feeling helpless and lost.

Over the next few days, Taehyung continued to reach out to Jennie, leaving messages and trying to see her again. He knew he was pushing boundaries, but he couldn't bear the thought of leaving things unresolved. Jennie, meanwhile, struggled with her emotions. She still loved Taehyung, but the pain of their past and the fear of being hurt again kept her from reaching out.

Jimin, who had noticed Jennie's distress, tried to comfort her. He knew about Taehyung's presence and was worried about Jennie. "You need to talk to him, Jennie," suzi said one evening. "You need closure, one way or another. Ignoring him won't make the feelings go away."

Jennie sighed, rubbing her temples. "I know, Suzi. But it's so hard. Seeing him brings back everything, the good and the bad. I just want to move on, but I don't know how."

Suzi her russian friend nodded sympathetically. "Sometimes, to move on, you need to face the past. Just be honest with yourself and with him. Whatever happens, know that you've done your best."

That night, Jennie finally agreed to meet Taehyung. They met at a quiet park, away from the city's bustle. As they sat on a bench, the silence between them was heavy, filled with unspoken words.

Taehyung broke the silence first. "Jennie, I know I have no right to ask for anything, but please, just hear me out. I came here because I can't let you go, not without trying everything. I love you, and I want to be with you. But if you can't forgive me, if you want me to leave, I'll respect that."

Jennie looked at him, her eyes searching his face for sincerity. "Why now, Taehyung? I finally found my peace here.. Why you wanna ruin it why?"

Taehyung's shoulders slumped. "I was scared, Jennie. Scared of the consequences, scared of hurting Jisoo, and scared of my own feelings. But being away from you, knowing you're out here alone, it made me realize that I can't live without you. I should have fought for us then, and I'm fighting for us now. Please, give me a chance to make things right."

Jennie felt tears welling up, her emotions a tumultuous mix of anger, love, and fear. She had dreamed of this moment, of Taehyung coming back to her. But now that it was happening, the reality was much more complicated. "I need time, Taehyung," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I need time to figure out if I can forget everything , if It will be easy for me or not.."

Taehyung nodded, a flicker of hope in his eyes. "I'll wait, Jennie. However long it takes, I'll wait for you. Just promise me you'll think about it, about us."

Jennie nodded, wiping her tears

As they parted ways, Taehyung felt a glimmer of hope. It wasn't a definitive answer, but it was a chance, and he was willing to wait as long as it took. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of peace, knowing he had finally followed his heart.

Jennie watched him walk away, her heart heavy with uncertainty. She knew she had to make a decision, not just for Taehyung, but for herself. As much as she wanted to protect her heart, she couldn't deny the love she still felt for him. The future was uncertain, but she knew she couldn't keep running from her feelings. It was time to face them head-on and decide what she truly wanted.

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