FORELSKET ( ✔)

11- From Kidnapping to Celebration

The room was dimly lit, with the only illumination coming from the flickering glow of a television screen. A group of individuals from the mental health community sat scattered around, their eyes fixed intently on the TV. The atmosphere was one of muted engagement, punctuated by the soft hum of the television.

Jungkook entered the room with a purposeful stride, his eyes scanning the faces of those present. The people, absorbed in their viewing, momentarily turned their gaze toward him, their curiosity piqued by the unfamiliar visitor. Jungkook's expression remained stoic, his brow furrowing slightly as he took in the scene.

The sight of so many unfamiliar faces only added to his confusion. He wasn't sure which of these individuals was the Thomas he had been instructed to find. His voice broke the silence, blunt and devoid of emotion, as he asked, "Who is Thomas?"

The question hung in the air, eliciting a few puzzled looks and shifting gazes from the room's occupants.

The people around him pointed at a specific person, or at least he thought they pointed at a boy who looked at his teens. Jungkook straightly went towards the teen boy and grabbed his collar and tried to drag him out. "Let's go."

Jungkook's inquiry was interrupted by the sudden, loud exclamation of the same deep voice that had accompanied him earlier. Taehyung burst through the door, his enthusiasm palpable as he called out, "Thomas!!" His voice echoed through the room, cutting through the ambient noise of the television and drawing the attention of everyone present.

Jungkook watched in a mixture of confusion and curiosity as Taehyung swiftly made his way past him, weaving through the dimly lit space. The older man who had been quietly watching TV suddenly perked up. His face lit up with recognition and joy as he saw Taehyung. With a beaming smile, the man, who appeared to be in his late sixties, stood up and extended his arms wide.

"Taehyung! You're here!" The man's voice was filled with warmth and relief. He moved quickly to embrace Taehyung, pulling him into a heartfelt hug. Taehyung, visibly relieved and happy, returned the hug with equal enthusiasm.

As Taehyung gently pulled away from the embrace, he looked at Thomas with a broad, infectious grin. The room seemed to hush for a moment, filled with the anticipatory quiet that precedes a big announcement.

"Thomas, you are getting married!" Taehyung declared with a loud, exuberant voice that resonated through the room. His excitement was palpable, radiating from every word he spoke.

Thomas's eyes widened with surprise and joy. His face lit up, and he couldn't help but respond with, "Really?" The genuine excitement in his voice made it clear that this news was both unexpected and deeply cherished.

Taehyung nodded enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with happiness. "Yes!"

At Taehyung's confirmation, the entire room erupted in a wave of cheers and excitement. The people who had been quietly watching TV moments before now stood up, clapping and shouting in celebration. The atmosphere was filled with an infectious sense of joy, a stark contrast to the subdued mood that had prevailed earlier.

Jungkook, who had been observing the scene from the periphery, felt a sense of oddness as he watched the dynamic unfold. The sheer exuberance of the moment was almost foreign to him, and he found himself somewhat detached from the celebration. His gaze lingered on Taehyung, taking in the broad smile that stretched across his face and the genuine warmth in his eyes. The contrast between Taehyung's radiant happiness and the intensity of Jungkook's own internal struggles was stark, and for a moment, he couldn't help but feel a touch out of place amidst the exuberant celebration.