Soulmates in Disguise

The Love I Can't Have

Jungkook walked through the streets with heavy steps, his mind a chaotic swirl of emotions. Hatred bubbled up within him, not just towards Taehyung, but towards Ria, and even himself. Each step felt like a battle against the storm of thoughts that consumed him. The image of Ria and Taehyung’s kiss kept playing in his mind like a cruel loop, twisting his insides with a mix of jealousy and bitterness.

By the time he reached his apartment, the emotional weight had become unbearable. He slammed the door shut behind him and headed straight for the bathroom, shedding his clothes along the way as if trying to strip away the pain that clung to him. He turned on the water, filling the bathtub, and sank into it, letting the warmth envelop him. But no amount of heat could soothe the cold ache in his heart.

Jungkook leaned back, staring up at the ceiling, the sound of water dripping into the tub the only noise in the room. The anger simmered within him, but beneath it, there was something else—something he couldn’t quite push away. He hated Ria for what she had done, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that she still belonged to him, that some invisible thread still connected them.

"Why do I still care?" he muttered, his voice echoing softly in the tiled room. "She made her choice… but why does it feel like she’s still mine?"

"Enough!" Jungkook shouted, sitting up abruptly in the tub, water sloshing over the edge. He climbed out, not caring about the mess, and stood dripping in front of the mirror. His reflection stared back at him, eyes wild with emotion.

"Ria belongs to Taehyung now," he said aloud, forcing the words through gritted teeth, as if saying it out loud would make it true. "She’s his, not mine."

Meanwhile, Ria reached her place, her emotions a tangled mess of guilt and determination. As she closed the door behind her, she leaned against it, sliding down to sit on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. The memory of Jungkook’s expression when he saw her with Taehyung haunted her, but she pushed it away.

"I need to forget him," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible in the quiet room. "I need to move on. I have to make this work with Taehyung."

She repeated the words like a mantra, trying to solidify her resolve. But every time she closed her eyes, she saw Jungkook’s eyes staring back at her, filled with hurt and anger. She shook her head, trying to clear the image, but it clung to her like a shadow.

As she walked through her apartment, she noticed her phone buzzing with a message from Taehyung. A small, almost fragile smile tugged at her lips as she opened it.

"Did you get home safe?" his message read.

"Yes, I’m home," she replied, her fingers hesitating for a moment before she added, "Thank you for tonight, Tae."

His response was almost immediate. "I’m glad you’re okay. I was worried about you."

She felt a pang of guilt at his words, knowing how much he cared for her, how much he had already put up with. But she resolved to make it right, to put all her energy into building something real with him.

"I’m fine, really. And I’m looking forward to seeing you tomorrow," she typed, her determination hardening. "We can talk more then."

Taehyung’s reply was simple, but it warmed her heart. "I’m here for you, Ria. Whenever you’re ready."

Taehyung sat in his room, the memory of their first kiss vivid in his mind. He couldn’t stop smiling, a rush of pure, unfiltered joy coursing through him. His fingers lightly brushed his lips, still tingling from where hers had been. *Her first kiss…*.

He walked to the mirror, his reflection staring back at him with a mix of awe and intensity. As he traced the outline of his lips, his smile widened. It wasn’t just happiness he felt—it was something deeper, more consuming.