The Forbidden Love - between a fangirl and idol (Jungkookff)

Chapter 12: The Silent Struggles

The days that followed their emotional reunion in the park felt like a blur. Y/N was constantly pulled in different directions—between her growing feelings for Jungkook and the heavy reality of the life he lived. The weight of the media speculation, the whispers among fans, and her own insecurities pressed down on her like never before.

She spent her mornings at the office, surrounded by sketches, layouts, and projects. But even as her coworkers engaged in conversations, she felt detached, as if a part of her was drifting somewhere else. Kim Yerin noticed the shift in her behavior and finally cornered her one afternoon while they were grabbing lunch.

"You've been quiet," Yerin said, stirring her noodles absentmindedly. "Is something going on? You seem... distracted."

Y/N forced a small smile, though her heart wasn't in it. "Just... a lot on my mind lately. Work, family stuff... you know how it is."

Yerin gave her a knowing look, raising an eyebrow. "It's not just work and family, is it?"

Y/N's fingers tightened around her chopsticks. For a brief moment, she considered telling Yerin the truth—about Jungkook, about the complicated mess her life had become. But the fear of judgment, of exposing a part of her life that was still so fragile, kept her silent.

"I'm fine," she said, her voice a little too tight. "Really. Just trying to manage everything."

Yerin didn't push, but the look in her eyes said she didn't fully believe her. "Well, if you ever need to talk... I'm here, okay?"

Y/N nodded, grateful for the offer but unsure if she could ever take it. Yerin had been kind to her ever since she arrived in Seoul, but this—this was something she wasn't ready to share.

That evening, as she walked back to her apartment, Y/N's phone buzzed with a message from her mother.

Mom: "When will you call us, Y/N? We haven't heard from you in days. You know we're still worried about your future..."

Y/N sighed, her fingers hovering over the screen. Her mother's gentle reminders about marriage were becoming more frequent. And it wasn't just her parents—her aunts, uncles, even family friends from back in India were subtly pushing the topic every time they called. The pressure was relentless.

Mom: "There's a boy your father and I think you should meet. He comes from a good family and works in a good company. It's just a meeting, Y/N. Nothing more."

Her stomach churned. She knew her parents meant well, but the idea of meeting someone else, especially when her heart was so tangled with Jungkook, felt impossible. And yet, she also knew she couldn't keep dodging the subject forever. Her parents had already sacrificed so much for her, and she didn't want to disappoint them.

But how could she explain Jungkook to them? How could she tell her family that she was in love with one of the most famous men in the world? It sounded ridiculous, even to her.

With a heavy heart, she typed a response.

Y/N: "I'll call you tomorrow, Amma. I've been busy with work. We'll talk soon."

As she pressed send, she felt a wave of guilt wash over her. She hated lying, but what could she say? That her life was caught between two worlds—one in India where her family expected her to settle down and the other in Seoul, where she was trying to navigate a relationship with a global superstar.

The sound of a new message startled her out of her thoughts.

Jungkook: "How are you holding up?"

A soft smile tugged at her lips. He had been checking in on her almost every day, despite his hectic schedule with BTS. The simplicity of his messages, the care in his words, reminded her of how much he meant to her, even when they weren't together.

Y/N: "It's been a long day. But I'm okay."

His reply came almost instantly.

Jungkook: "Can I see you?"

Her heart skipped a beat. She hadn't seen him in person since their talk in the park, though they had texted constantly. And as much as she wanted to see him, the thought of being together—of the potential consequences—kept her on edge.

Y/N: "Is it safe?"

She could practically picture him smiling through his response.

Jungkook: "We'll be careful. I promise."

Later that night, Y/N found herself waiting at a quiet café on the outskirts of the city. Jungkook had chosen the location—a place far from the usual paparazzi haunts, where they could be just another couple enjoying each other's company.

The moment he walked in, her heart fluttered. He was dressed simply, in a black hoodie and cap, but his presence was undeniable. He made his way to her, and as soon as he sat down, his eyes locked with hers, filled with the warmth and sincerity that she had come to know so well.

"Hi," he said softly, as if the word itself held a world of meaning between them.

"Hi," she whispered back, feeling the tension in her chest ease slightly in his presence.

For a few moments, they sat in comfortable silence, simply enjoying the rare privacy they had. Jungkook reached for her hand across the table, his fingers brushing hers gently.

"I missed you," he murmured, his voice so soft that it felt like a confession.

Her breath hitched at his words. She had missed him too—more than she cared to admit.

"I missed you too," she whispered, her fingers intertwining with his.

They sat like that for a while, their hands clasped together, no words needed. But eventually, the reality of their situation crept back in, and Y/N couldn't hold back her worries any longer.

"I saw the article," she said quietly, breaking the stillness between them.

Jungkook's expression darkened slightly, though he tried to keep his voice calm. "It's nothing. Just speculation."

"I know," she replied, her thumb tracing circles on his hand. "But it still scares me. Your world... it's so different from mine."

Jungkook leaned forward, his gaze intense. "I don't care about the articles or the rumors. All I care about is us, Y/N. You and me."

She looked down, her heart torn. "But what if it's not enough? What if... what if this becomes too much for both of us?"

Jungkook tightened his grip on her hand, his voice firm but tender. "I'm willing to fight for this. For you. I know it won't be easy, but I don't want to give up on us before we even try."

Her eyes welled with tears as she looked at him, feeling the sincerity in his words. She wanted to believe him, to believe that love could conquer the complexities of his life and the uncertainties of her own.

But doubt still lingered in the corners of her mind.

"I don't want to hurt you," she whispered. "And I don't want to be the reason you lose something important."

Jungkook shook his head, his expression resolute. "You're not a burden, Y/N. You're important to me. And I'm willing to take the risk."

A tear slipped down her cheek, and Jungkook reached out to gently wipe it away. The tenderness in his touch, the quiet strength in his gaze—it was enough to make her heart ache with both love and fear.

"I don't know where this will take us," she admitted, her voice trembling slightly. "But I don't want to let go either."

Jungkook smiled softly, his thumb brushing her cheek. "Then don't. We'll take it one step at a time, together."

For the first time in what felt like weeks, Y/N allowed herself to hope. Maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to make this work, despite the odds stacked against them.

And as they sat together, hand in hand, the quiet hum of the café around them, Y/N felt a sense of peace settle over her—like, for now, they could simply be two people in love, without the weight of the world pressing down on them.

For now, it was enough.