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

Chapter 18: The Choices We Make

The sun was barely up when Y/N found herself sitting in the small garden outside her home, sipping a cup of tea that had long since gone cold. The air was cool, and the quiet of the early morning provided a momentary escape from the chaos swirling inside her mind. Today was the day. Her family expected her to make a decision, and no matter which path she chose, someone would be hurt.

Her parents had been kind and patient, but their hopes were palpable, hanging in the air like a cloud she couldn't escape. The boy's family would be visiting again in the afternoon. They were expecting her answer. But the truth was, she wasn't any closer to making up her mind than she had been yesterday.

Her thoughts drifted to Jungkook. Last night's phone call had given her some comfort, but it hadn't solved anything. She knew how much he cared for her—she could hear it in his voice, the way he had reassured her. But love didn't erase the complexities of their situation. She was here, in India, surrounded by family obligations and societal expectations, while he was thousands of miles away, living a life that she couldn't truly be part of.

Y/N's thoughts: How can I choose between my family and the one person who makes me feel like I'm truly alive? Is it even fair to ask Jungkook to wait for me when I don't know if I'll ever be able to give him the life he deserves?

She placed the cup down, her hands trembling slightly. A part of her wanted to believe that love could conquer everything, but another part knew that love wasn't always enough. There were cultural differences, family expectations, and the constant scrutiny of the public eye. Could she really build a life with him, knowing that these challenges would never fully go away?

Her phone buzzed beside her, breaking her thoughts. It was a message from Jungkook.

Jungkook: Good morning, Y/N. I've been thinking about you. I hope you're okay.

She smiled softly at the screen. His simple message brought warmth to her heart, but it also made her ache. He was always there, always checking in, always caring. And that made everything so much harder.

Meanwhile, in Seoul, Jungkook sat in his studio, staring at the same message thread. He had sent that text over an hour ago and was still waiting for a reply. His mind was restless, and the usual creative escape of music wasn't helping this time. Every note he played seemed off, like his thoughts were too jumbled to focus on the melody.

He thought back to their conversation last night. He had tried to be strong, to reassure her that they could find a way through this. But even he wasn't sure. The more he thought about it, the more the doubts crept in.

Jungkook's thoughts: I can tell her that I'll wait for her, that we'll figure this out, but what if it's too much for her? What if asking her to choose me means asking her to give up everything she's ever known?

He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. He didn't want to be selfish, but the thought of her marrying someone else, building a life with someone else, made his chest tighten with dread. He had never felt like this before. He had always kept his personal life separate from his career, kept people at arm's length to protect himself. But with Y/N, it was different. She had gotten under his skin in a way no one else ever had.

Jungkook's thoughts: What if I lose her? What if this is the last time we ever speak?

The thought was unbearable. He had always believed in fighting for the things that mattered, and she mattered more than anything. But how could he ask her to fight alongside him when her family's expectations weighed so heavily on her?

His phone vibrated on the desk. He grabbed it, hoping it was her, but it was a message from his manager. A reminder about an upcoming event. He tossed the phone back down in frustration. He didn't want to think about work right now. The only thing that mattered was Y/N.