Broken | jjk

4. unexpected midnight visit

It was another one of those boring days where the only reason you went to office was because books made you feel happier, more satisfied and they didn't complain. As you got down the stair case - not the lift because you didn't know what you'd end up seeing, thanks to the notorious Jungkook - you saw a woman storming out of Jungkook's apartment, angrily. She was screaming cuss words and "hate you's" and "I want nothing to do with you" as she got down the stairs with you and your father. It was Choi Seohee.

That night your father announced at the dinner table that Eunsung's boyfriend suggested a guy for you and that you were to meet him tomorrow, when your parents would be out of town.

You had never met a guy in the absence of your parents and you were nervous but your father, he would never listen to anybody.

"Eunha. Meet him. It's my final word", he said.

"Okay, Dad", you agreed.

-

You got dressed as well as you could to meet the guy Namjoon, Eunsung's boyfriend would bring home.

You heard the door bell and Eunsung rushed to open it.

At the door stood a handsome man along with Namjoon.

"My name is Seokjin.", he extended his hand to meet yours. "You can call me Jin"

He was a fairly good-looking man. Well educated, well settled. Just the type your parents would want for you.

There was small talk. Eunsung talked about how you were brought up and how you were the smartest in your class. Though you were embarrassed, you knew her intentions behind praising you endlessly in front of your potential husband. She wanted to boost your almost non existent self esteem and for Seokjin to think better about you. You weren't sure if this was the right idea when you heard a few sweet lies about yourself escaping her tongue. You hated when this happened. You felt as though what you were was never important to anyone and this was why your parents' presence was important to you. They never sugar-coated things. Eunsung was conveniently skipping bad points about you. You could only give out a tight smile. If you retaliated, you were surely going to hear harsh words from her.

As they left, the both of you waved goodbye with smiles on your face.

"Hey Eunha, Jin left his phone", your sister said grinning like a cheshire cat. "Go to him and return it. Make sure to keep smiling, okay?"

You were hesitant but complied quickly only because you didn't want to disappoint her. And honestly, even you were tired of rejections. Did we mention that?

You walked towards the car parking to witness something that broke you absolutely, yet again.

"Man, what kind of a girl was that? Joon are you a friend or a fucking foe, man?!", Seokjin vented to Namjoon, presumably about you. "She dresses like an old hag and that hair? Is it a fucking bird's nest?"

"Man, Jin! Help me out. I want to marry Eunsung and that can only happen if old man Kim sees the encyclopedia getting married", Namjoon said. He wasn't sorry, or so it seemed. "Don't be the eleventh guy to reject her man"

"Your Eunsung, your problem. Not mine", Jin said, now getting angrier with Namjoon. "No way I am marrying her while you marry a beautiful girl like Eunsung. I shouldn't have had my hopes high with you man"

You quickly turned your back to the scene. You saw Jungkook walking towards the parking as well. You turned away from him as well and wiped your tears away and let their words continue to prick your heart. You were tired of this.

Jungkook heard the talk as well. Seokjin and Namjoon were quite loud, you see. He did not seem to understand how anyone could reject you. He could see galaxies in your eyes, just like the meaning of your name. For the smallest interactions you both had, he could feel the warmth that radiated from you and the kindness you possessed. It was in the little smiles that you gave your customers as they complimented you for your taste in books, the smile you had when Jimin showered you with breadcrumbs of attention. It hurt his heart but anything for her smile, he thought. The little sighs that left you when an employee repeatedly arranged the books on the wrong shelves as you repeatedly forgave them without second thought. It was the way your hair got messy by the end of the day and framed your face beautifully, making you look like a piece of art to him. Sometimes, he could not understand the reason behind your low self-esteem which was a dominant trait in your personality. But that was a character flaw that could be fixed by love and showing you how beautiful you were, inside and out.

You raced to the flat and yelled at your sister.

"How could you tell Namjoon about how many guys rejected me?", I asked.

"Jin doesn't want to marry you", she answered back, completely out of context and not giving a flying sheep about it. "Namjoon has given me an ultimatum now. He refused to marry me if the wedding can't happen in a month. Are you happy now?"

Her voice was loud,and pain and anger dripping with every word she spat. It was almost like venom. You felt a pain in your heart. You almost understood her. Your heart hurt for her situation, immediately feeling sorry.

"I am so sorry Eunsung", you apologized.

"NO YOU AREN'T!", she shouted before landing a tight slap on your right cheek.

You still were not pissed. You understood her situation. You did not react on the sudden physical pain she inflicted on you even though your cheeks were red with her finger marks and stung.

"I am going to elope. That is the only choice.", she ran to the room and began packing her bags. "I will go away from all the bullshit now."

"Eunsung", you shouted, bringing her back to reality. "STOP! Don't do this. Think about Dad and Mom, at least. I promise to find a guy to marry in a month.", you reassured, though not quite sure as to how that you would happen, considering the high expectations from your parents. "I promise", you repeated, this time it was more like a self-note.

-

It was 2:30 AM in your digital clock.

You couldn't sleep that night. You needed to find a guy. At this point, you were so concerned for your sister that you did not mind if the guy and his family would abuse you or taunt you for the way you look. Most of the families were only attracted to your pay as an assistant librarian in the biggest library of Seoul. But even so, you were now ready to settle for anybody.

The impact that the look in Eunsung's eyes left on you that huge. So huge, that you probably would not mind if the guy wasn't the kind that your parents would exactly approve of. You just wanted your baby sister to smile a genuine smile. A smile she had lost ever since your father said that her marriage would only be possible after mine. You felt like you were at fault.

A few minutes later, you found yourself in the apartment of the infamous Jeon Jungkook.