Always, It's You

Chapter 19

When Taehyung landed in the states and struggling his way out of the airport,
Maya and Ashley were wandering around the silent streets of Victoria square.
The alleys were vibrantly colorful and the medieval architecture made the city of Naxxar more beautiful.

They sat outside the cafe in an alley of Naxxar. The white and beige walls of the buildings with bright blue and green balconies and windowsills under the golden sun were pictures that seemed to come out of a medieval storybook.

"What's your plan then?" Maya asked Ashley sipping her lemon drinks. "Going back?"

"Yes, I am missing The Clouds," Ashley replied.

Maya sighed, "Yes, I miss it too. I don't know when I would be home again. But take care of them, will you?"

Ashley smiled.

"So, where is Troye?" Asked Ashley.

Maya rolled her eyes, "To hell, I wish."

Ashley chuckled. Her breaking up or making up with Troye twice in a month isn't a rare scene.

"What is he up to lately?"

"Who knows? None of my concern." Maya put an earphone in her ear.

"Come on M, what's the matter this time?" asked Ashley, still smiling.

"He is insisting me accept the job offer at the Uni," Maya replied with an irritated expression.

"So what? It's your dream job dude!" Ashley was excited.

" Whatever....who is he to insist me?" Maya rolled her eyes.

Ashley laughed out loud, "you know, you are not making any sense now?"

"I know," Maya pouted, "my current job will take at least another six months to finish. I have no intention to leave in the middle."

"And?" Ashley raised one of her brows, "you have plenty of opportunities there you know? You will have authority to launch expeditions and enough research facilities!"

She knew well how hard Maya had to work to get the opportunity at this research team she was currently working with on that research vessel.

"Not you too!" Maya shoved one earphone into Ashley's ear, "I just feel uncomfortable when I think about working with Troye. What if it doesn't work out well?"

Ashley understood her insecurity. Troye was a young faculty member of the Biotechnology department at the Uni. They both met at a seminar when Maya was an undergrad and Troye was doing his post-graduation.
They looked great together - thought Ashley. But her thoughts were pushed aside by a voice coming from the earphone.

The song was melodious, the voice was filled with pure emotion. It was painful, yet so beautiful, it almost felt heavenly.
Maya noticed the sudden silence and the perplexed expression on her face.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yeah." Ashley nodded, emersed in the melody.

"It's BTS." She smiled victoriously.

"I thought, it's a boy band? But why only one is singing?" asked Ashley.

"Oh, no.....they all sing or rap..... it's's just a solo from Seokjin."

"What is this song ?" Ashley looked at Maya.

"Epiphany."

Ashley nodded, "I had met a Korean friend recently. He too mentioned them."

"Was he your patient?"

Ashley smiled, "no, it's a crazy story."

"Is it?" Maya paused the song, "tell me."

Ashley told her everything from start to end.

"Name, dude, what's his name?" she asked.

Ashley thought for a second. She knew him as Tae. What was the full name again? She was unsure. It was quite difficult to pronounce.

"Kim. He said another name, but I am not sure of it," she replied.

"Dude! It could have been quite a romantic story if I were in your place!" Maya exclaimed excitedly.

Ashley rolled her eyes, "not everyone is you, M."

"He even gave you a necklace, Pip...I  bet he liked you!" she was excited like a puppy.

"Don't get your heads over the cloud, clown! I gave him a phone too. It doesn't mean anything!" Ashley protested.

"But why the hell didn't you two exchange numbers?" she asked frustratingly, "I don't like a sad ending."

"As if I didn't want to?" Ashley defended herself, "that damn pager beeped at that time and I got distracted. And hold your horses, girl, nobody is getting into a romantic story, nothing has any sad ending."

"I think he liked you," concluded Maya.

"That is what you get after all these?" Ashley sighed.

"Definitely. And you like him too," She said.

"Stop these nonsenses, will ya?" Ashley groaned.

"Somebody is salty!!!....yeah dude, you definately like him." Maya crossed his arms.

"You are not gonna shut up about this, are you?"

"Damn right I won't!" she chuckled,
"Now tell me, how did he look?"

Ashley knew there was no point in making her back off, "ok, I will tell you, but you have to promise me to stop teasing me about this again."

"Uh ha..." Maya hummed.

"He was a good looking guy."

"Only good looking, huh?" Maya raised her brow.

Seeing Maya's eagle's eyes over her, she groaned, "Fine, he was maybe the most good looking guy I have ever encountered. He was too good to be true."

"See, I told you that you like him," Maya shouted excitedly.

Seeing everybody noticing them around, she lowered her voice, "you are just not accepting it."

"What happened to the promise you made like.....a minute earlier?" Ashley asked, irritated.

"Did I? No. You just assumed I made it," Maya replied innocently, "And to add to my statement, you are sad that you will never meet him again, and whining over regret."

"Seriously, why are you even my friend, M?" Already being frustrated, Ashley decided to let it go. Maya could say whatever she wanted.

"To help you find someone.....dude! If I ever find him, I will make sure you don't mess it up again." She was smiling unaffectedly.

"Yes, I should have kept it in mind that you are a literal pain in the ass!" Ashley sighed.

[ hi guys....... it's a double update this time.....I know I have been updating boring chapters lately, but I will try harder to make it nice. Thank you for your supports and 1K reads!!!!... It means a lot to me.
Things are getting hectic and I may be able to update soon. Sorry again beforehand if I take too long.
Stay fine and tuned.💜💜💜💜💜]