As time passed, they blended in the shades of their own lives. It was just a few days before their graduation.
Jungkook's college had graduation ceremony before Taehyung's and other's college.
And so, Rm and Suga were insisting Jk to visit their graduation ceremony after he was done with his own. They wanted to celebrate together and even Jk did crave a little meetup with his old friends.
Though the thought of seeing Taehyung again left s bitter aftertaste in his mouth. But due to constant compelling and threat calls...by Suga. Jk agreed.
Rm and Suga had subtly dropped the news to other friends. Taehyung was shook to core, almost dropping the spoon he held in cafeteria as they talked during lunch.
But clearing his throat, he remained or atleast pretended to be non chalant.
And finally.... it was the day of graduation~
Jk flew back to Seoul for the reunion...for his friends...or atleast that's what he wanted for now.
Suga and Rm picked him up at airport. They hugged Jk tight after such a long time. And joked about how ripped Jk looked now in just a little time .
They headed to college together. And Jk sat in audience smiling feeling nostalgic and happy at the sense of home again.
And soon, the graduation ceremony began. Names were called one by one and proud applaud roar across the audience sitting. Cheering for their loved ones' achivement.
Jk clapped harder and cheered loud as one by one Rm, Suga, J hope, Jin and Jimin were called to honour on the stage. His smile widened as they were handed the degree certificate with a proud manner.
And then his claps and cheers got quiet as the name echoed in the hall.
"Kim Taehyung"
He then felt his eyes stuck to a figure walking upto the stage smiling wide...with silver hair?
'He looks beautiful' An intrusive thought crossed Jk's mind before he shook his head. He then settled back looking at others probably Tae's friends cheering.
He eyed Tae with cold eyes and laid back attitude. While unknown to Tae, he had a familiar spectator sitting in audience.
As Tae took his degree classified for 1st division ranker and smiled for the photo, Jk poked his tounge inside and ran his hand through his hair.
After the ceremony ended and parents rushed to their children in a beautiful emotional moment, Jungkook walked towards the group of his old friends.
As others noticed, Jin and Jimin gasped and instantly pulled Jk in a hug. J hope did his happy dance and Suga, Rm stood behind smiling.
Everyone cheered for Jk and the reunion was alive. Jk smiled too and talked around giggling.
But then his eyes fell on Taehyung, who was standing quietly not even looking at him. Others noticed his stare and realised the situation was seconds away from getting awkward.
And so Rm cleared his throat and said, "Jk, you came after a long time for our celebration. This definitely calls for a party. Let's head to the club"
Everyone instantly nodded and got excited but Tae in a small muttered....
"B-but hyung. I can't join. Y-you know, halmoni must be at home waiting for me."
To which Jimin replied whining...
"Come on Tae, we know halmoni is quiet chill. And I am sure she will understand. Come on..."
Tae nodded meekily finding no other choice and looked up only to meet Jk's boring and almost intense gaze.
He looked away as if burned through just a gaze and then everyone headed out.
As everyone entered the club, it was resonating with loud music and people dancing on the floor like no tomorrow.
Everyone hyped up and excitedly settled in a corner to have few drinks first.
Tae refused as he didn't like to drink so rather got himself a chilly lemonade. And no one forced him whatsoever cuz everyone enjoys in their own way, duh!
Soon, shots after shots rolled out. Rm and Jungkook were almost wilding out as everyone else was on dancing floor. Tae was sitting beside alone and drinking his lemonade on phone.
Tae gasped softly as Jk sat right beside him ordering another drink here and turned his head to Tae. His eyes cold and Tae instantly looked away.
Jk scoffed and muttered...
"What? I didn't expect you to stay coward after all these years."
To which Tae but his lips nervously and said.....
"I-I just don't like clubs or drinking."
Jk smirked and shot back...
"Can't handle bitter? Oh really? Can't bear the taste of your own medicine?"
Tae didn't reply knowing well what was being referred to. But Jk wasn't ready to let it go.
He gobbled another shot down quick and leaned to Tae saying mockingly....
"What happened? Did you find your prince charming, Mr Architecture?
Or wait, did he turn out to be a cheater too?"
Jungkook chuckled darkly and eyed Tae's nervous figure as Tae said while fiddling with his fingers...
"I-I did realise my mistake, Jungkook. B-but,it was meant to happen. Long distance relationship is always tough and exhausting."
Jk raised his brows at that unimpressed and said curtly....
"So? One stops loving cuz it was hard? And just accuse and suspect the other for their own fears? "
Tae looked down and bit his lips and spoke almost like a whisper....
"I know what I did was wrong, Jungkook. But it's just....my fears and everything around me was too overwhelming to see your side of story."
Jk scoffed and twisted Tae's chair to face him. He leaned in and spoke almost venomously.
"Oh no no no, Taehyung. You now, don't get to play the victim here. You don't get to just say a little apology and slip away like anything didn't happened. You...just get to look in my eye, and feel each pain and emotion that I felt."
He held Tae's chin just shy of gripping and eye contacted him.
"How easily you said those words on that day huh? Eight years swept away just by those... pathetic words.
And now when I am here to question you. You are cowering away, sitting here like a doll. "
Jk said smirking bitterly and leaned in.
The distance slowly decreased and Tae unknowingly shut his eyes. A tear slipping past his left eye, crawling down to his cheek.
He waited for the sensation that bloomed his heart once for it to do the same...again atleast for the last time. But it never came, he opened his eyes to meet an unfamiliar gaze from the familiar eyes.
He was never looked upon like this by Jungkook. Resentful , agonising and somewhat...hurt.
"What? What do you expect?
Jk whispered mockingly and Tae blinked."
"I-I am sorry."
Tae whispered and Jk smirked.
"Keep it to yourself."
He whispered and pulled back.
Jk stood up and left without another glance joining Rm again.
While Tae sat in the same position and blinked away his tears rapidly. He stood up, got his phone and other stuff.
And walked out...to escape. To escape what or who? Himself or Jungkook?He doesn't know.
He left while a set of eyes followed his figure. Unknowingly yet knowingly.
A smirk formed on Jungkook's lips again... almost like it had became his signature antic. As he was ready...to let his pain and his anger lead him this time. Not love.