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NINTH CHAPTER
2014

"my greatest flaw is this human heart."

//

Park Jimin leans against the balcony as he watches the fireworks.

he's staring at the display Malta has created with folded arms, radiant eyes as he stands in silence- wonder flooding through his body. "this trip was such a good idea, wasn't it?" Jimin asks Sahar for reassurance and agreement- his mute girlfriend who's sitting on the bed.

Sahar still hates how out of everyone, she ended up with Jimin. in her other life, she disliked him for stealing her best friend and now he's her boyfriend for god sake! "yeah it sure was." but she can't bring herself to be rude or tell him no, this is not what she wanted!

Jimin continues to talk to her from the balcony, voice raising so she can hear over the booming fireworks. "where did you go on your toilet break? you took so long." he asks, brunet eyes glancing in her direction. Sahar sees nothing but enthusiasm and love in his eyes and it makes her feel sick, it's not his fault but god-

Sahar has never made the effort to get to know Jimin and now she's alone with him, he's winsome and tender ... as a boyfriend anyway. she goes along with it. "i ended up getting lost again."

Jimin laughs, shaking his head as his blonde hair bounces. "again? gosh Sahar, come watch the fireworks with me." he waves his small hand over. Sahar obliges, amazed by how much the colour blonde suits Jimin- his black hair was great but the lighter colour makes him look softer.

"wow." leaves Sahar's lips immediately as she steps outside. the fireworks that illuminate the night sky is a view she's never experienced.

vivid colours of lavender, orange and emerald burst into large patterns, swirls and turbulent noises bringing enjoyable, beautiful light to the exquisite country. "nice huh?" Jimin seeks, nudging his shoulder into hers as he smiles at her reaction.

Jimin sighs in pleasure. "how did i end up here?" he asks himself, a mumble under his breath as he hugs her- wrapping his arms around her, leaning his head on top of hers as they watch.

Sahar is asking herself the same question.

//

Sahar sneaks out of the hotel room, making sure to close the door as quietly as possible- she doesn't want to wake sleeping Jimin at such a late hour.

she leaves the hotel, hands in the pockets of her baggy trousers as her olive eyes dart across the occupied, tourist area of Malta- where on earth is she going to find Jungkook?

Sahar has no idea what's going on. her thoughts are deep in a puddle of torment and she wants to pull her hair out. the deep, alluring voice can't be telling the honest truth- does she really have to make Jungkook say those words in order to live life freely?

Sahar only has one way to find out. she has to get him to say those words.

a drunk man dressed in loose-fitting clothes and a snapback trails behind Sahar which she just notices. his head is down, footsteps sluggish. she was so wrapped up in her clashing thoughts that she didn't notice the heavy footsteps, the obscure, giant shadow as she walked down the isolated alley. this is exactly what she needs to add to the irritating stress of her new life- a man following her.

Sahar closes her eyes for a second, hoping he stops and doesn't talk to her. she won't hesitate to kick him where it hurts. "hey you!" the tall mans voice calls, rugged breaths leaving his lips as he continues to follow her.

his voice startles Sahar- she doesn't dare to turn around. all she does is keep her head tilted high, fake confidence on display as she walks after- not wanting to show fear. "pretty girl slow down!" he shouts again, desperate.

the man chuckles at her fast steps but keeps up with Sahar. "i'm not going to bite." he's drunk and bothering Sahar for no reason. "i might actually..."

"i must say you have a nice-"

Sahar turns around, fear along with fury building up in her chest- not a good combination. "you fucker-" she starts, ready to attack him.

she's about to storm up to the guy, scream at him and then run away after cursing some more but when she sees who it is, Sahar stops entirely.

Kim Seokjin. Jin.

come get your man Namjoon- is all Sahar can mutter in disapproval.

Sahar facepalms herself, still keeping her distance. "Jin?"

"how do you know my name?" Jin asks, purple hair ruffled as he points at her with turmoil. Sahar tries not to stare at the hair. "oh even better! let's jump right into things." he smirks and suggests enthusiastically- coming closer.

the familiarity of warmth disappears from Jin quickly. he's different and is making Sahar uncomfortable. "leave me alone." she demands.

that's when her beautiful hero in the appearance of a bucket hat hiding away hair, a freckle under his lips, shiny bronze eyes, a smile showing teeth and a guitar case. it's who Sahar has been looking for- Jungkook.

he strolls up to Sahar like he's known her for countless lifetimes. Jungkook carries his guitar case in one hand and waves the other at Sahar with a smile that makes her melt. "oh Sahar, there you are!" he pushes past Jin roughly.

Sahar tenses when Jungkook wraps his arm around her shoulder, protecting her and bringing her close to his chest. her arm wraps around his back, like a natural instinct. "i got you." he whispers in her ear, glaring at Jin.

when they turn around later, Jin is gone.

//

Jungkook and Sahar agree to get a drink together.

Sahar felt instantly better with Jungkook's arm wrapped around her. he kept it that way even when Jin was gone. "thanks for that." she smiles, not needing men for protection but also thankful for Jungkook's unpredicted presence.

Jungkook's wondrous smile reaches his dusky eyes first and Sahar can't stop staring at the way the moonlight hits his face, enlightening his cheekbones, shrewd jawline and licked lips that part to speak to her. "you're welcome." the busker reassures softly. "men are trash." he adds.

Sahar gasps, loving the three playful words that left his mouth. "wow! are you the guy of my dreams or what?"

Jungkook shrugs, laughing with Sahar. "i might be."

the destined couple arrive at a random bar in stuffy Malta. it's past midnight but the people at the place never sleep. the chatter, clinks of glasses and swishing of alcohol is all Sahar and Jungkook can hear. people are talking to others, dancing to the chilled music playing and some are sleeping. Jungkook greets drunk strangers with a wave of his hand as Sahar trails along with him, staying close to his side even though, to him, they're strangers who met earlier in the  peculiar day. 

they sit at the bar counter, not ready to order their drinks. Jungkook leans his guitar agains the wall carefully before he takes his bucket hat off, wiping away sweat and shaking out his ... pink hair. Sahar's eyes widen in shock.

"oh my god, your hair!" she exclaims. Sahar hadn't ever imagined Jungkook with brightly coloured hair but here he sits, in front of her with cherry coloured hair. it looks amazing.

Jungkook smiles shyly. "yeah, what do you think?"

Sahar is still surprised as she stares at his hair. she was so used to black haired Jungkook but gosh, what can he not pull off? "it suits you."

Jungkook thanks her, placing his hat back on. he's not used to attention and compliments so he feels shy around Sahar. he likes her presence strangely. "i've always had pink hair."

Sahar smiles to herself. "that's interesting." she hums, he's full of surprises. "ever thought of dyeing it black?" she raises her brows.

Jungkook's mouth forms an o shape as he thinks about Sahar's suggestion. "no .. but i'll definitely think about it now." he shoots a wink at Sahar.

Sahar's heart acts irrationally- as it always did with Jungkook. it's as if it recognises the boy that's meant for her. the sweaty palms, rapid heart beating and ache of loving heaviness. "let me buy you a drink for having my back." she suggests, tapping her hand against the wooden counter- calling the bartender.

Sahar empties her pockets, thankful for the random money.

anticipating Sahar turns towards Jungkook as they wait for their drinks. "i need you to say something." she states, eager and ready for his response.

Jungkook raises a brow. "okay?"

Sahar hopes this works. "say you wish we had never met."

"what?" of course he'd react like that.

Sahar shrugs, busying herself with the iced drink that arrives. she doesn't dare to look at the confused, sleepy and pink boy beside her. "just say it."

"okay-" Jungkook laughs, amused by the situation. Sahar is a beautiful stranger he feels lucky for coming across. "i wish we never met."

nothing happens.

Jungkook welcomes the awkward silence that follows after his words. Sahar lets out a disappointed sigh that makes the boy feel more confused. "you okay?" he asks, watching her bury her face away behind her small hands.

"yeah i'm fine." Sahar laughs, adding a just kidding. "i'm living in a nightmare." she mumbles under her breath. why didn't anything happen? she probably has to make him say it truthfully.

a voice in her head becomes loud and clear- it doesn't work like that Sahar.

//

bonus:

take care loves :")