The silence stretched between them, heavy and expectant. Sanjana sat on the edge of her bed, fingers entwined in the charm bracelet Taehyung had gifted her. She traced the tiny trinkets absentmindedly, her lips parted as if she wanted to say something but didn’t know how to begin.

Jungkook stood in front of her, his dark eyes locked onto her fragile form. He had been patient—too patient—but now, after hearing from Hobi that her health wasn’t improving, patience was no longer an option. He crouched before her, his voice low but firm.

“Sanjana,” he called softly, nudging her knee gently. “You promised to tell me what’s wrong.”

She let out a shaky breath and nodded. “I know…” Her voice was barely above a whisper. Her mind racing with all the incidents of past that led her to this state. But she was in dilemma whether to tell him or not the whole thing.

Jungkook waited, his gaze unwavering, his heart pounding as the seconds dragged on. He knew she was holding something back—something that had been eating away at her.

Finally, she spoke.

“Might be… I’m not getting better because…” She hesitated, glancing up at him with guilt-ridden eyes. “I’m not sleeping properly.” She told him the half cause without clearing the reason of sleepless nights of her.

Jungkook’s brows furrowed. “Not sleeping?”

She nodded, biting her lip. “I try, I really do. I go to bed, close my eyes, but after ten or fifteen minutes, I wake up. And then…” She exhaled a shaky sigh. “Then I just stay awake. The whole night.”

Jungkook’s heart clenched. “The whole night?” he repeated, his voice dropping with restrained frustration.

She nodded, avoiding his gaze. “I don’t know why. My body feels exhausted, but my mind just doesn’t shut off.”

A deep frown formed on Jungkook’s face. He was expecting something serious—but this? This was worse. Sleep was everything when it came to recovery. If she wasn’t sleeping, it was no wonder her health wasn’t improving.

“And you didn’t think to tell anyone?” His voice was sharper now, edged with disbelief.

Sanjana flinched. “I didn’t want to worry you all. And… please, Jungkook,” she looked at him with pleading eyes, “don’t get mad at Hobi oppa. He gave me the right treatment, but it’s my fault it didn’t work.”

Jungkook ran a frustrated hand through his hair, his chest tightening at the sheer helplessness in her voice. “This isn’t your fault, Sanjana. And I’m not angry at Hobi—I’m angry at myself.” His fists clenched. “How did I not notice?”

Sanjana reached for his hands hesitantly, her small fingers wrapping around his. “Jungkook, you already do too much for me. I didn’t want to burden you with this.”

His eyes flickered with pain. “Burden?” He shook his head. “You think taking care of you is a burden to me?”

She lowered her gaze, guilt washing over her features.

Jungkook let out a humorless chuckle, rubbing his thumb over the back of her hand. “If anything… I should be apologizing to you.”

Her brows furrowed. “Why would you—”

“Because I get it,” he interrupted, his voice unexpectedly soft. “I know exactly what you’re feeling.”

She blinked, confusion etching across her face. “You… do?”

He exhaled slowly, his grip on her hands tightening slightly. “I can’t sleep either, Sanjana. Every night, I lay down thinking I’ll finally get some rest, but the moment I close my eyes, it’s like my mind won’t stop.” He swallowed hard, his gaze darkening. “I wake up after a few minutes and then… that’s it. I don’t sleep again.”

Sanjana’s lips parted in shock. “Jungkook…”

He looked away, his jaw clenching. “I thought it would go away with time. That if I pushed myself hard enough, I’d eventually collapse and sleep. But no matter how much I exhaust myself, sleep never comes.”

Her heart ached at his confession. She never imagined that behind his composed, strong exterior, he was suffering the same way she was.

“How long has this been happening?” she asked softly.

Jungkook exhaled through his nose, his gaze distant. “For a years.”

Her fingers instinctively tightened around his. “Then… why didn’t you tell anyone?”

He gave her a knowing look. “For the same reason you didn’t.”

She let out a breathy chuckle, shaking her head. “We’re both terrible at taking care of ourselves, aren’t we?”

A small smile ghosted his lips. “Yeah… but I can take care of you.”

Sanjana looked up, eyes searching his face.

“And from now on,” Jungkook continued, his voice laced with quiet determination, “I will take care of you. Everything. Your sleep, your meals, your medications. You won’t go through this alone anymore, Sanjana.”

Her breath hitched. “Jungkook, you—”

“I mean it.” He reached up, gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “You don’t have to fight this alone anymore. I’ll be there, every step of the way.”

She smiled softly, but before she could say anything, Jungkook let out a small sigh. “Sometimes, I take medication to sleep,” he admitted, his voice quiet.

Her smile faltered. “Medication?”

He nodded, glancing away. “Yeah… heavy ones. They work a little, but…” His voice turned bitter. “I can’t even suggest them to you because I know how harmful they are.”

Sanjana’s stomach twisted in worry. “Jungkook… you shouldn’t be taking those.”

He let out a humorless chuckle. “I know.”

“No, I’m serious,” she pressed, her grip tightening around his hands. “Promise me you won’t take them again.”

He hesitated. “Sanjana—”

“Promise me,” she cut him off, her eyes pleading. “Please. You just said you’ll take care of me… But how can I let you do that if you’re harming yourself?”

Jungkook stared at her, his throat tightening. He had expected concern, maybe even scolding, but the desperation in her voice shook him.

After a long moment, he exhaled. “Okay,” he murmured. “I promise.”

Her shoulders relaxed slightly. “Good.”

Jungkook gave her a small, genuine smile. “Now,” he said, standing up and offering his hand, “let’s start fixing this. No more sleepless nights. I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep.”

Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she hesitated only for a second before placing her hand in his.

And just like that, for the first time in what felt like forever, the night didn’t seem so daunting anymore.

Because now, they had each other.

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See you guys in next chapter
Till then love you guys...
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