Days went by as Taehyung got back in his routine and became entangled in office mess. He would often think about another coincidental meeting with Jungkook but when even after months of wait, no contact happened Taehyung's confidence started to falter. He was pretty sure that like previous two chance appearances, Jungkook would appear in his life again and somehow they would eventually end up together. However, when it was almost an year of no contact, Taehyung started to think that he hadn't had that much of an impression in Jungkook's mind anymore.

The problem wasn't just about his ego anymore since he had admitted to have developed feelings for Jungkook but that, he couldn't bring himself to accept the reality that Jungkook could have gotten over him. He might have been hurt when he realized that Jungkook chose to stay with his wife instead of leaving her for Taehyung, but that didn't change the fact that Jungkook was still in love with him because the older had said so himself. So now, when Jungkook seemed to have disappeared from the face of earth, Taehyung was forced to think that Jungkook erased him from his mind forever and him not coming back was a proof of that. Taehyung could never accept that. Never.

So, Taehyung started to look for Jungkook but lied to himself every time saying that he was just out for a change of air. After a few failed attempts, Taehyung was hurt. Not like the last time he saw Jungkook with his wife. This time he started to lose his confidence. His cocky remarks began to reduce and his attitude started to turn into empty pride. His neck would be held high but his eyes lost their brightness. His tone would be mighty but his words lost their weight. His self esteem turned into a cover of pride as he buried himself under the piles of loneliness.

His interactions became less and less day by day as he began to hate to talk to others. He would stay at home most of the time and do his work there. He stopped going to the parties and other events unless it was absolutely necessary. He started spacing out more often and getting annoyed too whenever someone talked to him.

When Jimin came to meet him, Taehyung didn't even try to hide himself as he treated Jimin the same way he did other people. Although, being his best friend, Jimin tried to get him to talk and help him if he could, Taehyung just didn't bother to talk much. Jimin never knew about Jungkook so he couldn't possibly guess what could have been the cause of the change in Taehyung but he could see that Taehyung had turned into a living dead body.

--------

Taehyung was sleeping on his laptop when his phone vibrated so he turned it silent without opening his eyes and went back to sleep. After a while his phone vibrated again and Taehyung did the same thing again. After three or four attempts, the call stopped and Taehyung slept peacefully. He woke up after an hour or so and checked his phone. There were a few missed calls from a number he didn't have and didn't care about.

Taehyung had long lost the hope of getting in touch with Jungkook through unknown numbers after getting undesired responses from the few unknown numbers that contacted him in the past year and since then he had stopped responding to them. This one was no special to him either and Jungkook's thought didn't cross his mind at all. He had come to an acceptance that Jungkook had forgotten him and would never reach out for him again. But it still hurt him every time he thought about it.

Taehyung washed up and went to his drawer to change his clothes before he could head out to get a few things for tomorrow. It was his birthday, after all. And he had to buy himself a present. That's how he was now. He didn't accept any gifts or letters after the last time he saw Jungkook with his wife. He would still get them but Taehyung never looked at them anymore. He would throw them away without hesitation since they meant nothing to him but would always remind him that he never got to spend any of his birthdays with Jungkook. The mere thought was so painful that he would sometimes burn the gifts to get rid of the feeling.

Taehyung changed up and went out to the store nearby. He looked through the things he needed for himself and after getting them he went to the mall. He looked around at various things thinking which would suit him better.

"-and Jungkook, you too."

Taehyung's heart stopped as he heard the name. He turned around slowly hoping or more like begging to see him. But when he did, his shoulders slumped and he glared daggers at the woman who was talking to her child.

/How dare you give your ugly little fucker my Jungkook's name, bitch?/

Taehyung barely controlled his anger as he turned ahead and walked away hoping to not hear her dreadful voice or see her hideous face again. He mumbled incoherent curses and death threats for her as he stormed off and away from the particular area.

He found a collection of neck ties in a shop that caught his eye and he bought them all. After all, he did have a fair amount on him now and this was a present for himself so, why not. He got it wrapped nicely and left the shop.

"Is that Taehyung?"

Taehyung didn't even bother to look at the person who called since it wasn't the voice he wanted to hear.

"Yup. That's him, alright. No one else walks with that much arrogance."

Taehyung ignored it again and kept walking but it seemed like the two guys wanted to follow him.

"Just because he got tagged in a random picture, though? Doesn't really make sense."

/What picture?/

"That's because he's Taehyung. He takes pride in all such things."

Taehyung didn't really understand what they were talking about but he couldn't think of any other way to find out than to ask them which he didn't want to. But still, he turned around to faced them because he was no longer the same person who could care less about people's opinions, anymore.

"What are you guys talking about?"

Taehyung's voice held no depth nor any strength making the other two scoff at him. But Taehyung tried to remain calm.

"Stop acting like you don't know."

Taehyung gulped and remained stoic as he repeated his question.

"What are you guys talking about?"

One of the guys sneered as he replied.

"The picture that's going viral. Of a guy who looks like you."

Taehyung blinked in confusion as he tried to catch up with those words. He didn't come across any such thing.

The other guy put his phone in his face at Taehyung's expression and showed him the picture.

/Oh yeah. I haven't checked my social media in a long time./

"I don't know but I'll check it out."

Taehyung ended the conversation awkwardly and left with a small amount of dignity he had left.

"Does he ever not show off?"

That was the last thing that Taehyung heard before getting away from them and it hurt his self esteem making him tear up, slightly.

/I wasn't showing off. I really didn't know./

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