एक पल में वह एक बिल्कुल सामान्य जिंदगी जी रही थी, और अगले ही पल एक क्रूर किस्मत ने उसे एक अंजाने देश में धकेल दिया, जहाँ उसने कभी सपने में भी नहीं सोचा था। एक मध्यमवर्गीय लड़की, जो अचानक अजनबियों के बीच अकेली हो जाती है, वह अपनी नई हकीकत का सामना करत... एक पल में वह एक बिल्कुल सामान्य जिंदगी जी रही थी, और अगले ही पल एक क्रूर किस्मत ने उसे एक अंजाने देश में धकेल दिया, जहाँ उसने कभी सपने में भी नहीं सोचा था। एक मध्यमवर्गीय लड़की, जो अचानक अजनबियों के बीच अकेली हो जाती है, वह अपनी नई हकीकत का सामना करती है। वह कैसे जियेगी, एक अपरिचित संस्कृति में, बिना किसी सहारे और स्थानीय रीति-रिवाजों की जानकारी के? उसकी संघर्ष की गूंज साफ सुनाई देती है — मानवीय आत्मा की अदम्य ताकत का प्रमाण। फिर, अचानक उसकी मुलाकात एक ऐसे व्यक्ति से होती है, जो मितभाषी और गंभीर है, जिसे वह शुरू में बेहद नापसंद करती है। उनके स्वभावों में टकराव होता है, जो असंभव सा लगता है। लेकिन उनकी साझा परिस्थितियों की अकेलापन धीरे-धीरे उनके दिलों की दीवारें गिरा देता है। जो नफरत से शुरू हुआ था, वह धीरे-धीरे गहरे रिश्ते में बदल जाता है। फिर भी, भविष्य अनजाना है — उतना ही रहस्यमय जितना कि वह देश जिसमें वे दोनों फंसे हुए हैं। क्या उनका बढ़ता हुआ प्यार मुश्किलों में फल पाएगा? या फिर किस्मत फिर से ऐसा मोड़ लाएगी, जिसकी किसी ने कल्पना भी नहीं की होगी? उनकी यह यात्रा है अनपेक्षित मुलाकातों और अनिश्चित नतीजों की, जो प्रेम की ताकत और नियति की अप्रत्याशितता का जीवंत प्रमाण है।
A twisted fate
Hero
Kajal
Heroine
Kim seokjin
Hero
Min yoongi
Hero
J hope
Hero
Page 1 of 3
Kajal’s Home – Evening
Kajal apne kamre ki khidki ke paas khadi thi. Bahar ki shaam ki halki roshni uske chehre par pad rahi thi. Uske haath mein scholarship ka letter tha, par uske dil mein uljhan ka ek toofan macha hua tha.
"Yeh scholarship... meri zindagi badal degi," usne apne aap se kaha. Lekin uski aankhon mein chhupa darr uske dil mein chhup nahi pa raha tha. Korea jana? Itna door, itni alag duniya... woh kahaan ja rahi thi?
Neeche, uske ghar mein uske maa-baap apne chhote chhote maslon ko lekar pareshaan the. Pichle mahine ki medical bills, chhoti behen ki padhai ke kharche, aur saath hi, ek aisa bojh jo Kajal ne kabhi samajhne ki koshish bhi nahi ki thi.
"Main tumhare liye sab kuch karungi," Kajal ne apne dil se wada kiya. "Chahe mujhe apni marzi ke khilaf hi kyun na jaana pade."
Kajal ki maa khushi se aansuon se bhar aayi thi, jab usne scholarship ka letter dekha. “Beta, tumne hamara naam roshan kar diya,” maa ne apni aankhon mein garv liya.
Uske pita ne uska haath pakad kar kaha, “Kajal, hum jaante hain ki yeh tumhare liye asaan nahi hoga, par tumhara hausla aur mehnat hamari himmat hain.”
Chhoti behen uske pairon ke chhoo kar boli, “Didi, wahan jaakar naye dost banana, aur apna khayal rakhna!”
Ghar mein khushi ka mahaul tha, lekin Kajal ke dil mein milti-julti emotions ka samundar tha. Woh jaanti thi ki yeh scholarship uske parivaar ki mushkilein door karne ka ek rasta hai, lekin apni manzil se door jaane ka dard bhi tha.
Airport – Night
Airport ki bheed mein Kajal apni family ke saath khadi thi. Maa ne uska gale lagaya, “Jaldi wapas aana beta, hum sab tumhari intezar karenge.”
Pita ne aankhon mein nami ke saath kaha, “Duniya ki har khushi tumhare kadmon mein ho.”
Chhoti behen ne apne haath se ek chhota sa teddy bear diya, “Yeh tumhare liye, jab tumhe ghar ki yaad aaye.”
Kajal ne muskurate hue sabko dekha, phir dheere se kaha, “Main wapas aaungi. Aur tab tak, main apni taraf se sab kuch karungi.”
Jaise hi plane ne uda, Kajal ke dil mein ek naya sapna aur ek nayi zimmedari jagi thi.
Flight to Korea
Kajal window seat par baithi thi, apni aankhon se bahar ki andheri raat ko dekh rahi thi. Dil ke kone mein darr aur umeed dono thi. Samundar ke us paar ek nayi zindagi uska intezar kar rahi thi, par woh abhi tak apni family se door hone ka gham jhel rahi thi.
Flight thodi si hil rahi thi, aur Kajal ka dil tez dhadak raha tha. Tabhi uske bag ke paas se ek ladka utha aur muskurate hue bola, “Excuse me, aapka bag yahan gira hai.”
Kajal ne sharmate hue bag utha kar us ladke ko dekha. Uske chehre par ek halka sa smile tha, aur aankhon mein ek garam joshi thi.
“Thank you,” Kajal ne dheere se kaha.
“Main Min Yoongi hoon,” ladke ne apna parichay diya, “Aap bhi Korea ja rahi hain?”
Kajal ne haan mein sir hilaaya, thoda sa muskuraate hue, aur poocha, “Aap kya karte ho?”
Min Yoongi ne kaha, “Main college student hoon, aur music composer bhi. Main University of Seoul mein padhai karta hoon, major mera Music Production hai.”
Kajal ne fir se pucha, “Agar aap bura na mane, to kya main yeh pooch sakti hoon ki agar mujhe future mein aapki zarurat pade, to main aapko kaise dhundh sakti hoon?”
“Zaroor,” Min Yoongi ne muskurate hue kaha, “Mera contact main tumhe de dunga.”
Kajal ko uski baatein achhi lagi. Uski muskan mein ek tarah ki shanti thi jo Kajal ke dil ko thoda rahat dene lagi.
Wo chhota sa interaction Kajal ke liye ek chhoti si roshni tha, ek nayi shuruat ka pehla kadam.
Arrival in Korea – Kajal’s First Impression
Raat ko airport par, jab usne pehla kadam foreign zameen par rakha, to uska dil tez tez dhadak raha tha. Wahi shehar, jiska naam sirf kitaabon mein suna tha, ab uski nayi duniya ban gaya tha.
Thandi hawa ne uske chehre ko chhua, aur naye desh ki khushboo uske naak mein basi.
Log tezi se apni raahon par ja rahe the, har taraf ajeeb si bhasha aur alag culture ka asar tha. Kajal thodi si ghabraayi, par apne aap ko sambhalte hue apna bag uthaya.
Shehar ki roshniyon ne uske dil mein umeed jagayi, lekin language barrier ne uske chehre par chhupa darr bhi dikha diya. Har baat samajhna mushkil tha, par usne apne aap se kaha, “Main yahan apni manzil dhundhne aayi hoon. Yeh mushkilein mujhe rok nahi sakti.”
Taxi lene mein thodi mushkil hui, par ek madadgar local ne uski madad ki. Yeh chhoti-chhoti baatein Kajal ke liye naye desh ki pehchaan ban gayi.
Us raat Kajal ne apne kamre ki khidki se shehar ki roshniyon ko dekha aur apne sapno ko taza kiya. Ye nayi zindagi, nayi shuruat uska intezar kar rahi thi.
College Life – New Beginnings
Agla din tha, jab Kajal ne apni nayi university mein pehla din shuru kiya. University of Seoul ka campus bada aur modern tha, jahan har taraf alag-alag deshon ke students apne sapne poore karne aaye the.
Kajal ko language ki thodi problem ho rahi thi, lekin uski mehnat aur lagan uske har darr ko kamzor kar rahi thi. Classes mein professors ka style alag tha, par Kajal apni padhai mein koi kasar nahi chhodna chahti thi.
Music Production course mein Min Yoongi bhi tha, jisse Kajal flight mein mili thi. Uski muskan dekhte hi Kajal ke dil mein ek chhoti si muskaan phir se jagi. kajal min yoongi se baat krti hai or use btati hai ki vo yha par "computer student"hai
Naye dost banane mein thoda waqt laga, par dheere-dheere Kajal ne apne liye ek chhota sa circle bana liya. Usne apne sapno ko apne hausle ke saath joda, aur har din apne aap ko ye yaad dilaya ki woh yeh sab apni family ke liye kar rahi hai.
Chapter 2 – First Class, First Class
Kajal ne apna timetable carefully fold karke haath me pakda tha, jaise wo ek anchor ho jo is naye mahal me use sambhal ke rakhe. Korea ka weather uske India ke mausam se alag tha—thandi, halki hawa jo cheekon ko softly chhu rahi thi, bright blue sky, aur kahin door se aati coffee ki khushboo. University ke lambe trees, clean pathways, aur modern glass buildings ne ek moment ke liye uska mann khush kar diya… par phir ek chhoti si awaaz ne yaad dilaya, “Easy mat samajh, Kajal… yeh sirf shuruat hai.”
Academic block ke paas aate hue, usne apna bag adjust kiya. Door se ek familiar chehra dikh gaya—Min Yoongi. Uska calm expression aur halki si smile dekh kar Kajal ko ek reassurance mili, jaise woh silently keh raha ho “Good luck.” Kajal ne sharmaate hue smile wapas di, phir apni speed class room ki taraf badha di.
Classroom ka door open tha. Kuch students seats occupy kar chuke the, baaki quietly apne phones me busy the. Kajal ne ek corner seat choose ki—observation ke liye perfect jagah thi.
Usne notebook nikali, par aankhen automatically idhar-udhar ja rahi thi. Zyada tar conversations Korean me thi, lekin kyunki Kajal extra language classes le rahi thi, wo thoda-bahut samajh pa rahi thi.
Tabhi ek ladka enter hua—tall, broad shoulders, perfectly styled black hair, sharp jawline, aur aankhon me ek cold confidence. Uske aane se jaise hawa ka temperature thoda badal gaya. Sab girls sirf use hi dekh rhi thi.Kajal ne casually glance kiya, par uski aankhon ne naam catch kar liya—Kim Namjoon.
Namjoon ne room scan kiya, ek second ke liye Kajal ki taraf dekha. Bas ek chhota sa glance… lekin Kajal ko laga jaise uski aankhon me kuch measured, calculating tha. Usne pen thoda tight pakda aur apni attention board par lock kar di.
Lecture shuru hone hi wala tha jab Kajal apna phone silent kar rahi thi. Tab uske bag se ek paper slip gir gaya—uske scholarship documents ka ek page. Namjoon waha se guzra, usne paper utha liya. Uski voice calm thi, par tone me ek halka sa sarcasm:
“Yeh tumhara hai? Scholarship student ho tum?”
Kajal ne softly reply kiya, “Yes, thank you.”
Namjoon ne ek cold smile di, “Try not to drop important things. Sabke liye safe nahi hota.”
Wo sentence Kajal ke dil me chubha. “Kaun hota hai yeh mujhse aise baat karne wala? Sirf isliye kyunki yeh kisi bade family ka hai?”
Yoongi, jo thoda door baitha tha, scene observe kar raha tha. Wo casually Namjoon ke paas aaya, “Namjoon, tumhara tone thoda zyada ho gaya. She’s new here.” Namjoon ne bas shoulders shrug kiye, jaise keh raha ho “Mujhe farq nahi padta”—par uski aankhon me ek fleeting curiosity zaroor thi.
Jin aur Hoseok, jo peeche baith kar dekh rahe the, ek doosre ko chhupa hua smile diye. Jin ne Kajal ki taraf friendly smile bheji, Hoseok ne halka sa hand wave kiya. Kajal ka mood thoda halka hua. Usse Jin aur Hoseok ka nature achha laga, lekin kuch girls usse jealous feel kar rahi thi—aur Kajal ko abhi yeh pata nahi tha ki Kim Namjoon, Min Yoongi, Kim Seokjin aur Jung Hoseok college me bahut famous the, especially girls ke beech.
Kajal lecture me concentrate karne ki koshish karti rahi, par kabhi-kabhi uska dhyaan Namjoon ki taraf chala jaata. Uska handwriting perfect tha, uske movements disciplined. Kajal ne mann me decide kiya, “Pata nahi kyu, par mujhe yeh banda pasand nahi aane wala bahut arrogent or cold hai.”
Class ke baad, students slowly exit kar rahe the. Kajal apne bag me cheezein rakh rahi thi jab Yoongi uske paas aaya, “Don’t mind Namjoon… uska nature thoda cold hai, but he’s not a bad person.”
Kajal ne smile kiya, “It’s okay, strangers se zyada expect nahi karti.”
Namjoon ne yeh sun liya, aur usse bilkul achha nahi laga… par usne kisi ko show nahi kiya or vha se chala gya.
Yoongi halka sa hansa, “Next class kahaan hai tumhari? Campus confusing hai, chhod deta hoon.” Kajal ne timetable dikhaya, aur wo dono side by side chal diye. Baat food, weather, aur India ke baare me hoti rahi. Kajal ko realize hua ki Yoongi ka calm nature ek comfort blanket ki tarah kaam kar raha tha.
Door se Namjoon ne unhe walk karte dekha. Hoseok ne uska expression note karke tease kiya, “Yoongi ka naya dost ban gaya lagta hai.”
Namjoon ne bas blank expression diya, “Mujhe farq nahi padta.”
Par andar kahin… farq pad raha tha.
Library Scene
Unka next lecture free tha, toh Kajal library chali gayi. Library ka atmosphere quiet tha—rows of bookshelves, soft warm lighting, aur ek halki si coffee ki smell. Waha ek familiar group tha—Yoongi, Jin, Hoseok… aur corner table par Namjoon.
Yoongi ne Kajal ko dekhte hi signal kiya, “Yahan aao, tumhare liye easy hoga notes lena.” Usne uske liye chair kheench di. Kajal ne smile kiya, “Thanks… main bas apni class search kar rahi thi.”
“Naye students library me aksar confuse hote hain,” Yoongi ne friendly tone me kaha.
Kajal ki nazar ek moment ke liye Namjoon par gayi. Wo apne files me dooba hua tha, par jaise hi usne Kajal ko baithte dekha, ek chhoti si glance di. Us glance me kuch judge karne wala tha… ya shayad bas ek silent observation. Kajal ne aankhon me thoda gussa feel kiya, phir apna dhyaan Yoongi ki baaton me laga diya.
Jin aur Hoseok quietly dekh rahe the. Dono ko pata tha ki Namjoon strangers me interest nahi leta. Par aaj, chahe wo accept kare ya nahi… uski eyes baar-baar Kajal ki taraf ja rahi thi.
Namjoon ko ajib lag raha tha jab Kajal Yoongi se relaxed tone me baat kar rahi thi. Uska pen paper par chal raha tha, par mind kahin aur. Har thodi der me wo apni book ke upar se Kajal ki taraf glance maar deta… jaise khud se pooch raha ho, “Mujhe isse farq kyun pad raha hai?”
Chapter 3 – Unspoken Glances
Library ka atmosphere ab bhi wahi tha—halki si freshly brewed coffee ki khushboo hawa me thi, page palatne ki soft si awaaz background me chal rahi thi, aur kabhi-kabhi kisi student ke dheere-dheere chalne ki footsteps sunai deti thi. Kajal apne notebook me neatly notes likh rahi thi, Yoongi uske samne baitha kuch important points calmly explain kar raha tha. Jin, apne typical style me, kabhi-kabhi beech me random fun facts share karke sabko thoda hasa deta, taaki serious atmosphere halka ho jaye. Hoseok quietly apne laptop par type kar raha tha, jaise wo apni hi duniya me lost ho.
Namjoon… woh apni book me dooba hua tha, par sach kahun toh, uska dhyaan sirf 30% book me tha, baaki 70% Kajal par. Kabhi uska pen table par halki si tapping karta, kabhi page palatne me unnecessary slow motion aa jata—sirf isliye, taaki wo apni aankhon ke kone se Kajal ko observe kar sake bina directly stare kiye.
Kajal ko pata nahi kyun lag raha tha jaise koi usse continuously dekh raha ho. Lekin jab bhi usne chhupke se glance li, Namjoon apni kitab me immersed hota. "Shayad mujhe hi lag raha hai… overthinking ho rahi hai," usne apne mann me socha, aur wapas Yoongi ki taraf dhyaan de diya.
Thodi der baad Yoongi ne casually poocha, “Kajal, tumhara next lecture kaunsa hai?”
Kajal ne apna folded timetable nikala, “Business Management ka hai… room B304.”
Jin ne turant muskurate hue bola, “Oh, woh toh Namjoon ka bhi hai.”
Kajal ne sirf ek second ke liye aankhon se Namjoon ki taraf dekha—bas ek chhoti si fleeting glance. Namjoon ne apni book close ki aur calm tone me bola, “Main jaanta hoon. Chalogi saath?” Uska tone outwardly normal tha, lekin Kajal ko ab bhi usme ek halka sa coldness ka feel hua.
Kajal ne politely haan me sir hila diya. Dono ek saath library se nikalne lage. Peeche se Yoongi ne teasing tone me bola, “Namjoon, dhyaan rakhna… woh nayi hai campus me.”
Namjoon ne bas ek side glance diya aur dry sa jawab diya, “Main guide nahi hoon.”
Lekin, herani yeh thi ki uske steps automatically Kajal ke pace ke saath match ho rahe the.
Campus ke raaste pe chalte hue Kajal ne notice kiya ki students Namjoon ko clearly notice kar rahe the—kuch girls toh openly whisper kar rahi thi aur side-eye se dekh rahi thi. Kajal ko thoda awkward feel hua, jaise wo achanak kisi spotlight me aa gayi ho.
Namjoon ne halki si side glance li, “Tum uncomfortable feel kar rahi ho?”
Kajal ne quickly bola, “Nahi, bas… mujhe attention pasand nahi.”
Namjoon ke lips par ek faint sa smile aaya, jo ek second se zyada nahi tikka, “Good. Mujhe bhi nahi… par kabhi-kabhi yeh milti hi hai, chaho ya na chaho.”
Room B304 ke bahar aake dono ruk gaye. Namjoon ne door calmly open kiya, Kajal ko enter karne diya. Kajal ne softly thanks kaha, par Namjoon ne bas ek short nod diya—jaise yeh uske liye normal curesy thi, par koi special gesture nahi.
Lecture Start
Lecture shuru hua, aur professor ne group activity announce ki. Fate ka ek chhota sa twist yeh tha ki Kajal aur Namjoon same group me aa gaye. Do aur boys bhi unke group me the, jo clearly Kajal ke saath zyada interact karne ki try kar rahe the. Namjoon sab observe kar raha tha, aur usse yeh pasand nahi aa raha tha—lekin group project ka excuse use karke wo kuch directly nahi bol raha tha. Phir bhi, usne try kiya ki maximum discussion Kajal aur uske beech ho—kabhi project ke topic pe, kabhi ek-do sarcasm filled chhote comments me.
Namjoon ke answers sharp, precise aur confident the. Kajal ka approach analytical, structured aur focused. Pehli baar, Kajal ko realize hua ki is bande ke andar sirf coldness nahi… ek deep intelligence chhupi hui hai. Wo khush thi ki project smoothly complete ho gaya tha.
Professor ne group ke kaam ko praise kiya, “Good teamwork.” Kajal ne subtly smile kiya, lekin Namjoon ne bas ek chhota, almost invisible smile diya. Kajal ne socha, "Kya yeh banda kabhi openly hasta bhi hai?"
Class ke baad Kajal apna bag pack kar rahi thi, jab ek group of girls uske paas aayi—wo clearly Namjoon ke fan club type lag rahi thi. Ek ladki ne thoda sarcastic tone me poocha, “Tum scholarship student ho na? Tumhe pata hai tum kis ke saath project kar rahi ho?”
Kajal ne calm tone me jawab diya, “Haan, pata hai. Aur mujhe lagta hai project ke liye yeh kaafi hai.”
Namjoon ne yeh conversation sun li. Usne directly kuch nahi bola, bas quietly walk karke aaya, Kajal ke bag se girta hua pen uthaya, aur uske haath me diya. Sirf ek simple word bola, “Careful.”
Wo ek chhota sa word tha, par Kajal ko laga jaise isme ek silent “I’ll handle it” ka hidden message tha.
Evening Encounter
Shaam ke waqt Kajal campus ke old building side me thi—wo apne next lecture ke liye shortcut le rahi thi. Raasta thoda isolated tha, bas ek-do lampposts ki dim si light thi. Hawa me thodi si thandak thi, aur footsteps ki awaaz zyada clear sunai de rahi thi.
Achanak do senior boys uske raaste me aa gaye.
“Hey, tum nayi ho na?” ek ne teasing tone me kaha.
Dusre ne uska bag dekhte hue bola, “Scholarship wali ho? Waah… smart aur confident.”
Kajal ne politely excuse maanga, “Mujhe jaldi hai, please side ho jao.”
Par wo apne jagah se hile nahi. Uska dil thoda fast beat karne laga, aur usne apni grip bag ke strap par tight kar li.
Tabhi peeche se ek calm, deep voice sunai di—“Move.”
Wo Namjoon tha. Uske expression me gussa nahi tha, lekin uski aankhon me ek aisi warning thi jo words se zyada powerful thi. Dono boys ne ek dusre ko dekha aur bina kuch argue kiye side ho gaye.
Namjoon ne Kajal ki taraf dekha, “Tum theek ho?”
Kajal ne sirf haan me head nod kiya.
Dono bina zyada baat kiye side-by-side chalne lage. Namjoon ne casually kaha, “Agli baar yeh raasta avoid karna.”
Kajal ne softly kaha, “Thanks.”
Namjoon ne kuch reply nahi diya—bas ek halki si glance di, jaise keh raha ho, "You don’t have to say it."
Aur us moment ke baad, Kajal ke liye Namjoon sirf ek cold, mysterious classmate nahi… ek silent protector ban gaya.
Weekend Outing
Weekend ka din tha. Subah ka mausam thoda thanda, halki si sunshine aur thandi breeze hostel ke lawn ko mehka rahi thi. Students groups mein apne apne plans discuss kar rahe the — koi picnic ki baat kar raha tha, toh koi movies ke tickets book kar raha tha.
Yoongi ne sabse pehle apni awaaz uthayi, “Chalo purana city market chalte hain. Wahan ek antique street hai, aur ek famous café bhi. Street food ka maza hi alag hota hai.”
Kajal thodi hesitant thi. “Mujhe assignments complete karne hain…”
Hoseok ne hansi ke saath bola, “Assignments toh kal bhi ban jayegi, weekend outing har baar nahi hota.”
Jin ne add kiya, “Aur tum new ho, thoda explore karna chahiye.”
Kajal ne thoda socha, phir haan keh di. Group tayar ho gaya — Yoongi, Jin, Hoseok, Namjoon, aur Kajal.
Bus Journey – Thoda Masti, Thoda Silence
Bus mein chadhte hi Hoseok ne apne phone par ek fun playlist laga di. Jin uske saath milke funny expressions bana raha tha, sabko hasi aa rahi thi. Kajal window seat par baithi thi, camera se streets aur small shops ke photos le rahi thi.
Namjoon uske paas wale seat par tha, headphones ka ek earbud laga ke quietly music sun raha tha. Kabhi kabhi uski nazar Kajal ki taraf chali jaati jab woh khidki ke bahar dekhti ya camera adjust karti.
Ek speed breaker aaya, bus thodi jhatki kha gayi. Kajal ka phone haath se slip hone wala tha, par Namjoon ne reflex se hold kar liya. “Careful,” usne calmly kaha, phone uske haath me dete hue.
“Thanks,” Kajal ne chhoti si smile di, dono ne baat ko wahi chhod diya.
Bus mein aage badhte hue, group ki energy thodi relaxed ho gayi thi. Jin apne camera se photos le raha tha, aur Yoongi Spotify se thoda soft music bajane laga. Kajal ne thoda hesitation ke baad apne favourite playlist se ek song play kiya, jo sabko pasand aaya.
“Tumhare music taste achha hai,” Jin ne impress hoke kaha.
Kajal ne sharmate hue sir hilaaya, “Bas… thoda South Indian classical aur Korean pop mix hai.”
Namjoon ne apni usual serious expression ke saath, par halki si taang khinchne wali awaaz mein kaha, “Kya South Indian classical aur K-Pop ek saath chal sakte hain?”
Sab has pade, aur wo moment sabke liye ek chhoti si bonding memory ban gaya, jo pura outing ke dauran baar baar yaad aaya.
Market Arrives – Colours, Smells, and Stories
Market me entry hoti hi ek alag hi duniya saamne thi — colourful stalls, purani buildings ki architecture, aur hawaa me coffee aur fresh bread ki smell. Kajal ke liye yeh sab Naya or excited tha par sab ke samne vo kuch boli nhi par uski ankho me saaf dikh rha tha
Jin sabko ek antique shop me le gaya. Wahan purane clocks, gramophones aur rare books rakhi thi. Kajal ek old poetry book dekh rahi thi jab usne corner me Namjoon ko ek leather-bound diary dekh rha tha.
“Yeh kitni purani lag rahi hai,” Kajal ne softly kaha.
Namjoon ne pages palte, “Kuch cheezein… samay ke saath aur valuable ho jaati hain.”
Kajal ko samajh nahi aaya ki woh diary ki baat kar raha tha… ya kuch aur.
Funny Street Food Incident
Market ke ek stall par Tteokbokki ki teekhi aur meethi khushboo hawaa mein fail rahi thi. Hoseok ne turant order kiya, aur sab excited ho gaye try karne ke liye. Kajal ne thoda hesitate karte hue pehli bite li — par jaise hi uske taste buds ko spicy sauce laga, uski aankhon mein pani aa gaya.
“Oho! Yeh toh zyada hi spicy hai!” Kajal ne hasi rokne ki koshish ki, aur jaldi se apni water bottle nikali.
Hoseok muskuraya, “Warning kaise doon? Reaction toh live dekhna tha!”
Sab hans pade, aur Namjoon bhi ek halki muskaan ke saath uski taraf dekha, jaise usne woh moment silently enjoy kiya ho. Yeh chhota sa maza hi group ke bonding ko aur gehra kar gaya.
Hotteok Moment – Subtle Protectiveness
Yoongi ne ek sweet pancake stall dekha aur bola, “Yeh hotteok hai — Korea ka famous sweet pancake. Tumhe try karna chahiye.”
Kajal ne ek order liya. Garam syrup thoda bite lete hi girne laga. Namjoon ne reflex se apna handkerchief aage kar diya.
“Careful,” usne calmly kaha.
Kajal ne softly, “Thanks… main baad me wapas kar dungi.” Uske tone me ek ajeeb si formality thi, jaise woh thoda unsure thi ki Namjoon uske baare me kya sochta hai.
Café Time – Little Misunderstanding
Café me sab settle ho gaye. Wooden interiors, soft jazz music aur coffee ki smell atmosphere ko warm bana rahi thi.
Yoongi Kajal se uske culture, festivals aur life ke baare me puch raha tha. Kajal excitedly apne ghar ke festivals aur street food ke baare me bata rahi thi. Namjoon quietly coffee stir kar raha tha, lekin uski ears clearly conversation pe thi.
Kajal ko laga ki Namjoon usse avoid kar raha hai — short replies, direct eye contact kam. Uske mann me doubt aaya, Shayad usne mujhe bus me family se baat karte sun li, aur kuch galat samjh liya.
Sach yeh tha ki Namjoon bas quietly observe kar raha tha, har baat sunte hue, jaise silently ensure kar raha ho ki Kajal comfortable feel kare.
Evening Walk – Silent Watchfulness
Shaam hoti gayi, street lights ne market ko ek golden glow de diya. Hoseok ab bhi funny stories suna raha tha, Jin street games try kar raha tha, Yoongi ek camera shop me busy tha.
Kajal ek handicraft stall me chali gayi, ek small beaded bracelet choose karte hue. Jab palti to dekha Namjoon wahi khada tha — hands in pockets, aankhon me wohi calm expression.
“Tum yahan ruk gaye?” Kajal ne poocha.
“Tum ruki thi,” Namjoon ne calmly jawab diya.
Kajal hansi, “It’s okay… waise bhi mujhe yahan koi nahi jaanta jo mujhe harm kare.”
Namjoon ne bas ek short glance diya, lekin uske expression me ek clear message tha — Main yahan hoon, isliye koi harm nahi karega.
Kajal ko samajh nahi aaya kyun, lekin us moment me woh safe feel kar rahi thi. Usne mann hi mann socha — Woh hamesha chup rehta hai… lekin pata nahi kyun lagta hai jaise har jagah meri nazar rakhta ho. Aur shayad… usse is baat se koi problem nahi thi.
Sunday morning ki naram roshni Kajal ke kamre mein dheere dheere phel rahi thi. Uske kamre mein scattered papers aur chhota sa notebook padha tha, jisme usne apni job search ke liye notes banaye the. Bahar thandi hawa chal rahi thi, jaise uske dil ke andar ek nayi umeed jag rahi ho. Aaj ka din uske liye important tha — wo apne parivaar ki madad karne ke liye ek raasta dhoondhna chahti thi, woh bhi apni padhai ke saath balance karke.
Kajal khidki ke paas baithi apna laptop khol kar job listings scroll kar rahi thi. Usne dhyaan se aas-paas ke cafes aur bookstores ke part-time vacancies note kiye. Har ek ad uske liye ek nayi opportunity thi — “Part-time cashier needed,” “Evening shift available,” “Assistant required.” Ye sab Kajal ke liye ek chhoti si khidki thi, jisme se wo apne sapno ki duniya dekh rahi thi.
Usne apne parivaar ke bare mein socha — unki sacrifices uske liye motivation the. Ye sirf ek job nahi thi, balki ek nayi shuruaat thi jisme wo apne responsibilities aur padhai dono sambhalna chahti thi.
Kuch ghante apne laptop ke samne bithane ke baad, Kajal ne decide kiya ki wo ek campus ke paas wale café mein interview degi, jahan evening shift ke liye vacancy thi. Usne apne answers mentally prepare kiye — nervousness bhi thi, par confidence bhi.
Jab wo café pahunchi, to andar coffee ki meethi khushboo aur halki chal pehal thi. Kajal ke haath thode kamp rahe the, par uski muskaan mehnat aur determination dikh rahi thi.
Manager ne uska interview lena shuru kiya. Kajal ne apni situation sachai se batayi, aur clear kiya ki wo evening shift ke liye available hai taaki wo din mein apni padhai par dhyan de sake. Usne apne jazbe aur seekhne ki ichcha ko bhi achhi tarah bayan kiya.
Wahi paas se Namjoon guzra. Door se Kajal ko dekha, jo focused aur mature lag rahi thi. Uske chehre par chhupi chinta aur respect dikh rahi thi. Kajal ne uski nazar se mulaqat ki, par apni privacy banaye rakhi — apni planning sabse chhupakar rakhi.
Shaam hone par jab Kajal apne kamre mein wapas aayi, to uske dil mein naye sapne jag rahe the. Raasta aasan nahi tha, par wo tayar thi.
“Yeh sirf shuruaat hai,” usne apne aap se kaha. “Main kar sakti hoon.”
Agla din subah Kajal college ke liye ready hoti hai. Uske kamre mein halke se sunlight gir rahi hoti hai, aur wo apne backpack ko sambhal kar hostel ke corridor mein chalti hai. College campus mein log apne classes ke liye ja rahe hote hain, kuch groups mein baatein karte, kuch apni books check karte. Kajal apne schedule ke baare mein sochti hai, assignments aur lectures ke beech apni nayi job ko kaise manage karegi. Wo thoda nervous, par puri umeed se bhari hui campus ke raaste chalti hai, taiyyar ek naye chapter ke liye.
Next morning Kajal college ke liye ready hoti hai. Uske kamre mein halki si sunlight aa rahi thi, aur wo apne backpack ko lekar kar hostel ke corridor mein chalti hai.
College campus mein log apne classes ke liye ja rahe the, kuch groups mein baatein karte, kuch apni books check karte. Kajal apne schedule ke baare mein sochti hai, assignments aur lectures ke beech apni nayi job ko kaise manage karegi. Wo thoda nervous, par puri umeed se bhari hui campus ke raaste chalti hai,
Jab wo library pahunchti hai, to wahan ka atmosphere thoda busy tha. Kuch girls jo campus mein kaafi popular thi, Kajal ko dekh kar thodi surprised si ho jaati hain. Wo Kajal ke naye group ke baare mein baatein kar rahi hoti hain — Yoongi, Hoseok, Namjoon jo ab Kajal ke dost ban gye the.
Ek ladki, jiska naam shin hari tha, thoda sarcastic tone mein boli,
"Toh yehi hai woh nayi ladki jo sabko impress kar rahi hai? Bahut popular ho gayi campus mein, hai na?"
Kajal ne calmly jawab diya,
"Main bas apni studies kar rahi hoon, kisi ko impress karne ki koshish nahi."
Shin hari thodi tez ho kar boli,
"Phir tum itni aasani se un logon ke group mein kaise aa gayi? Kya tum sach mein wahan belong karti ho?"
Kajal ne apne andar gussa thoda sambhala aur politely kaha,
"Main apne efforts se wahan hoon, bas. Aur mujhe pata hai ki main kya deserve krti hu or kya nahi so apni limits me raho."
Woh baat thodi tense ho gayi, lekin Kajal ne apne aap ko control karte hue library ke ek shant corner ki taraf ja kar beth gayi. Usne socha,
“Ye sirf chhoti si problem hai, main apne raste par focused rahungi.”
Thodi der baad Kajal apne group Yoongi, Hoseok, Jin aur Namjoon ke saath lecture hall ki taraf chalti hai. Wo log masti karte hue campus ke raaste par chal rahe the. Hoseok apni usual funny baatein kar raha tha, Jin apne camera se candid photos le raha tha, aur Yoongi headphones laga ke thoda music sun raha tha.
Lecture hall mein sab ja kar apni seats par beth jate hai. Professor class start karte hai. Lecture boring lag rha tha, Par Hoseok ne halki si cheekh maari sabko hasane ke liye, Jin ne kajal ko ek funny note diya jisme likha tha, “Keep calm and survive this lecture.” kajal use dekh kar hasi.
Namjoon silently lecture sunta raha tha, kabhi kabhi Kajal ki taraf chhupke dekhta raha, jaise uski fikar thi but vo kuch or bhi feel kar rha tha. Kajal ne thoda muskura ke apne doston ki taraf dekha, aur socha,
“Yeh log sach mein mere liye support system ban gaye hain.”
Lecture ke baad group campus ke cafeteria mein gaye. Wahan unhone apne favorite snacks order kiye aur apni upcoming weekend plans discuss kiye. Sabki baaton mein masti aur hasi thi, aur Kajal bhi apne tension ko thodi der ke liye bhool gayi.
Namjoon ne Kajal ki taraf dekha or cafe ke bare me puchna wala tha. Fir socha ki Kajal khud bata degi jab use thik lgega
Chapter 6 – Missing You
Kajal ki life achhi tarah se chal rahi thi. Job aur padhai dono ko manage karna ab thoda aasan lag raha tha. Uske family ke problems bhi dheere-dheere solve ho rahe the, aur ghar mein khushi ka mahaul tha.
Ek din Kajal aur uske dost campus canteen mein baithkar baatein kar rahe the, jab Yoongi ne achanak announce kiya,
“Mujhe apne naye music album ke kaam ke liye kuch dinon ke liye shehar ke bahar jaana padega. Yeh moka miss nahi karna chahta.”
Sab khush the, par Kajal ke dil mein thodi udaasi chhupi thi. Wo soch rahi thi ki Yoongi ke bina din kaise guzarenge, kyunki wo uske saath comfortable feel karti thi. Namjoon yeh sab notice kar raha tha, lekin usne kuch nahi kaha. Andar se thoda hurt zaroor tha, ki shayad Kajal usse waise feel nahi karti jaise Yoongi ke sath krti hai.
Next morning, Kajal, Namjoon, Hoseok, aur Jin Yoongi ko airport par chhodne gaye. Kajal thodi off feel kar rahi thi, par usne apne jazbat chhupa ke Yoongi ko goodbye kaha.
Wapas aate waqt, Namjoon apni car mein Kajal ko le ja raha tha, aur Jin-Hoseok apni car mein wapas aa rahe the. Par Namjoon ne apna rasta college ki jagah badal kar Kajal ko ek peaceful jagah par le gaya.
Kajal thodi shock mein thi, soch rahi thi ki Namjoon ne usse wahan kyun laya. Namjoon ne apni seat belt kholi, Kajal ki taraf face karke use dekhne lga.
Kajal ne pucha,
“Hum yahan kyun aaye hain?”
Namjoon ne thoda serious hoke kaha,
“Mujhe tumse kuch personal baat karni hai.”
Kajal thodi heran thi aur nerves bhi thi. Wo sir hilate hue boli,
“Haan, bolo. Kya baat karni hai?”
Namjoon ne dheere se pucha,
“Kya tum Yoongi ko pasand karti ho?”
Kajal thodi shock ho gayi, usne Namjoon ki taraf dekha aur kaha,
“Woh sirf mera acha dost hai. Main uske saath comfortable feel karti hoon, bas. Aur kuch nahi.”
Namjoon ne thoda gusse se poocha,
“To kya tum mere saath comfortable feel nahi karti?”
Kajal hairan thi, aur boli,
“Tume aaj kya hoya hai? Itni ajeeb baatein kyun kar rahe ho?”
Namjoon chup raha, phir achanak usne Kajal ko kiss kar diya. Kajal aur bhi zyada shock ho gayi.
Namjoon ne kiss todte hue window ke bahar dekhna shuru kiya. Kajal usse dekhti rahi.
Namjoon ne kaha,
“Main tumhe pasand karta hoon. Jab bhi tum Yoongi ke saath hoti ho, mujhe achha nahi lagta. Haan, main maanta hoon woh mera dost hai, par main jealous feel karta hoon.”
Kajal chup chap sab sun rahi thi. Kajal ne thodi der ke liye aankhein band kar li, uska dil bhut tezi
se dhadak raha tha. Uske liye ye sab kuch itna achanak tha ki wo samajh nahi pa rahi thi ki kya bole. Namjoon ki baaton mein sacchai thi, par uske dil mein ek confusion bhi thi.
“Main tumhare baat se sehmat hu ki tume jealous feel hoti hai but vo mera friend hai to us se baat Krna normal hai but touchy nhi hoyogi itna kar sakti hu. Tum muje ache lgte ho but mene kbhi isa feel nhi kiya muje thoda time chahiye kya tum de skte ho ,” Kajal ne dheere se kaha.
Namjoon ne Kajal ki baat dhyan se suni, uski aankhon mein samajh aur thodi narammi thi. Usne halka sa muskurate hue kaha,
“Main samajhta hoon. Shayad Maine thoda jaldi confess kar diya. Thik hai, main tumhe waqt deta hoon, par please jaldi sochna, aur jab ready ho jao, mujhe bata dena.”
Kajal ne thoda relieved mehsoos kiya. Uske dil mein abhi bhi confusion thi, lekin Namjoon ke samajhne wale attitude ne uske jazbaat ko thoda halka kiya tha.
“Thank you, Namjoon. Mujhe bhi waqt chahiye apne emotions ko samajhne ke liye. Tum mere liye important ho,” Kajal ne dhire se kaha.
Namjoon ne car ko phir se start kiya aur wapas college ki taraf chal diya. Raaste mein dono chup the, lekin wo khamoshi mein bhi ek alag si baat thi—jaise dono ek doosre ki feelings ko samajhne ki koshish kar rahe ho.
College ke gate par jab Namjoon ne Kajal ko utara, to usne kaha,
“Kal milte hain, thoda waqt nikal ke baat karenge.”
Kajal ne muskurakar haan kaha aur apne backpack ko sambhalte hue aage badh gayi.
Us raat, Kajal apne kamre mein baithi thi, dimaag mein namjoon ke baare mein soch rahi thi. Wo janti thi ki dil mein ek nayi feeling ubhar rahi hai, lekin wo jaldibazi nhi Krna chahti thi.
“Shayad waqt hi batayega,” wo apne aap se boli.
Next morning, Kajal college campus mein thodi nervous thi. Uska dimaag abhi bhi kal ki baat mein uljha hua tha. Usne socha, “Kya main sach mein Namjoon ke liye waise feel karti hoon jaise wo mere liye karta hai? Ya bas dosti hai?”
Class ke baad, Kajal ne decide kiya ki wo Namjoon se baat karegi — apne dil ki baat khulkar. Wo lecture hall ke bahar thodi der ruk kar Namjoon ka intezar karne lagi.
Namjoon jaise hi bahar aya, Kajal ne himmat juti aur kaha,
“Namjoon, kya hum thodi baat kar sakte hain?”
Namjoon ne muskurate hue haan kaha,
“Bilkul, kya baat hai?”
Kajal ne dheere se kaha,
“kya tumne kisi ko kal ki baat batai hai."
Namjoon ne samajhdari se kaha,
“Nahi , kio kya huya.”
Kajal ne halka sa muskaan diya,
“Thanks, Namjoon. Tum sach mein ek acha dost ho.”
Namjoon ne apni baat jari rakhte hue kaha,
“Dost toh hum hain hi, par agar kabhi tum chaaho to main kuch zyada bhi ban sakta hoon. Jab bhi tum ready ho, main yahan hoon.”
Kajal ne thoda ghabrate hue kaha,
“Thik hai. Main try karungi apne feelings ko samajhne ki.”
Donon ke beech ek aisi khamoshi chhayi jo dono ke dil ki baatein bayan kar rahi thi.
Phir Kajal ne apne phone par ek message dekha — Yoongi ka.
“Miss kar raha hoon tumhe. Jaldi milte hain.”
Kajal ne muskurakar reply kiya,
“Main bhi. Jaldi milte hain, Yoongi.”
Kajal ne socha, “Zindagi kitni complicated hai, lekin isi mein to maza hai.”
Chapter 7 — Between Two Worlds
Yoongi ke message ke baad Kajal ki raat neend se zyada thoughts mein guzar gayi. Chhat ki halki si roshni, khidki se aane wali thandi hawa, aur uske dimaag mein chal raha ek constant loop — Namjoon ka woh kiss… uska confession… aur Yoongi ke saath meri comfort.
Dono alag-alag emotions the. Namjoon ka touch possessive aur intense tha, jaise wo kahin bhi ho, usse apna banakar hi rahega. Aur Yoongi… uska saath ek cup coffee jaisa tha—warm, familiar, aur bina effort ke dil ko sukoon dene wala. Kajal ko samajh nahi aa raha tha ki kaunsi feeling uske dil ke zyada kareeb thi.
Agli subah college campus apne usual hustle-bustle se bhara tha. Students kahin assignments discuss kar rahe the, kahin sports ground pe practice chal rahi thi. Kajal apne bag ko shoulder pe adjust karte hue library ki taraf ja rahi thi, dimaag abhi bhi raat ke thoughts mein atka hua tha.
Tabhi, ek shadow uske raaste mein aayi. Namjoon.
“Breakfast kiya?” usne casual tone mein pucha, lekin aankhon mein wohi possessive warmth thi jo kal raat uske confession ke waqt thi.
Kajal ne bas sir hila diya. “Nahi… mood nahi tha.”
Namjoon ne kuch sekand tak uski aankhon mein dekha, phir uska haath gently pakad liya. “Chalo mere saath.”
Kajal kuch protest karti, usse pehle hi wo usse canteen le gaya. Table ke corner wali seat pe baithate hue, Namjoon ne counter se sandwich aur juice le aaya, bina usse option diye.
“Tumhare liye,” usne plate uske saamne rakh di.
Kajal ne thoda surprise hoke dekha. “Namjoon, main—”
“—Main nahi chahta tum apna khayal na rakho,” usne softly interrupt kiya. “Chahe tum mujhe pasand karo ya nahi… main tumhare liye care karna nahi chhodunga.”
Uski tone me koi drama nahi tha, bas ek sachai thi jo Kajal ke dil ko chhoo gayi.
Kajal ne halki si awaaz mein kaha, “Namjoon… main tumse jhooth nahi bolungi. Tumhare saath mujhe safe feel hota hai, par—”
“Par tum Yoongi ke saath zyada comfortable ho.” Namjoon ne uske sentence ko complete kar diya.
Kajal ne nazrein jhuka li. “Haan… abhi shayad aisa hi hai.”
Ek pal ke liye canteen ka shor bhi uske beech chup ho gaya. Namjoon ne ek halki si smile di, lekin wo smile thodi dard bhari thi. “Main tumhara intezaar karunga. Par ek baat yaad rakhna, Kajal—kabhi kabhi jo insaan tumhare liye wait kar raha hota hai, wahi tumhare liye sahi hota hai.”
Kajal ne uski baaton par kuch nahi kaha, lekin apne dil me ek chhota sa guilt mehsoos hua. Usne topic badalne ke liye pucha, “Tum apne family ke baare me kabhi kuch nahi batate.”
Namjoon ne thoda hesitation dikhaya, phir kaha, “Main Korea ke ek richest business family ka eklota beta hoon. Mere father ke paas chain of companies hai… lekin honestly, mujhe kabhi apni family ki wealth me interest nahi raha. Main bas apna naam apne dum par banana chahta hoon.”
Kajal ne aankhen thodi badi kar li. “Tumne mujhe kabhi bataya kyun nahi?”
“Kyuki mujhe nahi chahiye tha ki tum mujhe sirf meri background ki wajah se alag tarah se dekho.” Namjoon ki gaze sincere thi. “Tum pehle insaan ho jo mujhe Namjoon ki tarah treat karti ho, na ki Mr. Kim ke son ki tarah.”
Kajal ne thodi si smile di, “Main tumhe hamesha waise hi dekhoongi jaise tum ho.”
Namjoon ne softly pucha, “Aur tum? Tumhare family ke baare me?”
Kajal ki smile thodi fade ho gayi. “Main ek middle-class family se hoon. Papa government job me the… ab retire ho gaye. Mummy ghar sambhalti hain. Main hi pehli hoon apne family me jo Korea aayi hoon padhne. Yahan tak aane ke liye bahut struggle kiya hai… scholarship, part-time jobs… sab kuch.”
Namjoon ne carefully suna, phir uski plate me sandwich ka ek tukda rakhte hue kaha, “Tab to tum meri respect aur badha deti ho. Tumne jo achieve kiya hai, wo easy nahi hota.”
Kajal ke dil me ek warmth aa gayi. Shayad isliye kyunki usne kabhi kisi ko apne struggles itne honestly nahi bataya tha.
Same Evening
Kajal ghar aayi to phone pe ek incoming call flash hua — Yoongi. Uska naam dekhte hi Kajal ke lips pe automatically ek smile aa gayi.
“Kya haal hai, Miss Kajal?” Yoongi ki awaaz me usual masti thi.
“Theek hoon… tum kahan ho ab?”
“Ek week aur ka kaam bacha hai. Par tujhe sach bolun? Main bhi tujhe miss kar raha hoon. Mere bina campus boring lagta hoga, na?”
Kajal ne hansi chhupaate hue kaha, “Haan… thoda.”
“Bas thoda?” Yoongi ne teasing tone me repeat kiya. “Mujhe laga tum rona-dhona kar rahi hogi.”
Kajal ne pretend kiya ki ignore kar rahi hai. “Main tumhare bina manage kar sakti hoon.”
“Haan haan, dekhta hoon wapas aake tum sach me kitna manage karti ho,” Yoongi hansi ke saath bola.
Unki baat-chit casual thi, lekin har line ke beech ek comfort tha. Jo silence Namjoon ke saath heavy lagta tha, wo Yoongi ke saath light aur easy tha.
Yoongi ne end me softly kaha, “Take care of yourself, Kajal. Main chahta hoon tum hamesha aise hi muskurati raho.”
Kajal ne phone cut kiya, lekin dil me ek garam ahsaas chhod gaya.
Usi raat Kajal balcony me chai ka cup lekar baithi thi. Chand ki roshni uske chehre pe gir rahi thi, hawa me thodi thandak thi. Dimaag me dono ki yaadein ghoom rahi thi — Namjoon ka possessive confession aur Yoongi ka playful care.
Namjoon mujhe samajhta hai… mujhe protect karta hai… lekin Yoongi ke saath wo natural smile aati hai jo main chhupana bhi chahu to chhup nahi sakti.
Phone pe ek notification aayi — Namjoon ka text:
"Good night, Kajal. Take care of yourself."
Uske do minute baad dusri notification — Yoongi ka text:
"Don’t forget me. Sweet dreams."
Kajal ne dono messages dekhe. Ek taraf woh insaan jo apne emotions ko control nahi karta aur clearly keh deta hai ki tum uske liye kya ho. Dusri taraf woh jo apni feelings ko jokes aur masti ke peeche chhupa leta hai, lekin phir bhi tumhe special feel karata hai.
Kajal ne apne phone ko table pe rakha aur thodi der baad aankh lag gayi. Sapne me wo ek raste ke mod pe khadi thi — saamne do alag-alag raaste.
Ek raste ke end pe Namjoon khada tha, black jacket me, serious expression ke saath haath badhata hua, jaise keh raha ho mere paas aao, main tumhe protect karunga.
Dusre raste ke end pe Yoongi tha, casual hoodie me, halki si muskaan ke saath jaise keh raha ho chalo, dekhte hain yeh safar kitna mazedaar banate hain.
Hawa chal rahi thi, patte hil rahe the, aur Kajal beech me khadi soch rahi thi — kaunsa raasta meri kahani banega?
Uska dil dono ki taraf ek saath kheench raha tha… aur uske pehle ki wo koi kadam badhati, sapna tut gaya.
Kajal jaag kar apne kamre ki chhat dekhti rahi, uske dil me ek hi sawaal goonj raha tha — Kya main apne dil ki sunungi… ya apne dimaag ki?
Subah ka suraj khidki se andar aa chuka tha, lekin Kajal ka mann abhi bhi raat ke sapne me uljha hua tha — do raaste, do chehre, aur wo beech me. Usne phone uthaya, screen pe do unread messages.
Namjoon: “Good morning, Kajal.”
Yoongi: “Rise and shine, sleepyhead.”
Kajal ne dono padh liye, par reply kisi ko nahi diya. Uska dil chahta tha ki dono ke liye ek saath kuch likh de… lekin kaise? Uske fingers type karne ko ready hue, phir ruk gaye.
College pahunchte hi, library ke corridor me Namjoon mil gaya. Black shirt, rolled-up sleeves, aur wo intense gaze jo Kajal ka dhyaan apni taraf kheench leti thi.
“Tum mujhe avoid kar rahi ho?” usne softly puchha.
Kajal ne muskaan banayi. “Bas busy thi.”
Namjoon thoda sa nazdeek aaya, awaaz halki si serious. “Busy… ya phir confused?”
Kajal chup rahi, lekin uski khamoshi ka matlab Namjoon samajh gaya. “Jo bhi ho, Kajal… main tumhara intezaar karunga.”
Uske baad wo casually chala gaya, lekin Kajal ke dil me wo baat goonjti rahi.
Sham ko
Campus gate par Kajal apni books adjust kar rahi thi, jab ek familiar awaaz ne uska naam liya.
“Kajal!”
Palat kar dekha — Yoongi. Hoodie, cap, aur wo easy-going smile.
“Surprise,” usne arms open kiye. “Bina bataye wapas aa gaya.”
Kajal ke chehre pe ek genuine smile aa gayi. “Tum… kab aaye?”
“Bas abhi. Socha tumse pehle hi mil loon.”
Dono ne thoda walk kiya. Campus ke gate se thoda aage jaane ke baad Yoongi ne Kajal ke haath se books le liye.
“Tum hamesha itna weight le kar kio chalti ho?” usne casually pucha.
Kajal ne hansi roki, “Itna bhi heavy nahi hai.”
Yoongi ne half-smile ke saath kaha, “Tumhare liye nahi ho sakta hai , lekin mujhe lagta hai tum already bohot kuch carry kar rahi ho… sirf books nahi.”
Kajal ne ek second ke liye uski taraf dekha, uske words ka matlab samajhne ki koshish ki.
Thoda pause karke usne tease kiya, “Waise tum abhi bhi green tea peeti ho na? Yaad hai, library break me tum hamesha wahi order karti thi.”
Kajal ne halki si hansi di, “Haan… abhi bhi.”
Yoongi ne hawa me ek leaf catch ki jo hawa ke saath ud rahi thi, phir usse Kajal ki palm me rakh diya.
“Life complicated lag rahi hai na?” usne softly pucha.
Kajal ne sirf halki sa nod kiya.
Yoongi ne ek deep breath li, “Main complicated cheezein ko simple banane me expert hoon. Tum jab ready ho jao , mujhe bata dena. Main tumhe wahan le jaunga jahan tumhare saare ‘ifs’ aur ‘buts’ khatam ho jayenge."
Kajal ne ek chhoti si smile di, lekin uske dil me ek ajeeb sa comfort settle ho gaya.
Tabhi Kajal ka phone vibrate hua — screen pe Namjoon ka naam flash hua.
Yoongi ne casually pucha, “Pick karogi ya baad me?”
Kajal ne ek pal socha, phir call pick ki.
“Hello…”
Namjoon ki awaaz me urgency thi, “Kajal, mujhe tumse milna hai… abhi.”
Kajal ne thoda hesitant hoke kaha, “Main campus ke bahar hoon, shayad thodi der—”
“Main wait karunga.” Namjoon ne bas itna kaha aur call cut kar diya.
Yoongi ne halki si smirk ke saath dekha, “Lagta hai koi important tha.”
Kajal ne bas smile kiya, “Bas ek friend.”
Yoongi ne tease kiya, “Friend… jo tumhe abhi bula raha hai? Wah, kaafi lucky friend hoga.”
Kajal ne kuch nahi kaha, lekin dil me ek chhoti si guilt ki lehar zaroor aayi.
Later…
Kajal cafe phochi or dekha Namjoon café ke corner table par betha tha. Namjoon apne phone pe kuch scroll kar raha tha, lekin jaise hi Kajal aayi, uski aankhon ka focus sirf us par tha.
“Kajal,” usne chair pull karte hue kaha, “tum thaki hui lag rahi ho.”
Kajal ne thoda hansi me udata, “Din thoda lamba tha.”
Namjoon ne waiter ko bulaya, “Uske liye green tea le aana, extra warm.”
Kajal ne surprise hoke dekha, “Tumhe kaise pata mujhe green tea pasand hai?”
Namjoon ne calm tone me kaha, “Main dhyaan rakhta hoon.”
Ek chhoti si silence hui. Phir wo lean hoke bola, “Main tumhare liye compete nahi karna chahta. Bas tumhe protect karna chahta hoon. Jo bhi choice tum karogi, main tumhare saath rahunga.”
Kajal ne uski aankhon me dekha. Us intensity me ek sachchai thi, jo shayad Yoongi kabhi nahi keh payega — kam se kam is tareeke se nahi.
“Tumhe pata hai, Kajal,” Namjoon ne softly kaha, “kabhi kabhi dil ke faisle samajh se nahi, bas ehsaas se hote hain. Aur main chahta hoon tum apne ehsaas ko ignore na karo.”
Kajal ka dil ek pal ke liye fast beat karne laga. Usne bas tea ka cup apne lips ke paas le liya, jaise kuch bolna avoid kar rahi ho.
Cafe ke baad…
Kajal café se nikal kar seedha hostel wapas jaane ka soch rahi thi, lekin jaise hi gate ke paas aayi, ek bike uske saamne ruk gayi.
Helmet ke peeche se familiar awaaz aayi, “Kya tum mujhe ignore kar rahi ho, Miss Kajal?”
Kajal ne aankh ghumayi, “Yoongi… tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?”
Yoongi ne ek playful bow kiya, “Tumhe kidnap karne aaya hoon… dinner ke liye.”
“Main already khana—” Kajal keh hi rahi thi ki Yoongi beech me bol pada, “Green tea ka matlab dinner thodi hota hai. Chalo.”
Usne bina pooche ek spare helmet uske haath me de diya. Kajal ne thoda hesitate kiya, lekin uski aankhon me woh familiar warmth dekh kar maan gayi.
Bike chalate waqt hawa Kajal ke baalon me ulajh rahi thi, aur shehar ki lights blur si lag rahi thi. 15 minute baad, Yoongi ne bike ek chhote se street-food stall ke saamne roki.
“Korean food toh tumne kabhi taste nahi kiya hoga,” Yoongi ne ek plate tteokbokki order karte hue kaha.
Kajal ne ek bite li, phir hansi aayi, “Yeh spicy hai!”
Yoongi ne teasing tone me kaha, “Tumhari life ki tarah… thodi complicated, thodi spicy.”
Kajal ne aankh narrow ki, “Tum har baat ko mere upar kyu le jaate ho?”
“Kyuki sach seedha bol do toh boring ho jaata hai,” Yoongi ne casual shrug diya.
Dono bench pe baith kar khate rahe. Aas-paas traffic ka shor tha, lekin un dono ke beech ek alag hi silence tha — comfortable, bina pressure ka.
Yoongi ne halka sa uske shoulder ko bump kiya, “Jab tum smile karti ho na, lagta hai duniya itni buri bhi nahi.”
Kajal ne ek second ke liye uski taraf dekha… phir nazar chura li. Dil ke andar ka confusion fir se gehra ho gaya.
Raat
Kajal apne balcony me baithi thi. Chand ki roshni uske chehre par gir rahi thi, hawa me thodi thandak thi. Ek taraf Yoongi ke easy-going words, doosri taraf Namjoon ka steady promise… aur beech me wo khud.
Phone vibrate hua — Yoongi ka text:
“Don’t think too much, Miss Kajal. Life short hai, smile zyada karo.”
Kajal ke lips pe ek chhoti si smile aayi, par saath hi Namjoon ka din me kaha hua ek line yaad aaya — “Main tumhara intezaar karunga.”
Usne phone table par rakha, aankh band ki… lekin uske dil ka tug-of-war abhi bhi khatam nahi hua tha.
Chapter 9 — Unexpected Meeting
Kajal ne socha tha, aaj ka din simple hoga. Mann ko distraction dene ke liye wo city ke chhote street market aayi thi. Hawa me coffee aur freshly baked bread ki khushboo thi, stalls pe rang-birangi lights jagmag kar rahi thi.
Wo ek stall par earrings dekh rahi thi, jab piche se ek familiar awaaz aayi —
“Ab bhi silver zyada pasand hai?”
Kajal ne palat kar dekha — Yoongi. Casual denim jacket, hands pocket me, jaise bas walk pe nikalte-nikalte aa gaya ho.
“Tum yaha?” Kajal ne hairan hokar pucha.
“Bas tumhe dekhne ka mann tha… ya shayad tumse takra jana chahta tha.” Usne half-smile di.
Kajal kuch keh paati, usse pehle doosri taraf se ek aur awaaz —
“Kajal?”
Namjoon. Black coat, neatly styled hair, aur wo confident walk jo crowd me bhi alag lagti thi. Usne Kajal ko dekha, phir Yoongi ki taraf — ek second ka pause, lekin us pause me kaafi kuch tha.
“Namjoon… tum yaha kaise?” Kajal ne thoda nervous hoke pucha.
“Ek meeting thi paas me, socha coffee le lu… lekin mujhe nahi pata tha yahan aur interesting cheez mil jayegi.” Uski aankhon ka focus Kajal par tha.
Hawa me ek halki awkwardness aa gayi. Yoongi ne Kajal ke bag ka strap apne haath me le liya.
“Tum bohot heavy carry kar rahi ho, main le leta hoon,” usne casually kaha.
Namjoon ka jaw slightly tighten hua.
“Kajal, tum coffee logi? Mere saath.”
Yoongi ne smirk kiya, “Ya phir hum teeno saath chalein? Kahani thodi interesting ho jayegi.”
Kajal dono ko dekhti rahi — ek taraf Yoongi ka chilled tease, doosri taraf Namjoon ka steady, protective presence. Lights chamak rahi thi, log guzar rahe the, par uske liye sirf ye do chehre frame me the.
Ek din free rehne ka socha tha… aur ye dono aa gaye.
“Chalo… teeno saath chalte hain.”
Dono ne ek dusre ko dekha — ek silent challenge.
Café warm lights me dooba tha, background me soft jazz chal rahi thi. Window ke paas ek chhoti si table mili, jo teeno ko close baithne par majboor kar rahi thi.
Yoongi ne jacket utar ke chair par daal di. “Main order karta hoon, tum log kya loge?”
“Kajal ke liye green tea,” Namjoon ne turant kaha.
Yoongi ke lips par chhota sa smile aaya. “Aur uske liye honey add karwana, kyunki strong taste pasand nahi.”
Namjoon ne uski taraf dekha — silent, sharp exchange.
Kajal ne awkward laugh di, “Tum dono ko mujpar encyclopedia banane ka shauk hai kya?”
Order aate hi conversation ka face ajeeb ho gaya. Namjoon casually Kajal ke shoulder ke upar lean karke baat karta, jaise apni presence mark kar raha ho. Yoongi kabhi-kabhi apna cup uske cup se touch hone deta — ek soft reminder.
“Tum kal free ho?” Namjoon ne achanak pucha.
“Shayad… kyun?”
“Mujhe tumhe ek jagah le jaana hai.” Namjoon ki voice me wo surety thi jo mana karna mushkil banati.
Yoongi ne turant interrupt kiya, “Kal to hum already mil rahe hain. Tum bhool gayi?”
“Kab decide hua?” Kajal ne hairan hoke pucha.
“Abhi hua.” Yoongi ke tone me relaxed smile thi, lekin aankhon me challenge.
Kajal ne sigh kiya. “Nahi… kal mera important lecture hai.”
Bill settle hone ke baad teeno café se bahar nikle. Market ki lights ab aur bright thi, thandi hawa chal rahi thi.
Namjoon ne casually apna coat Kajal ke shoulders par rakh diya.
“Tumhe thand lag rahi hai,” usne softly kaha.
“Thanks… lekin tumhe kaise pata chala?”
Namjoon bas halki si smile dekar aage chalne laga.
Peeche se Yoongi aaya, hands pocket me.
“Waise coat ke neeche tumhari green scarf match ho rahi hai… tum par dark colors zyada suit karte hain.”
Kajal ne dono ki taraf dekha. “Mujhe lagta hai tum dono mujhe zyada study karte ho.”
Café ke bahar Kajal ek stall par kuch dekhne ruki thi. Uske thodi door, Yoongi aur Namjoon side me khade ho gaye.
Thand ka halka jhonka aaya, dono ne apne hands pocket me daale.
Namjoon ne casual tone me shuru kiya, “Tum hamesha har jagah kaise pahunch jaate ho, Yoongi?”
Uske words calm the, lekin undertone me ek sawal chhupa hua tha.
Yoongi ne slow smirk kiya, “Shayad tum mujhe underestimate karte ho. Main sirf wahan hota hoon jahan mujhe lagta hai… koi interesting cheez mil sakti hai.”
Usne Namjoon ki aankhon me seedha dekha, ek second zyada hold karke.
Namjoon ne slightly lean kiya, “Aur tumhe lagta hai Kajal tumhare liye ‘interesting cheez’ hai?”
Yoongi ne shoulders ucha diye, “Lagta nahi… pata hai.”
Ek chhoti si silence hui. Market ke shor ke beech me wo silence aur heavy lag rahi thi.
Namjoon ne slow, firm voice me kaha, “Main tumhe ek cheez clear kar du… jo bhi game tum khel rahe ho, main uska part nahi banne wala. Mere liye wo sirf game nahi hai.”
Yoongi ne halki hansi di, “Yahi to problem hai, Namjoon. Tum overly serious ho jate ho… aur main enjoy karta hoon.”
Usne pocket se ek coin nikal kar flip kiya, catch kiya, phir casually bola, “Dekhte hain, end me fate kis side hota hai.”
Kajal ne peeche mud ke dekha to dono apne apne expression normal kar chuke the — jaise kuch hua hi na ho.
Lekin unki aankhon me ab ek naye level ka challenge jal raha tha.
kuch der walk krne ke baad footpath par ek street performer guitar baja raha tha. Yoongi ne Kajal ko push kiya, “Chalo, ek gaana sunte hain.”
Namjoon ne watch dekhi, “Late ho raha hai, tumhara lecture kal hai.”
Kajal ne decide kiya, “Sirf ek gaana.”
Music hawa me gungunane laga. Kajal ne aankhen band ki, lekin usse mehsoos hua — dono ki nazrein us par hi hain.
Gaana khatam hote hi Namjoon ne kaha, “Chalo, main drop kar deta hoon.”
Yoongi ne turant bola, “Main bhi aa raha hoon.”
Street lamp ke neeche Kajal samajh gayi — chahe kal ka din lecture ka ho, in dono se bachna mushkil hoga.
Agla din tha. Kajal ne apne important lecture me poora focus diya, lekin uske dimaag me abhi bhi kal raat ki baatein goonj rahi thi — Yoongi aur Namjoon, dono ek saath uske life me.
Jab lecture khatam hua, Kajal ne apne phone pe Namjoon ka message dekha:
“Campus gate par milte hain?”
Kajal wahan gayi, toh Namjoon already wait kar raha tha, uski aankhon mein woh pyaar aur concern dono tha.
Kajal ne soft smile di aur table reserve karte hi window ke paas se ek glance market ki taraf bheja. Wahan se halki se crowd ke beech se ek familiar figure nazar aaya — Yoongi. Uska posture casual tha, hands pockets me, par uski aankhon me subtle alertness aur curiosity clear thi. Kajal ne turant nazar chura li.
Namjoon café ke corner me wait kar raha tha. Jaise hi Kajal ne step rakha, wo khada hua aur softly bola,
“Kaise ho, Kajal? Lecture kaisa raha?”usne pucha.
“Thik tha… par tumse milke accha lag raha hai,” Kajal ne halka sa muskaan di.
Namjoon ne uska haath pakda, aur uski aankhon me concern aur warmth dono tha. Kajal ne feel kiya ki is steady comfort me wo kitni relax feel karti hai.
“Main chahta hoon tum stress na lo, chahe kuch bhi ho. Main hoon na tumhare saath.”
Kajal ne realize kiya ki Namjoon ki stability uske liye ek bohot bada comfort tha.
Tabhi uske phone ne vibration kiya — Yoongi ka message aaya:
“Tum busy to nahi. Call kar sakti ho?”
Namjoon quietly uski taraf dekhta raha, par usne kuch nahi kaha. Kajal ne socha ki dono ke beech balance banaye rakhna kitna mushkil hai.
Kajal ne fir phone uthaya aur dial kiya.
“Yoongi?” Kajal ki awaaz me halki si narammi thi.
“Hey,” Yoongi ki awaaz me halki si uljhan wali thi, “Maine socha tum busy hoge, par mujhe tumhari awaaz sunni thi.”
Namjoon peeche se chupke se us taraf dekh raha tha, par usne kuch nahi kaha.
“Main thik hoon,” Kajal ne kaha, “Tum kaise ho?”
“Bas... thik hu. socha tum se baat kr lo.”
Kajal ne halka sa smile diya,"ok to hum fir baat krte hai."
Call khatam hone ke baad, Kajal ne Namjoon ki taraf dekha.
“Yoongi ne call kiya tha,” usne softly kaha.
Namjoon ne halka sa smile diya, “Achha hai ki tum dono baat kar rahe ho. Par agar kabhi kuch bhi ho, main hoon na.”
Kajal ne haan mein sir hila diya. Uske dil mein ek ajeeb sa comfort tha — dono hi uske liye khaas the, alag-alag tareeke se.
Namjoon ne phir se uska haath pakda, “Chalo, chalte hain. Tumhare liye coffee aur kuch snacks le aata hoon.”
Kajal ne muskaan ke saath haan kiya, aur dono campus ke café ki taraf chal diye, ek chhote se lamhe ke liye apni duniya mein vo do log the.
Café ke counter se coffee order karte hue, Kajal ki nazar ek side me Yoongi par gayi. Wo discreetly café ke entrance se dekh raha tha, jaise usse pata ho ki Kajal Namjoon ke saath hai. Kajal ke dil me ek sudden pang aya — usse pata tha ki Yoongi ki curiosity aur concern sirf uske liye nahi, balki uske emotions ka reflection bhi hai.
Namjoon coffee le aaya aur Kajal ke table par rakha, “Tumhara favourite green tea… aur thoda honey.” Kajal ne smile di, aur phir Yoongi ke side glance ka yaad aaya. Usse realize hua ki dono ke beech subtle tension aur connection chal raha hai — ek taraf steady Namjoon, doosri taraf playful Yoongi.
“Kal free ho?” Namjoon ne casually pucha, jaise normal baat ho.
Kajal ne sip lete hue bola, “Lecture ke baad shayad… par kal thoda hectic hai.”
Namjoon ne soft smile diya, “Chalo, fir jaise time mile, hum coffee aur baatein kar lenge.”
Kajal ne aankhen band ki, coffee ka sip lete hue. Wo internally soch rahi thi — Yoongi ko kaise bataun ki lecture ke baad wo busy hai, aur Namjoon ke saath time spend karna hai? Uske dil me confusion aur guilty pleasure dono thi.
Café me halki si music aur chatter ke beech, Kajal ne realize kiya ki dono hi uske life me important hai, par alag-alag tareeke se. Namjoon ka stability aur Yoongi ka spontaneous charm… dono hi usse pull kar rahe the, aur Kajal ka dil abhi bhi decide nahi kar pa raha tha.
Aur jaise hi Kajal coffee sip kar rahi thi, uske phone ne vibration dikhaya — Yoongi ka quick text:
"Dekha, tum dono safe ho. Bas yaad rakhna… main hamesha observe kar raha hoon."
Kajal ne phone table par rakha aur quietly muskaan di. Uske liye ek din thoda sa chaotic tha, par heart ke andar warmth aur tension dono chal rahe the.
Café se nikalte hi, Kajal aur Namjoon campus ke footpath par chal rahe the. Hawa me halki si thand thi, aur street lamps ki soft light unke chehron par gir rahi thi. Kajal ne apne scarf ko adjust kiya aur socha, “Yoongi abhi bhi dekh raha hoga…”
“Thand lag rahi hai kya?” Namjoon ne softly pucha.
“Thodi… par chalna comfortable hai,” Kajal ne muskaan di.
Wo chhoti si park ki taraf gaye, jahan campus ka garden thoda empty tha. Trees ke neeche street lamps ki warm glow aur soft wind Kajal ke emotions ko aur zyada sensitive bana rahi thi.
“Tum hamesha itne calm aur composed kaise rahte ho?” Kajal ne casually pucha, aankhen trees ki taraf utha kar.
Namjoon ne halki si muskaan di, “Shayad… main bas seekh gaya hoon ki tension se kuch solve nahi hota. Par tumhe dekh kar, lagta hai tumhe zyada worry hoti hai.”
Kajal silent hui, phir softly boli, “Aur Yoongi?”
Namjoon ka expression ek pal ke liye change hua. Uski aankhon me ek faint shadow aayi, jaise wo carefully apne words choose kar raha ho. “Yoongi… uska style alag hai. Spontaneous, unpredictable. Lekin…” usne thoda pause kiya, “…wo tumhe dekhne ka chance kabhi miss nahi karta, hai na?”
Kajal ne scarf tight kiya, “Shayad… bas care karta hai.”
Namjoon ne ek chhota sa smile diya, lekin Kajal feel kar sakti thi ki uske andar thodi possessiveness stir ho rahi hai.
Tabhi Kajal ke phone me vibration aayi — Yoongi ka text:
"Dekho tum safe ho. Tumhe yaad hai na, main hamesha observe karta hoon."
Namjoon ne casually phone ki screen ki taraf glance kiya, aur phir Kajal ki taraf dekha. Uski voice gentle thi, par andar ek slight edge tha, “Lagta hai… tum dono ka connection kaafi strong hai.”
Kajal ne awkward smile di, “Bas… purani baatein hain.”
Namjoon ne uska haath pakda, is baar thoda firm grip me, jaise ek silent statement ho — "Main bhi yahan hoon."
Wo bench par baith gaye, Namjoon ne Kajal ke shoulders ke upar apna arm loosely rakha. “Tum meri ho… ya main tumhara, decide jo bhi ho… mujhe bas tumhare paas rehna hai,” usne low voice me kaha. Kajal ne aankhen band ki, feeling both comfort… aur woh thoda sa unspoken tension jo sirf love triangles me hota hai.
Lecture ke baad Kajal seedha bookstore pahunchi. Door ke bahar hi Namjoon wait kar raha tha, hands in pockets, ek calm smile ke saath.
“Tum aa gayi,” usne softly kaha.
Dono andar gaye. Bookstore ka cozy atmosphere Kajal ko instantly peaceful feel karwane laga — wooden shelves, soft lighting, aur corner se halki coffee ki smell.
Namjoon directly travel section me gaya, ek book uthayi aur Kajal ko di,
“Yeh tumhare liye… mujhe laga tumhe pasand aayegi.”
Kajal ne smile di, “Tumhe kaise pata main yeh read karti hoon?”
“Main notice karta hoon,” Namjoon ne casually kaha, lekin uski eyes Kajal pe aise tikki thi jaise woh har expression observe kar raha ho.
Kajal ek shelf ke upar se book nikal rahi thi jab usne glass door ke bahar ek familiar figure dekha — Yoongi. Hoodie pehne, casual posture me khada… lekin eyes directly un dono pe.
Uske phone me vibration hui — Yoongi ka text:
“Bas check kar raha tha… tum safe ho na?”
Namjoon ne Kajal ke phone ki screen ka reflection glass me dekha. Uske expression me ek second ka shift aaya — gentle smile ke neeche ek faint possessiveness.
“Tum distracted lag rahi ho,” usne low tone me kaha.
“Bas… zyada soch rahi hoon,” Kajal ne halki si muskaan di.
Check-out counter pe Namjoon ne Kajal ke haath pe apni ungliyon ka grip thoda tighten kar diya, jaise silent message ho — Tum sirf meri ho.
“Kal tum free ho?” usne casually pucha.
Kajal ne hesitate kiya, “Nahi… muje thoda kam hai.”
Namjoon ki smile thodi sharp ho gayi, “ok… jab free ho jao tab bta dena.”
Bookstore se nikalte hue Kajal ne ek last glance door ki taraf kiya — Yoongi ab wahan nahi tha.
Kajal apne room me study table par baithi thi, notes revise kar rahi thi, jab phone ring hua — Yoongi ka call.
“Hello?” Kajal ki awaaz me surprise tha.
“Tum thik ho?” Yoongi ki voice soft thi, lekin uske andar ek depth thi jo Kajal ko hamesha pause karwa deti thi.
“Main thik hoon… tum bookstore ke bahar kyun…” Kajal ruk gayi.
Yoongi ne thoda silence ke baad kaha, “Mujhe bas dekhna tha… ki tum safe ho.”
Kajal ne halki si sigh li, “Tumhe kese pata chal jata hai me kha hu, or vese bhi main apna khayal rakh sakti hoon?”
Yoongi ki halki si hansi aayi, “Pata hai… tum apna dhyan rakh skti ho par tum meri habit ban chuki ho. Main ignore nahi kar paata.”
Kajal ka dil ek second ke liye skip hua. “Namjoon ko laga tumhara message kuch… alag tha.”
Yoongi ki tone thodi serious ho gayi, “Aur tumhe kya lagta hai? Kya mera message sirf friendly tha?”
Kajal ne jawab nahi diya.
Yoongi ne dheere se kaha, “Bas yaad rakhna… chahe koi bhi tumhare paas ho, main hamesha background me rahunga.”
Call cut hone ke baad Kajal ne apna phone desk pe rakha, uske dil me dono ke liye alag-alag feelings ka storm chal raha tha — ek taraf Namjoon ka possessive comfort, doosri taraf Yoongi ka quiet but intense pull.
Next morning campus unusually bright tha, lekin Kajal ka mood abhi bhi mixed tha. Lecture khatam hone ke baad usne library ka plan banaya, lekin halfway jaate-jaate Namjoon uske saamne aa gaya.
“Library? Main bhi aa raha hoon,” usne bina pooche kaha.
Library me dono corner table pe baithe. Namjoon books arrange kar raha tha jab Kajal ka phone vibration hua — Yoongi ka short text:
“Don’t skip lunch.”
Kajal ne phone quickly side me rakha, lekin Namjoon ne uski body language note kar li.
“Kaun tha?” uska tone casual tha, lekin aankhon me ek sharp curiosity thi.
“Kuch nahi… bas ek friend,” Kajal ne topic cut kiya.
Namjoon ne halka sa smile kiya, “Friend…” usne softly repeat kiya, jaise woh word ko taste kar raha ho. “Kya main usse jaanta hoon?”
Kajal ne sir shake kiya, “Chhodo na, padhai pe focus karo.”
Thoda waqt chup rehne ke baad Namjoon ne ek pen uthaya, uske notes ke corner me chhota sa smiley bana diya.
“Kya?” Kajal ne hansi roki.
“Bas… tumko yaad dilane ke liye ke main yahan hoon,” Namjoon ne softly kaha, lekin uski eyes me ek unspoken challenge tha.
Kajal ko pata tha — yeh sirf shuruaat thi. Dono ke beech me ab sirf pyaar ka masla nahi tha… kuch aur bhi tha. Aur us “kuch” ka naam shayad Yoongi tha.
Us din evening me Kajal library ke baad campus ke lawn me akeli chal rahi thi. Hawa me halki si thand aur street lamps ki soft glow ka combination atmosphere ko dreamy bana raha tha.
Kajal ke phone ne vibration dikhaya — Yoongi ka short text:
“Campus gate pe wait kar raha hoon. Tumhare liye surprise hai.”
Kajal ne internally sigh li. Ye phir se…
Thoda hesitant, wo gate ki taraf gayi. Jaise hi wahan pohanchi, Yoongi wahan casual stance me khada tha, hands in pockets, hoodie slightly tilted, aur aankhon me wo same alert curiosity.
“Hey,” Yoongi ne halki si smile ke saath bola.
“Hi,” Kajal ne softly reply kiya.
Thodi der ke liye dono silence me rahe. Phir Namjoon ki voice piche se aayi:
“Kajal?”
Kajal ne quickly turn kiya, aur dekha Namjoon gate ke thodi door khada tha, confident aur composed, lekin aankhon me ek subtle edge of jealousy.
Yoongi ne half-smirk diya, jaise wo perfectly aware tha Namjoon ka reaction.
“Lagta hai… timing perfect hai,” Yoongi ne casually comment kiya.
Namjoon aage aaya, step by step, eyes locked on Yoongi. “Tum… campus pe kyun?” uska tone calm tha, lekin clearly possessive.
Yoongi ne thoda tilt kar ke dekha, “Bas… dekh raha tha ki tum safe ho, Namjoon. Tumhara concern unnecessary hai.”
Kajal ne dono ke beech me step liya, “Stop it… please. Don’t make this weird.”
Namjoon ne Kajal ko side se dekha, phir Yoongi ki taraf. “Ye weird nahi… bas clarity chahiye. Tum hamesha background me kyun ho?”
Yoongi ki aankhon me ek flash aya, phir halki si hansi, “Clarity… mujhe lagta hai tumhe pata hai main yahan kyun hoon. Kajal… bas usi ke liye.”
Kajal ki heart beat tez ho gayi. Namjoon ka grip uske haath pe thoda tight ho gaya.
“Bas itna samjh lo… main bhi yahan sirf kajal ke liye ho,” Namjoon ne softly, par fir bhi firm tone me kaha.
Yoongi ne step back liya, ek subtle respect ke saath, aur halki si teasing tone me bola, “Main interfere nahi kar raha. Bas observe kar raha hoon… aur thoda protect.”
Kajal ne dono ko dekha. Dono hi uske liye alag tareeke se important the — Namjoon ka possessive stability aur Yoongi ka spontaneous intensity. Heart me ek chaos chal raha tha, par lips pe halki muskaan.
Namjoon ne Kajal ki taraf dekha, “Tumhari choice… par yaad rakho… main hamesha yahan hoon.”
Yoongi ne halki si smile di, “Aur main bhi. Background me, hamesha.”
Kajal ne dono ke beech me apna head tilt kiya, “Stop it… mujhe tension mat do. Ek din me itna kaafi hai.”
Namjoon aur Yoongi ne ek dusre ko glance diya, ek silent understanding ke saath.
Kajal ne socha… Ye dono… dono hi alag tareeke se meri life me important hain… aur ye chaos… surprisingly comforting bhi hai. Kajal vha se chali gayi.
Wo us raat campus ke lawn se ghar ke liye chali, heart me warmth aur tension dono ke saath, ready for whatever next day.
Agla din tha, aur Kajal ki lecture series officially khatam ho gayi thi. Lekin uske mind me abhi koi personal thoughts nahi, bas ek urgent call ne uski attention le li — ghar se phone aaya.
“Beta, dadi ki tabiyat thodi kharab hai… tum jaldi India aa jao,” uski maa ki awaaz me concern tha.
Kajal ne deep breath li aur turant tickets book kar diye. Uska dil thoda heavy tha, par is waqt koi distractions nahi the. Uska pura focus sirf dadi ke upar tha.
India pahunchte hi, Kajal seedha dadi ke room me gayi. Dadi weak lekin alert thi, aur Kajal ko dekh kar unki aankhon me relief tha.
“Beta… tum aa gayi,” dadi ne halki si smile ke saath kaha.
Kajal ne unke haath pakde, “Dadi, ab sab thik ho jayega. Main yahan hoon na.”
Kajal dadi ke saath time bitane lagi, unke liye tea bana rahi thi, medicines aur documents arrange kar rahi thi, aur bas unki care me busy ho gayi. Uske mind me ab koi Namjoon ya Yoongi ka thought nahi tha.
Ghar ke andar ek halki si khushbu thi — tulsi ki chai ki, jo kitchen se aa rahi thi. Kajal dining table par baithi apne laptop par kuch kaam kar rahi thi, lekin uska dhyaan bar-bar hall ke us kone ki taraf jaa raha tha jahan dadi apne favourite aasan par baithi thi.
Aaj dadi ke chehre par pehle se zyada rang tha. Unke haathon me wo chhoti si sweater bun rahi thi — ek sign ki ab unki tabiyat pehle se bahut behtar hai.
“Dadi, aapko thand toh nahi lag rahi?” Kajal ne apna laptop side me rakhte hue poocha.
Dadi ne chashma thoda adjust kiya aur halki muskaan ke saath boli, “Nahi beta, tumhari dekhbhaal me toh mujhe thand lag hi nahi sakti.”
Kajal ne chai ka cup le jaa kar dadi ke haath me diya. “Lijiye, tulsi wali chai. Doctor ne kaha hai immune system ke liye acchi hoti hai.”
Dadi ne ek sip li, “Hmmm… waise tum doctor bani thi ya teacher, mujhe abhi tak samajh nahi aaya.”
Kajal hansi, “Main toh superwoman hoon, sab ban sakti hoon.”
Ghar ka mahaul pehle ke comparison me bilkul change lag raha tha. Ab pehle jaise silence aur tension nahi thi, balki halki-phulki hasi mazak chalti rehti thi. Kajal ki maa kitchen me mithai bana rahi thi, keh rahi thi, “Dadi ab sahi ho gayi hain, toh kuch meetha toh banta hai.”
Kajal poore din dadi ke sath chhoti-chhoti baatein karti, unke liye newspaper padhti, ya unke sath balcony me jaa kar shaam ki chai peeti. Dadi ke chehre ka glow wapas aane laga tha, aur wo roz thoda zyada chalne lagti thi.
Ek din shaam ko, jab suraj ki last light drawing room me aa rahi thi, dadi ne Kajal ka haath pakad kar kaha,
“Beta, main tumse ek baat kehna chahti hoon. Jab tum yahan aayi thi, mujhe lagta tha… shayad tumhare apne sapne peeche reh jayenge meri wajah se. Par tumne jo pyaar aur patience dikhaya… main hamesha yaad rakhungi.”
Kajal ki aankhon me halka sa paani aa gaya. “Dadi, aap meri priority hain. Sapne toh main kabhi bhi chase kar sakti hoon, par aap jaise log… wo life me baar-baar nahi milte.”
Dadi ne pyar se Kajal ka matha chuma. “Mujhe lagta hai tum ab wapas apni padhai ke liye jaa sakti ho. Main ab kaafi better hoon. Aur mujhe tumhe apne sapno ki taraf wapas dekhna hai.” Kajal ne sirf smile kiya.
Ab ke baar jab wo Subah ka time tha, aur Kajal kitchen me chai banate hue dadi ki loud awaaz sun rahi thi,“Arey Kajal! Yeh biscuits kitne hard hain, mera daant toot jayega!”
Kajal hansi rok nahi paayi. “Dadi, aapko pata hai na, ye healthy biscuits hain… sugar free.”
Dadi ne nak chadha liya, “Healthy ka matlab yeh nahi ki khaane ka mann hi na kare!”
Past kuch dino me dadi ki health clearly improve ho gayi thi. Hospital trips kam ho gayi thi, unke chehre pe phir se woh light glow aa raha tha. Kajal khush thi — unhone jo tension me India ka ticket liya tha, ab woh relief me badal gaya tha.
Lunch ke time, poora ghar ek saath table pe tha. Maa stories suna rahi thi, papa casually news discuss kar rahe the, aur dadi apne old days ke fun incidents share kar rahi thi. Kajal bas sunte hue smile karti rahi. Uske mann me ek thought chal raha tha — “Ab wapas jaana hoga… meri classes bhi miss ho rahi hain.”
Shaam ko Kajal apne room me books arrange kar rahi thi. Almirah ke corner me ek chhota sa box rakha tha, jisme Korea se laaye hue souvenirs the — subway card, cafe ke receipts, aur ek polaroid photo jis me woh apne library ke corner me coffee leke baithi thi.
Usne phone uthaya, aur screen pe notifications ka dher tha. Namjoon ka message: “Tum safe ho na? Dadi ki health kaise hai?”
Yoongi ka call log: 3 missed calls.
Aur ek short text Yoongi ka: “Reply do, warna main aa raha hoon.”
Kajal ne dono messages padhe, thoda smile kiya aur phone side me rakh diya. “Abhi nahi… abhi family time,” usne socha.
Raat ko dadi ke saath balcony me baithi Kajal casually boli, “Dadi… aap kaafi better ho gayi ho, hai na?”
Dadi ne haan me sir hila ke kaha, “Teri dekhbhaal ka asar hai.”
Kajal ne tease kiya, “Bas ab main wapas padhai pe dhyan de sakti hoon.”
Dadi ne pyaar se kaha, “Haan beta, tu apna sapna pura kar. Mujhe pata hai tu wahan khush hai.”
Next day, Kajal ne tickets book kar liye — Korea wapas ka trip. Is baar uske andar excitement thi. Usne casual tone me maa-papa ko bataya, “Kal meri flight hai.”
Maa thodi shocked ho gayi, “Itni jaldi?”
Kajal ne hansi me kaha, “Classes miss ho rahi hain maa… aur mujhe apne hostel ka fridge bhi yaad aa raha hai.”
Packing ke time Kajal ne apne kapdon ke saath dadi ka diya hua ek small pouch bhi rakh liya. “Good luck ke liye,” dadi ne bola tha.
Airport ka atmosphere hamesha se Kajal ko mixed feelings deta tha — thoda excitement, thoda udaasi. Departure gate ke paas khadi Kajal apni boarding pass haath me leke smile kar rahi thi. Dadi, maa, aur papa uske aas-paas the.
Dadi ne uska haath zor se pakad rakha tha, “Beta, apna dhyaan rakhna. Thand se bachke rehna.”
Kajal hansi, “Dadi, main sweater pack karke le jaa rahi hoon. Aap tension mat lo, bas apni dawai time pe lena.”
Maa ki aankhon me halka sa paani tha, lekin Kajal ne unhe hug karke kaha, “Bas kuch mahine me wapas aaungi. Tension mat lo.”
Papa ne casual tone me bola, “Wahan jaake padhai pe focus karna, drama kam.”
Kajal ne wink kiya, “Dekha jayega.”
Security check ke baad Kajal ne ek baar peeche mudke family ko haath hila kar bye kiya, phir andar chali gayi.
Flight me seat lete hi usne phone nikala. Sabse pehle Namjoon ko ek text bheja:
“Sorry… mujhe aur time lagega.”
Aur Yoongi ke liye sirf ek emoji: 🥺
Phir phone aeroplane mode pe dala, headphones lagaye, aur khidki se bahar clouds dekhte hue ek shaitani si muskaan ke saath sochi —
"Korea, here I come… aur is baar main thodi chulbuli ban ke rahungi. Dekhte hain Namjoon aur Yoongi ke chehre pe kaise expressions aate hain jab mujhe achanak samne dekhenge."
Yeh plan perfect tha — dono samajh rahe the ki Kajal abhi India me hai, busy apni family ke saath. Unhe kya pata… kal subah unki duniya thodi hilne wali hai.
Incheon Airport – Next Morning
Thandi hawa Kajal ke face pe lagi toh usne ek deep breath li. “Ah… finally back,” usne khud se kaha.
Casual jeans, oversized hoodie, messy bun — bilkul simple look. Kisi ko pata nahi chalna tha ki Kajal wapas aayi hai.
Sabse pehle Dadi ko quick text: “Safely landed. Love you.” Usne decide kiya — pehla surprise Namjoon ke liye.
Namjoon’s Meeting
Taxi se seedha company building. Conference hall ka glass door half-open tha. Andar ek long table, glass wall ke us paar city ka skyline, aur Namjoon sharp black suit me, serious discussion me busy.
Kajal quietly andar aayi, heels ka halkasa sound room me goonj gaya. Namjoon ne pehle ignore kiya, lekin ek second me uski side glance freeze ho gayi.
“K… Kajal?” Uska tone shock aur disbelief ka mix tha. Meeting table ke sab log ne us taraf dekha.
Kajal ne soft smile di, “Hi.”
Namjoon chair se uth gaya, itna sudden ki chair peeche slide ho gayi. “Tum… yahan?!”
Kajal ne shoulders ucha ke casually kaha, “Socha surprise do.”
Namjoon ke lips corner se thoda twitch hue, jaise wo smile rok raha ho, lekin aankhon me clear warmth aa chuki thi. “Break lete hain,” usne quick announce kiya, aur Kajal ko sidha apne personal office le aaya.
Personal Office Conversation
Room me soft warm lighting thi, bade glass window se pura Seoul nazar aa raha tha. Door band hote hi Namjoon uske saamne aa khada hua.
“Tumhe pata bhi hai, teen mahine se main tumhare ek reply ka wait kar raha tha? Har call ignore kiya tumne… aur tum bina warning ke yahan aa gayi.”
Kajal calm tone me boli, “It was a surprise. Tumhe pasand aaya ya nahi?”
Namjoon ek step aage badha, haath uske shoulder ke paas wall pe rakha, jisse Kajal ka back automatically wall se touch ho gaya.
“Pasand?” uski voice deeper ho gayi, “…Kajal, tumhe idea bhi nahi main tumhare bina kitna restless tha.”
Kajal ne halki smirk di, “Shayad… ha ya shayad nahi.”
Namjoon ki aankhon me possessive spark aayi. “Main tumhare iss ‘shayad’ ko ‘haan’ me badal ke rahunga. Aur haan…” uska tone thoda dark hua, “…Yoongi se pehle milna tumhara pehla aur akhri mistake hona chahiye.”
Kajal ne soft laugh kiya, “Dekhte hain.”
Namjoon uske close se hote hue door open kiya, “Chalo, main tumhe drop karta hoon.”
Namjoon ne apna coat uthaya, “Main tumhe drop karta hoon.”
Kajal ne eyebrow uchaayi, “Tum meeting chhod ke mujhe drop karoge?”
Namjoon ne sidha jawab diya, “Tum meri meeting se zyada important ho.”
Kajal ne kuch nahi kaha, bas halka sa smile diya.
Luxury black car building ke porch me ready thi. Namjoon ne Kajal ke liye passenger door open kiya. Kajal ne teasing tone me kaha, “Waah, aaj toh kaafi gentleman lag rahe ho.”
Namjoon driver seat me baithte hue muskaraaya, “Main hamesha gentleman hoon, bas tum notice nahi karti.”
Namjoon ne road pe focus karte hue casually poocha, “Tum bina bataye wapas aayi… kyu?”
Kajal ne soft tone me kaha, “Bas… mujhe laga main yahan belong karti hoon.”
Namjoon ki grip steering pe thodi tight ho gayi, “Aur tumhe lagta hai koi tumhe yahan rokne ke liye wait nahi kar raha tha?”
Kajal ne uski taraf dekha, uske expression me seriousness thi. “Namjoon, main… bas surprise dena chahti thi.”
Namjoon ne ek deep breath li, phir halki si smile di, “Tumne surprise diya… aur warning bhi. Ab tum yahan ho, main tumhe kisi ko chhodne nahi dunga.”
Kajal ne laugh karte hue kaha, “Itna possessive mat bano.”
Namjoon ne sidha kaha, “Main tumhare liye already hoon.”
Car Yoongi ke studio ke bahar ruk gayi. Kajal door khol kar utarne lagi toh Namjoon ne uska wrist gently pakad liya. “Kajal… main seriously keh raha hoon. Tum meri ho.”
Kajal ne smirk karte hue kaha, “Dekhte hain.” Phir door band karke studio ki taraf chali gayi, aur Namjoon ki nazar uske har step pe tiki rahi.
---
Yoongi’s Studio
Namjoon ke office se nikal ke Kajal seedha Yoongi ke practice room me gayi. Door half-open tha, Yoongi piano ke keys pe slow melody bajate hue kuch likh raha tha.
Usne Kajal ko dekha… fingers freeze ho gaye. “Kajal?”
Kajal ne smile kiya, “Surprise.”
Yoongi ki aankhon me pehle relief, phir halki narazgi. “Tum Namjoon ke paas pehle gayi thi na?”
Kajal ne eyebrow raise kiya, “Tumhe kaise pata?”
Yoongi ne dry tone me kaha, “Mujhe pata chal jaata hai.”
Kajal ne laugh kiya, “Bas tum dono ko surprise dena tha.”
Yoongi ne chhoti si smile di, lekin uske voice me possessive edge tha. “Agli baar… pehle mere paas aana.”
Kajal andar hi andar sochi — “Lagta hai yeh trip interesting hone wali hai.”
Kajal abhi Yoongi se baat kar hi rahi thi ki door knock hua. Bina permission liye Namjoon andar aaya, uske haath me Kajal ka coat tha.
“Tum apni cheezein bhool gayi thi,” Namjoon ne calmly kaha, lekin uski nazar Yoongi pe tiki hui thi.
Yoongi ne cold smile di, “Main sambhaal leta.”
Namjoon ne uske paas jaa kar coat directly Kajal ke shoulders pe dala, “Main sambhaal sakta hoon.” Uska tone smooth tha, lekin uske words ek challenge jaise lag rahe the.
Kajal ne situation notice karke smirk kiya, “Aap dono ko lagta hai main bachchi hoon jo khud apne kapde nahi utha sakti?”
Namjoon ne kajal ki taraf dekha, “Tum meri responsibility ho.”
Yoongi turant bola, “Aur meri priority.”
Room ka temperature jaise thoda heavy ho gaya. Kajal ne casually dono ke beech dekha aur hansi rokne ki koshish ki.
“Okay, gentlemen… main apne aap chal sakti hoon,” usne tease karte hue kaha, aur door ki taraf badh gayi.
Namjoon aur Yoongi dono simultaneously uske saath chale — ek right side, ek left side.
Aur Kajal andar hi andar sochi — “Mujhe in dono ko thoda aur provoke karna chahiye… maza aayega.”
Yoongi ke studio ka door softly close hua. Kajal ne apna bag shoulder pe dala aur building ke bahar aayi. Raat ki thandi hawa me streetlights ka soft yellow glow tha.
Usne phone nikala aur taxi app open ki. Jaise hi booking confirm hui, ek familiar black SUV uske saamne ruk gayi. Window roll down hua — Namjoon.
“Taxi cancel karo,” usne calm lekin direct tone me kaha.
Kajal ne thoda hesitate kiya, “Main khud—”
“Kajal, baitho.”
Uska voice itna firm tha ki Kajal ne bina argue kiye rear door open kiya, lekin Namjoon ne driver seat se bola, “Front seat.”
Kajal silently passenger seat me aa baithi. Car ke andar halki coffee aur leather ki smell thi. Namjoon ne seatbelt check kiya, phir car smooth road pe chal padi.
“Yoongi ke studio me kitni der thi?” Namjoon ne casually poocha, lekin eyes road pe thi.
Kajal ne shoulder ucha ke kaha, “Bas… kuch baatein ho gayi.”
Kuch second ke liye car me sirf engine ki halki hum thi. Phir Namjoon ne softly kaha, “Tum jaanti ho na… mujhe pasand nahi hai jab tum mujhe ignore karke kisi aur ke paas jaati ho.”
Kajal ne uski taraf dekha — Namjoon ka profile dark shadows me tha, lekin aankhon me ek quiet intensity thi.
Car ek gated apartment complex ke andar ghusi. Kajal ne surprise se poocha, “Yeh tumhara…?”
Namjoon ne sirf ek short “Hmm” kaha. Parking me car roki, phir quietly uska door open kiya.
Namjoon’s Private Home
Inside, warm yellow lights, wooden flooring aur minimalist furniture. Kajal ne shoes utare aur slow steps se andar dekha. “Tum yahan akela rehte ho?”
Namjoon ne jacket hang ki, “Kabhi-kabhi. Office se thoda door hai, isliye private moments ke liye perfect.”
Kajal ne laugh kiya, “Private moments?”
Namjoon uske close aaya, bas ek arm’s distance par. “Haan… jaise yeh. Tum aur main. No cameras, no interruptions.”
Kajal ka heart thoda fast hua, lekin usne normal tone me poocha, “Aur ab?”
Namjoon ne ek deep breath li, “Ab tum baitho, main coffee banata hoon. Aur tum mujhe batogi… teen mahine me tumne ek baar bhi meri call kyun nahi uthai.”
Kajal ne socha argue kare ya nahi… phir quietly couch pe baith gayi. Namjoon kitchen me gaya, lekin uski eyes bar-bar Kajal pe ja rahi thi — jaise wo ensure kar raha ho ki uski surprise wapas chali na jaaye.
Namjoon tray me do mugs leke living room me aaya. Coffee ki garmaahat aur rich aroma pura room fill kar raha tha. Usne Kajal ke saamne table pe mug rakha, phir apna cup leke uske opposite couch pe baith gaya.
Kajal casually sip lene lagi, lekin uski eyes constantly Namjoon ke expressions read kar rahi thi.
“Achhi hai,” Kajal ne softly kaha.
Namjoon ne halki smirk di, “Woh toh hai… par mujhe coffee se zyada ek cheez matter kar rahi hai.”
Kajal ne eyebrow raise kiya, “Kya?”
Namjoon ne mug table pe rakha, thoda aage lean kiya. “Teen mahine, Kajal. Teen mahine tum gayab thi. Ek proper reply tak nahi… koi call nahi. Tum samajh rahi ho main kaisa feel kar raha tha?”
Kajal ne casually kaha, “Main busy thi.”
Namjoon ki jawline tense hui, usne Kajal ka cup gently uske haath se leke table pe rakh diya. “Busy? Main bhi busy tha. Meetings, deals, deadlines… lekin ek cheez kabhi busy schedule me nahi aati — tumse baat karna.”
Kajal ne uski eyes me dekha, jo ab dark aur intense thi. “Tum mujhe itna… seriously lete ho?”
Namjoon ne uske dono haath apne haathon me le liye. “Main tumhe lightly le hi nahi sakta. Tum meri ho, Kajal. Aur mujhe bilkul pasand nahi jab tum kisi aur ko apna ‘first’ banati ho… chahe woh airport arrival ho, ya tumhari khushi share karna.”
Kajal ne halki smirk di, “Jealous ho?”
Namjoon ka tone slow aur dangerous ho gaya, “Bohot. Aur main is feeling ko hide karne ka plan nahi banane wala.”
Dono ke beech ek heavy pause tha. Kajal ne apne haath slowly kheenchne ki koshish ki, lekin Namjoon ne grip tight ki. “Tum jitna door bhaagne ki koshish karogi, main utna close aaunga.”
Kajal ka heart rate badh gaya, lekin usne light tone me kaha, “Aur agar main door bhaag gayi toh?”
Namjoon ne uske ear ke paas lean karke whisper kiya, “Main tumhe wapas le aane ka har tareeka use karunga… chahe tum pasand karo ya nahi.”
Kajal ne ek deep breath li. She knew… iss raat ke baad cheezein normal nahi rahengi.
Kajal uske words ke baad chup ho gayi. Room me sirf clock ka halkasa ticking sound sunayi de raha tha. Namjoon ab bhi uske haath apne haathon me liye baitha tha, lekin grip ab thodi soft ho chuki thi.
“Kajal…” uska tone ab pehle se calm tha, “…main gussa isliye hota hoon kyunki tum important ho. Tum meri weakness ban chuki ho, aur main apne aap ko tumse door soch bhi nahi sakta.”
Kajal ne uski aankhon me dekha — usme koi sharpness nahi thi, bas ek genuine care.
“Tum mujhe itna… protect kyon karte ho?” Kajal ne softly poocha.
Namjoon ne halki si smile di, “Kyunki tum woh rare insaan ho jo mujhe samajh sakti ho. Aur jab tum nahi hoti… lagta hai mera balance bigad gaya.”
Kajal ka dil ek second ke liye skip hua. Usne apni gaze table ki taraf kar di, lekin Namjoon ne slowly uska chin lift karke uski aankhon me wapas dekhne pe majboor kar diya.
“Main tumse kuch expect karta hoon… sirf honesty. Mujhse sach bolna, chahe woh uncomfortable kyun na ho.”
Kajal ne ek chhoti si nod di. “Okay.”
Namjoon ne ek deep sigh li, phir couch pe apne paas jagah pat karke kaha, “Come here.”
Kajal hesitant thi, lekin wo uthkar uske paas baith gayi. Namjoon ne apna arm uske shoulders ke around rakha, jaise ek protective shield.
“Kya tum thodi der yahan rukogi?” usne pucha.
Kajal ne halki si muskaan di, “Rukungi… par bas thodi der.”
Namjoon ne softly kaha, “Thodi der mere liye kaafi hoti hai… jab tum mere paas hoti ho.”
Dono ne ek dusre ki presence me silence share kiya — koi dramatic move nahi, bas ek comfortable warmth. Kajal ko laga ki shayad yeh Namjoon ka ek aur side tha, jo sirf uske liye reserved tha.
Aur uske dil ke kisi kone me, yeh thought quietly bloom hua — shayad mujhe yahan itna bura nahi lagega.
Weekend tha, aur Kajal ne decide kiya ki wo Yoongi se milne uske studio chali jaaye.
Aaj studio usual se zyada chup tha — na piano ke keys ki halki si awaaz, na pen ka scratch. Sirf ek uneasy stillness thi, jaise hawa bhi ruk gayi ho.
Kajal ne door knock kiya, phir dheere se andar dekha
“Hi,” usne soft tone me kaha.
Yoongi ne sirf ek glance dala. “Tum aa gayi.”
Tone normal lag raha tha… lekin Kajal jaanti thi — Yoongi ka normal kabhi itna flat nahi hota.
Kajal aage badhi. “Main… bas tumse milne aayi thi.”
Yoongi ne pen table par rakha, phir uski gaze Kajal par fix ho gayi.
“Kal raat kahan thi?”
Kajal ek pal ke liye ruki. “Namjoon ke… ghar.”
Yoongi ke lips ek straight line me tighten hue. “Kyun?”
Kajal ne calmly samjhane ki koshish ki. “Woh… drop karte karte late ho gaya, toh—”
Yoongi ne beech me hi cut kiya. “Toh tumne decide kiya uske saath raat guzarna.”
Words me gussa nahi tha, lekin ek thandi si sharpness thi jo Kajal ke dil tak chubh gayi.
“Yoongi, itna simple nahi tha…” Kajal ne halki si sigh li.
“Simple hi tha,” Yoongi ne dheere se kaha, “…tumne choose kiya kahan rehna hai.”
Kajal ne uski aankhon me directly dekha. “Aur agar tumne mujhe drop kiya hota toh?”
Yoongi ka jaw clench hua. Wo kuch pal chup raha, phir ek halki si bitter laugh di.
“Tum jaanti ho… mujhe pasand nahi aata tumhara uske saath itna close hona.”
Kajal ne softly kaha, “Main tum dono se close hoon.”
Yoongi ne head shake kiya. “Nahi, Kajal. Tum soch rahi ho tum balance bana sakti ho… lekin ek din tumhe choose karna padega. Aur main pray karta hoon… ke woh main hoon.”
Room me ek gehra silence cha gaya. Kajal uske expression ko padhti rahi — hurt, possessive, aur ek silent challenge.
Wo kuch keh nahi paayi… aur shayad kehna chahti bhi nahi thi.
Kajal studio se nikal rahi thi, lekin uske dil me Yoongi ke words echo ho rahe the — “Ek din tumhe choose karna padega.”
Woh heavy sa feel lekar building ke bahar aayi… aur shock lag gaya jab samne Namjoon khada tha, apne phone me kuch type karte hue.
“Kajal?” Namjoon ne eyebrow raise kiya. “Tum… yahaan?”
Kajal thoda awkward ho gayi. “Woh… Yoongi se milne aayi thi.”
Namjoon ne uske chehre ko do second study kiya, jaise uske mood ka andaza laga raha ho.
“Aur lagta hai, woh meeting kaafi… intense thi.”
Kajal ne nazar churaayi. “Kuch khaas nahi.”
Namjoon ne halki si smirk di. “Tumhe pata hai, tum jab jhoot bolti ho toh tumhari voice thodi low ho jaati hai?”
Kajal ne haath fold kiya. “Tum mera mood guess karne aaye ho ya kuch kaam tha?”
Namjoon ne casually kaha, “Dono.”
Phir car ki taraf ishara kiya. “Chalo, chhod deta hoon. Waise bhi tum thodi… disturbed lag rahi ho.”
Car me silence thi. Kajal ne khidki se bahar dekha, lekin Namjoon ki eyes time-time pe uski side shift ho rahi thi.
“Yoongi ne kuch kaha?” Namjoon ne finally poocha.
Kajal ne slowly jawab diya, “Bas… tumhare baare me.”
Namjoon ka smirk deepen ho gaya, lekin is baar uske tone me ek possessive edge thi.
“Accha… main guess kar sakta hoon. Usne bola hoga ki tum mujhe avoid karo.”
Kajal ne eyebrow raise kiya. “Tumhe kaise pata?”
Namjoon ne side glance diya. “Kyunki agar main uski jagah hota, toh main bhi yehi kehta. Farq sirf itna hai… main tumhe kabhi jaane nahi deta.”
Kajal ka dil ek second ke liye skip hua. “Namjoon—”
Namjoon ne brake press karke car ko side me lagaya. Uski gaze suddenly intense ho gayi.
“Main seriously bol raha hoon, Kajal. Tum chahe jitna confuse feel karo, mere liye tum ek option nahi… tum meri decision ho.”
Kajal ne confuse hokar poocha, “Matlab?”
Namjoon ne uski aankhon me direct dekhte hue, calm but confident tone me kaha,
“Main tumhe apne life ka hissa banana chahta hoon, Kajal. Aur main yeh game jealousy ke basis par nahi khelta. Tum apni marzi se meri hogi… chahe kisi ko pasand aaye ya nahi.”
Uske words me possessiveness nahi thi, lekin ek authority thi jo Kajal ke dil ko chhu gayi.
Kajal ne halki si awkward smile di. “Tum dono… mujhe mushkil me daal rahe ho.”
Namjoon ne halki si chuckle di, phir seedha bol diya,
“Mushkil nahi… sirf ek sach ka samna karna hoga. Tum soch rahi ho tum dono ke beech balance bana sakti ho, lekin ek din tumhe decide karna padega.”
Phir thoda lean karke bola, “…aur main yeh maan kar chal raha hoon… ke woh tumhara decision main hoon.”
Kajal ne kuch jawab nahi diya. Uske dil me ek ajeeb si warmth aur tension dono thi.
Namjoon ne bas ek confident smile di, car start ki, aur usse drop karke apne kaam me lag gaya — jaise apna claim quietly mark kar gaya ho.
Car se nikal kar jab Kajal hostel ke hallway me chal rahi thi, uske dimaag me ek hi cheez baar-baar repeat ho rahi thi —
Yoongi ka kal ka dialogue: “Ek din tumhe choose karna padega… aur main pray karta hoon ke woh main hoon.”
Aur aaj Namjoon ka calm, confident voice: “…aur main yeh maan kar chal raha hoon… ke woh tumhara decision main hoon.”
Do alag personalities… lekin dono ka maksad ek.
Yoongi ke words me ek raw possessiveness thi — jaise wo haarna nahi chahta.
Namjoon ke words me ek quiet confidence thi — jaise wo already jeet chuka ho.
Kajal ne elevator button dabaya, lekin uska dil fast beat kar raha tha.
Main itni special kab ban gayi un dono ke liye?
Wo soch rahi thi… kya ye pyaar hai? Ya sirf ek ego battle?
Yoongi uska comfort zone tha — calm, familiar, ek safe space.
Namjoon uska challenge tha — unpredictable, intense, aur har baat me dominant.
Elevator ka glass panel se hostel ke lights chamak rahe the, aur Kajal ke mind me sirf ek thought clear thi —
Main balance banane ki koshish kar rahi hoon… lekin shayad wo balance possible hi nahi hai.
Usne ek deep breath li. Jab decision ka waqt aayega… toh main kaise choose karungi?
Aur kahin andar ek chhoti si awaaz whisper kar rahi thi —
Shayad decision ka waqt soch se zyada jaldi aane wala hai.
Elevator ka button dabate hi Kajal ne ek deep breath li. Vo sab purani baate yaad kar rhi thi.
Jo usne Namjoon or Yoongi ke sath bitayi thi.
Vo hasi majak or late night cafe Street songs.
Kese Yoongi uske liye seat resive rkhta tha.
Kese Namjoon Bina bole uski care krta tha. but abhi shaam ko jo hua dil ki rhythm abhi bhi fast thi, jaise har ek beat ke saath dono ke words echo ho rahe ho.
Yoongi: “Ek din tumhe choose karna padega… aur main pray karta hoon ke woh main hoon.”
Namjoon: “…aur main yeh maan kar chal raha hoon… ke woh tumhara decision main hoon.”
Dono alag, lekin dono ka maksad ek.
Aur Kajal? Wo beech me phasi hui thi… ek patli si dor pe balance banane ki koshish kar rahi thi.
Elevator “ding” karte hue ruk gaya, aur Kajal apne floor pe utar gayi. Hostel ka corridor quiet tha.
Bas ek do doors ke neeche se halki si light aa rahi thi.
Room ka lock khol ke jaise hi Kajal andar gayi, phone vibrate hua.
Screen pe Yoongi ka naam flash kar raha tha.
Kajal ne call uthaya, “Hello?”
Yoongi ki awaaz me urgency thi. “Kahan ho?”
“Kya hua?” Kajal ne thoda tense ho kar poocha.
“Bas… ek baar milna hai. Abhi. Bahar aao.”
Kajal ka mind thoda confuse ho gaya, “Yoongi, raat ka 10 baj raha hai—”
Yoongi ne beech me cut kiya, “Kajal, please. Yeh important hai.”
Kuch seconds hesitation ke baad Kajal ne jacket uthai aur bahar nikal gayi.
Hostel ke gate ke bahar Yoongi ki car khadi thi.
“Kya hua?” Kajal ne passenger seat me baithte hue poocha.
Yoongi ne drive shuru kiya, uski gaze road pe thi. “Main tumse… sorry bolna chahta hoon.”
Kajal surprise ho gayi. “Sorry?”
Yoongi ne halki si sigh li. “Aaj studio me jo bola… shayad thoda harsh tha. Bas… tum Namjoon ke saath thi, aur mujhe pata nahi kyun… laga main tumhe lose kar raha hoon.”
Kajal ne uski side dekha — eyes me genuine guilt tha.
“Yoongi, main tumse kuch chhupa nahi rahi. Tum dono mere liye important ho. Bas…”
Yoongi ne soft smile di, “Bas yeh sunna tha.”
Car ek quiet road pe thi jab suddenly phone bajne laga — lekin iss baar Kajal ka phone, aur screen pe Namjoon ka naam flash kar raha tha.
Yoongi ki eyes us par gayi, “Pick karo.”
Kajal ne call uthaya, “Hello?”
Namjoon ki voice sharp thi, “Tum kaha ho? Hostel me nahi ho.”
Kajal ne glance li Yoongi ki taraf, phir calmly bola, “Main Yoongi ke saath hoon.”
Line me ek second ka silence hua, phir Namjoon ka tone thoda intense ho gaya,
“Kajal, abhi location send karo. Main aa raha hoon.”
Kajal ne hichkicha ke kaha, “Namjoon—”
Namjoon ne cut kiya, “Just send it.”
Aur call cut ho gayi.
Yoongi ne steering wheel thoda tight pakda, “Woh aa raha hai?”
Kajal ne bas slow nod kiya.
15 minutes ke andar ek small café ke bahar Yoongi ne car roki. “Coffee?”
Kajal ne awkward smile di, “Thoda late nahi hai?”
Yoongi ne shoulders ucha diye, “Mujhe tumhare saath thoda aur time chahiye.”
Kajal ne haan me head shake kiya, aur dono café ke andar chale gaye.
Hardly 5 minutes hue the, door khula aur Namjoon enter hua.
Uski gaze seedha Kajal pe — intense, steady, almost challenging.
“Kajal, chalna hai,” Namjoon ne direct kaha, Yoongi ko barely acknowledge karte hue.
Yoongi ne calmly kaha, “She’s with me.”
Namjoon ne finally uski taraf dekha, “Aur ab woh mere saath jaayegi.”
Café me thoda awkward silence ho gaya — staff bhi side se notice kar rahe the.
Kajal ka dil fast beat kar raha tha.
“Namjoon, tum—” Kajal ne start kiya, lekin Namjoon ne softly interrupt kiya, “Kajal, choose karo. Abhi.”
Yoongi ki eyes Kajal pe thi, “Yes. Abhi decide karo.”
Kajal freeze ho gayi. Yehi woh moment tha jiska andaza usne lagaya tha — decision ka waqt jaldi aane wala hai…
Aur wo yeh soch rahi thi ki shayad yeh kabhi real nahi hoga.
Namjoon ek step aage aaya, “Main tumhe apni life me chahata hoon, Kajal. Clear. No games.”
Yoongi ne calmly bola, “Aur main tumhe jaane nahi dunga.”
Dono ki voices alag thi — ek confident aur firm, doosri quiet lekin stubborn.
Kajal ka throat dry ho gaya. “Main…”
Uske lips pe words aane hi wale the ki suddenly café ke bahar loud screeching sound hui — jaise brakes lag rahe ho.
Sab ka attention glass door ki taraf gaya, aur ek bike uncontrollably skid karke corner me crash ho gayi.
Kajal shock me khadi ho gayi. “Oh my god!”
Bina soche samjhe wo bahar bhaagi, dono ke saath.
Biker unconscious tha, blood thoda se aa raha tha.
Kajal turant uske paas baith gayi, “Ambulance bulao!”
Namjoon already phone dial kar raha tha, Yoongi jacket nikal ke injured person ke neeche rakha.
Situation ne dono ko ek second ke liye unite kar diya — lekin Kajal ka mind abhi bhi us moment me atka tha…
Woh second jab usne decide karne ki koshish ki… aur phir fate ne interrupt kar diya.
Ambulance aayi, injured ko le gayi, aur sab quiet ho gaya.
Yoongi ne Kajal ki taraf dekha, “Tum theek ho?”
Kajal ne slow nod kiya. “Haan… bas…”
Namjoon ne softly bola, “Tum abhi bhi decision avoid kar rahi ho.”
Kajal ne uski aankhon me dekha, “Nahi. Bas shayad… main ready nahi ho.”
Yoongi ne thoda sarcastic smile diya, “Ya phir tum hume lose nahi karna chahti.”
Kajal ne kuch nahi kaha. Wo bas café ke doorway pe khadi thi, dono ke beech me.
Aur andar se ek baat clear thi —
Fate ne aaj decision delay kar diya…
Lekin agla mauka shayad utna merciful nahi hoga.
Wo car ki taraf chalne lagi, lekin peeche se dono ke footsteps sunayi diye — ek ka halki si chaal, doosre ka confident stride.
Aur Kajal ko mehsoos hua… shayad agla decision sirf pyaar ka nahi, balki zindagi badalne wala hoga.
Do din beet gaye, lekin café ka woh moment — jab Namjoon aur Yoongi ne usse “choose karo” kaha tha — Kajal ke dimaag me ghoomta raha.
Wo apne classes attend kar rahi thi, assignments submit kar rahi thi, lekin har break me ek ya toh Yoongi ka calm lekin stubborn face ya Namjoon ki intense gaze uske mind me aa jaati.
Friday raat, hostel me lights dim thi jab Kajal ka phone vibrate hua — ek unknown number se message:
“Yoongi in trouble. Come to 27th Street warehouse. Don’t tell anyone.”
Kajal ka dil ek second ke liye skip hua.
27th Street…? Wo jagah thoda shady thi, jaha music equipment kaam price pe milta tha lekin illegal deals bhi hoti thi.
Message anonymous tha, lekin instinct keh rahi thi ki yeh mazaak nahi hai.
Usne bina soche jacket pehni, phone uthaya, aur nikalne lagi… tabhi screen pe Namjoon ka call flash hua.
“Kajal, tum free ho? Ek urgent kaam hai,” Namjoon ka tone serious tha.
“Main ek live interview pe jaa raha hoon, jo mera career decide kar sakta hai. Mujhe tumhara support chahiye — press se ek cheez handle karni hai.”
Kajal freeze ho gayi.
Namjoon ka interview — usne pehle bataya tha ki yeh music label ke saath uska biggest chance hai.
Lekin Yoongi ka safety… agar woh sach me trouble me hai, toh der karna dangerous ho sakta hai.
“Kajal? Tum sun rahi ho?” Namjoon ka tone ab thoda anxious lag raha tha.
Kajal ke dimag me flash hua:
— Agar main Namjoon ke saath gayi, toh Yoongi shayad trouble se nikal na paaye.
— Agar main Yoongi ke paas gayi, toh Namjoon ka trust break hoga, aur shayad uska career ka biggest chance chala jaaye.
Ek side loyalty… doosri side safety.
Aur beech me wo khud.
“Namjoon… main—” Kajal ne start kiya, lekin uske words throat me atak gaye.
Usne ek deep breath li, phir decide kiya.
Kajal ne phone ka grip tight kiya.
Yoongi ka naam dimaag me ghoom raha tha… lekin Namjoon ka tone uske kaan me echo kar raha tha. "Mujhe tumhara support chahiye."
“Namjoon… main tumhare saath hoon,” Kajal ne finally kaha.
Dusre end se ek halki si relief bhari sigh aayi. “Thanks, Kajal. I knew I could count on you.”
Wo turant hostel se nikal kar Namjoon ke venue pahunch gayi. Bright lights, flashing cameras, aur reporters ke sawaal ka ek samundar tha.
Namjoon ne jaise hi usse dekha, ek confident smile di — us smile me ek subtle ownership thi.
“Tum perfect timing pe aayi, ab muje yeh deal easily mil jayegi.” usne slow whisper me kaha, aur turant ek reporter ko answer dene laga.
Interview flawless chala. Namjoon ke answers smart, charming, aur media-friendly the. Kajal ko pata tha ki aaj usne apne career ka ek bada step le liya hai.
Lekin… poore event me Kajal ka phone baar-baar vibrate hota raha — unknown number se.
“Where are you? He needs you.”
“It’s getting worse.”
Kajal ne ignore kiya… lekin andar ek guilt ka boojh badhta gaya.
Raat ko jab wo hostel wapas aayi, to Yoongi ka phone finally connect hua. Uski voice heavy thi.
“Kajal… tum nahi aayi.”
“Main… main nahi aa paayi, ek urgent—”
Yoongi ne cut kiya, “Mujhe hospital jana pada. Lekin shayad tum busy thi.”
Uske words calm the, lekin us calmness me ek thandi distance thi.
Kajal ne phone cut karte hi realise kiya… aaj raat usne Namjoon ka trust strong kiya hai, lekin Yoongi ke dil me ek crack ban chuka hai. Vo bhut royi us raat. Kio ki vo decide nhi kar pa rhi thi kya galat hai kya sahi hai.
Agle din subah, Kajal hostel ke room me coffee cup lekar window ke paas khadi thi.
Raat ka scene abhi bhi fresh tha — Namjoon ke saath flashing lights, media ke questions, aur uska confident smile.
Aur phir… Yoongi ka phone call. "Mujhe hospital jana pada. Lekin shayad tum busy thi."
Kajal ka chest heavy feel kar raha tha.
Usne apne phone me Yoongi ka number dial kiya, lekin ring ke baad bhi koi answer nahi aaya. Dusra call… phir bhi same.
Messages type kiye:
“Yoongi, main kal tumhare paas nahi aa paayi… sorry.”
“Kya Tum theek ho?”
Lekin blue ticks bhi nahi aaye.
Dopahar ko Namjoon ka message aaya:
“Meet me at the office. We need to talk.”
Office pahunchte hi Namjoon ne usse ek proud smile di. “Kal raat tumne mera biggest interview save kiya. Tum thi, isliye main press ke beech comfortable tha.”
Kajal ne weak smile di. “Mujhe khushi hai tumhara kaam accha hua. But uski eyes udasi se bhari hui thi.”
Namjoon ne thoda closer hote hue kaha, “Not just accha… game-changing. Label ne mujhe contract offer kiya hai. Tumhare support ke bina yeh possible nahi tha.”
Uske words genuine the, lekin Kajal ka mind Yoongi par atka hua tha.
Wo bas slow nod kar paayi.
Namjoon ne uski aankhon me dekha, “Kya hua? Tum thodi… off lag rahi ho.”
Kajal hesitate kar gayi. “Bas… Yoongi se baat nahi ho pa rahi. Pata nhi vo thik hai ya nhi.”
Namjoon ka expression thoda unreadable ho gaya. “Kajal, tumne kal ek choice ki thi. Main nahi keh raha ke tum usse ignore karo, lekin… kabhi kabhi choice ka matlab hota hai kisi ek ko pehle rakhna.”
Kajal ne uski baat sun kar sirf ek faint “Hmm” kaha.
Lekin andar se ek guilt wave fir se uthi — jaise uska decision Namjoon ke liye right tha… par Yoongi ke liye ek chhupa hua betrayal.
Shaam ko finally Yoongi ka message aaya:
“Main theek hoon. Rest kar raha hoon.”
Kajal ne turant reply kiya:
“Main tumse milne aa sakti hoon kya?”
Lekin jawab aaya:
“Kal.”
Bas ek word. No warmth. No emoji.
Kajal screen ko blank stare se dekhti rahi. Usne realise kiya ki ek chhota sa crack kabhi kabhi bahut zyada dangerous ho jata hai… kyunki pata hi nahi chalta wo kab bada ban jayega. Or pta nhi gusse me kya ho jaye.
Subah ke 8 baje the. Kajal apne hostel ke corridor me slow steps le rahi thi. Uske phone screen pe ek hi chat pinned thi — Yoongi. Kal raat ke “Kal” ke baad koi reply nahi aaya.
Usne deep breath li, decide kiya ki chahe kuch bhi ho… aaj usse milna hi padega.
Room me aate hi usne apna bag uthaya aur studio ke liye nikal padi. Raste me clouds low the, jaise weather bhi heavy ho.
Kajal ne door knock kiya. Kuch seconds ke baad andar se ek halki si “Come in” aayi.
Andar enter karte hi usne dekha — Yoongi chair par baitha tha, piano ke keys ke upar haath rakhe, lekin koi tune play nahi kar raha tha.
“Kaisa feel kar rahe ho?” Kajal ne softly poocha.
Yoongi ne uski taraf dekha, eyes tired, voice flat. “Better.”
Kajal uske paas aayi, “Tumne bataya kyun nahi ki tum hospital me the?”
Yoongi ne thoda shoulder shrug kiya. “Batane se kya hota? Tum already busy thi.”
Uske tone me sarcasm subtle tha, lekin Kajal ko chub gaya.
“Yoongi, tum jaante ho main tumhare liye—”
“—Sab kuch?” Yoongi ne interrupt kiya, eyebrow raise karte hue. “Kya tum sure ho? Kyunki kal raat tumne ek clear decision liya tha.”
Kajal speechless ho gayi.
Yoongi ne halki si bitter laugh di. “Main drama nahi kar raha. Bas fact hai — tumne decide kiya ki kiski priority banoge.”
Kajal ne aankhein band karke sigh li. “Mujhe lagta hai tum galat samajh rahe ho…”
Yoongi ne chair se uthkar directly uske saamne khade hote hue kaha, “Toh samjhao. Kyunki abhi tak mujhe lagta hai ki main tumhare liye sirf ek comfort zone hoon. Aur jab real choice ka time aaya… tumne mujhe choose nahi kiya.”
Room ka silence itna heavy tha ki Kajal ko apna heartbeat sunai de raha tha.
Yoongi ke room se nikalte hi Kajal ka phone vibrate hua. Namjoon ka naam screen par flash hua.
“Hey,” Kajal ne call receive kiya.
Namjoon ka tone urgent tha. “Kajal, tum studio ke paas ho na? Mujhe ek kaam me tumhari help chahiye.”
“Kaunsa kaam?”
“Ek private showcase hai, jahan sirf selected log allowed hai. Mujhe kisi ke through entry chahiye… aur tum help kar sakti ho.”
Kajal ne ek second hesitate kiya. Ye event Yoongi ke mentor ka tha — ek strict, no-media policy wale senior composer.
“Namjoon, main… mujhe pata nahi yeh sahi idea hai ya nahi. Agar pata chal gaya toh—”
“Kajal,” Namjoon ne interrupt kiya, “main tumpe trust karta hoon. Bas ek favour hai. Tum aa jao.”
Event Hall – 12:45 PM
Kajal ne apni old connection use karke security bypass karwaya. Namjoon andar aaya, casual smile ke saath.
“Tum best ho,” usne whisper kiya, “tumne mere liye ek huge door open kar diya.”
Event shuru hua. Music, networking, and influential people everywhere. Namjoon clearly shine kar raha tha.
Lekin Kajal ka mind abhi bhi restless tha. Har baar jab wo Yoongi ke mentor ko dekh rahi thi, ek guilt ka shadow andr se khinch raha tha.
Event ke beech suddenly Yoongi ka mentor directly Kajal ke paas aaya.
“Kajal? Tum yahan kaise? Aur… tumhare saath ye kaun hai?”
Kajal ne thoda confident tone banaya. “Sir, ye mere dost hain. Sirf thodi der ke liye aaye hain.”
Mentor ka expression instantly change hua. “Tum jaanti ho rules. Aur tumhe pata hai main unauthorized logon ko tolerate nahi karta.”
Namjoon ne politely hand forward kiya, “Sir, main—”
Mentor ne haath utha kar interrupt kiya. “Nahi, mujhe tumhari introduction nahi chahiye. Kajal… tumne mera trust tod diya.”
Us moment Kajal ka stomach drop ho gaya.
---
Evening Fallout – 6:00 PM
Yoongi ka call aaya. Voice low thi, lekin har word me disappointment bharahua.
“Kajal… tumne aaj kya kiya, mujhe pata chal gaya.”
Kajal ne aankhein band ki. “Yoongi, main samjha sakti hoon—”
“Mat samjhao,” Yoongi ne softly kaha. “Bas ye yaad rakhna… trust ek baar break ho jaaye, toh wapas lana easy nahi hota.”
Aur call cut ho gaya.
Kajal frozen khadi thi. Usne realise kiya ki is baar sirf jealousy ka game nahi tha… is baar usne sach me ek ka trust break kar diya tha.
Namjoon ne usse cafe me bulaya. Wo abhi bhi upbeat tha, “Aaj tumne jo kiya, uska result tum dekhogi. Main ek direct meeting secure kar li hai. Tum meri lucky charm ho, Kajal.”
Kajal ne faint smile di, lekin kuch nahi bola.
Namjoon ne uska haath pakda. “Kya hua? Tum aise kyun ho?”
Kajal ne aankhon me directly dekhte hue kaha, “Bas… mujhe lagta hai maine kisi apne ko hurt kiya.”
Namjoon ne calmly kaha, “Kajal, tumne ek decision liya… mere liye. Main uska respect karta hoon. Aur jo log tumhare decisions ko accept nahi karte… shayad unke liye tum priority nahi ho.”
Kajal ka dil ab aur heavy feel kar raha tha.
Raat ko hostel me wapas aayi to piche se kisi ne awaaz lgai.
Kajal slowly turn hui. Yoongi wahan tha — black hoodie, cap low pulled, lekin uski aankhon me woh softness nahi thi jo usually hoti thi.
“Kya baat?” Kajal ne cautious tone me poocha.
Yoongi ne calmly bola, “Tumhe lagta hai tum game khel rahi ho… lekin tumhe pata nahi yeh game kaise khatam hota hai.
Yoongi ne ek deep breath li. “Tumne mere mentor ka trust tod diya. Aur indirectly… mera bhi.”
Kajal ne instant defense me kaha, “Main sirf help kar rahi thi. Namjoon ko ek chance chahiye tha—”
“—Aur tumne decide kiya ki uska chance, mere trust se zyada important hai.” Yoongi ki voice steady thi, lekin har word me weight tha.
Kajal ne aankhein chura li. “Yoongi, tum samajh nahi rahe—”
“Main samajh raha hoon,” Yoongi ne step forward kiya, distance kam karte hue. “Tum sochti ho ki tum dono ko balance kar rahi ho… lekin tum sirf ek ko preference de rahi ho.”
Kajal ko tab realise hua — ab yeh sirf ek love triangle nahi raha… ab yeh ek war ban chuka tha.
Itne me corridor ke end se footsteps aaye. Namjoon aaya—casual jacket me, hands in pocket, uske face pe woh charming relaxed smile thi jo hamesha tension tod deti thi… ya shayad banati thi.
“Kajal, tum ready ho? Maine socha tumhe dinner pe le jaun, kal ka win celebrate karne ke liye.”
Yoongi ka gaze turant Namjoon par shift hua. Uski aankhen thodi narrow ho gayi. “Win? Interesting choice of word.”
Namjoon ne eyebrow raise kiya. “Tumhe problem hai?”
“Problem?” Yoongi ne halki si sarcastic hansi di. “Tumhe pata hai kal kya hua? Tumhe milne ka jo ‘chance’ mila, uske liye Kajal ne ek relationship risk kiya.”
Namjoon ne calmly reply kiya, “Aur tumhe lagta hai main uski worth nahi hoon?”
Yoongi ek step forward aaya. Dono ke beech ka gap almost zero. “Muje lagta hain tum samajh nahi rahe… yeh sirf tumhara win nahi tha. Yeh Kajal ke liye ek loss tha.”
Kajal beech me aayi. “Bas karo, please. Dono.”
Namjoon ne Kajal ki taraf dekha, uski voice low thi lekin seedha dil ko chhu rahi thi. “Tumne mere liye ek step liya… aur main uske liye grateful hoon. Lekin agar kisi ko problem hai, toh shayad uski position tumhare life me utni strong nahi hai.”
Yoongi ka expression tighten ho gaya. “Ya phir… shayad tumne ek vulnerable moment ka advantage liya.”
Namjoon ka jaw lock hua. “Careful, Yoongi.”
Yoongi ne half-smirk diya, ek thandi si warning ke saath. “Main careful hi hoon… warna ab tak tumhe pata chal jaata main kitna dangerous ho sakta hoon.”
Kajal ke liye dono ki body language ek silent war lag rahi thi. Air me ek invisible electric current tha—jo kabhi bhi spark ban sakta tha.
“Stop it!” Kajal finally explode ho gayi. Uski voice corridor me echo ho gayi. “Tum dono apne ego ke beech me mujhe tod rahe ho.”
Yoongi ne uski taraf dekha, tone suddenly softer ho gayi. “Mujhe tumse sirf ek jawab chahiye, Kajal… agar kal ka situation dobara aaye, tum phir wahi choice logi?”
Kajal ne lips tightly press kiye. Silence heavy ho gaya, jaise saari building saans rok ke wait kar rahi ho.
Uski aankhon me hesitation dekh ke Yoongi ke shoulders thode slump ho gaye. “Answer mil gaya.”
Woh turn hua, aur dheere-dheere corridor se chala gaya. Har step ka sound Kajal ke dil pe ek heavy knock jaisa lag raha tha.
Yoongi ke jaane ke baad Namjoon ne Kajal ke shoulder lightly touch kiya. “Hey… tumne jo kiya, wo galat nahi tha. Tumne ek friend ki help ki.”
Kajal ne halki si bitter smile di. “Kabhi kabhi sahi ka matlab kisi aur ke liye galat hota hai, Namjoon.”
Namjoon ne softly kaha, “Phir shayad tumhe decide karna hoga ki tum kis ke liye ‘right’ banna chahti ho.”
Kajal ne kuch nahi kaha—sirf andar se ek guilt aur confusion ka storm chal raha tha.
Do din beet gaye. Kajal ne multiple baar Yoongi ko call kiya, text kiya—lekin ya toh call cut ho jata, ya unread chhod diya jata.
Uski aankhon ke neeche dark circles aa gaye the.
Teesre din subah hostel ke notice board pe ek folded paper chipka hua tha, bold marker me “Kajal” likha tha.
Usne jab open kiya, toh sirf kuch lines thi—
> Kajal, tumhe lagta hai tum choices control karti ho…
Lekin tumhe pata nahi ki tumhara ek decision, mere saath saath tumhare future ko bhi change kar gaya hai.
— Y
Letter ke shabd simple the, lekin unka weight Kajal ke chest me stone ki tarah baith gaya.
Yeh sirf hurt ka signal nahi tha… yeh ek challenge tha.
Shaam ko phone ring hua—Namjoon.
“Kajal, tum ready ho? Mere paas tumhare liye ek surprise hai.”
“Surprise?” Kajal ka tone cautious tha.
“Yeah… ek collaboration offer. Lekin tumhe haan bolne se pehle yeh samajhna hoga—agar tum mere saath kaam karti ho, toh shayad tum Yoongi ko hamesha ke liye lose kar do.”
Kajal ka dil freeze ho gaya. Mind me Yoongi ka hurt face flash hua, aur saath hi Namjoon ka confident smile.
Woh slowly whisper kiya, “Namjoon… tum jaante ho na, yeh kitna complicated hai?”
Namjoon ne softly kaha, “Complicated cheezein hi life badalti hain, Kajal.”
Phone line me ek deep silence chha gaya. Screen fade…
Namjoon ke words uske dimaag me baar-baar ghoom rahe the — "Agar tum mere saath kaam karti ho, toh shayad tum Yoongi ko hamesha ke liye lose kar do."
Usne dheere se inhale kiya. “Namjoon… main tumhare saath chalti hoon. But sirf kaam ke liye.”
Namjoon ki halki si chuckle line ke doosre end se aayi. “Kaam… kabhi kabhi uska matlab tum sochti ho usse zyada hota hai, Kajal. Kal 6 baje studio aana.”
Call cut.
Next Day
Studio ka andar ka atmosphere warm tha — soundproof walls, dim yellow lamps, aur ek large glass window jo control room ko alag kar rahi thi. Namjoon mixer pe kuch adjust kar raha tha jab Kajal enter hui.
“Perfect timing,” usne casually kaha. “Main tumhare liye ek track ready kar raha hoon. Tumhari voice usme magic karegi.”
Kajal ne apna bag side table pe rakha. “Namjoon… tum jaante ho na, main yeh sirf ek favour samajh ke kar rahi hoon.”
Namjoon ne slowly uski taraf dekha, lips pe woh half-smile. “Tum mujhe underestimate karti ho, Kajal. Favour ka matlab hota hai ek baar… main long term sochta hoon.”
Kajal ne kuch reply karne hi wali thi, jab door sudden force se khula.
Yoongi khada tha — black beanie, dark coat, aankhon me woh sharp glint jo Kajal ne pehle kabhi itna intense nahi dekha tha.
Namjoon ne casually bola, “Yoongi, tum late ho. Hum recording shuru karne wale the.”
“Hum?” Yoongi ne ek single word me pura venom daal diya. Uska gaze Kajal pe lock ho gaya. “Toh tumne decide kar liya.”
Kajal ne hesitant tone me kaha, “Yoongi, yeh sirf ek professional project hai—”
“Professional?” Yoongi ne ek slow sarcastic laugh di. “Kajal, tum jaanti ho na, tumne kis ke saath kaam karna choose kiya hai?”
Namjoon ne calmly intervene kiya, “Tumhe problem hai toh directly mujhse bolo, usse nahi.”
Yoongi ek step forward aaya, voice low lekin dangerous. “Main tumse hi baat kar raha hoon. Tumne uska trust manipulate kiya… aur tum expect karte ho main chup rahoon?”
Kajal ne dono ke beech dekha, uski heartbeat dangerously fast ho rahi thi. “Stop it, please. Tum dono mujhe ek trophy ki tarah treat kar rahe ho… jaise main koi prize ho jo jeetne ke liye fight chal rahi hai.”
Yoongi ne directly uski aankhon me dekha. “Main fight nahi kar raha… main protect kar raha hoon.”
Namjoon ne halki smirk di. “Protect? Ya possess?”
Room me silence explode hua. Yoongi ka jaw tighten hua, usne mic stand ko side push kiya, metal ka loud scrape hua.
“Kajal… tum decide karo,” Yoongi ne finally kaha, voice raw. “Agar tum yahan rehti ho, toh tum mujhe hamesha ke liye lose kar dogi. Aur agar mere saath chalti ho… toh shayad tumhe yeh project kabhi nahi milega.”
Kajal ne apni palms cold feel ki. Dono ke words ek chain ki tarah uske dil ke around tight ho rahe the.
The First Cut
Room me silence itna heavy tha jaise hawa ne apna weight badha liya ho. Namjoon ke words, Yoongi ka gaze… dono ek hi cheez demand kar rahe the — choice.
Kajal ka throat dry ho gaya. Usne deep breath li.
"Yoongi…" uska voice barely audible tha. "Main yeh project nahi chhod sakti."
Yoongi ka expression freeze ho gaya. Uske lips thoda open hue, jaise usne suna hi nahi. "Kya?"
Namjoon ke face pe ek barely-there smile aayi.
"Main tumhe samjha sakti hoon," Kajal ne jaldi se add kiya. "Yeh ek moka hai… mera career—"
"Career?" Yoongi ne ek cold laugh diya. "Toh main sirf ek distraction hoon jo tumhe slow kar raha tha?"
"Main yeh nahi keh rahi—"
"Par tumne choose kar liya," Yoongi ne interrupt kiya.
Room ka temperature jaise suddenly drop ho gaya. Yoongi ne Kajal ki aankhon me ek last glance dala — hurt, disbelief, aur woh dard jo words me fit nahi ho sakta. Phir bina aur kuch bole, wo turn hua aur studio ka door slam kar ke chala gaya.
Namjoon’s Quiet Victory
Yoongi ke footsteps ke echoes khatam hote hi, Namjoon ne deep breath li aur calmly bola, "Tumne sahi decision liya."
Kajal ne uski taraf dekha, aankhon me anger aur guilt ka mix. "Mujhe pata nahi yeh sahi hai ya nahi… bas itna pata hai ke tumhare liye yeh ek game nahi hai."
Namjoon ne thoda sa head tilt kiya. "Game? Kajal… jab tum kisi ki life me aati ho, tum uske rules badal deti ho. Aur main… rules likhta hoon."
Kajal ne kuch reply nahi kiya. Wo mic ke saamne khadi ho gayi, lekin uski voice me woh warmth nahi thi. Har note ke beech me uske mind me sirf Yoongi ka expression flash ho raha tha.
Later That Night – Yoongi’s Perspective
Yoongi hostel ke terrace pe tha, hands me cigarette, lekin usne light nahi ki. Uska phone vibrate hua — Kajal ka naam screen pe flash hua. Usne dekha, par answer nahi kiya.
"She chose him."
Ye thought baar-baar repeat ho raha tha. Yoongi ke liye ye sirf jealousy nahi thi… ye betrayal tha. Usne Kajal pe trust kiya tha ki wo unke beech ka bond samjhegi, par usne ek career move ko usse upar rakha.
Kajal’s Sleepless Night
Kajal bed pe leti thi, par neend ka naam nahi. Har baar jab usne aankhein band ki, Yoongi ka hurt face saamne aa jata.
Usne phone uthaya aur ek long message type kiya:
"Yoongi, please samjho. Yeh sirf ek project hai, main tumhe hurt nahi karna chahti thi. Tum meri life me important ho, par yeh chance ek baar milta hai…"
Wo send karne wali thi, lekin phir delete kar diya. Kya fayda? Words ab kuch fix nahi kar sakte.
Two Weeks Later – Public Fallout
Project ka teaser release hua. Namjoon aur Kajal ka collab trending me aa gaya. Social media pe log unke chemistry ki tareef kar rahe the — interviews, fan edits, hashtags.
Lekin iske beech, Yoongi ka ek cryptic tweet viral ho gaya:
"Kuch log fame ke liye apne sabse kareeb rishton ko bhi trade kar dete hain. Congrats."
Fans ne immediately speculate karna start kar diya — kya ye Kajal ke liye tha? Kya unka breakup ho gaya?
Kajal ne post dekha, aur uske andar ka guilt lava ki tarah upar aaya. Usne phone uthaya, par call nahi ki.
The Face-to-Face Aftermath
Ek shaam Kajal music festival me perform karne aayi. Backstage area ke me crowd tha, lights flash ho rahi thi. Wo apna set prepare kar rahi thi jab usne ek familiar voice suni.
"Stage ke baad mujhe milna."
Wo turn hui — Yoongi khada tha. Uska face blank tha, par aankhen dangerously calm.
Performance ke baad, Kajal uske paas gayi.
"Yoongi… main—"
"Bas," Yoongi ne haath uthaya. "Main tumhe blame nahi kar raha ke tumne apna career choose kiya. Main blame kar raha hoon ke tumne mujhse jhoot bola. Tum keh rahi thi yeh sirf kaam hai… par tum jaanti ho tumhare decision ka matlab kya tha."
Kajal ke lips tremble hue. "Main tumhe lose nahi karna chahti thi."
"Par tumne already kar diya."
Yoongi ne itna keh kar walk away kiya. Kajal usse rokna chahti thi, par words freeze ho gaye.
Closing Scene – Namjoon’s Shadow
Us raat Kajal apne dressing room me baithi thi, make-up mirror ke saamne. Door halki si knock hui, aur Namjoon andar aaya.
"Main tumse ek baat kehna chahta hoon," usne softly bola.
Kajal ne mirror me uska reflection dekha. "Kya?"
Namjoon ne uske shoulder pe haath rakha. "Har choice ka ek price hota hai, Kajal. Tumne apna pay kar diya. Ab tumhe bas yeh decide karna hai… ke tum mujhe apna reward samjho, ya apni punishment."
Agli shaam, Namjoon ne Kajal ko ek upscale rooftop restaurant me bulaya. Hawa thandi thi, city lights niche sparkle kar rahi thi. Table pe candle thi, lekin vibes professional dinner ki tarah nahi… kuch aur hi.
"Toh… tumhe pata hai tum trending ho?" Namjoon ne casually poocha, glass me wine ghumate hue.
Kajal ne awkward smile di. "Main sirf apna kaam kar rahi hoon."
Namjoon ne forward lean kiya. "Aur tumhe pata hai tum sirf kaam nahi kar rahi. Tum narrative create kar rahi ho. People are talking — ‘Namjoon and Kajal’s chemistry,’ ‘New power duo.’”
Kajal ne spoon table pe rakha. "Mujhe yeh game pasand nahi."
Namjoon ne smirk kiya. "Game toh tumne start kiya tha, jab tumne choose kiya… mujhe."
Uska voice itna smooth tha ki Kajal ke andar ek shiver gaya. Ye sirf ek collab partner nahi tha… Namjoon kuch aur chaahta tha.
Meanwhile – Yoongi’s Silence Breaks
Do hafte ka silence finally toot gaya. Yoongi ne apne close friend aur producer, J-Hope ke saath ek track drop kiya. Song ka naam tha — Glass Lies.
Lyrics sharp the:
"You smiled when you cut me / Called it mercy when it bled / But I know the truth / Your crown is stolen lead"
Fans ne immediately link bana liya — ye Kajal ke liye tha. Social media par #GlassLies trend karne laga.
Kajal ne song suna, aur uska stomach twist ho gaya. Har word ek dagger tha.
The Backstage Confrontation
Ek industry award show me, teeno ek hi jagah pe the — Namjoon, Kajal, Yoongi.
Kajal backstage coffee le rahi thi jab usne apne peeche ek familiar presence mehsoos ki.
"Song pasand aaya?" Yoongi ki voice low thi, lekin venom bhari.
Kajal ne turn kiya. "Tum… tumne directly mujhe target kiya?"
Yoongi ne thoda sarcastic huff diya. "Main toh bas apne truth ko melody me daal raha tha. Tumne apna truth kaise paint kiya? Red carpet smiles ke saath?"
Namjoon kahin se aaya, aur directly Yoongi ke paas khada ho gaya. "Tumhare lyrics ache hain… lekin tumhara audience ab hum hai."
Yoongi ne uski aankhon me dekha. "Tumhe lagta hai tumne jeet liya?"
Namjoon ke lips pe ek dangerous curve aaya. "Jeetna? Main toh sirf start kar raha hoon."
Kajal’s Discovery – The Twist
Us raat Kajal hotel wapas aayi, mind me Yoongi ke words echo ho rahe the. Usne apna laptop open kiya, aur accidentally ek email thread open ho gaya jo Namjoon ne pehle forward kiya tha.
Thread me ek clause highlighted tha:
"Collaboration exclusivity – Artist Kajal cannot engage in any other feature project for 18 months post-release, without written consent of RM Entertainment."
Kajal ka dil doob gaya. Ye sirf ek song deal nahi tha… ye ek trap tha. Namjoon ne usse sign karwa ke indirectly uske career ke options lock kar diye the — aur Yoongi ke saath kaam karna legally impossible bana diya tha.
Confrontation – This Time With Namjoon
Agli din Kajal directly Namjoon ke office gayi.
"Yeh tumne mujhe bataya kyun nahi?" usne papers table pe throw kiye.
Namjoon ne casually pen down kiya. "Tumne contract sign kiya tha. Main sirf terms follow kar raha hoon."
"Tumne mere career ko manipulate kiya. Tumne mujhe Yoongi ke against khada kiya deliberately."
Namjoon ne ek slow, deliberate smile diya. "Kajal, tum ek artist ho. Artists ko muse chahiye hota hai… aur mujhe tum chahiye thi. Yoongi tumhara heart ho sakta hai… lekin main tumhara stage banunga."
Kajal ne uski aankhon me dekha — aur realise kiya, Namjoon ke liye yeh sirf music nahi tha. Ye power ka game tha.
