Chp 39- When Colors Turned into Chaos
Holi was in full swing. Under a decorated canopy, Jimin sat with Mr. and Mrs. Jeon and Dadi.
Her cheeks were bright red from gulal, and Suga kept fussing over her bringing her juice, offering sweets, even sitting with his arm around her to fan her.
Dadi scowled at the sight; she thought Suga had become a henpecked husband.
Still, she stayed quiet because Jimin was pregnant and Dadi didn't want to create a scene
The rest of the family was busy playing Holi. Jungkook, a plate of red gulal in hand, was looking for Taehyung.
After searching around, Jungkook spotted Taehyung talking quietly to Minho off to one side.
It was obvious Minho wanted to leave. When Minho glanced toward where Jungkook stood, he silently folded his hands and gave her a pleading, puppy-eyed look as if to say, "Sister, please take your husband away and save me."
Jungkook couldn't help laughing at his expression.
She walked over and called softly
"Ji, suniye." Taehyung turned. In that moment Minho slipped away.Taehyung saw Minho run off and called after him, but Minho didn't look back.
"Let him go" Jungkook said, stepping closer and holding out the gulal plate. "Now put some gulal on me quickly,I have a lot to do." She said cheerfully
Taehyung barely replied. Jungkook tried again, "I'm talking to you-"
"I don't have time for this" Taehyung cut her off and started to walk away. Jungkook grabbed his hand, her eyes filling with tears.
"What do you mean you don't have time? You don't even have time for your wife? Won't you put gulal on me? Did I do something wrong?" she asked, voice trembling.
Taehyung, still facing away, heard the change in her tone, what had sounded light before now carried hurt. Seeing the tears in her eyes made his anger burn away, he felt guilty for making Jungkook cry over a petty misunderstanding.
He took her gently by the hand and led her to a corner where no one could see. He set her gulal plate aside and gently lifted her chin.
"Don't cry" he said softly. "I don't want to see you with tears in your eyes."
"Then why did you say you didn't have time for me? Do you not like me anymore?" she asked.
"Of course not, silly. You know that. I was angry earlier and said things I shouldn't have. All my time is yours now... you're my wife. How could I not like you? I'd give my life for you."
Jungkook blushed and looked away shyly wiping her teary eyes . "Then why were you upset with me? Because I didn't give you k-kisses?" she asked shyly.
Taehyung thought for a moment then shook his head. "A little, but there was something else."
"Something else?" she asked, frowning.
"Yes. That guy who came yesterday to see Yoona, you were standing with him. I didn't like that."
"Who? Bogum?" Jungkook said. Hearing the name made Taehyung's anger flare, but he bit back a retort.
Jungkook smiled at his reaction. "I already know him. He's like a brother to me."
"You already know him?" Taehyung's irritation faded. "You didn't need to explain, I trust you."
"I had to clear it up. I don't want small misunderstandings to become fights between us, So it's important that we clear them up immediately." she said.
"Okay. My wife may be small in height, but she's incredibly wise" Taehyung said, proud.
Jungkook immediately puffed her cheeks and stepped closer to him.
"Are you calling me short?"
Taehyung raised his hands in mock surrender. "No, no,never. I would never dare.Although...There was one more reason I was upset."
Before she could respond, Taehyung grabbed her waist and pulled her close. Jungkook froze and glanced around.
"W-what are you doing? Let go, there are so many people, someone will see us"
Taehyung smirked. "If they see, so what? I'm holding my wife."
"That would be embarrassing if someone found out" she protested, blushing.
Taehyung tightened his hold and said, half-joking, "Fine, I'll let you go, but first you must fulfill the promise you made, right here."
Jungkook's eyes widened. "What?! Here? Now?"
Taehyung controlled his smile. "Yes, biwi. Right here and after that, you'll lovingly apply gulal to me.Then...I'll color you in my own way"
"No way. I'll give you a kiss, but later..... inside the room. For now, just let me put gulal on you." She tried to sound firm but was flustered.
"First the kiss, then gulal," Taehyung insisted.
She glared at him with adorably puffed cheeks. "You're being completely unreasonable."
"We're husband and wife. Everything's allowed between us," he said.
"B-But...I'm embarrassed"
He chuckled.
"Exactly. Being shy is your department, if I start getting shy too, then how is our family ever supposed to grow?"
Jungkook's entire face burned scarlet.
She lightly smacked his chest.
Taehyung pretended to look offended.
"Did you just hit me?"
"I did!" She stammered. "B-Because you're saying such shameless things.Who talks like this in the middle of a festival?"
"Hmm..." He leaned a little closer. "Then where should I say them?"
Jungkook hid her face.
"In a closed room," Jungkook said, embarrassed.
"Oh?. In a locked room... a lot more than talking happens.You're a doctor,you should know that better than anyone."
Jungkook's ears turned bright red.
"W-What kind of things are you saying?, Did you drink bhang?"
He grinned. "Maybe, but this isn't the effect of bhang...... It's the intoxication of you."
Completely flustered, Jungkook couldn't even look him in the eyes. Taehyung picked up a fist of red gulal and held it toward her.
"Go on. Color me, Mrs. Kim."
With trembling fingers, Jungkook gently applied the crimson powder to both his cheeks.
A shy smile curved her lips. "Happy Holi... my dear husband." She then extended the plate toward him.
"Now..... It's your turn. Put some color on me too."
Taehyung smiled softly. "Not like that."
Jungkook blinked.
"Huh?... Then how?"
Without answering, Taehyung gently lowered her hand. He stepped closer until barely an inch remained between them. Jungkook could only stare at him, her heartbeat growing louder with every passing second.
Taehyung leaned down. Instead of using his fingers, he rested his cheek against hers. The crimson gulal on his skin slowly transferred onto her soft cheek as he gently brushed his face against hers.Jungkook instinctively closed her eyes.
The warmth of his skin,The softness of the moment, The closeness of his breath.
Everything made her heartbeat race uncontrollably as his cheek lingered against hers, coloring her face with both crimson powder and silent affection.
"There..." Taehyung smiled with satisfaction as their cheeks slowly parted. "I've finally colored you with my colors."
Jungkook's eyes fluttered open, her cheeks burning a deeper shade than the crimson gulal.
"W-Who... colors someone like that?" she stammered, completely flustered.
"I do." He said proudly,flashing his signature smug grin.
"What do you think? My style is pretty unique, isn't it?"
Unable to meet his gaze, Jungkook shyly slipped out of his embrace.
"I... I have to go." She nervously brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I have so much work left. Dadi must be looking for me."
Before she could take another step, Taehyung caught her wrist and gently pulled her back against him.
"You're not going anywhere." He smiled warmly. "Today's Holi. No work. Only fun, relaxation... and spending time with your husband."
Jungkook let out a small laugh. "Fun?" She raised an eyebrow teasingly. "With you?"
Taehyung placed a dramatic hand over his chest as if deeply offended.
"What? Do you think all I know is how to keep a serious face and order everyone around?"
He leaned in slightly.
"You don't know your husband well enough yet."
A mischievous smile spread across Jungkook's lips. "Oh, really?"
She glanced around before her eyes landed on a nearby bucket filled with brightly colored water.
"Then... take this!"
Before Taehyung could react, she lifted the bucket and splashed its entire contents over him.
Splash!
Within seconds, Taehyung stood completely drenched from head to toe, colorful water dripping from his clothes and hair.
For a brief moment, silence hung in the air.
Then...
Taehyung slowly ran a hand through his soaking wet hair, pushing it back as droplets trickled down his forehead. He looked directly at Jungkook.
A slow grin appeared on his face.
"Oh.... So that's your game, Mrs. Kim."
Jungkook burst into laughter.
Seeing that familiar mischievous look in his eyes, she immediately realized what was coming. Her eyes widened.
"Oh no..."
Without waiting another second, she turned and ran.
Taehyung laughed for the first time in what felt like forever before chasing after her through the courtyard.
"Biwi, stop!, You started this!"
The two playfully ran around the mandap, throwing handfuls of colorful powder at each other while laughter echoed through the entire courtyard.
The rest of the family paused to watch, warm smiles slowly spread across their faces.
It had been so long,So incredibly long. Since they had seen Taehyung laugh so freely.
For years, he had buried himself beneath responsibilities and a stern expression. But today thanks to Jungkook...
The cold, reserved man they knew had finally become a carefree husband, laughing like a child as he chased his wife through clouds of vibrant Holi colors.
Watching the two of them together, every member of the family silently thanked fate. Because after so many years... Their Taehyung had truly smiled again.
.
.
.
The evening approached very soon, the guest started to dismiss, as Taehyung was walking back toward the house, something caught his attention.
Near one of the pillars in the courtyard, two figures were standing hidden behind it.
He frowned.
Who is standing there like that?
From a distance, he could tell it was a man and a woman.Curious, he quietly stepped closer.The moment he saw their faces... His entire body froze. His eyes widened in disbelief.