Chp 41- A few words of wisdom #2
"About what?"
"Marriage."
Taehyung listened quietly.
"I kept wondering if I would be able to handle everything properly."
Taehyung nodded once. "No one knows everything from the beginning." Minho looked at him. "You learn and while learning," Taehyung added calmly, "make sure you listen."
"To whom?"
"Your parents, your elders and especially your wife."
Minho chuckled softly. "Tzuyu will be happy to hear that."
"Hm." Taehyung's lips curved into the faintest smile. "If you listen to your wife, half your problems disappear."
Minho blinked in surprise. "Sir"
"Hm?"
"I didn't expect that advice from you."
Taehyung looked at him briefly before returning his attention to the road. "I prefer peace."
Minho laughed quietly. For the first time during the drive, the atmosphere inside the car felt lighter. A few moments later, Minho's phone vibrated.
He checked the message.
"Sir, eomma says everyone has already reached the mall and is waiting near the saree section."
Taehyung nodded. "We'll be there in five minutes."
Minho put his phone away and looked at Taehyung once again, Sometimes, Taehyung didn't say much, he wasn't the type to give long speeches or show emotions openly. But whenever he spoke, his words stayed in people's hearts. And perhaps that was why everyone in the family respected him so much.
A few minutes later, the car entered the mall's underground parking. Taehyung switched off the engine and picked up his phone. As they stepped out of the car, Minho adjusted his coat and smiled.
"Thank you, sir."
Taehyung looked at him. "For what?"
"For the advice."
Taehyung closed the car door. "It wasn't advice."
Minho looked confused. "Then?"
Taehyung calmly started walking toward the elevator. "Things you'll understand yourself one day."
And Minho quietly followed behind him, carrying those words in his heart.
A few minutes later, Taehyung and Minho stepped out of the elevator on the third floor.
The entire floor had been reserved for ethnic wear, jewelry, and wedding collections. The place buzzed with customers, yet Taehyung's attention never wandered around the mall.
Instead... His eyes searched for only one person.
Jungkook.
His gaze swept across the showroom until it finally landed on her.
Jungkook was helping Jimin settle into a chair, gently adjusting the cushion behind her back before crouching beside her.
"Are you feeling alright now? Does it still hurt?" She asked softly, her brows knitted with concern.
Jimin smiled reassuringly. "I'm fine, Kookie. Stop worrying so much."
Only after hearing that did Jungkook smile faintly. Taehyung watched the entire interaction in silence.
There it was again... That kindness, That habit of putting everyone else's comfort before his own. A smile unknowingly tugged at Taehyung's lips.
Then...
His eyes traveled over Jungkook's attire.
He froze.
Sky blue.
Jungkook was wearing the very same sky-blue saree Taehyung had asked her to wear.
A few hours ago, over the phone, Jungkook had insisted, "I've already changed into the pink one."
Yet here she was, standing right in front of him in a beautiful sky-blue saree.
For a brief moment, Taehyung simply stared.
A liar
His lips curved into the faintest smile.
You changed just because I asked you to.
The realization warmed his heart far more than he expected, without realizing it, his steps became lighter as he walked toward his family.
"There they are!" Jihyo exclaimed happily. "Taehyung is here... and so is our soon-to-be groom." She affectionately looked at Minho. "Come, beta. Sit here."
Minho greeted everyone respectfully before taking the seat Jihyo pointed toward.
Meanwhile, Taehyung walked straight to the elders. He bent down to touch dadi's , and Mr and Mrs jeon's feet taking blessings from them.
"Stay happy," Grandma blessed him.
Only then did he quietly walk over and stop beside Jungkook, the younger one didn't even look at him.
Taehyung glanced sideways before leaning ever so slightly closer, the corner of his lips lifted into a subtle smile.
"So" His voice was barely above a whisper. "The sky-blue saree suits you."
Jungkook remained silent.
"I thought you said you'd already worn the pink one."
Still no response. Taehyung tilted his head slightly. "But somehow..." His eyes softened. "my wife changed into this one anyway."
A tiny smile threatened to appear on Jungkook's lips, she quickly suppressed it. Instead, she simply turned her face away with a tiny pout.
Taehyung blinked. The smile on his face slowly faded into confusion.
She's upset.
His brows furrowed almost immediately, he lowered his voice even further.
"Jaan..." No response.
"What happened?" Jungkook continued looking the other way. "Did someone say something to you?"
His voice became noticeably gentler. "If they did" He paused. "just tell me who."
Jungkook immediately shook her head. "No."
"Then why won't you look at me?"
After a few seconds of silence, Jungkook quietly answered, "No one said anything." Her voice sounded unusually dull.
Taehyung's concern deepened, he looked around. Everyone was busy discussing fabrics, colors, and jewelry. Dadi was talking to the sales staff, while the others were occupied choosing outfits. No one was paying attention to them.
Without another word... Taehyung gently intertwined his fingers with Jungkook's.
"W-What are you doing?" Jungkook whispered in surprise.
"Come with me."
Before Jungkook could protest, Taehyung quietly led her toward one of the vacant trial rooms. The moment they stepped inside,he closed the door behind them.
Jungkook's eyes widened. "Y-you!" She immediately glanced at the closed door.
"What are you doing? Everyone is outside!" Se tried pulling his hand back. "What will they think if they don't find us? Let me go."
Taehyung didn't let go. Instead, he took a small step closer. One hand rested against the mirror behind Jungkook, then the other.
Without trapping him forcefully, he stood close enough that Jungkook had nowhere to run. His gaze never left Jungkook's face.
"No." His voice remained calm. "Not until you tell me why my wife is upset."
Slowly, he reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Jungkook's ear.
The gesture was so gentle that Jungkook's heart skipped a beat. The younger one lowered her eyes, her lips forming another tiny pout.
Seeing that expression... Taehyung couldn't help smiling. He lifted Jungkook's chin with two fingers, encouraging her to meet his eyes.
"What happened, hm?" His voice had become unbelievably soft. "Did I do something wrong?"
He stroked Jungkook's cheek with his thumb. "If I did..." A helpless smile appeared on his lips. "Then I'm already sorry."
Jungkook's eyes widened immediately. "No!" She held Taehyung's wrist without thinking. "Don't apologize."
"Then tell me." Taehyung's eyes searched her face patiently. "What is it?"
Jungkook hesitated, for a few seconds she simply stared at Taehyung, then, in a tiny voice, she admitted,
"You came late," Taehyung remained silent, letting her continue. "I kept waiting for you."
Jungkook looked down again. "Everyone chose their sarees" She fiddled nervously with the edge of her pallu. "Only the brides' outfits and mine were left."
Her voice became softer with every word. "I wanted.." she paused shyly. "I wanted you to choose my sarees.So I waited." Her cheeks puffed slightly. "But you came late."
The moment those words left Jungkook's lips,taehyung felt something melt inside him.
He looked at the adorable pout on Jungkook's face and silently wondered how someone could be this unbearably precious.
A helpless chuckle escaped him. Before Jungkook could react...
Taehyung wrapped both arms around her and pulled her into a warm embrace.
Jungkook let out a tiny squeak. "H-hubby..."
Taehyung buried his face lightly against Jungkook's hair, laughing under his breath. "What am I supposed to do with you, hm?" His arms tightened just a little.
"Should I keep you hidden from the world?" He smiled. "Or should I just take you home so no one else gets to see how adorable you are?"
Jungkook's cheeks turned crimson. "I-I'm serious..."
"I know."
Taehyung kissed her forehead gently.
"And that's exactly why I can't stop smiling." He leaned back just enough to look into Jungkook's eyes.
"You waited for me," His smile softened. "just because you wanted me to choose your sarees."
Jungkook nodded shyly. Taehyung sighed affectionately. "My sweet wife" He brushed his thumb across Jungkook's cheek.
"If you had told me that, I would've left every meeting and come running." He smiled apologetically. "The only reason I was late.... was because your brother wouldn't let me leave."
Jungkook blinked.
"I was explaining a few things to Minho, he needed someone to talk to before the wedding, I lost track of time." He gently squeezed Jungkook's hand. "I'm sorry."
Then, looking straight into her eyes, he added, "I never want you to feel like you're waiting alone, If I know you're waiting for me, I'll always try my best to reach you as quickly as I can."
Jungkook's eyes softened. Taehyung smiled before lightly flicking her forehead.
"And as for these sarees" He looked around dramatically. "If none of them have been chosen yet..." His confident smile returned. "then today, my wife won't leave this mall until she's found every saree she falls in love with."
He leaned closer and whispered teasingly, "And if this entire mall still isn't enough, I'll have more brought to you."
Jungkook couldn't hold back anymore. A soft laugh escaped her lips.
Seeing that smile return, Taehyung smiled too. There it is, The smile he had been looking for ever since he arrived.
"It's okay, I'm not mad at you. Come on, let's go, everyone must be waiting for us."
Jungkook looked at him softly, her lashes batting innocently, melting taehyung's heart.