⁺ 　 . ✦ . 　⁺
And if my wishes came true, it would’ve been you.
. ✦ .

Areum

“Good night, eomma.” I press a light and rushed kiss to my mom’s cheek before I hurry back to my room and close the door behind me, taking care not to slam it out of excitement.

The moment I step inside, I throw myself on my bed and type out a message to Jungkook.

Me:
Hey! What are you doing?

Even though we meet at school every day, texting him at night has become almost like a part of my bedtime routine.

After he opened up to me about his father the other day, I can feel that we have definitely gotten closer than before. I do intend to tell him about my family as well because he is already aware that I take two different buses and get down at different stops each time.

However, our night time texts are usually reserved for more subtle and open-hearted topics and not heavy subjects like learning to live in a divorced family.

Jungkook replies in a few seconds.

Jungkook:
I just got done doing the dishes

Jungkook:
Give me a few mins, please.

Me:
Okay

I wait for him to text me back, and while I do so, I pick up my book from the bedside table and flip it over to the page where I left the bookmark last night.

I’ve hardly read a couple of pages when my phone buzzes with an incoming message from him. Abandoning the book, I grab my phone and read his message.

Jungkook:
Areum… I have a wild fantasy.

Jungkook:
Can I tell you about it?

My eyes widen, and I bite down my blushy giggle that wants to show up upon reading his message.

Me:
Sure (;

I await his response while simultaneously building up a mental list of possible wild fantasies that he might come up with. Little did I know that just a few games of truth or dare would escalate to discussing wild fantasies. A wave of excitement runs over me, turning my fingers cold as I rapidly kick my feet under the duvet.

Jungkook:
I want to climb up into your room through the window, carrying a precious gift for you.

Me:
OMG! I’m relieved it’s just a fantasy because that’s dangerous.

Jungkook:
Really? Why?

Me:
My room is at the end but right beside my mom’s, and she’s a very light sleeper. You’re sure to get caught.

Jungkook:
Oh! Good that you told me. I was about to knock on her window.

My hands suddenly turn slippery and my phone falls flat on my face. I wince, picking it up and reading his reply with a shocked expression as I bolt upright in bed.

Me:
WHAT????!

Jungkook:
Are you going to open the window or should I knock?

Dropping my phone on the bed, I rush to the window, pull apart the curtains and yank open one window. To my utter shock, I find Jungkook standing right outside my window, casually waving to me as if showing up outside windows is his area of expertise.

I gasp as both my hands fly to cover my mouth; my eyes mirroring the electric shock that I’m feeling within.

“What are you doing here?” I lean across the window frame and whisper-yell at him, terrified to even imagine what would happen if my mom marched in to witness this scene now.

Jungkook pushes out the hood covering his head with one hand and lifts up a small cardboard box, holding it up by the twine tied around it.

My eyebrows knit together in confusion, and I turn back to look over my shoulder at the closed door to my room. Then I turn back to Jungkook.

“What is it? We’re going to be in trouble.” I warn him, whispering once again as I make exaggerated moves with my hands.

He exhales a long breath, takes a step closer to me and smiles, forcing my eyes on him.

“The constant whispering is not helping me.” He makes an untimely confession in a soft voice. “Are you not going to let me in now?” His question comes out in a sad tone, making my shoulders slump.

“Come in,” I give up all too quickly, move aside and make way for him to step inside.

He extends the box to me, and I take it from his hands, feeling something rolling inside it. It isn’t heavy, but whatever it is, it surely seems to be moving around inside the box.

Once Jungkook steps inside, I close the window, draw the curtains closed and rush to lock the door to my room. While I do all this, Jungkook calmly walks over to my bed and throws himself on it, grabbing a fluffy heart-shaped pillow to his chest and hugging it thereafter.

“I’m scared as hell. What if my mom wakes up? She’ll kill me.” I make an action as if slicing my neck with my hand, my voice sounds shaky and nervous, but I still don’t raise it above a whisper.

“But this is my wild fantasy, and I’m loving it. I brought something for you.” He answers coolly, pointing with his raised eyebrows towards the box in the corner.

Turning to look at it, I notice the box rocking in its place, making it appear like there’s some kind of explosive volcanic matter that’s about to erupt from inside it.

I turn back to look at Jungkook, and he urges me to pick it up and open the box. Sitting up cross-legged on my bed with the heart pillow nestled safely in his lap, he watches my every move intently.

With a bit of hesitation, I go down on my knees and use both my hands to push my loose hair behind my ears. Blowing out a puff of air, I gently untie the knot on the twine. The object inside lightly knocks against the inner walls of the box, making me pause and move my gaze to Jungkook.

“I hope you’ll like it.” He flashes that cute grin which does a thing to my heart.

“Let’s find out.” I say and open up the flaps of the box.

Just when I’m about to peep inside, Jungkook joins me on the floor, kneeling on the other side of the box. He holds the flaps wide open with a nervous smile on his face while I lean forward a little and take a look inside.

In the low nighttime lighting, all I can see inside is a small, golden brown, fluffy object moving about excitedly. I peer inside, bumping heads with Jungkook who does the same.

“Ouch!” Chuckling, we both go back to peering inside while I reach out and carefully use both my hands to pick up what appears to be a ball of fur.

It is, in fact, a fur ball.

My eyes go as wide as they can and my jaw drops to the floor as I hold up the tiny little pup and bring it to my eye level, meeting her glistening beady black eyes. I laugh seeing her tiny little face scrunched up in a cute frown, and tears rush to my eyes at once.

“Oh my God! She’s so cute!” I say in a shaky whisper as I cradle the little furball in my arms and hold her warm and close.

She wriggles a little but quickly settles down comfortably in my arms. Jungkook drags himself closer and runs a soft hand over the puppy’s head, gently tickling behind her ear thereafter.

“Do you like her, Areum?” His question makes me look up at him; a drop of tear rolling down my cheek as I nod fervently in response.

I only casually mentioned to him once that I would love to be a pet parent, but never did I imagine that he would act upon it so diligently. His gesture truly warms my heart, and I feel like giving him a tight hug to express my joy and gratitude.

“I love her.” My words sound airy and I manage a big quivering smile.

“Thought you might like her.” He smiles big, sitting back down on his heels. “She’s a toy poodle.” Jungkook informs me.

“How did you manage to buy her?” I ask him as I sit down cross-legged on the floor, putting the puppy down in the space between us.

“My neighbor’s dog gave birth a few weeks ago, and they put up three of the puppies for adoption. So…” his shoulders lift in a shrug and his smile stays unfaltering.

“I’ve always wanted to have a pet pup, but never got around to actually having one.” I smile sheepishly.

“I know... I think it’s a single child thing to want a pet pup. I’ve always wanted one, too, but my mom can’t stand them.” He laughs sweetly, moving to sit beside me.

“I think it’s the same with my mother, too.” I chuckle lightly.

We both watch in silence as the little pup moves around my room, sniffing the floor, taking the cutest short steps one could ever imagine. I want to coo and aww at her cuteness, but I sit by adoring her instead.

“Areum, what do we name her?” Jungkook asks me, turning his head to look at me.

“How about Miso?” I raise my eyebrows at him.

It was a name that I always fantasized about for my future pup, and I think it will suit her well.

“Miso sounds perfect.” He says, and we fist bump before going back to admiring our newly named fur baby.

“Areum, did you know that toy poodles usually lead a long and healthy life? I wish Miso a long and healthy life, too.” His words cause another happy tear to roll down my cheek.

“I wish the same for her.” I reply with a teary smile.

Momentarily forgetting about the newest member in the room, I rise to my knees and turn to Jungkook, wrapping my arms around his neck with a big smile on my lips.

I don’t know if it took him by surprise, but I don’t think my words would ever be sufficient to tell him how I feel at the moment.

It takes him a few seconds, but he soon returns my gesture by wrapping me up in his warm embrace. His reciprocation makes the heaviness of my apprehensions from a heartbeat ago fall away like a discarded cloak. I feel so content and happy being in his arms, and it feels so beautiful and perfect. This moment, Miso, him, and everything else around me. Life feels perfect and lovely.

I rest the side of my face on his shoulder, dragging our bodies closer and feeling our breaths falling in sync. Taking deep breaths, I close my eyes and savor this moment, etching it deep into my heart as one of the happiest moments of my life.

“Thank you so much, Jungkook.” I whisper close to his ear, making his hold on me tighten by a small but distinguishable margin.

“Thank you for letting me in and accepting my gift, Areum.” Jungkook whispers back, his voice deep and soothing yet making the hair on the back of my neck stand upright.

In the peace of his embrace, numerous thoughts about Jungkook begin to trickle into my mind—the stress about his upcoming practicals, the sourness he feels towards his father, the way his thoughts have a space for me, his charming smile, his playfulness that hides all the pain he has undergone.

My heart beats a little faster for him, aching to be there for him and give him all the strength and support he needs. Unwilling to let go of him, I hold onto him like my life depends on him until I feel soft fur brushing against my shin.

Pulling away from him, I notice Miso sniffing the floor and trudging slowly while wagging her little bushy tail. Smiling, I turn around to pick her up in my hands and place her on my lap.

Jungkook sits down on the floor with his legs spread apart, resting his back on the frame of my bed. He holds me by my shoulders and guides me to the spot in between his legs, my back to his chest.

Bringing his chin to rest over my shoulder, he tenderly swipes his hand over Miso’s head, making her put her head down on my thigh.

“What do I feed her? Should I get her some toys?” I lift my head up, slightly twisting my neck to look at Jungkook.

“Uhm… dog feed? Let’s go out to buy some tomorrow. Until then maybe a bit of milk, some chicken or meat, maybe a bit of rice or a bit of egg? She was actually fed well before I brought her here.” Jungkook explains cutely in a rushed manner, his tone walking the line between inexperience and desperation.

It brings a smile to my lips.

“Okay. I will tell eomma. She might be shocked at first, but I’m sure she’ll take great care of her.” I assure him, closing and opening my eyes lightly.

He nods in response, his hand still gently fondling Miso’s head that’s on my thigh. She is asleep already, and we carefully move her to my bed, framing her sides with the bolsters that are on my bed.

Once we are satisfied with our work, we stand by and admire little Miso as she takes short and swift breaths while she’s sleeping. It’s such a cute sight to watch, and I hold Jungkook’s arm, causing us both to turn to look at each other.

“I don’t want to go back.” He confesses timidly, his eyes flitting between mine, and I could sense an inevitable ‘but’ coming, but I wish it didn’t. “But I must.” He adds sadly, his voice dropping.

“I wish you didn’t have to go back.” I say, clutching his forearm tighter.

Our gazes stay locked on one another, and my pulse accelerates at a phenomenal pace when I feel his fingers brushing the side of my cheek. He gently moves some hair behind my ear, his eyes watching the movement of his fingers before they return to meet my eyes.

There prevails a tension between us that is so thick that one could slice through it with a knife. The tension would absolutely snap and explode if we kissed each other right now, right here.

I gulp nervously, trying not to allow my thoughts to stray away into unholy territory. At least not for now, even though tonight feels so perfect and right to share a kiss.

As if he read my thoughts, Jungkook leans closer and plants a gentle but lingering kiss on my left cheek. His lips feel soft and plush against my skin, and my eyelids fall shut in response. My heart is racing a mile a minute, and by the time he leans back from the kiss, I feel like I’m floating like a cloud.

“Good night.” Jungkook whispers, staring deep into my eyes while I stand there frozen like a statue, still reeling under the impact of his modest kiss.

His cold hand is still cupped around my jaw; his thumb stroking my cheek gently.

“Good night.” I whisper back, unable to break the gaze lock.

After a few long seconds, he takes a couple of reluctant steps backwards before he heads for the window. Reality comes crashing down like thunder, making me break out of the reverie and realize that he has to leave now.

Swiping the curtains aside, I open the windows wide and watch him climb out carefully but with striking agility.

“See you tomorrow.” He says quietly, but before I could respond, Jungkook quickly pecks my cheek once again and rushes out of the spot.

Petrified, I stand glued to the spot, watching him as he jogs away, drawing the hood over his head and disappearing into the shadows of the night.

My inspiration for the name Miso comes from an Instagram pup page that I follow. I just love that doggie so much that I had to write about her. Miso living her fanfiction life like she deserves to!
🐶😘

Published on : 12/23/2024