Chapter 21: To us

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The sun had disappeared from the night sky. The wind gushed with its usual cool vicinity. The city had gone to sleep as the clock almost moved on to the early hours of the next day. 

Ella climbed the stairs tiredly until she reached the end. 

The door opened to the rooftop. The place looked dustier, the paint had chipped and a dark shadow colored the area.

Her eyes admired the intimate site. They travelled all around the spot until they finally landed on the man who sat in the center, his back facing her.

She walked to his side and plopped down. 

Taehyung jumped at her sudden presence but recovered soon. He had expected her to come for some reason.

In his hands, he held two wine glasses. 

After a moment of drinking in the scene, Ella looked up at him and stared.

"I thought you'd be here for some reason. Why is that?"

His face turned to her as he wore a casual expression.

"Well, we did make a pact. Whenever anything huge happens in our lives, we'll meet each other at the rooftop."

She remembered all too well.

"So what happened to you?"

Taehyung took in a deep breath as he recalled his day.

"I visited Sue's grave."

Ella's eyebrows rose in mild shock. Her chest combusted with pride for the man.

"You?"

"I talked to Jimin today."

She heard a chuckle.

"What a day for us, huh?"

Silence filled the air as the two gazed at the moon with weary eyes. The white glow of the celestial object brought some light to the darkness.

"So, how are you now?" Ella asked.

"I'm okay, I think. There's just so much to do now. I have to call my parents and tell them I miss them. And I need to figure out what to do with my life. Overall, I feel mentally drained", he said drowsily.

Ella wore a small smile as she nodded, agreeing with him.

The last few days had exhausted her. All she could think about was sleep. 

Her gaze fell on the two wine glasses he held. She motioned to them as she looked at him confusedly.

"I brought a beer and water bottle to drink off of these. Here, I'll fill them."

Taehyung reached out to unscrew the beer bottle, but Ella stopped him.

"Pour me the water as well. I think I'd like to remember this moment."

He did as she said. With the two filled glasses in their hands, Ella looked up at him and laughed.

"Very fancy."

"Yeah, I try to be."

The tension eased as the mood lightened. The two companions sat on a rusty old rooftop, drinking mineral water from expensive glasses. The thought amused her.

As they enjoyed the scenery, their mind drifted off to different things. All the things they had to do, all the feats that needed to be achieved.

Their lives had become so complicated and they've tried to slow down the rush. Their doubts laid in front of them as they thought.

Everything is so complicated all the time.

Life had granted them wonderful memories, shared with the most beloved people. But at the end of the day, these people leave. These people, whom they get so attached to, abandon them, whether that be on purpose or not.

And every time someone dear to them leaves, they cry and make a big fuss out of it. They throw themselves at an endless blame game.

It takes such a long time for them to realize that all they've got is themselves.

But again, without people, one can never be their best in the world. These people make them. These people teach them lessons and they teach them values. They need these people to show them to be the bigger person.

God, life is so complicated.

Taehyung, lost in his own spiral of thoughts, spoke up.

"It's weird, isn't it?"

"What?"

"We can't seem to let go of the people in our lives, but we let go of ourselves so easily."

Ella peered at him with a curious gaze. His words put her mind into motion.

"But we've found ourselves, haven't we? Even if it takes a long time to realize the truth, we'll always find each other in the end. The journey is hard and the struggles are a pain. But the result is worth it."

Taehyung smiled at her words.

"And I'm sure we'll get through this as well. Me and you, together. Two best friends fighting against the dark to get to the brighter side. The road is tough but we'll be there for each other", Ella spoke.

Taehyung's mouth curved into a smirk. His mind instantly caught onto one thing.

"Best friend?"

Ella looked at him with a teasing expression, a snicker leaving her mouth.

"Well, you are my only friend. So I don't really have anyone to choose from."

The man chuckled deeply as his hand engulfed hers. His mood instantly turned somber as he thought about their last encounter together. 

With deep regret, he peered at her longingly.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For lying. For giving you false hope."

Ella couldn't help but feel touched. 

"I'm sorry too", she whispered genuinely. 

With the exchange of pleasant smiles, Taehyung didn't waste any time.

He picked up his glass and nudged her to do the same.

"Well, let me make a toast."

Ella pushed her shoulders back as she lifted her glass with him.

"Here's to what lies ahead of us. The pain and the glory. New beginnings and goodbyes. The world is a twisted place, but we'll make it through like always. Let's always be together. Here's to us."

Ella admired the man's enthusiasm as she nodded her head, a chuckle escaping her mouth. His words sunk in as she became overwhelmed.

Their lives will go on and their pain will succumb. They will learn to live, love and forgive. 

Because life's greatest beauty is to teach us the things we can never teach ourselves.

With time, Ella will come to terms with that. She'll try her hardest to be the best person she could possibly be. And with Taehyung, she'll learn her way to happiness.

That was enough for her.

"To us."

And when the clock struck midnight was when their glasses clinked.

THE END

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A/N:

Reflection chapter coming up!

Thanks for reading❤