Chapter 22: 𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘸𝘩𝘰?

                                    

                                          

The company's  cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime cacophony. The clatter of utensils, the murmur of conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter created a white noise that Leehan usually found soothing. But today, nothing could drown out the sharp pain that was clawing at his heart.
"Sungho hyung hasn't replied yet." Leehan whispers.
His fingers absently scrolled through his phone, a mindless action that offered a temporary escape from the overwhelming emotions he was experiencing. 
Social media, a digital world of curated perfection, had become his unwilling confidant. And it was here, in this fabricated realm, that his world shattered into a million pieces.
A post caught his eye. 
A photo. 
It was Taesan, laughing, his eyes crinkled at the corners in a way that Leehan hadn't seen in years. 
But what truly sent a dagger through Leehan's heart was the woman beside him. 
She was beautiful, with a radiant smile that seemed to illuminate Taesan's face. 
They looked like a perfect match, a picture-perfect couple that belonged in a glossy magazine.
A wave of nausea washed over Leehan. His throat tightened, making it difficult to swallow. 
He forced himself to breathe, to focus on the mundane act of eating, but his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
How could Taesan be so happy? 
How could he move on so easily? 
Had their years of friendship meant nothing to him? 
A bitter laugh escaped his lips. Of course, it hadn't. Perhaps friendship was a luxury for Taesan, a disposable commodity that maybe he could discard easily.
Leehan's gaze drifted to the other people in the cafeteria. Couples, friends, and groups were laughing, sharing stories, and enjoying each other's company.
The world seemed to be moving on, oblivious to the storm raging within him.
 He felt like an outsider, a solitary figure watching the world from a distance.
A memory surfaced, a vivid recollection of a time when he and Taesan were inseparable. They had shared everything, dreams, secrets, laughter, and tears. 
Leehan had thought their bond was unbreakable.
But now, looking at the photo, he realized how naive he had been.
Jealousy, a green-eyed monster, was consuming him. It was a toxic emotion, he knew, but he couldn't shake it off.
Every happy moment he had shared with Taesan now seemed like a cruel mockery. 
The inside jokes, the late-night talks, the shared aspirations - all of it felt like a distant memory, a faded dream.
His appetite was gone. 
He never had one for food anyways unless it was Taesan's cooking or he's with him. 
The food on his plate looked unappealing, a tasteless reminder of his shattered world. He picked at it mechanically, his mind racing with a million unanswered questions. 
What has changed? 
Has Taesan always felt this way? 
Was there something wrong with him?
The cafeteria was emptying out, but Leehan remained seated, his gaze fixed on the photo. 
The image was burned into his retina, a constant reminder of his loss. 
He felt a lump forming in his throat, a precursor to tears. He blinked rapidly, trying to hold them back. He couldn't afford to break down here, not in public.
With a heavy heart, Leehan gathered his belongings and left the cafeteria. He needed to be alone, to process his emotions without the prying eyes of others. 
The world seemed to have lost its color. Everything was muted, drained of life. 
He wondered how long it would take for the pain to subside, for the wounds to heal. The answer was a mystery, a question that only time could answer.
For now, he could only endure one painful moment at a time.











______________
Author's Note:
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁  Hey!
We reached rank 1 on some tags y'all wtf😭 idk how long that'll last but tysm for all of your support!  
I just saw my school schedule and found out that it'll start 2 weeks from now so I'll be finishing the stories in my drafts so I could publish them before I get busy with school works. 
Lots of Gongfourz ff waiting to be published. There's also other BND ships like Hyukmyungz & more! 
For those who likes idol×oc/yn, I also have some so check that out and stay tuned for the day I publish it!
Feel free to visit my profile! <3
Q. How do you feel after reading this chapter?  
Q. Which BOYNEXTDOOR member would you like to be your sibling?
Don't forget to vote and comment!