S O U T H K O R E A

Jungkook: Where can I find a girl who never leaves her house, has no friends, is soft like cotton candy, loyal, intelligent, and not clingy? Oh, and she has to have long hair and an elegant vibe. Good luck with that!

His parents chuckle, knowing he's just stalling marriage.

Mom: Seriously? Where would we even find someone like that?

Jungkook: That's my condition! It's all about nature and her actions after that.

Dad: You could search your whole life and never find her.

Jungkook: (shrugs)

Mom: What if you never find this girl and time runs out for marriage?

Jungkook: Simple, I'll stay single.

His parents exchange shocked looks. They expected a protest, not his acceptance of a lonely future.

Mom: How can you be okay with that? What if you get lonely?

Jungkook: I have you guys. I won't be lonely. If I want kids, I can adopt. I've managed fine on my own.

Worry creeps into his parents' faces. They know he's hiding something behind his tough facade.

Dad: Don't you want someone to love you?

Jungkook: No. Honestly, I don't believe love exists. It's just physical and fake.

Mom: How can you say that? Love is real. You'll understand when you meet your soulmate.

Jungkook: Soulmates? Please. People just cling to the idea of love.

His parents are taken aback. This isn't the Jungkook they know; he's changed.

Mom: I still hope you'll find someone who changes your mind.

Jungkook: And I hope I don't fall in love. It's all nonsense.

After he leaves, they sigh, exchanging glances at the list of potential matches.

Mom: He's turning 30 soon...

In six months! They scan the list, realizing no one fits Jungkook's criteria. Anxiety mounts.

Mom: I have a crazy idea...

M O N T H L A T E R.

Jungkook is in his garden, boxing intensely while his manager watches, clearly excited about today's meeting. After a grueling training session, he takes a break and joins his manager on the bench, drenched in sweat.

Manager: Jungkook, I have great news!

Jk: Really? What is it?

Manager: I arranged a meeting with the CEO of Vogue Magazine. They want you for a photoshoot today!

Jk: When is it?

Manager: In about an hour. You should get ready.

Just as he's about to leave, a couple of girls approach him.

Girl: Jungkook, we heard you like short girls! Look, I'm short! (Jungkook barely looks at them, rolling his eyes.)

Jk: How tall are you?

Girl: I'm 5'2".

Jk: Tsk. Not short enough. Please leave.

The girls exchange confused glances and walk away, disappointed. His manager watches, slightly concerned.

Manager: Can I ask you something personal?

Jk: hm.

Manager: Why the fixation on short girls?

Jungkook pauses, looking thoughtful.

Jk: I just feel attracted to shorter girls. It's a preference-no tall girls for me. I want someone low-maintenance, someone independent who can handle things on their own. I can't deal with someone who always needs my attention.

Manager: Do you have past?

He chuckled softly and manager gulp and see him walk ahead leaving the question hanged in air.

Manager: "Is it yes?"

•°•°•°•°•

I've seen so many girls, and honestly, I'm sick of it. I'm sick of it. Sick of this generation and all the loyalty and show-off in dating. Everyone seems like an attention seeker. I just want one person, the one I've been dreaming of, to happily share my small hut with-just us.

I sit up, remove my shirt, and put on an apron. My muscles flex as I focus on a canvas. I unveil a painting of a girl-a blur that's haunted me for two years. I can never remember the dream or see her face clearly.

It feels ridiculous to explain the real reason for delaying marriage. Am I just imagining you, a figment of my lonely mind, or do you actually exist? I take deep breaths, knowing I probably created this fantasy myself. My heart hasn't accepted a single proposal yet; I've never found any girl attractive and just end up annoyed by their appearances.

Jin: "Hey, my son?!"

I swear my cousins never respect my privacy. They barge in, and I stand there with my arms crossed, raising my brows at Jin and Hobi.

Hobi: "Are you not going to greet us?" ( and I let out a sigh.)

Jk: "Got any reason?" (I reply, knowing they come with blank brains-sometimes they really need to think.)

Suga: "He's clearly cursing us, guys!" (Suga chimes in, and I scoff. I'm sure he can read my mind.)

Jk: "No," (I say, picking up my brush and focusing on my painting, ignoring their usual questions-they'll get no new answers.)

Among the seven of us, Tae, Suga, Jimin and I are the only unmarried ones. Jin has a fiancée, while the others are happily married. Jimin is still heartbroken over his late girlfriend and has chosen to stay single forever. They keep talking, sharing funny stories and random thoughts while I paint. I can't help but think that someday, I will find someone just like I want.

🍮

I N D I A

I'm in a crowd where a few people are handing out papers to every girl. As I'm passing by with a water bottle in one hand, a paper flies over me.

"What is this? A personality test?" I wonder.

Professor: "Oh hey, beta!" (One of the professors approaches) "Fill it out; it's an international test."

"Hm?" I stare at the OMR sheet. "What kind of questions are these?"

"Can you stay in one house?"

Ha! I could stay in one room; all I need is my phone, charger, and earphones.

I frown at a few strange questions but answer them all anyway before submitting the sheet.

YN: "Aisa lag raha hai shaadi.com wali company kara rahi hai ye sab..." (I chuckle lightly as I head over to my dad's bike, where he's waiting)

Dad: "Ready to go?"

YN: "Ji..."

I hop on behind him, enjoying the breeze that kisses my face, a stark contrast to the thought of sharing this ride with a partner. I start to daydream about sitting next to someone I love, holding onto their shirt and chatting. I have to remind myself several times not to smile too much or Dad might think I need a trip to the mental hospital.

I feel like I'm floating with butterflies from my imagination- YN, keep your expectations grounded. What if I end up with a total chapri partner? God shouldn't be that cruel. I silently pray not to get stuck with someone like that, just like I do every day..

•°•°•°•°•

YN: Again... again I'm seeing 11:11 again! I quickly close my eyes and make a wish: for God to make me rich or give me the man I desire. I smile as I scroll through my phone.

YN: "Aunty!" (I shout back when she calls me) "What's cooking?" (I ask, curious)

But it's her feelings I notice more than my words. I chuckle, and then I hear it's daal chawal. I rush to grab sev from the box because I love daal chawal with sev. It's always amazing!

Dad: "Just let him be a good guy, and what else do I need for my daughter?"

Wait-what daughter? I'm the only daughter here. I get up and see my dad and uncle chatting on the phone. Is this what I'm thinking? Aunty brings my plate, but-

YN: "I lost my appetite," (I say, hearing her call me)

I rush to my room and throw myself on the bed. Is this really happening? Are they going to marry me off? How could anyone can choose me? like me? Choose me as a wife? Are they blind? Is he blind? Wait-calm down, YN.

I take a deep breath, trying to think clearly about this whole marriage idea. I won't just accept a marriage without my say-so. What if they fixed it without asking for my opinion? What if he's just like the men in this house who think the husband is superior to the wife?

YN: I won't kneel.

🍮

S O U T H K O R E A

AUTHOR POV.

Jungkook walks into his house after all shoots and schedule and sees an unfamiliar man chatting with his parents, who look delighted.

Jk: Mom, Dad, who's this guy?

Mom: Miracle happened, Jungkook! This man helped us find girls that match your criteria!

Jk: (eyes widen in disbelief) You're serious?! "This is unbelievable, he must be kidding."

Mom: Yes! Thanks to him, your dream girls exist!

Jungkook stared in disbelief, trying to process the news.

Jk: "So, you found girls that fit all my conditions?"

He asked in his regular aura cold expressionless voice emotionless voice. And take seat beside his dad just like prince would. (His parents nodded excitedly.)

Mom: "Yes! There's one girl who matches all of them perfectly."

Jk: (heart raced) "Really? How do you know she meets all my conditions?"

Man: "We analyzed the responses and even spoke with her parents. She truly fits your criteria."

Dad: "What's her name? How old is she?"

Man: "Her name is YN. She's 22 and from India," (the man replied, handing him the OMR sheet and an envelope.)

Jungkook opened the envelope to find a photo of her. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of a girl with milky skin, a ponytail, and a delicate bindi. She wore a baby pink kurti and had a sweet, innocent vibe. His heart began to beat faster, a smile forming on his lips... suprise himself he is giving reaction like this.

Jk: "I can't believe I...." (thinks)

Jungkook was captivated by her picture, her traditional attire making her look like a soft marshmallow. He couldn't tear his eyes away; she was so beautifully delicate. Her smooth skin, the cute mole on her nose, and those small, bambi-like eyes drew him in. He had seen countless beautiful women, but nothing compared to the allure of this girl.,

Jk: "I've never been mesmerized like this before... " (He noticed her unpolished nails, so innocent and childlike. he mused, studying her oval face and curvy figure.)

Mom: "So, where did you find her?"

Man: "She's from a small village in Madhya Pradesh," (he is surprised but not disappointed.)

Dad: That explains her conservative style.

Jk: "I want to meet her," (he said coldly)

Man: "Are you sure?" (Shocked)

Jk: Hm. (With that he left with the photo)

🌷🫶🏻🌷

"Thank you for reading my story. Don't forget to vote and leave a comment to let me know how you enjoyed it! I greatly appreciate your support."

It would bring me great joy if you could consistently participate in my stories and be an active reader. Your engagement truly means the world to me.

Vote target: 5

Comment Target: 5