The dining table was already set for lunch.
Jeon J sat alone, his phone resting in one hand as he checked the time. The house was unusually quiet. From the kitchen came the rhythmic sound of a knife against a chopping board, occasionally interrupted by Teahun saying something that earned him an irritated response from Jinhun.
Jeon J glanced at his phone again.
Then, almost on impulse, he called Minji.
She answered after a few rings.
"Hello?"
"Are you busy?"
A smile spread across Minji's face as soon as she recognized his voice.
"Not really. Why?"
"Come over for lunch."
She blinked, then broke into a delighted laugh.
"Lunch? You're inviting me to lunch?"
"Do you want me to take the invitation back?"
"No!" she protested immediately. "I just wasn't expecting it."
"Then come."
"What about your house?" Minji teased. "Wouldn't it be amazing to eat something cooked by your own hands for once?"
Jeon J glanced towards the kitchen.
"Ah, no. Let's go out somewhere instead."
"Really?" Her smile widened. "You actually want to take me out?"
"Minji."
"Okay, okay." She laughed. "I'm just surprised."
"But I can't come."
The words came so suddenly that Jeon J paused.
"What?"
"I can't come, Jeon J."
He straightened a little in his chair. "Why not?"
"Because I'm busy."
"Are you upset with me?"
The question slipped out before he could stop himself. There was a faint uncertainty in his voice, enough to make Minji's smile soften.
"Yes, actually."
Jeon J fell silent.
"Because you can be really rude to my friend sometimes," she added, her voice turning serious.
He stared at the table.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Minji sighed, and the seriousness in her voice gave way to a teasing warmth.
"But even then…" She paused deliberately. "How could I possibly turn down a lunch invitation from you?"
Jeon J frowned slightly.
He hadn't expected that.
"Minji, what does she have to do with us?"
"Ugh, forget it!" Minji laughed, brushing the question aside. "The point is, I can't come right now. There's too much work left here."
She glanced around Mrs. Donghyun's house, where white curtains divided the larger rooms into separate spaces. Some girls were arranging bedding, others were checking supplies, and a few were still moving between rooms with lists in their hands.
Minji looked down at the checklist she was holding.
"We're almost done, but I still need to check a few things."
Jeon J leaned back in his chair.
"So, are you coming or not?"
"Not right now."
His eyebrows drew together.
"Why?"
"Because I have work to do, Jeon J."
"Didn't you just say you're almost done?"
Minji opened her mouth to answer, then stopped.
Before she could respond, Zoya appeared beside her, carrying a list of her own. She had caught enough of the conversation to guess who was on the other end of the call.
She glanced at Minji's phone.
"Jeon J invited you to lunch?"
Minji covered the microphone with her palm.
"How did you—"
"Your face."
"What about my face?"
"You look like someone just offered you a free trip around the world."
Minji stared at her.
Then she burst out laughing.
"Zoya!"
"What? Am I wrong?"
Minji shook her head, still smiling, while Zoya glanced towards the nearly finished arrangements.
"Go," Zoya told her. "Everything is almost done. Hana, Ruhi, and Sophia are here, and Mrs. Donghyun is here too. We'll manage."
Minji's smile faded a little.
"I don't want to leave just yet."
Zoya looked at her more carefully.
"Why not? It's only lunch."
"Because I don't want to miss you."
For a second, Zoya simply stared at her.
Then she laughed softly.
"Minji, I'm standing right here."
"For now," Minji replied. "Once you all disappear behind those curtains, I won't get to see you properly for ten days."
Across the city, Jeon J was listening with his head resting against the back of his chair.
He'd been smiling faintly at their conversation.
At the mention of ten days, he closed his eyes.
Ten days.
He could still hear the girls talking through the phone, their voices overlapping, but something about those two words caught his attention.
His eyes opened.
Quickly.
Almost as though he'd heard something he wasn't supposed to.
Zoya laughed at Minji's expression.
"What is so strange about that? We'll go into our own spaces, draw the curtains, and that's it."
"That's it?" Minji repeated. "And what am I supposed to do for ten days?"
"Live your life?"
"Very funny."
"I'm glad you think so."
Minji nudged her arm.
"I'm serious, Zoya. I'm going to miss you."
Zoya's expression softened.
"I know." She squeezed Minji's hand briefly. "Listen, meet me before you leave. When you come back, we might already be inside our spaces."
Minji studied her face for a moment before nodding.
"Fine. But you have to come and find me before you disappear."
"I will."
"Promise?"
"Minji."
"That's not a promise."
Zoya laughed and picked up her list.
"Now stop worrying and go have lunch."
She turned towards the next room, calling for Hana as she walked away.
Minji watched her disappear behind the doorway before bringing the phone back to her ear.
"Jeon J? Are you still there?"
"Yeah."
His voice sounded different now.
Quieter.
"I'm here."
Minji adjusted the phone against her ear.
"But seriously, I don't want to miss her. We hardly get enough time together as it is, and now she's going to be gone for ten days."
Jeon J sat forward.
"Ten days?"
The question escaped him before he could think better of it.
Minji paused.
"Yes… ten days. That's what I just said."
"Oh."
He looked down at his hand, his thumb moving absently over the edge of his phone.
Ten days without seeing Zoya.
He remembered her words from that evening.
There's about a year left, Jeon J. After that, we'll all go our separate ways.
At the time, he'd acted as though it meant nothing to him.
He'd even convinced himself that it didn't.
But now, for some reason, the thought of ten days felt strangely uncomfortable.
He pressed his lips together.
What's wrong with you?
Minji's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Anyway, I'm sorry I can't come right now."
"It's fine."
The answer came a little too quickly.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"Okay. I'll meet you later, then."
"Okay."
"And don't eat without me next time."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"We'll see."
"Jeon J!"
"What?"
"I'm serious!"
"Fine. I'll consider it."
Minji laughed.
"Good. I'll hold you to that."
The call ended.
Jeon J remained seated, his phone still pressed to his ear for a second before he slowly lowered it.
The screen went dark.
He looked at the lunch waiting in front of him.
Then he picked up his chopsticks, moved a few noodles around, and put them down again.
His appetite had disappeared.
And he had absolutely no idea why.
The Kitchen
"Move your hand."
Jinhun didn't even look up from the chopping board.
"I'm not touching anything," Teahun protested.
"Your hand is literally on the chopping board."
"Beside the chopping board."
"Teahun."
"Fine, fine."
Teahun moved aside, grinning to himself. He waited a moment, then glanced towards the dining room.
"Was that Jeon J inviting Minji to lunch?"
"Sounds like it."
Teahun's eyebrows shot up.
"That's new."
Jinhun continued chopping.
"What's new?"
"Our dear Jeon J is voluntarily inviting someone to lunch." Teahun placed a hand over his chest. "Should we celebrate? Prepare something special? Maybe a cake?"
"Why don't you prepare yourself for being thrown out of this kitchen?"
"Violence. In a kitchen. How disappointing."
Jinhun shot him a look.
Teahun wisely turned towards the vegetables.
For approximately three seconds.
"Wait."
The knife continued moving.
"What now?"
Teahun lowered his voice, as if he were about to reveal a national secret.
"Do you think he called Minji just to invite her to lunch?"
Jinhun's knife stopped.
Slowly, he turned his head.
"What else would he call her for?"
Teahun opened his mouth, then closed it.
His expression changed.
"Oh."
Jinhun narrowed his eyes.
"What?"
"Do you think he's trying to make Zoya jealous?"
For a moment, Jinhun simply stared at him.
Then he put the knife down with a sharp clack.
"Unbelievable."
"Hey, I'm just saying—"
"I heard you."
Jinhun wiped his hands on a towel and headed towards the dining room.
Teahun watched him go.
"Where are you going?"
"To talk some sense into him."
Teahun leaned against the counter.
"Good luck with that. Let me know if you discover a method that works."
Jinhun disappeared around the corner without answering.
Teahun looked at the half-chopped vegetables.
Then at the knife.
Then towards the empty doorway.
"Great. Now I'm doing this alone."
He picked up the knife again and resumed chopping.
"Honestly, these people are more difficult to handle than the food."
____________________________
By late afternoon, Mrs. Donghyun's house had been transformed.
White curtains divided the larger rooms into individual spaces, each one arranged with a mattress, folded bedding, a nameplate, and a small basket of essentials. Prayer mats and Qur'ans had been placed within easy reach, while the main hall had been cleared for congregational prayers.
The house no longer looked like an ordinary home.
It looked ready to welcome ninety-seven girls for the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Zoya stood near the entrance with Ji-hye, checking the final list.
"Bedding, done. Supplies, done. Space numbers, done…"
She paused, scanning the page again.
"Anything missing?"
Ji-hye leaned over her shoulder.
"Your ability to sit down for five minutes."
"Very funny."
"I'm serious. You've been walking around since morning."
"I sat down."
"When?"
Zoya thought about it.
Ji-hye folded her arms.
"Exactly."
Before Zoya could answer, Mr. Donghyun approached them. His gaze travelled across the hall, taking in the curtains, the neatly arranged bedding, and the supplies placed beside each space.
"You girls have done a wonderful job."
Zoya looked up.
"There's still a little left to finish."
"A little?" Ji-hye echoed. "If this is a little, I don't want to know what you consider a lot."
Zoya laughed.
Mr. Donghyun smiled at their exchange.
"You, Minji, Sophia, Hana, and Ruhi have worked very hard. I'm grateful to all of you."
"We just wanted everyone to feel comfortable," Zoya replied. "They shouldn't have to worry about where they'll sleep or whether they'll have what they need."
"That's exactly what matters," he said warmly. "Now they can focus on their worship."
A short while later, Minji returned to the hall with Sophia, Hana, and Ruhi.
She clapped her hands once.
"All right! Tell me what's left."
"Nothing that requires you to panic," Zoya answered.
"I wasn't panicking."
"You were about to."
Sophia laughed as Hana shook her head.
"Can we please finish before you two start again?"
Ruhi looked around the hall with exaggerated seriousness.
"Agreed. I'd like to sit down before I become part of the furniture."
Their laughter carried through the room.
Then Minji turned towards Mr. Donghyun.
"Uncle, there's something I'd like to arrange."
He looked at her.
"What is it?"
"I want to cover the iftar expenses for all ninety-seven girls for the next ten nights."
Zoya turned towards her.
"Minji—"
"Let me finish." Minji gave her a small smile before facing Mr. Donghyun again. "I know you've already received donations, and I don't want any of that money to go to waste. You can use it to help other families who need it. I'd like my friends and me to take care of the girls' iftar."
Mr. Donghyun studied her for a moment.
"You understand that this isn't a small expense?"
"I do."
"And you've thought this through?"
Minji nodded.
"Yes, Uncle."
He was quiet briefly, then his expression softened.
"All right. We'll arrange it from tomorrow, the twenty-first night. Tonight's meal has already been taken care of."
Minji smiled with relief.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me." Mr. Donghyun's voice was gentle. "You have chosen to help, and Allah knows your intention."
Minji lowered her gaze, touched by his words.
Zoya immediately held out the list she was carrying.
"Here. Since you're feeling so generous, you can start with these."
Minji stared at the page.
"What's this?"
"The remaining checklist."
"Couldn't you give me something shorter?"
"No."
"Not even a little shorter?"
"Minji."
"Fine!"
Sophia burst out laughing.
"May Allah give you patience," Ruhi murmured.
"Thank you," Minji replied dryly. "I'll need it."
The afternoon slipped away in a blur of last-minute checks. Bedding was straightened, supplies were counted, and the girls moved between the rooms, making sure every space was ready.
Outside, more arrivals began to gather along the street beside the garden. Girls came carrying small suitcases, backpacks, and bags of personal belongings. Some stood waiting with their families; others looked towards the house with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
Mrs. Donghyun stepped outside and surveyed the growing crowd.
"Minji, come here for a moment."
Minji joined her.
Mrs. Donghyun gestured towards the entrance.
"Look at them. They're all arriving together. How are we going to make sure everyone finds her place without confusion?"
Minji smiled.
"I've already thought about that."
She picked up a stack of numbered cards from the table beside the entrance.
"Every space inside has its own number. We'll give each girl a card with the number of her space. She just needs to match the number on her card with the number inside."
Mrs. Donghyun took one of the cards and examined it.
"And all the spaces are marked?"
"Yes. Everything matches."
Mrs. Donghyun looked from the card to the neatly organized entrance. A pleased smile spread across her face.
"That is a wonderful idea."
Minji laughed modestly.
"I just didn't want everyone wandering around looking for their names, especially with so many people arriving at once."
Mrs. Donghyun reached for her hand.
"You have thought of everything. May Allah bring light to your heart."
Minji blinked.
For a moment, she wasn't sure how to respond. Then she offered a small, polite smile and lowered her head.
"Thank you, Auntie."
She didn't ask what the words meant.
Mrs. Donghyun gave her hand one final affectionate squeeze before turning towards the arriving girls.
Soon, the system was in motion.
One by one, the girls received their cards, checked their numbers, and entered the house. A few needed directions, and some stopped to ask questions, but the confusion Mrs. Donghyun had worried about never came.
Minji's plan worked.
Zoya stood near the entrance, helping newcomers find their way. Sophia and Ruhi checked the supplies, while Hana guided girls towards their assigned spaces.
For the first time all afternoon, Zoya was able to pause and look around without immediately spotting something that needed fixing.
Almost everything was ready.
Minji glanced at her phone.
It began to ring.
Jeon J.
She answered while keeping her eyes on the entrance.
"Hello?"
"Send me your location."
Minji frowned.
"What?"
"Your location. I'm coming to get you."
She looked at the phone as though it might offer an explanation.
"Jeon J, I told you I'm busy."
"I heard you."
"Then why are you—"
"Send it to me, Minji."
There was no irritation in his voice. No teasing, either.
He sounded decided.
Minji glanced towards Sophia, Hana, and Ruhi, who were busy helping a girl with her bags.
"I'm still working here."
"I know."
"Jeon J—"
"Minji."
She stopped.
There was a brief silence.
Then she let out a small sigh.
"Fine. I'll send it."
"Good."
The call ended.
Minji stared at the screen.
"What's gotten into him today?"
She shook her head, smiling faintly despite her confusion, and sent him her location.
Then she slipped her phone into her pocket and returned to helping the girls.
Inside the house, Zoya was explaining something to a newcomer, completely unaware of Jeon J's decision.
Across the city, Jeon J grabbed his keys.
He told himself he was simply going to pick up Minji for lunch.
That was all.
So why had he been thinking about ten days ever since the call ended?
He pushed the thought aside, locked the door behind him, and headed for the car.
The Things He Couldn't Say
The dining room door swung open.
_______________________________
"What do you think you're doing? Why did you call Minji?"
Jinhun's voice cut through the quiet.
Jeon J sat at the table, his phone still in one hand. He barely glanced up.
No answer.
"Jeon J." Jinhun walked closer. "I'm talking to you. Why aren't you answering me?"
"Don't know."
The reply was so flat that Jinhun stopped beside the table.
"You don't know?"
Jeon J shrugged and looked back at his phone.
Jinhun stared at him for another moment, then dragged out the chair beside him and sat down with a long sigh.
"All right."
Jeon J said nothing.
"Fine. Don't answer me."
Still nothing.
The silence stretched between them.
Jeon J could feel Jinhun watching him. He knew that look. It was the same one Jinhun wore whenever he had already figured something out and was simply waiting for Jeon J to admit it himself.
Not happening.
He set his phone aside, picked up his chopsticks, and reached for the noodles on his plate.
He had barely lifted a bite when Jinhun spoke.
"You're doing this to yourself."
Jeon J kept his eyes on the noodles.
"You've already hurt her enough," Jinhun continued. His voice had lost its earlier sharpness, but the words were no less direct. "You've insulted her. You've pushed her away. You've made her feel like she doesn't belong with us."
Jeon J's chopsticks paused.
Jinhun leaned back slightly, studying him.
"So why do you keep finding your way back to her?"
The room fell quiet.
Jeon J stared at the bite suspended between his chopsticks.
"Whatever you're trying to do," Jinhun went on, "you're only making things harder for yourself."
He waited.
Jeon J didn't look at him.
"Stop hurting yourself like this."
For a moment, Jeon J's grip tightened around the chopsticks.
Then he lowered them.
Carefully, almost too carefully, he placed them beside his plate.
He pushed his chair back and stood.
Jinhun let out a breath through his nose.
"Seriously?"
Jeon J started towards the door.
"Hey."
He kept walking.
Jinhun reached out and caught his hand.
"Don't do that. Not with me."
Jeon J tried to pull away.
"Let go."
"Look at me first."
"Jinhun."
"Look at me."
Jeon J turned his face towards the other side of the room.
Jinhun stood up and moved in front of him, refusing to let him slip past.
"Jeon J."
Nothing.
The anger in Jinhun's expression slowly gave way to something else.
He knew this side of Jeon J, too.
The stubborn silence. The averted eyes. The way he could turn a simple question into a wall no one was allowed to cross.
Jeon J could stand before thousands of screaming fans and smile as though nothing in the world could touch him.
But here, in a quiet dining room with someone who knew him too well, he couldn't even look up.
Jinhun's grip loosened.
"Ah, you idiot…"
It came out quietly, almost under his breath.
Then he stepped forward and pulled Jeon J into a hug.
Jeon J went rigid.
His arms remained at his sides, and for a second, Jinhun wondered if he would push him away.
He didn't.
Jeon J's eyes closed.
Slowly, almost reluctantly, his arms lifted and wrapped around Jinhun's waist.
His fingers curled into the back of Jinhun's shirt.
Jinhun said nothing.
He simply held him.
These were his people.
His family.
The six of them had become a home he could carry with him, even when he was far away from the family he'd grown up with. They knew the version of him that never made it onto a stage or in front of a camera. They knew when to tease him, when to leave him alone, and when his silence was hiding something he couldn't bear to put into words.
Jinhun knew the difference.
He didn't ask about Zoya again.
He didn't ask why Jeon J had called Minji, or why the mention of ten days had changed his expression, or why he kept walking towards a person he insisted he wanted nothing to do with.
For once, he let the questions wait.
Jeon J held on for a few seconds longer.
Then, as if he'd suddenly remembered where he was, he pulled away.
Jinhun loosened his arms, caught off guard by the abrupt movement.
"Jeon J—"
But Jeon J was already moving towards the door.
"Hey! Jeon J!"
He didn't turn around.
The door shut behind him.
Jinhun stood where he was, staring at it.
For several seconds, he didn't move.
Then he dragged a hand down his face and exhaled.
"Unbelievable."
"Don't stop him."
Jinhun turned.
Teahun was standing at the kitchen doorway, watching him with an expression that was far too amused for the situation.
"He'll come back when he's ready," Teahun added. "He was always a little weird, but lately? He's become a whole different level of weird."
Jinhun gave him a look.
"Will you please shut up?"
Teahun immediately pressed a finger to his lips.
He mimed pulling a zip across his mouth, then nodded solemnly, as though he'd just taken a sacred oath.
Jinhun pointed at him.
"I'm serious, Teahun."
Teahun raised both hands innocently.
Not a sound.
Not a word.
Jinhun turned away.
The moment his back was to him, Teahun's cheeks puffed out as he fought to hold in a laugh.
His shoulders began to shake.
Jinhun stopped.
"Are you laughing?"
Teahun straightened instantly and shook his head, lips still firmly sealed.
Jinhun stared at him for another long second.
"I'm surrounded by idiots."
He walked out.
Teahun waited until his footsteps faded.
Then he silently removed the imaginary zip from his mouth, leaned towards the empty doorway, and whispered—
"Still love you, though."
He snorted at his own joke.
And somewhere outside, Jeon J kept walking, carrying questions he wasn't ready to answer.
To be continued…
Regards,
ZK💌