Sayesha and Trisha sat down.
"I am so happy to see you, baby. I came directly from the airport because I couldn't wait!," Trisha said squeezing her daughter's hand lovingly.
Sayesha didn't really pay attention to what Trisha was saying. It was like she couldn't feel her love anymore. Pain had changed her and adulthood wasn't of much help either. She wasn't present in the moment even though she was meeting her mother after months.
She simply replied,
"Oh you came directly from the airport? You must be hungry. Let me order something."
"I already did. Chocolate shake and cheesy fries. My girl's favourite," Trisha said still holding Sayesha's hand.
It was evident that she was elated to see her daughter after so long.
Sayesha didn't say anything and tried to smile but failed. Trisha noticed her daughter's uneasiness. For a moment, Sayesha's entire childhood flashed infront of Trisha's eyes.
All the beautiful memories. How Sayesha loved to dance, how she couldn't sleep without her panda plushie, how she used to whine when her father didn't give her attention, how much she despised spinach and radish, how happy she used to be when they used to pick her up from school and how she used to hide under the blanket all night just to read books.
Trisha and Jungwon's lives revolved around their little girl. Sayesha gave meaning to their lives, made them good human beings. She was their whole universe. And here she was now, sitting infront of her, all grown up and successful.
"Time flew by so quickly," she thought.
It was hurtful for Trisha to see her daughter so unhappy and dejected.
"I wish I could tell you how much your father and I love you, Shyshy. We didn't want to hurt you."
To ease out the tension between them, she decided to continue the conversation.
"So, tell me about your work! You didn't even come home after being hired. Your father and I are so proud. How is everything? I'm curious to know about the boys. How is everyone? Are they nice to you? What do you-"
Trisha showered Sayesha with questions.
Sayesha on the other hand, couldn't take it. She couldn't look at her mother's face. Every word Trisha said felt like a dagger to the heart because she knew where all this would end. She closed her eyes as they were getting teary. And at last, she spilled.
"Maa, is the divorce mutual or do I have to come to the court?"
Trisha was at loss of words. The smile on her face and the glimmer in her eyes vanished as guilt took over. She slowly pulled her hand away from Sayesha's.
"I was going to come to that, Shyshy."
They were interrupted by the waiter.
"Excuse me ma'am, your order."
He placed the tray on the table and left.
Trisha pushed the tray towards Sayesha but she didn't look at the food.
"Baby, your father and I love you very much and hurting you isn't even the last thing we would want to do," Trisha said.
"This doesn't answer my question, Maa. Just tell me how is it going to be? Because I'm very busy due to work. So if it isn't mandatory for me to attend, I'd prefer skipping it," Sayesha said in a stern voice.
"W-we will sign the papers. A copy will be sent to you also. For signatures," Trisha said looking down.
"Alright. Anything Appa or you need from me?" Sayesha asked trying not to let her voice break.
"Just for you to be okay and happy, Shyshy. What else would we want? Your Appa and I still love each other. We...we just don't like each other anymore. I don't know how to explain this. I wish I could make you understand how much we wanted this to work and we tried too. Baby, you're all we have and I know we should be held guilty for all that we've put you through but, just know that we love you and we'll always be sorry."
Tears started rolling down Trisha's eyes. She picked up a napkin and wiped them.
Seeing her mother, Sayesha softened. She gently held her mother's hands and said,
"I'm sorry too, Maa. Don't feel guilty. Sometimes no matter how hard we try, things don't work out. It's alright. I understand now. I'm no more a 10 year old."
Trisha looked at her daughter and gave a weak smile.
After a while, Sayesha broke the silence. She took a sip of the chocolate shake and said,
"So umm about my work.. it's going great. Everybody in Big Hit is really sweet and supportive. Especially the boys."
Trisha was listening to her daughter so intently. It made her feel a bit better.
But amidst their conversation, Sayesha's phone rang. She quickly picked it up. After putting the phone down she said,
"Maa, I'll have to go urgently. A meeting with the legal team came up last minute."
"Oh it's okay, baby. You go. I have a flight for Daegu in 2 hours anyway so, I should probably leave too," Trisha said.
"Let me come to the airport then," Sayesha said getting up.
"You don't have to, baby. I'll be fine. You focus on work," Trisha said.
"But Maa, are you sure?"
"Yes Shyshy. I'll keep you updated. You take care of yourself, okay? Eat on time and don't fall sick," Trisha said cupping Sayesha's face.
"I will, Maa. You too take care please."
The mother and daughter hugged.
Sayesha grabbed her car keys and sprinted out of the cafe followed by her mother.
As she drove off to Big Hit, Trisha waved goodbye silently wishing,
"Shyshy, my baby, I hope you find a love you don't have to question. A love so deep and true."
Big Hit entertainment, 10th floor, Sayesha's office:
The sun was long gone and it was a gorgeous full moon night.
Sayesha was engrossed in her laptop preparing an action plan for Bangtan. A half empty coffee mug on one side and papers scattered on the other, she could have sat there the whole night. As the clock struck 10, the last employee who was on over time that day knocked the door.
"Yes, come in," Sayesha said.
"It's 10 o' clock ma'am. I am done with the work so, may I leave?," the employee asked.
"Oh it's 10 already?," she said turning to the clock. "Yes you can go."
"Uh ma'am, there is nobody in the building except for the security guards. You should head home too. You've been working continuously," the employee said sounding concerned.
It was then Sayesha realised that she had been working for several hours without a break. Even after the meeting with the legal team, her mind was going back and forth. She couldn't stop thinking about her parents, so she threw herself into work thinking it'll help.
"Yeah I'll.. I'll leave in a few minutes. You go home," she said bundling some pages.
The employee bowed and left.
Sayesha turned off her laptop, put the pages in their respective files and picked up the coffee mug. She took a sip and walked towards the glass see through. The sky was crystal clear. Strangely, not a single star could be seen. Just the moon, the unperturbed, misty yet glorious moon. The moon always gave her solace.
Tonight, the busy premises of Big Hit was also quiet. The employees had left. Only a few people could be seen strolling on the street. She finished the remaining coffee and let out a deep sigh.
It was already quarter to 11. She picked up her bag and walked towards to elevator. The clatter of her heeled boots could be heard clearly in the empty hallway. Sayesha lived just 4 blocks away from Big Hit but had to take a car because of security concerns.
"I should text the boys about the costume trials tomorrow," she mumbled entering the elevator.
She opened their Kakao Talk group and dropped a text:
"Hey y'all! The costume trials will be tomorrow at 12:00 PM. The performance is day after tomorrow so, all of you get some rest."
Taehyung was the first one to reply:
"Alright! 👍 But the one who cares about everyone has to take care of herself too, okay?"
Sayesha smiled at the text and replied with:
"Haha okay. ☺️"
Taehyung: 💜
The elevator shot open on the 3rd floor. Sayesha looked at the buttons confused. She had pressed 2 buttons by mistake. The door closed again and as the elevator descended, her phone rang.
It was Namjoon.
"Hello?"
"May I have the opportunity to ask what are you doing in the office at this hour?"
"Joon? Wait, how do you know?"
"I just do. Now will you tell me why are you still here?"
"I..I was just..working."
"Hmmm.. Miss Wang was again working till late."
"Uhh so, what's your point Mr. Kim?," Sayesha said chuckling lightly.
As she walked out of the elevator to the parking lot. Someone spoke from behind,
"My point is that you're low and I'm here to help."
Sayesha turned around startled and saw Namjoon there.
A white tee teamed with a dark blue hoodie and a cricket cap made the 5'11" guy look so soft and cosy.
"Joon what are you doing here? Where is the bodyguard? Do you know what..."
Namjoon knew that Sayesha's "I am the manager" rant was about to start so he shook his head and went close to Sayesha. Close enough to make her stop talking.
Sayesha's heartbeat dropped. She didn't speak a word, just gazed in Namjoon's deep brown eyes. Some things remain unexplained till date. Why isn't she ever able to pull herself away from him?
"So you were saying?," Namjoon asked with the cutest smirk.
"N-nothing? I.. just.. nothing."
Namjoon realised the closeness was quite too much so he took a step back and said,
"I was coming out of recording room when I saw you in the elevator and I reckon you're low. So tell me what is it about?"
"It's nothing Joon. I'm all good. Just work stress."
Namjoon crossed his arms.
"As far as I know you, it's not work and I'm certain of it."
Sayesha punched his chest lightly and said,
"I think knowing someone this well in such a short span of time is not normal."
Namjoon's expression changed. This one was almost spilling all the feelings he had for her.
"First of all, you're not just somebody. You're very special and second of all, I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong."
Sayesha shook her head defeated. She can have it her way with all the boys but him. He wasn't her weakness but Sayesha loved losing to him.
"It's late and I gotta go, okay? I'll tell you about it tomorrow. Now go back to the dorm please."
She started walking away. When she walked past her car, Namjoon spoke from behind,
"Hey!! Won't you take your car?"
"Nah, I wish to walk today. The streets are not very busy. Besides, it's just 4 blocks. I love long walks and it's been ages so.."
"Well, lemme accompany you then."
Sayesha looked at Namjoon in disbelief.
"Are you for real right now?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
"Haha NO! Now Mr. Kim, now back to the dorm."
"Haha YES! Now shall we, Miss Wang?"
"Do you realise you're the leader of the biggest boy band on the planet?"
"One should always be humble but yeah if you say so."
"And the streets are for public use?"
"Yeah."
"And that I'm the one responsible for your security?"
"Well.."
"I know, right? Shake some sense into your head and please go upstairs."
"Hey! You only said the streets aren't busy. Plus, I got it all covered," he said taking out a mask from his right pocket.
Sayesha looked at him as he wore the mask. He was being unbelievably stubborn right now but she wasn't mad.
"Why on earth wasn't she made?," she thought.
"I have a cap and a mask and you live within the Big Hit premises. It's just 4 blocks and I want to accompany you," he said.
"Joon why don't you understand..."
"Let me. Please?," Namjoon said making a face so endearing that anyone would've given him the world!
"Arrghhh! I hate you!"
"I'm okay with that, if it makes you happy."
And that was it, Sayesha had no chance. He left her no choice.
"Fine. Let's go."