You woke up so early…?
Minji slowly opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw was Zoya, sitting against the wall with her laptop open.
For a few seconds, Minji simply stared at her, still half-asleep. Then she looked around the room.
Everyone else was still sleeping.
Hana, Ruhi, and Sophia were curled up together on the bed, completely exhausted. Minji herself was lying on a mattress beside the bed—the result of last night's chaos.
When they had returned from DMC, Minji had been too drunk to walk properly. Hana, Sophia, and Ruhi had been in such a terrible state themselves that they could barely manage to carry her upstairs.
They couldn't even place her properly on the bed.
So, in the end, they had put Minji on the mattress beside it and collapsed onto the bed themselves.
Zoya remembered the scene and suddenly laughed.
Whatever little anger she had carried from DMC had disappeared.
Minji looked at her, confused.
Then Zoya laughed again.
Soon, all three of them were laughing.
None of them even knew what they were laughing about.
Zoya eventually sat down on the mattress beside Minji and leaned her back against the wall.
"I'll just sleep here," she had said.
Hana had lifted her head lazily and looked at Zoya.
"Okay. The three of us will sleep on the bed."
And that was it.
Everyone was too tired to argue.
Within minutes, they were asleep.
But in the early morning, Zoya's eyes suddenly opened.
She looked around the room.
Everyone was still sleeping.
The heater had made the room warm, while outside, the air still carried the last traces of winter. The cold was slowly fading, making way for spring, but it had not completely disappeared yet.
Zoya quietly got up and walked toward the window.
Outside, everything was peaceful.
The city was still asleep.
But her heart wasn't.
She sat down near the window.
For a while, she simply stared outside.
Then, without warning, tears began to fall.
"Sometimes it feels like my prayers aren't being accepted."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
"Sometimes I don't even know what I'm asking for. Sometimes despair overwhelms me."
She lowered her eyes.
"Sometimes I tell myself… Zoya, what are you thinking? Are you crazy? Where are you standing? Who are you?"
Her voice trembled.
"The one you're thinking about… just seeing him is a matter of luck. And yet you keep thinking…"
She pulled her knees closer and rested her head against them.
Tears continued to fall.
Then she quietly recited the prayer she had repeated throughout the day, the prayer that had somehow become a part of her heart.
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِهِ وَاغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ وَاجْعَلِ الإِيمَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ نُورًا وَهُدًى
Allāhumma ihdihi waghfir lahu warḥamhu waj'alil-īmāna fī qalbihi nūran wa hudā.
O Allah, guide him, forgive him, have mercy on him, and place in his heart the light and guidance of faith.
A few minutes passed.
When Zoya finally lifted her head, the despair on her face had disappeared.
The worry was still somewhere deep inside her.
The tears were still in her eyes.
But there was something stronger now.
Faith.
She looked toward the sky visible through the window.
The stars were shining brightly.
"O Lord, the Creator of this world…"
Her voice was soft.
"You made me, and You made him."
She took a slow breath.
"You are Almighty. You are the One who accepts prayers. Just keep granting me the ability to pray."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"I believe that, at the right time, my prayer will surely be answered."
She wiped her tears.
Then she performed ablution.
It was time for Fajr.
And Zoya quietly began her prayer.
The previous day had been exhausting.
They had travelled in the morning and spent the evening at DMC, leaving everyone completely drained.
After everyone woke up, they freshened up and went downstairs for breakfast.
At Minji's home, the girls no longer felt like guests.
They moved around the house freely, helped in the kitchen, laughed together, and behaved as if they were part of the family.
Mrs. Han was sitting in the hall when she saw them.
She smiled.
"Good morning, girls."
"Minji," she suddenly asked, "you drank last night?"
Minji froze.
"How do you know?"
Mrs. Han smiled.
"When you all came back, I was about to go outside. Your friends were trying very hard to carry you upstairs."
Minji looked innocent.
"Mom, I don't know. It just happened…"
She paused.
"It was everyone's fault."
Mrs. Han raised an eyebrow.
"Who is everyone?"
She pointed toward the girls, who were busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
"No, not these," Minji quickly said.
Mrs. Han narrowed her eyes.
"Then who exactly gave you that?"
"Jeon J and the other TBS members all came to DMC. They wanted to enjoy their old days again. Then Jinhun challenged me, and I don't know how everything got so out of hand."
She smiled awkwardly.
"Just a little trouble happened last night."
"What?"
Mrs. Han had already started walking toward the kitchen.
"Mom, I drank, and the girls were trying to manage me. Then Jeon J asked his PA, Jea, to drop us home."
Mrs. Han looked at her.
"So what's the problem?"
Minji lowered her voice.
"The problem is…"
She glanced toward the kitchen.
"We left Zoya there by mistake."
"What?"
Mrs. Han's expression changed immediately.
"You're crazy! You left her there?"
Her eyes moved toward the kitchen.
Zoya had just started walking toward them.
She looked confused.
"What happened?"
Mrs. Han immediately turned toward her.
"I apologize on behalf of Minji."
Zoya blinked.
Why was Mrs. Han apologizing to her?
She stepped closer respectfully.
"May I hug you, Mrs. Han?"
Mrs. Han looked surprised.
"What are you saying?"
Zoya smiled.
"Yes. May I?"
Mrs. Han opened her arms.
Zoya hugged her.
The moment she did, tears automatically filled her eyes.
She quickly stepped back.
Mrs Han looked worried.
"What happened, Zoya? Are you okay?"
She turned toward Minji.
"I'm going to punish Minji now. How could you leave her and come?"
"No, please."
Zoya quickly smiled.
"I just got emotional. It's been many days since I hugged my mother."
Her voice softened.
"That's why I hugged you. You are also like a mother."
Mrs Han's expression softened.
"But I will forgive Minji on one condition."
Zoya looked at her.
"As long as you are here, you come first for my mother. Minji comes after."
Zoya said it playfully.
"That will be her punishment."
Everyone burst out laughing.
Mrs. Han laughed too.
"Yes. This is the right punishment."
Sophia nodded seriously.
"Exactly."
Hana added with a teasing smile,
"You'll be our mother too."
Minji stood there with her mouth open.
"This is very wrong!"
Everyone laughed.
"You are all wrong for doing this to me!"
She looked almost genuinely betrayed.
"Okay, dear. We will wait. Bye."
Suddenly, Mr Han entered.
He stopped when he saw Minji standing there with a wounded expression.
"What happened? Why are you standing like that?"
Minji immediately pointed toward everyone.
"Look! Everyone is in a group. They left me alone."
Mr. Han leaned closer and whispered,
"I am here with you."
Minji immediately hugged him.
"Yes! You are the best father."
She smiled.
"And thank you for this tour of Seoul."
Mr. Han smiled.
"Oh, that's okay. Why not introduce your friends?"
Minji nodded and introduced everyone.
Soon, breakfast began in a cheerful atmosphere.
While everyone was eating, Mr. Han looked around.
"What are you doing today?"
"Why, Appa?" Minji asked.
"I just talked to Jeon J. He's coming home. If you're free, you can join us."
Everyone looked up.
"Jeon J?" Hana asked excitedly.
Sophia's eyes widened.
Ruhi looked shocked.
"How lucky are we in Seoul? We actually got a chance to meet TBS!"
Minji smiled.
"We were just going to explore some places today."
"But now we absolutely won't go," Ruhi immediately announced.
Everyone laughed.
Zoya remained quiet.
She had been listening without saying anything.
Then she looked at Mr. Han.
"I actually want to visit the Central Mosque of Seoul today. And it's Friday, so I want to go there."
Mr. Han looked at her.
Then he looked toward Mrs. Han.
At first, he didn't understand.
But the moment he heard the words mosque and Friday, he realized.
Zoya was Muslim.
And Friday was a special day for Muslims.
"It's okay, dear. Go calmly."
Zoya smiled.
Mr. Han started walking toward his room.
"Go and enjoy your time. I'll see what preparations and orders need to be made for Jeon J's lunch."
He stopped.
"But I'll personally cook his favorite dish."
Minji immediately called from behind,
"But Amma, you need to prepare a lot of food. You know Jeon J isn't coming alone. His other parts of the home, parts of the room, parts of life must also be considered!"
Everyone stared at her.
Mrs. Han laughed.
"I know. But I feel happy. It's been a long time since they came."
She smiled warmly.
"Now that they're here, I feel joy. But I know they'll bring their own food too. They already said we're coming to enjoy a potluck."
Everyone laughed.
"Can we come again?"
Hana looked at Zoya.
"Can we explore your holy place? Or won't we be allowed?"
Zoya smiled.
"No, that's not a problem. It's Allah's house. Worship is performed there, and it's open to everyone. Anyone can go."
She paused.
"Today is Friday, so I want to go today. But we can always visit again tomorrow. You'll get a chance to see it for yourself."
"Really? Everyone is allowed there?"
Hana's eyes widened.
Zoya simply nodded.
"Okay. But how will you go?" Minji asked.
"I checked on my laptop this morning and noted the location."
Zoya picked up her bag.
"You just tell me. Should I go by public transport or take a ride?"
"Forget public transport. Take a simple ride. I'll book one for you."
Minji smiled.
"When you want to leave, just call me, and I'll pick you up. Or, if you prefer, I can drop you. It's not far. Only fifteen to twenty minutes."
"No, thank you."
Zoya shook her head firmly.
"I want to go by myself. I'll manage. Don't worry."
Minji looked at her.
Zoya added,
"Yesterday, we were lucky that Jeon J was there. Today, if you disappear, it won't be so easy to find someone."
Both of them smiled.
"Alright, then. Get ready. I'll book the ride."
"Okay. I'll be ready."
Zoya stood up.
Ruhi suddenly clapped excitedly.
"We should get ready too! After all, TBS are coming today."
She grinned.
"I'll take so many pictures to send to my family. They won't believe I met him!"
Everyone headed upstairs to get ready.
________________________________________
"Where were you going?"
Teahun looked toward Jeon J, who was getting ready.
"Last night, everyone was at my house. It's the same today. Kim Joon has left, but the rest are still here."
Jeon J adjusted his clothes.
"I'm going for lunch. Whatever you make, just eat it. And don't make the kitchen messy."
Teahun stared at him.
"Why did we even make it?"
He stepped closer.
"And where are you going for lunch? You're leaving us at your house and going out alone?"
His voice became dramatically offended.
"Instead of letting us eat here, you're going with someone else?"
Jeon J looked at him.
"You didn't come to my house the first time. You only come every two days."
He sighed.
"And yes, you act well sometimes, but that doesn't mean your acting is always right. Stop overacting."
He looked directly at Teahun.
"I'm going to Mr. Han's house. There was some work, so he called me."
Teahun smiled knowingly.
"Until yesterday, you didn't remember him. But now suddenly…"
He raised an eyebrow.
"You remembered?"
A pause.
"Or maybe just Mr. Han's daughter?"
Jeon J's eyes narrowed.
"What will you do to shut your mouth?"
Teahun simply smiled.
"I'm just going for lunch at Minji's house."
Jeon J raised his eyes.
"Why are you going? He just called me."
"He didn't call you."
Yomin entered the room with a joyful expression.
"You called him. And you had some work too."
He smiled.
"What work? Who knows. Maybe it's just an excuse for lunch."
Jeon J's jaw dropped.
"And what about us?"
Minjo joined in.
"Are we going too? What sudden work came up with Mr. Han?"
Jeon J was speechless.
Hosu put a finger against his lips.
"Here's what we'll do."
Everyone looked at him.
"Either tell us what the work is and have lunch with us…"
He smiled.
"…or take us along."
He continued confidently.
"We won't ask a single question. We'll behave like good kids, have lunch, and sit quietly."
Jeon J stared at them.
"What kind of people are you? I don't even have privacy in my own house!"
"Don't talk about privacy."
Teahun smirked.
"We're not disturbing you. That little helper Jea doesn't do anything, right?"
"Uff, uff… shut up!"
Jeon J rubbed his forehead.
"How am I supposed to take you all? This is bad manners."
"No, it's not bad manners at all."
Yomin replied calmly.
"We're not even going to eat anyone else's food."
"So what exactly will you do if there's no food?"
Jeon J asked.
"We'll bring our own."
Teahun smiled.
"It's a potluck, you know."
"What?"
Jeon J looked genuinely annoyed.
"Do it at home, then."
"No, that won't work."
Minjo grabbed Jeon J's hand dramatically.
"We'll miss you too much while eating. So we're coming along."
Hosu nodded.
"Minjo, just place the order and leave it. We'll pick something up on the way."
Jeon J stood there silently.
Everyone was already getting ready.
He couldn't understand how five people had decided to go with him so quickly.
Lunch?
How had this even happened?
And why had Kim Joon left?
Would he have explained all this?
Or taken them to the studio?
Jeon J made an irritated face.
Everyone booked a ride to make things easier.
RAMY had thoroughly scanned every TBS member's car, so they had to be careful.
Jea was left behind with Bamson because Teahun didn't want to take him along.
On the way, they brought plenty of food for lunch.
Everyone was ready.
___________________________________
Mrs Han was still helping in the kitchen, and Zoya was helping her.
Mr Han was ready too, but he was busy on his phone.
"Zoya, your ride has arrived."
Sophia entered the kitchen.
"Alright. I'm going."
Zoya picked up her bag and phone.
"Bye, everyone."
"Wait a minute."
Mrs Han handed her a box.
"Take this with you. You won't join us for lunch?"
Zoya looked at the box.
Inside were fried chicken cubes and salad.
"You'll like it, right?"
Minji smiled.
"I made it."
Zoya slowly closed the box.
She looked at Mrs. Han with affection.
"Thank you."
Nothing more.
She stepped outside.
She placed the box inside her bag.
Then she took out her phone.
Her fingers moved automatically to the same number she had been calling regularly since arriving in Korea.
She called.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
Sometimes the phone was switched off.
Sometimes it was busy.
Sometimes the call simply wasn't answered.
Today was no different.
Yet she still kept trying.
She was wearing a traditional white dress, a white scarf covering her head, and a warm gray sweater over it.
While dialing, she walked toward her ride.
A cab stopped in front of the house.
Everyone began getting in.
Zoya suddenly heard voices nearby.
She quickly lowered the phone and slipped it into her bag.
Teahun.
She didn't want to speak to him again after last night.
She continued toward her ride.
Teahun's jaw dropped.
"She's doing it again!"
He looked offended.
"No hello. No welcome. No greetings. What kind of manners are these?"
Zoya stopped.
Slowly, she turned around.
Everyone went quiet.
Those who had heard her words yesterday immediately remembered them.
Those who hadn't were quickly told what had happened.
The atmosphere changed.
They were idols.
Usually, people treated them differently.
But Zoya?
She seemed completely unaffected by that.
Now everyone wanted to see how many hits Teahun would take today.
Zoya stood in front of him.
Her hands folded calmly.
"First of all, I didn't call you."
She looked directly at him.
"So why should I say hello?"
Teahun blinked.
"Second, you are not my guest."
She raised an eyebrow.
"So why should I welcome you?"
Everyone became silent.
"And about manners…"
Zoya paused.
"If you care about them, let me tell you something."
Her voice remained calm.
"I don't come without being called."
She smiled faintly.
"That means I have manners."
Zoya raised her eyebrows.
"Understand how many manners I have."
Teahun opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
She had just reminded him that they had come without an invitation from Minji's family.
Except Jeon J.
Teahun was stunned.
He started to say something, but Yomin quickly stepped between them.
He could already sense another argument coming.
"We just came for lunch here. We've been coming before too."
Zoya looked at them.
"Enjoy your time."
She said it simply.
Then she turned away.
Hosu shrugged, looking around as he tried desperately to control his laughter.
Minjo looked equally surprised.
This had never happened before.
Whenever someone came to meet them, everyone was usually excited and happy.
But here?
Everything had been completely reversed.
Hosu looked at Teahun.
And burst out laughing.
Jeon J, however, remained serious.
His eyes followed Zoya as she walked away.
Yomin looked at him.
"Where are you going? Are you not joining us?"
Jeon J continued staring toward the gate.
Then he finally spoke.
"No. I have to go."
His voice was quiet.
"It's getting late."
He paused.
"Maybe I'll come back and join you."
Then, almost under his breath, he added,
"You… not us."
Yomin didn't catch it.
The moment he finished, everyone burst out laughing.
Jinhun looked at Teahun.
"Wow. What a girl!"
He laughed.
"In one minute, she increased your respect."
"Stop laughing!"
Teahun shouted.
Everyone went inside.
But Jeon J stayed behind for a moment.
Instead of following them immediately, he bent down.
Something was lying on the grass.
A phone.
Zoya's phone.
It had fallen without making a sound.
Jeon J picked it up.
He looked toward the gate.
No one had noticed.
He didn't say anything.
Then he entered the house.
"Hello, everyone."
He met Mrs. Han and Mr. Han.
Hana, Sophia, and Ruhi were excited to see him.
Before Jeon J arrived, Teahun, Jinhun, and Hosu Yomin, Minjo had already started arranging the food on the dining table.
In Korea, guests don't simply sit around waiting.
They help like family.
They arrange the food.
Prepare the table.
Make themselves useful.
Jeon J stood slightly away from everyone.
Then he looked down at the phone in his hand.
He pressed the screen.
It turned on.
But there was a password.
He couldn't unlock it.
Instead, something on the lock screen caught his attention.
A DP.
A girl was standing in front of a building.
The building immediately caught his eye.
It was black, decorated with golden designs.
Or perhaps…
It wasn't the building itself.
Maybe it was covered with a black cloth carrying golden words.
Beside it, part of a shoulder appeared from the clothing of someone standing nearby.
But the main focus of the picture was the girl.
She stood facing the building.
Her back was toward the camera.
A gray scarf covered her head.
Jeon J stared at the image.
He didn't know who the girl was.
He didn't know why the picture had been chosen.
But something about the building kept drawing his attention.
His expression changed slightly.
For a moment, he simply stared.
Then he turned the phone off.
He casually placed it on the central table.
He walked away as if nothing had happened.
But he didn't know…
Someone had seen him put the phone down.
To be continued…
Regards
ZK💌