३६
24H | SEVENTEEN
What should I do now? I have to clear the misunderstanding between us somehow? But how? The way Wonwoo-ssi left, I don't he'll ever come back again. Oppa, also said that he thought I hated him. Uhhhhhhh...Kay karu mi aata... (What should I do now...) Rumi whined shaking her head trying to pass through but the little fibre doors which kept bumping into her waist not letting her in. "Kay karu? Kay karu? Kay karu? (What to do? What to do? What to do?)" She kept murmuring to herself as others pass by giving her weird looks.
"Umm...do you need help?" The security asked looking at the strange lady bumping into the doors. He glanced at her id card which failed to touch the scanner. He wondered if it was working or not? "Miss?" He called again hoping to get her attention. But the lady looked totally out of it. He remembered this lady well; she would always stand at the door and stare up ahead as if debating over to enter or not. But today she was didn't look right in her mind, the guard sighed and opened the doors for her. She walked right through when the obstacle was gone, the guard looked at her and shook his head. She must be having it hard; he thought and went back to his duty.
"Should I go look for him?" Rumi muttered to herself as she waited in line to get in the elevator. Why is so much crowd here today? Ah right, I'm on time today. She thought nodding to herself. Usually, she would take her time but after her sudden enlightenment, her sleep had said goodbye. The Rumi who would be rolling in her bed at this time was standing in a line to catch a elevator. It's true about what they say, love really changes people. "What has become of me..." Rumi cried rubbing her forehead. Remembering her conversation with her coach.
Pushing of the strap from her shoulder she let her bag fall on ground. "Let's get this over with already!" She announced choosing one of the lanes and putting on her shooting gear placed on the table, she pressed on the timer button and started assembling the dismantled parts of the gun before aiming it at the target and shooting. After six shoots were shot at the target, she slammed the pistol on the table and pressed on the button again, checking her record.
"Not bad." She heard a voice say when she removed the head gear. "But don't you always go for head in your fourth shot?" Coach Lee asked looking at the target which had travelled from across the lane. "What happened?" He questioned glancing at her.
Rumi scoffed and unclipped the target paper and handed it to him. "Because I wanted to get rid of that stupid organ." She grumbled. Coach Lee furrowed his eyes glancing at the hole she had created in the middle of the target. The number ten had completely burned into ashes. "You mean heart? Wae?" He asked noting down her score and time. Hmm, her records are alright. He nodded to himself. "Heart break? Did you break up with your boyfriend?" He asked looking up at her. Rumi snorted bitterly at his choice of words and the confidence he had in her. Should she feel happy that someone thought she was capable of having a relationship?
"Coach, I'm glad to hear that you think I am capable of such things. But no, it's not a heart break." Rumi solemnly said. "I am far from it." Rumi muttered placing the gear back to their places.
"Then what is it? A new love? Messing with your heart and mind..." He teased when Rumi looked up at him in alert as if he had hit the right spot. "Yah jinja?" He asked in disbelief and held his notepad away. "Who is it? Is it your new partner?" He asked and leaned towards her before whispering. "Chief Gwok's son?" Rumi leaned back and gave him annoyed look. "Ani?" He asked, Rumi rolled her eyes and pushed him away.
"Who is it, is not important. How should I deal with it is important." Rumi said making Coach Lee nod his head. "It was all weird with these fluttering and shit. I didn't really understand what was going on and now when I have come to terms with it then somehow misunderstanding is created between us." Rumi explained rubbing her forehead. "Now new dilemma is front of me and I don't know how to deal with it." Coach Lee nodded and patting her shoulder consoling her.
"There is nothing you can do apart from clarifying it that person." He suggested. "Do it nicely, hmm?" He advised knowing well of Rumi's habit. Maybe she'll try to after these words he thought and pressed a button from lane beside Rumi's. "Don't let it mess with you long. I've heard from Kang that were out of it the whole time." Rumi scoffed crossing her arms. "Just get and over with it so you won't taint your records any more than they already are." He said unclipping the target paper which had travelled towards him.
"What's that suppose to mean? Are you saying my records aren't good? Look at that big hole I've created!" Rumi argued pointing towards the paper she had handed him earlier. Coach Lee snorted knowing Rumi hated being criticised like this. "If anyone want to keep up their records it is you." She smirked pointing towards the paper he now held in his hand.
"Ha!" Coach Lee snorted out of bitterness. No matter how much he criticised Rumi's behaviour he was no different than her when it comes to his skills. "Yah! Who am I? I'm your coach, do you think I'll have something like this on my sixteen long years of career?" He asked shoving the paper in her face. "It's not mine, imma!" He sneered clipping the paper to his clipboard. "It is Gu Hwa's! Have that dumbass to taint my teaching record." He huffed and puffed.
Rumi chuckled. "No wonder." She commented. "Forget about ever getting him to reach the ten. It's already surprising that he's able to hold the pistol." Rumi said walking up to her bag and pulling out her water bottle. "Just let him be, he has other things covering it up. Besides why is he still doing his monthly evaluation?"
"What do you mean? You can be a captain or chief, monthly evaluation is compulsory to everyone." Coach Lee informed. "Gu Hwa can't escape this even though he is a captain."
"I can't escape what?" A voice said attracting their attention. Rumi rolled her eyes and turned her attention to screwing the water bottle cap. "Were you both bitching about me?" Gu Hwa asked with a smile on his face. Coach Lee shrugged waving his target paper at him. Gu Hwa let out an apologetic chuckle. "I'll try to fix that." He apologized. "Hmm. Work on it. Though you have other excellent records still maintain this too." Coach Lee advised. "I can be understanding. Courtesy to that wild dog." He said nodding towards Rumi who had packed up. Gu Hwa glanced at Rumi who had picked up her bag.
"Thank you for not so useful advice, Coach Lee. See you next month." Rumi said saluting and making her way out. Gu Hwa searched for his bag. "Coach I'll get going too." He said picking up his bag and running out behind Rumi. "Eo? Well, goodbye then." Coach Lee said particularly to no one.
"Rumi! Rumi, gachigaja!" Gu Hwa called matching his pace with hers. He giggled playing with his bag strap when Rumi didn't respond and continued walking with him. "Gomawo." He smiled looking at her. "I thought really hated me." Rumi scoffed at that.
"You wouldn't been standing this close to me if I did."
"Hehe true." He giggled scratching his head. "Umm Rumi-ya." Rumi stopped and glared at him. "I-I well. Rumi. Ani Agent Rumi?" Rumi groaned grabbing his collar. "Aish. Just out with it already. I don't want you following my around like a tail." She warned. "I-I will. But I can't think straight with you so close to me!" Gu Hwa exclaimed squeezing his eyes close. Mwo? Rumi furrowed her eyebrow at his drama. This saeki, always on this and that. She thought and let go his collar. Gu Hwa quickly stepped back and turned away. "I wanted to apologize for what I said that night. I shouldn't have overstepped the boundaries." He apologized turning back to face her again. Rumi stared at him wondering what night he was talking about. "Trip?" Rumi nodded.
"Are you done then?" She asked looking at him.
"Eo? Eo. I am done." Gu Hwa nodded his head. "But, have you-Rumi!" Rumi had already started making her way back to her car.
"Jogiyo? Jogiyo?" Someone poked in her back. Rumi exhaustedly looked back at them. "Aren't you getting off?" Rumi turned back to check the floor number.
"Ah de..." Rumi nodded, got of the elevator, and bowed at the person who had brought her out of trance. "Maybe I've really lost it." Rumi muttered to herself as she dragged her feet to her desk. There was lot of commotion in the department. Rumi furrowed her eyebrows and slipped in through all the fuss going around her. "What is happening? Is some big event coming up?" She asked herself and check the schedule chart hanging across her. "Hmmm...heh not my problem." She laughed to herself noticing it was about some promo event.
"Check everything as soon as you arrive there. Be always prepared for mishaps. Okay?" It was Misoo Unnie who was instructing some interns. "Be nervous but don't panic. Nervousness is good. Panic no good. I won't be there but I know you all can held it well. Fighting!" She cheered holding up her fist, the interns followed along. She smiled patting their back before bidding them goodbye. "Okay, now that is done then we shou-Rumi?" Misoo glanced her watch. "Yah, you are on time today." She grinned walked towards her. "Gaja." She said trying pull her up.
"Where?" Rumi whined not moving an inch. "Meeting. Didn't I text you last night that we have meeting with production team of Going Seventeen?" Misoo said still trying to pull her up. Rumi helped her by standing up herself. "I read the text but I didn't know the meeting is in the morning."
"Because I didn't tell you so. Isn't it good that you are on time then. Come on let's go." Misoo said and started dragging her along. The whole journey to the meeting room was Misoo chattering her ear off. Rumi had zone off in middle her mind wandering back to her feelings and Wonwoo. I have to clear it with Wonwoo-ssi like Coach suggested or else this will go on forever. "Yah mwohae? Are you not coming?" Misoo asked as she held the door open behind her. Rumi sighed; she was doing it again.
"De." She nodded and followed her inside. She was greeted with chaos again. People rushing from here and there, cameras were set up. "Mwoya? I thought we were supposed to attend a meeting? What is happening here? Why are cameras set up here." Rumi whispered leaning towards Misoo.
"It is a meeting." Misoo whispered back before greeting the staff gathered. "Annyeonghaseyo I'm Choi Misoo from production department." She smiled greeting everyone. "These are my subordinates Rumi Raikar and Han Jina." Rumi was about to bow in greeting but stopped hearing the last name. Jina? Rumi snapped her head at Jina who had a bright smile on her face as she greeted the staff. Rumi leaned in and again whispered in Misoo's ear.
"What the fuck is she doing here again?" Rumi gritted through her teeth while glaring at Jina being all smiley with the staff. "You are bringing her along again?" Misoo nudged her away. "Shut it. We'll talk about it later." Rumi grumbled about her elbow being sharp while leaning away. "I'm telling you; I won't be cleaning her shit." Misoo threw a glare at Rumi's direction. Mwo? Rumi mouthed.
"Rumi-yaaaa..." A very cheery voice called diverting her attention from Han Jina. It was none another than nosy hamster she had befriended. "Mwohae? You are joining us for shoot?" He asked casually throwing his arm over her shoulder. Shoot? What shoot? Rumi looked at Misoo for help but she was gone busy conserving with the staff leaving her alone with Jina, Rumi scowled at her bright smile.
"I don't know. I just tagged along." Rumi answered turning her attention back to Hoshi who smiled and started dragging her along. "Where? Where are you taking me?" She asked when they come to stop in u-shaped meeting room desk where other members were gathered. "Ah, Annyeonghaseyo." Rumi greeted when she saw Jihoon, Jun, Seungkwan, Chan, Dokyeom, and Jeonghan. The boys greeted back. Half of them are here? What about Wonwoo-ssi, will he be here too? Rumi glanced around looking for him.
"Will Rumi-ssi be interviewing us?" Seungkwan asked looking at her. Interviewing? Rumi looked at him question. First shoot and now this? What am I doing here with half knowledge? "She doesn't know. She just tagged along." Hoshi answered for her.
"Mwo? Slacking again, aren't you?" Chan huffed making Rumi narrow her eyes at him. "And why are you answering for her, hyung? Are you her mouth or what?"
"Ani. But I am her bestfriend." Hoshi answered. "We are going to be soulmates soon!" He declared all by himself. Rumi scrunched her face at his loudness. "Right, Rumi-yaa..." Rumi made a face and duck from under his arm and stepped away. "I don't know what is he talking about." The boys made sound at her cold rejection. "Yah! What are you saying? Aren't we best buddies?" He asked. "Are we?" Rumi raised her eyebrow. Hoshi face fell. "Yahh..." Rumi chuckled. "Aarso. That is what you call it then. Soulmates." Rumi laughed patting his arm in order to console Hoshi.
"Rumi-ssi, are you sure you want to befriend someone like him?" Seungkwan asked earning a curse from Hoshi. Rumi chuckled and nodded her head. "I think it is little too late to rethink." She laughed as other joined her teasing Hoshi.
"Mwoya? What is happening here?" It was Mingyu who asked joining the group. Other half of the Seventeen was here. Rumi smiled and bowed greeting them. It was like she was their elementary teacher greeting them, Minghao, Jun, Mingyu politely bowed while there was Vernon who saluted, Joshua shook her hand and there was their leader greeted her like she was one of his bros.
She was ready to greet another when Wonwoo stepped in front of her. "Wonwoo-ssi..." She breathe out. He is here. "Wonwoo-ssi I-" Wonwoo politely bowed towards her, pulled out a chair and sat down completely ignoring her words. He is definitely upset, Rumi thought staring at back of his head. "So, what were you guys laughing about?" Mingyu asked snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Rumi here accepted Hoshi's proposal." Jeonghan replied as Hoshi once again placed his arm around Rumi's shoulder with a beaming yes. Rumi eyes snapped to Wonwoo; his back was facing her. Rumi shook her head. "Ani, it's not like that." She quickly denied. "Jeonghan-ssi, please don't use such words it can cause misunderstanding." Rumi said elbowing Hoshi in stomach who slipped his arm off her in pain. "He was just saying how we agreed to be best friends. Yes, best friends." Rumi continued stressing on the words best friends. "Rumi!" Misoo called for her. "Then, I'll get going." Rumi hurriedly said and literally ran out of the situation.
"Mwoya?" Hoshi said rubbing his stomach. Why did she have to hit me that hard? "Don't you think she's getting weirder?" Jeonghan asked watching her converse with the person who had called her. "Hyung are you still at it?" Jihoon shook his head. "At what?" Seungcheol asked. "Just other day he was talking about Rumi-ssi's behaviour being odd. But I think it is quite interesting especially her strength." Jihoon answered scratching his chin. Jeonghan tsked at his comment.
"Hmm, I too think she is weird. More like pretentious." Minghao commented. "Yah." Wonwoo looked at him. "Watch your words." He warned. Minghao looked at him taken aback with his tone. "Ah-well, I didn't mean any bad but she does come off like that to me."
"But she's not Myungho-ah." Hoshi said. "She is very expressive with her emotions maybe that's why you think. But still, you shouldn't use such words to describe her like that. For someone hearing you might get wrong idea about her." Hoshi defended her. "From what I've known her she's very kind and expressive woman, always putting others first." Minghao nodded. "I really didn't mean it like that. I shouldn't have used that word, I guess."
"Yedara!" The Pd-nim clapped his hands attracting the attention of the boys. Rumi was back to table with PD-nim, Misoo and Jina. "So, we are going to keep it simple here. You guys would be sitting here and discussing what content we should do for this year. You don't have to play it hard, just normally discuss things without being conscious of camera, okay." He instructed. The boys nodded and were quickly on it. The shoot or meeting began with them randomly throwing ideas from here and there, some were sensible and some were just ridiculous to even think about. Rumi would've enjoyed their ridiculous talk if not for Jina who stood beside her. That dumb girl had volunteered to note down things but she was doing anything but that. Why is this girl even here? Rumi had whined inside her mind and started taking notes in her phone to avoid any further trouble.
"Yedara, we can't bring you to space." Misoo laughed when Dokyeom had suggested to they should do an alien content. "PD-nim, you shouldn't listen to his words, he is mostly illogical person." Seungkwan commented earning a laughter of agreement from the members.
"Oh! How about opening a café?" Joshua said. "Like we could cook and serve." He added. "That's nice. We should do it in company building and serve staff and other. It would be fun if other artist come." Mingyu said holding his fist out for fist bump. "Maja, maja. It would be fun." Joshua agreed bumping his fist. Rumi nodded, not a bad idea and noted it down. Then realized why was she being so diligent, she's not even paid for this. She could just let Jina take care of her shit. Ani, ani Unnie would only ask me to take care of it.
"I think that is enough brain storming." PD-nim announced signalling the cameras. Misoo bowed towards the boys and took the list that Jina was suppose to prepare. "Have you noted down everythi-ah." She stopped looking at the gibberish on the paper. She looked at Jina with tight-lipped smile and glanced at Rumi who rolled her eyes and waved her phone indicating that she had noted down everything. "Aarso. It's enough. Good work, Jina." Misoo patted her arm and started making her way out, Rumi followed.
"Good work, my ass." Rumi sneered. "Unnie, from now on you better treat me right, I've been doing lot of things for you." Misoo laughed nodded her head. "Daee, I will. Uri Rumi is best. I don't know what would I've done without you." Misoo cooed pinching her cheek. Rumi scowled slapping her hand away. "Ah apha." Misoo whined rubbing her hand. Suddenly Rumi remembered that she had slapped Wonwoo's hand just like this. "Vedi ahe mi, vedi. (I am stupid, stupid)" Rumi started slapping her forehead. "Eo? Gapjagi?" Misoo looked at her co-worker losing her mind. "Unnie, you go ahead I need to do something."
"Rumi-yaaaa..." Hoshi sang again appearing beside her his arm finding it's place on her shoulder. "Eodiga? Let's have lunch together." Rumi shook her head about to reject his offer when, "Okay, then I'll get going. Good work Hoshi-nim." Misoo bowed and left after answering for Rumi. "Gaja!" Hoshi announced when another trouble maker joined him. "Me too, me too." Chan paddled joining the duo.
"Yah, at least have decency of waiting for my answer. I have something to do." Rumi said looking at Hoshi who stared back. "So, are you saying you don't want free lunch?" A smile formed on Rumi's face. "I meant I have something I need to do; it can wait, right? Haha, let's go! Chan-ah, come on Hoshi hyung is treating us!" Rumi grabbed Chan's hand as both of giggled like children while making their way to canteen.
A/N :
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Love,
Albað