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"Mani! Aye Mani!" Rumi turned around while balancing the grocery bags in her hands. "Ahes kuthe tu ha? (Where have you been?)" Joshi kaka asked walking towards her. Forcing a smile on her face she greeted him, "Are Joshi kaka, kashe ahet? (Oh Joshi uncle, how are you?)" She asked.

"Mi bara ahe pan tu ahes kuthe? Soham bolla ki tu aalis pan aaj kuthe dislis. (I am good but where have you been? Soham told me that you've returned but I saw you today.)" Rumi smiled moving weight from one leg to another. "Ho te aalya pasun jara kaamat busy zali. (Yes, I've been busy with work since I've returned.)"

"Baki kasa? Thik na? (Everything else? Okay right?)" He asked glancing upwards towards her apartment window. The forced smiled disappeared from her face. The reason why she loathed other human beings were their unnecessary nosiness. "Ho. Kaku kashya ahet? Khup divas zale tyancha aavaj nahi aikla? (Yes, how's aunty? I haven't heard her voice since long?)" She asked deliberately knowing well that his wife had left him just few days ago. His smile too disappeared.

"Mani!" Rumi heard her mother calling from above. "Ho aale! (Yes, coming!)" She replied before smiling at Joshi kaka. "Chale kaka nantar bollu. (Let's talk later, uncle.)" She said holding up the bags and leaving. "Ugache chambar chaukashya." She commented climbing up the stairs. "Aai darwaja ughad. (Open the door)" She called as soon as reaching the door. Her mother arrived quickly opening the door for her. "Kay ga, kay vicharat hote te? (What was he talking about?)" Her mother questioned asking about the Joshi uncle downstairs.

"Kay nai nehmiche, chambar chaukashi. (Nothing, same as usual. Gossiping.)" Rumi replied placing the grocery bags on dining table. Her mother snorted shaking her head. "So, I asked him about Kaku and he shut his mouth quicker than light." Rumi said making her mother hit her but she still laughed. "Nalayak por." Her mother laughed. "So what? That guy is too nosy for his own good." Rumi said taking out grocery from the bags. "Let him be, he's been like that since start. Always poking nose in others home." He mother replied.  "That's why his wife ran off with other." Rumi comment earning another hit from her mother. "Kay? Khara te boltey! (What? It's the truth!)"

"Tari nahi bolaycha asa apan. (Still, we shouldn't talk about it.)" Her mother said when their bell rang continuously and booming sound hit their ears.

"Sakhu! Darwaja ughad!" Her mother's face fell as she rushed to open the door while Rumi squeezed her eyes shut trying to keep herself calm. "Kiti vel lagto. (How long does it takes.)" He scolded in slurred words as he walked in stumbling. Rumi picked up unpacked grocery bags and walked inside knowing well he would have something to say about it. "What is all this?" She heard him ask. Before there was sound something crashing. "What are you doing?!" Her mother screamed, Rumi quickly rushed outside to see her father pushing the grocery off the dining table down. "Why are throwing them? If you want to sit, go sit on sofa!" Her argued picking up the thrown grocery. "Why is it placed here in the first place?!" Her father screamed back. "Jevha baghu tevha nusta pasara kela asato. (Whenever I see there is always some mess.)" He added stumbling down on the chair.

Rumi kept quiet and cleared the table. "Aye glass aan chal majha. (Bring me my glass.)" He said looking at her. Rumi stared at him for few seconds before choosing to quietly walk inside. "Glass aan!" He screamed. "Don't scream." Her mother scolded. "Don't smoke in here." She said snatching the cigarette pack off his hand. Her glared at her in anger. "Give it back." He warned.

"No, I won't." Her mother refused. "I've told you numerous times, I'll have you do anything but smoking in this house."

"What?" He snorted. "I've been living to y'all accords all this time! Working hard all my life putting food on your plates and now that I've retired and want to live according to my wishes yet here you are dictating my life again!"

"What you lived according to our wishes?! Have you ever done anything to our likes?! All you and your stubbornness has done nothing but messed up every little happiness! To the point you've almost ruined our children's life!" Mother screamed not able to take any of his accusations.

"What!? I've ruined your lives!?" He laughed bitterly. "Then let me fix it!" He said looking around impetuously for something when his eyes found what he was looking for. He hastily grabbed the knife from fruit basket and was about to push it into his neck when her mother rushed towards and grabbed his hand stopping him. "Kay kartyat tumhi!? (What are you doing?!)" She screamed.

"Shod majha hath. (Let go of my hands.) Let me end this once for all!" He replied as both struggled over the knife in his hand. "Ved lagla ahe ka tumhala. Shoda te. (Have you gone mad. Let it go.)" Her mother said pulling at his grip on knife. "I SAID LET GO OFF MY HAND!" He used all his force to get out her grip, his push being too strong led to her to crash onto the glass teapoy behind her.

Rumi hearing the crash rushed out of the kitchen. "Wha-" Her words were swallowed looking at scene in front of her. Her father was standing still holding knife in his hand while her mother was on ground with broken pieces of glass around her. "Aai?" Rumi called in small voice. Her mother hissed in pain and slowly looked up at her. "M-Mani." Blood was dripping down her forehead, her arm seemed to be bleeding. "Mani." Rumi was seething red; all she could see was red as she balled her fist and stomped towards her father. "Mani nahi-" Rumi had already grabbed her father by his collar and her fist raised to hit him.

'THAMB RUKMANI!"

Rumi shot up breathing heavily her fist tightly gripping the sheets, eyes wide and unfocused as she scanned the dark shadows around her. She blinked few times before focusing on the light rays peeking in through her gray curtains. Rumi took deep breath running her fingers through her hair. She felt rustling beside her, "Noona." Wonwoo called in very raspy voice. "Hmm, did I wake you up?" Rumi asked leaning towards him. Wonwoo hummed in response as she stroked his head. "Mian."

"Ani gwenchanayeo." He replied. "Are you leaving early today too?" He questioned. Rumi checked the time on her phone screen and hummed. "Eo. It's almost time. You go back to sleep." She said trying to get up. Wonwoo grabbed her hand. "Ani." Rumi looked at him confused. "Do you not want me to go to work?" She asked. Wonwoo stared deeply in her eyes. "If I asked, will you?" Wonwoo asked. Rumi smiled and leaned over him, "If you asked, I would kill for you Wonwoo-ssi." She whispered. She felt Wonwoo's sharp intake making her smirk. He probably has turned red considering his reaction.

"Stop being cringy." Wonwoo pushed her away making Rumi fall back on bed with a hearty laugh. "Where are you going?" She asked watching him leave the room. "To make tea for you." He replied in distant voice. "Kiti godh. (How cute)" She laughed.

Wonwoo stirred the tea watching it boil over. He had finally learned how to make it like Rumi's and was very proud of himself over it. "Smells good." He said to himself taking a good sniff when he felt pair of arms wrapping around his waist. He smiled leaning back into her. "Did you wash up?" Rumi hummed nuzzling her nose into his back. Slowly the innocent nuzzling turned into kisses and her resting fingers were slowly trailing up and down his torso. Wonwoo pressed his lips together. "Noona." He grabbed her hand which was trying to trailing down his waistband. "What are you doing?" He asked looking over his shoulder. Rumi innocently smiled and replied, "Nothing."

He playfully narrowed his eyes, "Pass that cup." He said turning back to the boiling tea and switching off the gas. "Aish." She clicked her tongue in disappointment did as asked. "This is not fair Wonwoo-ssi." She said making him glance at her. "What?" He asked little distracted with pouring tea in cup. "You. You are not being fair." She replied. "I mean how am I supposed to stop myself when you are standing her shirtless, how am I supposed to keep my hands to myself?" Her naughty hands were moving towards him again. He stopped them again and pushed the cup towards. "This will help." He smiled making her click her tongue again. "It's hot be careful."

"Tsk. Didn't think of warning when you stood there half naked making tea for me." She mumbled earning a look from him. She averted her eyes pretending she didn't say anything and sipped on tea. "AH garam!" She exclaimed quickly pulling the cup away.

"Noona!" Wonwoo scolded taking the cup from her hand placing it on counter. "I told you it was hot." Rumi nodded holding her tongue out trying to cool it off. "It's all red now." Wonwoo said taking a closer look. "Let me get you some ice to cool it down." He said about to turn when Rumi pulled him back. "We have other ways, don't we?" She said eyes glancing towards his lips. Wonwoo unconsciously licked them, making her usually brown eyes darken. "Noona..." He breathed as she leaned in closer, her lips softly grazing his.

"Not in my kitchen." A booming voice made them jump away from each other. "God damn it!" Rumi cursed glaring at Youngjae who glared right back at her. 'Mwo?' He dared.

"Do you have some kind of radar fixed on you or what always spoiling our time." Rumi mumbled picking up her deserted tea moving towards dining table. "Excuse me? I am spoiling your time? I didn't asked you to do dirty in the kitchen which is supposed to be used only for cooking for your information." Youngjae argued. Rumi mocked imitating him.

"You are just jealous that I've got a pretty boyfriend while you are still humping your pillow." Rumi taunted. "Yah!" Youngjae snapped his head so quick that Wonwoo thought he broke his neck. "I am single because I want to, If I want, I'll have lines of ones who want to date me." He said quite offended. "And unlike you I am not a betrayer. I abide by the pact we've signed. While here you are like a mutt in heat." He said giving her disgusted look.  'Oh uh.' This is escalating somewhere it shouldn't. Wonwoo thought stepping in between before it was too late.

"Hyung how about tea?" Wonwoo said making Youngjae look at him. "Poor Wonwoo, he has to tolerate you." A loud thud echoed as hand slammed on the table. Wonwoo squeezed his eyes, there's no stopping now. "What the fuck are you trying to say Kim Youngjae?" Wonwoo quickly cleared the counter. Grabbed few ice cubes from the fridge and rushed towards Rumi who had already picked her weapon which happened to be chopstick. "Try saying that-ummh!" Wonwoo had pushed an ice cube inside her mouth. Rumi turned her glare at him. Wonwoo smiled, "You burned yourself earlier." He said taking the chopstick from her hand placing it back to its place. "Hyung, I've poured you tea, it's on the counter." Wonwoo said pulling a chair beside Rumi who angrily chewed on ice. "When are you supposed to leave?" Wonwoo asked making Rumi check time.

"I'll finish the tea and leave." She informed.

"Have you eaten anything?" Youngjae asked joining them on dining table. Rumi shook her head, "I'll eat something on way." She replied. No matter how many times he had experienced this, it amazed him every time how these two went from eating each other's head off to eating on same table in fractions of seconds. "Eo, check Jang-ssi place, he put up a new sandwich." Youngjae suggested sipping on his tea. "Today's Tuesday." Rumi said. Youngjae nodded in understanding.

"Tuesday?" Wonwoo asked glancing at them.

"It's veg day for her." Youngjae replied nodding towards Rumi.  "New diet?" Wonwoo asked making both of them chuckle. "You can say that." Rumi said pinching his cheeks. "Wae? Why are you laughing?" He asked glancing at unusual pair. "It's nothing. I just tend to eat vegetarian food on some days." Rumi said cupping his face and playing with his cheeks. Today something was definitely up with her. She was being lot clingy than usual. Wonwoo stared at her and then noticed her shirt buttoned up wrongly. "Noona, where's your mind today?" Wonwoo said his fingers moving to fix them.

"Probably in gutters." Youngjae commented from side. Rumi threw him a glare. "Earlier you burned yourself and now this. Are sure, you are okay?" Wonwoo asked.

"I am all good. It's just I didn't get a good sleep." Rumi replied assuring him. Wonwoo stared, she was wearing that 'I am okay' smile again. Something was definitely not good but asking her about it now will lead to nowhere. "Oh, I am getting late. I need to go." She said and place a quick kiss on Wonwoo's lips. "Bye."

"Yah!" Youngjae scolded but she was already at door.

"Mwo?! You jealous? Then get a partner." She teased and left not before blowing a kiss at Wonwoo who pretended to catch.

"Aah jinja! Rubbing salt at wound every chance she gets." Youngjae mumbled from behind making Wonwoo smile and apologize. "Mianhae hyung." Youngjae narrowed his eyes at him knowing well he was not sorry at all.

"Eo hyung. Did noona talk about that day?" Youngjae shook his head in answer. "Wae, is something wrong?" He questioned back. Wonwoo let out a sigh, "Mwolla, she's acting like it never happened. And I don't know she is too absent minded these days. Forget her phone and other things which she wouldn't and now you saw it too." Wonwoo worriedly said.

Youngjae nodded and let out a sigh, not knowing how to comfort him. "Wonwoo-ya, she wouldn't tell you even if you forced her to. You also know that." Wonwoo nodded. "Let's just give her some time hmm? She'll open up to you soon. Rumi that I knew is far different than Rumi I am seeing today. She has changed." Youngjae smiled patting Wonwoo's hand. "Still, I am worried about her hyung." Youngjae nodded. "Don't worry she'll be fine."

Unfortunately for Wonwoo, the unsettling feeling he had grew bigger and bigger, days went by but Rumi wouldn't talk about it. In fact they hardly talked these days. She was never around, not even on GOSE set like before, he could hardly find her in company and at home, she came later than he would and would doze off the moment she hit the bed. She looked tired like was barely keeping herself up. "Noona, where are you?" Wonwoo asked little ticked off because once again she had left him alone on the cold bed.

"Eo? At work." Her nonchalant reply wasn't helping at all.

"Work where? I haven't seen you at company. Nor you are at any site."

"I-"

"No, don't you dare. I have already asked Aerum-ssi about your schedule." Wonwoo said cut her off.

"Ohh, keeping tabs now are we?" Rumi teased smiling at the cashier who handed back her card. "It's not funny noona. I'm being serious." Rumi smiled imagined him with knitted eyebrows and little pout on his lips. "Araso mianhae. And asking Aerum-ah won't work she doesn't really know my schedule. I am really at work, I mean right now at coffee shop buying coffee." Rumi replied telling the truth. Well, she was at her pseudo work before but was now heading to do her real job.

"Your coffee." Rumi smiled holding the phone between her shoulder and ear and picked up the coffee mugs. She heard Wonwoo sigh from other side. "Noona, what is going on with you? Are really okay? I don't even see you nowadays. At home too, you come late and leave early." Wonwoo complained.

"Nothing is going on with me Wonwoo-ssi. It's just work keeps me busy and I don't get sleep nowadays that's all." Rumi reassured, lying straight through her teeth. It wasn't work that was tiring her but the thoughts in her mind. They occupied her mind too much that she was trying to run away from them by working. "Then don't drink coffee." Wonwoo said making her laugh. "And what doze off at work?" She replied. "Wonwoo-ssi I'm really okay. Don't worry about me and worry about yourself. Don't you have promotions starting today?"

"So you do know that. Then why haven't I seen you around? Everybody keeps asking about you, do you know that?" Rumi hummed smiling. "I do, Chan's been texting me non-stop these days. That brat just can't admit that he misses me." She said with a chuckle. "Then come see us." Wonwoo said. Rumi pressed her lips together, oh how she wanted drop everything right there and there and run to him but the ban on her was stopping her. Gu Hwa had absolutely banned her from anywhere near them. Since that incident at award, she had taken a step back. Working in background was better than them finding out the truth.

Earlier she thought it was okay if they ever found out the truth about her identity but now a fear had grown into her heart. How would they react they did found it? How was she supposed to tell them the truth? With current situation going around in the industry, what if it affects them more that she thinks? These innocent, naïve boys are too vulnerable, she won't be able see them in pain. She still remembered when Seokmin was attacked, them finding out that someone from their fans are crazy enough to take their life would break them apart.

"Noona, mianhae. I was being too much. I know you are busy with work still I'm acting like a clingy child." Wonwoo said. Rumi bit her lips hard enough to draw blood, her guilt was eating her away. "Ani, I understand. It's my fault that I am not able to give you time." She said with heavy heart. "I won't be able to come see you perform but I'll surely come to pick you up. Let's go to drink today eo?" She suggested. "See if anyone's free hm?" She could hear his light breath before his soft reply was heard. "Araso, but you've promised. No going back?" Rumi smiled. "Eo, no going back."  "Okay then, see you later. Bye." Rumi smiled. "Em, bye see you later." With that their call ended.

Using her butt Rumi pushed opened the door and walked in carrying two mugs of coffee in one hand and sandwiches in another.

"Annyeonghaseyo sunbaenim." Her colleague salute greeting her. Rumi nodded greeting back and making way through to the guy she was here for.

"Sunbaenim! Annyeonghaseyo." Seojin quickly stood upon seeing her and greeted.

"Eo annyeong annyeong." She nodded asking him to settle down. "Here, iced latte. Correct?" Rumi said handing him one of the cup and a sandwich. Seojin nodded his head little dazed. She looked around for a chair but found none. "Why don't y'all keep chairs here?" She complained when Cha Dongmin clicked his tongue. "Hm, so loafer like you won't be around." He commented.

Rumi stared at him and let out a snort. "Oh, it's you. I thought it was some rat or what." She laughed, Seojin choked on his latte at that retort. Snickers were heard but soon were silenced with Cha Dongmin slamming his hand on the table and standing up.  "You-" He raised his hand angrily pointing towards her. Rumi raised her eyebrow as if asking him if he really want to do that. No matter what how much she angered him she was still his senior. Defeated he put his hand down scoffing and angrily stormed off.  "Eo, you leaving? Thanks for the chair though!" She shouted before dragging the chair beside Seojin and settled down. "So, how's everything?"

Seojin quickly swallowed the bite he had taken off the sandwich and nodded his head. "Nothing major have come up." He answered. Rumi hummed opening her own sandwich. "Sunbaenim?" Rumi glanced at him. "Are you sick?" Rumi furrowed her eyebrows. "I-I mean, you don't look well!" He quickly added. "Hmm, haven't gotten good sleep." Rumi replied munching on her sandwich.  Seojin nodded and both silently enjoyed their lunch.

A/N :

Happy Diwali yerobun!

Love,

Alba💜