"Minji, get up already," Hana said, shaking her again and again. She had been trying for a while now, but Minji showed no sign of waking up. And Zoya—no one knew where she had disappeared.
"What?" Minji finally muttered, stretching lazily. "Who wakes someone up this early?"
"It's not early," Hana replied. "It's already twelve."
"So what?" Minji yawned. "Didn't you see how late we slept last night?"
Hana paused, then asked, "But where is Zoya?"
Minji turned her head and glanced at the mattress placed near the wall. "She's not here… where did she go?"
"That's exactly what I'm asking," Hana said.
"But why are you only worried about Zoya?" Minji added. "Ruhi and Sophia aren't here either."
"Ruhi and Sophia are downstairs making breakfast," Hana explained. "But Zoya isn't anywhere in the house. For a moment, I thought she might've gone to Busan—but her bag is still here."
Minji stared at the ceiling thoughtfully. Then, all of a sudden, she sat up. "Oh—now I remember. She said she'd stay with us, but she wanted to go to Ji-ho's restaurant. She wants to work there… to learn."
"What?" Hana asked in surprise. "So she won't spend time with us?"
"Leave her be," Minji said gently as she stood up. "You can't force anyone. Come on—let's have breakfast and then do some shopping."
With that, Minji walked into the bathroom. Hana headed downstairs to help Ruhi and Sophia. Minji's parents were out of the city for a few days, so the house was under their care—and for once, everything felt calm and relaxed.
.....
Zoya woke up around nine that morning. The night before, she had changed clothes carelessly and fallen asleep without a second thought. Now, she acted normal—as if that intense moment of self-reflection had never touched her life.
After freshening up, she went to the mosque. She had planned to speak to Mr. Donghyun there, hoping he could talk to Ji-ho so she might learn something at his restaurant.
But Ji-ho was already there.
Zoya greeted him politely and took the seat beside him in the office.
"You both sit," Mr. Donghyun said gently. "I'll step outside for a moment."
As soon as he left, Zoya decided to speak directly.
"Ji-ho… may I talk to you?" she asked hesitantly.
"Of course. What is it?" he replied, then smiled in surprise. "I just remembered—you were supposed to leave today, weren't you? You even told your friend that I booked your train ticket."
Zoya nodded. "Yes… Minji asked you, didn't she?"
"I think so," he said, amused.
"Yes, it must've been Minji," Zoya said quickly, then lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry I had to say that. She wouldn't let me go otherwise, and I didn't want to lie."
Ji-ho chuckled. "Then we're even. I also lied and told her I booked the ticket."
They both laughed softly.
"So… you're not leaving?" he asked.
"No," Zoya smiled. "And that's a punishment because of lying.
It's actually a good thing. Appa said you're on holiday. You should enjoy it instead of rushing back."
"I thought so too," she added. "That's why I wanted to talk to you."
Ji-ho looked curious.
"If you think it's appropriate," Zoya continued carefully, "could you let me work in your restaurant kitchen while I'm here? I really love restaurant work—especially being in the kitchen."
Ji-ho's face lit up. "Why not? I'd like that."
"But you know how to cook?" he asked.
She laughed nervously. "Not really. Nothing special. That's exactly why I want to learn. I'm very good at cutting vegetables though—very fine cuts."
"Alright then," he said. "Come today. We'll see where you fit best so you can learn properly."
"You should explore Seoul while you're here," he added.
"No, I'm fine," Zoya replied gently.
Ji-ho smiled teasingly.
"Why do I feel like you're avoiding sightseeing… or maybe avoiding going out with your friends?" Mr. Donghyun entered the office. He had heard the end of their conversation.
"You're avoiding going out with your friends because they eat that which you can't eat and drink, isn't that right?" he asked directly.
Zoya lowered her gaze. He had spoken the truth hidden in her heart.
"You fear you might make a mistake with them," he continued. "But remember—Allah made those friends a mercy for you. They know your values and your limits. That's why they try to keep you comfortable."
Zoya looked up, his words awakening something inside her. She realized how true it was—her friends had always stood by her, every step of the way.
"If you want to work at the restaurant," Mr. Donghyun said softly, smiling, "do it from a place of peace—not from fear. Otherwise, your friends will be hurt. And remember—Allah is always with you."
Zoya nodded, smiling in agreement.
Ji-ho had remained silent the entire time, focusing on his phone. It didn't feel right to interrupt such a moment.
"So… does that mean my job is confirmed for a few days?" Zoya asked lightly, feeling unexpectedly free.
"Yes," Ji-ho said, then added, "but on one condition."
"What is it?" she asked.
"I'll pay you."
"But I'm only here to learn—"
He gently stopped her. "Even if you're learning, we pay. Don't worry—we won't let you sit idle. Students are allowed forty-eight hours a week, and pay is calculated accordingly. We'll pay you for whatever hours you work."
"Alright," Zoya agreed finally.
"When can you start?" he asked.
"Right now," she said with a smile. "If you're heading to the restaurant, I'll come with you."
Ji-ho looked at her in pleasant surprise. Compared to yesterday, she seemed softer—lighter—as if some invisible weight had lifted from her heart and mind.
"Sure," he said. "I just need to discuss something with Appa first."
"Okay," Zoya replied. "I'll make a call."
She stepped outside and sat on the steps of the mosque. She felt incredibly light today.
''I'll stay firm in my values, she thought, without hurting them—without pushing them away. I'll keep sharing the message of true light with kindness. Yes, my heart was hurt," she whispered to Allah, smiling. "But I'll keep praying ."
She dialed a number.
"Minji."
"You left without telling us," Minji said immediately. "You didn't even have breakfast."
Guilt washed over Zoya. How could she trouble such loving friends?
"I'm sorry," she said softly. "I just thought I'd talk to Mr. Donghyun myself. But I met Ji-ho at the mosque, and he said I could join from today."
"From today?" Minji scoffed. "You're saying it like you've come here forever."
"Not forever," Zoya teased back. "But I do have holidays, don't I? I can work till then."
Minji pulled the phone away slightly, as if staring at it. "What happened to you?"
"Leave that," Zoya said gently. "Tell me—what's the plan today?"
"After breakfast, we were thinking of going shopping."
"Without me?" Zoya asked.
"You'll come with us?" Minji sounded shocked.
"Of course I will. Why are you asking like that?"
"Zoya… are you okay?" Minji finally asked.
"Yes, I'm fine," Zoya replied. "I'll message you in the evening when I'm free. Then we'll all go shopping together, okay? Bye."
She quickly disconnected the call—knowing Minji would otherwise drown her in questions.
And for the first time in a while, Zoya felt at peace.
......
"You came in late last night and fell asleep," Jinhun said softly. "And you still look lost."
Seeing Jeon.J sitting on the edge of the bed, his legs hanging down, Jinhun walked over and ran his fingers through his hair.
Jeon.J stayed silent. He clasped his fingers together and leaned forward.
"What happened?" Jinhun asked, sitting down on the mattress in front of him—the same one Minjo had slept on the night before. Mattresses were scattered all over the room. Everyone had slept together there last night. Jinhun had shared the bed with Jeon.J, while the others had adjusted themselves on the floor. After dropping Minji and the others off, Jeon.J had come back and fallen asleep in Jinhun's room.
Jinhun waited for him to speak.
Jeon.J finally lifted his gaze.
"I behaved badly," he said quietly. "Ever since she came, I've been becoming someone I don't recognize. I've never been like this before. I wasn't this person. Then why did I say such wrong things to her last night?"
He ran a hand through his hair, anger flashing in his eyes as he looked down again.
"I told her to leave… told her to get out of my car. Why did I do that? Why did I get so angry? I don't even know where that anger came from."
Silence settled between them.
Then Jeon.J looked up again.
Jinhun raised an eyebrow. "Anything else?"
Jeon.J stared at him, as if asking whether any of his words had even been understood.
Jinhun laughed lightly, stood up, and sat beside him. He placed a hand on Jeon.J's shoulder.
"Relax," he said. "Go freshen up. Let's have breakfast."
As Jinhun turned to leave, Jeon.J spoke again, looking toward the door where Jinhun stood.
"From your reaction… it feels like what I did was right."
"I didn't say that," Jinhun replied.
"So I didn't do something wrong?"
"If you can feel that it was wrong," Jinhun said calmly, "then you already know how to fix it next time. Now come out quickly."
He left the room.
Jeon.J stayed where he was, watching the door long after Jinhun was gone.
To be continued...
Regards
ZK💌