To Kiss An Idol

Everyone was munching on the chocolates Nivritti gave them except Jung-Hwa. He ate two pieces and closed his box. Him-Chan kept stuffing his face with chocolates but kept thinking about Nivritti.

“Why was she crying? Was it because of pain or something TK said? It was so difficult for her to walk. People say you should take rest after stubbed toe, but she came to work. She was so angry at MY hyung for not taking care of himself, but she does that to herself. I think she has no one to scold her that’s why she does such stupid things. Oh! How will she come back from the bathroom? Will she be able to walk? It took her ages to get out of the room. And where is NK hyung? Wait! Is he helping her? What if he again calls her heavy? He is sometimes moronic. No, I want to help her. She felt so good in my arms. And that lavender smell, that is so heavenly. Should I go out and see if she needs help? These idiots will make fun of me. What should I say? Yeah, I can go to the washroom to wash my hands. But then again, I can use the one in the practice room, the one that is for our bathing. The only thing it does not have is a toilet. Who designs bathrooms like this? Maybe because of the smell. I will have to say that I too have to go to relieve myself, that is the only viable option,” he kept pondering upon his plan.

“ASD! Let’s start with the practice,” shouted the choreographer.

“Yes, sir!” shouted everyone.

“But NK hyung is not here. Let me go and call him back. I too have to go to the bathroom,” shouted Him-Chan and ran away immediately.

“Woah! It was urgent for him,” laughed Korain. Everyone smiled at his taunt and went near the choreographer and started waiting for Kyung-Soo and Him-Chan.

Him-Chan first went to the bathroom and washed his hands. “Hyung! Are you here?” he asked. But there was no reply. He checked all the stalls, but everyone was empty. “Where is he?”

“Did he go to the other bathroom that is at the end of the corridor?” he thought. “But why would he go so far?”

.....

He came out of the bathroom and went near the women’s bathroom. He knocked at the door and asked, “Ritti! Do you need any help moving back to the dance room?” Again, there was no answer.

“Why is no one replying? Where are they?” asked Him-Chan to himself.

Meanwhile on the stairs, Kyung-Soo kept consoling Nivritti.

“Thank you for your kind words,” she said and kept crying. Him-Chan heard her voice and sob and looked in the direction that it was coming from. He saw the door to the stairs. Slowly he walked near the stairs and through the small glass opening in the door he looked inside. Kyung-Soo had Nivritti in his arms, and she kept sobbing.

“Did he make her cry again?” he was angry at his big brother.

“You are always welcome. Just don’t feel bad about your decisions. Your past life made you what you are now, who you are now. So, embrace everything, every decision, every failure, every win because everything was a part of your life, good or bad,” educated Kyung-Soo.

“Wait! He is consoling her? Past life? What does he know about her past life?” contemplated Him-Chan. “Does he talk to her often? Is she close to him that she told him about her past life? And what failure is he talking about?” Him-Chan’s whole body burned with jealousy. He knew nothing about her whereas Kyung-Soo was comforting her about something from her past. She was in his arms too.

He clenched his fists and opened the door making Nivritti and Kyung-Soo flinch in fear. “I have been looking all over for you guys. What are you doing here? Why are you crying, Ritti? Did he say something to you?”

“Umm… what happened, JH…” Kyung-Soo had no idea what to tell him.

So, Nivritti took the reins of the situation in her hand. “No, no, JH, everything is fine. I came out of the bathroom, and it was difficult to walk so he suggested that I should sit down for a few minutes,” she smiled at Him-Chan.

“But what was he talking about your past life?” asked Him-Chan.

Nivritti gulped with fear. “Did Him-Chan hear everything? What did he hear? How much did he hear?” she blinked her eyes and licked her lips as her lips went dry. Him-Chan’s mouth fell open as he saw her licking her lips.

“He was just talking about a book he read. He was telling me some quotes, trying to divert my mind from my pain,” lied Nivritti.

“Ohh!” exclaimed Him-Chan. “Well, we need to get back. Choreo sir is waiting for us. We should keep the kids waiting.”

“Are you okay, now?” asked Kyung-Soo.

“Yeah, better,” replied Nivritti.

“You should see a doctor if the pain is unbearable,” suggested Him-Chan.

“Don’t worry a doctor checked my wound,” replied Nivritti.

“Jae’s brother?” asked Kyung-Soo.

“Yes,” answered Nivritti and smiled at him.

“Let me help you,” said Him-Chan.

“It’s fine now, JH,” said Nivritti.

“Hypocrite!” shouted Him-Chan.

“Excuse me!” Nivritti was taken aback.

“You scolded MY hyung for not taking care of himself. You just scolded JJ for going on a diet without proper supervision. You were just crying because of pain and now you don’t need help? If everyone needs help, why don’t you? If everyone has to take care of themselves, why don’t you?” educated Him-Chan.

“Woah! Okay, chill! You can help me,” replied Nivritti. Him-Chan flashed his brightest smile at her. “But you are not going to carry me,” she warned. His smile instantly faded. Kyung-Soo sniggered at her comment. “Stop laughing!”

“Well, come one! Put your weight on my shoulder,” said Him-Chan and lowered himself for Nivritti.

“Ugh! Why you guys are so tall?” complained Nivritti.

“Why are you so tiny?” taunted Kyung-Soo.

“I am not tiny!” shouted Nivritti and all three started walking towards the dance room.

“Hey! Hyung! Stop calling her names. First heavy, then tiny, why are you being like this today,” scolded Him-Chan.

“She called us tall and then said ‘ugh’. What is wrong with being tall?” complained Kyung-Soo.

“Maybe she is jealous. Because she is so tiny,” laughed Him-Chan. Kyung-Soo too started laughing.

Nivritti hit both the boys on the back of their heads and rebuked, “you both are so bad. I will find the worst scripts for you two. I am going to delete the best ones right now.” But both the boys kept laughing at her.

Finally, they reached the dance room and Him-Chan helped her to the bench and left for his practice.

“Are you okay?” asked Dae. “Why were you crying?”

“What? I was not crying,” replied Nivritti.

“Everyone saw the tears in your eyes,” informed Jae-Hwa.

“Ohh! Just pain!” lied Nivritti. Well, maybe that was not a lie. She felt pain and that’s why she cried. Problem was, instead of her leg, her heart was aching.

“I told you to take the medicine but nooo… why would you listen to me? I am just a stranger who works with you,” pouted Jae-Hwa.

“Stop talking nonsense!” scolded Nivritti. “I am sorry for not taking the medicine. I thought I could manage the pain, but I was wrong. The moment I reach back home, I will take one, I promise.”

“You should have taken a leave,” suggested Dae.

“No, no, it’s fine,” replied Nivritti.

“Ritti! All you had to do was read and find scripts. That can be done from home,” said Dae.

“I don’t want to take a leave this early in my job, Dae. Really, guys! I am fine. Let’s concentrate on work,” she comforted both Dae and Jae-Hwa.

With a smile on her face, she again focused on her work.

Lunchtime arrived and today, ASD chose to enjoy their lunch with the kids. The Rencontre team had lunch together and after lunch, all took half an hour’s break. Young-Chul chose to sleep during that half hour while sitting next to Nivritti.

Dae found that bizarre. No one had ever seen Young-Chul showing interest in a girl or a boy for that matter. He always preferred being alone. Extremely rarely one had seen him talking with boys but never with girls. His mind again was on fire due to jealousy.

“What does this girl have? Even Young feels comfortable with her,” he pondered.

After half an hour all went back to their work. Before 5 pm ASD said goodbye to the kids. They didn’t want to keep them working for long. Cute kids again thanked Nivritti for all the chocolates. She cutely smiled at every one of them. Her heart was at ease now after Kyung-Soo’s words.