Zoya was wearing a simple black short shirt paired with loose trousers and white sneakers on her feet. Her hair was lifted slightly from the front, brushed back, and secured with pins, then tied into a low ponytail at the back. She always applied black line to her eyes and placed a small dot between her eyebrows—it was a habit from childhood that still stayed with her. She tried to avoid it sometimes, but habits don't disappear that easily. Today, she didn't apply line at all; she only placed the dot between her eyebrows and used a soft pink lip balm.
She picked up her shoulder bag and put in her charger, power bank, mobile phone, and wallet. Once ready, she came downstairs first, sat on the sofa in the hall, and started scrolling through her phone.
Minji was wearing white jeans with a blue top, blue sneakers to match, her shoulder bag hanging from her shoulder, and her hair left open. When Minji came downstairs, Zoya was already sitting there. Zoya looked at her and thought silently,
Allah, you have made Minji so beautiful. Please protect her from every evil eye.
Without saying anything out loud, Zoya kept admiring Minji and also prayed for her.
"How long will the other three take to get ready?" Zoya asked Minji.
"Hopefully within an hour," Minji replied.
"You look good in black, my light golden princess," Minji said with a smile.
"Light golden?" Zoya asked, not understanding.
"I mean, most Asian people usually have a golden skin tone like you. Our color is white. See?" Minji said, pointing toward the mirror on the wall.
When Zoya looked into the mirror, she saw herself and Minji sitting together. Minji truly looked beautiful. Compared to her, Zoya's color appeared dull.
"But you know, I really like this color," Minji said, pointing toward Zoya's skin.
"But why?" Zoya asked.
"What do you mean by why? Don't you like your own color?" Minji asked in return.
"No, I do. I really like my color. I admire it—Allah made me this way. But most people try to be white. You like golden color," Zoya said with a laugh.
"Who tries? I said I like the golden color, but I never said my own color is bad. I like this too," Minji replied.
"Who does it, who does it…" Zoya said, staring thoughtfully ahead. "No one changes themselves willingly, but people—and their words—force them to change. Mostly girls," she said quietly, lost in thought.
"What do people have to do with our lives? However we are, that's how we should live," Minji said, not understanding.
"It's like this here," Zoya said seriously. "In our society, girls are liked for their white skin. When women come to see a girl for their brother or son, the first thing they look at is her color. If her color is light golden or dark golden, they reject her—even if their own brother or son is dark-skinned."
"And even if they don't reject her," Zoya continued, her voice heavy, "the punishment begins after marriage. Because she isn't white enough, she is treated like an unwanted person in her in-laws' house. She spends her life trying to please them, forgetting herself completely. Her own identity slowly disappears."
She paused, then added more, her voice turning even deeper.
"And it's not just color. If a girl is tall, they say she's too bold. If she's short, they say she lacks presence. If she's thin, she's weak. If she gains weight, she's careless. If her face is sharp, she's intimidating. If she's soft-spoken, she's powerless. If she talks, she has no manners. If she stays quiet, she has no personality.
She is expected to adjust everywhere—her looks, her voice, her laughter, her silence, and her dreams. She sacrifices herself piece by piece until one day she forgets who she was."
"What do you mean? That's such a dangerous situation. What kind of people are these? What does color have to do with marriage?" Minji said.
"So that children are born white," Zoya replied.
At that, both of them suddenly burst into laughter—and kept laughing.
"Yes, such people exist," Zoya said, laughing. "But I'm not one of them. I love my color. I just don't want pimples."
"I like your color—even with pimples," Minji winked playfully and said.
,"Zoya glanced at Minji, eyes glinting with amusement, and teased gently." "Why are you showing me so much love? What do you want?"
Minji lightly punched Zoya's arm. "Crazy," she said, and both of them started laughing again.
"But you said if the girl is white, the children will be white. What if the boy is dark? How will the children be white then?" Minji asked seriously.
"Ohhh, I never asked them," Zoya said, laughing. "Because they study science. When I go back, I'll ask them and call you to tell you."
Hearing this, Minji became sad.
"Why did you get sad? Your kids will be golden. You're white, your better half will be white, so your kids will be white," Zoya teased.
"Zoya, when you go… will you not come back?" Minji asked sadly.
Only then did Zoya understand what had made Minji sad.
"How can I come back without completing my studies? After that, I'll have to go," she replied.
"Don't go. I'm getting used to you—your words, and especially your disappearing," Minji said, resting her head on Zoya's shoulder.
"Then think that I've just disappeared," Zoya suggested.
"But after disappearing, you come back," Minji reminded her.
"It's not necessary that after disappearing, someone always comes back," Zoya said softly.
Just then, a voice came from upstairs.
"We're ready too."
Sophia came downstairs first.
She was wearing high-waist black jeans with a soft lavender top, sleeves slightly loose at the wrists. A white shrug rested on her shoulders, and silver sneakers completed the look. Her hair was tied in a neat low bun, a few strands left free near her face. Everything about her looked calm and balanced—like someone who planned her outfit the night before and still checked it twice.
She stopped near the mirror, turned once, then nodded to herself. "Okay. Acceptable," she murmured.
Next came Ruhi.
She walked in with confidence, wearing olive-green cargo pants and a white fitted T-shirt, tucked in casually. A black cross-body bag hung across her shoulder, and white sneakers matched her effortless vibe. Her hair was in a high ponytail, swinging slightly as she walked.
She glanced at Sophia. "You look like you're going to a café to read poetry."
Sophia replied calmly, "And you look like you're ready to argue with the waiter."
Ruhi smiled. "Fair."
Then came Hana, late—as usual.
She appeared wearing light blue ripped jeans, an oversized grey hoodie, and chunky sneakers. Her hair was tied into a messy bun, strands escaping freely, and earphones hung around her neck like accessories.
She stretched her arms. "Comfort first. Always."
Ruhi looked her up and down."You look like you could sleep anywhere."
Hana shrugged. "Talent."
Sophia added softly, "Or disappear."
Hana grinned. "That too."
The three of them stood together for a moment—Lavender calm. Olive confidence.Grey chaos.
Ruhi crossed her arms."So… Who looks the most 'put-together'?"
Sophia raised an eyebrow. "Define 'put-together."
Hana smirked. "None of us. And that's the point."
Ruhi laughed."Perfect. Let's go before someone changes again."
And just like that, they moved forward—three different styles, three different energies, walking into the day as they belonged there.
"Alright, if the three of you are finally done with your modeling," Minji said, holding her wrist up in front of them, pointing dramatically at her hand watch, "we're already late."
Hana leaned closer and squinted."Oh—it's one o'clock already? But the people who said nine o'clock… what if they've already left the studio?" she said, suddenly worried.
"They haven't," Minji replied calmly. "I already called Jeon.J and asked. They're still there."
Hana let out a relieved breath. "Okay, okay."
"Come on, come on," Ruhi said, clapping her hands lightly. "Move, both of you."
Hana and Ruhi rushed outside in a hurry, almost bumping into each other at the door.
Minji grabbed the car keys."We'll go by car," she said confidently.
Moments later, they were all inside. Minji started the engine, the car coming to life with a soft hum.
Hana buckled her seatbelt and muttered, "I swear, every time we're late, it somehow feels like an adventure."
Ruhi rolled her eyes. "That's because you're always late."
"I'm not late," Hana defended herself. "I just arrived… emotionally on time."
Minji laughed as she pulled the car out."Next time, we leave without you."
Hana gasped. "Betrayal."
The car sped forward, laughter filling the space, the road stretching ahead of them—late, but together, and somehow still perfectly on time for their story.
Everyone entered the studio together.
"Minji—listen," Zoya suddenly said, stopping her.
The others kept walking inside.
Minji turned back, confused."What happened? Why did you stop?"
"I'll stay here for a little while," Zoya said calmly. "But I want to go to the Central Mosque."
"What?" Minji's eyes widened. "Are you crazy today again?
Today, stay here with us. Enjoy with us." Minji said with little anger.
"But I am here," Zoya replied innocently. "It's not like I'm leaving right now. I'm still with you."
"Just be quiet and come," Minji said, grabbing Zoya's hand and pulling her along.
Inside, the others had already stopped.
"Why are you standing there?" Hana asked. "We were waiting for you."
"One minute," Minji said, lifting her phone to her ear.
"Hello? Where are you all? We're inside the studio. Okay, fine."
She ended the call and immediately started climbing the stairs leading upward.
"Hey, one minute—let us at least look at this stuff," Ruhi said, stopping near the entrance wall.
The studio walls were covered with TBS RAMY's pictures and memories. Frames upon frames—concert shots, behind-the-scenes moments, handwritten notes. Everything looked beautiful, warm, alive.
"Wait—look!" Hana said excitedly, pointing toward another section of the wall."These are RAMY's fan letters. Maybe ours are here too!"
She leaned closer, scanning eagerly.
"Why are you all holding my hand?" Zoya laughed, trying to pull away."You guys look. I'm not even a fan, and I've never written a letter."
As she said that, she gently freed her hand from Hana's grip.
But the moment she looked up—
Her eyes fell on the staircase.
Jeon.J and Teahun were coming down.
Zoya glanced at Jeon.J for just a second—then immediately looked away.
But when her eyes met Teahun, she muttered softly, almost to herself,
"Not again…"
Teahun reached the last step and stopped right in front of her, clearly having heard that.
"Oh?" he said with a slow smile."So you're not our fan?"
"No," Zoya replied flatly.
Teahun tilted his head."Wow. That was… painfully honest."
Zoya looked at him calmly."I believe in honesty. It saves time."
He laughed lightly."Good. Because I don't look like someone who needs fake fans."
"I wasn't planning to be one," Zoya replied.
Teahun crossed his arms."Then why do you keep showing up wherever we are?"
She raised an eyebrow."Maybe you should stop showing up wherever I am."
Ruhi coughed loudly from behind."This conversation is getting interesting."
Hana whispered dramatically,"I'm sensing future arguments… and future headaches."
Teahun smiled again, clearly amused."You talk a lot for someone who claims not to care."
Zoya looked him straight in the eyes."And you assume a lot for someone I just met."
There was a brief pause.
Then Teahun stepped aside slightly and said,"Well… welcome to the studio anyway."
Zoya replied without missing a beat,"Thanks. I'll try not to ruin your peace."
He laughed."Too late."
And somewhere between teasing smiles, awkward stares, and quiet reactions, the air shifted—not loud, not obvious—but noticeable enough to matter.
As Zoya and Teahun exchanged playful, teasing remarks, Jeon.J stood a little behind, watching quietly.
His expression was controlled—neutral on the surface—but his eyes told a different story. He wasn't amused like the others. He wasn't annoyed either. He was observing. Every pause, every glance, every shift in Zoya's tone—he noticed it all. When Teahun smiled teasingly, Jeon.J's jaw tightened just a fraction, as if he was measuring something he hadn't planned to think about.
Ruhi looked entertained, her lips curved in a half-smile, enjoying the unexpected banter like a live show she hadn't paid for.
Hana, on the other hand, looked openly delighted. Her eyes bounced between Zoya and Teahun, silently screaming this is getting good.
That's when Minji stepped in.
She leaned closer to Zoya and whispered sharply, "Why are you wasting your energy? Teahun teases like this. Don't take him seriously."
Zoya didn't reply—only smiled faintly.
Minji shook her head and said louder,"Come on. Enough drama."
She grabbed Zoya's wrist gently but firmly."We're going upstairs."
Minji started pulling everyone along, leading the way toward the stairs.
Zoya followed—but for a brief second, she looked back.
Her eyes met Teahun's.
He was already watching her.
As they started climbing the stairs, Zoya's dupatta (head cover fabric) slipped slightly from one side from shoulder. With each step upward, the loose end slid lower… and lower… until suddenly it slipped beneath her foot.
The dupatta tugged.
Zoya stopped instantly.
Her hand flew to her head, holding the dupatta before it could fall completely. The sudden movement caught everyone's attention.
In that moment—
Zoya's expression changed.
The playful softness disappeared.
Her face turned serious. Composed. Quiet.
Behind her, Teahun and Jeon.J, who had been following, both noticed the shift. Something in her eyes—reserved, self-aware, dignified—made them stop without a word.
Zoya didn't say anything.
She calmly lifted the dupatta, placed it gently back over her head, and carefully adjusted it around her neck—neat, secure, intentional.
No worries.Only control.
Then she stepped forward again, joining Minji, and continued walking as if nothing had happened.
Watching her move ahead—
Teahun exhaled slowly.
Jeon.J looked away first.
They followed.
Upstairs, the other three had already entered the first room.
It was a large hall covering most of the second floor of the studio—a practice hall. Exercise equipment lined one side. Chairs were arranged loosely near a table. The walls were covered in mirrors, reflecting light and movement. It looked like a space where intense practice had just ended.
Some of them were already sitting, relaxed, catching their breath.
Minji entered first.
Then Zoya stepped inside.
Behind her, Teahun was about to enter—walking casually, both hands still tucked into his pocket, relaxed as ever.
But the moment Zoya crossed the doorway—
She turned.
And closed the door.
Firmly.
It wasn't aggressive.It wasn't accidental.
It was deliberate.
A teasing signal.
I'm active now. You'll have to remove your hand from your pocket and open the door yourself.
Teahun froze.
His mouth stayed slightly open.
"…" For once, Teahun had no words.
From behind him, Jeon.J smiled—slow, knowing.
"She's impossible," he said lightly," when she's in her active mood."
Teahun blinked once… then laughed under his breath.
"…Unbelievable."
And inside the hall, Zoya had already moved forward—quiet again, composed again—as if she hadn't just shifted the entire energy of the room.
When Teahun and Jeon.J entered the hall, Teahun's eyes immediately found Zoya.
He stared.
Zoya noticed.
And without hesitation, she stared back.
Not shy.Not playful.Just steady.
Teahun blinked once, slightly surprised, then looked away as if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, Hana, Ruhi, and Sophia were almost losing their minds.
"I still can't believe we're here," Hana said, her voice high with excitement. Ruhi nodded rapidly. "Honestly, when we tell people we saw the studio with our own eyes, no one will believe us."
"But it's true," Sophia said happily. "We're actually here."
"Don't tell anyone," Minji said quickly. "No one would believe it anyway."
Yomin, who had been listening quietly, smiled and said calmly, "Coming here was never impossible. We all love RAMY. But everyone can't take pictures or visit every time. That's why people watch us live, listen to us, and meet us after concerts."
Kim Joon smiled warmly."Whatever we are today is because of RAMY. And more than friends, RAMY are seniors to us. They understand us."
Before the atmosphere could grow any deeper—
"Come on, everyone," Hosu said loudly as he entered with Jea, both of them carrying multiple packed food bags."Delivery is here. Let's have lunch."
They all sat down on the floor together, turning the space into a casual floor-dining setup. Everyone began unpacking their food. One bag was placed right in front of Zoya as well.
"Minji," Zoya called softly, sitting across from her.
Minji looked up while mixing spice into her noodles and gestured with her eyes, What is it?
"I—" Zoya started.
"Stop," Minji said immediately, cutting her off. She already knew what Zoya was about to say.
Zoya glared at her.
Minji ignored the glare.
The same type of lunch bag that was placed in front of Hosu was also placed in front of Zoya. Jeon.J and Hosu opened theirs and began mixing sauces.
"Is one bag missing?" Hosu asked.
"No, everything's here. I checked myself," Minji replied.
"Then where's my lunch?" Minjo asked dramatically."I ordered the same as yours. Jeon.J, yours is here too. So where's mine?"
"There are so many bags, just look," Minji said.
She checked again and realized Minjo's bag was placed in front of Zoya. On the outside of the bag, the food name was written in Korean.
Minjo read it.
Then she looked up.
"Zoya… do you want to eat this?" Minjo asked carefully.
Zoya glanced at the bag. She didn't know what was inside.
"No," she said with a polite smile. "You take it. I'll get something else."
"No, I'll take something else," Minjo said quickly.
She smiled and moved to sit beside Hosu, starting to share lunch with him and Jeon.J, while Zoya's ordered food remained in front of her.
Zoya opened the bag.
Inside were neatly packed boxes. She opened them—gravy noodles, meat, and vegetables. She took a fork and spoon from the box, choosing the fork because she didn't know how to use chopsticks.
She straightened the empty bag on the floor and placed the noodle box on top of it. Then she opened the spice packets and mixed everything carefully.
Around her, everyone was eating, chatting lightly, small gossip floating in the air.
Zoya wrapped the noodles around her fork, lifted the box in her hand, opened her mouth—
And suddenly—
Hana, sitting beside her, sharply pushed the box from Zoya's hand and snatched the fork away, throwing it aside.
The box flew across the floor.
Silence.
Everything stopped.
No one understood what had just happened.
Hana looked around slowly.
Everyone was staring at her.
"What happened, Hana?" Minji asked quietly—but the room was so still that everyone heard her.
Hana pointed to the lunch bag on the floor—the one Zoya had opened and placed the box on.
When Zoya had lifted the box, Hana had read the name written on the bag.
Now everyone saw it.
The girls understood immediately.
Glass noodles with mixed vegetables and pork belly meat cubes.
Minjo felt a pang of loss—it was his favorite dish. Ruhi and Sophia noticed too. The boys were confused.
Zoya looked at Minji, silently asking, What happened?
"Nothing," Minji said quickly. "Hana's hand slipped. Take this instead."
She opened another bag and handed Zoya a box.
"This is good food—fried chicken noodles with vegetables."
Minjo laughed lightly, trying to normalize things."Guys, that food was really good. Glass noodles with pork belly cubes—they smoke the meat before mixing it with vegetables."
He gestured toward Jeon.J and Hosu."These two ate it, and one got dropped," he added, looking at Hana.
Zoya slowly leaned back.
Minji closed her eyes for a second, then opened them—waiting for Zoya's reaction.
Zoya said nothing.
She looked at Minji. Then at Hana.
Then she stood up quietly, walked to her bag, and placed it on her shoulder.
Everyone watched her.
The boys still didn't understand. The girls did—but stayed silent.
Zoya's hands were trembling. Everyone felt it.
"Zoya… I'm leaving now," Zoya said, cutting off Minji's words, her voice shaking, still facing the door."I told you already."
Jeon.J immediately looked at Minji.
Minji stayed seated.
"Zoya, listen—" Minji started.
"I'll come by myself," Zoya said softly. "I remember the address. It's okay."
She opened the door and walked out.
As she closed it, her dupatta got caught in the door. She didn't stop. She pulled it forcefully. The edge tore slightly, a small piece left trapped as the door shut completely.
Inside, Minji took a deep breath, trying to compose herself.
"What happened?" Kim Joon asked gently. "Can someone explain?"
"Nothing," Minji replied with a forced smile."Come on, let's eat. The food will get cold. By the way, lunch is really good—thank you for arranging it."
Everyone resumed eating—but the energy had changed.
Jeon.J noticed it immediately. The girls were quiet now. Disturbed. The excitement was gone.
Minji's phone vibrated.
A message.
From Zoya.
Minji read it—and smiled softly.
"I'll call you when I'm free. Just tell me where you are; I'll come there. I'm okay, but leaving from there was necessary for me. I couldn't control myself. Enjoy lunch. I'll eat something at the mosque anyway—I'm not hungry. Tell Hana, Ruhi, and Sophia to take fewer pictures with TBS. And absolutely no pictures with Teahun. You know—pictures might get ruined, phones might hang. Enjoy."
Minji smiled.
"Why are you smiling?" Yomin asked.
"It was Zoya's message," Minji replied.
Hana, Ruhi, and Sophia looked up immediately. Their faces were still sad.
"She says—no pictures with Teahun. Phones might die. Pictures might get ruined."
Suddenly—
Everyone laughed.
Hana's eyes filled with tears—but she laughed too.
The tension broke.
Jeon.J said quietly, almost to himself, with a small smile,
"She's impossible…when she's in her active mood."
"That girl is… strange," Teahun said with a crooked half-smile, circling the rim of his coffee cup with his thumb."Most of the time she's quiet—almost invisible. But the moment she looks at me, she suddenly becomes so alive, so sharp, as if she's trained her whole life just to argue with me."
He paused, brows knitting together.
"Her words are heavy. They hit before I can even understand them. I never know how to respond—what answer would land right, what would miss completely."
His gaze drifted to the memory of the moment.
"And then… just now—nothing seemed wrong. Food spilled, no big deal. But all of a sudden, something shifted. She grabbed her bag and left. Just like that."
A short, confused laugh escaped him.
"And as if that wasn't enough, she even sent a message afterward—casually announcing how 'active' she was feeling."
Teahun looked genuinely baffled now, almost unsettled.
"What kind of problem is this?" he asked, half-teasing, half-serious—
Minji watched Teahun carefully before speaking, her tone calm but firm."There's nothing wrong with her," she said. "If you don't provoke her, she's actually very innocent."
Teahun scoffed, disbelief flashing across his face."Innocent?" he said sharply. "That's a big lie. Have you heard the weight of her words? They don't sound innocent at all."
"That's because everyone else sees her as innocent," Minji replied evenly, holding his gaze.
She didn't stop there.
"Teahun, Zoya reacts to you for a reason. Listen to your own words. And if she doesn't even follow TBS, why are you so determined to turn her into your fan?" she added, teasing—but there was truth beneath the smile.
Then her expression changed. The playfulness faded.
"And about today's lunch incident… what she did was necessary," Minji said softly. "Zoya is Muslim. Muslims don't eat pork. That's why she stood up and left."
Teahun frowned, confusion deepening.
"She panicked," Minji continued. "If Hana hadn't noticed in time, she would have eaten it. And if that had happened…"She paused, swallowing."That would have been a huge mistake for her. We can't even imagine what she would've gone through afterward—inside and out. What happened today shook her badly."
"But I asked her," Minjo interrupted. "She happily took the food bag."
Minji's eyes widened slightly."That's because she doesn't know Korean yet. She didn't know what was written on the package. We thought the same thing—that it was the same food we were eating. It was just a misunderstanding."
I handle, but you told the dish name. She exhaled slowly.
"Today was a real save zone. If it hadn't been stopped in time, it could've gone very wrong. She rarely eats outside. She only goes out with us—never alone. And this happened on her first day here. Ruhi was with her back then."
sophia voice dropped.
"Since she arrived, something keeps happening. One moment she laughs freely… the next moment she's crying in the dorm. Ruhi and I have seen it. She cries under her blanket, pretending she's asleep—but we can tell."
Hana looked away.
"Everyone has their own story. But Zoya's story… no one knows it. We never asked. We didn't want to disturb her."Hana said sadly."Whatever happened today shook all of us."
Yomin spoke quietly, almost to himself."Is it really possible for someone to live a more painful life than ours?"
Jihun answered with emotion."Everyone thinks they're living with pain. But if you listen to everyone's story, you realize… our pain is actually very small."
Minji gave a sad, understanding smile."Exactly. Zoya's only problem is that she doesn't share. And asking her doesn't feel right. When she feels safe… she'll tell us herself."
There was a pause.
Then Joen.J, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke—carefully."So… where is she now?"
"She went to the mosque," Minji replied."Before coming here, she'd already said she would stay for a while and then go. After everything that happened… she went straight there."
The room fell quiet.
And for the first time, Teahun didn't have a sharp reply—only a strange, unfamiliar heaviness settling in his chest.
And somewhere outside, beyond the studio walls, Zoya was walking toward silence—while her presence still lingered in the room.
To be continued.....
Regards
ZK💌