If our love is wrong
Calum Scott

"Cause I'm nobody's but yours
If it's me, if it's you
And if our love is wrong
Then I don't ever wanna be right. "

I sit in front of my computer screen; I hear the familiar voice of my mother calling out to me, "Taehyungie!" I'm on a video call with my family in Seoul, and I can see my sisters, Taeyeon and Jisoo, my brother Namjoon, and my mother gathered in the kitchen. The room is brightly lit, and I can see the sunset streaming through the windows. My mother is busy preparing some snacks for everyone as we catch up and chat about our lives. I can hear the sounds of laughter and chatter in the background, making me feel like I'm right there with them, even though I'm miles away.

It's early Sunday morning where I am, but the sun has already set in Seoul. Today, I have an essential conversation with my parents about the woman I love. My heart has never wavered in my decision, but this time, I want to let my family know before winning Crystal back. I don't necessarily need their approval, but I want them to understand how much she means to me. Crystal is not just any other woman - she is the one I love and want to spend the rest of my life with. I hope that by sharing my feelings with my family, they will take notice and see the depth of my commitment to her.

The day before was beautiful and one that I will cherish forever. I woke up in the morning beside the woman I love, and I could feel her touch still lingering on every inch of my body. We spent most of our time in bed, cuddling each other and reminiscing about the past few months we had endured without each other. It was clear that she had missed me as much as I had missed her, and we talked endlessly about our experiences since we were apart. I knew that I had to take the next step and let my parents know that, although they may forbid our relationship, it wouldn't change my feelings for Crystal in any way. She means everything to me, and this time, nothing will come between us.

As I begin to talk, my father steps in, and soon, his face appears on the screen along with the rest of my family. It's great that they are all present. "Mom, Dad, I need to talk to you," I say, taking a deep breath. They turn to me, and I continue, "This is about Crystal." I brace myself for their reaction as I wait for them to respond.

A deep sigh escapes their lips, and it makes me feel uneasy. However, I try to remain calm and composed, knowing that this conversation is crucial for my future. My parents begin the discussion, and my mother says, "Taehyungie, we already discussed this. Didn't you end the relationship months ago?" Her words echo in my mind, and I can sense the disappointment in their tone. Despite that, I stand firm in my decision, convinced that it's my life and I should decide what's right or wrong for me.

"I know your opinion on Crystal, but that doesn't count for me!" I say with unwavering confidence as I stand my ground against my parents. My younger sister, Jisoo, gasps audibly, not used to hearing me talk back to our parents, let alone with such a commanding tone. But I refuse to be silenced any longer. "I will live on my terms, with whoever I choose to be with, regardless of your approval. You may disagree with my choices, but you must learn to accept them. I am not willing to sacrifice my happiness for the sake of your expectations of how my future wife should and shouldn't be." My words hang in the air, heavy with determination and conviction, as I wait for my parents' response, ready to defend my right to live as I want. 

The silence in the room is almost palpable as if it has weight and substance. It's a heavy silence, but at the same time, it makes me feel light, as if I have just removed a gigantic burden from my shoulders. I can't help but smile as I gaze at the screen, where my big brother Namjoon is beaming with pride. Even through the digital barrier, I can feel his love and support. Meanwhile, my parents are still in shock, unable to find the words to express their emotions. 

The silence in the room is interrupted by a phone ringing. Taeyeon, my sister, swiftly shifts in her stool and retrieves her phone from her back pocket. A smile forms on her lips as she answers the call. "Please, everyone, stay silent for a moment. This call is important," she says while connecting her phone to the screen so we can all see who she's talking to. The anticipation in the room is palpable as we all wait in silence for her conversation to unfold.

Taeyeon's warm and affectionate voice greets the person on the other end of the phone, "Good morning, dear, how are you?" The screen remains black, indicating that the connection is yet to stabilize. As I overhear the familiar yet soothing voice, a strange mix of curiosity and excitement takes over me. I cannot help but wonder why she's calling my sister early; it's 8 a.m. my time. Finally, the screen flickers and the image of a woman appears, revealing the caller's identity. As I gaze at her, my heart skips a beat, and I am momentarily at a loss for words.

I peer through the screen, catching a glimpse of Crystal, who is wearing a bright yellow apron with a playful panda pattern. Of course, it has to be a panda. She twirls a few strands of her hair into a messy bun, and her gorgeous features are underlined as she approaches the camera. I am captivated by her beauty and can't help but notice the sparkle in her eyes as she greets my sister with a warm smile. "Don't you think it's a lovely evening for you?" she asks.

Taeyeon and Crystal banter back and forth. I can't help but feel a sense of joy wash over me. Taeyeon's infectious laugh fills the room, and Crystal's cheekiness only adds to the fun. When did they get this close? My family, including my parents, gather around to observe the interaction. Though Crystal can only see Taeyeon on her screen, we all have a clear view of her.

My sister breaks the silence in our mother tongue, Korean, and asks, "So, what's on the menu for today?" I can see the confusion on Crystal's face as she doesn't understand the language, but my sister continues, perhaps not realizing that Crystal can't comprehend her. It's a small moment, but it highlights the nuances of our family dynamics and the different languages we use to communicate.

The morning sun shines through the window, casting a warm glow on the room. Suddenly, Crystal speaks up and catches me off guard. "I want you to teach me how to prepare a typical Korean breakfast!" Her words flow effortlessly in Korean, accompanied by a charming accent and impeccable pronunciation. I can't help but feel impressed and proud by her dedication to learning about my culture. Tears build up in the corner of my eyes, but I blink them quickly away. 

What is happening? 

Jisoo's body jumps in excitement, her hands instinctively flying to her mouth to contain her overwhelming joy. She dances a little happy dance, her movements fluid and carefree. Namjoon watches on the screen, clapping silently with both thumbs up in support. His smile is wide, displaying his deep dimples and radiating warmth. The sight of my siblings so visibly moved by the small yet significant gesture from Crystal fills me with a sense of gratitude and contentment. It's a feeling that I will cherish for a long time to come.

Observing Taeyeon, the pride she exudes is unmistakable. It's evident in how she carries herself, the glint in her eyes, and the curve of her smile. My parents' expressions are a mix of shock and surprise as they witness Crystal's unwavering commitment to learning and practicing our cultural customs and language. I can feel a rush of emotions building up inside me, each vying for my attention. There's pride for her efforts, adoration for her unwavering spirit, and happiness for the joy she brings to my siblings. And then, as if that wasn't enough, I feel my heart skip a beat as I fall in love with her all over again.

I am in awe as I watch my sister patiently guiding Crystal through each step with utmost care and dedication. My admiration for this woman, who's so dear to me, deepens even further as she had prepared kimchi herself on other occasions. The way they interact with each other is genuinely heartwarming, and I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the lengths my sister is willing to help Crystal. As I observe them, my emotions stir, and I can feel them rising to the surface. The scene before me proves the power of love and the beauty of selflessness.

As my little panda is fully engrossed in cooking and chopping vegetables, Taeyeon takes advantage of the moment and quickly turns off her microphone to have a private chat with us, ensuring not to draw Crystal's awareness. "What is all this? " I ask my sister in a hurry, getting my parents' attention, who are still speechless. 

My older sister takes a deep breath before she starts speaking. "Well, it all started three months ago when Crystal called me out of the blue. She told me she wants to learn everything about our culture - how we behave, speak, and cook. She is particularly interested in your favorite Korean dishes, Tae," she says, gazing at me. "I want to be Korean enough for your family. I don't want to be a burden or a disgrace. These were her words." My sister heaves a heavy sigh as if she still carries the weight of those words on her shoulders. 

My heart aches with a sharp pain as I listen to my sister repeat Crystal's words. Despite her tendency to underestimate herself, I know that my beloved is never a burden or source of shame to me. It's her selflessness that I love so much. She always prioritizes the needs of others before her own. I shift my gaze towards my parents, who wear expressions of disapproval yet remain silent. The tense atmosphere weighs heavily on me, but I support Crystal firmly.

I feel disgusted by the silence of my parents. Their ignorance is baffling, and the fact that they haven't uttered a single word or reacted positively to what just happened is disheartening. However, this frustration is not stopping me from pursuing my decision. Their lack of response has reinforced my conviction that I should continue with my plan. This conversation has only made it more evident that I need to follow my path, regardless of what others may think or say.

As I gather the courage to speak, my heart races with anticipation. I turn my parents' attention to the screen in front of me, where a beautiful woman's image is displayed. I point to her and urge my parents to take a closer look. With bated breath, I reveal my true feelings: "This is the person I am in love with," I say, my voice full of emotion. "I want to spend the rest of my life with her because there isn't and never will be another woman who'd do something for me like she does. Don't you think she's fantastic?" I ask, hoping they'll finally see what I see.

In my eyes, Crystal is the epitome of wife material. Her striking features, captivating smile, and soft-hearted personality have captured my soul, and I can't imagine spending my life with anyone else. I feel a sense of pride as I talk about her, knowing she is the one for me. Despite my confidence in our love, I can still sense my parents' confusion and concern. However, I refuse to let their doubts shake me. "If our love is wrong, show me what real love is!" I challenge them. "Do you still think a fling would do all this? Learning a new language? Willing to accept another culture? Cooking Korean, because she knows how much I love it? 

As I wait for their response, my heart pounds in my chest. This is a moment I've been dreading, but I know that I must face it. I take a deep breath and await their reaction, but none. "You know what? I don't care what you're thinking! " The utter shock is readable on my parent's faces, but I couldn't care less. My attention goes to my sister. 

I express my deepest gratitude to my older sister for always being there to help us out. Taeyeon's unwavering support means everything to me. She is always on my side, and I know I have her back whenever I'm in trouble. As I take one last glimpse of the woman I love, Crystal, on the screen before ending the call, I feel a sense of comfort knowing that I have the love and support of my siblings. It gives me the courage to face any challenges that may come my way.

My phone's notification tone interrupts the silence, and I immediately check the screen. A wide smile spreads across my face as I read the message from Crystal. Her daily good-morning greeting always brightens my day, but today, it feels even more special. It's as if the words on the screen taste sweeter than usual. 

I can't stop thinking about how she felt in my arms yesterday. The memory of her soft skin and the warmth of her body against mine makes me crave her even more. The distance between us seems unbearable, and I know we need to talk about what we want for our future together.

Despite the uncertainty, there's one thing I'm sure of - I want to be with the woman I noticed on the tram more than a year ago. The woman who has become my everything, my reason to wake up every day with a smile.

As I feel the weight of the responsibility ahead of me, I reach for my phone and dial a series of numbers. With each beep, I feel my heart pounding harder in my chest until, finally, a voice on the other end answers. I take a deep breath and explain the situation, carefully laying out the plan we've worked on together. The person on the other end of the line listens intently, asking questions and offering suggestions. I feel a sense of relief wash over me as I realize that I'm not alone in this. Together, we can make it happen.

"Thank you, Seokjin; I really appreciate your help."

an: please don't forget to vote⭐

Jin,  is everywhere ☺️
Three chapters to go 🥺
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