TH : What are these medicines though?

Jimin grabbed that opportunity and dumped the strip in his pockets before Taehyung could read the name.

JM : It's for headache. Why are you here though?

TH : Oh, I was thirsty. But, does it hurt a lot?

JM : Onh, no. I had the medicine, it's going down now. Here.

Jimin passed him the bottle of water he was drinking from earlier. And took off first, to his room.

Taehyung, while quenching his thirst, watched every step Jimin took away. Flooring on his acquaintance with Jimin, he couldn't entirely buy the latter's words. Nevertheless, had no grounds to doubt him either.

Days and weeks transitioned to ever exhausting practices and set building procedures, on separate panels.

While Jimin relied more onto keep himself occupied in his schedules, Dan Hwa visited the psychiatrist routinely.

Leaving every session with a new set of knowledge, and a few perspective studies over the most ordinary and simplest things.

And before a conscious watch, the day of the music video shoot dawned in their lives. Dan Hwa was present in the premises from the early morning. To personally regard the final check on the system and functions of all the cables and props.

The Set director checked the time, two hour to go for the scheduled time of the shoot, she revised to herself. And spoke over the mic.

Dan Hwa : All set?

"Yes, Team Jang-nim!" echoed back the synchronized and collective voice of the team members on spot.

Dan Hwa : Hit the lights!

With her cue, the indoor location of the first set brightened up in the blink of an eye. One could tell from the satisfaction gleaming on her face, that it was perfection presented before her sight.

Activating her highly scrutinized screening, Dan Hwa noticed a stray cable lying by the side of the slightly risen podium. She walked over and inquired about it.

Dan Hwa : Where does this connect?

"Oh, this is one of the glass lights, hanging above the counter there." the assigned cable technician informed her pointing towards the concerned object.

Dan Hwa : Wire it again, one can trip on this.

"Ye. I will get it done." The same member nervously bowed to her, proceeding towards the board of switches. To turn the bulb off before unwiring the cable for the rectifications.

Dan Hwa casually walked ahead, scanning through other corners of the set. And gradually moved over to the other five settings, queued on line for the shoot.

To leave after watching the camera roll commence successfully without a hassle, Dan Hwa retrieved back to the first set in the next hour. And patiently waited, watching the ambience grow busier with passing time.

The directors, producers, spot boys and other staff members, now filled the space with a faint murmur. Bustling around and focused on their designated duties.
BTS members were also scattered about the fairly spacious confine. Some having their final makeup touches, some exploring the props while some recalling their steps.

Dan Hwa's sight, very subtly roamed encircling all the corners she had earlier left on for an amend. A crease formed on her temples, noticing the cable wire not squared out yet. She silently flounced towards it.

And just like she had apprehended, Taehyung tripped on it stumbling a step ahead. Jimin saved the fall, and they both looked down curiously to see the source.

"I apologize." They were distracted by a lady lightly bowing to them as she already reached out to move the wire. They couldn't get an access of her face, a few strands of hair curtained over her features.

TH : Oh, it's all right.

The connective light was flicked off immediately and the cable technician from before, rushed towards her to redress it.

She bowed and apologized to the members and her Team Leader, in a perturbation as if committed a punishable offense. This time, Taehyung and Jimin unitedly assured the anxious worker that it was fine.

Not to create a big fuss, the two friends quickly scooted away from the matter-letting them do their work in peace.

The unnerving technecian repeatedly expressed her apologies to Dan Hwa, trying to take over the task from her. "I am so sorry, I got caught up earli-"

Dan Hwa : No words. Just do it now.

Chills tickled across her spine, from the cold response of the director as she squated down to it. Careful not to make any more mistakes.

Dan Hwa nonchalantly walked away, leaving behind a strangling aura for the cable worker. She wiped her sweat off and concentrated on to prioritize the amelioration.

The Set director, holding her composure, conversed with the other producers and directors in the distance. Generous amount of professional smiles fluttered on her face as she occasionally nodded and expressed her humble attitude towards their comments and remarks.

While a few steps away, having very less to do before the shooting starts, Jimin's loud fears and insecurities began to flap their wings towards him.

Taehyung, now with his extra attentive sight towards Jimin, could discern his shaded angst. But, noticing a makeup artist approach the latter to retouch his eyes, the former male rooted back. Persistently reasoning his doubts, that Jimin would not hide anything from him.

He was constantly ranking himself as a pessimist. And shook his gormless worries away, choosing to focus more on to their schedule.

Meanwhile, Jimin, cooperating to the stylist, tried to distract himself at the various little activities happening around the set.

Jin and Jeongguk were on a contactless wrestle while Hoseok tickled the youngest's ears with a fur petal to bother him. Namjoon, on another corner, was scrolling through his cellphone while getting his stylist work on his hair. And Yoongi was restfully seated by, simply watching around with a placid expression.

Jimin's attention, away from the regular, finally halted at the two unfamiliar ladies from the cable incident earlier. One of them seemed seconds away from a breakdown, hanging her head low. And the other speaking, had her back faced to him.

Although, the far distance did not sell out their conversation, yet he felt sympathetic towards the subordinate. So far as none was hurt and the fault received a reformation right away, the cable technician deserved a little leniency-he quietly thought.

Nevertheless, not in a position to intrude, Jimin withdrew his gaze from his left and sighted ahead. Blinding himself from the things, he could not help. The flinty attitude, he was raised to embrace in the palace of blingy stardom. Jimin despised that.

Even though it had been years now, that one incident still burned a blaze of resent in his heart. He seemed to have the memory of that night in clear graphics and evocation and carried it along everyday. Nobody knew. Nobody cared. He was bearing it, quietly under his breath.

The makeup artist satisfied with the final look on Jimin, proceeded her way out of the teem of hustle. Passing by the corner of the set production team, the stuttering voice of the cable technician happened to grab her attention for a split second before she exited.

"-a-and then I seemed to have been distracted-d away that it slipped my mind. I apologize again, Team Jang-nim."

Dan Hwa : If you are going to be distracted by the calls from your home. Don't come to work.

The technician did not sound any rebellion to her words as Dan Hwa walked away, indifferent and disappointed.

With the leader gone, the colleagues stepped forward to solace their member. The junior costume designer among them, Ms.Gil, even busted out in exasperation.

Ms.Gil : I mean, one can get a little distracted by their sick child at home. Does she have to be so heartless and coarse about it?

Ms.Gil huffed in a frustration, mentally cursing out at the Set director-she disliked from the very beginning.

Ms.Gil : Nam Team Jang-nim would've never reacted this way. I told you all, making her the director was not the best decision.

"Ha Rin-ssi, that is enough. She is not wrong. And it was my fault to forget about her instructions afterall. Let it go." The cable technician expressed a lenient attitude towards the situation.

Ms.Gil : Eonnie! You are too good. I mean, seeing her helpless with the extra project, you decided to come out to help her even when you were on a leave.

"It's okay. If I come and add further to her problems, then it isn't very helpful of me either. It's really alrigh-" the older was cut off by a call from her home again, that she voluntarily walked away to receive.

Meanwhile, Ms.Gil, with an impulsive fire burning inside her to witness Dan Hwa's unfair and insensitive conduct, promised herself-that, she would definitely find a reason to dismiss the Team leader one day.

In the next few hours, Dan Hwa, watching the shoot run smoothly, took off to drop by other ongoing projects. Being the main designer for the MV sets, within two hours, Dan Hwa returned to volunteer throughout the music video shoot.

It was a very laborious and toilsome schedule both for the artists and the staff behind the screen, embroidering every speck of thread for a harmonious and refined work. To serve only the best to the public.

Gradually with a span of three days, the video rolls, concept photoshoots, the supplementary versions of the music video, were all wrapped up without much inconvenience.

Ultimately shifting the relentless process over to the editorial team, the artists and the spot workers were spared a little relief in their schedules.
Therefore, Jimin could finally grab a second to himself and visit the psychiatrist.

As soon as he entered the confines, he was brushed with a serenity. A peace, he yearned for so long. It was restful, as if he could finally feel himself breath.

May it be a psychological integrand for him to subconsciously believe that, he could only feel relaxed in that particular space. Jimin simply wanted to play along.

He was protecting himself from an exposure of the fact that he cannot afford to be coming here forever. That one day, this space might not be around to grant him the peace he craved for.

For this instant, Jimin was totally unaware of those forgeries that he was playing with himself. It was basically a growing addiction. Nothing aside the accustomed resource, could ease the nerves. Thereby, making the singer restless and anxious all the days he was restricted from visiting the doctor.

All these mental notes were scribbled in the psychiatrist's head as he studied his patient's body language. And a few other superficial elements in Jimin, noticable after a long period of seeing him.

The professional heeded, that Jimin entailed a few changes in his surroundings and ambience. Assimilation could bring withdrawal symptoms in later stages; precisely what the psychiatrist did not look forward to. Henceforth, he landed statutory measures, opting to a potential deviation.

Dr.Ban : Waah, the weather is beautiful. It is too wasteful to stay indoors.

Jimin's attention drawn to his remark, he quietly blinked at him. Oblivious of the situation.

Dr.Ban : Shall we step out for a change today?

JM : O-out...?

Dr.Ban : Ay, don't worry. We can go to the terrace, people aren't there.

Noticing Jimin's hesitance, Dr.Ban gently propelled him a little more. He knew it was still safe for Jimin to have the changes and not develop any kind of discomfort, until he was with the doctor. Thereby, his approach although appeared a bit forceful, it was for the best interest of the patient.

The terrace guard accustomed to the psychiatrist bringing his patients upstairs, knew exactly that he had to obstruct any intrusion in their space. Thus, shielded the doors actively.

On the other side, a peaceful breeze of the altitude welcomed the two men. A lazy and restful hour before the onset of dusk. The city view was magnificent and appeared to have a layer of mist blanketing over it.

No words exchanged, they had their eyes closed for a moment. A smile curved their lips, inhaling the fresh air at the tranquility slowly residing in them.

Worked out a different relaxing exercise today, a gentle flow of hush streamed through the singer's heart.

Standing side to side along the boundary, the psychiatrist silently waited for Jimin to break his quietude. And the moment he did, Dr.Ban listened to his words with patience and vigor.

JM : You had asked me a question one day. "If something is meddling with my stability in emotions and thoughts". Maybe I was too scared to even surrender then.

Dr.Ban : (-calmly-) Do you think you can admit to them now?

JM : I don't know. I fear it. But, there's nothing I can do about it.

He waited for a moment to speak. Just to let Jimin's words fairly dissipate into the air. The doctor respected the sentiments of every patient equally, no matter how universal and frequent they were to humans.

Dr.Ban : Fears are like Con artists.

Jimin, from the sight ahead, gazed towards the doctor in an innocent curiosity.

Dr.Ban : They can only succeed to deceive you if you let yourself vulnerable to them. Fear gives you a deceptive vision into believing things that are false in reality. Much like the working principle of a Con artist.

Their hair fluttering in the wind, Jimin looked back trying to adjust his fears into the frame of his analogy.

However, he grew silent.

The psychiatrist looked over to Jimin, to find him dwelling in a quiet brood.
He gave him another moment in silence, before gently placing an open-ended question.

Dr.Ban : Who is the Con artist in your head?

JM : . . .

______

Pt.2 :- In some hours! :)

Behind the scenes :

After the first day of the MV shoot, in the company, Director Baek summoned the concerned cable technician separately to her office. Her seniors assigned to other projects, she had the major cable responsibilities of the Music Video sets.

"I apologize again, Team Jang-nim."

Dan Hwa : Revise your words. You think those would have fixed the problem if a bigger accident occurred?

"I am extremely ashamed of my careless behavior. I really don't know how I can make this better." The subordinate sniffled, holding the tears back.

Dan Hwa tightened her fist, holding the nuisance caused from the reckless work. Nevertheless, under her closed eyes, she visioned the situation and revised on how Director Nam would have approached the same matter.

Her fist loosened, breaths calm, she opened her eyes-looking up at the terrified technician. This time, she spoke with a softer tone.

Dan Hwa : I appreciate your efforts to help us. But, if you had taken a leave for a personal reason, I want you to focus on that right now.

"But, we are understaffed. I just wanted to..."

Dan Hwa : Someone told me this. When the load is too heavy, rest it for a while and pick it up once you can.

The technician patiently waited for her to complete, for the analogy seemed a little foreign to her.

Dan Hwa : Return when you can invest your full attention here. If the leave is granted to you, there must definitely be a replacement plan as against that. So, don't worry about the team. And focus on your priorities.

The wide smile of relief spread through the glimmer of tears in her eyes, warmed Dan Hwa's heart. How a little compassion and benevolence, immediately brightened up in the staff's face, was something unfamiliar to her.

It was forgiving. It was a tickling bliss, she hasn't felt in a long time.

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