Arranged✔️ | Ji Changmin

11 - Struggles

3RD PERSON

inconsistency - the phase that was feared by all the married and lovers.

ji changmin and choi chaewon had reached the phase of inconsistency in their marriage. it was a week before the start of a new year which meant that new batch of preschoolers would start school and the intense practice for q music academy's annual showcase would commence. it was something both of them had gone through before every year. however, it was different after they had gotten use to one another's presence.

"chaewon, wanna go out today?" changmin asked, peering over the couch to his wife who had been pacing around the house. he held onto the high hope of spending the week with her before they busied themselves with work the following week. "i'm sorry, changmin. it's 'spring cleaning' week. i have to reorganize the classroom for the new kiddos," she had on an apologetic expression as she headed for the door. "do you need me to send you-" "no, it's fine, changmin! you rest up!" and she shut the front door. shortly after, the engine of the car could be heard before she drove away.

few days later, changmin had on his semi-formal wear as he passed by the living room where chaewon sat. "where are you going?" the girl curiously asked. it was a little after 6pm when he set out to leave. "i have some urgent admin tasks to settle. you should eat dinner without me- there's quite alot to complete," changmin said, grabbing the car keys before he dashed out of the house.

-

"changmin, the organiser took back his proposal on the collaboration. we won't be able to proceed with the showcase without a sponsor," one of his employee placed an official document on his desk that was already filled with several other important documents - ranging from personal details of new students applying for the academy, to endorsement of several companies and to the matters of fundraising from the outcome of the annual showcase.

"boss, some performers might retreat from the showcase,"

"we should aim to raise up till 3k at least,"

all the other words from his employees were blurred out as changmin sighed. the showcase was two months away and it took a lot of planning like all the previous ones. unfortunately, this year's progress were a lot worse than any other. his mind was clouded with all the stress and thoughts in his life. he thought back on how his wife and him had lesser time with one another and now the annual showcase would most likely be a flop.

ji changmin arrived home after 10pm that night. he noticed the home-cooked food under the mesh cover with a little note stating "if you get hungry, heat this up." it had put a small smile on his tired face as he got the food ready. chaewon was probably asleep by then - he felt bad waking her up so he did everything on his own silently.

-

the week passed by with the both of them doing their usual routine of settling urgent matters at their respective work places. choi chaewon noticed that changmin had been distant. he would not say much but his blank expression and seemingly lost in thoughts made her realised that he was going through something. she knew better that changmin had been one to keep things to himself. for days, chaewon had tried her best to get him to open up. on some days, at the dining table, when chaewon brought it up, changmin would brush it off saying he was fine. on other days, he would change the topic instantly.

it was the same, unchanged routine everyday and both of them tried their best to keep themselves sane despite their busy schedules. until that one night, when ji changmin finally came forward to chaewon himself. the sky had already turned pitch black as the street lights shine dimly. their house was still bright as chaewon sat in the living room with her laptop open. her hair was pulled back into a messy low pontail as she attempted to keep her eyes open. knowing that she would be up late on that friday night, she did not want to disturb her husband who had work the next morning. chaewon had guessed that changmin was already fast asleep by then but she thought wrong when a pair of arms snaked their way around her waist and a chin rested itself on her shoulder.

"changmin?" she called out, attempting to look behind but his firm grip made her stay still.

"i need a long, long, tight hug," she heard him whisper. he sounded like he had just woken up. so she was right all along, something was clearly bothering her husband and he was finally telling her about it. pulling him by his arm, chaewon brought him back into his room. she climbed under his comfy covers, ushering him to follow suit. "is there anything bothering you?" chaewon asked softly, her hands reached over to run through his hair. changmin shifted closer, wrapping his arms around her and she gladly returned his affection.

"it's just been stressful at the academy," changmin started to put his words together, telling his wife the issues that had arised at his academy. chaewon continuously rubbed gentle circles around his back. changmin was definitely bigger than her petite self but that night he seemed a lot more smaller and vulnerable. the male himself felt fortunate to have chaewon with him - he had thought that he would not been able to get through the tough week without his wife's bright smiles and her understanding nature. changmin was very well aware that he was a difficult one in terms of being open to share his issues and chaewon had been nothing but patient with him. changmin smiled to himself knowing that he had chaewon as his wife who made his home warmer with her love and patience.

"you have been strong through this hard week. i'm already proud of you, changmin. i'm sure better days will come soon so let's continue supporting each other, okay?" chaewon snuggled closer into changmin's embrace. it was a night full of warmth and comfort from the both of them as they stayed in one another's arms under the white covers. both chaewon and changmin was assured that nights like this would make hard days more bearable.