"Is that you Eonjin?" he cried out to the shadow which surpassed his room door.
But no reply approached his eardrums.
"Eonjin? Isn't that...Where are you?" His confused brain tried to match the puzzles and he threw a perplexed look while gaping out...
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B R O K E N | 고장난
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A phone buzzed upon the surface of the wooden table by which Taehyung was seated. He swiped the screen, hoisting it to his ear.
"Hello, Jungkook-ah, I'm waiting at the Seoulism Cafe."
"Alright. I'm heading there in a jiffy. Hold on," said the caller before hanging up.
White steam swirled upwards to bother Taehyung's nostrils as he sat supporting his head with his left fist, drawing circles on the table's surface with the other. He took a sip of the bubble tea, pondering the whereabouts of his colleague, Jungkook, at that moment.
The hustling aura of the cafeteria added an extra rhythm of subconsciousness in his tired brain cells. Wide aesthetic paintings framed on the walls lit with LED panel lights, created a bright ambience whereas music oozed out of the stereo speakers attached to the ceilings. The inner population of customers shared their day's experiences, slowly the voices densified more and more.
Taehyung heaved a sigh as he lifted his cup for another sip. Just then, a half bunny-half human-faced, or more precisely a young man with a cutely designed physiognomy, broke into the cafe. His fair skin glittered with his sweat as the light beams rolled on it. His dough eyes had a slight gesture of fatigue while he approached the known personality for whom he travelled all these paths.
"Hey, hyung!"
Taehyung shot his eyes up at the approaching human whose iris had gloomy cloudiness.
"Jungkook, you're here! Come, take a seat," he raised, waving at an empty chair against his.
The guy so-called Jungkook, perched on the addressed seating and dropped his belongings to a side. His slight palpitations ceased when he was offered a cup of tea as well.
"Thanks, hyung. By the way, I heard that the place closes nearby 9, so we got to hurry. If they shut out today, we'll have to wait for the appointment till Thursday since they are out of business for the two days in between," Jungkook declared, taking quick sips of the warm liquid in hand.
"Yeah, but show me my camera first. You brought it with you, right?" asked the brown mullet.
Jungkook pretended to wonder hard over his memories for the past few hours. "I think," he exaggerated, "I forgot."
Taehyung choked on his drink, "What-"
"Relax, hyung. I did bring it with me. I was just kidding. Here you go." Jungkook chuckled as he slid the cover bound device across the tabletop.
Taehyung got hold of it, unclasping the zip effortlessly for attaining a mere glance at the precious machine inside. The front part had a light scratch followed by a crack on the lens glass. He pressed the start button, however, nothing showed up of any major difference. It seemed as if it was dead, dead but not decayed yet.
"Looks like it needs a good check-up. Let's get going them," he said, picking up his bag from the floor.
***
"This camera is of no use now until it is repaired. It has a severe internal defect in its software. It'll take a week to get it right besides you might have to spend more on it than usual as it is of a reputed brand. Let me know if you are ready," explained the owner of the camera repair store.
"How much do I need to pay off?"
"Approximately 150k won without tax. I can't help it."
A deep sigh escaped Taehyung's lips as he observed the blemished device on the counter. Jungkook lowered his head, feeling ashamed of the fact that he was partially responsible for the misery. He fidgeted his palms together while taking snaps of the other's mood flexes with his eyes.
"I'm sorry, hyung. It is all because of me. I should have been extra cautious," he expressed in a downcast tone.
"Don't blame yourself. I did not say anything because I know you're in no way responsible for this mess. Your juniors aren't kids over whom you need to run your surveillance 24x7. It's getting late. Go home and don't worry about it. I'm okay," Taehyung consoled although his mind was somewhat forcing him to regret his action of lending the camera to his associate.
They strolled outside the shop, onto the mosaic pavement, under the brightly shining full moon. Taehyung looked up at the twinkling stars playing hide and seek in the cosmos. Jungkook did not speak much other than only a 'good night', bent a bow and left in his own way.
Taehyung advanced sluggishly towards his car in the roadside parking. As he grasped the car door hinge, he felt a sudden attraction from behind, an attraction to which he had no clue. He flipped back and spotted an antique shop in front of his eyesight. The display corner of the shop showcased an object that drew his most curiosity. He walked closer to it, gradually the black photography device getting clear to him as the distance between them ceased. The camera had an eerie shine on it and its lens looked like the dark eye of some monster.
"That's an old camera," Taehyung commented. "Looks fine though. Ugh, why am I finding cameras everywhere today!" He shook his head deliberately and repulsed back to his vehicle.
***
The night sky was spectacularly decorated with constellations, a perfect moment for stargazing. Taehyung plopped down on his bed. His fingers twitched the wristwatch adorning his left wrist and soon his eyes fell upon the zip case of his broken camera on the desk. He tore the gaze as he seized his towel to head into the shower.
Coming out of the bath, he dried his fluffy jet hair prior to getting into the bed. He tapped the lampshade off and gloominess engulfed his orbs to shut down. Nights usually have a deeper effect when one is sad, drained and tensed, and it might get longer or seem as short as the flip of an eyelid.
The non-functional camera laid deserted on the desk, appearing as a lost or abandoned puppy. Its fate was yet indeterminate. A shooting star crossed the outspread vista, producing a ray of hope on the sleeping head's facial features.
