Rogue Hearts | PJM ✅

Chp. 11: When Trouble Comes Calling

Jimin's POV 💫

I have been continuing with my weekly lessons with Dallia, and each week she helps build my skill set, and my confidence is starting to grow. Today I have a class, and I arrived early so I could visit with Lily before my lesson starts, but when I got there, Lily ended up being pulled into a last-minute meeting so I was left to my own devices. I piddled around her studio for awhile before deciding to go wait over at Dallia's. I'm a little early but I figure I can just hang out and play on my phone in her kitchenette until my appointment.

As I walk down the back hallway though I start to hear Dallia's voice and its like a gravitational pull. I can't help it; my body insists I head towards her. As I get in closer proximity to her voice, I realize it is loud and commanding but not yelling, and the hairs on my forearm start to stand up on end.

She's in trouble!

I start running towards her voice in fear of what I might find. As I turn the corner, I realize the ruckus is coming from Dallia's chorus room. As I start to barge my way into the room, Dallia catches my eye and assertively shoots her hand up in my direction in a stopping motion, halting me in place. Dallia doesn't acknowledge me more than this, and I realize she is alone in the room, with the exception of her sister.

"Binna, I said put that chair down right now," she says in a firm but patient voice.

"NO!" Binna screams with tears streaming down her face. "I'M NOT GOING HOME!"

"Binna, you already knew the arrangement. I let you spend a few hours with me at work today, and then mom would come to pick you up by five. We've had a truly special day together, but now mom is on her way to pick you up, and it's time to go meet her at the door," Dallia replies calmly.

"NOOOOO!" Binna yells with frustration and then hurls the chair down onto the floor with a force of strength I was not expecting.

The metal folding chair slams into the floor with a deafening clang that makes Binna wince; however, I notice that Dallia doesn't seem to budge.

"You break it, you buy it, Binna. Don't test me." Dallia's tone is matter of fact.

"I don't have any money," Binna complains, but I notice her tone is starting to change.

"Really? Don't act like I don't know you stash the cash from your job under your mattress, Binna," Dallia replies as if she is not interested in Binna's excuse.

Dallia leans against the wall and starts looking at her cuticles as if she is considering if she should get a manicure, and I'm fascinated by this response. It's as if she is trying to act like she is not remotely affected by Binna's obvious tantrum.

What is she up to?

"My money is all gone...." Binna answers. Her voice sounds small now and regretful.

I notice Dallia cocks an eyebrow in Binna's direction as if she is concerned, but then she quickly replaces it with a blank look, and that's when I realize that this is some kind of strategy she's using to defuse the situation. "Oh yeah, why is that?" Dallia inquires as if she is bored to death by the conversation.

"None of your business..." Binna mutters. All the bravado has left her voice, and she seems to have finally given up the fight.

"If you say so, Binna. Please pick up the chair and return it to its upright position -gently," Dallia requests.

Binna fixes the chair, and when it is in its place, Dallia finally makes eye contact with me and shoots me a wide grin. "Hi Jimin, how are you?"

"I'm well; how are you two doing?" I ask, unsure of what to expect.