Yoonmin in Malta

4 - Vacation (IV)

The car ride to the capital is surprisingly relaxed for the rest of the band, despite left-hand traffic. In Malta, there are many roundabouts and only a few traffic lights. The band's drivers find it easy to follow the flow of the rest of the traffic, which, however, is clearly going faster than they would prefer.

The landscape also turns out to be more lush than it seemed from the air. They drive along palm avenues and admire the Mediterranean alleys and limestone houses.

Arriving in Valletta, they park the cars in a narrow harbor alley. They would not look for their accommodation until later, they are too tormented by hunger. Looking for a restaurant, they stroll down the street, admiring the view of Valletta's bay.

The band quickly gathers in front of the first restaurant they encounter on their way. Armed with their smartphones and Namjoon at their side, they decipher the menu written in English laid out on a display board in front of them.

While most of the band are gathered around the display board, Jin stands closer to the entrance, enjoying the cooler shade. He has escaped the heat and wonders how his band members have been able to stand in the blazing sun along the street for several minutes. They wouldn't have the energy to look for another restaurant anyway, should the menu not appeal to them.

He quickly enjoys greeting every pedestrian who passes him by. Jin also quickly makes friends with the restaurant owner this way. The latter came out of the building to see what all the fuss was about in front of his restaurant.

"What's he doing?", asks Jimin to the group, pointing his finger at Jin, who is still talking to the owner.

"Jin! Jin! Ask him if it tastes good here!", Jimin calls out to him in amusement, knowing very well that the old man must be the restaurant owner.

Finally, the rest of the band has also decided which dishes on the menu they would order and they enter the harbor terrace of the Maltese restaurant.

"Oh, there's only six of us!", comments Hobi confused, after wondering why they don't need another chair for the table of six they're standing in front of. Once they are comfortable at the large table, the subject of Taehyung's absence comes up.

"Why do I keep forgetting?", shudders Hobi.

"We miss him.", says Jimin, more to himself than to the group. He can't concentrate on the rest of the conversation at the table, he misses Taehyung so much at this moment.

'If Tae were here, it would be a lot easier for me to have fun. I need you here.'

"I'll order." Namjoon announces, picking up a menu and standing up, then calling out to the restaurant staff, "Can we order?"

Namjoon has the best English skills in the band. He is also the band's spokesperson on international trips for their concerts and promotions. Still, he is not the only one in the group who knows English, but he is probably the person who speaks the most fluently and naturally.

It's not for no reason that the band vacations exclusively in English-speaking countries. Malta's official language is English as well as Maltese, so it fits into this scheme.

"Let's give a round of applause to our band lead, who can speak English. Make it quick!", yells Hobi and the others clap as if this command is natural for them.

Yoongi can't help but keep glancing furtively over at Jimin. He sits diagonally across from him at the table, carefully avoiding eye contact with the elder. Yoongi notices Jimin's sadness, but isn't sure if the reason is really just Taehyung's absence.

He suspects from the very beginning that he himself is to blame for the fact that Jimin has been having these moments again and again lately. Moments where he seems silent and absent, dwelling on his dark thoughts.

As grim as that tune he's been humming to himself so often lately. A few times Yoongi was able to hear some scraps of words when Jimin felt unobserved and sang to that melody. These words did not sound cheerful.

At this moment, Yoongi also finds the sad expression on Jimin's face that he has been seeing lately.

He can't stand the distance that has built up between him and Jimin over the past few weeks. Yoongi is sure that their friendship will never be as carefree as it was before their fight in Taipei - and yet, he wants to try to fix it.

He blames himself for letting it get this far. He has been selfish and put pressure on Jimin; he realizes that now.

'I'll talk to him tonight and apologize,' he resolves, thinking about how he can carry out this plan without the rest of his friends getting wind of it.