Love Beyond Expectations

Chapter 33: Harmony in Strings

As they stood side by side on the bustling subway, Suho couldn't help but feel the tension in the air. He cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had settled between them. "Zuri, I'm really sorry I didn't stand up for you yesterday."

Zuri's expression remained stoic as she looked ahead. "I didn't need you to," she replied firmly, not meeting his eyes.

The atmosphere grew heavier, and Suho decided to broach a delicate topic, even though he could sense it might lead to an argument. "Zuri, I think it's important that we talk about these issues, you know, politics and racism. We're from different backgrounds, and I want to understand your perspective better."

Zuri finally turned her gaze toward him, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions. "Suho, it's not that I don't appreciate your willingness to understand, but these conversations are rarely resolved easily. It's a systemic issue, and it's exhausting to constantly have to explain and defend my perspective."

Suho nodded, realizing the weight of her words. "I get it. I just want you to know that I'm here to support you, even if it's challenging."

Zuri sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I know, Suho, and I appreciate that. It's just... It's not always easy."

Their conversation lingered in the air, unresolved, as the subway continued its journey through the city. Both Suho and Zuri knew that discussing these complex issues was not something they could solve in a single commute.

The subway car rumbled along, but inside, the tension had escalated as Zuri and Suho's argument intensified.

"Joon's views are dangerous, Suho. He can't just brush off racism or spout nonsense about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. being a crook," Zuri said, her voice laced with frustration. She was determined to make her point.

Suho attempted to interject, "Zuri, he was joking—"

"Was he?" Zuri cut him off, her eyebrows arched in disbelief. Across from them, a black woman who had been eavesdropping on their conversation gave Suho a pointed look, as if challenging him to respond.

The subway car grew quiet once again as everyone's attention focused on Zuri and Suho. An uneasy tension hung in the air.

"All I'm saying is, people are complicated. He's not a monster; I know Joon has his flaws, but he's my family."

The disapproving groans from both the black woman and a Latina seated behind them grew louder. Zuri paused and exchanged a knowing look with the two women, then continued her argument.

"What he said was a direct diss against an iconic figure in the movement that resulted in the emancipation of millions of African Americans! Don't try to dismiss what you heard!" Zuri paused, giving Suho a pointed look.

Then, with a resolute, calm tone, she continued. "If you don't care about the struggle of others, who might you be loyal to?"

Silence enveloped the car. Suho swallowed hard, taking her words in. The intensity of the moment pressed against him as the tension crackled between them. He didn't have the perfect answer.

The train's rhythmic clatter mirrored the relentless debate that continued to echo through the subway car.

Zuri and Suho found themselves locked in a disagreement that had no easy resolution, discussing issues that ran far deeper than a simple subway conversation could accommodate. Their surroundings faded into the background, leaving them immersed in the complex world of their differing perspectives.

Suho sat in his office, venting his frustrations to Briley and Brett, his trusted colleagues and friends.

"Man, I just don't get it. Joon can be so infuriating sometimes," Suho grumbled, leaning back in his chair. He ruffled a hand through his hair, a common gesture of his frustration.

Briley, shrugged casually. "Hey, you know how family is. They can be a real pain in the ass sometimes."

Brett, on the other hand, his outdated relic glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, family dynamics can be a minefield. Just look at my uncle—completely obsessed with conspiracy theories. I have to block his calls to maintain my sanity."

Suho gave a wry smile at Brett's comment. "I guess you're right. It's just tough when you're caught between family and...well, sanity."

Briley, the ever-confident one, chimed in, "You know, Suho, sometimes you have to assert yourself, even with family. You can't let their views dictate your principles."

Suho considered their words as he reflected on the argument with Joon and the recent tensions with Zuri. Family dynamics were indeed complicated, but maybe it was time to stand up for what he believed in, even when it meant challenging those he loved.

Suho sighed, still frustrated about the tension with Zuri. "But she's still mad at me, and she thinks I'm agreeing with my racist brother, and now I'm a racist."

Brett chimed in, "Suho, just give her some time. It's a tough situation, but she'll understand you better eventually."

Briley, the confident and often unconventional thinker, leaned forward in his chair. "You know what you need, my friend? A John Mayer concert. I swear, when your lady is mad, all you need is to take her to see John Mayer, and she will forget all of your problems and flaws. Trust me, it works every time. It's science."

Brett, with an intrigued expression, turned to Briley. "Really? Science?"

Briley nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely dimbulb. In fact, I carry two John Mayer tickets with me at all times. You never know when you'll need to sweep things under the rug."

Brett gave Briley a quizzical look. "Don't you think that's an overstatement? Maybe you should—"

Before Brett could finish his sentence, Briley shook his head emphatically. "It's okay. You just don't understand the brilliance that is John Mayer yet."

Suho watched this back-and-forth, then sat up straight with determination in his eyes. "Okay. If you say John Mayer is the cure, let's give it a go. The sooner we fix this, the better."

"It is, this how I fix all my relational mistakes, especially after being told I'm too 'side-chick'-ly," Briley said grabbing the two John Mayer tickets out of his pocket and handed them to Suho. Being a Korean, Suho wasn't familiar with John Mayer, nor did he have a clue why a live performance could possibly help.

"Suho," Brett protested weakly, his skepticism showing in his eyes. "I really think you should—"

Briley dismissed Brett with a wave. "Dimwat leave him alone." He turned his attention to Suho, "Trust me bro. John Mayer has saved far more doomed relationships than you know. And," he added, a gleam of enthusiasm in his eyes. "John's band always releases new tunes during their shows. Every concert is a live jam session for new tracks. You will get the new sound long before anyone else hears it. Plus the whole band experience is just phenomenal!"

As he took the tickets from Briley, a glimmer of hope crossed his mind. Maybe a night at a John Mayer concert would be just what they needed.