The Music that connected- Us

Her...

"Thank you ajumma, I owe you a big one," said Esther while exiting the police station with Seungcheol, Mingyu and a lady in her 60s with such a delicate and innocent-looking face.

She was Esther's landlord, more like an aunt, because of her strong proximity to Esther, she was more like an aunt than a landlord. Under Esther's floor resides Eun Hae Ajumma. She cooks for her, cleans her room, shops for groceries, does her laundry, and cares for her just like a mother would.

She adored her. Even Esther admits that without her, she would not have been able to live in Korea.

When Esther was wandering relentlessly with footsteps of desperation with her almost empty resume so she could be able to shove some dry bread down her throat.
Not to quench her hunger but to solely stay alive. Eun Hae Ajumma provided a roof on top of her head and food on her table until Esther could find a job.

Tae Hui felt quite naïve that she came to Korea for the rapping show but the thought of what she would eat and where she would live never struck her.
She depended on her first paycheck but that piece of paper ended up disappointing her.

"Hyung, I think we should get going."

Seungcheol nodded in agreement, and both of them bowed to the ajumma and apologised to her for bugging her for their trouble.

Seungcheol waved at Esther and Mingyu gave her a disgusting look as if he were judging her.
Esther reciprocated the look with a clenched fist, raising it threateningly as if poised to strike while mumbling foul swear words, lucky he could only see them being muttered not hear them.

Esther turned her attention towards Eun Hae ajumma "Ajumma, I am telling you this area now, is not safe at all it's just engorged with weird and creepy people."

Ajumma just giggled at her words and started walking
Esther jogged a little to catch up to her and said,
Esther- "Ajumma, please take my words seriously. I am not trying to joke" she whined.

Eun Hae- "You know Tae Hui, why I am laughing at such a severe topic?"
"Would I be whining right now, if I knew?"
Eun Hae- "You're the strongest girl I know, not only in physical strength but in mental resilience too. Not even adults have such persistence and firm willpower. I don't have to worry about you because of the pesky creeps but I may have to think about their hospital bills because of you."

Tae Hui deliberately overlooked the compliment and said "Ajumma, I am hungry."
"I knew you would be so, I already have your favourite Soondubu Jiggae (tofu stew) ready."

Tae Hui hugged her tightly from the side and screamed with joy "You are the best."

"I know, I know" Eun Hae replied with a tone as if she was annoyed with her being clingy but from the inside she couldn't have been happier because this side hug was the biggest honour for her. After all, this physical gesture was against Esther's personality and meant she was now very comfortable with her.

"Ajumma, I apologise if I was ever cold to you, you know I love you right?" said while still hugging her and both were still walking.
Eun Hae- "Waah, that four-letter word exists in your dictionary, that's incredulous."

"Ajumma, stop teasing me" Tae Hui whined.
Eun Hae giggled and asked, "How was your day today?"

"You won't believe what happened today. Wait, I'll first tell you how I beat that creep up, no wait, first listen to how he approached us."
"Okay okay, we have all day" Eun Hae checked her watch and corrected her sentence with "Well now, all night."

Their voices muffled and disappeared as they walked to their house.

As Esther enjoyed a warm meal paired with lighthearted gossip, Mingyu and Seungcheol faced the relentless challenges of their instructor's training, enduring trials that pushed the boundaries of their endurance and fortitude.

"We are far from finished; give me twenty more!" echoed through the air as Mingyu and Seungcheol remained in the punishing push-up position, their bodies drenched in sweat.

Seungcheol- "Sir, we just gave you 130 something."

"And I gave you thirty minutes for your break, well sometimes life doesn't always give us what we want. Doesn't it, Mingyu?"

Mingyu-"Yes, Sir" he replied while poised to do another pushup.
Seungcheol-"I don't know why I agreed to that"  he tilted his head to his right to say these words to a struggling Mingyu.
Mingyu- "Hyung, it's just a couple of stretches, I thought you were stronger than this."
"Couple of stretches? Yahh, I am getting cramps all over my body. How am I supposed to practice after this."

"Don't move your lips, unless you want a few more" said the instructor.

Mingyu and Seuncheol continued with their rigorous punishment.

"An example for everyone standing in this room, hope you don't dare make this mistake as well."
"Sorry sir," said Seungcheol and Mingyu in unison in a monotonous tone.

The next thing you know Mingyu was in a headlock whilst others were curious to know their whereabouts.

"Hyung Hyung" Mingyu panicked.
Seungcheol abruptly freed him from his arms and rage.
 He turned to him "Are you okay? Will you be able to practice tomorrow?"
"I'll try, and I am sorry hyung I was just so panicked, I couldn't dismantle what to do next," Mingyu said with guilt dripping from his words.

"I was just joking, and look I am perfectly fine a few pushups don't bother me and my muscles."

"Just when I think you are so considerate your cockiness betrays it," Mingyu said rolling his eyes in utter annoyance.

"Hey, where were you?"
"Don't even ask Wonwoo Hyung, it's such a long story."
Wonwoo- "Whatever it may be, the punishment this time was too ruthless and harsh."
Seungkwan- "It is better than what happened to me and Hansol."
Hansol- "Don't even get me started about it."
Seungcheol- "Come on guys, take this in a positive light, just endure this harsh time right now for a better future, for all of us."
Seungkwan- "I won't lie sometimes I find quitting a better option."
Soonyoung- "Yah, if I could hit high notes like you, trust me I would never shut up."

"Please assemble for your next training class" the voice came from the speakers in the green basement.

Mingyu- "Well, guess we gotta go."
Wonwoo- "Tell us later, about what happened."
"Sure."