Rewrite the Rules

A song called 'Ant Pacman': Part 34

He held me for a minute longer, the silence between us a comfortable blanket. Then, he gently nudged me back, his gaze holding a question. "Go on," he prompted.

Taking a deep breath, I steeled myself to continue. "Reconnecting with Samina and Daisy was like a lifeline thrown to a drowning sailor. We fell back into step as easily as if no time had passed, sharing secrets, dreams, and endless cups of coffee."

A rueful smile played on my lips as I added, "Samina's parents, however, were a whole other story. Tough Indian-Korean parents, as you said. It took a lot of time and effort, but eventually, I managed to gain their trust. They saw how much the friendship meant to me, how much I had grown."

"University flew by in a blur of classes, exams, and late-night study sessions with my newfound support system. And then came the internship – an opportunity with the very same VP I work with today." Pride swelled in my chest as I recounted my accomplishments. "When a full-time position opened up, I jumped at the chance."

A shadow crossed Namjoon's face for a fleeting second. "That's when he found out, wasn't he?"

"He did. But you know what? It didn't matter. The work I did spoke for itself. So, I shed the nickname, embraced who I truly was, and here I am." I met his gaze, a newfound confidence burning in my eyes. "This is me, Emma. The girl who rebuilt her life, one step at a time."

A hush fell over the room as I finished my story, the weight of the confession hanging heavy in the air. Namjoon sat perfectly still, his gaze fixed on a point somewhere beyond.

"Thank you for telling me, Emma," he began, his eyes meeting mine. "It means a lot for you to trust me with your story." The warmth in his gaze did more to soothe my frayed nerves than any number of empty platitudes.

"There's actually a little more," I blurted out, the dam of unspoken gratitude finally breaking. My mind flashed back to that fateful encounter in the elevator, the memory sparking a flicker of a smile amidst the tears.

"There's actually a little more," I blurted out, the dam of unspoken gratitude finally breaking. My mind flashed back to that fateful encounter in the elevator, the memory sparking a flicker of a smile amidst the tears.

"Remember when we first met in the elevator?" I asked, a playful lilt creeping into my voice despite the lingering tremor in my hands. "You have no idea the impact you had on me."

Namjoon's lips quirked up in a surprised smile. "How so?"

Taking a deep breath, I plunged into the story. "The night I walked out of that club, I shut out everything. Music included. It felt like a betrayal, a reminder of the life I was desperately trying to escape." My voice dropped to a whisper as I continued, "But then, one day..."

"Somehow, I stumbled across a song called 'Ant Pacman,'" I said, air quotes forming around the nonsensical name. "These seven gorgeous guys were dancing, their energy so infectious it practically leaped off the screen."

A surprised laugh escaped Namjoon's lips. "You mean..."

"Bingo! Anpanman" I exclaimed, a genuine laugh bubbling up this time, chasing away some of the lingering darkness. "I didn't think much of it at first, but that darn song... it burrowed into my head like an earworm. All day long, that melody kept replaying in my mind, driving me crazy until I had to find it again."

Leaning forward, I locked eyes with Namjoon, his curiosity mirrored in their depths. "And guess what?" I continued, a conspiratorial glint in my eye. "Half the song wasn't even in English! But it didn't matter. It was catchy, uplifting, something I desperately craved."

Namjoon mirrored my movement, leaning in until our faces were mere inches apart. "Ant Pacman, huh? And then?"

The memory sparked a surge of excitement. "That song led me down a rabbit hole," I explained, a wide grin spreading across my face. "I explored more songs, learned the names of each member – yes, even though I initially butchered them all. I even signed up for these crazy apps, TikTok and Spotify, just to hear more of your music and find out everything I could about you guys."

The weight of the revelation settled on the room, a comfortable silence descending between us. Namjoon's arms enveloped me in a warm embrace. His hold was strong yet gentle, a safe haven in the storm of emotions that threatened to consume me.

"I had no idea," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "The thought that our music could have such a profound impact on someone's life..." He trailed off, leaving the sentiment hanging in the air.

"Your music became my lifeline," I whispered, the words raw with emotion. "When I needed it most, your songs were there, reminding me of the joy that still existed in the world."

Namjoon pulled back slightly, his gaze searching mine. His eyes shone with a newfound appreciation, a spark of something deeper flickering within them. "I'm grateful our music found its way to you, Emma," he said, his voice sincere. "And I'm thankful for this unexpected connection.

The silence stretched between us, thick with the weight of my confession and a newfound understanding. It was a quiet language, spoken in shared tears, unspoken gratitude, and the melody that had woven us together. A minute passed, filled only with the faint thrumming of the bass from the club.

"Thank you for sharing that with me, Emma," Namjoon finally said, his voice soft yet sincere. A genuine smile played on his lips, a stark contrast to the concern etched on his face seconds earlier.

"Thank you for creating the music that brought me back."

He reached out, his hand hovering over mine for a moment before gently squeezing my fingers. "That was amazing, Emma," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "You've overcome so much. You're incredibly strong."

Before I could fully process the shift in our dynamic, the words tumbled out of my mouth, shattering the fragile peace.

"This actually might surprise you," I blurted out, a nervous tremor creeping into my voice. "I'm going to give you eight reasons why you shouldn't date me."

Namjoon's smile faltered, replaced by a look of utter surprise. His eyebrows shot up, forehead creased in confusion. "Eight reasons?" he echoed, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Eight reasons not to dateme."