Man in Dreams

Beyond the Spotlight

The award ceremony was in full swing, with dignified speeches and celebratory applause echoing through the grand auditorium. Maya, sitting among the distinguished guests, couldn't help stealing glances at Yoongi. Their silent exchange spoke volumes, a shared secret that kept them connected amidst the formalities and the vibrant atmosphere.

As the lights dimmed and the spotlight focused on the stage, the audience buzzed with anticipation. BTS was set to give a special guest performance. The boys took their positions, and the familiar beats of "Dynamite" began to play. The crowd erupted in cheers as the members, bursting with energy and charisma, lit up the stage.

Maya watched in awe, her heart swelling with pride. Yoongi's eyes met hers for a fleeting moment during his rap, a small, private acknowledgment that made her heart race. The performance was electrifying, with each member showcasing their unique talents, harmonizing perfectly, and spreading joy throughout the venue.

As the last note of "Dynamite" echoed and the applause died down, the host took the stage again. "And now, we have a special award to present," he announced. "The Cultural Expansion Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to cultural exchange and global understanding."

Maya's name was called, and the room filled with applause. The BTS members cheered the loudest, standing up to give her a group hug. "You deserve this, Maya," Jin said, beaming. "Go get your award!"

"Congratulations, Maya!" Jimin added, hugging her tightly.

"We're so proud of you!" Hobi exclaimed, giving her an enthusiastic high-five.

With their encouragement echoing in her ears, Maya moved gracefully to the stage. She was filled with a mix of emotions—excitement, pride, and a hint of nervousness. As she accepted the award, her eyes welled up with tears. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice.

"Thank you so much. This award means the world to me," she began, her voice trembling slightly. "I want to thank everyone who supported me along this journey—my family, my friends, and all of you here today. Your belief in me made this possible. This journey has been filled with challenges, but also incredible moments of joy and growth. I am truly humbled and grateful."

The audience applauded warmly, and just as Maya was about to leave the stage, the host stepped forward with a smile. "Maya, before you go, there's one question that's on everyone's mind. Is it true that you and Yoongi are together?"

A hush fell over the crowd, and all eyes turned to Maya. She felt a surge of nerves but quickly steadied herself. "Yoongi and I are just friends," she said, her voice strong and clear. "We share a close bond and support each other deeply. Meeting friends can be challenging, especially when one of them is an idol with such a busy schedule. I hope people can respect our privacy and understand that we are just normal people trying to maintain our friendships and live our lives."

The audience erupted in applause once more, clearly impressed with her poised response. Yoongi's eyes were filled with pride, and the boys clapped enthusiastically.

As she descended the stage, Maya spotted Jiah entering the hall. Jiah hurried over, slightly out of breath. "Sorry for being late," she said, giving Maya a quick hug.

Maya's face lit up with joy. "I'm just glad you made it," she said warmly, her eyes twinkling with the satisfaction of her planned surprise.

Namjoon, who had been watching the scene unfold, was taken aback by Jiah's appearance. He glanced at Maya, his eyes wide with shock and seeking an explanation. Maya just hid her smile and winked at him, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Namjoon, this is Jiah," Maya said, introducing her with a mischievous glint in her eye. "She's a friend and works for the Seoul Korean Times as a reporter."

Namjoon, still in a bit of shock, extended his hand to Jiah. "Nice to meet you," he said, trying to mask his surprise.

Jiah smiled back, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you too. I've heard so much about all of you."

Namjoon leaned closer to Maya, his voice a mix of amusement and gratitude. "You planned this, didn't you?"

Maya grinned, a playful spark in her eyes. "Of course. I wanted to see the look on your face."

Namjoon chuckled, shaking his head. "You really got me."

Jiah sat down next to Namjoon, and they immediately began whispering to each other, their faces lighting up with joy and affection.

"It's been so long," Jiah whispered, her voice tinged with emotion. "I missed you so much, Namjoon."

Namjoon took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I missed you too, Jiah. Eight months felt like an eternity."

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it sooner," Jiah said, her eyes glistening. "Work has been crazy, but I'm here now."

Namjoon smiled warmly at her. "That's all that matters. I'm just so happy to see you."

Maya watched them, her heart warmed by the sight of her friends together. Seeing their reunion after such a long time made her feel incredibly happy.

Meanwhile, Maya and Yoongi couldn't shake the feeling that the cameras were constantly on them. Yoongi, ever the entertainer, started making a series of funny and exaggerated facial expressions. He went from wide-eyed shock to exaggerated terror, and even made a few silly faces that had Maya struggling to contain her laughter. V and Jungkook, noticing Yoongi’s antics, quickly joined in, each competing to pull the most ridiculous faces.

As the camera focused on them, the trio's expressions grew more and more outrageous. Maya clamped a hand over her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles. At one point, Yoongi made a face that was so absurd, Maya couldn’t hold it in and burst into laughter just as the camera shifted away.

She leaned over and high-fived Yoongi. "Oh God, I fell in love all over again," she said, looking at him with a mixture of amusement and affection.

Yoongi grinned and winked at her. "I know it's difficult to survive around here. And I know you can't help falling for me," he teased.

V and Jungkook, still in character, nodded sagely as if confirming Yoongi’s statement, their faces now comically serious. Namjoon, glancing up from his conversation with Jiah, noticed the boys' antics and tried to maintain their charm. He gave them a subtle nod, silently signaling them to tone it down.

The boys straightened up immediately, giving Namjoon their best innocent smiles. Once Namjoon’s attention turned back to Jiah, the trio resumed their silly expressions, causing Maya to laugh even harder.

"Yoongi, you’re impossible," Maya said, her heart full of warmth and joy.

Yoongi’s eyes softened as he looked at her. "You were amazing up there, Maya. I'm so proud of you."

Maya’s heart fluttered at his words, a warm blush creeping up her cheeks. "Thank you, Yoongi. That means a lot coming from you."

As the evening continued, Maya felt an overwhelming sense of happiness. The bonds of friendship and the joy of achievements created memories that would last a lifetime, and seeing Namjoon and Jiah together made the night even more special.

As the ceremony drew to a close and the guests began to head toward the dining hall, Maya leaned closer to Yoongi, whispering in his ear. "I’d like to take a picture of us together. We don't even have a single one from today."

Yoongi smiled and nodded. "Why not?" he agreed. Then, with a gaze filled with undeniable desire, he asked, "Where do you want to head after the ceremony? Your place or mine?"

Maya lowered her eyes, a blush spreading across her face. "My place," she replied softly.

"Great choice," Yoongi said with a happy smile as they moved forward to the dining hall, his hand gently resting on the small of her back, guiding her through the crowd. The evening was far from over, and they both looked forward to spending more time together, cherishing every moment.