A GUIDE TO DATING MIN YOONGI

Epilogue

PARK JIMIN

I'm falling asleep again with my eyes open, a skill I've learned from years of sitting in the giant auditorium of devout Christians as they listen to my father talk about the lord. He speaks behind a large podium in a white robe about God and his message to us. He speaks with so much passion but it's not enough to keep me interested. I suppress another yawn which I've also become a master at. When I was 6, I yawned once at a praying session and my mom didn't feed me that night. But look at me now, sleeping sitting up with my eyes open with my mother on one side and my father upon the stage just a few feet away from us. I've never stepped out of line since. It really is amazing what God's children can do.
Suddenly, I'm awoken by my father commanding of our hands to clasp together for a prayer. I've heard this command thousands of times in my life that it's become an alarm of some sort.
I watch as my mother, with her eyebrows furrowed, clasps her hands tightly as she whispers to herself before Father starts praying. I always liked the final prayer since it's the only time I'm allowed to close my eyes.
"Dear God, We all gather here together for you. We are here today to celebrate you and your greatness. Today will be another day of mystery but I will conquer it because I know you are by my side and I have nothing to fear. Every decision I make, everything I own, everything I see is yours, God. I am confident that my life is safe in your hands. Please continue to guide us, today and forever. Amen."
The speech was only maybe 5 minutes but it might as well have been 30 because of how slowly he spoke. But finally it was over and when 'Amen' was finally spoken, it was like a weight lifted from my shoulders.
My mother and I waited for some people to leave and our father to walk down the stage to greet him. Together, we made our way out, occasionally bumping into my parents church friends which made our trip to the parking lot that was 2 minutes away almost an hour long.
"Jimin, straighten out your suit," my mom scolded as we finally made it to the car. "It doesn't matter that no one is here to see us anymore, you must always be on your best behavior, and your best behavior is also dressing your best. You're still on church property." She said before I could even open my mouth to argue with her.
There was no real point in saying anything anyways, God was always right so therefore my parents were always right.
My parents continued to talk to each other on the drive home over the loud Korean radio which another pastor was preaching about the lord. I leaned back in my seat and started to drift off into a slumber until of course Mother started calling my name.
"Yes?" I answered.
"Jimin, did you know Mrs. Kim has a daughter? She's your age and she showed me a picture of her."
"That's great Mother." I mumbled.
"Jimin listen to me. She's very pretty and she's a religious girl. She's abroad right now but when she comes back, you should try going on a date with her sometime."
My frown turns to a plastic smile when I see her whip her head around from the passenger seat to the back.
"I'm kind of busy right now with school though."
I watch as she gets even more annoyed.
"Jimin, when are you going to get married? You're already planning to move out yet you don't have a woman to live with."
I sigh, "I'm fine, don't worry about me."
She doesn't believe me and reaches her arm out.
"Give me your phone. I'm going to put in her contact. Just get to know each other a little bit."
I hesitate to reach for my pocket but she asks for it again more aggressively and so I reluctantly hand it to her.
I look out the window as I wait for my phone back. This isn't the first time my parents tried setting me up with someone but since I've told them I'm planning on moving out, they've been trying their best to find me a partner. I've of course turned them all down though.
Maybe if one of their choices was a guy then maybe I'd consider a date with him. But there's no way in heaven my parents would accept me being gay.
My phone is handed back to me and as soon as it is, I receive a text from a friend, Jungkook.

Club Smeraldo is giving out drinks for dirt cheap tonight for their 7 year anniversary
You free at 10?

"Mother?," I say after reading the text. She replies with a hum.
"Could I sleepover at Jungkook's tonight? He's a bit sick and needs someone to take care of him."
"Where's his mother?" Father asks, interrupting my Mother.
"She's out of town." I lied.
"But what if you get sick too?! I'm too busy to take care of you if you get sick." My Mother retorted.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to get too close to him. He'll be in a separate room and I'm just going to be there in case anything happens. I'll make sure to pray for him."
"Fine," Mother huffed, "he must be very lonely anyways. See Jimin, this is why you need a girlfriend..."
She started rambling again about significant others and Mrs. Kim's daughter. I wasn't listening to a word she was saying and was just glad I got the green light.
I reply to Jungkook

The shackles are gone for the whole night
Btw you're sick and your mom's out of town if anyone asks
Got it?

He replied with a thumbs up.

I know this behavior doesn't make me seem like a child who has never stepped out of line since he was 6 years old but I need my moments to unwind and hang out with friends too. I'm just going out for a little bit, get a bit tipsy and crash at Kook's place. I'm just going out to have a little deserved fun, away from my parents and God's watchful eye.

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