They returned on Sunday morning, and Niharika was waiting with a barrage of questions.
"What's going on? You mentioned you'd explain when I called. Where have you been? The car's at the office, and you were gone for two nights!" she asked, clearly probing.
Manya, still not ready to share the details, replied, "It was just an urgent meeting with a VIP client. It came up suddenly. I'm exhausted and need to rest. Let's talk later."
"You're acting suspicious. Were you on a date?"
Manya looked at her in astonishment for a moment, then shook her head.
She went straight to her room, lay down on her bed, and stared at the ceiling, deeply engrossed in her reflections.
"My heart races for him," she murmured to herself. "What a proposal. It would be a dream come true for millions of girls. But I'm so scared. I don't know what to do. I'm terrified of the criticism and judgment that might come if I marry him. The potential contempt could tear us apart, and I can't bear the thought of losing him after having him in my life. Maybe it's best to avoid such a painful situation altogether."
Manya's mind wandered back to their time on Jeju Island—the way Nam Joon looked at her, held her close, and kissed her. His touch had felt like a promise, a connection she had never known before. But with that connection came fear—fear of the unknown, societal judgment, and the possibility of losing herself in a relationship that might not withstand external pressures.
She turned her face into the pillow, attempting to quiet her swirling thoughts. "Perhaps remaining good friends is the safest path," she considered. "We can still share moments and support each other without the risk of a potential fallout. But is it truly living if I ignore my feelings and settle for less than what my heart desires?" The internal conflict felt like a storm within her, pulling her in different directions. She wanted to be courageous, to follow her heart, but the fear of heartbreak and societal backlash loomed large. Manya knew she needed clarity, but in that moment, she could only let her emotions flow, hoping that amidst the confusion, she would find the strength to make the right decision.
In contrast, Nam Joon, who should have been expected to be sad after the rejection, was surprisingly buoyant. He carried a deep, serene happiness, like a sailor who knows the storm will pass and clear skies will return, knowing it was only a matter of time before she would be his. He understood that her hesitation wasn't a denial of his love, but a fear of the institution of marriage itself. This was a hurdle, not a wall. With this conviction, he was confident and joyful, believing wholeheartedly that he could lead her through her fears and sail together into a future they both desired.
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The Wings of Harmony
FanfictionIn "The Wings of Harmony," Kim Namjoon, the thoughtful leader of BTS, stands at a crossroads in his personal life. As he and his BTS family return to their group activities post-military service, Namjoon grapples with the challenge of balancing pers...
