Our Struggles | A Jeongcheol story

Seungcheol

The restaurant had closed for the night, and the silence that followed was both a relief and a source of unease. Mingyu had been distant for days, a shadow of his usual self. His quiet demeanor had settled into an almost eerie stillness. Tonight, I felt a deep-seated concern for him that I could no longer ignore.

Sitting in my office, I tried to gather my thoughts. The day had been stressful—Seokmin had opened up about Joshua's situation, and I'd been trying to manage my own growing worries about Mingyu. It seemed clear that Mingyu's social anxiety and emotional struggles were reaching a breaking point. I'd been contemplating suggesting professional help for him, but I knew it wouldn't be easy.

Mingyu was always so guarded, and it was hard to approach the subject without causing him further distress. But he needed help. It was becoming increasingly evident that his behavior was deteriorating, and I was afraid of what might happen if we didn't intervene.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation I was about to have. I found Mingyu in the kitchen, tidying up—a task he usually took comfort in. He was so absorbed in his work that he barely looked up as I approached.

"Hey, Gyu, can we talk for a minute?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

Mingyu glanced up, his face betraying nothing. "Sure, Cheol. What's up?"

I hesitated, struggling to find the right words. "I've been thinking about how you've been feeling lately. I'm worried about you, Gyu. You've been pretty withdrawn, and I think it might be a good idea to talk to a professional. They could help you work through some of what you're dealing with."

The moment the words left my mouth, Mingyu's expression shifted dramatically. His eyes widened in shock, and his hands trembled. "What? Why would you say that? You think I'm... I'm messed up or something?"

I tried to reassure him, stepping closer. "No, that's not what I meant. I just want you to get the help you might need. We all care about you, and sometimes talking to someone can make a big difference."

Mingyu's face turned an ashen shade, his breathing becoming rapid. "I'm not crazy! I don't need a shrink or whatever. I'm fine! I'm just... I'm just..."

His words became incoherent as he started pacing, his agitation escalating. "I can't believe you think I'm that messed up! I thought that as my brother you cared about me!"

I reached out, trying to calm him. "Mingyu, please. That's not what I'm saying. I'm just concerned. I want to help, not make things worse."

But Mingyu wasn't listening. He was on the brink of a full-blown meltdown, his emotions spilling over uncontrollably. His face was flushed, and tears streamed down his cheeks. "You don't understand! You don't get it!"

Suddenly, Mingyu let out a choked sob and bolted towards the hallway. Before I could react, he locked himself in his room, the sound of the door slamming echoing through the house. I could hear him sobbing uncontrollably from the other side of the door, his distress palpable even through the barrier.

My heart pounded in my chest as I banged on the door, trying to get through. "Mingyu! Open the door! Please, talk to me!"

There was no response. I felt helpless and panicked. The noise had drawn Seokmin and Vernon, who arrived with worried expressions on their faces.

"What's happening?" Seokmin asked urgently, his eyes darting between me and the door.

"Mingyu had a breakdown," I explained, my voice shaking. "He's locked himself in his room and won't come out. I don't know what to do."

Seokmin and Vernon exchanged worried glances. Vernon's usually cheerful demeanor was replaced with a look of deep concern. "We need to get him out of there. This isn't good."

Seokmin nodded, his face pale. "We've got to do something. Gyu can't stay like this."

We all began to talk at once, trying to find a solution. Seokmin and Vernon took turns knocking on the door, speaking to Mingyu through the wood, while I felt a crushing sense of guilt and worry.

"Mingyu, please, just let us in," Seokmin pleaded. "We're here for you. We want to help."

There was no answer, just the sound of Mingyu's muffled sobs. The minutes ticked by painfully slowly. Each second felt like an eternity as we stood outside, helpless and anxious.

Eventually, we heard the sound of Mingyu's cries quieting down, and the door remained stubbornly shut. It was clear that he needed space to process his emotions, but we had to find a way to help him while respecting his boundaries.

We decided to wait it out for the night, leaving food and water outside his door, hoping that he would calm down enough to talk to us soon. The night was long and sleepless for all of us, each of us dealing with our own anxieties about Mingyu's well-being.

As dawn approached, I knew we had to find a way to reach out to Mingyu and support him through this. The events of the night had shaken me deeply, but I was determined to stand by him and do whatever it took to help him through this dark time. The road ahead was uncertain, but we would face it together, as a family.

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I love seventeen :(

published -30/10/2024-