Beyond the Stage

Chapter 5

I woke to the sounds of birds chirping and the rays of the morning sun filtered through the windows. The rays weren't blinding but just enough to cover my face.

I squinted one eye and held the back of my hand to the other. I slowly propped myself up from bed.

I picked up my phone from the nightstand and looked at the time. It was 8 am. No missed calls but a bunch of notifications from the news app.

Ordinarily, I would have been up way before this time for either the group'a schedule or my own. However, today, it was a different feeling. I was on vacation so I went back to sleep with a little smile. I hugged my pillow, took a small deep breathe and thought :

Ah how long has it been since I could sleep in like this? This is happiness too.

A couple of hours later •••

After having showered and having an extremely late breakfast, I got dressed to go outside.

I was going to Illsan after so long which isn't so far from where I am.

I had called my omma (mom) earlier to let her know I was coming.

Ring ring

Yoboseyo (hello). Oh Namjoon-ah, how are you?

Omma, I'm fine. How are you and abuji? (*father*)

I'm well and abuji is well too. He's out fishing with his friends. Why are you calling at this time ? Don't you have schedules?

Omma, I don't have any schedules for the next three months.

Three months? Namjoon-ah, are you alright son?

Omma, your son is  fine. Just needed a break.
Things have been very stressful lately.
How is my  dongsaeng (younger sibling)? Is she home?

Your sister is never home nowadays. She is too busy with classes and university life. She doesn't have time.

Well that's normal for this time around. Don't worry omma. She's bright.

I know I'm not worried about her. I'm worried about you.

Why are you worried about me?

Because you decided to take a break all the sudden? Why don't you come home? I want to see you and talk to you.

My mom always knew what I was thinking. Sometimes I don't even have to say a word and she knows me inside and out.

Alright omma, I'm going to come and visit you soon.
Good. Come quickly son. I can't wait to see you.

With that conversation in mind, I set off to see my family in Illsan.

Deep down, I really miss them so much.

I started living by myself in my late teen years with Suga hyung to look towards my dream.

But I'm always out touring these last few years so I don't stay even in Seoul that much.

I miss their warmth. I missed the smell of my mother's cooking, the grunts of my dad and the pitter patter of my little sister's feet.

I haven't seen them since last Chuseok.