"Appa, your blood pressure is high. You need to take care of yourself."Ji-ho said, checking Mr. Donghyun's blood pressure.
Just moments earlier, they had all been sharing dinner, the atmosphere warm and cheerful. But suddenly, Mr. Donghyun's condition worsened—and in an instant, worry filled the room.
Ji-ho reacted quickly. He took out his father's regular medication and handed it to him. Only then did Mr. Donghyun's condition begin to stabilize.
"I do take care of myself," Mr. Donghyun said, avoiding eye contact."I just forgot my daytime medicine today."
"Appa, that's not okay."Ji-ho replied firmly."You need to be careful. You still have many responsibilities to fulfill—Responsibilities you chose yourself."
Father and son remained engaged in quiet conversationwhen Mrs. Donghyun and Zoya entered from the kitchen, carrying tea.
"Mr. Donghyun, how are you feeling now?"Zoya asked with concern.
"I'm fine, Zoya. Don't worry," Mr. Donghyun said with a gentle smile."This is just part of life."
....
Zoya dialed Minji's number.
"Minji."
"Yes, Zoya?"
"Where are you? I was free—have you all reached home? I can come."
"No, we're heading out to eat. Come join us."
"I've already had dinner. If Mrs Han is at home, I'll come there instead."
"No, Amma is out of the city with Appa."
"Oh… then what should I do?"Zoya hesitated. "I don't feel comfortable staying here any longer."
"Come here, then. You don't have to eat—just join us."
"…Alright. Send me the location. I'll come."
"Okay, I'll send it."
The call ended.
Zoya felt a quiet unease settle in her chest. Minji and the others were still busy, and staying after dinner didn't feel right anymore. She was still sitting outside the house, in the small lawn, when she called Minji again—Going back inside felt awkward.
Inside, it was family time. And Zoya didn't want to intrude.
"Zoya, you're sitting here?"Mrs. Donghyun approached her, "We thought you were still on the call. Why didn't you come inside?"
"No, it's just…"Zoya smiled faintly."You're spending family time. It didn't feel appropriate for me to be there."
"What are you saying?"Mrs. Donghyun took her hand gently."You are family, too. Come inside."
"That's your kindness," Zoya said softly as she stood up, "But I should leave now. Please take care of Mr. Donghyun."
"How will you go?"Mrs. Donghyun smiled."We remember—you accepted dinner, and we were supposed to drop you."
"Yes, but that was just—"Before she could finish, Mrs. Donghyun and Zoya walked back inside together.
"Mr. Donghyun, please rest now. I should leave."
"Then I'll drop you," He said, getting up.
"Please don't, "Zoya said quickly."Just take care of yourself."
"How can we not?""We promised we'd drop you."
"Please—your health isn't well."
Mr. Donghyun paused, then said, "Alright then. Go with Ji-ho. He'll drop you and head to the restaurant afterward."
"No, I'll go on my own."
"No," he insisted gently."Then I'll drop you."
"Please rest," Zoya said firmly but kindly."I'll go with Ji-ho."
At that moment, Ji-ho returned to the room. He must have gone to his room to fetch something.
"Ji-ho, drop Zoya."Mr. Donghyun said."I was supposed to, but—"
"Absolutely not, "Ji-ho cut him off calmly."I'll drop her. You rest—and you're not leaving your bed until you feel better."
Mr. Donghyun sighed, defeated.
"Alright, I'm leaving then, "Zoya said, lifting her bag."Please take care."
She paused, then added softly," Mr. Donghyun… maybe I'll go to Busan tomorrow."
"May your journey be easy, "he replied warmly."We can't stop you, but we will pray—may Allah grant you ease."
"Thank you so much."
she go to out side.
Zoya sat in Ji-ho's car and turned on her phone. She showed him the location Minji had sent.
"I need to go here. My friends are waiting."
Ji-ho glanced at the screen and nodded."Alright."
The car pulled away.
Ji-ho slowed the car as they reached the location Zoya had shared and pulled over beside the park. On one side, the Han River flowed quietly, carrying the city's reflections on its surface. On the other hand, the food area glowed with lights, voices, and movement. A large crowd filled the walking paths, benches, and the spaces around the restaurants.
"I've never seen this much rush around the river at night," Zoya said, watching the scene through the car window.
Ji-ho smiled faintly. "Most nights are like this. It's part of the daily routine here. But on cultural days or holidays, it gets even more crowded. If you really want to see the beauty of the Han River, you should come around sunset. As the sun goes down, the river slowly comes alive. Surrounded by man-made lights, it starts to shine in its own way. In summer, people stay here all night—some don't leave until they've watched the sunrise."
Zoya sees around and smiles
It was the longest Ji-ho had spoken to Zoya since the evening.
Zoya checked her phone and matched the name Minji had sent. The restaurant stood right in front of her. "I'll go now," she said, lifting her bag and stepping out of the car. Then she turned back, a little hesitant. "Thank you… I hope I didn't make you late."
"Wait here. I'll park the car and come back," Ji-ho said.
"No, my friends are inside."
"Wait," he said simply, before driving toward the parking area.
Zoya looked ahead. Behind the glass walls, Riverlane Table was packed with people. Every table had a built-in grill burning at its center. Flames flickered as guests cooked their own meat strips, cutting them with scissors as they sizzled, the air thick with smoke and laughter. Their house-fermented grill meat—famous for its deep, bold flavor—sat on every table, repeatedly refilled without being asked.
Just to its right stood White Bowl Kitchen, quieter but no less inviting. The atmosphere there was warmer. It was known for a single dish more than anything else—slow-simmered chicken gravy served with plain white rice. Nothing extravagant, yet people said the first bite carried a kind of comfort that made the noise outside feel distant, almost irrelevant.
Around them were a few food stalls and small coffee shops, but the real crowd gathered at these two places. Through the glass, even from outside, the warmth, movement, and life inside were impossible to miss.
Along the edge of the Han River, surrounded by lights, voices, and drifting aromas, both restaurants stood alive in their own ways—each telling a different story of the same night.
Zoya stood near the walking path, still absorbing the noise and movement around her, when Ji-ho came back from the parking area. He walked beside her naturally, as if it was already decided that they would go in together.
She assumed he was simply escorting her inside.
The crowd grew thicker as they moved closer to the restaurants. Both places were alive—glass walls glowing, tables full, smoke rising as people cooked their food themselves, laughter mixing with the sizzle of grills. Korean dishes filled both spaces, familiar aromas drifting into the night. The only clear difference was subtle: one place served simple drinks—water, juice—while the other carried beer and soju to the tables. Both were busy. Both were full.
As they reached the space between the two restaurants, Ji-ho slowed his steps.
"Come inside," he said calmly. "I'll show you my restaurant."
Zoya stopped.
She looked at him, then at the restaurant he was facing.
"Your… restaurant?" she repeated, caught completely off guard.
"Yes," he said, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
For a moment, she didn't know how to react. She hadn't known. Not even suspected. The idea that this place—standing quietly beside the louder glow of the other restaurant—belonged to Ji-ho hadn't crossed her mind.
"Oh…" she said softly, then smiled. "I should meet my friends first. They'll get worried. If I call again and say I'm still not coming, they'll probably drag me out of the restaurant and beat me," she added with a laugh.
Ji-ho smiled at her expression. "Alright. I'll walk with you. It's crowded inside—you might have trouble finding your table."
"No," Zoya said quickly. "Please go back. You already have so much work. Your restaurant is very busy."
"It's okay," he replied. "I'll come with you. Once you spot your friends, I'll head back."
She hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."
Together, they entered Riverlane Table.
Inside, the noise wrapped around them instantly. Every table was occupied. People were seated close together, leaning over built-in grills, cooking their own food, completely absorbed. Meat sizzled, scissors clicked, smoke rose in soft clouds toward the ceiling. It was hard to tell where one table ended and another began.
Zoya looked around, confused. They're not here… she thought. Minji would have waved already.
"Hi, Ji-ho."
A male voice came from behind.
Ji-ho turned. "Hi, Lee."
The boy looked around their age, Korean, casual. "You're here?"
"Yes. Some people I know are here. I just came to see them."
Lee nodded. "Try upstairs. Maybe they're there."
"Upstairs?" Zoya repeated quietly to herself.
"There are only two tables booked upstairs," Lee added. "I don't think your friends are there, but you can check. I've got work." With a quick nod, he walked away.
"I'll check," Zoya said immediately. "Please go back. I'm sure they're upstairs."
Ji-ho studied her for a second, then nodded. "Alright. Maybe they're not here after all."
"I'll come see your restaurant later," Zoya said lightly, trying to sound casual.
"Okay," he replied.
He turned and walked back toward the exit.
Zoya headed toward the stairs, already pulling out her phone to call Minji. As she climbed, someone suddenly tugged at the bag on her back, pulling her slightly to the side. She turned sharply—but it was only a waiter passing by, clearly in a hurry, heading upstairs without saying a word.
She steadied herself, then felt it.
Someone was behind her.
She turned again.
Teahun stood there.
She narrowed her eyes at him. He lifted his eyebrows deliberately, teasing her with an exaggerated expression. As he stepped aside, another figure appeared behind him.
Jeon.J.
He cast Zoya a cold, unreadable glance, brushed past Teahun, and moved forward. After three steps, he stopped at Teahun's question, who ask to zoya
Teahun turned back toward Zoya, his tone suddenly sharp, possessive.
"Who was that?"
"Who?" Zoya asked flatly.
"The one standing with you."
"There was no one," she said. "Just a waiter who went upstairs."
"A waiter?" Teahun scoffed. "He didn't look like a waiter."
Zoya stared at him. "What do you want for staying quiet?"
Teahun folded his arms dramatically, pretending to think. "Post today. From your account. Say you're a big fan of Teahun."
She smiled sweetly, stepped closer, looked straight into his eyes, and said through clenched teeth, "I'm not a fan of Teahun. I'm not even a fan of TBS."
Teahun pouted. "You'll become our fan one day."
"That will never happen."
Jeon.J, already uninterested in their argument, left them there and continued upstairs toward his table, where everyone was busy eating, unaware of what had just unfolded below.
Zoya took a breath and continued up the stairs—toward Minji, toward the truth she didn't want Ji-ho to know.
Upstairs, the noise softened—but it never truly disappeared.
It faded into a distant murmur, filtered through glass and height, like the city refusing to be silenced completely.
Zoya climbed the stairs and stopped.
They were all there.
Minji sat slightly turned, Jeon.J's chair beside her, laughing softly at something Hosu had said. Kim Joon leaned forward, elbows resting on the table, calm and observant as ever—his eyes taking in everything without announcing it. Jinhun stood close to the grill, completely focused, flipping the meat with perfect timing. Yomin leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded, watching the room without a single visible reaction. Minjo was already bent over the table, eating without hesitation, while Hosu talked animatedly, hands moving as much as his mouth, keeping the entire table alive.
The table was crowded with dishes—grilled meat sizzling softly, small side plates arranged neatly, sauces lined up, lettuce leaves stacked with care. Steam rose lazily into the air. Bottles stood between glasses—some untouched, others already half-empty. It was a familiar sight for them: loud without chaos, relaxed without carelessness.
Minji turned.
"Zoya," she said, relief slipping into her voice. "At last You're here."
"I told you I'd come," Zoya replied as she stepped closer.
"You disappeared," Hosu laughed. "We were about to send a search team."
"I was only a few minutes late," Zoya answered lightly.
"A few minutes?" Sophia scoffed. "You're coming after the whole day."
"And we came here to hang out together," Hana added in a complaining tone. "But you've been roaming around separately for two days."
"It's not like that," Zoya said calmly. "Today I was invited. Mrs. Donghyun insisted a lot, so I couldn't refuse."
"We invited you too," Teahun said, teasing.
"Yes—and I was invited to two places in one day," Zoya replied smoothly, adding fuel to the fire. "So I didn't waste either invitation. I went there, then came here. I don't waste invitations, and I don't go anywhere without an invitation."
Teahun looked at her closely, then turned to Minji. "Minji, tell your friend—you invited us for lunch that day."
"Which day?" Minji asked, trying not to laugh.
"The day we all came."
"No," Minji said innocently. "I didn't invite anyone."
Zoya looked at Teahun with victorious eyes.
Everyone burst out laughing together.
"Zoya, want some noodles?" Yomin asked as he prepared them.
"No, I'm full," she replied. "I already ate. You guys eat."
Jeon.J didn't look at her even once.
His focus remained on his plate, cutting his food slowly, deliberately—as if nothing else existed.
Teahun leaned back in his chair, openly watching her, then poked again."You came alone?"
Zoya met his gaze directly. "Yes."
"That's a lie," Teahun said. "You came with someone."
"Teahun," everyone said together, "what will you want to stay quiet this time?"
He raised his hands immediately. "Okay, okay. I'm not saying anything."
Teahun eats silently
"You went quiet without even demanding anything," Zoya leaned toward him and whispered teasingly.
Jeon.J glanced toward them, catching the exchange.
Jinhun and Yomin placed freshly grilled meat onto a plate and slid it to the center."Eat before it gets cold."
Zoya picked up a water bottle. For a brief second, her eyes met Jeon.J's.
Just a second.
His expression didn't change—cold, controlled, distant.
She looked away first.
"So how was your day?" Hosu asked Minji and the others.
"It was good," Minji replied, then glanced at Jeon.J. "But Jeon.J took too long outside. If he had come on time, he could've joined us; maybe we would have enjoyed ourselves more."
"That's true." "Why were you so late? Bamson's fine, right?" Kim Joon asked.
Jinhun and Zoya both looked at Jeon.J. He stared straight ahead. Jinhun then looked at Zoya—she immediately lowered her gaze.
Zoya leaned toward Teahun. "What happened to Bamson?"
Teahun stared at her, but there was no answer.
She looked to him, but he ignored her.
"What will you want to answer properly?" she asked.
Jeon.J shot them both a cold glance.
"You'll tell me who the person was that came to drop you off," Teahun said.
"Okay—but first tell me what happened to Bamson," Zoya said
"You'll introduce me to him, too?"
"Okay."
"Then tell me what happened to Bamson."
"You won't back out?"
"What happened to Bamson?"
"See? You're already backing out."
"Teahun, I'm not backing out. Now tell me."
"Promise," he teased.
"Promise. Now tell me."
"Nothing happened. It was just a routine checkup."
"A routine checkup?" Zoya straightened. "Where we come from, people don't get checkups unless they're sick. This is a dog's routine checkup?" she muttered thoughtfully.
"Now tell me—who was he?" Teahun insisted.
Zoya looked at him and asked calmly, "Who are you?"
"You promised." Teahun angry
"Why do you want to know? Why are you so interested?"
"I'll get upset."
"Really? I'll survive that sadness."
"Zoyaaaaa!" Teahun shouted.
Everyone looked at him.
"What's wrong with you?" Minjo asked.
"She—" Teahun started.
"She actually—" Zoya interrupted quickly. "He lost a bet to me and isn't accepting it."
Teahun stared at her in shock—When did I lose? What bet?
"You lost to her? What bet?" Minjo asked.
"He said he's not scared of anyone," Zoya continued smoothly. "I said, if you're not scared, walk with me through the crowd downstairs. He said he loves RAMY, but crowds are difficult. So he admitted defeat."
"You lost over that?" Minjo laughed again. "That's sad."
Teahun stared at Zoya, stunned at this new version of events."I'm not scared. Let's go now."
"You've already lost," Yomin said calmly.
Teahun narrowed his eyes at Zoya. "Fine. We'll play again. But cover your face properly."
Zoya spotted a cane nearby and handed it to him, then gave him Hosu's black glasses.
Everyone burst out laughing.
"I'm not going like this."
"You are," Zoya teased. "Because you're brave enough to handle the crowd. I have no interest in handling your RAMY family."
She leaned closer and whispered, "If you want to know who he was—walk quietly."
Teahun looked at her, sighed, put on the glasses, and took the cane.
"Now you really look blind," Hosu laughed.
"They should be arrested," Minji joked. "Let's go."
"I'm coming," Jeon.J said to Minji and walked behind her without reacting to Jinhun's glare.
To be continued....
Regards
ZK