Chapter Text
Park Jimin wriggles in his chair, he is a smart, handsome man in his early thirties, hair gelled properly exposing his forehead, they were pink colored making him look different among the people present there, he wore a formal attire but topped it with a gold chain, chanel locket dangling from his neck, sitting next to him is his partner Kim Namjoon who is a tall guy who looked more relaxed than him, hair freshly got military cut, his one arm bears tattoos that were half covered by the sleeve folded up to his elbow, eyes trained on the people in the room with cameras and notepads, he looks fairly handsome and young for somebody to be in his early thirties. It was not like Jimin has never seen his partner or friends on stage, he had seen more difficult days than this but he was nervous nonetheless, for his brother (not blood related) who had all the attention today sitting on the platform with few other people and passing a suppressed smile to him to let him know that things are good. Kim Seokjin smiles as the person next to him, his publisher pat's his back and congratulates him while he patiently waits for the conference to begin, already having a jittery feeling with all the eyes trained on them, their friends were not with them as they used to be, he sighs as Namjoon gives him a thumbs up with softness on his face assuring things will go fine showing him how he is holding onto Jimin's hand who was blushing with the act now.
Seokjin elder than the two, takes a deep breath and exhales, looking towards the camera as the speaker on the podium starts with the greetings and introductions. He was in a press conference of the newly released book “Lovelorn” written by him, which did wonders and became a best seller in just a week of it being published, so to celebrate its worldwide success a conference was organized and that’s how he finds himself there totally not expecting the outcome, and drags his brother and friend too for supporting him. The speaker congratulates him for the success of the book, telling the stats and demands the book is getting, he calls Seokjin to give an insight of the book and the story behind the wonderful idea, who nods standing up, a little hesitant as he brushes off the crease on his suit and slowly takes the steps towards the podium, bowing at the media and people present there before adjusting the mic to his level, he is a fairly handsome and gorgeous man with a bright personality, his features emitting the radiance, clad in blue suit that does justice with his physique and skin tone, he caught eyes of everyone present there not just by his work but by his looks too. He glances at the poster of his book's cover page, a person holding mic in his hand and head thrown back as he sings, the background was dark him lighting as an angel in between flashes of camera, as he sings for a huge crowd, wearing a light colored jeans, and a tank top, hair long and fluffy, it is a reminisce of old times, him being part of that crowd or back stage hearing the loud cheering of the crowd, calling names of his friends , the good old days, that taught him so well. He settles his gaze back to the people sitting there, in their reserved places, quite crowded than he expected, he didn't expect much in first place but his gut said that from the beginning, Jimin's too when they thought of the idea of giving this a try.
“Hello, I am Kim Seokjin, I am very grateful to the people for making the book best seller also a huge thanks to my publisher who believed in my writing and helped me with this, without him I would had to struggle from place to place (he earns a thumbs up from the man) it was not easy to write down about something that you have witnessed from side lines, it was very difficult, sometimes just remembering it brought tears to my eyes, those were our best days, carefree to say most, I would like to thank my brother Park Jimin who supported me with the idea and friend Kim Namjoon with the help of whom I was able to write about the life of a rockstar in more details and vividly, I think it's his and my other friends' guidance that I was able to do justice to the book, when Jimin proposed me the idea of writing this book I didn’t took him seriously, he used to ask me to fill in the details of our friends experiences, I recalled all the memories together and the only thing I could say is I miss those days, my friends, their band. This story is real to those who love music, live with it, have witnessed their idols and wondered what it's been like living life of the person singing on the stage, I think that adds to the reason why this book is being gaining popularity though at the time of writing I was just a mess of thoughts and emotions, I really tried to do justice to portray the life of the people in the story, we face so many challenges in life but the winner is one who smiles through those challenges, and does what is to be done, what was expected of him, though this story shows certain aspects that are not according to the principles and norms of our society but I really am happy and thankful to the readers and critics for liking the book and giving it a go and much needed love in making it a huge success. Lovelorn is for all those who love unconditionally ” he glances at Jimin and Namjoon who were smiling brightly at him with teary eyes. "I don’t know what else to say, you can ask the questions.” he continues.
One of the smartly dressed lady speaks first, her ID making contact with the table harshly as she quickly tries to put forward her question "Is it that you are friends with the famous band that you thought of writing this story? Like a promotion or something?" Seokjin smiles at that.
"Well if you know that I am friend with the famous band then you might also know that they needed no promotion of any sort ( people laugh at that) the idea of writing the book was not instant, it took lots of courage from my part, it is similar to our friends and that means bringing out their feelings to the public, emotions too, which is a huge responsibility, but yes I was inspired by them, I very much wanted it to happen I wanted the world to know what actually went in their lives when all people saw was fame, money, success, I discussed it with Joon he hesitated first but then told me to write it down, he wanted the world to know what actually the life of a Rockstar can be like behind the stage, I know you were not expecting some events and the comments I got from people they too felt more connection with the character of Hyunjun, the feelings are mutual, but the rockstar, Joohyun always tried to prove how carefree he was just like us, the two are quite relatable with all of us"
“It was not about you but inspired by your band mates yet you were quite precise with certain informations, is it really fictional?” a man asks this time.
“That's for you to decide, would you have accepted it if it were to be true, I once stumbled upon a journal of someone dear to me who has lived through all this, his insight was what made it more real, I will always be thankful to him for being the part of my life”
“Would they have let you to write it down?”
“Yes, he left me a note there to do whatever I can of it, though he must not be expecting it to be like this” Seokjin laughs.
"Isn't this character Joohyun similar to the very famous record breaking rockstar JK?" There were murmurs all agreeing to it.
Seokjin glances at Namjoon whose smile wipes off hearing the question "As I said...inspired by true events, we all find him in every rockstar we see, he had that effect"
The rest of the press conference goes on smoothly with a few more questions and a session of reading done by Seokjin himself.
After the conference the trio heads towards the party organised for the success of the book, it was formal and quite boring for them, they were more eager to go to Namjoon's old studio, where his band used to record many songs when young, and was now used by them as a hangout place to meet and talk things together when feeling alone. They were eager to meet their other two friends who will join them in a while, the other two members of the rock band Namjoon was in.
They were the members of the rock band 'Freed' and rocked the word with their alternative rock, heavy metal, in their twenties, a band of four, the bassist of the group was Yoongi with the stage name Suga, specialist in hard rock, punk, heavy metal, alternative rock, and backing vocals. Next member was Kim Namjoon with the name RM, the guitarist, back vocalist and song writer of the band, his love for the guitar was immense, third being the drummer of the group with immense energy Jung Hoseok, named as Hope, he was the last one to join the band, was the schoolmate of Yoongi.
And the last one being the lead guitarist and vocalist and song writer, Jeon Jungkook known as JK to the world, who formed the band he delivered songs in tenor range from deep to vibrant high pitched, he was a genius, the best till now and still to come, people bowed to him, wanted to get his one glance, going crazy over him, he was an obsession for many at that time, he was one of his kind, his personality attracting anyone he talks with or is known to, he was said to be the kind of person that would never be born again.
The band had successful stories to share their albums were sold in the blink, their first music started from the studio they named ‘punks den’.
Namjoon looks up towards the studio their 'punks den' as Seokjin stops the car, Jimin holds Namjoon's hand giving it a light squeeze as they look at each other then walk out the car to go inside the place, there they were greeted by the other two members already waiting for them Yoongi, pale skin shining in night light, sharp features and piercing gaze, he looks quite composed and fit, short and straight blonde hair, and Hoseok who smiles lighting cigarette for Yoongi, who accepts it with a hum, his fingers having rings, that shined like his bright smile and face, he looks lean but energetic with the enthusiasm with which he waves his hands and calls to greet the trio arrived there. They hug each other with simple greetings and walks inside the studio sitting on the comfortable chairs and sofa whichever they get first, looking around the place, it didn’t change much just a little old.
“It’s been long” Hoseok says, checking the magazines bundled there.
“How have you both been? I didn't got any calls or texts from you two” Namjoon asks looking at the two.
Hoseok smiles “Me and Yoongi are together now...working things maybe we to will move from here”
Jimin smles hearing that “Tae would have loved to see this” there was sadness in his eyes. They fall in silence.
“I am also thinking of settling down before I get older” Seokjin says to lighten the mood. They nod happy for him.
“It is so awkward” Yoongi mutters exhaling, there meetings were very rare and filled with awkwardness and unsaid words there group was incomplete with members missing so it never felt the way like before.
"How will you manage your work?" Namjoon asks to Yoongi who was now working for a production house in totally different genre from theirs while Hoseok opened his own class for training.
"We are working on it let's see what happens" Yoongi answers.
"I didn't want to but he insists of moving" Hoseok says leaning back on the sofa, taking a deep sigh.
"We found Love among us" Jimin smiles.
"We always did, Jungkook used to say we won't be able to live apart maybe live together...though it was as joke but it really happened, we never needed anyone else in first place" he smiles.
"True" they agree with it and before the silence prevails again Namjoon speaks up.
“I brought the book with me” he smiles,
“And I arranged food for us, I still know your preferences, though we three are already full” Jin laughs as he points towards the bag of food.
Hoseok claps, “Let’s start first with the reading, I was very excited for it, Yoongs read the book several times you know, but I wanted it to be done this way, will make it more beautiful experience...to be honest I never thought I would read about us, it is so exciting, let Yoongi to start with but I want our names to be taken not the fictional ones that will be no fun” they laugh at it.
"It is a secret between us only" Jin smiles.
"You did great job Jin I was amazed with the writing and it was so nostalgic wish we could go back I would have smacked the two on the head" they agree.
Namjoon hands him the book, Yoongi moves his fingers on the cover page remembering the similar moment, the loud cheering, calling of their names, the huge crowd, and the bold presence with beautiful voice that used to steal everyone's heart, the air becomes thick again, Hoseok pats his shoulder telling him to open the book. Yoongi exhales and starts with the first line.
………….
(To be continued..)