Uff, thank God, today was such a tiring day. It's only 6 o'clock right now and I'm already feeling sleepy.
Ruhi dropped on her single-size bed and said,
"What must Bamson be doing right now?"
Hana, remembering Bamson, said,
"When we had him, right now Minji would be showing him his father's (Jeon.J) videos on YouTube — because you, Ruhi, and Zoya would be at your jobs."
Sofia, thinking, told Hana.
....
All of them had just arrived at the share house. It was a big hall, which is why everyone got their own single-size bed and adjusted it. Zoya had requested and taken the bed near the window. There was one slightly big wardrobe in the hall, so everyone took one section each and neatly arranged their clothes. There was a drawer next to every bed where they kept their personal items.
In the kitchen, some of the usable items were already there, some they planned to buy later — this was decided.
This hall belonged to five friends — but if you noticed, these five friends were from different religions. Their culture, language, way of living, way of dressing, even food and daily life activities were all different.
Now the friendship was about to begin — we had to see how these different souls would adjust in one place. Would this friendship stay or would it end?
---
They took two hours to set up their share house and then ordered food because no one had the energy to cook.
"We will need a dining table," Zoya said, "because there isn't enough space for five separate study tables. It's better to buy one dining table — we can eat there and study there too. What do you think?"
"Hmmm… fine, let's see in the morning. Right now, we just need food. Did someone order?" Sofia asked.
"Yes, we did," everyone replied.
"No, I didn't order," Zoya said.
Minji looked at Zoya but didn't say anything.
"Then why did you ask?" Sofia asked.
"Just like that. I'll make tea for myself and I have one pack of noodles, I'll make that." Zoya clarified.
But Zoya stopped Sofia and said,
"Look, we are all here together now, okay? But please don't ask me certain questions. I can't answer them."
"Zoya is right," Minji suddenly spoke — she had been quiet since she came, and no one had said anything to her because everyone knew she had become very close to Bamson.
"If we keep asking each other questions all the time, living together will become very difficult. We are all from different regions, different religions. Hana and I are Korean, our parents follow different religions, but there's no pressure on us to follow any religion — we just live for humanity.
Ruhi…" (Minji looked at Ruhi as if asking her which religion she followed.)
"I'm Sikh," Ruhi said.
"Oh…" Minji nodded.
"Sofia and you are Muslim, right?"
"One minute — I'm not Muslim, I'm Christian," Sofia said.
Everyone was shocked because until now they all assumed Sofia was Muslim since Morocco is a Muslim country.
Sofia quickly explained,
"Yes, but in our religion, we also keep names by their meaning, not by religion. And in Morocco there are non-Muslims too."
"Oh, I see," Minji said and continued,
"But this thing will never come between our friendship — and that will only happen if we stop asking too many questions, care for each other, respect each other's values, and stand with each other in happy moments.
Tell me, do you all agree?" Minji extended her hand.
One by one, everyone placed their hand on hers and showed their agreement.
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
"Looks like the food is here!" Sofia ran towards the door.
"I'll go make my noodles."
Zoya also got up, went to the kitchen, and used some utensils to make noodles.
All of them sat together, ate their food, then lay on their beds and started scrolling through their phones.
News about Bamson being found was spreading everywhere on social media, and even some of his recent pictures with Jeon.J had been uploaded. Everyone saw them but no one said anything.
Even though it was just for a short while, they had all gotten close to Bamson. Seeing him on social media, knowing he was Jeon.J's dog, still felt different because they had spent some days with him — stolen food for him, cared for him, laughed with him.
Zoya was also looking at Bamson's pictures — and in her mind, it was like a whole movie was playing.
---
Morning time.
When everyone left Zoya and Bamson alone in the dorm, there was complete silence.
After some time, Zoya got up from the floor and looked at Bamson — he was lying flat with his neck on the floor and his paws stretched. When he saw Zoya get up, he lifted his neck.
Zoya sat on her bed, put her head on the pillow, pulled her legs up, and started crying again.
"Bamson… they all left, but how will I stay? I told you, I get scared when new people come. I was scared of these four too at first — I couldn't sleep at night, I hid under the blanket. Hana and Ruhi thought I was asleep but I was awake inside. Bamson, I get scared — they don't know this, but what can I do? I can't tell them, I can't show my weakness."
The room was silent except for Zoya's quiet sobs.
Then suddenly, she got up, picked her phone, and said,
"I'll go with them. I'll manage my expenses. I have to live for myself now, for my heart. Why should Zoya always sacrifice? No, Zoya won't this time."
While talking, she dialed Hana's number but there was no credit on her phone.
She remembered she hadn't recharged her phone since coming to Busan.
Then she remembered — she had followed these four friends on Instagram a few days ago. She opened Instagram but the first video of Jeon.J she watched had him not talking about Bamson. He looked sad — he was trying to hide it but everyone could tell he was broken.
Maybe Zoya felt his pain too — and that feeling made her decide something.
She noted down the number given on the screen and left the room, leaving Bamson inside. She went and knocked on the door of the room next door.
"Hello."
One of the girls near the study table looked up from her laptop, smiled, and said, "Hello."
"Can you give me your phone? I need to make an urgent call. My phone has no credit."
She smiled and said, "Yes, sure."
The girl gave her the phone.
Zoya dialed and tried calling — the call wouldn't connect. She kept trying for 15 minutes, then finally the bell started ringing.
After a few seconds, someone picked up.
Zoya came to the side of the room and then started to talk with Jea.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Jea?"
"Yes!"
"I'm calling from National University Busan hostel."
"Yes ma'am, please tell me why you called."
Zoya's heart almost stopped.
(Why am I doing this? Why can't I just hang up?!) she thought.
"I wanted to ask…"
"Sorry, wrong number."
(Zoya took the phone away from her ear and put all her emotions aside.)
"Hello? Wait — actually, I called to tell you about a dog."
"Dog?"
"Yes, sorry — I mean, I was going to tell you about my friend's nephew…"
"Nephew?"
"Oh no, no — there's a dog here that looks exactly like the one in the picture you shared on social media. Please come and take him. Bring his father too, because I can't take care of him anymore. I've fed him two of my favorite snack packs and a biscuit pack — but I can't keep him. And if possible, please don't reveal my name or number to the media. Because I'm not your fan, I just saw him and informed you. Just come and take your dog."
"Dog? No, his name is Bamson, ma'am."
"Oh, okay — Bamson. Fine. Bye."
The call disconnected.
Zoya started taking deep breaths — it hadn't been easy, but she had done it.
She thanked the girl for the phone and before the four returned, she went to the hostel office and completed all the formalities.
When she came back, Bamson was sitting exactly as if he had been waiting for her.
Zoya quickly took out her luggage and her big handbag and started packing her things. She placed all her stuff neatly on one side.
Then she sat down on the floor next to Bamson.
Today she wasn't scared anymore.
She wanted to talk to Bamson — but she was confused.
She had read that pets listen to their owner's feelings. They weren't his owners, but after two weeks maybe he would understand.
"Bamson…" Zoya cleared her throat, which was hoarse from crying for hours.
"I did something. I don't know if I should have done it or not — but I did. Before Hana, Minji, Ruhi, and Sofia come back, listen to me.
I called your father — I mean Jeon.J. I didn't speak to him, but I spoke to his PA, Jea. He will come here in some time to take you back."
Zoya's eyes filled with tears again.
"Look, I couldn't see Jeon.J so broken. He misses you — and I know you miss him too. Since you came, you haven't even gone outside once. I know those four take care of you a lot, but no one can take your father's place.
I don't know who will reach first — your four aunts or Jea — but I'm praying Jea comes first and takes you home.
I can't think about anyone right now — just listen to me carefully.
I don't know if you'll understand me or not, but if you react to what I say, I'll know you do.
Bamson, stand up."
(Zoya was scared — what if Bamson didn't react?)
But Bamson stood up.
Zoya laughed while crying.
"Bamson, when Jea comes, I'll go to nearby rooms and tell everyone outside that Jeon.J's PA is here — and you know just his name is enough to make everyone rush outside.
When they go, you just leave. Don't look back.
If I come outside, don't come to me or to Hana, Ruhi, Minji, or Sofia again. Just go with Jea.
Because your missing and your being with us might create issues.
Oh, and I've kept a letter inside your sweater — give it to your father Jeon.J."
She quickly tucked the letter inside the sweater.
Then she stood up and said,
"You stay here, I'll be back — I have to get something from the hostel store. And anyway, your four aunts deserve a story to hear when they come back."
She left the room, turned around one last time to look at Bamson — tears flowed again — and closed the door.
But in her hurry, she didn't check if the door locked properly or not.
She went to the store, bought some biscuits, and as she stepped out, a car stopped outside.
Her heartbeat grew faster.
She quickly ran towards her room but entered the room next door instead.
The same girl was still typing on her laptop.
"Sorry to disturb, but I just saw Jeon.J's PA, Jea, outside. Why has he come here? In the morning Jeon.J was…"
The moment the girl heard Jeon.J's name, she stood up and left the room before Zoya could finish speaking.
Zoya exhaled and then went to the other nearby room, did the same thing, and those girls also ran outside.
When Zoya came out, the hall was already full of fans (mostly girls).
(My blood pressure is going to shoot up now!) she thought.
Suddenly she saw Bamson with Jea.
Zoya closed her eyes and opened them again — yes, it was Bamson.
She ran back to her room and saw that it was empty — only Bamson's food bowl was there.
She came outside again, and this time Bamson looked up at her as if saying,
"I understood you — but you were late."
To be Continue....