SURVIVING THE STORM ~ Chapter One [Part 2]
Please read Chapter One [ Part 1 ] .... >>>>> < click here >
::::::: Being cold ::::::::
< Part 2 >
~~~ FLASHBACK ~~~
[ The day of the Japan Award show ]
In Tokyo, Yunho and Changmin were to meet the other 3 on the day of the show. Three hours before reporting at the studios, Junsu, Yoochun and Jaejoong were to arrive at the Vice-President’s home, their meeting point. From there the boys will leave in one van as 5 - and head for the studios together. Lee Soo Man insisted that the meeting be just 15 minutes, but the AVEX Vice President twisted his arm saying that his wife insisted on hosting lunch for the superstar boys. His nieces are their ardent fans and must meet their idols.
Changmin came into the living room, excited, “ Hyung they are here”
Yunho stood up, nervous. He could not utter a word. The last time he met Jaejoong and the boys was in the studio in Korea for a Bigeast station recording, and that was a month ago.
“Heyyyyy Changmiiiin !!” Yoochun's drawl could be heard. He was first to came through the door. Smiling brightly as always, shaking Changmin’s hand and hugging him. Junsu came right after and Changmin was teasingly mumbling something about him gaining weight. The three stood there at the door, kept talking not noticing Yunho in the center of the hall.
“Hey guys…. Finally !!” Yunho spoke in a low voice. Despite the distance, his voice was still heard by Junsu and Yoochun. With crooked smiles and eyes slightly glistened, the 2 younger boys approached their leader. Avoiding their usual formal handshakes, Yunho wrapped his wide arms around Junsu and Yoochun and hugged them like an eagle protecting its brood.
“I missed you guys so darn much”, he squeezed them tighter.
“Hyung, I missed you too but, I don't want to choke to death” Yoochun joked. Yunho let go of him and raised his hand to catch a high-five Yoochun gave him. His left arm still holding Junsu who took slightly longer to look up to face the leader. He then gave Junsu another strong hug and patted Junsu’s arm.
“Hey, are you coping alright Junsu ah ?” he looked down, trying to peek at Junsu’s face.
“There were good and bad days. But at least I don’t have to rush for the bathroom anymore”. Yunho felt the lump in his throat and he hugged his dongseng one more time and kissed the top of his head.
Right that instant he saw Jaejoong’s profile near the door, hugging and talking to Changmin. He felt his heart stopped. Yunho wondered if Junsu heard it too, cos’ the boy slowly loosened his embrace. Jaejoong was smiling and teasing Changmin just like normal. But even from his side profile, Yunho could see the sadness in Jaejoong’s eyes. He knew Jaejoong would never be the first to greet him. Jaejoong probably would have noticed him from the corner of his eye. But yet he still continued his idle chat with Changmin.
“Jaejoongie ah” he called as he approached Jaejoong who still didn’t turn to look at him.. “ Yah, don’t pretend you didn’t see me” Jaejoong turned and their eyes met for a few seconds.
“ Who said I was avoiding you, Yunho ah.” Jaejoong denied the accusation as they got into their signature handshake and hug. He then stood beside the leader but his eyes were glancing at everything else around the room except Yunho, and he started rambling, “ So your drama’s done now huh? I hope you’ve rested well and went to see your parents back home. Now is the good time to get your body strong and healthy again. Yunho yah, don’t act tough and then surprise us like crazy when you get sick out of the blue. You were too thin when I saw you on the drama. Good thing you're gaining now. But don’t forget to work out ….”
“ Hey hey… “ Yunho couldn’t help but had to cut in, “Are you going to talk non stop like this through lunch or till we reached the studios?” His eyes still fixed on Jaejoong, but felt restless that the man was obviously trying to avoid eye contact with him.
Jaejoong let out a nervous laugh. “ Sorry nagging overload. You can’t blame me its been awhile”
The Vice-President and his wife entered the living room and invited everyone to the dining hall. Respectfully the boys bowed and made their way. Yunho truly missed Jaejoong, he wished their conversation was not cut that short, and how he hoped Jaejoong would sit beside him during lunch. But when he saw Jaejoong sat next to Yoochun, he smirked, not in the slightest way surprised at the lead singer's actions. Mindlessly he headed to the other empty seat next to Jaejoong but was stopped in his tracks when he heard Jae calling Changmin instead.
"Yah Changmin, sit here. I wanna know all about your drama in Jeju. Have you started yet?"
Yunho smirked again. He knew Jaejoong did that not because he was avoiding him, but it was Jaejoong's way to remind Yunho where he SHOULD be seated. It is out of habit that he always move towards Jaejoong sometimes....He was glad Jaejoong's voice woke him out of his daze. Yunho dutifully took the seat next to the VP. But he still missed Jaejoong and wished he was there where Changmin was. Yunho unfold his napkin and placed it on his lap while his glance kept on the VP who was talking to him. At the corner of his eyes he could see Jaejoong occassionally stealing long glances at him while nodding slightly at Changmin talking. But when Yunho turned to look at him, the mysterious lead singer quickly looked away or looked down at the food on his plate.
The lunch served was delicious. Their Vice-President and his wife were kind to keep the conversation light and away form the stresses of the current situation. The food was good but the boys were too involved with talking to one another. Slowly the teasing and joking came back amongst his dongseng, and Yunho was glad. He can’t wait for their fans to see that the Dong Bang spirit was there as always, nothing has changed. He felt confident about their appearance on TV that night. Though he was still concerned at Jaejoong’s odd behaviour. But Jaejoong was laughing and that’s good, he thought.
“Alright gentlemen,” said the Vice-President “ I believe your managers will be briefing you on what you would be expected to do at the studios later. I shall leave you here. Treat my home as it would be yours”
“So your nieces will be joining us later, Sir ?” Yunho asked.
“Oh that… yes my nieces. They’d be screaming when they knew you fine men were here in my house. But….” he paused and then smiled, “They’re not here today boys.”
The 5 boys were puzzled, staring at the old man.
“Its just a trick I played on Soo Man, an excuse. Things have been hard on all of you. But tonight is special. Our Japanese audience will be honored to see you together on stage again. AVEX is glad we finally managed to do this. I want you boys to have more time here to adjust to things, and not at the studios” he motioned his wife that they were leaving. “Alright boys, the time is all yours” he pat Yunho’s back and turned to leave with his wife in tow.
Yunho felt touched by what was said. He glanced at his members and noticed the smile of appreciation from the other 4 as they bowed to the VP. He has not seen that look on the faces of his members for awhile - the same look expressed together. He felt good.
However, Yunho’s joy was shortlived…..In the living room their managers from Avex briefed them on the line-up of the show that night. There will be an interview, but unlike in the past, where all 5 were free to answer any questions at will, that night only Yunho was to answer all questions.
“You mean we can’t speak at all?” Yoochun stood up furious. Junsu pulled him by the arm to sit back on the couch.
“This is just crazy,” Junsu spoke. “Everyone will be watching tonight”
“Yeah, they’ve waited for this” Yoochun added, “ It will look awkward. They will notice the difference. Why create a rift when there isn’t any between us?”
“The change in standing order is really unnecessary” Junsu pointed out.
“Yeah” Yoochun said in agreement. He kept puffing to keep his cool.
“I am sorry” said one of the AVEX managers. “ These instructions came from the Korean office and there’s nothing we can do. Mr Lee wants only Yunho to answer the questions. Since the two hosts will be standing at the left side of the stage, Yunho should be closer to them, so we have to switch the order”
“Do you know about this?” Jaejoong who was quiet the whole time finally spoke. Yunho looked at him, as if he knew that question was directed to him even though Jaejoong did not look at him when he spoke.
“No!!”
“Hyung, just like you, this is the first time we heard of this” Changmin clarified.
“Why are we told about this only now?” Yunho spoke, a deep frown forming on his forehead. “ Why didn’t they tell us when we were in Korea, when we were told about the ridiculously insane accomodation arrangements?”
“I am sorry, we wanted to tell you early. Infact this line-up was set a month ago.” the 1st Avex manager tried to explain. ”You boys know that Avex will support you in every way. But Mr Lee put conditions, specific conditions. We cannot have Tohoshinki if the living arrangements were not met the way he requested, and the interivew in the show is not done this way”
“We know it is unreasonable” said the second manager. “but cutting Tohoshinki off from all performances both in Korea and Japan is just not right. Your fans will be devastated, especially Japanese fans. You are at the top of your career. We have worked hard together and your tour ended with a blast at Tokyo Dome. At least if you appeared in Japan, fans in Korea and everywhere will still get to see you”
“Tamura San, Saijo san thank you. We didn’t mean to blame you or Avex.” Changmin finally spoke, “We’re just shocked at how things are blown out of proportion for the wrong reasons”
“We should not show everyone as if there were problems when there actually were none” Yunho added. His voice was low and sad “By doing this, we will spark more rumours and hurt our fans”
“Precisely !!” Yoochun agreeing with Yunho, “ Ok tell me what should I do if the host directed a question only at me, specifically? Am I to just shut up not say a word?”
“They have been told to ask only Yunho," Saijo san replied " But if they did, you can answer, but briefly”
“I won’t answer, “ Jaejoong's cold voice broke the heated conversation.
The living room fell silent, all eyes on him.. “If silence is what they wanted, that is what I’ll give them”
“You can’t do that Joongie, it will make it worst.” Yunho advised.
“I agree with Yunho hyung,” Junsu said. “ Our Japanese audience have known you as the chirpy one at interviews. And TV show hosts in Japan just love to involve you” Junsu reminded.
“You can reason it out all you want” Jaejoong stood as he spoke. “The way I see it, they want the rest of us to play dumb and mute. Only Yunho will be the group’s mouthpiece.”
He paused but everyone stayed silent as if they knew Jaejoong has not reached his punchline.
“And if that is what they wanted, I’ll do it !!! I will be cold and silent. It is not as if I have never done THAT before”. He then closed his eyes and took a deep breath and walked out of the living room to wait in the van.
Yunho’s heavy heart sank deeper. He thought fans would be happy tonight, seeing them together as 5 again, united on stage. Now with all this and the reactions from his members, the tiny hairline cracks are going to be magnified.
~~~ END FLASHBACK ~~~
The ringing tone of Changmin’s phone shook Yunho to reality. The evening traffic on the highway from the airport have delayed them from reaching their Seoul apartment. The warmth of the SUV could not make the cold aching feeling in Yunho's chest go away. The pain had been there since the night before, at the Award show in Tokyo when Yunho saw how Jaejoong stood cold as ice, throughout the whole programme - sticking true to his words, Yunho knew fans will definitely react to that, it was obvious. Their clips would be spreading all over the net like wildfire by now. ..... He shivered at the thought of watching it and feeling the pain and sadness TVXQ fans would be feeling right that moment.
This is going to be a long and dreadful winter, he thought to himself. The lawsuit situation could very well make it one of their hardest. Everyday Yunho felt he and his members were forced to walk on ice. Dangerously treading on ice that is thinning - he prayed hard they would survive it all. As long as their spirit of 5 is united together - Yunho knew they can brave anything, even if they were kept apart, living away from each other. TVXQ's bond won't be shaken by just that. He saw that proof at the Vice President's lunch. If only fans could see that moment they were in during that lunch, not the pretentious & fake behaviour they were told to put on in the show, on stage after that. Then their beloved fans won't have to worry at all, Yunho sighed..
Changmin was still talking to his drama producer on the phone. Trying hard to absorb instructions about scene orders and reshuffling of schedules. He ended the phone conversation and then pinched the bridge of his nose, rubbing it gently with his fingers, trying hard to relief his already pounding head..
“ Hyung, I have script changes again. Does this always happen?” he let out, slightly whining.
“ You will get used to it as you go along”, Yunho comforted his dongseng.
“ I’ve memorised my lines from the old script. Now everything is out the window”
“ I don’t think they’d change everything.”
“ They said they have made some crucial plot changes. These guys are so stressed about ratings even before the drama aired.”
“ It’s part and parcel of the whole thing Min” Yunho explained. “Are they faxing it to you later tonight? I can script-read with you if you want?”
“ Can you? Oh that would be great, hyung. You took a load off my mind”
Changmin’s phone sounded again. This time it's a tone for incoming text message. He read the message, took a deep breath, slided down deeper into his seat and leaned back. Yunho somehow could feel that the text message was not from his drama producer or even his friends and family.
“Was that Jaejoongie?” he asked.
“He saw on the net that its going to be colder in Seoul tonight. He wants us to sleep in his room since the heater is stronger there” Changmin relayed the message.
Yunho silently wondered why Jaejoong always preferred to text Changmin instead of him on things like this.
“He text me so YOU would text him back” Changmin suddenly answered as if he was reading Yunho’s mind.
“What ?”
“ If he had texted you, you would never acknowledged him that you’ve received it, am I right? You would just do what he said, won't you ?” Changmin asked not expecting an answer from Yunho. “But if he texted me, you’d definitely text messaged him back, at least to thank him”
The van fell silent for quite a while. Then Yunho heard another loud sigh from Changmin at the back of the van.
“Jesus Christ....Go on hyung, don’t hold yourself back just because of me. Do it already will ya!! ” said Changmin, frustrated. “ He would be texting me again twice or three times in a row and I will be in trouble later!!!”
Yunho took his phone out of his jeans pocket. Held his breath and punch the keys.
“Jaejoongie ah, thanks”
Changmin straightened up from his seat, “ Alright, listen here old man. You are going to sleep in Jaejoong hyung’s room. There’s only one bed there and I don't want to sleep on the floor.”
“ I don’t mind….”
“ Uh uh…. No!!! You are not sleeping on the floor. Anyways, I can’t sleep in Jaejoong hyung’s bed… all that scented lavender thingy on his pillows will make me sneeze the whole night.”
Yunho was silent.
“ So I will take the couch ok. Besides, we all know the heater in the living room is the warmest in the whole apartment. Ok done, wake me when we’re home”.
They were silent again. Yunho shifted in his seat a couple of times. Five minutes have passed, “ Changmin ah…”
“No hyung, don’t let me chain you to Jaejoong hyung’s bed okay.. You can’t sleep on the living room floor either. It’s your back hyung. So NO FLOOR, end of discussion !!”
Yunho’s phone beeped alerting an in-coming message. It was Jaejoong. “ Yunho yah, let him take the couch”.
A loud sigh came from Changmin before he said, “ I told you!”
Yunho glanced out the window and touched the chain he was wearing on his neck, “Jaejoong ah, don’t you know I can sleep there only if you were around?"
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For chapter TWO : click here
A/N :
This is my 1st fanfiction. Wrote it for fun, never thot of posting it, but some friends insisted that I did so there it was. I guess I am a detailed writer HAHAHA. Was shocked when it got too big and had to be split into 2 parts. Well... I did it!!! Felt weird reading it after posting.... But I welcome comments and criticisms from anyone. I really would like to better myself at this..... I leave my work in your hands : ) Guide me if you will.... Thanks !