ME : Uh-... You look Asian so I guessed you might know Korean since I am one. (-awkward smile-)

AE RA : (-asking herself in a low volume-) He makes sense? (-to me-) Anyways, what did you mean by that "believe in yourself" thing?

I referred to the interviews that she had been failing since last 3 months and was distressed about the same.

She had vacated her jewelry store job for a change- wanting to do something she loved which was working with arts and paintings.

As for that, she wanted to be a curator in an art gallery but was failing to pass any such interviews because of lack of communication skills and having a passive personality which didn't quite work for the interviewers.
They wanted someone with bright smiles and who was a good speaker, as the curator of their art galleries to earn them profits.

But I couldn't tell her that. It would've completely defeated the purpose of playing the Asian Card. Besides, no one would expect a stranger to know such details of their lives unless it was a stalker and I clearly didn't want the title.

ME : Nothing, I mean you were crying earlier so I just said it to solace you a little.

AE RA : (-blanky staring-) o-Okay.

She turned around and left before I said anything further which made me chuckle because she totally matched the way I imagined her to be.

ME : (-to myself-) Suga never told he had a "poker personality" twin. (-chuckles-)

Few days later

I was in my hotel room having absolutely nothing to do when I got a text.

On checking who it was from, I found it to be Taehyungie.

Skip chats~

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○ Present time

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V : It was then when we talked?

I nodded with a dreamy smile at the evocation of our short meetings that followed after that day.

V : (-amusing-) Wah~ I didn't even know you already met your wife then.

ME : (-smiles vanishes-) Yah! I aksed you not to do that.

V : (-grins-) Sorry, sorry! Oh, right! But, don't tell me your "something urgent came up" meant you went out to meet her.

I smiled sheepishly as I remembered what he referred to.

.

.

Back then

.

.

As I was busy chatting with him, my eyes suddenly fell on the date at the corner of my phone screen.

I had a feeling that something was there on this day but couldn't just recall it. I knew it was definitely not any anniversaries of my close ones.

Right then, the imaginary bulb in my mind glowed and I immediately checked Ae Ra-ssi's diary opening to the page of dates which she had marked as 'important'.

I confirmed, there was indeed something due on this date. It was the last interview she had, more like a last opportunity till there was vacany anywhere again.

Feeling I should return her diary and also knowing where I would find her then, I quickly texted Taehyung so I could leave.

I looked at the time and paced up as it was already past one hour from her interview timings.

Rushing to that place, I noticed many people lingering outside the building so, I put on a hat and a mask just to be on the safer side while looking around for her.

She was nowhere to be seen. I sighed as I clenched the diary while looking at it in my hands.

ME : Where's your owner, huh? Are we too late?

I sighed again looking up from the diary only to find her coming out of the building. Disappointment was clearly written all over her face meaning that she failed it again, and lost her last chance, although for now.

She was walking like a person in deep despair and desolation with the least bother to the people around.

I quietly followed her from a distance till she stopped. By the time she did, I realized we were in that park again.

She sat on the same bench as that day and burst into sobs making me freeze where I was standing.

It was scary when quiet and passive people actually sobbed their hearts out.

I stood at a little distance from her and listened to her sobs until I couldn't bear it anymore.

In that situation, I was going to do whatever it took me to make her stop crying- one way being in my hand, her diary.

I slid the mask down to my chin letting the hat still on my head and approached her from behind. I looked at the diary once and shoved it in front of her.

ME : Want this?

AE RA : (-still crying-) Oh, my diary... (-attempts to touch it-)

I moved it back to me not allowing her to take it while she wiped her tears away and looked at me with a not so visible frown.

AE RA : (-recognizing me-) That wide shoulder man!

ME : (-smiles-) You remember me.

AE RA : Why do you have my diary? Give it back! (-reattempts to take it-) That's mine!!

ME : (-walking away not giving it to her-) Who says it's yours? (-casually sitting on the bench beside her-) I found it on the road. (-looking at her-) If you owned it, it should've been in your hands right now. But, that's not the case here.

AE RA : Well, yeah that's because I dropped it somewhere.

ME : Where? And did you go back to find it? You didn't, did you?

AE RA : (-not admitting her fault-) That's because I didn't know where I dropped it.

ME : And why should I believe that?

AE RA : Because I am saying it.

ME : (-chuckles-) You're funny. (-leans to her and whispers-) But, lemme tell you one thing. I am funnier when I am at it. (-moves back-)

I smiled recalling the times when I used to pester other members with my dad jokes- those were the days I thought.

{...What happened to us now?...}

She brought me back from my memories.

AE RA : Alright, tell me. What do you want to give it back? Just don't say money, 'cause I am broke right now.

ME : (-chuckles-) Do I look like I need your money?

AE RA : (-poker face-) Then what? Well, whatever it is, be quick. Today isn't a good day for me, I wanna go home.

I stayed silent for a while admiring the lake and turned my head to look into her eyes, a few moments apart.

ME : Do you want that job so bad?

AE RA : (-blinks confused to what I referred to-) What do you mean?

ME : (-looking away at the lake-) I am sorry, I actually followed you here from that art gallery. (-looking at her-) But, trust me I am not a stalker.

AE RA : How do you know, I was there for a job?

ME : Formal and typical interview clothes,(-pointing at the Id-) ID around the neck, posters of job Interview outside the building. These not enough to predict? Well, okay let's say you were there for other reason, but what for? You already work there?

She fell silent, looked down at her hands and turned herself to face the lake without a futher debate.

{... Was I rude?...}

ME : (-softly-) Well, I am sorry if I sounded rud-

She cut me off.

AE RA : (-staring at the lake-) It is. That job is very important to me. Others have big dreams and aims but I just wanted to be a curator, just that would make me the happiest. (-sad chuckles-) But, I lost my last chance today, my last chance to be happy.

Although, I wasn't expecting her to open up to me, I was glad she did. Maybe at times, people just need someone to share their thoughts with, be it a friend or a stranger- vulnerability ceasing their conscience.

ME : Don't say that. I mean, if that's something you love doing so much, you'll eventually make it. Just believe in yourself.

AE RA : (-no alter in expressions-) With me, it's not possible. You see, I have a personality just the opposite to what a curator should have. Not everyone gets to do what they love to, or dream to be doing. (-after a silence-) I guess it's time for me to quit it now. I am already in my late 20's, I am getting older, I should just probably earn a living.

ME : Well, it might sound clichè but age is just a number. Everyone runs at a different pace. Don't give up so early if you really want this. I am sure, you'll pass the interview one day.

AE RA : (-looking at me-) And how are you so sure?

ME : I don't know if you'll believe it or not but I have a friend who is more or less like you. Everyone thought he is very rude and nothing interests him, in the beginning. But, he didn't give up and just focused on doing what he loved. Now, he is widely acknowledged for his job. They now know that he might be less reactive but he can feel emotions a few layers deeper than us and it is evident in his works.

AE RA : What did he love doing?

ME : He loved to create music. (-coming back to the topic-) So, what I am saying is, don't think your insecurities as a disability or a set back. Make them your wings instead, to fly to the heights you will to.

AE RA : (-still not cheered up-) It's of no use now. I lost my chance. Today was the last interview for any vacancies.

ME : But, you never know there might be one tomorrow. Don't just sit thinking there aren't any opportunities. Keep working hard to be prepared, so you can grab fast on the chance without a miss when it comes.

AE RA : How? (-no energy in voice-) How will I do that being like this?

ME : If you are comfortable, I can help you.

AE RA : (-shoots glares-) You?

ME : I don't have any ulterior motive. You remind of my friend and the old good times we had, so I just genuinely want to help you.

AE RA : How exactly will you help me?

ME : Imm... okay, I didn't see that coming. (-awkward-) Well, how about I pretend to be the interviewer and then give constructive criticism on what are your strengths and where you lacked?

AE RA : (-thinks-) That's actually not a bad idea. (-makes up her mind-) Okay! But . . .

Her tone seemed like she was doing me a favor and it wasn't the other way around.
I smiled internally and anticipated for what she had as her buts.

AE RA : But . . .

________

What would be her conditions against his selfless offer?

I am sorry if the plot is going slow around here~ :(
I start wording the chapter and it magically reaches 1k words in seconds T~T