The One Who Got Away

Chapter 30

"I'm going to confess. I once went through a deep depression. Everything seemed hopeless. I was too much of a coward to do anything. I just went through the motions and spent my days just existing and not living. I'm sure a lot of you out there have those moments, too."

"Our struggles may not be the same. Some struggle with drugs... with cigarettes... with alcohol... with beauty... with grades... with food... with family... with acceptance... with so-called friends... with bullying... with body image... with weight... The list is endless. We all have our own demons. Some days we manage to stay on top of them. Some days we lose the fight and we go under. But at the base of it all, no matter how disparate our issues are, we all want one thing, we all want a shot at happiness."

"When you see or hear of people who seem to have made wrong decisions in life, go easy on your judgments, don't forget they're struggling just as hard as you, too. Our last songs for the day are especially dedicated to those who are struggling to stay on top of their "demons". A special shout out goes to T.O.P of BigBang whose going through a very difficult time these days. Remember always that you are not alone, our dear Tabi."

Dara was clicking on her prepared song playlist - Big Bang's Loser, Alessia Cara's Scars to Your Beautiful, Imagine Dragon's Demons and R.E.M.'s Everybody Hurts - when the door swung open revealing a haggard-looking Jiyong. Dara switched off her microphone and stood up to face Jiyong. The opening strains of Big Bang's music started playing on the background.

Jiyong wordlessly stepped further into the room and Dara wordlessly opened her arms to Jiyong, knowing full well how words won't offer much comfort now. Jiyong's broken sobs filled the room, his arms holding on to Dara for dear life. Dara just gave him back squeeze for squeeze, letting Jiyong's emotions run free within the secret confines of the station's switchboard room.

First thing tomorrow he would need to be G-Dragon in front of the public for T.O.P and the rest of Big Bang. Tomorrow he would have to be the strong leader for them but tonight...tonight alone with Dara he's just plain Jiyong. A Jiyong who feels helpless, angry, scared and hurt for his friend.

As the last song's chords faded to an end, Jiyong's sobs had already quieted. Dara pulled slightly away to look Jiyong in the eyes. "You want me to go with you to the hospital now?" Jiyong nodded at her and said in a hoarse voice, "Please."

"I'll just get my bag and coat." Dara grabbed her stuff. Jiyong helped her into her windbreaker and took her bag in one hand. He then entwined the fingers of his free hand with Dara's then they both walked with heavy hearts towards the parking lot, worried about their friend who still lies unconscious at the hospital.

(I wasn't planning on writing about T.O.P at this point of the story yet but in the light of recent events I felt compelled to write about him.)