Mah-e-Tanha 

Between Two Hearts

Sherri was never meant to be part of the story.

At 31, she leaves behind a life of routines and expectations, boarding a one-way flight to Seoul with nothing but a suitcase and a dream — not of stardom, but of proximity. To the stages, the music, the voices that once lifted her through the darkest seasons of her life. Seoul, she believes, will be her sanctuary. A quiet chapter where she can finally breathe, finally feel, finally live.

But fate, as always, has other plans.

It begins with a chance internship at SKY Entertainment, the powerhouse behind global sensation Slay Kids — eight young idols lighting up the world with synchronized perfection and smiles that hide more than they reveal. Sherri keeps her head down, grateful just to be close to the music. Until a late night in the practice room changes everything.

There, beneath flickering fluorescent lights and trembling breaths, she meets Hyunjin — the group’s most magnetic performer. Beautiful, intense, unknowable. He sees her, really sees her, in a way that startles them both. And behind Hyunjin stands YoungBok, steady and observant. A soft-spoken soul who watches every move Hyunjin makes like it could be their last.

As days turn to weeks, the truth begins to shimmer at the edges of her reality. There’s something between Hyunjin and YoungBok — something old, something sacred, something the world isn’t meant to see. A touch too lingering. A gaze too charged. Sherri feels the weight of it long before she understands it. And when Hyunjin starts looking at her the same way… she knows she's stepped into something dangerous.

She never meant to be the reason Hyunjin hesitates.

She never meant to stir the still waters between two people bound by more than just music.



Between the hearts

The apartment was quiet, but it buzzed with unspoken excitement. Tomorrow was the Nikkah. A moment that had felt distant for so long was now right at their doorstep. 


That morning, over breakfast, YoungBok casually placed a printed receipt on the table in front of Sherri. 


She looked up, confused. “What’s this?” 


“A salon appointment,” YoungBok said nonchalantly, sipping his coffee. “Full session. Hair treatment, face glow, manicure, pedicure—the works.” 


Sherri blinked. “You booked this for me?” 


“You need to look like the queen you are. Can’t have you showing up at your Nikkah without that wedding shine.” 


Hyunjin, standing behind them with his arms crossed, rolled his eyes playfully. “Okay, okay. Enough.” 


Sherri just smiled and said, “I’ll go tomorrow morning then.” 


“Nope,” YoungBok corrected. “Appointment is in one hour. Go get your bag.” 


Sherri let out a warm laugh, then walked over and hugged him. “Thank you, Bok-ah. I really mean it.” 


Chapter 27: The Night before the Promise