House of Flowers

Chapter 10

Jimin tilted his head, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "I didn't get what you mean," he spoke his thoughts out, honestly, which earned a chuckle from Eunrae.

"I mean, there's no need to feel petty because of your problems. If university and relationship are your problems, then so they are. No matter how small, it's a problem." She calmly elaborated and turned her gaze to the front, reminiscing old memories.

"Let me tell you a story. Years ago, there was a disaster in the village. The sudden change of weather made it hard for us to plant our crops hence they died. All of us starved, even mothers out there couldn't breastfeed their newborn babies. It was a hellish year for us, if I might add." She heaved a sigh.

Somehow, whenever the scene of crying babies and mother, depressed villagers, came into her head, she felt so frustrated. Luckily, the havoc had ended a long time ago. Everything was back on track. She definitely could continue living without having to see that sight again.

Jimin lowered his gaze after hearing her story, fiddling with his fingers as the scene roughly pictured in his head. Although it wasn't very vivid, Jimin could feel their suffer already, which made him feel guilty to have Eunrae retell the tragedy to him.

With a stroke of flashback, eunrae had opened Jimin's mind slightly. The world was full of problems, in different scale, different ways to take in. Everyone was struggling, so did he.

"Sorry you had to go through such horrible event, Eunrae. I wish I was stronger so that I could contribute something to what's happening around. But the thing is, I can't even solve mine. I feel like a coward sometimes," Jimin admitted as he chuckled bitterly to his pathetic self, putting a half-hearted smile.

Eunrae faced him just to see the boy had his gaze on his lap. "Hey, don't downgrade yourself like that! You're right, people are struggling and fighting with the external and internal wars in their lives. It's alright to fall, but don't settle in the dark. Try to find a way out from the dark place, Jimin. It'll be hard but everything will be worth the hard work. Even if you can't do anything on a big scale, you can start from yourself. That's enough."

Jimin lifted his head. "Thank you, Eunrae. I never knew someone who's as positive as you actually exist," he chuckled.

Eunrae giggled. "Well, I guess that's my plus point. Anyways, let me help you to solve your problems yeah? Not like you can run forever from it," Eunrae offered and Jimin almost immediately bobbed his head.

"Please do. I sound so desperate, but I really need help."

She grinned to the boy. "Alright!"

'And please teach me how to have a smile that equally bright to the sun.'