The Hopes That Flying High
1174 Words
Airi has finished her bath and now coming back to her room. Jin is standing on the window that faces the hustle and bustles of Ajwa city road. She looked fresh and fragrant with new clothes, her natural beauty now appears as she doesn't use any make-up.
"Here, I bring you 2 gold coins. I get lucky today, a rich young master coming to the tavern and giving me this. Actually, he gives me 3 coins, but I gave 1 coin to Ah Hok, her wife just gave birth to a baby girl, I believe that they need a lot of money." Jin opened the conversation.
Airi takes the gold coins from Jin. She likes the way Jin explaining about the money that he earns, where it comes from, and how he used it. She feels as if she is his wife although it's only inside her mind.
"Hey, Jin, why are you always thinking about other people, have you ever think about yourself?" Airi asked.
"Am I? I don't know if I was like that. I never think about it. Is it something unusual?" Jin asked.
"Yes, it is an unusual thing to do by people, but it is a good thing, so, you better keep doing it." Airi said while smiles.
Jin also smiles back and it makes Airi's heart pounding. No matter how big her love is to Jin, she decided not to say it unless Jin says it first to her. But, she knows that it is an impossible thing as Jin was initially a foreigner to her family. She understands that Jin will go away one day, that's why she does not want to put her hope too high.
"By the way, by when you will out of this place?" Jin asked.
"I don't know, probably within one or two more weeks. I already get enough money to pay my family debt, but I need a little more to starts a new life." Airi answered.
"Two weeks? Isn't that the agreement day when you must pay the debt?" Jin asked.
"Yes, it's also my 17-year-old birthday, you know? I want to make it as a symbol of my family's freedom." Airi answered.
"That's sound a good plan. I hope everything is going well. I believe you and your family will succeed in your new life." Jin gave Airi support.
"Thank you, Jin. By the way, how old are you?" Airi asked.
"As far as I remember, I am 15 years old by now." Jin replied.
Airi was a little surprised that the young man in front of her is two years younger than herself because Jin is taller than her and her body seems very stiff and sturdy as if a trained body for years.
"As far as you remember? Do you mean you don't sure about your own life?" Airi asked.
"Yea, pretty much like that. I suffer a memory loss. I can not remember anything before my 8-year-old birthday. Even I didn't remember about my parents." Jin answered honestly.
Airi is surprised again, she never thought that the young man that seems always happy and ready to help anyone also having a worse past.
"I am sorry, Jin. I don't mean to make you remember your sad past." Airi seemed to regret her question.
"No need to, Airi. I consider my condition as a blessing because I can meet a lot of good people because of it. But, I still have the will to know who my real parents are." Jin expressed his will.
Knowing Jin's will, makes Airi more sure that she will not be able to hold Jin from leaving her and this city one day.
"It's getting late night, as usual, I'll sleep here." Jin pointed to the floor where he sleeps each time he is in the room.
"Wait, I'll prepare it first." Airin said while putting on a mattress and a blanket for Jin. She still imagining that she prepares it for her husband.
"Thanks, Airi. Sleep well. See you tomorrow." Jin said while covering his body with the blanket and start to close his eyes.
"Good night, Jin." Airi said. She's not sleepy yet as she used to sleep late after accompanying many guests. Only when Jin comes she can sleep earlier like today.
The room is still bright because of a few oil lamps on the inside. Airi looks at Jin's sleeping face, she doesn't know what she feels right now, between happiness and sadness at the same time. It is like something that wants to explode inside his heart but she can explode it, and it's hurting her. She wants to hug and kiss someone that she love, give everything to him, and live together until old age, but she knows that it was a luxury for a dirty girl like her that she will not be able to reach.
A tear comes out from the corner of her eye and she immediately wipes it out.
***
TWO WEEKS LATER.
Jin is walking in the Ajwa City market, he wants to buy something as a present for Airi as today is her 17th birthday and also her last day of working at Xixu Brothel. He also had resigned from Ho Hua's food tavern. Although Ho Hua was trying to hold him, his decision has final. Anyway, he no longer has a reason to stay in this city as Airi will resign from Xixu Brothel and clear all her family debt today.
Jin looks around to see anything that is not too expensive as the money from Mr. Ho Hua was not too much. He finally picks a necklace made of seashell, not an expensive one, but looks beautiful. He pays it and immediately goes to Xixu Brothel.
Airi has waiting for him by standing in front of the Brothel. Madame Mu is kind enough to accompany her while waiting for Jin's arrival.
"Looks like your boyfriend is coming, Airi." Madame Mu said.
Airi only smiles although she hoping that Madame Mu's words are true.
"Sorry, I am late. Today is your birthday, so, I buy this for you. It's not an expensive one but I hope you like it." Jin said while putting the necklace on Airi's neck.
"Wow... Your boyfriend is so romantic, you are so lucky, Airi." Again, Madame Mu said something that makes Airi smile and her hopes flying high.
Airi feels so happy, the happiest day of her miserable life. She knows that Jin doesn't give it because he loves her, but because Jin is too kind. But she is still happy enough and decides not to think about it.
Airi and Jin left the Xixu Brothel after Airi saying goodbye and gratitude to Madame Mu. Both of them want to go to Airi's village. That is located not too far from Ajwa City in the west direction. Airi having a high spirit to welcome her new life. She doesn't know that hard obstacles still waiting for her in the destination that she aimed for.
- Writer
