The Fall Of A Hope
689 Words
Jin and Airi continued to walk in the west direction, they now already outside the Ajwa City area and walks beside a fast corn farm. It's still morning so the sun was not too hot for them to walk slowly while enjoying the clear weather.
"Hey, Jin. Where are you going after this?" Airi asked, her actual goal is to know the possibility of Jin staying around here.
"I will go to my big brother's place, it's been quite a long since I met him the last time." Jin answered while continuing walking on the side of the road.
"You have a brother?" Airi asked as Jin had never talked about his brother before.
"Umm... He is not my actual sibling, we met a few years ago and he helps me a lot. We become brothers since then." Jin answered.
Airi's question makes Jin wonder about his big brother's condition right now. The last time he visits him was two years ago, and now, he feels impatient and anxious to see his big brother, again.
"Is his place far from here?" Airi asked.
"Not really, it's not too far from Ajwa City. Do you want to come with me to meet him?" Jin suddenly invited Airi to accompany him to Hyung Jae's place.
A big smile suddenly appeared on Airi's face, she never thinks if Jin will ask her to follow him. "Yes, sure. But after I finish my business with Kang Han Ja." Airi immediately agrees with Jin's offer. In her mind, a glimpse of hope arise, although she doesn't know what is the reason for Jin to bring her to his brother's place, her hope that Jin likes her is increasing. Whatever the reason is, she will enjoy her moment with Jin.
"We're almost there!" Airi was getting vigorous when she saw her village border.
Jin is happy seeing Airi's fun expression, it's a big contrast to her expression when she still working at Xixu Brothel which is more like a soulless person although she kept smiling in front of everyone. Jin hopes that Airi and her family will strive once again and live a happy life till the end.
"Come fast, Jin. I want to see my mother's smile." Airi said while running a little bit.
"Calm down, don't make yourself fall down." Jin replied.
The next scene that she saw in front of her is shocked her to the core. All of sudden, her high hopes and excitement were destroyed as her house has burnt completely to ashes.
"No... No... Not like this!" Airi runs in panic towards her burnt house. "Eomma! Eomma! Where are you?" She screamed to call her mother.
Unfortunately, no reply from her mother. She wants to enter her burnt house to find her mother, but Jin stops her.
"No, stay here. Let me enter inside, the fire might still be hot inside." Jin said and immediately enters Airi's burnt house.
Jin protects his entire body with his inner energy just in case the fire still burning inside. Luckily, although still hot enough, the fire has been extinguished. He analyzes if the house has been burnt since early morning. He tries to check for any dead body inside but he found nothing.
Jin comes out of the house and says, "I don't find anyone inside."
Airi little bit relieved, there is still a chance that they are alive somewhere, now she has to find her brother and mother's location. She stands up and shouts again as loud as she can to call her mother.
A middle aged man suddenly appears, he is Uncle Jang, the neighbor. He comes towards Airi in rush, his face looks scared, and panics. "Airi, come with me. Your mother is in my house." Uncle Jang said to Airi.
"Uncle Jang?!" Airi said in surprise.
Uncle Jang immediately leads Airi to his house which is located around 50 steps from Airi's ex-house. In their village, the distance from one house to another is quite far and is separated by residents' plantations. That's why Uncle Jang needs time to come to Airi's house when she heard Airi's voice.
- Writer
