One Body Two Soul

8.

Once we reached the waterfall, all the kids were happy to see the beautiful scenery hidden in their village. They all were adamant to get in the water and play around.

"Mr Wei, I don't think it's safe to get into the water. The children's don't know to swim. Also, chief would be very angry" Fui said worriedly.

"Oh come on Fui, why are you always about chief, chief, chief. Loosen your tights once in a while and enjoy. The chief is so strict, he does not let the kids have fun. How will they learn anything if they are confined in one place. Also we won't go deep in the water, just at the edge. Also we are here aren't we? We will keep the kids safe"

Fui shakes his head "You are not aware Mr Wei. The forest in the opposite banks of the waterfall is a dangerous place. It's best to be on guard"

"Fine!" Wei rolls his eyes at Fui "Let's give the kids 10 minutes to play, then we wil return to the village"

The kids were patiently waiting for permission and once they got the nod from Wei, they all enthusiastically jumped in the water and started to play, splashing water on each other. After 10 minutes, Wei asked all the kids to get out and dry themselves.

On the other side, Yunlan was returning from his daily check ups from the village clinic. As he reached the classroom he found it empty, he was shocked.  He ran around asking the villagers about the kids and an old man told him that he saw them walking into the forest towards the waterfall. Yunlan was furious and he rushed towards the scene.

At the waterfall, when all the kids had dried themselves and were about to leave the place, one of the kid notices that someone was missing from the group.

Ayi shouted "Where is Kiel?"

The fat kid was missing. Wei was panicking and looked at the water to find Kiel floating above the water with his face down. He immediately jumped in the water and dragged Kiel out. Just then Yunlan reached the scene and saw everything. He immediately rushed towards Wei and took Kiel from him before placing him on the ground. Yunlan started doing CPR on the kid and other's were literally bawling their eyes out, scared.

Wei tried to offer his help but Yunlan furiously pushed him away. "IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT! STAY AWAY FROM THE KIDS FROM NOW ON"

Wei was shocked to see Yunlan act like that but understood that he was at wrong here. He just kneeled down beside Kiel and prayed for the boy to wake up. Just then, Kiel woke up coughing some of the water and Yunlan immediately picked him up and ran towards the village.

Wei stood outside Kiel's house when he was getting treated. The village doctor told them the boy was fine and he was just resting now. Wei let out a sign of relief and when he moved to go inside the house, the villagers stopped him.

They angrily looked at Wei "You are a bad omen to our village. You tried to kill one of our kid. LEAVE OUR VILLAGE "

Other villagers started shouting the same words as a slogan. Wei was feeling very bad, he was on verge of tears, when Yunlan walked out of the house.

"Elders, I would like to apologize on behalf of the teacher. I was not available and gave him the permission to take the kids. It was unfortunate that Kiel had to face this, but the teacher saved the kid. So we should be grateful instead of criticizing him"

Wei looked at Yunlan shocked and felt ashamed at the same time. He bent his head down and stood quietly.

"We will accept your words and forgive this teacher. But this would be a last chance for him."

The villagers huffed and went back to their work. Yunlan stared at Wei for a second and left him there alone. Fui walked towards Wei and brought him out of his thoughts.

"Lets go back Mr Wei, you need to rest. You look like all your life has been drained out of you"

Wei just nodded quietly and sat inside Fui's jeep. He dropped him to his hut and went on his own way. When Wei reached his hut it was already dark. He walked in lighted the lamp and sat on the bed. Wei was thinking of all the things that happened with him. He felt so bad inside, as if someone was tearing  his heart into pieces. He was blaming himself for what happened to Kiel. He was more hurt when Yunlan pushed him away and that stare of hatred had pierced his heart. He lied down on the bed and silently started crying. The tears poured down non stop. He was unaware of a figure lurking near the window.

Yunlan had reached Wei's hut and decided to peek inside. He saw Wei curled up in his bed and crying. There was a pang in his heart, but he brushed it off. Wei had fallen asleep after crying himself out. Yunlan left the place and returned to his own hut.

Next morning, when Wei reached the classroom he found it empty. There were no kids around. He found Fui and asked him about the kids.

"Mr Wei, after the incident yesterday the villagers are afraid to send the kids to you. They denied their kids of further education and sent them to work instead. I don't think they will allow the kids to return here"

Wei gave a sad smile and nodded his head in understanding.

"Please don't be sad Mr Wei. I am sure the villagers will come around once they know they had wrong impression about you. Why don't to try to convince them? It's not like you have any other work around here."

Suddenly there was a bright smile on his face and he agreed to Fui's idea. He immediately set his journey towards the village with a destination in his mind. Just then Yunlan walked out of the corner of the classroom.

"Chief, you could have directly said this idea to Mr Wei. Why did you ask me to do it?"

"Just shut up and do as I say"

"Yes Chief" there was a slight knowing smile on Fui's face.

Wei had once read about the adventures Fu Hong had to go to impress the villagers. So he decided to do the same.

He first went to Ayi and Nam Nam's house. He peeked inside the house and a lady walked out with a basket. She saw Wei and pointed to the back of the house. Wei was confused but still went to the back and found Nam Nam and Ayi inside a chicken coop trying to catch the chicken.

"Ayi! Nam Nam!"

"Teacher Wei!" The children's called out excitedly. "What are you doing here teacher?"

"You weren't there at class so I decided to pay you guys a visit"

"Sorry Teacher Wei, our parents won't let us go to school anymore so we help them around"

"Do you like to work Ayi?"

"I do like to play with the chickens but I miss school as well"

"I see, this looks like fun too. Will you teach me how to catch the chicken?"

And that's how Wei was covered in hay as he chased around trying to catch the chicken. They were having fun and people gathered to see the commotion. They had soft hearts but tried to ignore Wei.

Wei's next stop was at Fong's house and there he tried to mingle with her grandparents and asking them to teach embroidery. Then he went to Kiel's house and there he was actually welcomed as he was the one to save their son. Then when he passed through the coffee plantations he saw Khao working in the fields.