Just Enough For Her Little Dream: Book Two

In Hye

There are some things in this new world that are odd.

For example, the looks on people's faces. Some of them are genuinely happy when they have such a difficult job. Some even smile at you while others keep their focus forward. Most people here seem to be so focused. They all seem to have a mission and a certain place they have to be. It is so busy here. All the time. And this is supposed to be a place for low-income families. How? Everything is so nice and clean and beautiful. Even the food looks genuinely good.

The first few days were so amazing. I went on a walk every day with my sisters. We all pointed out different things that caught our attention. I remember being a tourist for a little with Hyorim. I was just as excited. I've become very fond of learning about new cultures. I wonder what Anthropology would look like in school.

I'm so glad I learned enough English with Hyorim to get around with my sisters. In-kyung understands it very well, but I am able to communicate back. I was surprised to see that In-kyung can even read a little English, too.

"Unnie," I said as we stepped out of a small retail store. "How did you learn how to read English?"

"I had a fancy teacher like you did," she teasingly said.

"Really?"

She nodded and her eyes grew soft as she said, "Our great aunt."

We were quiet for a moment. I wish she could have been here. I wish I could have met her. Though she sounded intimidating, In-joo told me she had a soft heart underneath her stiff complexion.

I wish Hyorim could be here. I wish that the most. I wish I could take pictures and send them all to her. But apart from my phone not working in this country, I know she's hiding her number away to stay safe from her aunt.

So I quietly write to her as I sit on a small sofa chair by the biggest window here. The night is darker on this side of the city, but the Chinese lanterns hanging from crossing lines on the roofs of buildings reminds its habitants that there can still be light in the middle of the darkness. I look at its sparkles for a moment before finishing up the last few sentences.

Thank you for letting me learn English with you. You were right. It has become of great use to me here. At last, I'm the smartest one among my sisters!

P.S. Don't forget to study English and continue drawing whenever you have the chance. Here is my latest piece of this new world. I hope you like it. I'll try to send more of all the places I visit here.

I stop writing and put my pen down. I let out a small breath and realize how painful it is to write to my best friend. I'm so far away. I can't even see her at school anymore. I will have no means of knowing if she is healthy and happy. She can lie to me through a piece of paper now. She can hide her pain.

She can slowly disappear and stop writing...

I try to shake this thought away. I numb my heart from feeling this pain. It'll be okay. We've lived so many struggles together. It'd be impossible to forget any of it.

I gently fold the paper and put it in an envelope that Grandfather gave me. I seal it with a small smile and look for Jongho.

I find him in the kitchen. I should probably get used to this sight. He's always in the kitchen if he's not in the backyard with my sister.

He looks up with a sparkle but his eyes soften when he sees that it's me. "Hey, In-hye. How are you?"

"I'm good," I say. "My sisters?"

He looks around and smiles when his eyes land on the back sliding door. I can see my sisters sitting in the backyard. They're laughing about something and happily talking with popsicles in hand. I smile at their relaxed postures. I think I have a new scenery to draw for myself this time.

"Did you need anything, In-hye?" Jongho interrupts my thoughts as he offers me a yogurt. I thankfully take it and let my palate taste the new textures of this land.

"Do you know where I can drop off mail?"

His eyes find my envelope in my hands and warmly smiles. "Is there someone special you left back home?"

I chuckle at his playful shine. He's just like In-kyung. "Not in that way. My best friend. I don't know if you remember her. Hyorim."

His smile turns small and his playful shine disappears. "Ah...yes. I do remember her."

Jongho has only seen one side of the story. He's been gone for so long. I wonder what would have been of him if he would've stayed with my sister back home. Maybe we'd all be drowning together. But he would also see the good in Hyorim. It took my sisters a while to trust her, too.

But he's just Jongho. His awkward silence doesn't bother me much as I say, "I often write to her. I'll pay every time I need to send in the letters."

Jongho does a warm chuckle. "It's free here, In-hye. Don't worry. I'll send it off on my way to work tomorrow morning."

He extends his hand so I can give him my envelope, but I hesitate. He sees my doubt and his expression softens. "It's okay. You can trust me."

I suppose that's something I'll have to learn the most here. We no longer have to run or hide. No one knows our stories. No one but Jongho and Grandfather. It should be easier to trust and let go.

But I still hesitate. I will always hesitate. It's what life on that rooftop has taught me. It's what I've seen in my parents. How I wish I could see them now. They would be so amused by what we've done.

I slowly let go of the envelope and watch Jongho give me a reassuring nod. It's not enough to stop my wondering heart from making me fearfully hesitate. I look out at the window where I can see my sisters talking. I can see far ahead the lanterns of a foreign land. They sparkle for hope.

But how long will it take for them to burn out? They can't stay on forever, can they?

Eventually, they'll either need a new lantern or go back to embracing the darkness of the night. We would have to rely on searching for the few stars that shine only for special people again.