Dear "J" | Sim Jake

Chapter 24

We sat down on the sand, exhausted from the earlier water games. Our uniforms were soaked through, clinging to our skin as we chatted, the cool breeze starting to dry us off. Suddenly, a voice cut through the conversation, calling out to Eugene.

She furrowed her brows, glancing at a male figure approaching from a distance. "Doha?" she exclaimed, gasping in surprise. We all turned our heads, trying to make sense of the situation.

The boy smiled, reaching out to give Eugene a hug. When they parted, Eugene turned to us with a sheepish grin. "Oh right, guys, this is Ryu Doha. His father runs an orphanage my dad helps fund, so we've been friends for a while," she explained, and we nodded in understanding.

Jay, ever the skeptic, raised a brow. "So, what are you doing here, Doha?"

Doha smiled awkwardly, about to speak, but Eugene beat him to it. "What do you mean what's he doing here? He lives here."

"Oh," I mumbled, feeling a little out of the loop.

Doha's gaze shifted to our drenched clothes. He raised his brows and chuckled, "Uh, did you all eat already?"

We shook our heads in unison, suddenly realizing how hungry we were.

"That's great!" His grin widened. "Join me for lunch and, you know, get changed into something dry."

Eugene tried to decline politely. "Oh, it's fine, Doha. We don't want to intrude."

But Doha was insistent, flashing a friendly smile. "I insist. It'll be nice to hang out properly, and besides, you all look like you could use a warm meal."

Jake, who had been quiet, glanced at me and then at the others. "Honestly, I'm kind of hungry," he admitted, pressing his lips together as if trying to convince himself. "It's not a bad idea."

With that, the decision seemed made. We exchanged glances, silently agreeing that lunch with Doha wasn't such a bad plan after all.

___

Doha led us into his house, which was simple but radiated warmth and comfort. His parents greeted us with bright smiles, their kindness immediately evident. As we bowed politely, his mother welcomed us with a gentle nod, while his little sister was helping her in the kitchen.

"Oh, Mom, Dad," Doha said, "I brought some friends over." His parents didn't miss a beat, giving us a welcoming smile, clearly used to their son's hospitality.

He motioned for his little sister to take Eugene and me to her room. She was cheerful and talkative as she led us. "Come on, you can change here," she said brightly. I could hear the sounds of plates clinking in the kitchen and the muffled voices of the boys chatting in the living room as I followed her.

Eugene left to change in the bathroom, leaving me in the room alone. I sat on the bed, towel-drying my wet hair. Doha's sister came back, handing me an old hair dryer with a sheepish grin. "It's a bit old, so you'll have to wrap the wire around the handle for it to work. Sorry about that!" she said, and I nodded, thanking her. She left soon after, leaving me in the peaceful quiet of the room.