Introvspect

Chapter 13 (Reconciliation)

The collected clouds hovered above the land of modern buildings and the preserved nature.

The cool breeze swept the dust off their feet as the three best friends came strolling in the park. Jasie was given permission by her father since she really needed to get some air.

She kept on reminiscing about their failed birthday celebration just yesterday. It felt surreal to have gone through that. They miraculously survived and all was well in both parties involved.

Yoona’s parents decided to return their bought prizes and donate the refunded money to an orphanage. They thought it would benefit them more. Of course, they donated additional funds to various programs that were pro-needy. They wanted to contribute for a greater society.

Jasie and Yoona had already opened others’ gifts earlier in the morning and all they got were new clothes to wear and new books to read.

Both of them were modest about what they wore since they thought showing too much skin would lead them to being disrespected. It was only their choice.

Other girls could wear what they want since it was their right. Ultimately, it seemed outrageous to blame girls for wanting to feel beautiful and appreciated. It just was not right to accuse them why such heinous crimes occur.

There were others who acted naughty to receive attention but those who did nothing provocative do not deserve to be treated dishonourably. They just wanted to feel good about themselves.

Was that really wrong?

Jasie discerned about this issue a whole lot when she heard about unfortunate news. Even girls who seemed to dress decently were also not safe. It was such a pity that some people would be one-sided about a particular issue and make a big deal out of it. Prompting a side to fully change themselves so that those who are ignorant or committing the crime would be regarded as helping a cause.

They were the ones that should be dealt with in the first place with their repulsive fetish. If only there were free therapeutic sessions to relinquish their uncontrollable urges. Jasie disappointedly thought.

How about make them admire themselves more?

It was one way to make the world a safer place to live in right?   

Both Jasie and Yoona had not received the presents of Raphael yet since he protected them with his life yesterday. He hid them while he crouched down on the floor and now their wrappings were shabby. He brought them while they walked about.

They started to feel tired and had wanted to take a break on a nearby bench. They had been walking for about two and a half hours without noticing the time.

“Raphy, hand us our gifts right this instant.”

Raphael still hesitated since he felt embarrassed about their lousy appearance. He held them behind his back as they sat down.

Yoona was in between him and Jasie and he felt more unwilling to give them. Yoona grabbed hers as she saw her name on it.

“This is nothing to be shy about. It’s just the gift wrapper. What matters is what’s inside.”

She suddenly stood up to go to a particular spot to privately open her gift. She did not want to see what Jasie would have gotten just yet since favouritism was involved.

As soon as she was far from earshot, Raphael sat closer to Jasie and told her to open hers as he gave it to her.

“I’m sorry if it looks tacky but I really exerted effort to choose something you’d like.”