Ally walks along in the grassy land. The cool wind waves her hair, and the clothing of her dress. She closed her eyes as she smells the fragrance of the wildflowers in the forest. The early sunlight warms her skin as she raises her both arms sideward feeling free and peacefully. The birds are busy chirping at the trees while they feed on their chicks while the others flying thru and fro. In a little, distance, the sounds of a stream can be heard as it flows along the rocks. Ally is happy looking at her surroundings. The sounds of the natures and all the living creatures create a relaxing melody in her ears while she laid down under a big tree. While she looks up at the blue sky as the clouds passes by, suddenly she heard flashing water in a little distance. She got up and, search for the noise that she had heard. She takes away the branches of the shrubs using her hands to see what creates noise in the water. As she continuously searches and looks around, she notices a man standing
“Look who is here?” said Ally to her brother while brewing her coffee. “What will you cook?” she added. “I will fry eggplant with egg,” Jap replied while washing it. “Please see if the rice is cooked,” he said to his big brother Shim. Ally went to her father’s room bringing a cup of coffee. After knocking on the door, she heard her father answered and told her to come in. She walked slowly as she carried the hot and smoky coffee. When she entered the room, she saw her father looking at the window. She put the coffee on the table and approached him. She sat down next to her father and looked together. Not far from their window, they see some trees and the birds are flying. Her father turned to her and said, “They are good and free. They can do what they want to do. They are free to do things. They only think about their food, where they will land every night. They are free to sing their songs. No one interferes with them and they do wherever they go. No one to
“Does your brother already know what the woman did?” asked Ally while steadily holds her spoon waiting for Tessa's answer. “Yes, he knew that is why he wanted to separate, but he felt sorry for the woman,” Tessa answered. “Until now, is she still with that guy?” Ally further asked. “I do not know, but my brother said she does not answer his calls most of the time,” said Tessa, and she started the first bite of her food. “It is up to your brother to decide on things like that. They must talk about it,” said Ally while watching Tessa eating her food. “Ally!” both of them turn to their right and saw Jim approaches their table. Tessa then looked at Ally. She wanted to transfer to the other seats, but Ally stopped her. Then the two of them stay at their table waiting for Jim to come. He smiled as he headed to their table. Jim did not know Ally's friend yet, so she introduced it to her friend. “Come, let us eat,” Ally invited Jim, “You may n
Tessa accompanied Ally to their house to say goodbye to her father and siblings about their plan on the farm. They said they would go home tomorrow afternoon. Ally then reminds her brothers to take care of their father. She told them to cook their food and do their household chores. She reminded her father of the schedule in taking his medicine. She then placed some clothes and other necessities inside her bag. On their way to the bus terminal, Tessa notices Ally’s sadness on her face, but she told her that it would go well. While waiting for a bus, Tessa contacted her mother and told her that they are approaching. Tessa’s mother was busy preparing for their dinner that night. She explains to her mother the situation of Ally, so she took pity on her. Coincidentally, the weather is good. The moonlight is bright, and the flow of their trip is good while they are on their way. When they arrived at the family of Tessa, they happily greeted them. The mother of Tessa embraced Ally and imm
“Wow! It is so good to be here, so relaxing and comfortable. When did your parents set these things up?” Ally asked while looking around the surroundings. “Since we were young. When I was Six, these were already here. My father inherits this land from his parents. Before their marriage, they used to stay here with their friends. They go swimming in that river. Have you noticed that small house? My father and his friends build that. They go in there eating, playing, and have some fun with their friends. During summer, my parents used to lay on these loungers with Terry on their side. My big brother and I play around in this wide area. On that spot, there is fish grilled. So, I missed those days. It has been a long time since my brother works abroad,” Tessa said while looking at the clear starry sky. “You know it is kind of weird. But I had a dream last night,” Ally said smilingly. “What is it? Tell me,” Tessa asked. “I dreamed trees, river, fish, and s
Ally then spread her both palms a little distance from the fire, feeling some heat from it. She enjoys watching the fire consuming the woods. She then weaved the smoke using her hands to make mosquitoes fly away from them. Tessa makes fun of her watching her weaving the smokes. In their surroundings, the sounds of the chirping crickets and the hooting of the owls add a meaningful night in their conversation. They are amazed at the fireflies gathered around the mangrove trees flashing their lights. It catches their eyes as the lights of the fireflies synchronizing their flashes creating a spectacular display. The stars in the sky are shimmering while the moon is shining brightly enabling them to watch the views that surround them. In a few minutes, Ally turns her eyes to Tessa when she heard her humming. She admires her on how she calmed herself that night. Tessa closed her eyes while humming along with the sounds of nature in their surroundings. Then Ally goes back to the lounger an
“Hey! Sister! It is catching time,” Terry rapidly knocks on the door, “Papa wants you to watch him catching those fish. It is fun! Come on, we are about to go there,” he said hurriedly with them. Tessa and Ally, from their deep sleep, suddenly awake, “Oh no! Papa is in the fish pen. Ally! Come on, get up. Let us watch him catching those fish. It is fun,” Tessa said while wiping her mouth, face, and eyes using her hands. While heading to the door, she fixed her hair and opened it. As she opens, the light of the sun directly hits her face then she covers it with her hand. She then gestured for Ally to follow her outside while standing at the door. Ally slowly get up from her bed, wipes her eyes with her hands, and fixed her hair as well. But the optimists Tessa hurried here to come out from the bamboo house. She then goes down the stairs and waits for Ally to come down. Ally was amazed. When she saw the view of the farm when she comes outside, the guest Ally could not
Ally enjoyed her company with the family of Tessa. She feels happy watching them talking and eating. The family is grateful for what they had. They live a simple life away from the city and are comfortable with their way of living. They considered their farm as their little paradise. She adorned the mother of Tessa on how she cares for them. After a while, she remembers how her mother abandoned them and the pain left in her heart. She began to compare her situation while looking at the couple and Terry laughing with one another. Suddenly, Tessa bumps her side. “Hey! You feel like swimming, aren’t you? Where is your mind going?” Tessa jokingly asked her. “It is okay! You can be like that,” she added as if trying to get Ally’s attention. “Yeah! I am okay. Sorry,” Ally answered and smiled at Tessa. “You want to go swimming?” Tessa convinced her, showing her a thumbs up. “Yeah! But what about Terry’s assignment?” she asked worriedly. “No problem!
When Tessa and Ally about to dock the boat in front of their house at the riverbank, the clear and enticing water got their attention. Tessa droves slowly and stop the engine in the midst. She then embraced Ally holding her tightly by locking her hands in her back and let them fall in the water. Then they dive for a while in deeper. After a while they both appear in the surface of the water. Ally pull Tessa’s hair a little bit and laugh for she was not warned to dive in the water. They both kicking their feet to maintain themselves floating. Then they faced each other happily and swam heading the floating boat. “How dare you! You did not give me a warning,” said Ally jokingly. “Of course, that was my intention to make it exciting and surprising...ha! ha! ha!” Tessa responded and laugh. “My brother and I do like this before. When we go swimming in here, we pull or push each other when one of us don’t notice it.... ha! ha! ha! “Let us climb up in the boat and j
After they ate, Shin Ki and Winze immediately talked to Nina and Ally. They took Nina and Ally to the backyard garden and showed them its beauty. The two were impressed when they learned that Winze was in charge of planting, cleaning, and watering the plants. But they do not forget to mention Jan Lee and Jim Han, who sometimes help out in the garden. Later, Jan Lee and Jim Han approached the two. When Winze and Shin Ki saw the twins, they said goodbye to Nina and Ally."Where are you going tonight?" Jim Han asked Jan Lee."Haha, we will stay here in the garden first. We will sit in rocking chairs and watch the moon. We will think about where we are going later," Jan Lee replied."All right, Nina and I are leaving. We are going to the park. There we will chill and talk," then Jim Han and Nina left the house and got into his car."Do you have any plans to leave like them?" Ally asked him."I do not know. The important thing now is that we are here in
“This is what we have been waiting for,” Jim Han said while adjusting the collar of Jan Lee’s dress."I am nervous. I feel like I am going to pick up my bride at their house," Jan Lee replied as he laughed."Do not worry. It will end too. After we celebrate our birthday, it is up to us what our plans are. I will invite our siblings together with papa and mama to go to the place I told them. What is your plan for tomorrow?" Jim Han asked Jan Lee."We are going to Tessa's farm. Ally missed her friend. We have not been back there for a long time," Jan Lee replied."Ah, is that so? Is the scenery in their place beautiful?" asked Jim Han, who had just adjusted Jan Lee's collar."Yes, it was nice. That is why Ally really wants us to go back there. She wants us to swim back there in the river, grill fish, ride a skiff boat, and look at the waves in the sea," Jan Lee replied excitedly."Wow! It is exciting where you are going. Do y
"Come on. We have been waiting for you in the kitchen for a while. Put the sprinklers in the storehouse. Fix them because papa does not want to mess up the warehouse," said Shin Ki, who was standing by the door.When Jan Lee and Jim Han heard what Shin Ki said, they looked at each other because they knew what they were planning was not easy. Instead of Jim Han intending, he allowed Jan Lee to explain to their parents. They quickly went to the storehouse and put the sprinklers inside. For a few moments, the two first talked outside the storehouse."What are you? They will understand our decisions. They know that we know how to decide for ourselves. We can set aside and work for ourselves, cannot we? Look, you can even take Ally anywhere. When her father got sick and was taken to the hospital, were not you the one who helped her? It means you can stand on your own and, you can be with the woman you love," Jim Han said seriously."Yes, I know that. I am just wonder
"There you heard it. I told you," Shin Ki said to Hea Bum while carrying the large sprinkler."Haha, you can do that, brother. In the beginning, it was heavy. In the long run, it will be easier," Hea Bum explained while easing his heart.Jim Han shook his head and looked at his mother and siblings. He wanted to refuse, but he realized that it was the only time to owe back to his mother. Because; he had been away from their house many times."Ah, Haha, Of course, I can do that. I am just kidding. The truth is I can do that," Jim Han said while scratching his head."Come on, Shin Ki, let us go to the kitchen and get ready for our dinner," Winze ordered her."How is that! I will be ahead of you. Jim Han fixes the watering ha," Shin Ki joked to him.Jim Han just smiled as he watched them leave."Let them go. Let us help water mother's plants. It was because it had not watered for a long time. Let us do it like this you will be the one to
"Let him enter the room. He missed you because you have rejected him several times," Jim Han said while standing behind Hea Bum.The two looked and were surprised when they saw that Jim Han had returned home. They thought he would be home in the evening."Oh? Are you here yet? I thought you came home late at night? Have you finished bonding with your friends? It is too early," Hea Bum replied, wondering at him."Haha, Yes, I just went home because my other friends did not come, so Max and I just went out to eat together. I am sure there is a reason why I came home early," Jim Han replied and looked at Jan Lee.Jan Lee looked at the ceiling, took a deep breath, and smiled."Is not that my brother? There is a reason this time why I came home early?" Jim Han asked Jan Lee with a sense of meaning in what he was saying.Jan Lee does not know what he will answer to his twin. He would look at Hea Bum, and once again, he would look at Jim Han. He st
"He is with his friend. Son, let him think first and give time for himself. So, he could decide the right things. It was not easy for him to see what had happened. You know that even if he is naughty sometimes, still, he knows how to admit his mistakes," Chou Yen told Jan Lee.Jan Lee was just quiet while eating and continued listening to what his family was saying. He did not make any argument, for he does not want trouble. He knows it was not easy for Jim Han having a relationship with Ally before. "You know your brother, even though if he is hurt, he does not keep grudges," Winze added."You have not been here in the house for a long time. I missed playing with you. Hopefully, we can play. It is disappointing to play if you are alone. It is different when someone is playing because you are happy and you are going to have enough time to play," Hea Bum said.“Me too! I miss you helping me with my assignments and other projects in s
"Thanks," Jim Han take the drink and think for a while."Come on, don't be sad. Look, someone is leaving, but someone comes. Nina is there when you don't turn her over. Change so Nina won't leave you. Don't think about that. The good thing is that we're back to work. I've also delayed my business, so we've got to work together." Max told him."If that's the case, I think we need to call our friends. Let's ask them to come here, so we'll be happier later. Is it a good idea?" Jim Han suggested."Of course, that's a great idea. Shall we call Nina?" Max agreed but suggested Nina join their party."Hmm, I think maybe not this time. I want to be with you right now. I want us together because if Nina is here, the more I think of Ally," Jim Han refused."Ah, I see. If that's what's good for you, then let's do it," Max confirmed."But I had to go home before 10 p.m. because I had told my parents. One more thing, I don't want them to think that I am a
After how many minutes, Allan closed his eyes and fell asleep. Then Ally came to Jan Lee and seated beside him on the bench. She tried to wake him up, but he fell asleep, so Ally lay her head on his lap.On that night, Jim Han was uncomfortable on his bed. He thought about holding Ally back to him, but he remembered what he said to Jan Lee that night. Feeling that Jan Lee took Ally away from his hand and cannot do anything at all. The words were already spoken from his mouth, so he could no longer take them back. Despite his weariness, his body led him to sleep, for he was tired of his long journey that day.“Hey, brother. Come on, get up. Mama and papa ask you to join us for our breakfast,” Hea Bum said while knocking on his door.Jim Han suddenly awake. He could barely open his eyes, for he was still sleepy, and his body was aching.“Huh? What time is it?” Jim Han answered to his surprised.“You do not know the time
Jan Lee and Ally felt the happy moment that night. Jan Lee felt most comfortable, for he had felt the freedom to love Ally at last. For a long time, Jan Lee had only hidden his feeling for his fear for his brother. He had been overwhelmed by his affections to Ally, but when he heard Jim Han's response that night, he felt the assurance of love for her."What are you planning now? Are you still afraid of your brother?" Ally asked as she smiled at him."Hmm, maybe not anymore because I now knew what he really felt for you. I was scared at that time. My brother is my best friend, but I think I don't want to be a betrayer to him. So, I waited for the opportunity for him to come back," Jan Lee responded, then he held Ally's left hand.Ally looked up at the tree and said, "You know, I would have been separated from Jim Han for a long time, especially in times when he was gone when I needed him."Then she turned to Jan Lee."I was disappointed because of w