Chapter 26
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We sat near the lake, eating sandwiches and all other food we bought. Minho was smiling contentedly. He appears to be thinking deeply, judging by the far away look in his eyes.
"Minho?" I called to catch his attention.
"Hmmmm," he replied without looking, still looking at the horizon.
"What are you thinking about?"
He smiled then swivelled his head to mine. "I'm happy you took me here."
I scratched my head. "Uh, you're welcome. Do you mind me asking? What makes you like this place so much?"
He looked away, seemingly thinking of a distant future. "I have always longed to have a place like this to rest and spend the rest of my life with my family. Being here filled me with hope that I could also achieve having this. I've got new ideas on how to make my dream home come true."
"So you mean, you like to have a home like this large and grand?"
He slightly frowned, then turned back to me. "No, not this large or grand. Just the vibes of it, the serenity it exudes. That's what I want."
I looked away from him, thinking about his words. "I don't think the place matters if you want to feel at home. I believe that to feel at home, you should be with the ones you love, the ones who care for you through thick and thin, the ones who would never leave your side, the ones who will always support and guide you. But, I think that having a place like this isn't bad at all. It's nice to let the children run around and climb trees while adults lounge under the shade of the tree. That would be nice." I lowered my head and looked at him. "You'll soon have it."
"How do you know that I will?"
"Well, if you set your heart to it, then it definitely will happen. You're going to do all your best to achieve that, won't you?"
He nodded. "Then it will definitely happen. I'm absolutely sure!"
He laughed and ruffled my hair. "Silly."
"What? You're not serious about it?"
"You're so cute when you pout like that." I blushed. I unconsciously pouted my lips, so childish. "And as to your question. Yes, I am serious, very very serious."
"Good."
After awhile of silence, I blurted, "Your wife will be the luckiest woman on Earth."
"Huh? Why do you say so?"
"Because she's got you who would give everything to make her happy."
"Well, you're husband will be the luckiest man on Earth."
I snorted. "Why would he be? I'll just scold him everyday."
"Because even if you're scolding him, he'll always feel at home."
I looked down at the lake, my tears threatening to fall. I don't know why, but I felt so touched of what he said. Maybe I'll find that man someday, who will make me happy and complete my home.
I quickly stood up, my back facing him, sneakily wiping my tears. "Let's go. It's getting late. We have yet to go to more places." When I heard no respone, I looked back at him. He was staring back at me.
"What are you looking at? Let's go!" I pulled him up and gathered our picnic things.
"Let me help you." I just nodded, afraid that if I say too many, my tears would fall down again.
When we were both inside the car, he asked, "So where to next?"
"There's a zoo a couple of blocks away from here. We go there."
"A zoo? Okay."
The drive was silent. I don't know what to talk about. I just want to curl up in my bed and sleep. Why am I still affected like this? I promised to start anew so what now? How am I gonna move on? Honestly, I felr so sad after hearing what Minho said. Will I get to have that life someday, to have a home I always look forward to go to?
"Cass, we're here."
I jumped at the sudden sound. "Oh sorry! I was lost in my thoughts. Ok let's go."
***Wildlife Zoo***
We were walking around the zoo, getting further away from the entrance while my face is getting uglier every second.
"Cassidy? What's gotten you so ugly?"
"WHAT?! who are you calling ugly?!"
"Ahahahaha. I was just kidding. Why are you so riled up?"
"This! This stupid animal cruelty. Look at these cages! Animals are constrained inside, so little space to move! They even eat less food! And look at the environment! This is clearly not their natural habitat! If they like to take care of these animals, they should have made an effort to replicate their habitat so that they'll live better. Useless bunch of scums, using poor animals as profit. I don't know why the government allows these things!"
"Clearly, you are unhappy here. Why did you even take me here?"
"Uh, uhm because most tourists and other visitors always head here."
"Cass, if you don't like it here, we shouldn't be here. I said we're going out together and that means we both should be enjoying. But this is not the case. So let's get out of here. I'm getting sick here."
"Sick?" I placed the back of my hand on his forehead. "Are you having a fever? Hmmm no? Is your tummy aching?"
He caught my arm, the one checking his forehead. "Cassidy, this place makes me sick. My dad was a veterinarian, so I grew up loving and caring for animals. This place? All zoo having these conditions, I despise them."
There was genuine fury in his eyes. I looked down, "I'm sorry Minho. I thought... "
"Yes, it's okay. I'm happy that you don't like it here too. So, let's go?"
"Mm-hmm."
After minutes of walking, "How do we help them, Minho?"
"Closinh down the zoo is the best way. But we got no rights since this is a private institution. But if the government enact laws to change how animals should be treated in zoos, then there might be changes, such as giving them bigger and better space to move about. But they're better living in their natural habitat. That's why I love wildlife parks, where animals are roaming freely in the wild, no cages. The people only go to them in secured cars to watch how they live their lives."
"Hmmm, Minho are you also a vet?"
"Haha no. I tried being one, but I dropped it when we started studying medical terms and remembering all kinds of species. I suck at memorizing. So I shifted to engineering. I've got no problems in math and drawing and planning and all. And I said to myself, if I can't provide health care for them, why not provide them the best shelter?"
I laughed. "Well said! Are you competing for Miss Universe?"
He looked shocked then said in a girly way, "Oh my god! How did you know. Gosh!"
I laughed so hard. I smacked his shoulder. "You! Why...Hahaha.. You are so funny. Hahaha."
Minho laughed as well. And before we knew it, we were out of the zoo.
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We sat near the lake, eating sandwiches and all other food we bought. Minho was smiling contentedly. He appears to be thinking deeply, judging by the far away look in his eyes.
"Minho?" I called to catch his attention.
"Hmmmm," he replied without looking, still looking at the horizon.
"What are you thinking about?"
He smiled then swivelled his head to mine. "I'm happy you took me here."
I scratched my head. "Uh, you're welcome. Do you mind me asking? What makes you like this place so much?"
He looked away, seemingly thinking of a distant future. "I have always longed to have a place like this to rest and spend the rest of my life with my family. Being here filled me with hope that I could also achieve having this. I've got new ideas on how to make my dream home come true."
"So you mean, you like to have a home like this large and grand?"
He slightly frowned, then turned back to me. "No, not this large or grand. Just the vibes of it, the serenity it exudes. That's what I want."
I looked away from him, thinking about his words. "I don't think the place matters if you want to feel at home. I believe that to feel at home, you should be with the ones you love, the ones who care for you through thick and thin, the ones who would never leave your side, the ones who will always support and guide you. But, I think that having a place like this isn't bad at all. It's nice to let the children run around and climb trees while adults lounge under the shade of the tree. That would be nice." I lowered my head and looked at him. "You'll soon have it."
"How do you know that I will?"
"Well, if you set your heart to it, then it definitely will happen. You're going to do all your best to achieve that, won't you?"
He nodded. "Then it will definitely happen. I'm absolutely sure!"
He laughed and ruffled my hair. "Silly."
"What? You're not serious about it?"
"You're so cute when you pout like that." I blushed. I unconsciously pouted my lips, so childish. "And as to your question. Yes, I am serious, very very serious."
"Good."
After awhile of silence, I blurted, "Your wife will be the luckiest woman on Earth."
"Huh? Why do you say so?"
"Because she's got you who would give everything to make her happy."
"Well, you're husband will be the luckiest man on Earth."
I snorted. "Why would he be? I'll just scold him everyday."
"Because even if you're scolding him, he'll always feel at home."
I looked down at the lake, my tears threatening to fall. I don't know why, but I felt so touched of what he said. Maybe I'll find that man someday, who will make me happy and complete my home.
I quickly stood up, my back facing him, sneakily wiping my tears. "Let's go. It's getting late. We have yet to go to more places." When I heard no respone, I looked back at him. He was staring back at me.
"What are you looking at? Let's go!" I pulled him up and gathered our picnic things.
"Let me help you." I just nodded, afraid that if I say too many, my tears would fall down again.
When we were both inside the car, he asked, "So where to next?"
"There's a zoo a couple of blocks away from here. We go there."
"A zoo? Okay."
The drive was silent. I don't know what to talk about. I just want to curl up in my bed and sleep. Why am I still affected like this? I promised to start anew so what now? How am I gonna move on? Honestly, I felr so sad after hearing what Minho said. Will I get to have that life someday, to have a home I always look forward to go to?
"Cass, we're here."
I jumped at the sudden sound. "Oh sorry! I was lost in my thoughts. Ok let's go."
***Wildlife Zoo***
We were walking around the zoo, getting further away from the entrance while my face is getting uglier every second.
"Cassidy? What's gotten you so ugly?"
"WHAT?! who are you calling ugly?!"
"Ahahahaha. I was just kidding. Why are you so riled up?"
"This! This stupid animal cruelty. Look at these cages! Animals are constrained inside, so little space to move! They even eat less food! And look at the environment! This is clearly not their natural habitat! If they like to take care of these animals, they should have made an effort to replicate their habitat so that they'll live better. Useless bunch of scums, using poor animals as profit. I don't know why the government allows these things!"
"Clearly, you are unhappy here. Why did you even take me here?"
"Uh, uhm because most tourists and other visitors always head here."
"Cass, if you don't like it here, we shouldn't be here. I said we're going out together and that means we both should be enjoying. But this is not the case. So let's get out of here. I'm getting sick here."
"Sick?" I placed the back of my hand on his forehead. "Are you having a fever? Hmmm no? Is your tummy aching?"
He caught my arm, the one checking his forehead. "Cassidy, this place makes me sick. My dad was a veterinarian, so I grew up loving and caring for animals. This place? All zoo having these conditions, I despise them."
There was genuine fury in his eyes. I looked down, "I'm sorry Minho. I thought... "
"Yes, it's okay. I'm happy that you don't like it here too. So, let's go?"
"Mm-hmm."
After minutes of walking, "How do we help them, Minho?"
"Closinh down the zoo is the best way. But we got no rights since this is a private institution. But if the government enact laws to change how animals should be treated in zoos, then there might be changes, such as giving them bigger and better space to move about. But they're better living in their natural habitat. That's why I love wildlife parks, where animals are roaming freely in the wild, no cages. The people only go to them in secured cars to watch how they live their lives."
"Hmmm, Minho are you also a vet?"
"Haha no. I tried being one, but I dropped it when we started studying medical terms and remembering all kinds of species. I suck at memorizing. So I shifted to engineering. I've got no problems in math and drawing and planning and all. And I said to myself, if I can't provide health care for them, why not provide them the best shelter?"
I laughed. "Well said! Are you competing for Miss Universe?"
He looked shocked then said in a girly way, "Oh my god! How did you know. Gosh!"
I laughed so hard. I smacked his shoulder. "You! Why...Hahaha.. You are so funny. Hahaha."
Minho laughed as well. And before we knew it, we were out of the zoo.
We sat near the lake, eating sandwiches and all other food we bought. Minho was smiling contentedly. He appears to be thinking deeply, judging by the far away look in his eyes. "Minho?" I called to catch his attention. "Hmmmm," he replied without looking, still looking at the horizon. "What are you thinking about?" He smiled then swivelled his head to mine. "I'm happy you took me here." I scratched my head. "Uh, you're welcome. Do you mind me asking? What makes you like this place so much?" He looked away, seemingly thinking of a distant future. "I have always longed to have a place like this to rest and spend the rest of my life with my family. Being here filled me with hope that I could also achieve having this. I've got new ideas on how to make my dream home come true." "So you mean, you like to have a home like this large and grand?" He slightly frowned, then turned back to me. "No, not this large or grand. Just the vibes of it, the serenity it exudes. That's what I want." I looked away from him, thinking about his words. "I don't think the place matters if you want to feel at home. I believe that to feel at home, you should be with the ones you love, the ones who care for you through thick and thin, the ones who would never leave your side, the ones who will always support and guide you. But, I think that having a place like this isn't bad at all. It's nice to let the children run around and climb trees while adults lounge under the shade of the tree. That would be nice." I lowered my head and looked at him. "You'll soon have it." "How do you know that I will?" "Well, if you set your heart to it, then it definitely will happen. You're going to do all your best to achieve that, won't you?" He nodded. "Then it will definitely happen. I'm absolutely sure!" He laughed and ruffled my hair. "Silly." "What? You're not serious about it?" "You're so cute when you pout like that." I blushed. I unconsciously pouted my lips, so childish. "And as to your question. Yes, I am serious, very very serious." "Good." After awhile of silence, I blurted, "Your wife will be the luckiest woman on Earth." "Huh? Why do you say so?" "Because she's got you who would give everything to make her happy." "Well, you're husband will be the luckiest man on Earth." I snorted. "Why would he be? I'll just scold him everyday." "Because even if you're scolding him, he'll always feel at home." I looked down at the lake, my tears threatening to fall. I don't know why, but I felt so touched of what he said. Maybe I'll find that man someday, who will make me happy and complete my home. I quickly stood up, my back facing him, sneakily wiping my tears. "Let's go. It's getting late. We have yet to go to more places." When I heard no respone, I looked back at him. He was staring back at me. "What are you looking at? Let's go!" I pulled him up and gathered our picnic things. "Let me help you." I just nodded, afraid that if I say too many, my tears would fall down again. When we were both inside the car, he asked, "So where to next?" "There's a zoo a couple of blocks away from here. We go there." "A zoo? Okay." The drive was silent. I don't know what to talk about. I just want to curl up in my bed and sleep. Why am I still affected like this? I promised to start anew so what now? How am I gonna move on? Honestly, I felr so sad after hearing what Minho said. Will I get to have that life someday, to have a home I always look forward to go to? "Cass, we're here." I jumped at the sudden sound. "Oh sorry! I was lost in my thoughts. Ok let's go." ***Wildlife Zoo*** We were walking around the zoo, getting further away from the entrance while my face is getting uglier every second. "Cassidy? What's gotten you so ugly?" "WHAT?! who are you calling ugly?!" "Ahahahaha. I was just kidding. Why are you so riled up?" "This! This stupid animal cruelty. Look at these cages! Animals are constrained inside, so little space to move! They even eat less food! And look at the environment! This is clearly not their natural habitat! If they like to take care of these animals, they should have made an effort to replicate their habitat so that they'll live better. Useless bunch of scums, using poor animals as profit. I don't know why the government allows these things!" "Clearly, you are unhappy here. Why did you even take me here?" "Uh, uhm because most tourists and other visitors always head here." "Cass, if you don't like it here, we shouldn't be here. I said we're going out together and that means we both should be enjoying. But this is not the case. So let's get out of here. I'm getting sick here." "Sick?" I placed the back of my hand on his forehead. "Are you having a fever? Hmmm no? Is your tummy aching?" He caught my arm, the one checking his forehead. "Cassidy, this place makes me sick. My dad was a veterinarian, so I grew up loving and caring for animals. This place? All zoo having these conditions, I despise them." There was genuine fury in his eyes. I looked down, "I'm sorry Minho. I thought... " "Yes, it's okay. I'm happy that you don't like it here too. So, let's go?" "Mm-hmm." After minutes of walking, "How do we help them, Minho?" "Closinh down the zoo is the best way. But we got no rights since this is a private institution. But if the government enact laws to change how animals should be treated in zoos, then there might be changes, such as giving them bigger and better space to move about. But they're better living in their natural habitat. That's why I love wildlife parks, where animals are roaming freely in the wild, no cages. The people only go to them in secured cars to watch how they live their lives." "Hmmm, Minho are you also a vet?" "Haha no. I tried being one, but I dropped it when we started studying medical terms and remembering all kinds of species. I suck at memorizing. So I shifted to engineering. I've got no problems in math and drawing and planning and all. And I said to myself, if I can't provide health care for them, why not provide them the best shelter?" I laughed. "Well said! Are you competing for Miss Universe?" He looked shocked then said in a girly way, "Oh my god! How did you know. Gosh!" I laughed so hard. I smacked his shoulder. "You! Why...Hahaha.. You are so funny. Hahaha." Minho laughed as well. And before we knew it, we were out of the zoo.
