Failed Advice

Jaino thinks, Ooh man, I don't have any spare dress . I left my bag . I can't come back . "Hiss . . . "

Gasping and tiredly sitting while tears on his eyes are refraining from pouring . He inhales, exhales as he breathes…

. . . he stares at the lake . "Are we really safe here?"

"Yes, we're safe . Don't mind it . It's stuck there forever facing one direction; so, don't be afraid, and keep calm . You can a.s.sure your safety .

"Oh, and what about both of you? I were you, leave this place in an instant; there's no room for children here . "

"I wish it! But, we couldn't do that! This place is so deep! We can't remember where we came— in . . . "

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"Ridiculous . " And Jaino thinks— . "So, I don't have any choice, huh? Let's rest and wait until your sister awake . I'll find food . "

She gains consciousness, someone caresses her hair . Gradually, she opens her eyes and lifts her head, to only find her brother caring her . She hugs him and whines, "Brother- thank you . I, I can't thank you enough . We're saved . I'm scared . " She continues sniffling .

"It's alright . It's alright my dear . Rest, but, you tell it to him—" smiling as he waves his hand to Jaino . "It's him you should be thanking, not me . "

She has glimpsed yet trembled, and her eyes are now staring at the disgusted face of someone, who bare-handedly skins the strong h.o.r.n.y skin of the fruit . She hesitates and clings to her brother more tightly; scared at that person . She stares in the silent, unable to disturb him .

By the time Jaino has finally finished— after he has rubbed the sweat on his forehead by the back of his wrist, he stares at the sky . His lips smile .

She grabs his t-s.h.i.+rt, picking his attention; even if, her body is shaking . "Sir, thank you!"

Jaino has been staring at her face . Afterwards, he wipes the tears between her cheek and eye with his finger . "You and your brother survived until I came . This experience has made both of you become mature enough to face this world . So, stop crying anymore; be strong . With the event that has happened in your life; treasure your life and stay alive; until then, you're invincible . " His words approve by his smile .

Astounded, she interjects, "Huh?" She scratches her hair .

"Such meaning I find hard to understand . But, bro! Seriously, how awesome!" He gawks . And Jaino is slightly nodding his head . "But bro, why are you here inside this forest anyway?"

"That's a secret . "

"Huh!" has reacted by those siblings .

Becoming more annoyed, Jaino replies, "Anyway, I've no intention to know your circ.u.mstances either; so, let's dig in . "

"Aw…" the boy has reacted . Yet, his little sister cries .

Jaino lashes his finger into her forehead, restraining her from crying; awkwardness is embodying herself .

"Hey! Why did you that to my sister!"

"Here, take this . It's good for your health," as he hands those big seeds to the siblings, each .

Feeling disgusted, Jena complains, "Yuck! This! A seed! But! It's slimy and big!"

"Just try sucking its juice . It'll give your strength back and some more . But, you cannot eat more than that in a day . Those slimy things will fill your belly a little; so, I recommend eating it . "

"Eh . "

Although, it's a seed and taste isn't bad; hesitantly, Jena has a bitter face in eating its slimy wooly outer skin . Her brother ignores everything as he completely trusts this stranger and eats without complain .

For the meantime, Jaino eats barely while staring at the sky; securing the surrounding by just listening while reminiscing his past; a village was attacked and burning that not many people could visually see the a.s.sailants .

He thinks, Father, thanks for saving me . I can a.s.sured you, I'll live by your antic.i.p.ation and ambition…

As Jaino receives their village name after they've finished their meals; they now prepare themselves . Although their drying wet dresses feel weird on their bodies; he decides to accompany the siblings to Aklaba village to return them home .

Aklaba Village, is located to the southeastern part of the wide island and to the southwestward from the Deep Forest . People living this place prioritize their culture . Their festivals they celebrate on the month of harvesting grains, crops, fruits and other cultivated plants and trees that bear foods . People living here wear traditional dress made only in the said village .

Att.i.tudes always inherit

Surroundings shapes att.i.tudes

Att.i.tudes expose everything