Chapter 9
There are things that come to your mind when you walk. I recall that there are studies that show walking helps in making up your mind. On my way home, it made me think about my future path. I can't stay like this forever and play pretend as a child again. I can't waste my time.
I've been spending my time with my parents now because I am still young. What I want is to be able to continue like this for a long time. I want to do something new.
"The offer of Ma'am Louise is good. that is, if I will pursue becoming an artist in the future. However, people say that the life of an artist is more troublesome than others. Plus, I don't know if I can even become famous from it."
It is risky.
I've been thinking for a while and didn't notice that I was already home. My mind was elsewhere, but my feet simply knew the way.
"I am home!!!"
"Brier, my baby, how's school?" my mom asked excitedly. This is my first day in high school. Times like this are always the most important and most memorable in our lives.
"It is okay, Mom. I managed to make some friends," I replied. I know they are worried about me, since I am not the type of person others want to be with. So saying that I have friends is something my mother wants to hear.
"That's good! Tell me about it!" she said as she made me a snack.
I told her about my first day from the introduction in English, then going to the faculty, then my last subject. I told her everything because there is no need to hide anything. In my past life, I rarely told them about my life. I wonder if things would have been different if I did.
Maybe I could have lived a different life.
"Oh, so you are good at singing then, Brier? I didn't know!" she said, surprised.
"I also didn't know. I just found out today because people told me so," I replied.
"Hmm… so why didn't you answer immediately?" she asked curiously.
I told her about my dilemma and how risky it is to spend time on something that might not be useful in the future. She listened as I mentioned multiple reasons.
"Hmm. Brier, I am glad that you've grown more mature and responsible. I am proud of your growth," she said as she tapped my shoulder.
"You are now a grown man, Brier. You're starting to think about your future and your path. However, aren't you overthinking it too much?"
I was bewildered by that comment.
"But"
I was about to reply when she stopped me.
"Brier, you are still young and have a lot of time ahead of you. You'll experience many things in the future. You don't have to choose now. Our path is made through a series of mistakes. You'll fail more than once before you succeed. If you don't, that only means you didn't live your life to its full potential."
"You are still young. It is okay if you don't have everything figured out yet. Just try it. If you don't like it, then no one will force you to do something you don't want. If you like it, then continue even if you fail. At least you'll know whether it works or not."
Her words hit deep in my heart. Even in my past life, I always took the safe path that others said was right. I never tried things that carried risks. I experienced failure multiple times, but I always thought I was growing because of it.
But now that I think about it, those mistakes helped me grow as a teacher. but not as a person. I stayed in the same circle without trying new things. Maybe it wasn't even my own circle, it was just something pre-made that I forced myself into.
"Okay… I'll try."
"Oh, by the way, I remembered your uncle called me last time and said the tools you are borrowing are already prepared."
"Ohh okay, I'll go there later."
I quickly fixed myself and took a bath before going to my uncle's house. It wasn't far, about a 15-minute walk. This would be my first time going there again in this life, but I can't forget this place. I don't know why, because if I include my past life, it has been about two decades since I've been here.
"Remembering these kinds of small things is really weird. Maybe this body simply remembers them."
Knock
Knock
Knock
"Hello!! I've come to take the tools from Uncle Benny," I stated my business quickly as I knocked. This is the custom here if you don't introduce yourself or state your purpose, they might not open the door and mistake you for someone collecting debts.
The door immediately opened, and I saw Uncle Benny's wife. She is a cool auntie and loves to laugh.
"Oh, Brier!! How are you?? Why only visit today? Your uncle told me you've become a fine young man and that you're planning to open a business"
Multiple questions hit me all at once. I didn't even have time to respond before another came. I answered them one by one patiently since I'm the one asking for a favor. I can't be rude.
Half an hour later…
"Oh, so Brier, why are you here again?"
Oh shit. We're back to the start again? We've been talking for a while, and she clearly forgot why I came.
"I'm here to get Uncle Benny's tools," I repeated.
"Oh yes, those tools. He's been taking care of them for a long time, but they're just taking up space here. I've been telling him to throw them away, but he insists on keeping them."
She quickly got the tools and handed them to me.
"These tools have a lot of memories for my husband, so take good care of them."
"Thank you, I—" I wanted to leave quickly to avoid being trapped again.
"Back in the day, that pair of scissors was the first tool he had when he started."
I was about to stand up, but the story started, forcing me to sit down again and listen.
"With that tool, he managed to open his business. As time passed, his tools increased, and he was able to serve more customers."
"He did it for a decade and taught many people his skills. If only he didn't love drinking so much, maybe he could have built his own shop in the center of the municipality."
*Sigh.*
"Now, he can't even hold a single tool without dropping it because of his shaking hands."
She said that, then looked me in the eyes.
"So, Brier, take good care of these tools. And don't follow my husband's footsteps. Make it bigger. Don't be satisfied with just getting higher. You are still young, and you are starting early. I believe in your success."
She spoke seriously, then looked at the clock.
"Oh, I've been holding you here for a while now. Tell your mother to visit me sometime. We have a lot to catch up on."
I said my goodbyes and rushed out of the house. The box I was holding suddenly felt much heavier.
The next day.
Something unexpected happened.
"You've got to be kidding me! Why the hell am I the leader?"