Chapter XXII

I can't walk like this anymore. I want food but I am not going to beg. I have to earn it somehow. I made my way to the nearest market, in the opposite direction of where I should go. Sounds of bargaining of women and footsteps are what I heard and I made my way deeper into it. I saw an old woman holding a basket of apples looking here and there and asking everyone to take only one apple.

If I had the money I would have taken the whole basket. How can people be so cruel? She can barely stand straight, she is that old and still warning money respectfully. I can't stand the sight, I really need to help her. How can I stand here while men and women shove her away as soon as she talks about buying an apple?

I made my way towards her and stood in front of her. She looked at me and gave me a gentle yet beautiful smile. That smile broke my heart into pieces. While she is shoved away by every person passing from her she is still able to carry that smile.

"Do you want some apples?" She said while showing me the apples and hope twinkled in her eyes that I could buy apples from her. I shook my head and her smile reduced a little and she looked disappointed.

"I may not buy these apples because I don't have money but I can help to sell them" I suggested. I don't know if people would buy apples from me or not but I can give a try for the old woman's sake.

"Can I know your name?" She asked.

"Hei," I told her my half name. I just don't feel like telling anyone my real name.

She nodded and thought a little longer than gave me a smile and agreed for me to sell them. It took the basket from her and turned towards the crowd but not before giving her a smile. Okay, I have to sell them for her sake. And now I remember that I didn't even ask for her name. How stupid I can get? I mentally slapped my forehead.

But nevertheless starting to sell them. I reached for a lady who seemed to be in her mid-thirties with a child along with the age of five to seven tagging along with her. I tapped her shoulder to have her attention. She looked back at me and her curious eyes searched for an answer as to why some stranger would approach her.

So without saying I showed her the basket full of apples and smile to my fullest to look appealing. You should be good to your customers. Her calm face changed into an irritating one while she proceeded to go again where she was going before I interrupted her. I frown seeing how impolite she was. I was just trying to sell some apples.

But still, I can't give up and went to every man and woman I could see near me because I couldn't go far because of the old lady. And she is in no condition to walk. I made her sit on one of the chairs that were present at the vegetable shop. I borrowed the chair from the owner, at first, he completely ignored me while giving an annoying face but after so much insisting he finally agreed. 

I just needed a seat for an old woman to sit. Nothing big. Why can't these people be a little co-operative?

I mean I am no angel and not the best person in the world but when I told him that I want the seat for the old woman his face twisted in distaste more. Are all of these people who have never heard of helping each other?

But ignoring my current thoughts I again started selling apples and like the higher power has listened to my prayers for me to help the poor old lady, the apples started to reduce more and more from the basket as I sold them.

Only one apple.

As I was going to try to sell that too. The old lady came behind me and put her hand on my shoulder and smiled at me which I returned with my own.

"Hei, you can have that apple, I can see in your face that you haven't eaten anything from quite a while and you can also take the money with you, you sold them so you are the real owner of the money."

She said while giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. But I quickly shook my head in denial.

"No these apples were yours you have to take the money, I can't take it."

"These would have been rotten because I wouldn't have been able to sell even one so they would have eventually wasted but thanks to you they didn't get wasted," She said with a sincere smile while I took her wrinkled hands in my right hand while the other handling the basket with the earned money in it.

"The apple would be enough and no I can't and will not take the money." 

She then nodded and I gave her a smile of my own and I then ate the apple while new energy bubbled into me. I don't know whether it was due to eating something after this while or the fact that I helped someone today. But a thought struck me. I helped her today but what will she do tomorrow and after that. Who will help her? That thought didn't settle well with me.

"What's your name?" I asked the sweet old lady.

"It's Boon-Song, dear" She replied.

"I will come back, not tomorrow or maybe a little after that and I want you to stay strong till that time and I promise gat I will get you out of this life, which you don't deserve" She gave me a look which indicates that she did not believe me she smiled and said while her eyes were clouded.

"I hope what you said will get true one day, maybe I will get out of this miserable life" And before I had the chance to reply to her, we heard the sounds of horses footsteps and looked at the source to see the Kings soldier seated on the horse while making an announcement.