6 | Returning to the city

Alex shrank back as Emma glared at him like a mother scolding her son.

“You heard what I said, didn't you?” Emma scolded and Alex replied, “Yeah, but you don't need to yell at me like that. I promise you, you will get back to school soon,”

Emma smiled and she pats his head slowly, “Better...you can come to check on the chickens and pigs now,” she spoke before turning around to leave the room.

“Sure, Mum!” Alex replied sarcastically and Emma turned back, facing Alex with her eyebrows furrowed like the sharp claws of a bird. She opened her mouth to speak, then she stayed mute, crossed her arms, and pouted, “Whatever,”

She walked out of the room, a little annoyed while Alex stared at her in surprise. He could not remember anything, but he certainly believed Jack’s explanation after his encounter with Emma.

“Funny sister...” Alex muttered to himself as the room became silent. He pushed the bed sheets off his body and he stood up to check the house.

He walked gently out of the room and studied the small house with only three portable bedrooms. The house also have a peaceful rural surrounding and there was a small farm next to the house that had noises of grunts and clucking. Alex understood that was the farm Emma talked about.

From afar, he could see the little town with a few small shops and houses, their gray-tiled roofs standing out against the overgrown vegetables that surrounded the small house and farm. Alex felt calm as his mind was at rest with the surroundings.

“Alex!” Emma yelled from the farm, jolting Alex from his thoughts as he scuttled inside the farm. He helped Emma with the poultry works, and when he was done, he had a good bath, shaved his beards, and also packed his hair into a bun.

Jack watched them work together and he smiled. He lost his only son to suicide and he felt Alex was there to replace his son, moreover, he knew Alex would not be safe if he returned to the city after seeing the wounds and scars on Alex’s body.

Later, Jack and Alex hastily had their little dinner as they were prepared to sleep early, then work the next morning.

Emma stared blankly at the food before her and she spoke quietly, “I want to study in the city,”

Jack’s hand trembled at the statement he heard. The spoon he held fell loudly on the plate and he coughed before he was given a cup of water. He gulped the water quickly, then he slowly looked up at his daughter as he prepared himself to tell her what he had been repeating for five years.

“Emma, there is no money for that,” Jack muttered and Emma clenched her fist angrily.

“And when will I go to school? When I'm old or dead? We used to live happily in the city, can't we just lend some money and let me live my life! If you were not gambling, many years ago, brother and mother would not be dead and we would still have our beautiful house in the city!” Emma yelled, her voice croaking as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

“Emma!” Jack bellowed, already annoyed as he raised his hand to hit her.

He was always annoyed whenever he was blamed for his wife or son’s death, even though he felt miserable within him. His hand stopped midway and Alex interrupted, “Don't worry Emma, you will study in the city. Just a few more days and it will be done.”

“Yeah, that's what Father kept saying. Now it's nine months and no school,” Emma yelled, before walking out as she ran to her room.

“Emma,” Alex called out and Jack touched his hand to stop him from running after her, “leave her, she will get over it,”

Alex pulled Jack’s hand away as he could not watch Emma cry. He gently walked into her room to console her before he knelt to make their height equal. “Emma, you don't need to cry about this. It will be sorted out.”

“Sorted out?! My friends are graduating already, and I'm stuck here in this farmhouse, won’t I also graduate?” She yelled before sobbing quietly.

“Emma, you will also graduate.” Alex replied and Emma shook her head, “Maybe I am destined to be a farmer for the rest of my life?” She spoke, sniffling quietly.

“No, you will go to school, a big one in the city,” Alex responded, trying to convince her. “You know what? Pack your things and prepare yourself, we are going to the city next Monday,”

Emma’s ear rang at that statement. Her face brightened up with a wide smile and she muttered, “Really?”

“Yes, now wipe those tears off your face,” Alex whispered and Emma chuckled loudly before hugging him tightly. “You are the best!” Emma exclaimed and Alex coughed, choking from the tight hug. “That is enough, I also need to pack my clothes,” He managed to utter and Emma let go of him.

Alex walked out of the room and he sighted Jack before the door. Jack hastily cleaned the tear that was on his face before sighing in relief as he realized that Alex consoled Emma swiftly.

“We don't have any money, how would you go to the city and get to pay her school fees?” Jack muttered and Alex smiled.

“It’s fine, Dad, I just need to do extra jobs like I used to then I will get more money,” Alex spoke, reassuring him and Jack froze. He turned to Alex with his eyes opened widely, “Like you used to? Do you recall anything?“ Jack asked, hoping to hear that Alex remembered anything about himself.

“Nothing much, just that I used to do extra jobs in the city,” Alex replied quickly and Jack sighed. He assumed Alex was starting to recall his past but then it was just something small.

“But you didn't tell me I do extra jobs in the city,” Alex muttered.

Jack laughed as he spoke quietly, lying to Alex, “Haha, I forgot to,”

“It’s fine, with two days of hard work together with Emma, we can get enough money to rent an apartment in the city then we will find another job there,”

“That won't work except I sell the farm, this house, and the land. Things in the city are very expensive than you think”

“Oh, then...” Alex paused, then looked up at Jack.

“Then we sell it!” Jack spoke up. “You might even find a better job there and maybe recover your memory since you graduated from college there.”