“You’ve got a college degree? What are you doing here?” Thomas asked his friend, Giusto. Remaining silent for a long time, Giusto responded: “I don’t know, my friend. Perhaps I was trying to save more people?” Thomas meditated for a minute, replying: “You could have other ways to do that. You could use the talent or skill you learned from college to achieve that, not through this meaningless, exhaustive way.”
In his little apartment, no one could ever recognize the once talented Giusto, who was now looking like a beggar. His face was covered with dirt and sweat. His fingernails were filled with mud and grime. In comparison to his bloodshot eyes, his white shirt was stained with filth and blots. From the endless days, Giusto volunteered for cleaning the remains of an earthquake. On the other hand, his friend Thomas, who graduated with him from the same college, was now a successful businessman. Wearing a suit with an exquisite hairstyle, Thomas stood instead of sitting on the dirty couch, while Giusto rested, regardless of the dirt and ash covering his clothes.
“My friend, I just want to save more people who suffer from the disastrous earthquake, and I don’t think my talent and skill from school could benefit me more in this situation,” said helpless Guisto, “I am no longer that guy who always got first place in Math competition and Physics Bowls. All I’m left with is endless physical energy and strength.”
Gradually, memories flashed through in Thomas’ eyes. “Who could ever be able to recognize you right now, Thomas, the talented one who used to be so popular? Many top companies invited you to work for them with a nice salary. You shocked us by rejecting all those offers and choosing to work for a small building company in your small hometown.” Thomas smiled and sighed. “My dear friend, I knew you the most. There is something that you try to conceal from everyone. It is ok for you not to tell it to anyone else. But I think you should not waste your talent. We are still waiting for your return. No matter what happens, we will always stand behind you.” Thomas patted Giusto’s shoulder. “See you, my old friend. If you have any questions or want to share your difficulties, I will always be at the coffeehouse beside your working place.
Watching Thomas leave the small apartment, Giusto smiled bitterly. “Who could understand what I have experienced since my graduation?” Picking up a bottle of beer, Giusto murmured: “How are you right now, mom and dad?” He left the house and went to a secret place beside the graveyard. Standing in front of two separate graves, Giusto’s red eyes once more were filled with tears and regrets. “The damn earthquake, why did you kill my family!”
Giusto roared with wrath. He kneeled down and drank half a bottle of beer. “I was supposed to come back and bring you out of this small town and live with me in a big city, where I got a perfect job. But why did it happen so suddenly? I was your hope, but now I almost lost my own hope! Why!” Giusto thumped the ground and burst into tears. “Do you know how painful I was when I saw your body lying on the ground with stones and blocks? I was so anxious and worried about you when the earthquake happened, and I had a uneasy feeling during the disaster. When I came back to our family house, I saw nothing but ruins and pieces of blocks. I have spent 2 days digging and removing debris and rubbles. When I saw your body, I was broken. I am unfilial and make you suffer.” Giusto kneeled deep on the ground for a long time.
Wiping away tears, Giusto slowly murmured. “Mom, I know you don’t want me to remain in pain for so long. Dad, I know you would want me to move on. These days I have thought about letting go of the pain, but it is so hard.”
He paused, his voice trembling. “But I realize now,” he continued, “that holding into pain could not keep you with me. It trapped me. Maybe letting go doesn’t mean forgetting.”
Giusto gently stood up. He walked away heavily. He left the remaining beer beside the graves, as if he left the pain beside his mind and was ready to embrace the future.
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