Lay sat in one place, staring at the wall.
"Pumpkin… Pumpkin, are you alright, dear?"
"Ahh, Granny… did you call me?"
"Yes, dear. You look… troubled."
"I'm confused."
"Dear, I don't know what's running in your mind, but one thing—" she paused, her voice firm— "I don't want you to get into the same business your father did."
"Earlier, I was just curious about it. But now… it feels like my life. It's the only thing that keeps my heart beating."
"What are you planning, Lay? I kept you safe all these years so you wouldn't be killed brutally."
"Grandma… he took my parents away from me. I can't step back, even after knowing the truth. If I don't set things right, my mother's soul will never be at peace. I'll destroy him… just like he destroyed us."
"Fighting isn't everything. Killing doesn't take you any further, child."
"Fighting? We didn't start anything! He came for us first. Now… it's our turn."
"Oh God… save him. This is why I didn't want to tell you the truth. Lay… you're not just risking yourself, you're risking your father too."
Lay froze. His eyes widened. His anger had dragged him too far.
Knock knock.
"Yes… coming."
A letter arrived—from Lay's college, announcing a job fest.
"I think you should take a simple job," Grandma said quietly. "Nothing is more important than surviving. I hope you understand… and I hope my Pumpkin won't oppose my words."
The next day
Lay headed to the job fest, his heart heavy. Nothing about the situation satisfied him. His eyes searched for something… something he knew he would never find.
"Survive," he muttered to himself.
"What kind of survival? To live like a rat in dirty holes? Just to breathe one more day?"
He clenched his fists.
"I'd rather die like an eagle, in the open sky. I'd rather end his game than keep crawling."
At the job fest
Lay went from one interview to another. Then his eyes caught a signboard—NOVA.
He stared at it for a few seconds… then turned away.
"Sir, why just a stare?"
Lay turned toward the voice. A man in his 50s stood there—neatly dressed in a branded suit, a pleasant smile on his face. The wrinkles near his eyes spoke of years of hard battles.
"Why don't you give it a try?" the man said.
Lay stood still for a moment, then walked toward the stall. He gave the interview, thanked them, and headed home.
From behind, the man watched him leave. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"We have a long journey ahead."