"What does an individual truly yearn for in life if not a few precious hours of repose each day, alongside a stable income that allows for the enjoyment of the simple pleasures found in the rhythm of ordinary existence?
Indeed, life is fundamentally about savoring those delightful moments, free from the encumbrances of misfortune, akin to the burdensome responsibilities of work that bring with them a cacophony of noise and the occasional twinge of back pain.
To genuinely find rest is a notion that humanity struggles to internalize, for they were created to endure hardship and labor, not to indulge in frivolity or aimless play.
If a person could discover joy in every fleeting moment, then I beseech you, allow me to experience that kind of life—one that is devoid of monotony or disruption; such a life is truly a rare luxury!
And as for wealth? For me, true wealth is epitomized by a loving family—a compassionate father, a nurturing mother, joyful siblings, and a devoted wife who cherishes me deeply!"
*Snap!*
The pen emitted a sharp crack as it broke at that moment. Jin frowned, but the scowl quickly morphed into a blank expression as he contemplated the poignant words he had just inscribed.
He genuinely had an aversion to noise, even the most subtle of sounds...
Rising from his chair, he took in the small confines of the 5x5 meter room where he had spent countless hours of his life, day after day...
Jin, at the tender age of nineteen, had entered this world as a member of a moderately well-off family. He was fortunate enough to have two beautiful sisters and parents who were both kind-hearted and deeply caring.
However, his once vibrant life underwent a dramatic transformation—a complete one hundred and eighty-degree shift—on that fateful day...
It was an ordinary day when, as a five-year-old boy, he was outside playing and attending his lessons. He returned home, his face illuminated by the innocent smile of a child, eyes sparkling with wonder, a curious mind, and an eager body that bounded up the steps of his home. Upon opening the front door, however, he was met with an unsettling silence. He greeted his family, but silence was the only reply he received. Confusion washed over him as he stood there, glancing into every room, searching for any sign of his loved ones—and oh, how he wished he hadn't!
A grotesque, overpowering odor filled the air—a smell he had never encountered before. There were dark splotches of congealed blood and fresh droplets seeping down from the mattress, familiar faces marked by pallor, and a heart that felt as though it had been crushed. The poor boy was utterly bewildered by the chaos around him; he fell, and with him, the innocence of his childhood plummeted into an abyss of despair...
The sound of rain poured down, deafening like a chainsaw cutting through timber, droplets striking his face with what seemed like an odd form of tenderness, yet felt more like a hammer relentlessly pounding on his head. He stood resolute, though inside, he was weeping with unbearable anguish, bleeding tears. People surrounded him, offering consolation, pulling him close... but ultimately leaving him alone with nothing but the sound of the rain...
This unfortunate child remained oblivious to the deep separation he was facing, the lurking misery that shadowed him, the whispered calls to his family that went unheard, the pleas of his relatives to care for him that faded into the void...
He found himself alone, accompanied solely by the sound of the rain, the terrifying rumble of thunder echoing through the dark confines of a room that was devoid of light and warmth...
Now, amidst the relentless sound of the rain, Jin recalled that heart-wrenching memory and the subsequent darkness that enveloped his life. He had grown all too accustomed to solitude, as it became his steadfast companion...
He opened the drawer of his desk and retrieved his notebook, flipping through the pages until he reached the very first one. He began to read aloud, his voice barely above a whisper:
"The night has stretched endlessly, leading me to believe it is eternal,
When will the morning light arrive to serve as a guiding beacon?
When will I find tranquility in this tumultuous life,
Free from the clamor that disrupts and torments my weary soul?
My eyes shed tears for the moments lost, filled with profound sorrow,
Will these tears restore what has been laid to rest in the depths of the grave?"
The words formed a poignant poem titled, "Ashes of the Soul..."