**Day 363**
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After leaving Dublin, Tinjau never checked in with “LV” again.
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His one-year contract with “LV” is nearing its end. Bianca was prepared to deactivate his membership card if he didn’t return.
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Two days before the membership expired, Tinjau showed up at his hometown “LV” branch, pushing open the heavy door with a smile at a stunned Bianca.
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“Hey, Bianca.”
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“Tinjau!!!” She vaulted the reception counter like an antelope, tackling him. “Why don’t you ever check in? Tons of people care about you and ask about you all the time!”
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“Oh? Really?” he asked innocently, infuriating her.
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Besides Siupui and Jiwing, Puisam, Martha, and Vera often visited “LV” branches from time to time to inquire about his news.
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After the antics of “making Maria’s dreams come true”, Tinjau became a legend in “LV.” His story was hotly discussed on the official website of ‘LV’, spilling into mainstream online community and catching traditional media’s eye.
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He explained that he hadn’t been hiding intentionally. Living mostly in a tour van, tagging along with others, he’d crossed the U.S. in three months but rarely stepped out or engaged with media.
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When he backpacking to Seattle, at Jimi Hendrix’s grave, he’d brawled with the guitarist of a rock band. By morning, they were buddies.
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“They all are Hong Kong movie fans—their band called ‘Infernal Affairs’ in Chinese characters. On the road, they made me recount HK films I’d seen,” he said. “They love gossip about stars like Louis Koo, Cecilia Cheung, Anthony Wong—they know them all.”
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With no set plans, Tinjau hitched along with that rock band for their tour, never thought that he will stay with them until the end of the tour.
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“They let me do sax solos onstage sometimes. One member was the brass expert—he taught me a lot in that three month.”
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After the tour ended and the band took a break, Tinjau traveled solo to several countries. One day, suddenly remembered his year was nearly up, he rushed back to return his card.
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“Bianca, one thing I want to confirm,” he said. “Am I qualified to choose the next holder of this ‘0713’ card?”
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“Of course. Why? Found someone on your travels?”
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“I have someone in mind… but not from the road.”
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“Choosing a successor is every ‘LV’ cardholder’s final duty—and the toughest, since there’s only one spot,” Bianca said. “I’ll let you go today. Once you settle it, we must have a great chat all night long!”
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“Deal.”
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“Tinjau, before you leave, one more question?”
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“Sure.”
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“Remember a year ago, when Siupui brought you here? You vented about urban life’s pressures, helplessness, constraints… You set out for freedom, right?”
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“Yeah.”
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“Your journey’s over now. So, Tinjau, did you find freedom? Are you free?” Bianca asked.
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Leaving “LV,” Tinjau realized he hadn’t turned on his phone in nearly six months. Switching back to local service, dozens of voicemails and texts flooded in.
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Recent ones were from Siupui and friends. Many were from two major publishers, urging him to contact them—one boldly offering six months’ salary as an advance.
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The oldest one was from Siuzik.
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The content was very brief, she told Tinjau that she had quit her job to study Buddhism in Lhasa, Tibet, for three months.
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Calculating, Tinjau figured that was five months ago—she should be back. He called her, but no answer.
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Calling her family, they said she’d joined some group there, extending her trip to a year. As of last week, she was still in Lhasa.
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Tinjau finally went “home.”
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Not the house he’d lived in alone for five years, but the home where he’d spent over 20 years since birth, before he became independent.
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It’s still a same old place. Mom still busy in the kitchen, Dad reading the newspaper with reading glasses.
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“Dad, I’ve got something important to ask.” Tinjau talked to his father.
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His old man adjusted his glasses, surprised by this estranged son he hadn’t spoken to seriously in years.
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“Dad, if I said, ‘I can help you drop all your burdens and fulfill your dream of backpacking,’ would you take the gamble and come with me now?” Tinjau asked.
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From his clashes with Mr. Gorky, Tinjau realized he’d seen Mr. Gorky as a stand-in for his father.
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Tinjau is not free because he cannot escape the giant shadow cast by his father in his heart.
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Unable to face him as an equal, he subconsciously felt like a child, a pawn controlled by his parents.
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That was his “heart’s shackle.”
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Now, by selflessly sharing freedom with his father, Tinjau felt unshackled. He no longer needed to deliberately show anyone that he was an adult and no longer a child.
He no longer needed to prove to anyone that he has independent thinking, and he has the ability to control his own fate.
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He is free.
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Yes, now Tinjau wanted to shout to the sky: * I’m finally free. *
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**Day 367**
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After telling his father about the whole thing (it was really hard to convince his father to believe in ‘LV’), Tinjau decided not to return to his old job.
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He signed with one of the publishers to write a book about his year with “LV” over the next six months.
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Even without the support of “LV,” Tinjau could now go anywhere, anytime.
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The list was endless.
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Visiting Siupui and Jiwing’s new home in the Netherlands.
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Meeting Martha and Vera in Paris (no sleeping together, though).
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Puisam, so vital to him, growing her business in Dublin. Friends he’d met wandering Europe and the U.S.
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Checking on Maria—had she recovered? Returned to school? Still drawing? Had Mr. Gorky taken her to Egypt’s pyramids?
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Sneaking a peek at that receptionist he’d met in Ho Chi Minh City.
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When returning his “0713” card, he’d kept Murakami’s *The Great Gatsby*, giving him an excuse to visit Japan and it would be fun to swap travel tales with the author.
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After tying up loose ends and finished his travelogue, he might join “Club Med,” a international resort group Cristiano had mentioned, working his way around the world.
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There are many organizations in the world like “LV” and “Club Med,” helping free travelers chase dreams.
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But before that, Tinjau has to go to Lhasa first.
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He’d promised a girl something before his journey began. That girl might still be waiting for him.
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(*The End*)
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