38 Sorrow (1/2)

Van carried on with his day. He continued to converse with his maid, trying to improve their relationship after their rough start. She was cooperative, but she didn't seem up for much conversation.

Van walked into an open courtyard. There were green grass and healthy robust trees swaying in the wind. Van walked to the middle and plopped himself down. He sat there lazing about, enjoying the sounds of nature.

Just when he was about to stand up again and leave, he started to hear the sounds of a zither coming from the other side of the trees. It was calm and soothing and seemed perfect. Van could feel his Qi stirring from the delicate notes that seemed to dance on the wind.

He started to hum the tune before he remembered something. He pulled out a hand-carved wooden flute from his sleeves. When Van was little, he had loved to play the flute for his two sisters. They would also love to listen to his music. But alas, the many troubles in his life lead to him dropping the art of music.

The flute he was currently holding was carved by the elder of his two sisters. They loved to hear him play his music. So, on his 7th Birthday, she had gifted him a flute carved from the tree in the middle of their garden.

He could still remember her cute little angelic face as she ran up to him. She had thrust it into his hands and gave him a radiant smile. He could still remember her innocent words.

”Happy 7th Birthday Van!”

Sadly, it wasn't too long after that the rule of the Nguyen Dynasty fell. But, putting the past in its place, Van decided to keep a positive attitude and continue on. He continued to play his flute. A mournful tune filled the air. It was equal to the embodiment of all his sorrows. As the beautiful calm melody mixed with the mournful tune, it formed a strangely beautiful symphony.

The sunlight reflected itself off of Van's tears as they slowly dripped down his face.

”Its been a while since I've reopened myself up to those feelings.”

He placed down his flute and let the tears flow. He lifted his face to the skies and continued to reflect upon days long past. Van listened to the rustling of the trees in the wind and the swaying of the grass. They reminded him of the times that they would play in the royal courtyard. He could still see his elder brother tackling him and rolling around in the grass with his sisters as an audience.

Suddenly, Van could hear soft steps that came from the other side of the tree he had leaned against. He broke from his trance and turned towards the source of the disturbance.

A girl wearing a pure white dress had walked in on him and was holding a zither. She held herself as if she were a fairy maiden that had just descended from the heavens. Van was temporarily mesmerized by her sudden appearance. Van's trance broke as she continued to advance towards him. She eventually halted before him and sat next to him down on the grass. Van watched her silently, looking for any signs of her intentions. When he saw that they weren't ill, he followed her gaze and stared off into the distance. He watched as the clouds drifted by.

If only I were a cloud, I would have no worries... I wouldn't have to bear all this pain.

Streams of tears continued to pour from him as he recollected all of his past. Before, he would take it on one moment at a time, but now he decided to let go of all his mental suppression. Van felt a soft cloth as it was pressed into his hand. He turned his head slightly and found that the girl next to him had passed him her handkerchief.

He gratefully took it and wiped his eyes.

”Thank you.”

The girl stared at him blankly before replying sincerely.

”It's only natural. We as human beings rely on each other to keep going.”