Chapter 101 (2/2)

“… ”

“I’m so sorry. My mother didn’t notice you standing there. Can you come inside and change your clothes? ”

“I’m fine.”

“But…”

“I’m really okay.”

Clenching his fist, he answered bluntly and turned. And he never came back to her house or sent her any more letters.

As the young man didn’t show up, the woman was becoming tired of him while waiting for the letter he never sent. In the end she gave up the man who she loved, and accepted his elder brother’s proposal. Finally, their wedding day came.

“I’m sorry I left without telling you in advance.”

“I wish you attended my wedding. Sorry as you say you have to leave because you’re so busy. Please take care.”

When all the villagers were heading to the temple to bless their wedding, the young man, who congratulated her wearing a pure white dress with a trembling voice, climbed a steep hill overlooking the temple.

Clang! Clang!

A bell ringing the beginning of the wedding mass was heard in his ears as he climbed the top of the hill. Looking down at the small temple, he took out all sorts of letters that he had never sent.

“Why is love so harsh to me? When I saw you smiling, thinking of me, my heart was sweet like honey. But when I see you wearing a pure dress for someone else, my heart is so bitter as if I am drinking poison. Now, all I have is my heart that has already burned white and become ash. Beloved ones, be happy! I will spread the flowers of blessing for you.”

The young man holding a handful of letters spread letters one by one down the hill.

After sending away the last letter, he threw himself down the hill.

People screamed here and there. I, too, could not help but scream.

The last flickering candle was put down when the young man’s shadow threw itself away. Suddenly, the shadow of the young man and the shadows of the couple who had a happy wedding ceremony disappeared, and the tent was filled with darkness.

The announcement that signaled the beginning of the first and second act rang.

“On the wedding day of the young man’s elder brother and the woman, villagers said something like letters were being thrown from the hill like flowers. As they disappeared quickly, there were not many people who saw it, but they thought they were flowers that blessed the couple’s marriage. After their wedding, the young man never returned to the village, but his elder brother and the woman allegedly lived happily ever after. ”

After hearing the last announcement, I was deeply touched. While I was blinking with wet eyes, the candle was lit again. The shadows began to show up one by one behind the white fabric. The woman and the young man’s brother stood hand in hand and bowed. The young man’s parents, the woman’s parents, and the villagers also bowed to the crowds. No matter how long they waited, the young man’s shadow did not show up. Instead, the person who introduced himself as the original playwright of this puppet show came out behind the white cloth and bowed.

“Have you all enjoyed the show?”

“… ”

“Oh my, the atmosphere is too heavy. As you know, it’s a fun festival, but why don’t you cheer up and enjoy it?”

As soon as he said that, several clowns came up on the stage and began to show various talents. A clown doing cunning tricks, a clown who threw and caught a dagger and a clown who acted humorously and kept people in stitches. While I was laughing at the funny acts of the clowns, I stepped back, shocked by the sudden appearance of a shadow in front of me.

“Gosh, I surprised a beautiful lady. I will give you this as an apology. ”

When the clown laughed humorously and waved his empty hand, a red flower was instantly held in his hand before I knew it. My eyes popped up at that. The clown, who laughed out loud, handed me the flower and walked to the other side.

I briefly looked down at the red flower in my hand. Have I ever received this kind of flower?

No matter how hard I traced the memory, it seemed that I had never received a flower from anybody.

“What’s the matter, Tia?”