Peeking at my parents from the banister, I saw them come in with a large object,
wrapped in a large white cloth. I immediately knew that it must be something very expensive. But
I was somewhat startled when I realized that they didn't look too pleased with themselves, but
rather like someone had slapped them across the face.
"Meiling! Are you here?" My father called with slight fatigue.
I slowly crept down the stairs, what were they up to? Why were they acting so strange?
"Yes…?", I replied nervously.
He frowned and made a gesture at the object. "Albert's family has given us a very
precious gift even knowing what you did tonight… leaving the poor boy standing… but I hope you
stop doing things like this. We had a difficult time calming his parents, Meiling."
Albert's parents were very clever to use this ruse, I admitted. Now my parents would
stick me to this marriage even if their position in the clan was at stake. I wanted to kick Albert
right now for having such clever parents.
My parents unveiled the "precious gift" and I felt like I wanted to cry. The gift was a
bridal gown for me. The symbolism embroidered on it represented the tightening of bonds,
loyalty forever between the two clans… but I detested the thought of marrying him already.
My father gave a slight glare at me. My mother gave me a pained look. I turned around
and walked upstairs, too lost for words. I went to my room and lay on my bed thinking about
these new revelations.
I detested… no hated Albert, yet I was forced to marry him. But what was I to do now?
The ties had been strained when I walked out of the coffee shop but strengthened by a tenfold
from what they were originally when my parents received the unexpected gift. I sat up and
hugged my knees, seeking comfort from the floor surface, receiving none.
Something fell from my pocket, I unconsciously reached for it. It was the necklace I
received from Torrutu. I twirled the chain in my fingers, admiring the hanging pendant swirl and
tried to take comfort that I always had a friend in Torrutu.
I smiled. Perhaps the marriage wasn't such a bad thing. I wouldn't have met Torrutu if I
hadn't left my family on that fateful night. But if you look at it the other way… my life following
was going to be a sorry.
Staying beside someone that I didn't love for the rest of my life seemed terrible. Surely I
didn't know anyone who did marry and was incredibly sad afterward. Maybe I was an exception.
I shook my head.
Was it the same with Syoaron? Did he not love me, at least not the way I wanted and he
was so unhappy with me? But he was forced to marry me until he met Sakura-chan because he
loved her and the clan approved of his choice, so he could break the ties o f marriage with the
person he didn't want to spend the rest of his life with. That was me…
Perhaps it's better this way. Yes, it is. He couldn't live with the arranged marriage… and
I would never want to see him hurt. He loves Sakura, but she doesn't even recognize that his
affection is beyond the one of a friend's.
Syoaron was going to leave Hong Kong tomorrow to go back to Japan to see Sakura. He
should tell her, shouldn't he? I got off the bed and searched for pen and paper. I'm tired of feeling
sorry for myself. But even though I may never marry the one I love, let him have that pleasure. I
began writing my letter…
Hello! It's truly nice to talk to you again Syoaron. How come you haven't been
answering my messages that I sent you? I bet you were having way too much fun with
Sakura-chan! You do have to remember your relatives you know even though you are in Japan
and not in Hong Kong. Your sisters have been pestering me to ask you what you would like for
Christmas. Also Fuutie-san said that this year she would be coming to Japan to see you at school.
Of course secretly so you won't know. You are aware I shouldn't have told you that but I knew you
would have known her to be there if she were to spy on you, dear cousin. Oh, just for you to
know, I have told Auntie that we have decided not to go for the arranged marriage. She didn't
seem the least bit surprised. Anyway, I was wondering what is Mitsuki Sensei's favorite colour
because we are having a contest between the two the two of us to find out what it is. I hope you
still don't hold anything about Mitsuki Sensei because she was really kind and I hoped you
apologized to her for misjudging her before she went away, so as Tomoyo-chan says. Well? Have
you told Sakura-chan yet that you love her? You know she won't be single forever! Anyway, if you
won't tell her soon, I'll go back to Japan and tell her myself because I didn't work so hard into
teaching that concept into your sisters, besides Fuutie for no reason! So if you don't admit to her
dear cousin very soon then I will be force to return to Japan and corrupt your life there and
cause a big commotion.
From your dearest cousin,
Meiling Li
(Ps: I better receive your reply before the 20th of June or else I'm going to seriously come over
there. Even Auntie agrees.)
(Ps2: I have a boyfriend now so you don't have to worry about me getting jealous of Sakura-chan
anymore. Plus when you marry her, I can teach her how to cook properly(unlike you), her favorite
dishes that I made for her during my brief stay in Japan where I met Nakuru-san, and
Hiragizawa-kun.)
Meiling Li
This letter really states a sharp point even though parts of it weren't true… but we'll go
there later. Now all I had to do was to mail it to Syoaron' apartment in Japan. I rummaged for a
stamp and soon after I had mailed it via Japan.
**************************
Light makes creatures come out. It gives plants and trees the things it needs to survive.
Light guides people to safer places, revealing deadly geological features that were invisible in the
night. But most of all, light signifies hope.
Hope drives people on when everything seems to go wrong. Was hope what I lacked? I
hoped not. I certainly needed a little light now... I had just mailed the letter. But now what? No
distractions were available this night; I had no homework.
I stretched my arms as I strode back from out of my room and into the familiar gym
where I frequently trained for over ten years. I didn't do any exercises today but simply sat down
on the mat and gazed around the room. Why did I feel so lost?
I looked around and noted that everything was unchanged but now I felt like a stranger.
Was this not my own home or was this my home years ago but nevermore? I touched the wood
floor and realized how much I would miss my home when I had to go away to get married. Nothing
was going to be the same again after that...
Was I afraid of change or merely the fact of marriage to one like Albert? It was not just
the fact if he would treat me right or not, it was much more than that. Marriage contains many
factors, of which one is love. Did I love Albert? Do I love Torrutu-san?
I enjoy being in Torrutu's company but do I truly love him? Do I truly feel love for
anyone? Or did I like everyone but nothing more than that? If I had to marry Torrutu would I feel
the way I did now? Or would I be fine with it?
I sighed. I did that a lot these days. But on the other hand, there wasn't anything really
thrilling about life anymore like there was in Japan... should I revisit Japan? Would my parents
care if I left or would they want me to stay close to my betrothed?
'No use trying to kill yourself thinking Meiling', I told myself firmly. Running to the
hallway I picked up the cordless phone and ordered a ticket due Japan... tomorrow. After school
tomorrow, a Friday. Besides I don't think I can stand another day here.
----------------------/------------------
Approximately twenty hours later I was on a airplane crossing the Ocean and Hong
Kong already seemed far away. I wondered what it would be like going back to Japan again... it
seemed so many years ago since I helped, or at least tried to help Syoaron capture the cards with
Sakura-chan.
I peeked out the window and admired the brief flicker lights that indicated that there
were surprisingly cities underneath. What would my old friends think of me? Would they believe
I had changed for the better, or just the opposite of that...
Glaring out the window and into the light of the flickering stars I chided myself for
worrying myself silly. I took out a book that I had meant to read for the last three years and once
reading four pages I promptly fell asleep.
-------------dreaming-------------
Lights danced across the night sky as the fireworks exploded spraying the sky with
pinks, yellows, and many other colours. Music filled the air and out of the corner of my eye I saw
people merrily dancing. Everyone wore masks but I somehow knew that I knew everyone there.
Three masked men approached me. One I felt a strong bond with, the other I strongly
detested, the third I knew that I also liked. I refuse the first two politely and decided to dance with
the third gentleman. I then realized that I was in a fancy dress and a mask. I quickly realized that
this masked man was a very good dancer. At the end of the dance each partner had to take off
their mask.
I gasped when I realized that the person behind the mask was Syoaron. How could this
be? He should have asked Sakura to dance! I immediately walked away into the crowd leaving my
very confused cousin standing stunned.
I ran out of the crowd quickly, not paying the least attention to where I was going. My
face was streaked with tears and I leaned on the nearby Sakura tree for support as I felt myself
go limp. A familiar figure walked slowly after me out of the crowd. He sat beside me, next to the
tree.
I turned away, afraid that it was Syoaron. The figure gently took off my mask with his
hand and used his other hand to make me look at him. It was Torrutu. He took my hand and we
sat there in silence, a sudden peace had decended on the both of us...
---------end of dream-------
The dream ended as I heard the announcer call the passengers to put on their seatbelts
for the landing. In the next fifteen minutes we descended and landed. I was escorted out the
with all the other passengers and checked in my passport.
As I walked out the airport I remembered my dream and realized that I did truly love
Torrutu... I just didn't know until now. I turned straight around, back to the airport and ordered
a ticket back to Hong Kong. I had found my answer.
Perhaps going to Japan really did help.
wrapped in a large white cloth. I immediately knew that it must be something very expensive. But
I was somewhat startled when I realized that they didn't look too pleased with themselves, but
rather like someone had slapped them across the face.
"Meiling! Are you here?" My father called with slight fatigue.
I slowly crept down the stairs, what were they up to? Why were they acting so strange?
"Yes…?", I replied nervously.
He frowned and made a gesture at the object. "Albert's family has given us a very
precious gift even knowing what you did tonight… leaving the poor boy standing… but I hope you
stop doing things like this. We had a difficult time calming his parents, Meiling."
Albert's parents were very clever to use this ruse, I admitted. Now my parents would
stick me to this marriage even if their position in the clan was at stake. I wanted to kick Albert
right now for having such clever parents.
My parents unveiled the "precious gift" and I felt like I wanted to cry. The gift was a
bridal gown for me. The symbolism embroidered on it represented the tightening of bonds,
loyalty forever between the two clans… but I detested the thought of marrying him already.
My father gave a slight glare at me. My mother gave me a pained look. I turned around
and walked upstairs, too lost for words. I went to my room and lay on my bed thinking about
these new revelations.
I detested… no hated Albert, yet I was forced to marry him. But what was I to do now?
The ties had been strained when I walked out of the coffee shop but strengthened by a tenfold
from what they were originally when my parents received the unexpected gift. I sat up and
hugged my knees, seeking comfort from the floor surface, receiving none.
Something fell from my pocket, I unconsciously reached for it. It was the necklace I
received from Torrutu. I twirled the chain in my fingers, admiring the hanging pendant swirl and
tried to take comfort that I always had a friend in Torrutu.
I smiled. Perhaps the marriage wasn't such a bad thing. I wouldn't have met Torrutu if I
hadn't left my family on that fateful night. But if you look at it the other way… my life following
was going to be a sorry.
Staying beside someone that I didn't love for the rest of my life seemed terrible. Surely I
didn't know anyone who did marry and was incredibly sad afterward. Maybe I was an exception.
I shook my head.
Was it the same with Syoaron? Did he not love me, at least not the way I wanted and he
was so unhappy with me? But he was forced to marry me until he met Sakura-chan because he
loved her and the clan approved of his choice, so he could break the ties o f marriage with the
person he didn't want to spend the rest of his life with. That was me…
Perhaps it's better this way. Yes, it is. He couldn't live with the arranged marriage… and
I would never want to see him hurt. He loves Sakura, but she doesn't even recognize that his
affection is beyond the one of a friend's.
Syoaron was going to leave Hong Kong tomorrow to go back to Japan to see Sakura. He
should tell her, shouldn't he? I got off the bed and searched for pen and paper. I'm tired of feeling
sorry for myself. But even though I may never marry the one I love, let him have that pleasure. I
began writing my letter…
Hello! It's truly nice to talk to you again Syoaron. How come you haven't been
answering my messages that I sent you? I bet you were having way too much fun with
Sakura-chan! You do have to remember your relatives you know even though you are in Japan
and not in Hong Kong. Your sisters have been pestering me to ask you what you would like for
Christmas. Also Fuutie-san said that this year she would be coming to Japan to see you at school.
Of course secretly so you won't know. You are aware I shouldn't have told you that but I knew you
would have known her to be there if she were to spy on you, dear cousin. Oh, just for you to
know, I have told Auntie that we have decided not to go for the arranged marriage. She didn't
seem the least bit surprised. Anyway, I was wondering what is Mitsuki Sensei's favorite colour
because we are having a contest between the two the two of us to find out what it is. I hope you
still don't hold anything about Mitsuki Sensei because she was really kind and I hoped you
apologized to her for misjudging her before she went away, so as Tomoyo-chan says. Well? Have
you told Sakura-chan yet that you love her? You know she won't be single forever! Anyway, if you
won't tell her soon, I'll go back to Japan and tell her myself because I didn't work so hard into
teaching that concept into your sisters, besides Fuutie for no reason! So if you don't admit to her
dear cousin very soon then I will be force to return to Japan and corrupt your life there and
cause a big commotion.
From your dearest cousin,
Meiling Li
(Ps: I better receive your reply before the 20th of June or else I'm going to seriously come over
there. Even Auntie agrees.)
(Ps2: I have a boyfriend now so you don't have to worry about me getting jealous of Sakura-chan
anymore. Plus when you marry her, I can teach her how to cook properly(unlike you), her favorite
dishes that I made for her during my brief stay in Japan where I met Nakuru-san, and
Hiragizawa-kun.)
Meiling Li
This letter really states a sharp point even though parts of it weren't true… but we'll go
there later. Now all I had to do was to mail it to Syoaron' apartment in Japan. I rummaged for a
stamp and soon after I had mailed it via Japan.
**************************
Light makes creatures come out. It gives plants and trees the things it needs to survive.
Light guides people to safer places, revealing deadly geological features that were invisible in the
night. But most of all, light signifies hope.
Hope drives people on when everything seems to go wrong. Was hope what I lacked? I
hoped not. I certainly needed a little light now... I had just mailed the letter. But now what? No
distractions were available this night; I had no homework.
I stretched my arms as I strode back from out of my room and into the familiar gym
where I frequently trained for over ten years. I didn't do any exercises today but simply sat down
on the mat and gazed around the room. Why did I feel so lost?
I looked around and noted that everything was unchanged but now I felt like a stranger.
Was this not my own home or was this my home years ago but nevermore? I touched the wood
floor and realized how much I would miss my home when I had to go away to get married. Nothing
was going to be the same again after that...
Was I afraid of change or merely the fact of marriage to one like Albert? It was not just
the fact if he would treat me right or not, it was much more than that. Marriage contains many
factors, of which one is love. Did I love Albert? Do I love Torrutu-san?
I enjoy being in Torrutu's company but do I truly love him? Do I truly feel love for
anyone? Or did I like everyone but nothing more than that? If I had to marry Torrutu would I feel
the way I did now? Or would I be fine with it?
I sighed. I did that a lot these days. But on the other hand, there wasn't anything really
thrilling about life anymore like there was in Japan... should I revisit Japan? Would my parents
care if I left or would they want me to stay close to my betrothed?
'No use trying to kill yourself thinking Meiling', I told myself firmly. Running to the
hallway I picked up the cordless phone and ordered a ticket due Japan... tomorrow. After school
tomorrow, a Friday. Besides I don't think I can stand another day here.
----------------------/------------------
Approximately twenty hours later I was on a airplane crossing the Ocean and Hong
Kong already seemed far away. I wondered what it would be like going back to Japan again... it
seemed so many years ago since I helped, or at least tried to help Syoaron capture the cards with
Sakura-chan.
I peeked out the window and admired the brief flicker lights that indicated that there
were surprisingly cities underneath. What would my old friends think of me? Would they believe
I had changed for the better, or just the opposite of that...
Glaring out the window and into the light of the flickering stars I chided myself for
worrying myself silly. I took out a book that I had meant to read for the last three years and once
reading four pages I promptly fell asleep.
-------------dreaming-------------
Lights danced across the night sky as the fireworks exploded spraying the sky with
pinks, yellows, and many other colours. Music filled the air and out of the corner of my eye I saw
people merrily dancing. Everyone wore masks but I somehow knew that I knew everyone there.
Three masked men approached me. One I felt a strong bond with, the other I strongly
detested, the third I knew that I also liked. I refuse the first two politely and decided to dance with
the third gentleman. I then realized that I was in a fancy dress and a mask. I quickly realized that
this masked man was a very good dancer. At the end of the dance each partner had to take off
their mask.
I gasped when I realized that the person behind the mask was Syoaron. How could this
be? He should have asked Sakura to dance! I immediately walked away into the crowd leaving my
very confused cousin standing stunned.
I ran out of the crowd quickly, not paying the least attention to where I was going. My
face was streaked with tears and I leaned on the nearby Sakura tree for support as I felt myself
go limp. A familiar figure walked slowly after me out of the crowd. He sat beside me, next to the
tree.
I turned away, afraid that it was Syoaron. The figure gently took off my mask with his
hand and used his other hand to make me look at him. It was Torrutu. He took my hand and we
sat there in silence, a sudden peace had decended on the both of us...
---------end of dream-------
The dream ended as I heard the announcer call the passengers to put on their seatbelts
for the landing. In the next fifteen minutes we descended and landed. I was escorted out the
with all the other passengers and checked in my passport.
As I walked out the airport I remembered my dream and realized that I did truly love
Torrutu... I just didn't know until now. I turned straight around, back to the airport and ordered
a ticket back to Hong Kong. I had found my answer.
Perhaps going to Japan really did help.
