My Mother's Will
The shimmer of sunlight on a weary river sighed its way through the land. Ā Ruǎn crouched by it. She skimmed the surface with her fingertips. The water was cool unlike the dying day. The moon had risen above the edge of the world and still the heat seemed only to rise.
"Ā Ruǎn,"
She glanced up with a smile. "Yes, Yízé,"
He held out a small package. "Miss Wén Rén thought that you might be hungry. We have agreed to rest here for the night,"
She smiled at the contents. It would be good. Yǔ was skilled in cookery. Her smile became faint.
He noted the change. "Is everything well?"
"Thank you, Yízé," she forced herself to appear genuine. "I just feel tired."
He sat down on the bank next to her. She glanced at him curiously. He stared out over to the other side: to where the sun was fading.
"You have no reason to lie to me. I know I cannot aid you in retrieval of your memories," she stiffened at the mention of her lie. "However, I like to consider myself as your friend. I hope that you see me in that way as well. As such, if ever you wish to be listened to, I can give you my time."
She looked back out to the water. It shimmered beautifully beneath the crimson sky. The ripples danced, rising and falling as though one being.
The urge to tell him the truth was more prevalent. The words clung to her throat. She almost raised her hand.
"Yízé," she murmured. Her head down so as not to give away her lie. "I… I have this feeling. I feel alone. Sometimes I think of those people that were meant to be with me; my friends; my neighbours; my parents. I am almost comforted. Then I remember. No matter what I think of, it will only be a dream."
He was silent. She glanced at him discreetly. She wasn't expecting a response. Her heart fluttered. As she thought on it came to her acknowledgement that she wasn't seeking a response. She just wanted to let someone in on the pain that she was concealing.
Eventually, he looked at her. "This land is vast. The people are many. The places that we can go to are limited by the fragility of one's own lifetime. I know that we all hope to see the world, but we each long for home as well. Our journey will end. We shall part ways in time. In this life or the next our bond should enable us to meet once more. In the time that we have on this journey I think that we should go to many places. Perhaps you will find some solace in one of our destinations. If not, fate shall lead you to where you must be and we will all meet sometime in our inevitable end,"
There was a deep silence between the two. Ā Ruǎn glanced away. There was comfort for her in those words.
He paused. "I believe that Wú Yì is calling for me. Please excuse me,"
She stared after him as he departed. His comfort was waning. There were questions bursting forth into her mind that had no foreseeable answer.
Ā Ruǎn looked back out at the sun. "Māma, you were not meant to have a child. The life that you were meant to live… Will it end with me?"
Author's Note: Well, firstly, I had a trouble understanding exactly where I would take this chapter. After that, there were so many videos appearing! I was so excited! Now, completing this chapter, the game has been released. However, I cannot have the deluxe edition. Since I am unable to read Chinese I won't be able to procure the activation code. Therefore, to have the added little pieces would definitely be a great pleasure! I would want all that I could have of it, regardless. However, I cannot possess it. As such, I've not felt the inclination to write as I have before. This chapter was meant to be happier. Instead, all of the sorrow that I possess has poured into the words…
What of my heritage can I hold dear in this land of strangers and desolation?