A Beautiful Day

A Beautiful Day

Being in a tropical country, we have no experience of cold and hot, but rather, just warm. I woke up in the morning, look outside the window, see the meadow gold, the sun reflects the light on the grassy field. And just on the far side, How beautiful to see two suns lining against each other. Just look at the horizon, it is endless, nobody knows what lies beyond it. So amazing, wish could see the whole land of Lord.

Went out to take my breakfast in a local stall, just near the market. Ah the dusk and the whispering wind, they match perfectly. I sat down on the chair, old wooden chair, ordered my favorites coconut rice, oh yes, they taste very good, just the aroma could tempt your hunger. The hawker, Mr. and Mrs. Fan, a very loving couple, have been preparing the most delicious coconut rice for almost twenty years now. They seems happy in serving the customers, yes they are happy, maybe because when you work together with your loves one, can't feel any loneliness. A nice place to enjoy the wonderful morning,so called the Second-street stall.

I left for the excursion, just want to spend a good day. Yes a good day. Mone, Yang, Faiz, Linn and I up the hill, the Jrai hill. Legend said the hill was formed when the widow of Jrai weep for her son's death. The tears were so strong, until it eroded parts of the land, thus came the Jrai hill. Up its waist, looking down at the scenery, amazing paddy field, each grid is perfectly divided. Beyond that, Mount of Dai, a big mountain across the border of Bodoh and Dai. Ever since the close policy introduced by the Bodoh parliament, we are not allowed to travel aboard anymore. Well let us not spoil the fun of the day, the day was meant to be beautiful.

We set up the camps, collected the firewood for the night. Oh yes, the view is so perfect, just like painted in one of the royal family. Those artist, how they could brushed and stroked the plain paper into something colourful, vivid, and class. Mone was lively, playful and young, we all were young. I just wish I am the artist, painting this sweet memory into my mind, never fade away. Yang is my best buddy since I am here, a respected person, passionate, brotherhood is his principle. Like my true brother. He is the one who organized such a wonderful trip for the day. Faiz, the gentle big fellow, shy as always, but a true friend, a great buddy to have. Linn on the other hand, was a open-minded person, speaks out and never hide her feeling. Not many people like her due to his unorthodox manner, but we are good friends to her, because she has no mask beneath. I knew them since I was drifted to this country. Among us, only Yang and I are none native. But I guess in those age, we are no different, just pure, just friends, just love.

The dawn, the time everyone waits for. Golden sunset, the sun touching the tip of the world again. We set up a small fire, We watch across the sea, looking at the Mount of Dai, between the cliff, a mystery upon us, shaded by fog, never seen with our bare eyes, how the place looks like. Just cliff, with statues stone carved along it. Masterpiece of sculpture, full with legend of Deva. How the deities formed the world as we known.

Mone, looked a bit tired, suddenly her head on my shoulder, How romantic it is. And I am the idiot one who did nothing. I just hold my breath, never moved, just still, so that she would not wake up from my sweet dream. At that time, I just forget all the problem we have here, no more hatred from the people. Just love, something sweet for the day, a beautiful day.

Esa's Sermon

Esa's Sermon

Son of Lord, am I or not.

Rise from death, return it not.

Thou shall touch me not.

Excuse the rudeness, for I man not.

Ah Marie, kiss me not.

For I a breadwiner not.

Why I still leave thee not.

Temptation, I have lot.

For all but one,

I resist not.

Recalled but which one,

The truth, unknot.

Summit to the one,

I love, dare not.

Time passed second one,

Regret, I have not.

For thee, Father of one,

I resist and lie not.

So I tell her,

Love me not, My love.

Meet César

Meet César

“ So how was your day?” asked Mr. Lowe.

“ Not that smooth sir, but I hope you had a pleasant day yourself.” I answered.

My wound was not that serious actually, as I can still hide from his observation. Looking at him, I smiled. Mr Lowe, how should I describe him? Well he was my savior, without him, I would have been long gone. He was a fisherman and sometimes worked in the field. His age is about middle fifty, together with Mrs. Lowe he spent his time usually in the house, preferred to repair his fishing net and be productive to the family. According to his wife, Mr. Lowe suffered a depressive blow after the death of his son, Iyam. I did not dare to ask the reason. I guess I was sort of a newborn son for him. They seems to preferred my accompany rather than living alone. All the while I just thought of living this place, but how would I dare to leave those two alone. Mr. and Mrs. Lowe are the people I really cared in Bodoh Kingdom.

“ Those stupid government and the sleeping king of ya. What the fuck are they suppose to think and plan to bring this fucking riot to the end. Ya know people are living is shit life here. Firs't they want to raise the tax, then the head tax, then they want us to supply them my fish for free. Go to hell with your mother's obligation! Charged me'e for treason and take my head ya fool!”

He was shouting and cursing when reading the latest law released. I do not know much of the law, but it seems like life is getting harder here. The parliament is corrupting the wealth of nation. King is living high with his concubine, threw party every evening and from what I heard, he tried to build the Moon Tower in the hearts of Bodoh Kingdom, so that his beloved mistress could go to the moon. They already built it to the height of two mountains. As I walked out and looked towards the sky, i saw the stone tower touching the heaven. The view was so beautiful there. Commoners like us are restricted in entering the area. Mone has been dreaming for going up the tower one day just to enjoy the eternal moon light in her eyes. I joked to her once, be the king's new wife then, which later she would be so angry with me. Oh yes, she is very serious in relationship. Ever since I met her, I have never seen her went out with men. Toying with love is not appreciated by god, she said. She just wanted someone who can give her a safe haven.... Oh I have to work hard then.

Yes I worked very hard everyday. Starve to death, I just do not care, all I want is to save some gold and buy her somethings in this coming Day of Heaven, just a tradition where all people exchange gifts and hugs for their love one. For this reason, I have to work hard just to buy a new necklace for her. Some new stocks arrived soon in the market, usually pearl necklace from Meer-city, cost around twenty golds. Gonna snatch it before too late, everyone is waiting for the merchant from Meer.

A group of schoolchildren passed by. Arr.. I always admired them for their talent and opportunity to learn something that I cannot comprehend everyday. Last time they showed me what they have done in their paper roll, all those symbols, just fascinating. And they showed me the “operator” on how to operate “numbers”. Wow seriously if I am capable to pay the fees, I am willing to learn it, no matter how hard it is. Kaysing even told me that the time taken for a stone to reach the ground is the same as a feather. I never believed in her though. Just a kid, what did she know about the nature.

The next morning Mr. Lowe and I went out to catch the early fish, since we need to do free labor for the king and have to feed ourselves. We arrived at the sea, anchored the boat and threw the net as hard, as far as possible. Day was still behind night, it was still dark. “Thump” a sound crash to our boat and suddenly creatures of six-feet tall dragged us up to their ship. Pirates! It is a big problem this time. We were tied and brought to the deck. The captain appeared out of his chamber.

“ Greetings gentlemen, no harm and offense to you I hope. Just looking for fortune ya mate. Hundred golds and let you go.” The captain talked with a typical sea-accent, dry sound, irritating and old.

“ Sir, we are just some poor fishermen looking for fish here, we have no golds for you sir. Please let us go. I beg your mercy.” Mr. Lowe begged him. What else could we do?

“ No gold? Oh well.... I guess the sharks are hungry now. Sorry.” Sword drawn.

I prayed and did not say a word.

“ Such a pathetic loser, captain.” a sound appeared out of thin air.

“ Tell you what, I will fight you off, one time. I win, you let go of them. You win, you do what you want.” He continued.

I looked at the direction of the sound. A guy, possibly eighteen years old, was sitting near the barrel, he was tied with rope too. Surprised by his action, yes I was. What was he thinking?

“ So, César, having your good days with the rain and wind I hope. All right, since you never taste my sword. You shall this time. Cause I am sick of your attitude, and I am sick of waiting for your messenger anymore. Untied him, let us see how I slice his parrot tongue.”

Both of them were ready, after this César was released. Sword drawn and both fight with their strength, speed and stamina. The captain looked a bit advantage with his light swinging long sword. On the other hand César is the younger person here. He swings very short, but quick enough to fence off the attack of the captain. Captain used his upper body strength just to force the sword to slash harder. But he was wrong with his tactics this time. Stone might falls faster but the arm suffered, I am sure Kaysing never learned that is school. César turned around and cursed! His rusty sword was placed near the captain's throat. One touch finish, very elegant skills.

“ Now captain, we have a deal.”

We were promised to be released as soon as we sail near the coast. César was tied again, he sat there and looked at the ocean. I went to him, just wanted to thank him.

“ Thank you for saving us, sir. My name is Kehr and he is Mr. Lowe, we are from Bodoh Kingdom. I just wanted to thank you again.”

“ The name's César, you are welcomed friend. Now dont call me sir again. Well I just have to sit here and wait for my man to come here and pay the ransom.”

“ Why? why would not just fight off the captain? With your skill, he is no match to you.”

“ I kept my promise to the captain, when he stormed our ship. We have a deal, he released all the passengers in the ship, I will be his hostage till my man come with the ransom.”

For such a high esteem of dignity and promise. He is the first that I met in my life. Fear is not in his eyes. It never exist in his mind. We were released once the ship sailed near the Bodoh Kingdom end coast. Of course we need to swim our way back to land. But I know, I will meet him again.

“ Remember the name, César” The last words he told me.

Mone

Mone

So I suppose to tell you my side of the story, well I believe people just love to listen to what they like, well you may not like my story, but you will see, it is just strange, just I do not think it will happen to anyone. Why me? I have no idea, maybe it is just the fate or due to the force of Mover? I do not know. How do I start up with the story? Oh yes, I should tell you what happen after the capsize. So..

After being saved by the locals, I am glad that I am still alive, now for better or worse, I just let my ego argue about it. Things are different here, well I lost all my memories. All my a priori knowledge? Gone. My identity? No idea. Anything I remember? Nothing. Three years have gone and no improvement or what so ever for my condition. I wanted to leave this place, because I cannot live here anymore. Everyday the Bodoh people are protesting against the minority, well thanks to their radical leader Hator. Foreign schools were shut down recently, life is getting harsh for the foreigner, or at least the one who has different ideology from them. You see, Bodoh people are completely scared by the past. From what I heard, The whole continent of Donanya conquered by Roho from the northwest. One hundred years of war with all the bloodshed, revolution, and casualty had spearheaded the typical locals to generate anxiety when they see other different from them in sight. Although the foreign trader like Molo, Biso helped the locals to win the Hundred-year-war from Roho, their contribution was quickly ignored when they try to fade away from the interference of politics in land. Later they were forced to change all their names into the local manner. Misunderstanding and conflicts, they appeared very often in that period. I was, unfortunately, never seems to resemblance any of the typical look that they are used to. So expect to get some uncomfortable treatment from them. But still I need money to feed myself. I used to work here. after all the nuisance for finding a simple job. Living just opposite of her house, we walked together along the never ending street after work, well I hoped that it would never ends. She and I were waiter and waitress in a local tavern, just like few blocks away from our area.

I still remember, how I stood up for her once. Well it was a brave decision, having consider myself as different here, I never had the gut to confront anyone, or even point out the difference of mind. Yes I was small, how small I was that time. A patron was drunk and he utterly demolished the restaurant, I was cleaning the mess, while she tried to calm him down. It did not work as exactly as we thought. He tried to offend her, with the hands up and down along the curve of Eve. That time, I stood up. Only the above One knew what boosted me the courage to that, maybe I cannot stand the absurdism and class difference among the people? Or maybe my feeling towards her? I suffered some knuckles and hard blow from that bastard! But I never cried a single word. I never felt the pain, the only soar I had in my heart is seeing her begging him to let me go. I just endured. In enduring, I am stronger, I always believe. Luckily some patrons managed to pull that moron away from us. She came to me, gave me her comfort, well, her smile already cured half of the pain. Physical abuse, I did not feel, as I was used to it. How many times I could safely return home without being jeered by the locals, with their racist words and inhuman coldness. It would seems like a war is happening, and I am so unlucky to be in the minority side. I wanted to depart from here. If not because of her, I already left. Well how many times she gave me peace in my heart. Everyone needs a safe haven, it could be a collection of exotics, a picture, or a place. For me, it is Mone.

“ Feeling better? ”

“ Just some bruises, nothing serious.”

“ Mone should have just keep quiet.... Maybe he would let go?”

“ I would have confront him anyway, a man is not a man, if he doesn't treat a woman with respect.”

“ In this place, you could never expect respect from them.”

“ Leave with me then, we could go somewhere else, where people live in harmony, treat each other as equal as they are. The greatest civilization is just beyond us. I know it exist somewhere.”

“ You have a beautiful dream, you know? But as far as Mone knows, you have to travel southeast, along the coast until you meet someone, who can speak more than four languages. We always thought it was a legend though, people will never survive the blow of wind...Even if they did, legend says one has to pass through the Desert of Hopeless to gain the access to that Kingdom.”

“ Interesting, where do you heard all this? Come on, tell me more, at least I can have hope, helps to relive my pain ya.”

“ From a customer in O'town. Mone thinks he is just joking, or just wanted to get Mone's attention. He claimed himself as a Centauriwalker, traveling around the Centauri for so long, he has been to.... If Mone remembers correctly, Monosia, Sun kingdom, Edge of World, San-Shang state, Searah Island and the Southeast. Mone never heard of these names before.”

“ Do you know how can I get to those place?”

“ Mone didn't ask him about that. Do you still really want to leave this place?”

“ Well if not for a reason, I already left.”

“ And what would be that? If Mone may ask.”

“ Well let just say it is a secret of mine.” I said, and of course I was afraid that she knew she would be the reason. I just do not want her to feel bad that I end up here rotting the days of my life just to look at her everyday. I just want to look at her everyday. My safe haven stood in front of me, with her naive look coupled with heart of Deva. If only I could tell her...

“ Let us go home then.” I looked at her and smiled.

I felt close to Mone all the time, partly because she was the person that took care of me most, from the time I was dragged to the shore like a piece of wood. Her neighbors, Mr and Mrs Lowe found and took me to their house, Mone took care of me till I recovered. Well it was a reborn for me, and she would be my mother.

He is Alive!

He is Alive!

The ship was sunk
A boy was found
Rustling wind sings
But days just count

Night was dark
when I was drown
Light shines lark
in the land way down

Bless, I was saved
by the local crowd
Curse, memories lost
like upside down

Try to tell myself
who are thou
Frustrate to self
just scream it loud

Three years past
since age of twelve
time just last
like days in hell

Save the pun
and wait for yea'
And thus run
the story of Kehr