Happy Birthday Mone

Finally, days and nights, working, serving and being yelled from this and that. I had enough money to buy a pearl necklace for Mone. Besides, the Merchant from Meer had already set up their stall in the market. Need to wake up tomorrow morning early to choose a good one, which I hope has a sapphire glowing ornament in the middle, since blue is Mone's favourite.

Arrived at the stall, seems I still have lots of selection. Oh just found one, perfect shape, with the symbol of Chalek, true love. And most important, sapphire blue! The cost is dearly, swooping up all my entire salary, tips inclusive. But for Mone's smile, priceless. Meer's product is unique, there is no substitute for their craftsmanship, as every necklace, ring and charm is uniquely symbolizing something. Arts with soul, so to speak.

As I walked home, something ridiculous happened. Roadblock from the local police has piled up and as the local fucking rule, I have to pay my way to access to our living community, and there are no alternatives, of course I can crawl up the wall and jump from house to house. Bad Idea, as I am not a trained assassins. Sometimes I noticed why our area is getting more and more ghetto-like, it would seems, when they want to purge us, the lowest and the poorest class, they can easily set fire and block the whole entrance, forcing us to board the ship to escape or jump to the sea, killing us or deporting us. I had nightmares on such a horrible scene, and I prayed it will not happen. As I already spent all my money on the necklace and there is no way I could chunk out more gold for the corrupted bastard.

" Sir, I live here and I have to get home early, could you let me pass? Please?"

"Lad, yea know d' rule, pay up and yea may pass."

We started quarreling due to his hot tempered attitude and by all sudden I received a knuckle blow on my face, fell on the ground immediately. Bad thing happened, but why today? The necklace fell from my pocket, and of course the shining glimpse caught instantaneously the eyes of that bastard.

"Beautiful one, I'll take it, and fuck yea'self off before I hit yea again."

"Give it to me, that is not mine, it belongs to a good friend of mine, please... I beg you.."

"Well looks like we hav' another punching job to do, fist up, boys."

"You can punch me but please return the necklace to me, please..." I remembered my eyes were wet.

In the end I ended up being a practice punch bag for those bastards, I could not remember how many blows that I have to endure just to tired their fist, but I guess they did not enjoyed kicking and hitting a wooden me, I did not scream, all the pain that I suffered was that I don't have gift for Mone today, an important day.


As I entered her house, it was quite late and everyone has gone home. She was there, cleaning the dishes alone.

"Mone..."

"Where have you been? We were waiting for you.....oh Lord, what happened to you? Your face...you are bleeding.... wait I will go get some medicament."

"I was blocked by the police, and I had nothing to buy my way inside, so they hit me... it is nothing really, just some bruises. Will get better in a couple of days."

"Just wait for me, I will go get...."

"Listen.... I did not managed to get you anything but.... just want to wish you happy birthday. Never mind about the medicament, Mr.Lowe has of course some for disposable... Night Mone"

I love you. My heart said.

I remembered the night was cold, very windy. I don't need the wind as a comfort. As far as I concerned, I just want to get the necklace back, funny, which exactly took me seven years.

Someone Moving In

A new family moved into our neighborhood two days ago, surprisingly opening along a new confectionery just opposite my house.

I went by the shop, try to take a glimpse on the delicacies inside. To my surprise I was spotted by the owner, Wu and his wife Jen, I was invited to taste some sweets and cakes, albeit that money is not something I had.

Inside is amazing, like a house made from candy. Apparently they just moved in, from the neighboring Dai. Jen is passionate in sharing her recipe with me, despite that I lack of cooking talent. Wu looks thirty some, with a wise look on the face and an aristocratic manner. It is nice to talk to him, although I had no idea on what is he explaining about. The planetary system? The origin of man and wolves? The Plane in our world? Interesting, I never doubted his knowledge though.

" So are you a scholar? You seems to know a lot of thing besides chocolate." I joked.

" In fact..... I was, sometime ago... A very long story. Let just say that the authority did not like someone like me running around in their country. "

So they were exiled. But why? How could a country deport someone as intelligent like Wu to our crappy land. Sometimes I wondered, one's fascinating point of view might angered the man above. Seems like people prefer praise than critique, blinded with the need to oil their ears, rather than a rough jiggling near. If you don't want to listen something good, just cut the ear right?

Anyway, the carrot cheese cake made by Jen is amazing, with thick layer of cheese yet not fatty.
Since then, I visited their shop every weekend. A piece of carrot cheese is a wonderful end for the stress working day. Chatting with Wu about the scientific stuff is just wonderful, makes me want to trap the nature in their pure reasoning framework.

Thank you Jen and Wu, for bringing the best piece of life to me.