My first book attempt....Ji Xiao!!!

JI XIAO

Prologue

Taipei, Taiwan (Formosa) 1899

“Wei! (Hey!)”, shouted one young man who hastily clasped his black robes and cap. He pointed his index finger at the young girl who was desperately running towards the forest.

“Wait! Qing! Qing! (Stop! Stop!) I’m not going to hurt you”, he continued shouting and running.

When he reached the opening of the forest, the young girl vanished. He looked dubiously at the tall trees and the narrow dirt road inside the forest. He scanned the trees with his eyes and called the girl.

“Ni zai na li? Where are you?” He used his two hands to cup his mouth and shouted again.

“Ni zai na li? Where are you? Dui bu qi Mei mei! I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to scare you!”

Then he heard a small rustle from a tall bush three yards ahead of him. He tilted his head and saw the young girl slowly peeking out from the bush. He gave a little gasp when he saw her green Cheongsam torn at the left side.

“Are you hurt?” his voice was laced with concern and worry.

“Mei you. (No)” the young girl gently answered.

“Are you alright?” he asked again.

“Shi. (Yes)” the girl responded.

“My name is Xing Zhu Tian. You can call me Tian Tian.”

He gave a deep bow as a sign of respect.

“What’s your name?” he politely asked.

“Zhang Chun Mei” was the quiet response.

“Ha! Mei Mei! So that’s your name after all. Can we be friends?” Tian Tian asked but the girl gave no answer.

She just stared at him with her soulful, black eyes.

“Peng you? (Friends?)” he asked again.

Then the girl ran as fast as her legs could carry her.

CHAPTER 1

Nu Hai in the Diner

Manhattan, New York 2010

“Ah!”

A shout of frustration came from a man carrying a large black bag. He was standing on the edge of the street and stared at his soaked beige overcoat.

“Thanks a lot man! Really, thank you!” he yelled at the taxi driver who drove by the puddle of water in front of him.

The driver poked his head outside the window and answered the man with two honks. The man stared again at his dripping coat. He looked up and stared at the tall skyscrapers of New York.

“Great! This is just great! New suit, new coat and just my first day in the Big Apple” he mumbled to himself.

“Welcome to New York!” a passerby who heard him said these words.

He stared at the old man who walked past him.

“Yeah. Welcome to New York Mr. Lee,” he said to himself and crossed the street.

Mr. Lee scanned the neighboring boutiques and restaurants of Manhattan. His eyes rested on a restaurant that curiously looked like a small town diner which got lost in the big city. It reminded him of his home in California. He walked towards the diner while carrying his heavy bag. Maybe he’ll have breakfast first before going to his apartment. His wardrobe could wait.

He paused in front of the small door and glanced at the humble, blue and red sign- DAISY’S. He wondered who Daisy was and pushed the small red door. The second he was inside the diner, the observant eye of the reporter kicked in him. He noticed the different nationalities of its customers. Two Russian looking men were seated near the counter drinking huge cups of black coffee. A crowd of Hispanic women were seated at one booth and engaged in a loud and heated discussion.

As he seated himself in front of the counter, a Japanese looking man beside him took out his phone which kept on ringing for few seconds already.

“Ya! Hajima! Hajima!” the man loudly said.

“Ah, Korean.” Mr. Lee silently corrected himself.

After sitting down on a stool, he noticed a Chinese looking girl gently eating pancakes on one corner of a small red booth.

“Morning there!” a woman’s cheerful voice jolted him from his thoughts.

A huge American lady with European features about 50 years of age wearing a white shirt and a red apron with large flowers faced him with a wide smile.

“What can I do for you?” the lady asked.

Mr. Lee relaxed and smiled back.

“Finally, a friendly face in New York,” he sighed cheerfully.

“You new here?” the woman asked.

“Yeah.” Then he took a sip of the coffee from a large cup the woman poured for him.

“Great coffee. Are you Daisy?” he asked.

“It shows huh? Yup! I’m Daisy? Are you Chinese?” Daisy asked as she wiped her hands with a clean towel.

“American” he abruptly answered.

“Uhum” Daisy stared at him.

“Umm… partly, actually my Dad’s Taiwanese but I grew up here. Can I have a double waffle and flapjacks?” he gestured towards the menu on the board behind Daisy.

“Uh huh. Comin’ up!” Daisy went to the kitchen at the back for his order.

His fingers played on the handle of his cup as his eyes roamed around the diner. It’s a quiet but busy diner where most customers were old New Yorkers and those who just wanted to take a break from the hustle bustle of the city. Tables were round with white and red checkered cloth covering them. Redwood booths were in the corner. Wooden floors. Wooden ceilings. Bright, clear windows, swirling chairs, coffee smell and humble people, they all spell one thing- tradition.

It was a nice break for him. Then his eyes rested on the young girl who was eating pancakes. She was wearing a simple red sweater with thick, blue scarves. Her small, narrow, oval eyes were seriously reading a small, red book while she carefully cut her pancakes into small pieces. She forked the miniature pancakes and gently placed them on her mouth. She chewed, more likely nibbled, daintily. She had a straight, black hair which reached her small waist.

“Uh uh! Not for you.”

Daisy’s voice startled him and interrupted his observation. He turned his head to Daisy and started fumbling his words.

“Yeah, yeah. I was just…” he shrugged the rest of his sentence.

He’d be one hell of a reporter if this kept on going. Fumbling words is certainly a requirement. Daisy looked at him with squinting and suspicious eyes.

“Uh hum. What’s your name boy?” she asked.

He extended his right hand to Daisy.

“Lee. Benjamin Lee. From California. I’m 22 and my first job landed here. I’m a reporter. Or I will be starting tomorrow.” he blurted out the words too fast for a reporter.

Daisy gave small laugh.

“Slow down boy. That’s an awful lot of information. Are you hitting on me?” Daisy teased.

Benjamin had to smile back.

“Sorry. New job. New city. New people. It makes me jittery and I tend to babble.” He explained.

Daisy nodded and slid his plate of breakfast towards him.

“Not a problem. You’ll get used to it” she smiled.

Daisy started to take an empty plate back to the kitchen when Benjamin called her back.

“Hey Daisy!” he said.

Daisy lifted one eyebrow and sat in front of him.

“You like me that much Benjamin?” she said in a teasing voice.

Benjamin smiled and said, “Call me Ben. Can I ask something?”

“Sure thing Ben. What is it?” she wiped the counter again.

He turned a little and nodded his head in the direction of the young girl.

“How long had she been here?” he asked.

Daisy lifted her head and said, “Let me think…hmmm… about 6 months.”

Benjamin gave a little laugh and said, “Daisy seriously.”

She faced him with a serious face.

“I am serious.”

“What do you mean?”

Daisy sighed.

“One day, six months ago she just showed up and ate here. She’s been eating here every morning for six months. Orders the same thing.”

Daisy shrugged and started wiping again.

“Interested?” she asked.

“Well…yeah” he started.

When Daisy stopped wiping to glare at him, he had to explain.

“Interested but not THAT interested. Just curious. Do you know her name?” he asked.

“Her name’s Ermaline. She speaks very little English and doesn’t say much but she’s a nice girl. And my knowledge stops there. Why don’t you ask her? She looks Chinese to me.”

Then Daisy left to serve two customers who just came in.

Benjamin ate his breakfast and silently overlooked above his shoulder to look at the girl. She looked Asian, pure Asian not Amerisian like him. When she bent to pick a piece of tissue, he had a chance to fully see her face. It was a very young and very fresh face. She might be 16 or 17 years old. Maybe he should talk to her, just a friendly talk in New York for one fine morning.

She started reading her book again. Nah! He couldn’t even get his Mandarins straight and besides she might be a Viet or Thai for all he knew. He turned back to his plate to finish his breakfast. When he emptied his cup of coffee, he turned his head and saw Ermaline wiping her pink lips with a handkerchief.

“Refill?” Daisy’s voce came again.

He turned to her and started speaking.

“Ummm…”

He gave a little peek towards Ermaline’s table bit it was empty. She’s left the diner already.

“Ummm… No thanks Daisy. I’m good. I have to go. Here, keep the rest.”

He left the bills on the counter, put on his now dry coat, took his bag and left the diner. He hurriedly went outside and frantically searched the busy street for the young girl. The pavement where he was standing was so crowded he could barely recognize the faces. Then someone bumped him from behind and he dropped his heavy bag.

“Hey Mister! This ain’t your backyard!” an irritated woman said.

“Sorry. Sorry.”

Ben hurriedly picked his bag. He scanned the street one more time, gave a deep sigh and shrugged. While walking the busy street, the right corner of his upper lip gave a little perk as he smiled to himself.

“What am I doing?”

He shook his head a little and placed his left hand inside his pocket. The tip of his fingers touched the keys to his new apartment and he was reminded of the reason he was in New York. He should be excited by now. First job for a big paper in the Big Apple, Ben gave a small smirk as he lifted his hand to signal a taxi.

“New York, New York. You’ve got me now.”

A taxi stopped in front of him. He threw his bag in the backseat and got in. He tried closing the door but it wouldn’t bulge.

“Uh… excuse me… you door.”

He tapped the taxi driver’s shoulder. The driver turned to close the door himself and Ben got another surprise.

“You?!” he exclaimed.

He pointed a finger at the driver, the same driver who splashed his coat with water.

The driver smiled and said, “Me” and closed the door.

Ben looked outside the window and muttered, “Great.”

He was about to curse when his phone rang. Sounds of bamboo chimes filled the car from his cell phone.

“Nice ringtone” the driver said.

Ben ignored him and pressed the answer button.

“Ben here” he said.

“Benjamin Lee?” a deep voice on the other end responded.

“Yes”
“This is George Hart” the other voice said.

He straightened himself when he heard the name. It was his editor’s voice.

“Come to the office at 1” the voice commanded.

Ben swallowed a little and replied, “I’ll be there.”

CHAPTER 2

Nan Hai at Work

Benjamin pushed a button and waited for the elevator door to open. Ding! The door opened swiftly in few seconds.

“Excuse me! Excuse me!”

A young man juggling several cups of coffee passed by him and accidentally pushed his shoulder.

“Sorry. Tough day.” He gestured towards the coffee.

“Yeah. Sure,” Ben replied.

He adjusted his blue pinstripe tie and took a deep breath. Ding! The door opened to the fourth floor of the building. The young man nodded his head towards the open door.

“Street Times?” he asked.

“Umm… Yeah” Benjamin said.

Street Times, the international magazine rising up to New York Times was Benjamin’s stepping stone to international media. He dreamed of being sent to Africa for cultural studies or to Asia to explore the roots of his ancestry.

He was walking on the posh, carpeted floor in the reception area when he noticed the young man with the coffee following him.

“You work here?” he asked the young man.

“Yup,” he answered casually.

They turned left and the posh, classic front was replaced with chaos and barbaric papers flying everywhere.

Ben stared in shock at employees running back and forth, shouting at the top of their lungs and carrying armloads of paper. Telephones were constantly ringing. Large television sets were streaming with news and some employees were intently watching.

Slowly Benjamin smiled in amazement. He dreamed of this chaos. He craved for it. He drank the scene that was before him. He was so mesmerized that he didn’t notice a flying book from his left.

“Watch out!” a female voice shouted.

Benjamin immediately ducked his head and missed the book.

“Nice reflex!” the young man behind him said.

“You’re new here” he added.

Benjamin nodded his head and smiled sheepishly.

“Benjamin Lee?” he asked.

“You know me?” It was his turn to ask.

“George Hart?” Benjamin asked with a tone of doubt.

The young man laughed and said, “I wish. I’m Peter Winchester. Nice to meet you Ben. I’m the TO-GO guy so I know everybody.”

Benjamin smiled with relief.

“Benjamin Lee!” a loud, seemingly familiar voice said.

He looked up and saw a small man with a growing beard and thick, black glasses. It was hard to believe that the powerful voice came from this man. It was even harder to believe that he stayed up late to finish his essay just to impress this man.

“That’s George Hart.” Peter whispered.

“Peter! Give me that coffee! And Lee! Come with me!” George barked.

“Yes George!” Peter gave a mock salute.

He leaned closer and whispered to Benjamin.

“Welcome to Hell!”

And he walked away sashaying his hips. Benjamin shook his head and gave a little smile. Then he walked towards George Hart’s office.

He cautiously opened the tinted, glass door.

“Come in Lee!”

George was sitting in his swiveling chair and he took a sip of his coffee.

“Sit!” George ordered.

Benjamin sat on a chair in front of the large, oak table. The table was sprawling with tons of paper and three telephones. George pushed a cup towards him.

“Drink!” he ordered again.

Benjamin took the cup and gave a little sip.

“Thank you Sir!” Benjamin said.

George Hart frowned.

“Don’t call me Sir. We don’t do formalities here.” George said.

George stood up and looked at him.

“So Ben, welcome to Street Times!”

He extended his right hand towards him. Ben took it and shook his hand.

“As you know Ben, in Street Times…” George paused and Ben leaned forward in chair to listen.

“In Street Times, we blah, blah and blah.” George said.

Ben had to control himself from laughing.

“Well Ben, let’s cut all the crap and get straight to your assignment shall we? I already know what you’re capable of.” George said and pushed the edge of glasses towards his nose.

“That’s what I’m here for.” Ben responded.

George sat down and stared at him.

“Do you know any Japanese? Sayonara?” he asked.

“Not really.” Ben answered uneasily.

“Can you speak the Filipino language? Mabuhay?”

“No.”

“Any Thai?”

“No.”

“Chinese perhaps?”

“A little Mandarin I guess.” Ben said.

“Oh of course,” George said referring to his surname.

“How do you feel about Asia?” he continued.

“Umm, fine. My father’s from Asia. It’s in my blood I guess,” Ben replied.

“Ever been to Asia? Your father’s place?” George asked.

“The last time I’ve been to Taiwan was 12 years ago,” Ben answered.

“That’s great! That’s perfect!” George exclaimed.

“What’s with these questions?” Ben asked and shifted uneasily in his chair.

George took a silver pen lying on the table and swirled it in his hand.

“I have an assignment for you. To Asia!” George pointed his pen at Ben.

“So soon?” Ben asked.

George looked at him carefully and said, “Do you want to get fired on your first day?”

Alarmed, Ben shook his head.

“No, no, no. That’s not what I meant,” Ben said in a panicked voice.

“I just thought I’d go slowly first. Maybe a work here in the office first, file some papers, assist you or…” Ben ran out of words.

Suddenly the door opened and Peter popped his head in the office.

“George! Cream cheese in your bagels?” Peter asked and nodded to greet Ben.

“Yes Peter. Thank you for your undying devotion.” George answered sarcastically.

“Was that sarcasm I heard in your voice George? Cause I miss that sarcasm, strongly pronounced words in the sweetest voice I’ve ever heard.” Peter said in a quirky voice.

“Peter you talk too much. Get out!” George ordered.

Peter wiggled his fingers at Ben to say goodbye. Ben raised his eyebrows and smiled. When Peter closed the door, George turned to him.

“As you were saying? Or?” George asked.

“It’s just… I thought I’d be working in the office first. You know filing stuff or, or… like Peter. He works here.” Ben said.

“Oh?” George played with his little beard.

“You want Peter’s job?” he asked.

“I-“Ben started saying.

“Okay! You have it!” George said.

“What?” Ben stood up in panic.

“For two weeks at least then it’s Asia for you.”

George sat on his chair and checked his little calendar on the desk for his schedule.

“Are you serious?” Ben asked in disbelief.

“I’ve never been more serious.” George looked at him with somber eyes.

“No worries though. We’ll prepare your paperwork. I believe you have a passport, a visa and everything else you’ll need.”

George started checking his e-mails. Ben looked at him unable to believe what he just heard. George stared at him under the rim of his glasses.

“You can go now. You’re free for the rest of the day.” George said.

Ben started heading towards the door.

“Ben!” George called.

Ben turned to him.

“Be here tomorrow at 9. And don’t forget four cappuccinos, one black, one mocha, six bagels and one with cream cheese. In the morning okay? Not one in the afternoon like Peter does.” George said.

Ben nodded and opened the door. He almost forgot. He’s the new TO-GO guy. He gave a deep sigh and walked out of the office.

Chapter Three

Nan Hai at the Diner

The next morning, Ben was standing in front of a large mirror in his apartment. He adjusted his black tie and shoved on a coat. He picked up his apartment keys from his dresser and placed them inside his front pocket. He turned and bumped his left foot on a large, unopened box. It felt like kicking a concrete wall.

“Aww!” he exclaimed.

Ben roamed his eyes around the apartment, taking note of the chaos and unopened boxes. He didn’t bother opening most boxes since he will be leaving in two weeks anyway. He was relieved that the landlord assured him that the apartment would still be his after the assignment.

Ben sighed in excitement and disbelief. His graduation and internship seemed like millions of years ago and now it’s Asia. Who would’ve thought he’ll be coming back? It might be a chance for him to reconnect with his father’s relatives.

Ben opened the door and securely locked it. He was walking down the stairs when he remembered Ermaline. He thought of stopping by at Daisy’s first. He might see her again and maybe this time he could talk to her a bit.

“What the hell is wrong with me?” he thought.

She’s just a girl after all. But Ben couldn’t shake these nagging feelings of excitement and strange familiarity with her. From the moment he saw her, he felt an odd pull of gravity towards her. He might just be attracted to her but he felt something more than attraction.

He opted to walk to Daisy’s since there was still enough time. Walking gives him a chance to think. Ermaline’s a nice distraction and he might not see her again because of his assignment. He remembered his assignment. He wondered where in Asia he’ll be sent. He turned one corner and saw the blue and red sign of Daisy’s. He walked hurriedly towards the door.

When he pushed the door open, he immediately noticed the surroundings and his eyes found Ermaline. She was sitting on the same booth. She was wearing a white blouse with long loose sleeves and a long, gem necklace. He looked at her plate and saw the same stack of pancakes which she was carefully cutting into small pieces. She was holding the same red book. Ben didn’t know why but something was being pulled inside him. There was that strange relief after seeing her. Ben went to the counter and waited for Daisy.

“Hey! Mr. Big Reporter!” Daisy said as soon as she saw him.

Ben smiled at her.

“Nice to see you too Daisy,” he said.

“Breakfast?” Daisy asked.

“I’ll just have four cappuccinos, one black, mocha, six bagels and put a cream cheese on one.” He said remembering George Hart’s words.

“And make them to-go please.” He added.

“That’s a lot for one man,” Daisy noticed.

“Uh. Not for me. They’re for my boss,” he said.

“And here I thought you were a reporter. I guess I was wrong,” Daisy teasingly said.

“I am,” he answered in defense. “It’s just temporary, just for two weeks.”

“Uh-huh,” Daisy said, went inside the kitchen and prepared his order.

Ben looked around the diner once more and his eyes rested on Ermaline again. She was intently reading the little, red book. He wondered what’s inside the red book. He looked up and suddenly realized that Ermaline wasn’t reading anymore. She was looking straight at him. He was so surprised that he knocked over the stack of paper napkins. He didn’t see that little smile Ermaline gave before she returned to her book.

“Here you go.”

Daisy arrived with the six cups of coffee placed securely with a handle and a paper bag of bagels.

“Thanks Daisy.”

He fished bills from his pocket and gave them to Daisy. While she placed his bill on the register, he cautiously peered at what Ermaline was doing. She was still reading.

“You know staring never works,” Daisy said.

With a jolt, Ben turned back to Daisy who handed him the change.

“I wasn’t staring.”

“Yes you were. You were staring pretty intense.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Oh yes, you were. You were staring with those black eyes and your eyebrows almost met while you knocked over my paper napkins.” Daisy said.

“Well, well Daisy. You’re quite the stalker.”

“Dream on kid,” she said.

He picked up the coffee and bagels and headed towards the door.

“Oh! Hey Daisy! Can I have these every morning?” he lifted the coffee and bagels.

“Sure. You’ll have them in a jiff.”

He smiled and opened the door. Before stepping outside, he looked at Ermaline first who was still reading.

Inside the diner, Ermaline stopped reading and smiled. He noticed the man first yesterday before he started looking at her. The moment he stepped inside the door, she knew he was someone special.

“More coffee?” a young waitress asked her.

Ermaline smiled and saw Daisy at the counter waving at her.

“It’s on the house.” Daisy said.

Ermaline nodded her head once to thank her and smiled at her. The waitress poured her a cup.

“Enjoy it,” she said.

“Thank you.” Ermaline carefully said in a clear, gentle voice.

She took a gentle sip of the coffee and remembered the man. It was still soon and she needs more time. He has to make the connection himself.

Chapter Four

Nan Hai to Asia

A week later, Ben was swirling himself in the chair in front of the counter. Only a week left and he’ll be heading to the Philippines. His specific assignment came in yesterday- politics and culture of Asia, starting from the Philippines then the rest of the countries which will still be assigned.

He considered himself lucky. Philippines and Taiwan are neighbors. He might really get that opportunity of visiting his relatives. He swirled the chair once more.

“You’ll have to pay for that if it breaks.” Daisy said.

Ben stopped swirling and grinned at Daisy.

“I love this chair. How did I ever live without it?” Ben said.

“A hundred dollars for you,” she said. “Quite cheap if you ask me.”

Ben got off the chair and rolled his long sleeves. He placed his elbows on the counter and cradled his chin.

“Don’t give me that goofy face” she said.

“Here’s you coffee and the bagels.”

She placed them on the counter. Ben turned his head to look at Ermaline’s table.

“Does she ever do anything else?” Ben asked.

Daisy smiled meaningfully.

“Why don’t you ask her? You’ve been here all week just staring at her.”

Ben scowled at Daisy.

“What are you frowning at? What’s Chinese for idiot?” Daisy asked.

“Daisy!”

Daisy shrugged and wiped the counter.

When Ben looked at Ermaline again, he caught her staring straight at him. And her look didn’t falter and without missing a beat, she smiled.

He turned around to see if she was smiling at somebody behind him. Only Daisy was behind and she was busy placing an order for a new customer.

He sighed and smiled foolishly as he looked at Ermaline again. He pointed his right index finger towards his chest.

He silently mouthed the word, “Me?”

Ermaline smiled again and turned back to reading her book.

“What was that about?” he thought.

He got off the chair and took his order.

“Bye Daisy!” he absently said.

“Bye Ben!” she replied.

He was about to step outside the door when he decided to come back. With heavy, sure steps he forced himself to walk towards Ermalie’s table.

She was turning a page from the book when he stopped in front of the book. He swallowed a number of nervous saliva and gave a little cough.

“Hi!” he began.

She looked up and saw him giving a little grin. She gave a little smile in return. So this was the beginning of that day she had been waiting for so long. Ermaline knew he was still clueless but she also knew something was nagging inside him. This first step of approaching her was a sign of incessant chatter inside his head.

He was swinging his bag of coffee and bagels. He extended his empty right hand towards her.

“It’s been a week since I saw you and uh…anyway, I’m Benjamin,” he said. “Ermaline right?”

She nodded and took his hand. Suddenly, he felt an unexplainable energy upon touching her hand. He was quite shocked that he almost dropped the coffee.

Ermaline frowned.

“I’m sorry. Is something wrong?” she said slowly in a gentle, singsong voice.

He let her hand go and said, “No, it’s nothing.”

He smiled again. He was still puzzled by the unexpected electricity. It was a very different feeling. It scared him and puzzled him.

Ben shrugged his shoulders and looked at his watch.

“I should get going. I’m kinda late. Nice meeting you… finally.” Ben said.

“Nice meeting you too,” she replied.

He quickly left the diner. While hailing a cab, he thought again of that energy. It was something he couldn’t quite explain. The reporter in him couldn’t even put words into it.

Then his phone vibrated in the right pocket of his black slacks.

“Ben here,” he said.

“Ben sweetie, it’s me,” a female voice filled his ear.

“Mom!” Ben surprisingly exclaimed.

“I’m really hurt Ben!” she said.

“Mom what’s wrong?” he asked in panic while got inside the cab.

“You!” his mom said.

Ben pointed the Street Times logo from his ID to the driver. The driver nodded.

“Mom, what is this?” he sighed.

“You’ve been in Manhattan for a week and you never called us. Do you know how rude that is?”

Ben scratched his temple and sighed again.

“Mom I left you a message the day I arrived here.”

“A message? What message?”

“Ah, Mom! You erased it again without even listening.”

“Oh, that’s right,” she said. “Anyway, sweetie how’s Manhattan? Is it really cold there? Do you have enough parka and scarves? How’s the job?”

“Mom everything’s fine here. I have everything to keep me warm here. And about the job,” he gave a little laugh. “It’s great. Mom I have to go to Asia next week.”

“Asia? That’s great honey but isn’t that too far?” his mom asked.

“Mom, I’ll only be there for few weeks. And speaking of Asia is Dad there? I’d like to ask him few things ‘cause I might drop by Taipei,” he asked.

“Yes he is, just a moment,” she replied.

The taxi stopped in front of a building in Houston Street in SOHO District while he waited for his mom on the phone. He frowned and looked outside the window.

“Hey, umm… this is SOHO,” he said to the driver. “Street Times on the 25^th … you know, near Broadway?”

The driver rolled his window open and looked outside.

“Oh? I am so sorry. I’ll get you there in no time.”

The driver turned the ignition again.

“Not a problem.”

The taxi turned right and passed by Chinatown. Ben heard his mom’s distant voice on the phone.

“Qui! Your son!”

Then he heard approaching steps and his father’s boisterous and cheerful voice.

“Benjamin!” his dad said who finally took the phone.

“He’s going to Asia,” he heard his mother whispered.

“What? Asia?” his dad’s accented English came.

“Yes Dad, Asia. I’m leaving next week.”

“But I thought you work in New York” his dad said.

“I am. I do. It’s for an assignment Dad,” he explained.

“But why Asia?” his father asked again.

Ben sighed. He was always frustrated when he explained things about school and work to his father who seemed to get stuck in time when he was still young in Taiwan.

“Dad, I have no idea but I was assigned there. It’s for work so I’m going there.”

He heard the deep sigh of his father.

“Dad, I’ll be ok. And it’ll be great, I’ll drop by Taipei and see Grandma which by the way I would need an address and a sketch. I kind of forgot about the place,” he said.

“See Grandma? Wo Ah Bu? (My mother?)” his dad asked.

“Of course Dad, who else?” he said.

“Wo bu yao! (I don’t want!)” His dad said who speaks in Taiwanese or Mandarin whenever his emotions run.

“Why?” he surprisingly asked.

“Just no!” his dad said.

“Dad, come on! Grandma was nice to me when we visited her,” he explained.

“To you, nice. To me, not nice. To your mom, not nice.”

“Exactly, she was nice to me. Dad, maybe it’s time to bury those things. It’s been a long time,” Ben said.

Once upon a time, his father and his grandmother had a very close relationship since his father was the youngest among the four children of his widowed grandmother. Lee Qui Ling and his mother scarred their relationship when Qui decided to marry an American girl, a foreigner who went to Taiwan for a vacation.

Apparently, his grandmother had already set her eyes on a gentle Taiwanese girl for his father to marry. But his father rebelled; married the American girl named Joan and left Taiwan.

The taxi stopped in front of Street Times. Benjamin handed the driver a $50 bill and opened the door.

“Okay, you can go with my blessings,” his dad said on the phone.

Ben sighed in relief.

“Thank God!” he said.

“Now, what do you need?” his father asked.

“An address and a sketch Dad.” Ben replied.

“When you get down on Songshan Airport,” his dad started.

Ben had to keep himself from laughing. “Get down”, his father still uses funny English words when talking.

“Ride a taxi to take you to Longshan Temple,” his dad continued.

“Dad, wait,” he interrupted. “I don’t remember Grandma living in a temple.”

“Of course, she doesn’t dummy. From Longshan Temple you have to walk to Ximen and look for the yellow house with big oak door.”

“Walk?” he asked.

“Yes, walk” his dad said.

“Maybe I can get the driver to take me to the yellow house with a big oak door in Ximen,” he said.

He waved his hand to Peter who passed by him. He pushed a button on the elevator and waited for it to open.

“No, you have to walk and while walking you think. After thinking, you can still leave before the yellow house.”

He rolled his eyes upward when the elevator door opened. He thanked his lucky stars to see it was empty; he can curse.

“Dad, please.”

“It was a suggestion Benjamin,” his dad said.

“Okay Dad.” Ben said.

The door opened and he was faced again with the chaos of Street Times. He saw George Hart waving him from his office and motioning him to enter. He waved back.

“Dad, I have to go,” he said.

“Okay, be careful Benjamin.”

“I will Dad,” he said.

“Sweetie!” his mom’s voice again.

“Mom.”

“Call me before leaving okay?”

“Yes Mom” he said.

“Do you want us to take to the airport?” his mom asked.

“No Mom, I’ll be fine. Just enjoy the sun there.”

“Okay Sweetie! Careful! We love you Ben!”

“Love you too. Bye Mom!”

He pushed the end call button and strode towards George Hart’s office.

Chapter Five

Missed Nu Hai

Five days later, Ben woke up and decided to visit a temple before leaving New York. He put on jeans and a simple, blue polo shirt. While walking the streets, he saw Daisy’s and decided to stop by first.

He wanted to see Ermaline before heading to Asia. The past week was nothing really special. They hardly talked, just a nod of the head and a smile. It was hardly the Benjamin his parents knew. Benjamin always talked. Talking got him his job. But with Ermaline, something was holding him back. It was something that felt like strange reverence or respect or an unfathomable attraction. It was something Benjamin still can’t explain.

He opened the door of the diner. His eyes instantly sought Ermaline’s table. It was empty. His heart fell but then again, it was still early. She might come in later.

He sat in his favorite place- in front of the counter. Waitresses were talking to customers on tables and booths. He rang the little bell on the counter and called out.

“Daisy! Yohoo!!!” he called. “You favorite customer is here.”

Daisy hurriedly came out from the kitchen. She looked past him and roamed her eyes around her place. She frowned at him.

“No. My favorite customer is not here,” she said.

Ben placed his two hands on his chest and clutched his shirt.

“Ouch!” he said while his eyes twinkled mischievously.

Daisy laughed and pulled a chair to sit in front of him.

“ Coffee and bagels on Sunday?” Daisy asked.

“Nah. An omelet with three eggs, French toast and a some fancy cappuccino. For one please,” he said with a flourish.

“Right. Johnny!” Daisy called somebody from the kitchen.

A large, bearded man with a pink apron came from the back.

“Got an assistant now.” Daisy whispered.

“Hmmm… Good business. I see it now.” Ben said.

“Come ‘er!” Daisy gestured to the large man.

“Give ‘ole Ben here a three egg omelet and French toast,” she said.

The man smiled at Ben and went back to the kitchen. Daisy made the cappuccino in front of him.

“Daisy, where’s…” he nodded his head toward the booth. “Ermaline?”

Daisy placed the cup in front of him.

“She doesn’t come on Sundays… Usually.” Daisy replied.

“Oh…” he remarked.

Daisy stared at him with amusement.

“Disappointed?” she asked.

“What? Oh no…Just… I thought… You know…” Ben stammered.

“Oh yeah, I know what breaking words mean,” she said. “Don’t worry, she’ll be here tomorrow.”

Daisy patted his shoulder. Benjamin scratched his chin.

“Yeah, Daisy…The thing is… I’m leaving tomorrow,” he said. “For Asia.”

“Leaving? Asia?” Daisy asked.

“Just an assignment, three weeks or a month at most,” he explained.

“Oh, that’s why you want to have a little tattle-bye-bye and a go-see before leaving huh?” she said.

He picked up the cup and sipped the coffee.

“Something like that,” he said.

Daisy sighed.

“It’s a bad day for you Benjamin.” Daisy said.

Benjamin gave a little laugh of disappointment.

“Uh, well, maybe when I get back.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll tell Ermaline.”

“Really? You will?”

“Yep. Where in Asia anyway?” Daisy asked.

“Philippines then Taiwan. Japan and India’s in my list I think after that.”

Daisy looked at him with amazement.

“Wow! You’re Mr. Big Reporter indeed.”

Benjamin shrugged.

“Nah, not really. I’m just getting started.”

Benjamin’s breakfast came- a steaming plate of eggs and toast.

“Well, I’ll let you eat your breakfast in peace,” Daisy said. “Have a nice trip Ben.”

Ben picked up his fork and smiled.

“Thanks.”

He ate his omelet and peered at the booth. So she really isn’t coming in today. He felt a great pang of disappointment, more than what he showed in front of Daisy. He really, really wanted to see her today and to talk to her. He hoped she’ll still be here when he comes back.

He finished his breakfast and waved to Daisy when he stepped outside. When a taxi stopped in front of him, he gave another glance at the diner and got in.

“Hi!” he said to the driver. “Chinatown?”

“Sure.”

Ben looked out the window and hoped to see Ermaline but it seemed he’ll never see her before leaving New York. His phone rang while the car moved.

“Ben?”

It was his mother’s voice.

“Mom,” he said.

“Where are you?” she asked.

“I’m in a cab Mom,” he replied.

“Take the bus, it’s cheaper.”

Ben laughed. It seemed like his mother adopted his father’s thriftiness.

“Mom, why did you call?”

“I just wanted to check. Have you packed?” she asked.

“Yes. Everything’s ready Mom, my money, passport, my cards, everything.”

“I was just asking,” she said.

“I know Mom.”

“Take care then and say hi to Grandma for me. Send me a postcard.”

“Mom, you have an email. I can send you pictures in minutes.”

“Oh, that’s right. Well then, send me pictures.”

“I will Mom. Take care too, you and Dad,” he said.

Then his mother hanged up the phone. Ben sighed and smiled. His parents were more excited than he was. He knew his father was anxious about his meeting with his grandmother.

The taxi stopped in front of a small Buddhist temple in Chinatown. He paid the driver and got out. He wasn’t Buddhist but his father was. He knew the rituals and he wanted to prepare himself. He went inside. He kowtowed in front of the image and lighted the incense candles. He bowed three times and prayed for a safe journey.

That same morning inside the diner, just ten minutes after Benjamin left, the door opened and Ermaline stepped in.

Daisy saw her came in and exclaimed, “Oh! You’re here! What luck!”

Ermaline smiled at her. Daisy went to the booth to serve her herself.

“Oh, Ermaline. Ben wanted to talk to you today.” Daisy said.

Ermaline gave a look of surprise.

“Really?”

Daisy nodded.

“He said he was leaving tomorrow for Asia, an assignment he said,” Daisy continued.

“Where is he going?” Ermaline calmly asked.

“Philippines he said and Taiwan and other exotic Asian countries.”

Ermaline nodded.

“You’ll see him anyway when he gets back after few weeks.” Daisy said.

Ermaline smiled and Daisy went away to tend another customer. Unexpectedly, Benjamin was making his own steps. Unconsciously, Benjamin was slowly revealing the truth. Ermaline may just have to make her own moves this time, just supervise him a bit. God knows, she waited long enough.

Chapter Six

Nan Hai in Asia

Manila, Philippines

“Boss, yosi po?” a small boy, about nine years of age asked Benjamin. He was standing on a pew waiting for a friend. He’d been in the Philippines for four days and still wasn’t used to seeing children on the streets.

“What?” he asked back.

The little boy stared at him.

“Ah, poriner” he said.

He thrust his box of cigarettes and candies towards Ben.

“Cigarettes?” he asked with a forceful pronunciation.

The boy was surprisingly smart.

“Ah no, I don’t smoke,” Ben said.

The boy frowned in disappointment. Ben felt a tug of guilt.

“But…” he added. “I’ll have four candies.”

The little boy smiled and gave him four menthol candies.

“Two pesos Sir,” he said holding up two fingers for him to see.

He fished a five peso coin from his pocket and gave it to the boy.

“Here,” he said.

“Keep the change Sir?” the boy asked.

Ben laughed. The little boy was really smart.

“Yes, yes, keep it.”

The boy skipped away happily.

Ben sighed and observed the hot streets of Manila. He didn’t mind the heat. He was used to heat in California. He roamed his eyes taking note of the way people interact. He made a mental note to include his experience with the little boy. He was done with George’s request, just needed a little revision.

“Ben!” somebody called him.

He was so startled from his thoughts that he dropped the candies he was holding. He bent to pick it up. When he got up, he saw a young woman from the corner of his eye.

“Hey Ben!” it was his friend who got out from a red Avanza car.

Ben smiled in greeting. He walked towards his friend, paused then looked back. He couldn’t shake the feeling of seeing that young woman. She had a striking resemblance to Ermaline. She looked so much like Ermaline but that’s impossible. Ermaline was miles and miles away in New York, on the other side of the globe.

He gave a little laugh. He just missed her and regretted the fact that they didn’t talk before he left. He wanted to have a memory of them talking but he might have that later after this little assignment.

“Ben, sorry we’re a little late,” his friend said.

“It’s okay,” he said.

They got in the car. His friend drove the car while he silently watched the streets.

“So Ben, have you bought enough?” his friend asked.

“Yeah, I have plenty for Mom. I couldn’t choose.” Ben said referring to the souvenirs and other goodies he bought.

“Have you packed?” his friend asked again.

They stopped in front of his hotel.

“I didn’t really unpack so yeah I’m already packed.” Ben said.

They laughed as he got out of the car.

“Thanks for driving me here,” Ben said.

“You’re welcome,” his Filipino friend said.

They met when he still in California. Joseph was a Filipino who studied in the same university with him in California then went back to the Philippines after graduation to manage a family business.

“Come to New York, I’ll drive for you,” he said. Then he remembered something, “But don’t come soon, my car’s still stolen.”

Joseph laughed and patted his back.

“Are you sure you don’t want to eat dinner in my house?” Joseph asked.

“No thanks, I’ve got to finish my paper and email it to George and sleep early. I have an early flight.” Ben said.

“Your flight’s 8 in the morning,” Joseph said.

“See. That’s early.” Ben said.

“Alright then,” Joseph gave a little salute. “See you in New York.”

“Bye Joe!” Ben said.

“Bye!”

Benjamin watched as Joseph drove his car. He went inside the hotel when he lost sight of the car.

He looked at his watch and saw that it was almost six in the afternoon. He decided to eat dinner inside the hotel’s restaurant rather than going out. He might have to write until ten in the evening.

He stopped to sit in the hotel’s lobby and decided to call his parents first before eating. He dialed 1. Their home number was on his speed dial. He waited while the phone rang. It was early morning in California and he knew both of his parents were already awake.

“Hello.”

It was his father’s voice.

“Dad! It’s me,” he said.

“Benjamin, my boy!” his father exclaimed.

“Dad, I’ll be in Taiwan tomorrow,” he said.

“You called your Aunty?”

“No, I wanted to surprise them Dad.”

“Ah, you have to call or you’ll be surprised. Ah Bu might not let you stay in her house.”

“Dad, it’s okay. I have a reservation at the hotel. The company pays for it,” he said.

“Ah, of course, surprise them then.”

Ben couldn’t help but laugh again. His father, without him knowing, was the family’s real comedian with his impeccable timing and surprising lines.

“I just wanted to let you know. Where’s Mom?” he asked.

“She’s out in the beach.”

“What’s she’s doing out there in this hour?” he asked.

“Your mother is jogging.”

“Jogging? Mom?” he asked in disbelief.

He couldn’t imagine his mother doing any kind of exercise. She was too carefree to bother with any form of exercise.

“When did this jogging started Dad?”

“Just today Ben. She woke up and decided to jog,” his father said.

“Just today huh. Well, you know what that means.” he said.

“I know son. Your mother’s jogging is only for today. This happened when you were in middle school remember?” his father continued.

While his father was talking, Ben saw a young woman quickly walked past him. He tried to catch the face but she was already gone.

“Your mother had another attack of insecurity last night. She wanted to slim down again. You know this will never--“ Ben interrupted his father.

“Dad, I’m sorry. Something came up and I have to go.”

His father sighed.

“Of course, of course. Be careful when you face Ah Bu,” his father warned him.

“I will Dad. Say Hi to Mom for me. Bye Dad!”

“Bye son!”

He placed his phone in his pocket. Ben got up and followed the path of the young woman. Was that Ermaline? It’s really impossible. Ben was frustrated because he couldn’t have anyone check on her at the diner. Peter might call him crazy and Daisy might think something was wrong with him. And George? Well, never mind George.

He searched the first floor of the hotel where he thought he saw the young woman. He didn’t see anybody which bored a resemblance to her.

He decided to eat dinner at the second floor restaurant of the hotel. He opted for a heavy dinner since he’d be doing a lot of thinking that night.

While Benjamin was cutting his big piece of steak, he was unaware of someone watching him from the back. Finally, Benjamin was moving on. Tomorrow, Benjamin’s life might change.

Chapter Seven

Nan Hai Coming Home

Taipei, Taiwan

Benjamin dragged his bag on the smooth, tiled floor at the airport. When he was out of the airport, he paused and inhaled the tangy, bittersweet smell of memories of Taipei. He faced the brilliant sun and remembered his grandmother from 12 years ago. He might not remember the exact places but he felt like coming home when he stepped on the grounds of Taiwan.

He waited for a taxi like his father suggested. He hoped his Mandarin would be enough to get him to his grandmother’s home. He hoped it’s Mandarin since most of them speak native Taiwanese. Then he decided to stop by the hotel first.

A taxi stopped in front of him. Benjamin bent to the driver’s window and the rolled his window down.

“Excuse me, can you umm…” Ben pointed the name of the hotel to the driver from his brochure.

When he was still a child, Benjamin had a problem reading Chinese characters and it was never cured. He smiled at the driver. The driver nodded.

“Shi,” the driver said.

Ben smiled.

“Shi? Yes? Yes, yes.”

Ben opened the back door and placed his bag inside. He opened the door beside the driver and got in.

When Benjamin got in his room in the hotel, he checked his emails from George. It was great. George received his mails and was carefully reviewing them. He hoped there would be little hitch since it was his first time to officially write for Street Times. He was getting paid for it after all.

After checking his mails, Ben decided to finally face his father’s greatest “fear”- Ah Bu. He certainly hoped his grandmother changed. He waited for a taxi again outside the hotel.

He waved a taxi. The driver rolled the window down.

“Zhao An! (Morning!)” He greeted the driver.

The driver smiled. Ah! A friendly face, Ben thought. And a little English, he hoped.

“Longshan Temple?” he asked the driver.

“Shi,” the driver replied.

“Great! “ Ben exclaimed.

He was going to Longsham Temple, or rather making it a first stop. He was following his father’s order after all. He might really need that time to think. Benjamin got inside the taxi.

From the corner of the hotel, someone was silently watching him and smiled when Ben mentioned Longshan Temple. It looked like Benjamin wasn’t taking his own sweet time. He was heading for the bunking gold of truth.

The taxi stopped in front of Longhsan Temple. Ben paid the driver and got out. He could see a number of tourists in the temple. He could play a tourist later. For now, he needs to face Ah Bu.

He walked the wide road heading towards Ximen. He was accompanied by bikers. Some were old and others were teenagers who made it a race.

He remembered twelve years ago when Ah Bu struggled to find him a bicycle so he could play with other Taiwanese children and with his cousins. They knew very little English but they didn’t need English to play with him. He remembered a lot of laughter back then.

He also remembered a lot of shouting back then, from Ah Bu, from his mother and the silent protest of his father. It was pretty funny listening to their fights. Ah Bu was constantly chattering in her native Taiwanese and his mother Joan talking in non-stop English. Not one of them understood what the other was saying but one thing was clear, they were not friends.

This animosity grew even more when his dad sent money to Ah Bu and days later, it was sent back. Benjamin hoped to repair a little of that relationship.

Benjamin stopped walking when three yards ahead of him he saw the yellow house with a big oak door- Ah Bu’s home. He gave a deep sigh and headed towards his grandmother’s home.

He paused in front of the door. Unconsciously, he smoothed his shirt. He knocked three times and waited. He heard a loud chatter from the inside and an approaching step to the door. He gave one step backward as the door opened.

An old woman wearing black sweatpants, white, plain blouse and a pink rubber slipper opened the door. She aged a lot and looked really older than he remembered.

Ben smiled, “Ah Bu” he said.

The door slammed in his face. He sighed. His grandmother never changed. He raised his fist and knocked again three times. He placed his ear on the door and heard a much louder conversation. The door opened again.

This time a younger woman who’s a little shy of 50 opened the door. She was wearing jeans, a flowery blouse and high heels. It was his aunt, Ah Jie, the third child of Ah Bu and his father’s closest sibling.

“Benjamin!” she exclaimed.

“Popo! Aunty! Ni hao?” Ben happily said.

Ah Jie opened the door wider.

“We’re fine. Come in. Dui bu qi. You know how Ah Bu is,” she apologized.

Benjamin nodded and smiled. Benjamin stepped inside the foyer and saw that everything stayed the same. Especially Ah Bu who was sitting on a sofa in a corner. She was quietly watching him.

“Grandma?”Ben called to her.

Ah Bu looked at him. She got up. She might look older but she was still surprisingly strong. She opened her arms wide. Benjamin smiled and went to his grandmother. He hugged her tight and smelled the familiar scent of lemons his grandmother always carried with her.

“Ah Bu! How are you?” he asked.

She just smiled and nodded. She couldn’t speak English very well but could understand some words.

“She’s fine Benjamin,” his aunt said. “As you can see she’s still strong and keeps on wondering when she’ll see you again. And here you are. Why didn’t call first? We could have arranged something for you?”

“There’s no need. I just wanted to surprise you,” Ben said.

“Are you here just to visit?” his aunt asked.

His grandmother just kept on smiling while looking at him and holding on to his arm.

“Yes and I’m actually here on an assignment,” he explained.

“Assignment?”

“A job. I’m a reporter now. I was sent here… to Asia I mean. I just came from the Philippines.”

“Zhen de? (Really?)” his aunt said. “How long will you be staying here? Where will you stay?”

“Maybe 3 days, a week at most. I’m staying at the hotel,” he shrugged. “Company expense.”

“Of course. You cousins are not here, they’re at work. I’m the only one who stays with Ah Bu.”

“That’s alright Popo.”

“Wait here. I’ll make you some tea. “

Her aunt left the living room and went to the kitchen. Benjamin turned to his grandmother. She smiled and patted his hand.

“Grandma, I missed you,” he said.

Her grandmother carefully mouthed the words, “Me too.”

Benjamin smiled and appreciated the effort of his grandmother’s English. He was about to say something when his phone rang.

He held his grandmother’s hand said, “Dui bu qi Grandma. Excuse me.”

He pressed the call button.

“Yes?”

“Benjamin?”

It was his father. Benjamin felt a sense of nostalgia hearing his father’s voice on the line while looking at his grandmother’s face.

“Dad.”

His grandmother looked at him.

“Are you with Ah Bu?”

“Yes Dad, I’m right here with her,” he said.

“Is it alright if we talk?” his dad asked.

“Dad! Of course,” Ben said. “I’ll put you on speaker.”

Ben pressed the loudspeaker button and his father’s voice filled the living room.

“Ah Bu? Ah Bu?” his father asked.

His grandmother looked at Benjamin as if reprimanding him and she gave a deep sigh.

“Ah Bu?” his father asked again.

His grandmother still didn’t answer. She just shook his head.

“Grandma, come on!” Ben urged.

His grandmother sat still and glared at him. Ben turned off the loudspeaker and spoke with his father.

“I don’t think she’s ready yet Dad,” he said.

“I already told you Benjamin.”

“I know Dad but I hoped you can smoothen things out before I leave or you can come here yourself.”

At that moment his aunt entered the room carrying a tray of tea. She placed them on a low table when Benjamin gestured for her to come closer.

“It’s Dad,” he told her.

His aunt took the phone.

“Wei!” she said. “Qui Ling!”

His aunt and his father talked for few minutes. His grandmother poured him a cup of tea and drop few drops of honey in his cup. She offered him the cup.

“Xie xie Grandma.”

He took the cup from her and took a sip.

“As always, delicious Grandma,” he said.

While taking a second sip, his eyes fell on a small photo tintype standing on a corner desk. It looked really old and looked as if it was sketch in the 19^th century. And the face looked achingly familiar to him. He didn’t remember seeing that photo before.

“Grandma, who is that?”

He pointed towards the photo. Her grandmother turned to look at what he was pointing. She got up and took the framed photo. She sat down and carefully traced with her fingers the face of whoever was inside the frame.

“Zhang Chun Mei,” his grandmother said.

“Who is she?” he asked.

“Ah Bu’s great grandmother,” his aunt said who handed his phone back to him.

“Really?” he turned to his grandmother. “Why didn’t I know about this before?”

His grandmother suddenly got up and went to her room.

“What? Did I say something?” he asked his aunt.

“It’s a touchy subject with Ah Bu. There’s a family legend behind that picture. I’ll tell you about it another time,” his aunt said. “Would you like to stay for lunch?”

He looked at the time.

“I can’t Popo. I have an appointment with one of the reporters here. We’re going someplace for the rest of the day,” he said.

His aunt nodded.

“Come again tomorrow,” she said.

“I will. I will.”

He got up and looked towards Ah Bu’s bedroom.

“Grandma…” he began.

“She’s resting. Don’t worry, you can talk again tomorrow,” she said.

They walked towards the door. Her aunt opened the door.

“Bye Popo. See you tomorrow.”

Her aunt waved as he walked towards the main road.

“Benjamin!” her aunt called.

Benjamin looked at her.

Her aunt shouted, “I called you a taxi.”

A taxi stopped in front of him. Ben bowed towards her aunt and shouted back, “Xie xie!”

He opened the taxi’s door and got in. He smiled remembering his grandmother. While the taxi moved, he drank in the scenery that was before him. Bikers were moving beside cars. In this place, tradition and modern trends seemed to mix very well.

The taxi paused for few seconds. He looked out the window and saw a young woman in traditional clothes walking towards the temple. For a moment, he was startled to realize that the woman looked like his great, great, great grandmother in the photo. He shook his head and the woman disappeared. It must have been his imagination.

Chapter Eight

Nan Hai and Nu Hai

At three in the afternoon the next day, Benjamin was driving a rented car towards Ximen. He would see his grandmother again and maybe his cousins as well.

He was nearing Ximen when he decided to stop by Longshan Temple. He parked his car where some tourists were also parked. He got out and noticed that there fewer people that day. He went inside to light some incense and to have his fortune told. Just for fun, he thought.

When Benjamin went inside, a young woman closely followed him with a look. Today would be that day. She smiled meaningfully. A monk passed by him and she bowed three times as a sign of respect. The monk bowed in return.

Benjamin walked towards his rented car and pondered on what the monk said to him. He was standing inside the temple, ready to light the incense when a monk approached him.

In clear English voice he said, “The sun rises today, open your eyes and do not fear it.”

“What?” he asked. But the monk already walked away.

He started the ignition and drove towards the yellow house. While driving, he saw a young woman walking beside the road. When the young woman sensed a car driving beside her she slightly turned her head. Ben rolled his windows to look at her. When she saw his face, she quickly ran in the opposite direction.

“What was that about?” he silently thought.

His car stopped in front of his grandmother’s house. Even before he got out, the door opened and he was welcomed by his aunt.

“Yours?” she asked.

“Rented,” he answered.

They hugged and went inside the house.

“Ah Bu’s waiting. She wants me to tell you something,” his aunt said.

“What is it?”He asked.

“Ah Bu wants me say it in front of her,” she replied.

They went inside and he saw his grandmother already sipping her tea in the living room. When she saw him, her face brightened and gestured for him to sit down beside her. He went to her, bowed and sat beside her.

“Drink tea,” she said.

He accepted the cup.

“Xie xie,” he said. “What do you want to tell my Grandma?”

She gestured for his aunt to sit with them.

“Shi. Shi Ah Bu” his aunt said. “Wo zhi dao Ah Bu. (I know.) Hao de.”

Ah Jie faced him. She sipped her tea first before speaking.

“Benjamin, what I’m going to tell you is just a legend,” his aunt begun.

His grandmother placed her palm on his aunt’s arm.

“Ah Bu believes it’s true,” she continued. “I need to tell you this, according to Ah Bu, because she said her grandmother’s visiting her ever since you came.”

Chills begun surrounded him after hearing this and he felt his back hairs standing on one end.

“But Ah Bu, I just arrived yesterday,” he said to his grandmother.

His grandmother nodded and said, “Shi.”

“Ah Bu said she came just after you left this house yesterday. I don’t know why she thinks this way but she said I have to tell you because you need to know,” her aunt sighed.

“It happened right here in Taipei. In 1899…” she began.

Taipei, Taiwan (Formosa) 1899

Xing Zhu Tian ran after the girl who was heading deeper into the forest. He clutched his black robes tighter as he met tall shrubs.

“Mei mei!” he shouted.

He stopped running when he saw her sprawled on the soil. She was lying unconsciously. It seemed like she tripped on a large, fallen branch of tree and fell unconscious.

He cautiously approached her and leaned down. He gently touched her shoulder and shook her.

“Mei mei?” he asked. “Wake up.”

He gently turned her over and checked her for blood. He saw a small bruise forming on her cheek. He looked around but they were alone in the forest. There was no one to ask for help. He cautiously cradled her head, lifted her body and gently placed her on his back. Zhu Tian carried her to his home.

He was walking for almost forty five minutes when he saw their backyard. His mother was busy chopping wood when he arrived.

“Ah Ma! Ah Ma!” he shouted as he entered the yard.

He struggled carrying the girl who was still unconscious. His mother stood up as soon as she heard him shouting.

“Shen me? (What?)” His mother shouted back.

When she saw the girl behind his back, she quickly dropped the axe and ran to him.

“Shui shi ta? (Who is she?),” his mother asked.

“Mei mei,” he replied.

“Shui? (Who?)” her mother asked again.

“Zhang Chun Mei,” he replied.

His mother shrugged. They brought her inside and laid her on a straw mat.

“Give me a basin of water and a clean cloth,” his mother ordered.

“Shi,” Zhu Tian said.

His mother carefully cleaned her body and changed her clothes while Zhu Tian finished chopping the woods.

“She’s still sleeping,” her mother said. “Who is she Tian Tian?”

“She’s Zhang Chun Mei,” he said.

“I know that’s her name. But who is she? Where is she from?” his mother asked again.

“Wo bu zhi dao. (I don’t know.)” he said.

“Where did you meet her?”

“In the forest, she was running blindly. I think I scared but I don’t know why,” he said.

They heard a small rustle inside the hut. They looked at each other.

“Ah Ma, I think she’s awake,” Zhu Tian said.

“Come, let’s talk to her,” his mother said.

They got up and went inside the house. Zhang Chun Mei sat on the bed and rubbed her aching temple and forehead.

“What happened?” she silently asked.

“You tripped Mei Mei,” Zhu Tian answered him from behind.

She turned and grabbed the edge of the blanket.

“I will not hurt you,” he said.

His mother appeared beside him.

“This is my mother. She changed your clothes and bathe you,” he continued.

Chun Mei gave a slight bow of her head to his mother. His mother bowed back.

“Who are you?” his mother asked.

“My name is Zhang Chun Mei,” she said.

“Where are your parents?” his mother continued asking.

Chun Mei gave a little shake of her head.

“You are an orphan?” Zhu Tian asked.

Chun Mei looked at him and nodded. Zhu Tian looked at his mother sadly.

“Where do you live?” he asked.

“Ximen,” she said.

Zhu Tian smiled and said, “This is Ximen.”

“Wo zhi dao,” she said.

“Where in Ximen? We can take you home,” he offered.

She shook her head.

“Mei you. Mer guan xi. (No. Don’t worry.) I can go home myself,” she said.

Zhu Tian looked at his mother then to her.

“But… but the Japanese might be…” he trailed.

Chun Mei looked him and smiled.

“Aren’t they our friends?” she asked.

Zhu Tian rubbed his temple and sighed. He doesn’t need to tell her that the one Japanese man killed his father. Does she know how dangerous Formosa is right now? She seemed confident enough with the Japanese. She might be an ally.

Zhu Tian carefully chose his next words.

“Of course. Of course.”

“I have to go. Someone is waiting for me,” she said.

She slowly got up then bowed in front of them.

“Xie xie for taking care of me,” she said.

They bowed back.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?” Zhu Tian asked.

“Shi. I am sorry for bothering you,” she said.

Zhu Tian’s mother waved her hand to signal that it was okay.

“I have to go,” she repeated.

They saw her out and watched as she slowly walked. They watched her until she disappeared from their sight.

Zhang Chun Mei walked the dusty roads and scanned the area for fearing of seeing anybody who might recognize her. She had been careless today. The young man who noticed her didn’t really know her. He was merely curious. She had been the beauty of the town long time ago. She was so careless that she panicked when she saw him approaching her.

She was walking when she saw a group of Japanese soldiers heading in her direction. She quickly changed her path and headed towards the forest. This path was faster anyway. She had to avoid the Japanese. They might bring her greater trouble if they discovered who she really was. Or rather what she really was.

She was near the edge of the forest. She was so relieved to see the old hut where she and her sister lived for many, many years.

An old woman, about 60 years old, came out holding a basket of vegetables. She glared at her but when she saw the torn cheongsam in her hand; she dropped the basket and ran to her.

“Jie jie, what happened?” she asked Chun Mei.

“Nothing happened. I just tripped,” she explained. “Why did you go out? You know it’s dangerous for you,” the old woman said. “What are you wearing?”

They looked at the farmer’s clothes she was wearing.

“A nice woman lend it to me,” she said.

“You talked to somebody?” the old woman asked.

“I tripped. Somebody found me. I had to,” Chun Mei explained. “And I met somebody.”

Chun Mei looked dreamingly at a distance.

“Jie jie, is he an old man?” her sister asked.

“No, he is young,” she said.

“That’s even worse,” her sister said. “Does he know what you are?”

Chun Mei flinched.

“Of course not,” she said.

“Don’t tell him. If you want to see him, you have to tell him but please, don’t see him.”

“Wei!” she reacted.

“If you want to see him, tell him how old you are,” then her sister picked up the basket and went inside the hut.

Chun Mei sat on the small, wooden chair outside the hut. She sat thoughtfully. She thought about the event of the day. Then she thought about her curse. She thought about Zhu Tian caring for her safety. She laughed. She’s safer than him. Chun Mei wanted to see Zhu Tian again. Her sister might be against it but she just have to see him again.

The next day, Chun Mei quietly slipped from the hut. Her sister was still sleeping. She’s really getting old. She dreaded the day her sister will be leaving her. They always leave her.

She was standing behind a tree in front of Zhu Tian’s house. She just wanted to see him. That’s all. Then Zhu Tian came out of the house wearing his black robes and a cap again. He was holding a scroll in his left hand. She didn’t even get to ask him. He might be a student. When he was near the tree that was beside the dirt road, Chun Mei struggled to hide herself. It was almost perfect when she stepped on a pebble.

“Aaah!” she suddenly cried out.

Zhu Tian turned to look at her.

“Mei Mei you’re back!” he seemed genuinely pleased to see her.

She shyly smiled and bowed. He bowed back.

“Are you going to study?” she asked pointing to the scroll he was holding.

“Ah this?” he held the scroll up. “Yes, I study philosophy. Why are you here?

Chun Mei just shrugged her shoulders.

“Come on, I’ll take you to town,” he held out his hand.

She looked at his hand then at his face.

“Town?” she asked.

He nodded. She’d love to go to town. It’s been a long time since she saw the town. She wondered what changes took place since the Japanese came.

“No, I can’t. Not to town,” she disappointingly said.

Somebody will surely recognize her in town.

“How about a picnic in the forest?” he asked her.

She smiled.

“Yes,” she said.

He smiled back.

“Wait here,” he said. Then he ran back home. When he came back few minutes later, the scroll was gone and in his hand was a wrapped cloth with food inside.

“What about your studies?” she asked.

“I’ll go later this afternoon,” he said then he winked at her.

He held out his hand. She took it and they skipped to the forest.

Everyday, for almost three months, they skipped to the forest. They brought picnic, sometimes there was no food. Sometimes they played in the fields, rolled on meadows and swam in the river. Most of the time, they just talked.

Their friendship turned into something deeper. Zhang Chun Mei was drowned in happiness that she almost forgot who she really was. One morning, reality bite her and her real self was revealed to Zhu Tian. They were playing on the river when it happened.

“Tian Tian! Catch me!” she shouted to him who was standing on the other side of the river.

Chun Mei didn’t realize that she was standing at the edge of the river which ended on a tall waterfall.

“Tian Tian!” she called again.

“Wait for me!” he called back.

Her foot gave one slip and she wobbled as she lost her balance.

“Mei Mei!!!” Zhu Tian shouted with fear.

He quickly hurried to her side. But he was too late, Chun Mei dropped almost 50 feet below. Zhu Tian looked down and found her lying on the river floor below. Her head hit a huge rock.

Zhu Tian quickly went down. It took him a long time climbing down. When he got down, he was already sobbing with fear.

He ran to Chun Mei while tears kept on flowing down his cheeks. His vision was getting blurred because of his tears. He splashed waters as he sat down beside Chun Mei who not making any movements. Zhu Tian cradled her head and found blood. Crimson red filled his hands. His hand trembled as he cried even more. He felt her hand for a pulse but he couldn’t detect any.

He left her lying on the river floor as he stumbled in despair. He sobbed incessantly with his hand on his head.

“Chun Mei… Mei…Mei…” he kept on calling her in a broken voice.

Suddenly, he heard a movement behind him. When he turned around, he was so shocked to find Chun Mei already sitting and rubbing her head.

“Mei Mei are you alright?” he asked.

Chun Mei was so startled to hear his voice. She didn’t realize that he was still here. She panicked as she struggled for an explanation.

“I…I…I…It’s…” she mumbled.

“I saw the blood. You had no pulse and…” Zhu Tian held her face in his hand. “What happened to you Mei Mei? I should take you to a physician.”

She panicked and held his hand.

“No! I’m alright,” she said.

“You are not alright Mei Mei. You should’ve been dead right now. And I thank God you are not,” he said.

“I’m alright Tian Tian. I really am,” she insisted.

A large frown crossed Zhu Tian’s forehead.

“I don’t understand,” he said.

Chun Mei gave a heavy sigh. She had no choice now. Zhu Tian had to know the truth. She knew she could trust him with her secret.

“Listen to me Tian Tian,” she held his hand. “You cannot absolutely tell anybody what I’m going to tell you. It’s my great secret. My mimi, do you understand?”

Zhu Tian nodded who was still confused.

“Forty five years ago,” she began. “When the Japanese first set foot in Formosa, some soldiers were ruthless. One day, they came to Ximen. Two girls were playing in the meadow when a group of Japanese soldiers found them. The other girl was very young, she was only eight and the other one was a young lady. She was sixteen and was arranged to marry a nice, stable young man.”

Chun Mei gulped some air and struggled to get the words out. Zhu Tian looked at her and followed her words closely.

“They chased the girls. They had very bad intentions; you can see it in their eyes. They wanted to take the most precious thing from the girls,” Chun Mei continued. “They were being chased when they met an old lady. She was rumored to be a witch according to the village folks. When they saw her, they wanted to ask for help but they were also very afraid.”

Chun Mei looked at the distance while she rubbed her head.

“Then the old woman gave them a small bottle. She told them to drink it when danger is very close. Then the old woman quickly ran. The two girls ran as fast they could when they heard the footsteps of the Japanese men. The young lady ran and her skirt caught a branch. She told her sister to run away as fast she could. Her little sister ran and escaped but the young lady was trapped.

When she saw the Japanese coming closer, she quickly opened and drank the liquid inside it. It tasted bitter.”

Zhu Tian looked at Chun Mei who was emotionally telling the story. He was still confused to where the story was heading.

“She felt something clutching her throat and she couldn’t breathe. When the Japanese men came, her mouth was already forming. Thinking that she was just acting, the Japanese men laughed and slowly they started pining her on the ground. One by one, they used her then left her almost dying on that dirt road.”

A lone tear escaped Chun Mei’s eye. Zhu Tian used his hand to wipe it away.

“When the young lady gained consciousness, she felt very dirty but she also felt something powerful within her. She walked painfully on that dirt road and met her sister who was hiding on a bush half a mile away. She couldn’t tell anybody. It would be a disgrace to her family and her betrothed might not want her anymore. She tried to be strong and kept everything to herself.”

Chun Mei gave a deep, heavy sigh.

“That night, the two girls went home. They slept and thought of burying everything in the past. Her little sister slept under the young lady’s bed that night because of her nightmares. The next morning she woke up, she went to her parents’ room and was horrified to find everyone in the house murdered. She screamed and screamed. When the little girl came out under the bed, she screamed and pointed to her body. The lady’s night gown was full of blood and it was torn. When she checked her body, there were no wounds or any marks.”

Chun Mei stood up and extended her right hand to Zhu Tian.

“Come with me,” she said.

“Where are we going?” he asked, startled to have the story cut off but an impossible idea was already forming in his mind.

“I need you to meet someone,” she said.

“What about the story?” he asked.

She just kept quiet. When they reached the edge of the forest, Zhu Tian saw the small, simple hut.

“You live here?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Mei Mei!” she called out.

“Are you calling yourself?” he asked.

“No.”

“Mei Mei!” she called again.

The old woman came out from the hut. She took one look at her clothes and at the young man.

In horror, she exclaimed, “You told him?”

“I had to,” Chun Mei calmly said.

Zhu Tian looked at the old woman and bowed his head. The woman bowed back.

“Tian Tian, this,” she gestured her hand at the old woman. “is the little girl.”

Zhu Tian stared at the old woman in shock.

“And Tian Tian,” she continued. “That young lady was me.”

Zhu Tian couldn’t seem to form any words. He was speechless for several minutes and just stared at them in shock.

“You can run away now,” Chun Mei said.

“What?” he looked up. “No…I…”

Then tears started forming on his eyes.

“I am so sorry. What you went through was horrible…just horrible…” his voice started breaking.

“Do you hate me now?” she asked.

“No, I don’t hate you…I…just don’t know what…” he couldn’t speak again.

“Tian Tian, it’s getting late. Your mother might be looking for you,” Chun Mei said.

Zhu Tian looked at the darkening sky.

“But you’re…” he stared at her bloodied head.

“I’ll be fine. It happened before,” she said.

Still trying to take in the situation, Zhu Tian slowly walked home. He was already few meters away when he turned back and shouted.

“Chun Mei!!!” he shouted.

Chun Mei looked at him.

“Wo ai ni!” he shouted again. Then he ran home.

Chun Mei tears formed again. She looked at sister and sighed heavily.

After that incident, Chun Mei and Zhu Tian seemed inseparable than ever. However, Chun Mei knew it was a doomed relationship. It all fell apart on the joyous day of her life. One day, they found out that she was pregnant. For nine long months, Chun Mei stayed in the hut to take care of herself. Zhu Tian never missed a day without visiting. They both knew that marriage would never happen.

Then that fateful day came, their daughter was born. They named her Xing Zi Yi. She gave birth one early morning. Her little sister and Zhu Tian were there for her. She was nursing her newborn baby when they heard a commotion outside.

The town folks were outside their hut with a group of Japanese soldiers. When she came out, the people started shouting.

“That’s her! The witch who curses the town people and makes them sick!” they shouted.

So the epidemic in town is being blamed on her.

“Zhu Tian, what are you doing there with her? Get out!” somebody shouted to him.

Quickly, Chun Mei gathered her baby and gave her to his sister.

“Mei Mei! Run as fast you can and please let my baby live!” she sobbed.

Her sister nodded but returned with fear in her eyes.

“Jie Jie, they have fire. The witch said fire could kill you,” she said.

“It’s okay. I have lived long enough. Let my baby live. Go!” she pushed them towards the back.

Then she bravely faced the crowd.

“Zhu Tian,” she said. “Go now!”

“No!” he exclaimed.

He was going to say more when somebody stabbed him from his side.

“Nooo!!!” she shouted.

Somebody banged her head and torched the house. After few minutes, everything was in ashes. The town folks decided to bury Zhu Tian in the forest. Nobody could find Chun Mei’s body. It might have been burned with the ashes.

Taipei, Taiwan 2010

Benjamin gulped some air and took a sip of tea.

“That was some story Popo,” he said.

His aunt gave a small nod and a sad smile in the direction of his grandmother who was now openly weeping.

Ah Jie patted her mother’s hand and said to Benjamin, “She’s still very much affected. Her mother, my own Grandmama, was in tears when she told her this story… They never found the body Benjamin. Nobody ever did.”

Benjamin looked at his grandmother. He felt like his entire energy was absorbed upon hearing the story. But he knew there was more that his grandmother was not telling him, not even Ah Jie or her other children.

He held his grandmother’s hand.

“There’s more to that Grandma?” he asked.

His grandmother turned to him and gently wiped her tears. She looked into his eyes. There was wisdom and profound sense of understanding she could see in her grandson. It was so much more than what she saw with her own children.

She held his face with her two palms and said, “In time child. In time.”

“What’s in time Grandma?” he asked again.

His grandmother nodded at Ah Jie.

“She’s saying that everything will be revealed in their perfect timing,” his aunt explained.

“Timing,” he repeated. “But it’s just a story--“

He was interrupted by the repeated shaking of his grandmother’s head.

“No story,” she said. “Everything is true.”

Benjamin didn’t know what to believe now. His gaze fell on the photo trinket of his great, great, great grandmother. He took it from the desk and suddenly a question popped in his head.

“When was this photo taken?” he asked.

His aunt tilted her head and said, “I think about 1850 or 1851… before the Japanese.”

He took a closer look at the photo and gasped, “I think I saw her before.”

His grandmother gasped and placed both her hands on her mouth. Benjamin looked at them and said, “I saw her today just as I was leaving the temple.”

Her aunt gave a little smile.

“It’s just might be your imagination. You might have been thinking about the photograph since yesterday.”

He shrugged and confused himself even more.

Then a loud knock pounded the door. They looked at the large clock on the wall. It was nearing quarter before five.

“I’ll get it,” his aunt said and went to the door.

Benjamin stared some more at the photo. He still couldn’t shake the eerie feeling that they’ve met before which was really impossible. His great, great, great grandmother was lost in the fire.

“Qui Ling!” his aunt exclaimed from the door.

He was jolted from his thoughts and got up to see what surprised his aunt. He just stood up when the visitors walked inside the room.

Benjamin didn’t know who was more surprised, him or his grandmother? He gave a little yelp of surprise when he saw his parents standing inside the foyer.

“Dad! Mom!” he blurted out.

The he felt his grandmother stood up and held on to his arm. He felt Ah Bu’s hand stiffen on his arm. Nobody said a word for about a minute. His parents and his grandmother just stared at each other. Benjamin felt like slicing the thick tension that was in the air. He looked at his aunt who was standing in the back. She just shrugged and gave a small smile.

“Ah Bu,” his father broke the silence.

His grandmother didn’t say a word.

“Ah Bu,” his father continued. “Dui bu qi. Wo bu-“

His father’s words were cut off when his grandmother opened her arms to his fathers. Benjamin looked at his grandmother. Tears were threatening to fall from both eyes as she gave a small smile.

His father took huge steps and accepted the hug. They hugged fiercely and soundly. They laughed when they heard his grandmother’s sounding smack on his father’s face.

His father gently pushed himself and held Ben’s grandmother at arms length to look at her. They both smiled then his father took a step backward to old the arms of his wife.

“Ah Bu?” he said.

His grandmother gave a huge sigh and looked at Joan. She nodded her head and willingly went to Joan and hugged her. Joan hugged her tightly and cried loudly than anyone in the room.

“Mom!” Ben said.

“What?” his mom said. “I was very touched. You know Ah Bu never hugged from the past twenty years.”

They all smiled and Ah Jie said, “Hao de. Hao de. Everybody sit down. I’ll make more tea.”

Benjamin went outside for fresh air after everyone has settled down for the night. It was certainly a day an unexpected day. His parents actually flew from California while he was still in the Philippines. They would be staying in Ah Bu’s house for several days. He gave a deep breath before heading back inside.

From a distance, a woman was silently watching him. She was pleased by the turn of events. Without him knowing it, Benjamin outdid himself and brought her family back together. It was now time to go back and wait for him. He would piece the puzzle himself.

Benjamin went back to the hotel for the night. While he editing his article for George, he thought about the story of Chun Mei. It might be a legend but the way his grandmother reacted told him that a certain part of it was true. He wanted to investigate but since there were no relatives still alive to tell him about the rest of the story, he was left baffled.

At two in the morning, his phone rang. Ben groaned and groped in the dark for his cell phone.

“Yeah?” his hoarse voice sounded.

“Lee! It’s George?”

Ben slowly got up.

“George, do you know what time is it?” he annoyingly asked.

“Uh yeah, about--“George started.

“Here George! In Taiwan, do you know what time is it? It’s freakin’ 2 in the morning!” Ben said.

“Uh, yeah, sorry about that, I forgot about the time difference,” George apologized.

“Did you receive my mails?” Ben asked.

“I did. I did. Excellent work, excellent. Just a little pinch here but everything’s excellent,” George said.

Ben sat on the bed and rubbed his eyes.

“Okay then, why are you calling?” he asked.

“Ben, your trip’s been cut short,” George said.

“What?” he was startled.

“Yeah, the board called,” George started.

“They’re cutting me off?” Ben heart pounded in his chest.

He felt like he was about to lose his dream in few seconds.

“No, no, nothing like that,” George said.

Ben gave a huge sigh of relief.

“They want you back here. One of the members read your paper and offered to give you another position while doing investigative work here.” George said.

Benjamin couldn’t believe his ears- a promotion within weeks. His luck was beginning to glisten.

“Listen Ben; come back here as soon as you can. The board is waiting to hear your response personally.”

Benjamin was speechless for a moment.

“George, this is unbelievable,” Ben said.

“No it isn’t. It’s talent,” George said. “Well, go back to sleep. Sleep on it and fix your schedule as soon as you can. Wrap everything up and we’ll wait here.”

Ben turned off the phone. He put his head back on the pillow and stared at the ceiling. It looked like the day’s surprises just kept on coming.

Chapter Nine

The Nu Hai

Manhattan, New York

The elevator door opened and Benjamin got out and stepped on the first floor of the building. It was five in the afternoon and he just finished his meeting with the staff and board of Street Times. It was overwhelming but he humbly took it all in and vowed to perfect his craft.

Benjamin decided to stop by the diner first. He wasn’t able to say hello to Daisy since he got back about a week ago.

When Benjamin pushed the red and blue door open, he noticed the diner was steaming with even more customers since he left. He saw Daisy talking to a customer on the counter. He approached her.

“Daisy!” he called.

“Ben! What a surprise! You’re back!” she exclaimed.

“Yep,” he said.

“You want anything?” she asked.

“Nah, not really. Just stopped to say hello,” he said.

She shook his hands and smiled widely.

“It was good to see you Ben. Come for breakfast,” she said.

“I will. I will,” Ben said.

Ben left the restaurant and returned to his apartment. That night, Ben rummaged through his stuff and saw a photo sticking out from his unopened luggage. It was the photo trinket of Chun Mei. He asked his grandmother to give it to him. Ah Bu gave it to him with one condition, “Find the diary of Zhu Tian.”

It was the specific words of his grandmother, to find the small diary of Xing Zhu Tian. Zhu Tian wrote in his diary everyday since he met Chun Mei. It was placed in a small box under his straw bed in Ximen. It was lost when Zhu Tian’s baby was born.

Benjamin vowed to go back to Taipei to find the diary when he could find the time. He didn’t want to disappoint his grandmother.

When morning came, Ben put on a coat and a tie for work. He decided to stop by Daisy’s for his regular breakfast. While slinging his bag with laptop computer, his gaze fell on the photo of Chun Mei lying on his desk. He took it and stared at the photo.

His heart suddenly beat so loud he could hardly hear himself thinking. He was shocked to find a very striking resemblance between Chun Mei and his favorite person in the diner- Ermaline.

He hurriedly put on his shoes and ran out of his apartment. Without stopping, he ran for the diner. When he reached the door, he paused and took a deep breath. He opened the door slowly. His breath was still heaving when he found Ermaline quietly sitting on the same booth with her pancakes and the little red book.

He quietly took small steps toward her booth. She looked up innocently and found him staring at her with unbelieving eyes. Now the time has come, she thought.

“Ermaline?” he started. “Can I…Can I sit here?”
She nodded and gestured towards the opposite chair. He looked at the little book she was holding in her left hand.

“Zhu Tian’s diary?” he carefully asked while his heart kept on pounding.

She smiled at him. She was going to let him do all the talking. He was smart enough and she knew he had already put them altogether.

He stared at her face for a long time. She could see his chest heaving.

“Zhang Chun Mei?” he asked.

She stared at him. Then he said the word she waited so long to hear.

“Grandma?” he carefully pronounced the word.

She smiled wider.

Epilogue

Taipei, Taiwan (Formosa) 1899

The forest gave an eerie silence as the smell of burnt wood filled the air. At the edge of the forest, freshly dug soil can be clearly seen near a burnt pile. At the top of the soil was a heavy rock. Carved in the rock were three Chinese characters: “Xing Zhu Tian”.

Then a small rustle was heard near the pile. A movement was visible underneath the ashes and fallen logs. Then a dirty hand came out from the ashes.