The lively souls of true love
Written by
Estha Simon

( 1,900 words)
The early howling morning was burnt in fiery flames of misunderstanding. Flames that raced itself high above fresh ground, burning everything against its roaring path into cinder. Fresh blood of young and innocent spewed onto the grassy terrain, leaving behind collapsed corpses. Young or old scurried in fear across the damp soil of the forest ground. Each gambled their own life against fate, where they left behind unbearable, children, property… life.

Challenging the wind, the fluttering samfoo of Mrs. Li swayed against her hips, tied against her shoulders where the torn cloths sewed together into the various pattern of faded scarf. Strapped on was her youngest daughter, May Yin. With her sound asleep on Mrs. Li shoulders, the bumpy ride wasn't any eventful to her, closed and mesmerizing in dream land.

Behind her following up was her five other children, the elder carrying grandma Li which was bursting into tears of prayer. There not far, the roar of triumphed came from their village, conquered by Malays. And yet still chasing, her heart tore into two of her dearest husband, vowed to protect the village who went to battle in defense of the village.

Followed up by the 1969 National Election, winning the most was still leading party of the Barisan Nasional but this time was more of an evenly match between winning seats. For that election campaigns turned out critically to be upholding the racism culture. Sending uproars of misunderstood statements from political leaders.

Her hands clutched on the jutted rock, pulling herself up the small hill. Her journey to the nearest village was just a start. Behind her was her five children in tattered clothing, catching up with her lumpy back. She turned back, occasionally, making sure that they trailed well behind.

Li Wen, Li Ching, Li Zao Wei, Li Han Xi, Li Zhong was named by grandfather Li, before his death, peacefully on the 14 of January, according to the Chinese Calendar. So unlucky, Grandma Li relate the story as. Her effort of celebrating Chap Goh Meh drastically put to a waste as the tradition lies the truth of respecting the death of a love one was to grieve for a period of months.

The sky darken unevenly as the azure view of endless hope was spread with the red flames, signifying the end of the day. Panting with tiredness and hunger, five of them hurdled closely to their mother under the Angsana tree, Grandma sat at the other corner, never like her daughter-in-law from the start as it was the revolution of free marriage, unable to except her son's decision, abused of her daughter-in-law was her source of vengeance. Staring with a snarl, dreaming deep into her daughter-in-law comforting the kids. Her heavy eye lids fell into unconscious sleep, hoping for a new beginning tomorrow.

The morning came with chilling mist. Left in the heart of the forest, nowhere is the direction of truth, and decision lies on fate and luck that usually don't come together. The feets began to pace through the crispy ground of dried leaves. All ears on the look out of the slightest error of enemy's run, pacing then running with the tears that rolled down cheeks of the miserable.

Forth setting their course was still kilometers away, there they rely on Aunty Ma to return them safely back to mother land. The dreams of both Mr. Li and Mrs. Li, reunited in China, where they would build a house, settle down and pass their many stories to their many seeds. Those were the dreams, shattered by honour, where the only obstruction to purity of peace and happiness. Swiping her sleeves across her eyes, her sobbing for her husband that were now nothing but in the death region…anything could kill him, it all takes man's machine.

How could the sharpness of a blade matches with wits? The wits so strong set to proclaim world domination of cruelty and selfishness. How much of love is there left when pride poses? Her heart asked repeatedly over her tears. When will ever understanding place in front of shame? Or will it just swallowed and rather chickened?

Without much further of thought, she have decided to move back to mainland and start a new live. Then, suddenly a camouflage soldier from the Communism Guerilla pranced up on Mrs. Li, fallen a few steps behind, her eyes widen of shocked, her mouth widen in pure shock and fear, her journey ends here?

The gun was stuff into her mouth, poised to be done with her in any seconds. The ticking grew slower and slower, waiting for the recruit, the soldier laid beside with his finders on the trigger. Grandma Li was with the children in the other end, comforting with her wrinkled arm and saggy skin, her prayers projecting it self in her memory.

The long and humid afternoon shone the painful lasting hours of suffering. With Mrs. Li still sore with a rifle in her mouth. The others laid restlessly on the earthly surroundings. Sleepy on the hot afternoon, the soldier occasionally almost dozed off into his sleep. But with constant stare at Mrs. Li, he then gave a grinned at her.

Standing up, his rifle accidentally slipped out of her mouth, quickly, Mrs. Li pranced on him, hitting his chest. With his strength, Mrs. Li was nothing but a weakling, using his arm, he shoved her aside with one push. Rolling down the steep, her wailed was his entertainment and source of laughter.

A stroke came from behind and landed him unconsciously on the ground. Grandma Li was clutching to a dead branch, gasping disbelieve of her strength. Hurried, they traced for their wounded Mrs. Li. Found her laying scrambled on the ground, she was lucky or fated not hurt or injured. The soldier gave a loud roar at them. Targeting his rifle, they quickly raced north into the territory of the Malay Village, unknown what they are going to face.

Pow! The loudness echoed and missed Mrs. Li. She turned back staring with deep trance, hating with her curseful eyes. Grandma Li grabbed her pulling her away before another shot was let off.

The rural village of agriculture, lies ahead. The evening sky again took over the azure day. They hide among bushes, waiting for a live or a scenario in the village. Their lives were left without nothing and there is no meaning and nothing to live for.

Hunger pangs when the aroma of rich curry dishes with the miracles of the wonders of spices were cooked for a family dinner. Trickling their noses, the fragrance led them nearer and nearer. Hiding behind the wooden fences, they knew they were forbidden to enter the Malay village or the consequences would be death.

Now, major dilemma of misunderstanding among races took place. Chinese, usually were killed, slaughtered and hunted down like animals. The eccentric days of 1969, May 13. The memorable near-death experience was indeed captivating losses.

A light tap on Mrs. Li shoulders shook her pale. Quickly she turned around and saw Ahmad behind, the durian buyer from Mr. Li's Durian plantation.

' Arhghhg!!! Please don't kill me, I beg you," crying on bent knees.

All her children including Grandma Li too, knelt in front of Ahmad.

His eyes filled with the tears of sympathy, lifting them up, he manipulated an escape plan to the straits and then to Aunty Ma's house.

" Don't worry, meanwhile, stay in my house, I will feed you, cloth you and help you…" replied Ahmad in kind manner.

" Why?" questioned Mrs. Li " Why you doing this and helping us?"

" Ka Ki Lang…"

True enough, Ahmad was indeed recognized as Ka Ki Lang- Own people. He was the most welcomed buyer in the plantation, always so cheerful and hardworking. From there, he grasp a few Hokkien cliché and mastered in mandarin language. That is why Mr. Li favoured him the most and always sell him cheaper or sometimes free.

Mrs. Li was now drenched, the children were having dinner in the dinning room feeding on the home cook food of Ahmad's wife, Fatimah. Gulping down the delicious malayan delicacies, they tasted best of the other cultures. Back then, Chinese ate chinese, Malay ate malay and Indian ate indian food only.

Those days, there isn't cultural exchange, there weren't understanding among religion, May 13, 1969. That marks the battle of races.

Grandma Li was already resting on the cold goose pimple wood plank floor. Her drowsy eyes stared up the ceiling, looking at her son. " Ma, I'm sorry. Thank you for saving my life," apologized Mrs. Li.

" Hgnn, you don't need to apologize, you've done well…but this is not the end" said Grandma, " Li is my only son…how I wish I have more…but lucky and thank God he is not dead yet.."

Puzzled by her grandma's remarks, she tilted her head over staring into the wishful eyes. " What do you mean he is still alive?"

The next day, they were travelling again, through the short cut to the straits. Long hours of walk behind Ahmad, hot and sweaty as beads of sweats rolled down and wiped off. Then, a clearing came to sight. There, ray of lights shone majestically on the soft colour earth. The air filled with saltiness and then the lights shone brighter and brighter untill a shadowy figured appeared .

Uncertainty, Ahmad called out, " Who is there, answer me!"

Silent forest echoed with the clarification, no answers came… silently, his footsteps rose each step a closer distance. Suddenly the letting of his vocal," Fang? Fang? Are u there?"

Mrs. Li gasped, it was not mistaken, her nickname was called out in the most familiar voice, the voice that she once proclaimed seagulls would bow to. Tears burst out continually, her body shook violently, thrusting herself forward, her race was to Li, he was alive.

Clutching herself tightly on him, his warm embrace soothed her rapidly beating heart, united and together at last. Grandma grinned in satisfaction, she would then say the beauty of love, finally, she understands they were truly in love and she admitted her defeat.

Although they didn't make it to Aunty Ma, when the government declared state of emergency sometime later. They found themselves owing life debt to Ahmad's family for offering to let them stay throughout the period of emergency.

Aunty Ma was later found dead, trying to bribed a government officials, her body was found dumped into the Melaka river and her life ends with the distinctive shame of raped.

Few months later, the declaration was over, as Mrs. Li again was blessed with prosperity, she had another child. This time, they wanted the child to be the most blessed after the big innocent death of many, Li Zhong Xi, the respectable happiness.

Dreams go on, blossoming the everyday greenness felt with unity and joy. Their life now a new beginning, always so full. Never again, they weren't rich nor poor, but one thing that they were happy. Each night, Mrs. Li will nestled Zhong Xi while all tucked in mattress and thin material sheets as blankets, mother would start with a soft tone…

The stars high above speaks not,
Earthly dolls hungered for mother’s love,
Nightly remembrance of mother’s taught,
Leaving tears like the dull-ice flowers.

~END~