The Waiting Man sighed reminiscently before continuing.
“
I gathered my few things and some food, thanking the girl’s mother for her hospitality. The girl was
nowhere in sight.”
“‘
Take the horse.’ It was a kind offer, and I accepted it graciously for it would surely speed my journey.
I would be joining the army soon, and a steed would surely grant me a higher rank. My thanks were half-hearted,
though – the regret in my heart still cut too deeply for me to think of anything else.”
“
The stars guided my way. I made it to the river before noticing a lantern approaching from where I
came. I could just make out her silhouette, and as she came closer I walked forward to meet her.”
“‘
Don’t go.’ Her voice was filled with sorrow. I reached out a hand to caress her face, and was shocked
to feel that her cheek was damp. She put her hand over mine and held tight. ‘I wouldn’t be able to bear it if you
left.’”
“
That night, we watched the stars, exchanging our stories and finally a kiss. The fire of dawn had
already interrupted the night when I stood.”
“‘
I have to go.’ As I said the words, my heart shattered like glass. I wished that I could take those
words back, but I couldn’t. She gazed into my eyes with all the strength she could muster, and though I could
see her tears glinting in her eyes, she didn’t allow a single one to fall.”
“‘
Then go,’ she said. ‘But promise me you’ll come back.’ Knowing I could promise no such thing, I
left without a word.”
There was silence between the Waiting Man and I. I expected him to continue, because his story
seemed unfinished.
“
What happens next?” I prompted.
My question was returned with a blank stare.
“
You left her to join the army, but what happened after you got back?”
“
I-I honestly don’t know.” The Waiting Man’s voice broke. “I left the army five years after I joined,
because I had earned enough money to build myself a house and a family. As soon as I locked eyes on her I
planned to ask her for her hand, for I had never stopped thinking of her for a second.”
A haunted look passed over his face. “A week later I got to the girl’s village with a bunch of
wildflowers clasped tightly in my hand. The familiar sign greeted me as I rode towards her home. But the
further I galloped the more anxious I became, for there was not a shadow of a person was in sight.”
“
Only after I dismounted I sensed that something was very, very wrong.”
“
It seemed the place had been uninhabited for a year at least. The houses facing the river had evidently
been demolished, and some even looked burned. Taking a quarter-turn, I was met with a sight that made my
hear glaciate. There at the edge of the village was a collapsed weaved-grass roof with blackened mud scattered
around the place where a house once stood, where her house once stood. I never found out what happened to her
and her family.”
I gasped in horror. What I thought was a talk of love had quickly morphed into a tragedy. Sensing my
distress, the Waiting Man smiled and said calmly.
“
That’s where her village was.” He pointed across the river.
“
But why would you waste your life waiting for her?” I blurted out the question and instantly regretted
it.
“
I’m sure my love will come back one day; she is my soul mate. I promised her I’d return, so I want to
be here to meet her when she comes. I only ever talked to her for one night, but my heart knows we are meant to
be together.”
I stood up to leave with tears stinging my eyes.
* * *