<Prev. // Next> First Fiction (Part 7)

In Canton, Kui Hua and Tin Ming stayed in Aunt Kim's house. Soon Meili came back from Shanghai with her two little daughters, without her husband.
       Next morning they met Liu Ta at the wharf. Tin Ming held Kui Hua's hands as the young couple sobbed. Tin Ming said with deep feeling, "My dear, don't forget to plant the sunflower. It is our flower; it means I will always stay with you." Kui Hua was so touched that she couldn't say anything, but she grasped his hands tightly.
       The steamer roared in. Tin Ming walked unsteadily toward the ship, where Liu Ta was waiting for him. When the ship gradually vanished, Kui Hua felt as if her whole soul had gone with Tin Ming.
       Coming back with Meili to Aunt Kim's house, Kui Hua totally collapsed. Her pain, her bitterness, which had been held inside for a long time, burst out at last. She cried loudly, like a wounded animal. Meili held her and patted her back. "Poor Kui Hua. Cry, just cry. You have to have a good cry."
       Finally, Kui Hua calmed down. She asked, "Meili, What should I do?"
       Meili said, "Kui Hua, be brave! In one way, you are luckier than I am. You have Tim Ming's deep love, but I only have my husband's and his parent’s hatred. They hate me just because I didn't bear a son for them. My husband married a concubine. I couldn't stand it, so I got a divorce from my husband two months ago."

       Kui Hua felt very sorry for Meili’s misfortune and also was very proud of her dear cousin. “Oh, you are really a strong woman.”
       Meili said firmly, “From now on, I will work with my uncle and bring my daughters up. Kui Hua, control your fate by yourself and don't let anxiety confine you. Wait for Tin Ming's good news."
       Kui Hua jumped up, and said, "Ah, Meili, I need to go back tomorrow to take care of Tin Ming's mother."
       "Fine." Meili smiled.
       From just a few days before, Tin Ming's mother had changed a lot. The old woman had become weaker and thinner. Her hollow eyes gazed far, far away, as if she was looking for her son in an unknown place. She seemed to be losing her will to live.
      One night, the old woman asked Kui Hua to sit beside her bed. She said cordially, "My good daughter-in-low--as a matter of fact, you are my lovely daughter--I want to protect you. I don't want you to follow in my footsteps..."
       Kui Hua interrupted gently, "Mama; I know you love me very much. But because of Papa's recent situation, Tin Ming had to go."
       The old woman sighed. "I know my son so well. Tin Ming is a filial son, he is too soft. I worry about how he can get used to the new life in a strange country."
       That made Kui Hua recall something but she still smiled. "Don't worry, Mama. Young people are able to adapt easily to a new environment."
       "I hope so," answered Tin Ming's mother. She looked at the young woman and touched her chin affectionately.
       Two lonely souls were so close.

Contents of ESL Sunflower Main Page Back To Top <Prev. // Next Contents