The nurse turned off the light, said in fluent American English, “GOOD NIGHT,” and left. In the stillness of the night, here in Ashin’s home, I took shaky breaths. My health had improved quickly these past few days, and I knew that little card had given me great strength. I wanted to get healthy; I didn’t want my sickly appearance to cause everyone so much worry, running back and forth. I had been here for nearly a week, yet I hadn’t stepped out of that door with its intricate yellow carvings of olive branches. I removed the needle from the back of my hand, watching the clear IV drip fall; my hand went numb. As I’ve said, I dislike sharp things. I looked around for my slippers, and the sensation of my feet touching the ground felt unreal. My head was a bit dizzy; I needed some fresh air, not the oxygen from the sodium chloride reaction in the mask. Like a thief, I gently turned the door handle, and a soft light entered my eyes, causing me to squint slightly. The door opposite was ajar. Who was inside? I stepped onto the soft Persian carpet and walked over, gently pushing the door open a bit more. Ashin was sitting on the windowsill, sketchpad on his bent knee, drawing something with great focus. The sound of his pencil, the deep night outside the window, the gentle orange light in the room, and a bottle of green tea beside him created a serene scene. His expression was solemn, focused, with a hint of gravity. The look of a guy deeply absorbed in something is truly captivating. Yet, I always felt that his serious expression carried a lingering sadness, a slight melancholy for past memories. His look made me feel very close to him. The breeze from the window was cool, and suddenly my nose itched. Oh no, I had to stifle a sneeze. I rubbed my nose hard, then heard Ashin’s deep voice, “If you have to sneeze, just do it, or you’ll be unfair to your nose.” Ah-choo~~ If only I had known, I wouldn’t have tried so hard to hold it back. “How did you notice me?” I felt like a schoolchild caught in the act, standing awkwardly at the door. Ashin had already set his sketchpad aside and was sipping his green tea. His eyes held a faint sorrow, as subtle as the tea. Yet, he seemed to suppress this with an expression as aloof as a rose. He didn’t answer directly, “Why stand at the door? Come in.” I walked in, looking around; this was probably the study, filled with books. I went to the desk, where sketches, CDs, and various drawing tools were scattered. Under a geometric lamp, there was another bottle of green tea. “Are you feeling better now, wandering around?” He hopped off the windowsill, walked over, and placed his sketchpad on the desk. I saw the familiar faceless figures in the sketch. He draped a black velvet jacket over me, hands in pockets, watching me. Wearing his jacket, I smelled the light scent of green tea. “Why do the people you draw have no facial features?” I pulled the sketchpad closer; it was a scene at the beach with four boys and a girl playing in the waves. Even without expressions, their laughter seemed to echo. “Because the heart is empty,” he said, his voice clear. I looked up at him, realizing his face was just centimeters away. “Where are your parents? I haven’t seen them at your house.” I had been here for a week, and only Aunt Yu, the housekeeper, brought me meals on time. “They’re abroad,” he replied coldly. I guessed the dynamics of this large family and changed the topic, “Why do you like green tea so much?” “Why do you have so many questions?” “Because I want to know the answers,” I said softly, immediately regretting my flippant tone on such a cool, pleasant night; it carried a hint of flirtation. I saw a spark of danger in his eyes. I quickly looked down at the sketch, my voice growing rough, “Forget it if you don’t want to say.” “Want to know?” His voice was close to my ear, half-smiling. “No.” “If you want to know, come closer.” “No!” I said firmly. I didn’t look at him, but I could feel his smirk. Suddenly, he grabbed the back of my head, pulling me into his embrace, his lips sealing mine. The gentle aroma of green tea transferred to me; I was powerless against this sudden attack and let him hold my yielding body. My mind went blank, my vision black, only the tantalizing scent of green tea and his warmth remained. He let go, and I stood there like a wooden chicken. After a moment, I stiffly broke free from his embrace, trembling, “What are you doing?!” “Showing you the taste of green tea,” he said, a smile playing on his lips. “Sorry, Ashin, your girl…” came the voice of the young nurse at the door. She saw us, paused, then shrugged with a knowing smile, “Well, she is here, I’m terrifically sorry ~~ you see, ah~, I found nothing in her room, so you know, then, well~~”
She reluctantly explained that her sudden intrusion was due to her worry that I might wander off and cause her to be negligent in her duties. I felt extremely ashamed, broke free from Ashin’s embrace, threw my coat hard into his arms, and rushed out the door. It was more of a fleeing than an escape. Jumping onto the bed, I covered my head with the quilt, curled up into a ball, the taste of green tea still lingering on my lips. What does he take me for? A toy, a treasure, or just a tool to satisfy his desires? “That’s the woman Ashin loves,” Yida’s words echoed in my mind. I pulled the quilt tighter around me, forcing myself not to think, pretending nothing had happened. Cinderella had just boarded the wrong pumpkin carriage; when the magic fades, it’s best to forget it all. CHAPTER 7: Adding Another Layer of Fat to the Belly
