Before morning

It was a long time ago. Xiao Lan was just a baby then. How old was he? One... one and a half actually, running more than he walks. I was graduated from a UNI far from my hometown and more remote from Xinchi's workstation. The graduation ceremony should have held after our graduation, but it didn't due to some unavoidable circumstances. Who didn't know, it was because of some political fools.Those fools had stopped our graduation ceremony, certainly not our life. I came to Xinchi's work place and then God blessed us with Xiao Lan. We didn't realize five years have been passed until one-day father called and told me UNI sent a letter to invite for the graduation ceremony. Unbelievable. I had even forgot I have had graduated once.

After some dilemma, I decided to go. I honestly want to touch the grass while looking at the old red buildings. I wasn't sure, nor was Xinchi. I started packing the luggage.

After resting one night in my cousin's home, on the halfway finally my journey to the South begins. This generation couldn't imagine the condition back then. It was 24 hours long bus journey. I was alone, with a child who was 18 months old, in the early February.

The roads were broken in every one or two kilometers. And it has to pass numerous ferries. The bus had stopped at every two hours. Though it was early February, the day was bright and sunny, the temperature raised highest 13 degrees Celsius during the day. I enjoyed the journey despite all the odds. And the laughter of Xiao Lan filled the bus. Things changed as a night approached. The institute wasn't near the city, was situated in a secluded village, surrounded by the river in its three sides. The final destination of the bus is the southern most part, it stopped in the port. I wouldn't go there; My destination was before that. I had to go till Damki, then it will be a four kilometer journey wish to go by local curt, normally run by a machine that actually created to carry water from lower ground to higher.The general time for the bus to reach Damki was six in the morning. As the road's condition was bad and the time table of the ferry never really matches with the bus, it always took longer than estimated schedule. I had never seen the bus cross Damki before nine in the morning. But as the bus near to the destination it seemed we were going faster than usual. The bus was running perfectly fine despite the dense fog. The bus have got all the ferry in time, the current was so cooperative, not a single one miss the dock or took some extra effort to do so. When the bus crosses the last iron bridge, it should already morning. But it was pitch black. The bus conductor looked at me, I looked back. He came near, told that the road is invisible because of the fog, the river next have a solid current, as it is near the sea. Don't tension lady! It will take time. I want to believe him, but I didn't have the confidence. Xiao Lan was fast asleep in my arm. I tried to look through the window. The night was dark and cold.

When the bus took the ferry, my wrist watch said it's a quarter to four in the morning. I certainly regret my decision. Why don't I just stay home?

The bus conductor gave me my luggage and said his farewell. He looked at the sky and assured me, though there was clouds in the sky, it wasn't going to be rain.

I told Damki is a stop, but it wasn't. It was just a midpoint between two stoppage. Buses only stoppage here because of the students. They were many in the number.

I didn't realize it when I was on the bus how cold the night was. I sat on the only bench, the wind getting stronger.I pray to God, not to rain tonight. Taking the blanket, I wrapped it around Xiao Lan, the little one shivered on my arm. Then I saw him. Tall and slender. I couldn't see his face, but it could be told, he had a well build feature. He is not alluring but calming. He approached me. He greeted me, he didn't bow his head rather he lowered his body in a way as if I am royalty.

Where are you going? The first question he asked.

I told him my destination. He said he is sorry for the inconvenience; I didn't get how this awful weather could have related to him. I didn't say anything. He suggested me to take Xiao Lan that way I could be relaxed a bit. I didn't know him, it was a dark winter night, I can't believe a stranger. It may rude, I didn't answer. Xiao Lan shifts into his blanket, he might not comfortable, he is also hungry I guess. In the dark, I felt his smile. He stood up; I thought he might go somewhere. He sat on my right side, it blocked the wind; as if he is the knight. The wind was getting stronger with time, and suddenly I felt a drop of water on my nose. Can it be worse than that? The Man stood up and grabbed my luggage, started walking with big steps. 'Come' he only said. I don't know what to do, I can't just stand here without a shade, I know, but following a stranger! I started following him. It took only ten steps, I was in front of a cabin. It's not even a cabin, if I truly describe it is the carriage that normally run by horses in the ancient time. He took me in. He lit a lamp, first I saw him, I should be honest; He is so beautiful almost as if he comes from a painting. It was so cozy here, so warm, almost magical. There is a small bed, very small that anyone couldn't really sleep but it gives comfort.

'You aren't a traveler, do you?' I asked.

'No' He smiled, 'My family owns a shop here, I usually come by this time.' He is not a talkative type I found.

It is said that when you don't have anything you wish for a land to stand, if you have the land you wish for a shade, when you have the shade you wish for a bed. I thought feeding Xiao Lan. He excused me and run into the rain. I don't know how to feel. Should I feel safe? Relax? With his physic, if he tries something on me there is no chance I can have an upper hand. He didn't do any sort of things that in any way indicate an evil action. Is this really a winter rain? That much amount? He returned shortly after with some hot water. I made some food for Xiao Lan. He was really hungry.

What's your name, Mr.? May I know?

My sure name is Shen.

Thank you Mr. Shen for your help.

He smiled beautifully, there is a sadness behind the smile, yet it seemed playful in a way.

How do you know I am helping you? You might get robbed soon.

I looked back. I calculated the situation. I didn't know where am I; With a young man smile sarcastically playing with Xiao Lan. In this wet winter morning, I can't get help. I fall silent.

The rain washed cold morning approached us slowly. He went out again. Should I try to scape? Not sure I am captivated. He came back soon as usual.

It's morning already, we should go.

I came out, the sky wasn't clear yet and the wind was crisp. He took Xiao Lan in his lap. The local cart sends us to the main entrance of the varsity. He helped out me... us through a chilled night, I thought he would come with me. He said his farewell in the entrance before I claimed those awful slippery stairs.

Before the ceremony, I roamed through the local market and the village nearby, there were families I have a wonderful relationship with. I saw a black and white picture of a man, Isn't it Mr. Shen?

Who is he? I asked the old lady.

He is my son.

Oh, this is his family, how wonderful! Before I asked any more questions, a young man came and signal me to come out.

He is not our biological brother, mother found him some years ago, he didn't remember anything except his name. Mother told everyone, he is her stepson. We were a poor family, but our condition better because of him. The last rain he went to pick goods from the city, the current was strong, the boat sank, he never came back. We tried, didn't find the body. Mother never believed he was death. She thought he would come back one day. We were his only family, if he really alive didn't he come back?

A cold sensation runs through my spine. I shivered on my own. I couldn't digest the fact, a ghost story. A big No. I am a science student.

I hurried back to Damki, it was so lovely under the bright sun; all the shops, vendors on the moving van. The night before seemed a lie. I failed to find the cabin. I came back with a healthy Xiao Lan and a confused mind.

Shen Xi