Strings Of Time

XIV: Part Two

"What are you afraid of?" asked the old gardener to the young master.

In a split second, Alex's sight was slowly seeing a shade of Mr. Bello. "Afraid? What do you mean?"

The old gardener saw the young master in the gazeebo looking glum and was clouded with her own thoughts. In the past few day, he would always see the young master this way when her father told her to stop seeing Elise. Was there a connection between the two, he thought. "Afraid of your own feelings, I presume." Mr. Bello said with a bitter smile. The young master did not answer and just bowed her head down while holding a small piece of paper. "What's that on your hand?"

The young master sighed and shook her head, "It's that girl's number."

"Oh? Let me have a look." Mr. Bello took the small piece of paper and studied it with narrow eyes, "Are you sure it's a cellphone number?"

Alex scrunched her eyebrows in curiosity, "Of course... you taught me how to read braille and I don't think I've got it wrong."

The young master was indeed correct, it was a number but Mr. Bello was seeing differently. The gardener's son was blind at birth and he was forced to learn braille so he could teach his son how to read and write but on a different scale. After learning that his young master became blind, he stepped up to the plate and taught the young master all he knew about braille. However, in this case, the grand master is always correct, never the student. "If I may, Alex... I'm pretty sure it's not a phone number. Read it again. I'm assuming you just touched the first number that's written on it. Go on..." Mr. Bello handed the small piece of paper back to the young master. "The first number is seven, right? Now, read the next..."

Alex slid her fingers to the next one and was dumbfounded. She stopped and was suddenly in awe, "It's... it's a time... and a short letter."

"7:30 pm at the festival. Please... please meet me there."

The gardener smiled as he saw the young master's reaction, "And who is it from?"

The young master slid her hand onto the next letter until a name was formed, "Elise." she whispered. Alex imagined how the young lady could have given Moira the letter. Moira must have asked Elise how to write her number in braille but instead, she gave the young musician a letter. A secret letter. The young master smiled with the thought of Elise.

"Miss Summerhall sure is clever." Mr. Bello sat beside the young master as he gazed his eyes on the garden, "This particular young lady is special. You can't just let her pass for she is the most beautiful of them all. Just like a rare desert flower." He looked at Alex and placed his hand on her shoulder, "Remember, just because you can't see something, it doesn't mean it isn't there." He then patted her shoulder and left the young master.

The sun was setting and everyone in New Ashton was excited for the Lights Festival. All around town the people placed light bulbs on the streets, on their houses, until you get to the park. It's as if it was Christmas, though the atmosphere was romantic. This particular festival was held every year to commemorate those who have died in the bombing of 1948. It was also a symbol of a new beginning, especially when a young man made a lantern that could fly to the sky with a wish that's written on it, hoping that God could read it and grant him his desire. A lot of people took notice of this and made it as a recreational thing to be held every year. And so, the tradition went on and on for years, thus, the festival of lights was born.

"Elise... Elise wake up."

As the young lady opened her eyes, she saw a smiling Olly with a cup of coffee on his hand. He found her sitting on a chair at the back stage. The young lady was indeed tired of all the preparation they did, "Olly... what time is it?" asked Elise with a tired voice.