Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

Collision

(WANG HUA)

I put a hand on my chest as I felt my heartbeat suddenly racing for no apparent reason.

We, Prince Jin and I with his two guards, are standing by a stall selling different colored ribbons but I know that my heartbeat racing is not because I got excited with choosing ribbons. That is not exciting at all.

But my heart is pounding on my chest. And I hate this feeling. Because the last time I felt this kind of heart pounding fear was when Dao was taken by those rebels over three years ago.

Wang Dao. My twin. He is in danger.

"Hua, what is wrong?" Prince Jin gave me a worrying look. They are about to take me home and we just stopped at this stall when I felt this gripping fear blossoming in my chest.

I look up at Prince Jin, "It's my brother. Wang Dao is in danger." I said.

Jin and his guards were suprised at my announcement. "Danger? What kind of danger? And how did you know..."

"We are twins. We have always been connected. We both have gifts from our Baba's blood. I always knew when Dao is in danger. My heart always races in fear. And it's pounding now," I explained it to him.

Dao and I, we have this instinct about each other. It's hard to explain but I know, deep inside me, Dao is in danger. My heart pounded harder inside my chest.

"But he just left a few hours ago," Manchu said. "He said he is just meeting his friends,"

I shook my head, "Dao is in danger. I know what I feel," and I never ignored it. Not once. I promised myself to never ignore this kind of feeling ever since Dao was taken by those rebels. It's a warning that I have to save my brother.

I turn my eyes on Jin again, "Please, let's help my brother." I begged him as tears gathered in my eyes in fear.

"Of course!" Jin nodded. "But how?"

How? How can we help Dao?

"We have to find him first," Jin said again. "Where could he be? Where did he meet his friends? Did he say?" He asked his guards.

"No, your Highness." Yong answered.

"Tsk tsk," Manchu clucked his tongue, "It's nightfall already. Where could he be? There are hundreds of possible places..."

I close my eyes. Willing myself to concentrate and focus. Where could my brother be? He said he will meet his friends. What if...

"What if he lied?" I said as I open my eyes again. My three companion gave me surprised look again.

Jin frowned, "What do you mean?"

"I think we have to move," Yong said as he looked around. Being the tallest in our group, he is our designated scout. "People will start wondering why we are standing still here,"

We all nodded in agreement and we moved. Walking as we talk.

"What if Dao is not meeting his friends, instead he will meet someone else?" I said to my three companion.

"Who?" Manchu asked.

I sighed, "I don't know. But I think my brother lied. For him to suddenly leave. I mean, he likes his friends but he loves me. He doesn't usually left me alone with the three of you to meet his friends..."