The Girl of an Old Mansion

22. Leaving the Old Cage

Early morning, Si-ri stood on her balcony filling her eyes with the soothing sight of the rising sun. She still had many unanswered questions and thoughts in her mind. "For as long as mother was here with me, this old mansion was a home for me but after her demise this same mansion had become a prison. Sitting in the corner, I used to cry looking at the gloominess of the house, I used to be scared enough to sleep at night all alone. Father was with me for some time but he also had to take care of other stuff. Moreover he always told me to overcome my fear and to kill loneliness. He gave me books and in those books I surrounded myself and in no time they became my decampment from loneliness and fear."

"Being confined here for a long time I never lost my hope to leave this mansion on one fine day. I never killed my inner desires to see a crowd of people, mountains, rivers, walking on the beaches, dancing in the rain and so on because somewhere deep inside I knew that God can't be this cruel to me. But it seems destiny had other plans."

Meanwhile, Lord Yong was busy in his prayer. After praying, he starts packing Si-ri's essentials for her while she was staying away.

"I have already sent Nyang to look for that place mentioned in the book, he must be arriving soon. Go prepare your stuff," said Lord Yong.

While packing her things, Si-ri recalled the moments she had spent with Min-ho. A small smile came onto her lips when she recalled their first meeting. "That idiot thought I was a witch, he was so terrified. Then he gave me my favourite persimmon. Making those lanterns with him was fun too. The last time he came and we made a wish together. Maybe we were fated to end up like this only. We won't be able to see each other. He was just a passing breeze, we met and drifted apart. I wish I could say goodbye to him," Si-ri sighed.

Dusk was falling, light of day draining away giving ways to the orange hues.

Lord Yong saw a thin figure walking towards the mansion from the crooked window and recognized him to be Nyang.

Nyang reached the mansion and apologised to Lord Yong for being late.

"The destination is in the deep wilderness. We should proceed for the forest right now as today is the full moon day," said Nyang.

They took all the baggage and other necessities and started to proceed.

Before proceeding, Si-ri looked at the mansion one last time and all her memories were flooding back into her head.

"I still don't know if it is more painful leaving an old cage which was once a home and entering a new cage," tears were brimming in her eyes, only moments away from streaming down her face.

Lord Yong gently brushed her tears and said, "You are only leaving this place dear, you still have those precious memories of your mother with you. It's not about the place that will make you happy but the memories of the ones we love. Memories are one of the strongest things one can ever have, as it can make you and sometimes it can break you. But the choice is yours. I would suggest, instead of agonizing and feeling vulnerable, one should move on by cherishing the memories. Make it your strength as it keeps you going on in the moment of severe grief."

Si-ri felt relieved after listening to her father's words. Finally, the beautiful girl bid adieu to the mansion in hope of getting her freedom forever, in hope of living a life of her dreams and in order to break the curse.

They started on their journey towards their destination and soon enough the dark mansion was nowhere to be seen.

Day soon turned to night but they continued their way, their torches in hand. The sound of leaves being crunched as they were stepping on them. Tranquility and sweet serenity could be seen in the deep depths of the forest and its appearance would allure your mind deeper. The passive and daunting forest remained in a capsule, untouched by the destructive essence of man.