A sad song with a jolly tune.

What the boy said just won't leave my mind no matter what. I mean, how could he possibly remain sane to this day? Waking up not remembering anything about yourself every single time? Nuh-uh! I would have gone crazy in just a year.

Meanwhile, this kid here… Well, he's not really a kid anymore. Mentally that is. Has been experiencing that madness repeatedly for decades.

I've already accepted that this world is messed up. But this kid's toughness is on a whole different level. Apparently, he named himself after the fruit—Mashneh. The fruit that's given him both the curse and the hope to cling on.

Sitting on a log of wood with a bonfire at the center. I'm watching the boy, Mashneh and Mister Forcas grilling some of the catfishes they've caught at the creek earlier. But I admit that I would steal some glances at Mashneh from time to time.

His clothes aren't dirty. He doesn't stink either which means he takes good care of himself.

I'm having a hard time believing he's been going through hell for decades. I mean, look at his chestnut hair, rounded olive eyes, and thin pinkish lips. And those puffy cheeks of his. He looked so innocent for griffin's sake!

"Jack," Mashneh called me out while handing me a skewered catfish, already cooked. "Careful, it's hot."

"Thank you," I told him. I was about to take a bite when I remembered the side effects of mashneh. "This is safe, right? I mean, no. It doesn't have any after effects, right?" I asked.

I was afraid my question might offend him. He's been so kind to offer me food yet I had the audacity to question it. But he only laughed and said, "Completely. We have normal foods here too, you know?"

"Now that we're already here, why don't we have some music?" It was Mister Forcas.

"Good idea! Wait for me," said Mashneh before running off into his house. It wasn't long before he came out carrying something that looked like an instrument. And he shouted, "Mister Forcas! D'you know how to play this?" As he waved the thing into the air.

"Wait! This is a banshe! Of course, I know how to play this. This is often played during the festival." He said excitedly as soon as he got it. It was rectangular about three inches thick, two feet long, and has two strings.

"Add some more wood into the fire and I'll sing a song.'

Mashneh seemed to be elated by the idea and he threw all the sticks into the bonfire. While Mister Forcas sat cross-legged on the grass. He started plucking the instrument. I believe it's called banshe. It has a dainty sound. And he started singing.

"As I live into this wretched world

I hang onto your every word

Oh! How I long to be with you

But I chose this path of my accord.

"I'm afraid the yesterday must have gone cold

In a place where promises are constantly sold

I haven't even said goodbye to you

But some things just have to remain untold.

"No chance of saving, I fell so deep

I wish you still dream of me when you're asleep

Forgive me for I have failed you

But there was a promise that I have to keep."

Mister Forcas' song ended with a strum of the banshe. It was good. The song was good. But the lyrics seem to be too sad for their jolly tune.

He sang a few more songs after that. We had so much fun that we'd forgotten how long we'd stayed there already. We only decided to stop when we noticed that the bonfire was already dead. In fact, it's been dead for quite a while now.

That was also when we heard a footstep coming from the other side. I craned my neck to see who it was. It was a young man filling a bucket with water from the creek. I couldn't make up his face as he had his head low. All I can see is that he has white hair.

"Do you know him?" I asked the two who are with me.

"Don't mind him. He's a weird fellow." It was Mister Forcas. "He didn't like to talk to anyone. All he ever care were the plants in the garden."

Weird indeed.

"It's getting late. So shall we call it a day?" he suggested. "And Jack, didn't you want to meet my master?"

Finally!

"Yes, I'd love to. Only if I'm allowed to, that is."

"I'll bring you to her—"

"Uhh… guys? I think I should call it a day as well. I'm getting sleepy and I definitely have to write what happened today in my journal. So I guess I'll have to go now." Mashneh interjected.

"Come on, Jack. Don't give me that face. Don't worry, I'll definitely include you in my journal so I will still remember you next time. Bye! Bye!" And without waiting for any of our responses, he turned his back on us and ran toward his house. He even forgot his instrument.

"..."

"Well… I guess I'll have to return this tomorrow." Mister Forcas muttered to himself.