Page 2

In the quiet corners of my life, where shadows linger and whispers echo, there exists a delicate balance—a fragile dance between joy and sorrow. Some people, like fleeting sunbeams, gift me happiness. Yet, I fear their departure, as if they were borrowed stars destined to fade.

Among these luminous souls are my students—my cherished companions in this labyrinth of existence. They spar, these young minds, like playful sparrows in the morning light. Their battles are not born of malice; they are the skirmishes of camaraderie, the skirmishes of hearts entwined.

Meet Lee Cheng and Lee Chang—their names like twin notes in a harmonious melody. Both perched atop the class hierarchy, their brilliance shines like constellations. But it is their nature that captivates me—the elder sister Cheng, her love for her younger brother Chang, unwavering; the younger brother Chang, his devotion to Cheng, steadfast. Their bond, a beacon in my otherwise dim world.

Yet, I know the script—the inexorable passage of time. One day, like autumn leaves, they will drift away, carried by winds beyond my reach. What then? How shall I bear their absence? The ephemeral nature of happiness leaves scars, etching pain into my soul.

These pages of my life, they flutter like fragile wings. I seek happiness within their lines, but it eludes me. Dreams, too, offer no solace. In slumber, I am haunted—a phantom keeper separating me from those I hold dear. I plead, "No, don't take them away." But dreams heed no pleas.

And then, a voice—a familiar call. Min, my name whispered across the veil of sleep. I awaken, disoriented, tears clinging to my lashes. My mother stands there, stern yet concerned. "Lazy girl," she chides, "you sleep during study time."

Sorry, Mommy. My words falter, my heart heavy. Fear clings to me—the specter of loneliness, the absence of joy. Even dreams betray me, weaving nightmares instead of solace.

sob sob

Fear, my constant companion, has etched its mark upon my soul. Happiness remains elusive, a distant star. But perhaps, in waking moments, I can find solace—in the warmth of my mother's scolding, in the laughter of my students, and in the fragile hope that someday, beyond these walls, I'll discover a world where happiness blooms eternal.