Vedika_Tiwari

Li Mei returns to her childhood home in the picturesque riverside town of Lushan, drawn by a haunting sense of familiarity and longing she can’t quite explain. Her memories of the place are fragmented, blurred like ink washed by rain. Yet, within those faded recollections, she senses the echo of a promise and the shadow of a love that once meant everything to her.

As she navigates the winding streets and misty hills of Lushan, Mei encounters Jun, the boy she had loved but cannot fully remember. Their reunion is filled with tension and unspoken questions, his eyes holding a pain she doesn’t understand. Determined to piece together her past, Mei explores the town, revisiting places that feel both foreign and familiar.

Through old letters, whispered stories from neighbors, and flashes of memory, Mei uncovers the truth: she and Jun were inseparable as children, their bond growing into first love beneath the blooming cherry tree on Moon Bridge. But tragedy struck when Mei’s family moved away suddenly, her parents desperate to protect her from painful memories after a terrible accident. In an attempt to shield her heart, they took her far away and encouraged her to forget.

But some promises are too powerful to fade. Mei had vowed to return to Jun beneath that cherry tree, and though her mind had forgotten, her heart never did.

As the cherry blossoms bloom once more, Mei must decide whether to rebuild the bridge to her past and the love she left behind or to walk away and let the memories fade forever.

whispers of a Faded Spring

The stone path was slick beneath Mei's shoes as she followed the winding trail along the riverbank. Willow branches dipped low, their tips brushing the surface of the water, sending ripples across its mirrored sheen.

Moon Bridge stood before her, arching gracefully over the river. It was just as she had seen in her dreams—pale gray stone, worn smooth by time, its curve elegant against the cloudy sky. Blossoms drifted around it, pink petals swirling like snowflakes.

Mei's chest tightened, her breath catching as she stepped onto the bridge. The air was colder here, the wind whispering through the cherry trees that lined the river. She reached out, her fingers brushing the ancient stone railing, rough and cool against her skin.

A memory surged forward, sharp and vivid. She was small, her hand tiny against the stone, her laughter echoing as she ran across the bridge. Someone's voice called after her, playful, warm. "Wait for me, Mei!"

She turned, her heart racing, but the image dissolved before she could see his face.

Mei spun around. Jun stood at the other end of the bridge, his hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on her. The wind ruffled his hair, and for a moment, he looked exactly as she remembered from the photograph—young and full of light. But that light was gone now, replaced by shadows she didn't understand.

"I… I don't remember," she whispered, the words a lie even to herself.

Jun's expression softened, his shoulders relaxing. "We came here every spring," he murmured. "We'd sit under that cherry tree." He pointed to the largest one, its branches heavy with blossoms. "You said the petals were like wishes, falling to the river to be carried away."

The words stirred something deep within her. A promise. She could almost hear her own voice, small and earnest. "If we make a wish together, it'll come true. We'll always be friends. We'll always be here."

Jun looked away, his jaw clenching. "You promised." His voice was low, choked. "You promised you'd never leave. But you did. Without a word."

Guilt washed over Mei, sharp and stinging. "I didn't… I never meant to leave you." Her voice broke, her heart aching as she took a step toward him. "I don't even know why I left."

Jun's eyes met hers, a storm of emotions swirling within them—anger, hurt, and something else she couldn't name. "You don't remember because you chose to forget."

The accusation sliced through her. Mei's knees wobbled, her grip tightening on the railing. "What… what do you mean?"

Jun took a step back, his gaze cold. "Ask your parents." His voice was distant, hollow. "They're the ones who took you away. They're the ones who made you forget everything… including me."

Before she could respond, he turned and walked away, his figure disappearing into the cherry blossom mist.

Mei stood alone on Moon Bridge, her heart shattering as petals swirled around her, their delicate pink hue blurred by tears she could no longer hold back.

Chapter 4: Moon Bridge