ACT III: The Man from the Far East - Cheng

Arsha shut the windows to prevent the frigid wind that flowed through the room. She curled her fingers tightly around the lamp she was holding as she resumed her restless stride across the living room. It was already late, and Rashan wasn't home yet. And she was beginning to worry, she hated to worry about her loved ones. It sets her on edge and she hated when her nerves eat up at her. She rubbed her arms with her hand to provide herself with soothing self-comfort, but this action of hers proved futile as she couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that gripped her.

Rashan wasn't like this. He was always punctual and responsible, always making sure to arrive home before nightfall. As the hours ticked by, Arsha felt a sense of unease settle in her stomach. What if something had happened to him? What if he was lying injured somewhere, unable to call for help? A thousand terrible scenarios played out in her mind, each one more dreadful than the last.

Arsha felt helpless. She didn't know who to contact for help in this new and strange place and she wasn't that close to Brower.

'This is a waste of time' She huffed. 'I shouldn't be worrying this much. I must find him myself'. Immediately the thought ran through her mind, Arsha heard the front door creak open. She rushed to the entrance, her heart pounding in her chest. Rashan stood at the doorway, he looked tired yet there was this satisfying smile on his face. Arsha released a relieved sigh and walked towards him to wrap him in her harsh embrace when she spotted a tall, dark – haired stranger who followed after her husband inside and smiled warmly at her.

Her relief quickly turned to confusion.

"Arsha, my love, meet Mr. Cheng. He's an immigrant like us" Rashan introduced his new friend to his wife. "We met in Brower's Tavern. I invited him to stay with us for a few days"

Arsha maintained her gaze at the man her husband called Mr. Cheng. He looked so well dressed and his attire doesn't give him away as an Immigrant. He flashed Arsha a friendly grin and bowed low.

He doesn't seem to be much of a talker.

"You brought a complete stranger into our home without my knowledge? Do you have any idea how worried I was? What were you thinking?" She fired, her voice laced with pained anger.

Rashan looked apologetic. He didn't mean to upset her, especially during her delicate state. He reached out to clasp at her hands and rubbed them gently.

"I am so sorry, Eshgham. I know it was impulsive, but Mr. Cheng needs our help. It will only be for a few days. I promise there won't be any trouble"

Arsha sighed in frustration, resigned to the fact that she would have to make the best of the situation. Pulling her hands away from her husband's hold, she gave a reluctant nod. Rashan could tell she was trying so hard to suppress the irritation bubbling inside her.

"Welcome, Mr. Cheng" She curtly said, giving him a customary welcome greeting and turned to the dining room.

Rashan widened his eyes and took that as a cue. He turned to Cheng and gestured for him to follow after his wife.

"I am really sorry about that. My Arsha is actually a very strict and cautious person. She means well but she might come off as someone cold."

Cheng only smiled "I understand that. I can tell your wife loves you and listens to you. And besides…" He paused, his eyes strayed to the woman across the table setting down the cutleries and large bowl meticulously on the clothed table. He watched her slow and careful movements, her hands were deft while her legs were cautiously slow. Then his dark eyes stared intently at her swollen belly.

"I can tell why she's super strict. You are a lucky man"

Rashan smiled broadly feeling his face grow warm. "I appreciate it, Mr. Cheng"

Arsha wasn't an accommodating person. She wasn't a good host either. The hearty laughter she overheard from the living room rang foreign in her ears. It appears Rashan was getting along well with his new friend. He was spending more and more time with this Cheng person, talking and laughing like old friends. Rashan was naturally a friendly and warm hearted person so it isn't uncommon for him to share light hearted talks with a person he just met. There must be something about this stranger, Arsha couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that dwelled in her. She found herself constantly at edge and easily paranoid at the stranger's presence.

She huffed and turned away when she overheard the men's conversation. She suddenly paused and neared the door to Rashan's study, pressing her ears to make out the words they were saying. She could sense the excitement in their voices. Curiosity got the best of her and she slightly but silently opened the door and peered in so she could listen in.

"You see, my friend" Cheng's voice became clearer. "I believe you can make a prosperous business in the near future"

"Why, thank you for such kind words" Rashan boomed out "It is actually my dream; A dream I promised my older brother"

"How lovely. What business are you planning on venturing on?"

"Hmmm. I have no clear idea, however Mr. Brower a friend of my brother promised to give me a hand. Perhaps I could go into marketing and trade"

Cheng flashed a smile, his white teeth glistening in the bright room. "There is something I must tell you. Since you are my friend, I am sure it will benefit you"

He leaned closer and brought out an old looking book. It appeared to be a journal. He handed it over to Rashan, who held the book in his hands and flipped through the pages tentatively.

"This is…"

"This is a secret art passed down to me from my ancestors in my country."

"Oh" Rashan's eyes widened, wonder brimming in his amber orbs.

The energy in the room suddenly shifted into something strange. Arsha could sense a change in the air, a tension crackled like static electricity. Suddenly, Cheng leaned forward, his dark eyes intense as he locked them with Rashan.

"There is something I must tell you. Something you must know"

Rashan could only nod, his brow furrowed

Cheng took a deep breath, his voice low and urgent, "I…I am not who I appear to be. I am actually a wanderer now. I used to be a respectable officer in the Palace, a trusted aide to the Emperor."

"Really?" Rashan was in awe. He was suddenly interested in his friend's story. "What happened?"

"My service was no longer required by the Emperor. You see, I possessed great knowledge and wisdom from my home country, Qing. We were known for our remarkable discovery and observations about nature. I shared this knowledge with the Royal Court when I came to this country twenty years ago."

Cheng paused, took a sip from the drink in his mug and gulped audibly before continuing.

"There were others contending for my position, yet the Emperor trusted me a lot and turned to me for advice. He found my wisdom in nature remarkable, however my rivals always seem to throw counter-attacks at me and I lost favor in the Emperor's eyes. With new theories and the invention of the military weapons, the Emperor discarded my ideas and dismissed me."

"I don't understand, Mr. Cheng." Rashan pondered "You used to be an Advisor to the Emperor of Britannor? And your rivals made the Emperor turn away from you. How did it happen? You are a splendid man."

Cheng gave a low chuckle and stroked his beard. "The thing about this empire, my dear friend, is that the Nobles will never accept an idea that isn't theirs. Either they steal it or make a better version of it. I came up with knowledge that could cure grave disease and I also discovered the creation of gunpowder."

Arsha widened her eyes in astonishment and covered her mouth to stifle her cry of shock, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and wonder. She had always known there was something different about Cheng. So he was an inventor and a royal officer who was responsible for the creation of such deadly weapon.

Rashan was equally shocked, his mouth agape as he tried to process Cheng's revelation.

"Gunpowder?"

"Yes. I brought up the idea because my home country uses this powder during festive moments. Together with minerals and the perfect combination, the night sky would light up in wonderful and creative colors. However, the Noble Officials of Britannor thought of a better idea and the Emperor preferred it. In their quest for power and security-as they called it, they spread terrors in the heart of neighboring countries."

Cheng heaved a huge sigh and wiped his face in remorse. Rashan moved closer to his friend and placed a gentle hand on the dark haired man's shoulder. "I am sorry to hear this. And thank you for sharing this to me"

Cheng smiled warmly and held unto Rashan's hand "You are a good person Rashan. I knew it the moment I saw you. And for this, I want to share you the knowledge I possess that the world chose to discard"

"What? Why?" Rashan abruptly stood up, shaking his head vehemently. "It can't be me. I can't have such deep knowledge. I neither am brilliant or important as you are, Mr. Cheng."

Cheng gave a knowing smile and stood up as well, he clasped unto the brown hand and squeezed tightly. "You have to accept this knowledge as a token of my appreciation."

"But why me? I am just someone who has a dream and a goal. I can't handle yours. It feels too…surreal"

"Trust me, Rashan. You are worthy and I believe in you. In fact, I am proposing a business idea for you"

"Are you serious?" Rashan stared incredulously

"Would you like some tea?" Cheng beamed a smile.

Over the next three days, Arsha struggled to look Cheng in the eye. Their exchange became stiff and awkward, and it troubled Arsha after hearing the past He had shared with her husband. Her husband appeared to be in a daze after that night. Rashan had told her of what Cheng had revealed to him and needed her opinion, however Arsha was confused as well. She found their guest vey enigmatic. He was polite and well-mannered, but his constant presence made her feel uneasy. She found herself avoiding him as much as possible, hiding out in her study or taking long walks in the garden just to escape the awkwardness of having a stranger in her midst.

Despite her reservations, Arsha couldn't help but feel guilty over her actions and found herself accepting one of his invitations to drink tea with him. They spent hours in comfortable silence, sipping tea and chatting together, sharing stories of their home country and adventures. Arsha couldn't deny the immense knowledge he claimed to possess. As the day passed, Arsha begrudgingly began to warm up to Cheng. He was a fascinating individual, with a wealth of knowledge about the world beyond their small village. He regaled her with tales of far-off lands and exotic fauna, captivating her with his stories of adventure and intrigue. But it was Cheng's passion for tea brewing that truly caught her attention. He had a deep love for the art of brewing tea, and he shared his expertise with Arsha, teaching her the intricate rituals and techniques that went into making the perfect cup. Rashan watched in awe as his wife absorbed Cheng's teachings, her eyes lighting up with excitement and enthusiasm. She had this look that she never had in long time after they left Persie. It was at this moment that he came to a sudden conclusion.

After learning the truth of Cheng's origins sink in, Arsha had felt a wave of awe and trepidation wash over her. She had always believed in the existence of knowledge and discoveries of other countries, but to come face to face with a person with knowledge beyond what she could comprehend was reality she could hardly fathom. Now as she looked at Cheng, at the warmth and kindness in his eyes, she knew that he meant them no harm. He was a man of peace and wisdom, a traveler with the thirst for knowledge and understanding. And in that moment, she felt a deep sense of gratitude that he had chosen their home as a place of refuge and friendship. In the days that followed, Cheng continued to share his wisdom with Rashan, teaching him the ancient art of tea brewing with a skill and precision that bordered on the miraculous. And as her husband's passion for the craft grew, Arsha found herself drawn into their world of unique science and mystery, her doubts and fears melting away in the warmth of their companionship. And so, in the embrace of their newfound friendship, Arsha discovered that sometimes the strangest and most unexpected encounters can lead to the most extraordinary discoveries. And in the quiet moments of their shared tea ceremonies, she found a sense of peace and serenity that she had never known before. Stroking her swollen belly, she silently prayed to have a child to be a remarkable person with knowledge as Cheng.

It was on the sixth night of Cheng's stay that everything changed.

Cheng suddenly disappeared with a note expressing his gratitude for the couple's hospitality and a hopeful message wishing the Imani Family success in their new found interest and hoped it would help them.

Rashan was confused as to why would Cheng leave behind his journal of tea brewing and his box that seemed to hold a strange book and materials. The book was thick and old looking, bearing strange cryptic writings and drawings that the couple couldn't decipher. And the contents in the containers were strange looking fluids that seems to be a vial of labeled ingredients. Not understanding what the knowledge of the book entails, Rashan kept the box for safe keeping hoping that one day the need to understand the mystery surrounding Cheng's belongings would reveal itself.

The next winter, the Imani family welcomed their children into the family; Samira and Ramin Imani.