[dulanjiao]

Dealing with the matter of death was not a simple or trivial thing. And something, just when things couldn’t get any worse, the light is just ahead if fate smiles at you. This is a story of one of my strange experience which still feels like a dream but somewhat vivid and I doubt I would ever forget.

It was during one of my best times in life when I got a great job, a great pay and except than having someone stable, I am all ready to enjoy life and all when I got a letter from an old friend. Someone who is close to me like a brother whom I had not heard of in a long time. The letter, however was not a happy one and in fact rather depressing. Apparently my friends had gotten a terminal illness. He had been in Taipei since so long ago after we last saw each other in decade. In his letter, he mentioned that there is something he need me to attend to and he would love to see things settled so that he could go in peace. It was a very heavy matter to me. He was like a brother to me and I know I would do anything for him despite not being in contact for such a long time.

So, I packed my stuff in a rush and took 2 weeks off (yes, it’s crazy, I practically spend half my leave on this) and off I go to Taipei to see my old friend, perhaps for the last time. All the while in flight of 4 over hours, I could think of nothing but the days we used to have and I wondered what is it that he needed me to attend to. He has been in Taiwan for so many years and never needed me, but why now? I feel a little angry, but how can I be angry with a dying man. I hope I am not making the mistake of my life here. But little did I know this is going to be a hell of a trip.
Up to this point. Some of you would probably scream. Well, WTF. This has nothing to do with erotica or anything hot and sexy. Well, I promise there will be, but just let me get the background and stuff going before the main story.

I was promised there will be someone at the airport to pick me up from the email reply and I hope I am right. I waited a bit and Taiwan airport is really nothing compare to Changi and there is practically nothing to do there so it was very upsetting. Finally, I pick up a sim card and decided to call the number on the email. I heard a phone nearby rang and I looked up, a lady was walking towards me with her phone still ringing in her hand. It was one of those huge and big phone back in those days and I can’t help noticing her is really stunning looking, even though she is masked by her incredibly plain and dull clothes she is wearing and even her huge sunglasses (yes, it’s hot in those days) can’t cover the beauty of her face from me. She tries to squeeze a smile, but somehow I can feel she is not comfortable with that as she raises her hand and asked “Hi, Are you <dulanjiao>? I am Racheal.”

Well, let’s just say whether I like it or not, I am going to spend a lot of time with her in the coming days, but of course I have no idea then and sleepily I shook her cold little hands then…

(To Be Continued…)