Evening Sound of Cicadas
"Your voice can bewitch hundreds of men Roseanne."
Hong Rong's compliment brought a blush to my cheeks. My lips can't help but to form a smile. What a self esteem booster, my friend.
"That'a too much for a remark Hong Rong. You're making my face red." I said in a timid manner.
"You really have an alluring voice. It's my first time hearing such kind."
My ears are clapping because of Hong Rong's continuous praises. I extend my arm and push his shoulders lightly and laugh.
"Ah you're making my self-conceit soar. Thank you my friend."
I moved near him and embraced him. I felt his body stiffened but I continue hugging him. He really gives off my dear DK's vibe. Gosh. I miss that horse so much!
"Indescent woman. Don't you know that a man and woman should have their distance?"
My ears tingle when I heard the rude comment of that scumbag. I stopped embracing Hong Rong and looked at the bastard's direction. He is currently sitting near his horse while drinking water from his wooden jar.
"What did you call me? Indescent?!" I screamed at him.
"Loud, inelegant, and graceless. Lacking of virtuousity. It's my first time seeing a woman like you."
"You!"
I was about to throw a fit when Hong Rong restrained me. I looked at him with my blazing eyes.
"Stop or he'll leave you here."
I clenched my fist and the brown sands clustered inside. I throw the sand near that prick's direction and he just looked at me with his cold face. I hate how I am so helpless here!
I hate that guy so much!
Did he not think how hurtful his words were?!
If only I didn't need him!
After minutes of resting, we started traveling again. I don't know what time is it right now but the night is really late. My eyelids are closing but I really tried my best to not sleep.
However, these two guys with me are awake like they snorted cocaine. I can't believe how active they are.
Finally, after hours of horse riding, trees are starting to show up. When we're already in the middle of the forest, Master Prick pulled the rope of his horse and halted. Hong Rong also stopped.
"Let's spend the night here."
We all jumped down from the horse. They both tied the ropes of their horses in a tree branch. I looked around and observe how we are sorrounded by the tall trees. The moonlight is barely passing through the leaves. The owl's sound can also be heard.
"Scary." I mindlessly uttered.
"Don't be scared. I'll stand guard." Hong Rong said.
"What? You will not sleep?!"
"Of course I will but I wake up easily when there's something coming. Take a rest now and sleep. We still have a long way to go."
He sat under a tall tree and leaned on its trunk. I followed him and leaned there too. I made sure to create a distance between us to avoid the rude remarks of his Master.
"Are you alright? We don't have a bed here and the tree trunk is very hard."
"Don't worry, I am alright. I can manage." I confidently said.
To be honest, it's very uncomfortable. I never slept in a hard ground and to add that we're here outside in a free environment. We're exposed to every wild animals here.
But I don't want to be picky because they're also suffering like me.
And Hong Rong said that he'll stand guard. That made me feel safe for a little.
I was about to close my eyes when I saw Master Prick sleeping in a tree branch.
Woah.
Is it okay for him to sleep in that high place?
What if he falls?
Well, I wish he would. HAHA.
This freaking bastard.
I wonder why he's so rude to me like I did something wrong to him. I only hugged Hong Rong and he bombarded me with vile words.
Well this freaking era is conservative and it's unethical for a simple skinship while it's heroic to kill some people in a war.
What would I expect?
I should just accept the norms here.
I spent minutes of talking to myself before I drifted to sleep.
-*
I woke up feeling a hot sensation on my face. When I opened my eyes, the bright rays of light flashed and I covered my whole face from it. I sit down and and gently scratched my eyes. It's already morning.
I looked at my left and saw that Hong Rong is not there. Master Prick is not around too. I stood up and started panicking when I saw the two horses still tied in the tree branch.
Gosh. I thought they left me.
Where are they?
"Hong Rong!" I shouted.
I waited for his response but I got none. I walked around and yell his name again.
"Hong Rong where are you?!"
Still no response.
I continue walking and looking around. Where did they go?
Now that it's already morning, I can see the surroundings clearly.
There are lots of tall trees and they all have a great amount of volume of leaves. The grass are as tall as my ankle. I wish that there is no snake lurking around here.
Suddenly, I felt something move near me. I looked around and saw nothing. Fear start creeping inside me.
"Who's there?" I nervously called.
Then I felt another movement. I looked in its direction and saw nothing again.
Fuck. I'm so done here!
I took a step back and I screamed my lungs out when I felt a hard thing bump at my back. I instinctively threw my hands up and slap whatever animal is it. Shit!
"Ow!" I heard deep grunt.
My face turned sour when I saw Master Prick touching his pinkish face. His eyes are blazing with fire as if he's ready to kill me with that.
"Oh no. I'm sorry! I'm very sorry. I was just trying to protect myself! I thought you're an animal! I'm very sorry."
"How dare you hit me!"
I extended my arm aiming to touch his face that I slapped when he dodged it.
"Watch your hands!"
"I'm very sorry!"
"What are you even doing here?!"
"I am searching for Hong Rong. You're both not around when I woke up that's why I came to find you."
"Hong Rong is fishing in the streams! And also stop screaming. You're scaring my preys! You keep on ruining my hunt!"
I looked at his hands and saw a bow and arrow. Oops. He's really hunting though.
Before he shot me with those, I apologized again and run to find Hong Rong.
I felt my hand heating up and stinging. Geez. It seems like I slapped him really hard.
Wait.
I slapped that prick.
Did I really slapped that prick?!
I roared with laughter.
"BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
My stomach hurts and my tears are threatening to fall because of laughing. But when the image of that asshole touching his red face flashed inside my head again, that made me crack up for the nth time.
"Fuck HAHAHA. That was so epic!"
I felt like all my grudges to him are now paid off with that slap. Luckily, he did not shot with his arrow.
"Serves him right HAHA."
It's also my first time hearing him utter words greater than ten. He was really mad! HAHA.
I was smiling the whole time when I heard the sound of running water. I followed the noise. I passed through the steep land and hard rocks then I finally saw the stream.

"Hong Rong!"
Hong Rong looked at me and smile. This lovely boy always wearing a smile. Unlike that grumpy cold face! Hmmpph!
I carefully walked near him. The water is flowing fast and I don't want to slipped and hit my head in those big stones.
"What are you doing?" I dumbly asked.
"I am fishing."
"Oh. Can you teach me how to fish? I want to learn so that I can help you. I don't want to be a mooch."
"Mooch?"
"Nothing. Teach me please?"
"Alright. But watch me first."
Hong Rong started discussing how to fish. First he said that we need a sharp object for fishing. He showed me the wooden branch he is currently using. Hong Rong said that I need to sharpen its tip first. Of course the kind Hong Rong took one branch and made me one spear.
"Thank you." I said when he gave me the new wooden spear.
Then he continue discussing. He said that I need to step in the water and use my eyes in searching for the fish. Suddenly, he striked his spear down in the water creating a splash that made a face wash to me. I wipe the water from my face and saw the fish stuck in the pointed tip of the wooden spear.
"That's how you fish. It's easy right?"
"Wow."
Hong Rong put the fish in a weaved basket and when I look at it, there's already 4 fishes there.
"Now try doing it."
I removed my shoes and step in the water. Goosebumps filled my skin when I felt how cold the water is. I aimed my arrow above the water and focused on finding a fish.
After minutes of waiting, my arms are starting to feel tired and numb. I was about to give up when I saw a fish near me. Immediately, I strike it with one blow.
My hopes are high when I raised my spear but I frowned when I saw that I didn't catch it.
"It's okay Roseanne. It is really hard to catch a fish when it's your first time."
Hong Rong started fishing on his own. Of course I didn't give up because I failed on my first try. I move away from Hong Rong and have my fishing space. I aimed my spear above the water and widen my eyes for clearer vision.
I can do it!
I waited for minutes until I finally saw one. I made sure to aim at the fish and then I gave it a blow. I raised my spear and curse when I didn't catch the shit.
I tried again and I failed again.
I tried multiple times and striked at the water like a mad person. The lower part of my dress are already wet due to my huge blows.
"It's alright Roseanne. Don't tire yourself. I will do the fishing."
"No Hong Rong. I will never stop until I catched one."
Man my ego is hurt. I don't want to fail at this!
I doubled my effort and continued fishing. I can feel the sweat all over my body but I repeatedly striked the water.
"AHHHHHH." I screamed in frustation and pierce down.
"I'm done! I don't want- KYAAAAA."
"Oy Roseanne what happened?!"
"Look Hong Rong!"
I raised my spear and proudly showed the twitching fish in it. Hong Rong's face lighten up and clapped.
"Finally! You catched one! Hardwork always pays off. I commend you!"
"Yeah yeah. I'm so proud of myself. I'm so happy!"
I looked at my catched and smile. I am so happy! It's the first fish I ever catched in my whole life. I didn't know that fishing would be this fun! I can't believe that I learned something good in this era. HAHA.
"Master!"
I looked at Hong Rong and saw that he's looking in his front. When I glance there, I saw Master Prick looking at me.
"I thought you're in danger because of that girl's scream. Hey! I already told you earlier to stop screaming. You're attracting unnecessary attention here!"
I ignored him and went to the weaved basket and put my fish. I looked at Master Prick and give him my boasting face. I also rolled my eyes and started piercing the water again. Hmmmph! No one wants you here.
Luckily, I catched one fish again before Hong Rong decided to come back to our resting place. He first cleaned and removed the fish'
s gills and intestines before putting it back inside the basket. Carrying the basket full of fish, we started walking in the forest.
Suddenly, Hong Rong stopped walking and took the fallen dried tree branch. I started collecting dried tree branch too. Right. We need to create a fire to cook.
"Ooooh. What a rich forest it is. There are also herbal plants here."
Hong Rong dropped the basket and branches. He walked near the trees and pick unfamiliar plants.
"Look Roseanne. It's a Xu Duan! This is a very expensive herb."

"Oh."
"It is use to tonify the liver and kidney. It is also used for promoting blood circulation and it strengthen the bones and tendons. It is used to control bleeding during pregnancy too!"
"Wow. That plant is use for all of that? Amazing!"
"Come on. Let's get all of these."
I put the branches down and followed Hong Rong. I watched how he carefully dig the soil and took the plants with its roots. I told Hong Rong that I will not intervene in digging because I might destroy the plant. But the truth is, soil digging is not my style. I don't want to get my nails filled with dirt lol
After minutes of digging, Hong Rong finally took all those Xu Duan and we both continue walking. When we get there, we saw Master Prick skinning whatever animal he hunted. I will not eat that! I saw how he butchered it and I don't eat when I saw how it is killed. Except for the fish.
"Oh no. I think it's going to rain."
I looked up and saw the thick dark clouds above us. Man that's a big nimbus cloud!
"I saw a cave nearby. Let's go there." cold face said.
I told Hong Rong that I'll carry the basket of fish and his herbal plants, also some dried branches because they have a horse they needed to pull. The three of us started walking.
We arrived inside the cave before the heavy rain falls. Hong Rong started chopping the dried branches and as usual I help him. I step on the branch and the twigs scattered. I also heard a hiss. When I looked at Master Prick's direction, he's giving me that killing glare again.
"Sorry."
I turn away and smirk. HAHAHAHA. I hit him again yeeehaaaaa.
"Here's the twigs my dear friend."
Hong Rong laughed with my endearment to him and thanked me. For more than 2 months of traveling with him, I got more close to Hong Rong. He's really sweet, nice and kind. He's always asking me if I was okay. That's why I really mean that endearment. He became a dear friend of mine.
Unlike that grumpy douche who only knows how to give me a cold face and shoulder.
Hong Rong started rubbing the two branches and after a minute a spark was created and the fire lit up. He threw the lit branches to the other ones.
"Woah! That was amazing! Hong Rong you can be a guest to the Law of the Jungle!"
"Guest? What is that?"
"Nevermind. I was just praising your great survival skills. I can learn many things from you!"
Hong Rong just laughed at me. He started creating a wooden stand. He also pierce the fish through its mouth and put the wood on the stand.
"Master, I'll cook that rabbit."
Cold face gave his rabbit to my dear friend. That was a rabbit? Poor rabbit. I also eat rabbit but I don't want to eat that prick's hunted rabbit. I don't think he'll give me too.
"Let's just leave it like that. Master I found Xu Duan."
Cold face just nodded at him. Very appreciative.
"Hong Rong, how will that plant become a medicine?" I asked him.
I want to use this opportunity to learn something good.
"The only thing valuable here is the root. So you should first cut of the stem and leave the root. Washed the root and remove its dirt. Cut it into slices and dry it."
"Ah."
"When it is finally dried, you can now use it for different medications. For uterine bleeding, you will fry the roots. For external uses, you will powdered it. It can also be a tonic."
"I learned something valuable again. Thanks to you my dear friend. How did you learn this by the way?"
"I read it from the book that Master gave me."
"Ah. You can be a doctor you know?"
"My skills are not that considerable for becoming a good doctor."
"It's alright Hong Rong. You have the skills and talent. I'm pretty sure that you'll improve and become a physician."
"Thank you for your endless praises Roseanne."
"You're Welcome!" I joyfully said.
After an hour of cooking, the fish and cold face's meat are already done. My dear friend gave me the biggest fish which he catched. I thanked him and have a bite.
"So this is what hardwork tasted like."
Hong Rong laughed at my comment. He's really my number one fan here.
The three of us silently eat. I am really so proud of myself. Back in my era, I never cooked for myself even though I know how to cook and I attended a cooking class when I was in middle school. All I ever did was accept what was given to me or eat the already prepared food I ordered.
But now I can say that I have an edge with the likes of me who have a golden spoon in their mouth since birth. Here, I tried my best and spent countless of efforts to catch my food.
I also think that during my indefinite stay here, I will learn many things like identifying herbal plants, its uses and how to concoct it.
I am so proud of myself!
"Woman."
I stopped idling when I heard cold face voice. I turned to him and raised my eyebrows.
"What?"
"Here."
I was surprised when he handed me a stick with cooked meat. I was hesitant at first but I don't want to refuse his kind gesture because it's very rare. So I accepted his offer and took the meat.
"Thank you." I said and gave him a smile.
I turn away and looked at the meat. Should I eat it? I saw him skinned it and I'm feeling strange when I think about it.
Don't be picky Roseanne!
Cold face is being generous to you now.
Whatever. I'll just eat it.
Whether I saw it slaughtered or not, it's still the same. It still slaughtered.
I took a bite and continue eating. Meat is still number one.
-*
"It looks like the rain isn't going to stop soon." I said while watching how heavy the rain is.
"Let's just spend the night here and we'll leave when the rain stops." Cold face said.
I hugged my legs and watched the cry of the skies. It is already dark outside but the rain is still falling. There is already a bonfire in front of me but I still feel the coldness touching my skin.
"Are you still feeling cold? Here wear my coat." Hong Rong offered.
"No, no. Keep it. I am fine. The fire is already giving me the heat. Thank you for the concern Hong Rong."
I looked back staring at the heavy rain again.
"What are you thinking?"
"Nothing. I am just thinking about my family. I wonder how are they? I am pretty sure that they are so worried right now. I wish that I never ran away from home. I miss them so much."
I bow down and put my forehead above my knees. A tear fell from my eyes. I tried to suppress my sob but one escaped. Here I am again crying all my problems.
"I am so stupid. What am I even thinking? Why did I do that? Because of my recklessness, I am here regretting."
"Everything happens for a reason."
I raised my head and looked at cold face when he said that.
"Maybe this happened to you so that you can learn from the mistakes you made and to realize the consequences of your actions. So that in the future, you will not be muddled and you will start to think the possible results of your decisions. "
I was left dumbfounded and I just stared at him.
Cold face's words really hitted the bull's-eye.
I can't believe that this cold looking guy has that wisdom.
"It's rude to stare at someone. Stop staring at me."
Normally, I will roll my eyes when I hear him scolding me. But tonight, my lips automatically gave off a chuckle.
He's back being grumpy again.
I lay down and closed my eyes. I will just sleep for now.
Hong Rong wake me up when the rain stopped. We went outside the cave and it's still dark. The three of us climbed up the horse and started our journey again.
The wind is still cold and the soil is still wet. The evening sound of cicadas are still ringing in the forest. It's like they're all rejoicing when the rain finally stopped.
-*
"Hong Rong do I really looked like a 15 year old girl?"
"Aren't you 15?"
"Will you believe me when I tell you that I am really 19 years old?"
"No."
"Silly." I said while laughing.
We're still riding on a horse. The sun is already scorching hot. Unfortunately, there is still no sign of town or sea here.
"Look there are people over there!" I said.
Meters from us, I saw people planting in the ricefield. If there are people, there is a town.
"Finally, a town nearby."
The horse continue galloping. As we get nearer, my eyebrows creased when I heard loud cries and whips. I looked at the direction and saw a ugly looking men whipping an old lady.
"Hong Rong! Look at that bastard! He's hitting the old woman! Let's stop him!"
"Master!" Hong Rong called.
Cold face looked at us and nodded. He halted his horse and jump down. We also stopped and went down the horse. Cold face got the bastard's attention and temporarily stopped whipping the old lady.
"Who are you? What are-"
Before he can even finish his question, a sword pierced his stomach and gush of blood came out from his mouth.
I screamed so loud and covered my whole face with my palm.
"Hey Roseanne? Are you all right?" Hong Rong concerningly asked.
Gosh. My knees are shaking! I am still terrified with the killing of a human being. I think that no matter how many times I watched someone being killed, I will never get used to it.
Cold face really kill without hesitation. He's really scary.
"Rong Ting! That bastard killed Rong Ting! Let's kill him!"
"Roseanne just stay here. I will help Master."
I felt Hong Rong moved away from me. I already know what's going to happen that's why I closed my eyes and covered my ears.
But no matter how tight I covered my ears, the metal sound of sword clashing and the slashing still penetrate my ears. Loud cries filled the air until it stop.
I don't want to look at that frightening view but my concernment to those two guys is eating me. That's why I removed my hands from my ears and opened my eyes. Three dead bodies scattered in the road. I also saw how Hong Rong removed his sword from the dead man's stomach.
Hong Rong can kill too.
"You should get use to this kind of occurrence when you're with us. There are lots of evil people here and we can't help but to fight not just for our lives but also for the others."
I looked at cold face and saw how serious his face was. No. Scratch that. He's always wearing that serious face.
"Thank you young men. Thank you for saving our lives."
The old woman came near us and started kowtowing. The other people also did that too.
"You may all rise." Cold face said.
"I wonder who are those people? Why are they hitting you?" Hong Rong asked.
"They're all bandits from the North that taken over our town."
Cold face and Hong Rong looked at each other.
"How long are they here?"
"They are here for about a year! They took all of our belongings and enslaved us!"
"That bandit was whipping me for asking for a rest. I am already working since morning with no food or water in my stomach."
The rest of the people also tell their sufferings. As I hear their cries, my anger rose. Those evil creatures. Are they even human? They really deserve to die!
"Please help us eradicate those evil people. We really can't take it anymore. You are our last hope."
"Take us to your town."
Holy guacamole. It seems like there's another blood bath bound to happen.
And I'm still not ready for that.