Young Master Liem
Chapter 48 Sun Kwan's Fear
Having a lover for Sun Kwan is new, to the point that he does not know, what to do as a lover. He also could not wonder to Siaw Cing, because his sister was also still not thinking about love, while Wan Siang who was more experienced even now disappeared.
Fortunately Sun Kwan has been diligent in reading literature that has to do with love, but somehow the story of love tragedy is precisely the much-loved, like the story of Sam Pek Eng Tay.
The story of Sam Pek Eng Tay is an ancient Chinese literary work, in the Sung Dynasty (960 M–1279 AD) appeared its oral literature. But it is estimated that the story has existed since the 4th century AD. Sun Kwan owned a Sam Pek Eng Tay storybook published in 1885, a low-budget Malay version which he bought from a book collector. Written “Therita dahoeloe kala in Tjina Country, terpoengoet from boekoe story to Tjina, Sam Pik – Ing Tay (Grivel, Semarang, 1885, Boen Sing Ho translation).”
The story is about a girl named Ciok Eng Tay who disguises herself as a boy in order to study in the capital Hankow. On his way, he met a young man named Nio San Pek (who later became more famous in the Dutch East Indies as Sam Pek), who also had the intention of studying in the capital.
The two soon became friends. But secretly Eng Tay loves Sam Pek, while the young man he loves still does not know that Eng Tay is a woman, so only consider him a friend. They then decided to become foster brothers.
Three years later, Eng tay received a letter from his father, who asked him to return home immediately to be betrothed. Before leaving, Eng Tay unlocks his secret to the headmaster's wife. Sam Pek drove Eng Tay 18 miles. On the way, Eng Tay got the idea to match Sam Pek with his “adik pek”. He asked Sam Pek to come to his home to be introduced to the “adik pek”.
When Sam Pek arrives at Eng Tay's house, he finally learns of Eng Tay's secret. But Eng Tay's parents still forced the girl to marry someone else. Sam Pek was heartbroken until he died.
On the day of Eng Tay's wedding, Eng Tay's party could not go to the groom's house because of a storm near Sam Pek's grave. Eng Tay then went to Sam Pek's grave and asked for it to be opened. Suddenly the grave opens and Eng Tay jumps into Sam Pek's grave to join the man he loves. Their souls are reborn in the form of a pair of butterflies flying together.
From the story, Sun Kwan is afraid if his love with Ai Lien turns out not to make it to the guarantee. He had not even dared to tell his love affair with Ai Lien to his stepmom.
She was afraid that her stepmother could not accept the relationship, because after all, she used to be Miss. Liem wants Ai Lien to marry Wan Siang. Not necessarily Mrs. Liem agrees that Sun Kwan wants Ai Lien.
He also did not know whether Ai Lien's parents also agreed to their relationship, because Sun Kwan felt he was nobody. Just Mr. Liem's bastard son.
Every parent of a distinguished family who has a beautiful daughter, would want her child to get the husband of an extraordinary man. Therefore, Sun Kwan told his fear to Ai Lien.
“Ai Lien, I know we love each other. But, what if our love does not work out until the marriage stage?”
“Why do you say that?” Ai Lien asked back.
“My mom used to want you to get married to Wan Siang, would she agree if I was the one who would propose to you? As for your parents, would they agree to marry off their only daughter to a mediocre young man like me?”
“Today my parents were kind to you.”
“That's because they assume we're just friends. It might be different if we eventually decide to get married. They used to agree to introduce you to Wan Siang, because my brother is already well established and also a businessman.”
Ai Lien saw fear on Sun Kwan's face. The man still remained unconvinced, even now being helplessly bowed. Ai Lien then raised Sun Kwan's face with both hands, for the sake of seeing his lover's face.
“You think I'll just shut up?”
“I'm afraid our love story ends tragically like Sam Pek and Eng Tay,” Sun Kwan said.
“If I were to become Eng Tay, what would I do?” ask Ai Lien.
“I don't know, maybe jump into my grave.”
“Hahaha... Sun Kwan, you're so funny. Why should I die in vain?”
“I also do not want to hurt to death, but for sure I will be sad if you are betrothed, ” said Sun Kwan.
At first Sun Kwan thought his world was very beautiful because Ai Lien was already his lover, and that was how it was, the world they both had was truly beautiful. They can now share their stories and spill all their feelings on each other.
They also like to study together, read books, write Chinese letter calligraphy and paint together. Their activities are like Sam Pek and Eng Tay when they both go to school in the capital Hankow. Ai Lien so admired Sun Kwan's intelligence and talent, and vice versa.
Sometimes to make Ai Lien happy, Sun Kwan recited Ancient Chinese poetry in front of the girl he loved. For example the poem “Titian Jalak”, by Cin Kwan, a poet who lived in the Song dynasty (1049 M–1100 AD).
Titian
Knitted clouds repulsive painting,
the star glides with regret, though,
samar crosses the Milky Way without edges.
Once upon a time in a golden wind of silver dew, the,
have exceeded repeated encounters on human earth!
Love is as gentle as water, love,
a happy day is like a dream,
no power to look at the starling in the middle of the way back!
When love in both hearts is eternal,
does attendance count every dusk every morning?
Ai Lien always liked to be recited poems by Sun Kwan, because when reciting them, the young man's voice was so soft, but the softness of it could penetrate into the deepest recesses of the heart.
Perhaps Eng Tay who likely lived in the 4th century was able to see the same nature in Sam Pek, thus making the girl fascinated with him. Gentle-hearted educated youth with good looks.
But Sam Pek's tenderness made him unable to endure the suffering of hearing that Eng Tay would be owned by another man. Ai Lien hopes Sun Kwan can be stronger and can face all the obstacles that could happen to the fate of their romance.
“Sun Kwan, my darling..You must be strong in the face of all trials,” said Ai Lien.
“I had a difficult childhood, but I can survive until now. Maybe it's one of my strengths,” said Sun Kwan.
Sun Kwan told Ai Lien a bit about her origins and her childhood to adulthood.
“I'm sure you can face anything.”
Ai Lien tried to convince Sun Kwan that the young man was actually strong. He wanted his girlfriend to believe in her own strength. That his patience until now is a form of strength that is very extraordinary, so with that power, Sun Kwan will be able to overcome all the challenges of life.
