A Smile, a Fleeting Fate: A Chinese Ghost Story

The Buddha said: "In one flower, a world; in one tree, a life; in one blade of grass, a heaven; in one leaf, a Tathagata. In one grain of sand, a paradise; in one place, a pure land; in one smile, a worldly bond; in one thought, serenity." Spring passes and winter comes, frost tinging our hair. Flowers in the mirror and the moon reflected in water break our beauty. Time flies, carrying away our youth. When will you return to fulfill your promise to me? "When red maples cover the land and peace reigns throughout the realm, that will be the day I return to marry you." "There was no date for your return, and you never came back. You broke your promise to me! You did!" Why do I give up all the splendor of this life? For a promise made to someone in a past life? I can only sigh and vow not to let you down in this life. "What's your name?" A gentle voice sounded slowly. The barely concealed tremble in the speaker's voice was full of hope. "..." You parted your lips, but not a sound came out. "In this life, you won't even answer me?" "Forget it..." Those words were full of disappointment and self-mockery, a truth no amount of words could explain. "If there's another life, I hope we never meet, so we won't get to know each other, and won't fall in love again..." A sigh drifted through your heart, bringing with it a pain that tore you apart. Despair coiled around your throat again and again until even breathing became difficult... You struggled in agony at first, but eventually gave up and gave in. Bitterness filled your heart, and your eyes felt cool... You didn't know when it had happened, but tears were already streaming down your face. Perhaps it was the instant you heard that voice... You woke from the dream and opened your eyes. The suffocating heartache and despair were no longer so intense. You stared blankly at the ceiling, motionless. "Why shouldn't we meet in our next life...?" Remembering the last words spoken by the person in your dream, a wave of hurt welled up in you. "Isn't reincarnation for the sake of seeing each other again? Has even one glance become too much to ask for...?" You have dreams like this every day. Sometimes, they feature different people with blurred faces. Sometimes, they're just scattered fragments. But this person appears most often. "So, who are you, really...?" You gaze at your reflection in the vanity mirror, your eyes red and your tears unstoppable.