The view from my window is breathtaking. If there’s one thing I will really miss, it’s this spot where I spent all my mornings during the past 9 months, looking out at the peaceful forest while sipping my coffee. My assignment here is over today, and I’m returning to Appaloosa Plains.

Liang was in a weird mood last night. We talked about this a thousand times. I won’t stay here. It’s pointless.

We are not even together. Although he pretty much moved in here soon after Snowflake day, he stays in the guest room. It was just sheer practicality. I live on the top of a hill and it wouldn’t have been too convenient for him to leave in the dark and spend an hour getting back to town.

In spite not being a couple, I can’t ignore the special bond that formed between us during my stay.

We continued our training nearly every day. He never failed to amaze me with his determination to pass his knowledge to me. Every time he came up with a new challenge. Just when I was finally comfortable with my moves, he would drag me outside to spar in the rain, practice at a remote spot, sleep outdoors with no food for two days. He said the only way to truly understand martial arts is by discipline, and the complete control over one’s body and mind.

I will never forget the night when he left me alone in the wild. All I had was a tent and some firewood, so that I won’t freeze to death. That night I was already asleep when I heard tentative steps outside my tent. At first I thought Liang came back for me, but soon I had realise it’s not him. Somebody was out there, fiddling around my tent. I jumped out and found myself acing a man I’d never seen before. I didn’t have much time to turn this around in my mind because he came at me at once. My reflexes kicked in and I deflected his punch he threw at my face. My screams probably surprised him because he didn’t notice my kick aimed at his knee. When he fell to the ground I kept kicking him until I was sure he was not moving. Only then I started running towards the town.

Liang was asleep when I burst into his room. After I told him what happened the sleepiness disappeared from his eyes and he seemed alert. He ran outside and I saw him searching the perimeter. When he was satisfied that I was not followed he told me about the separatists. Apparently there’s an ex-military group that is very much against this cultural co-operation. They think they will lose their identity if the art of Sim Fu will start spreading around in the West. He reported this new development to his superiors and we took extra care in the coming weeks, until it was confirmed that all members of the separatists were under arrest.

Not everything was that grim though. We spent many weekends exploring the historical sites. Liang’s grandmother gave me a book about the Dragon Caves. Liang did not want to believe his eyes when I managed to solve the riddle that was required to open the cave entrance.

“You had a good master”, he said, laughing.

“Obviously”, I agreed.

While I was inside the cave, Liang was guarding the entrance. He had an absurd fear of getting trapped inside by a loose piece of rock, so he insisted I go alone and he will keep me safe. The cave itself was a massive disappointment. I disarmed some traps and collected a few old coins, but they were not particularly valuable.

We became regular visitors at Liang’s grandmother’s house. She’s like a mother to Liang. They lived on their own since he was just a baby because his parents died in an accident, not long after his birth. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been. Abi, his grandmother, is a sweet old lady. But she’s half-deaf, so Liang had to repeat pretty much everything I said and even then Abi was under the impression that I’m Liang’s girlfriend.

“No, no, Grandma, Abbie is just my friend”, said Liang only a bit louder than it was comfortable for any normal human being.

“Yes, that’s what I just said”, the old lady nodded, “your girlfriend.”

Sometimes I think she was doing it on purpose because she was hoping we will end up together.

Then one morning while I was upstairs, chatting with Alani, I heard a gut-wrenching sob from the kitchen. I ran downstairs as fast as my legs would take me and found Liang standing in the corner, hunched over, tears streaming down his face.

“What is it?”, I asked as I ran to him, although deep inside I had a feeling that I know the answer. When he didn’t reply just shook his head I did not hesitate, just took him in my arms and held him tight until he calmed down and was able to speak coherently.

Abi had died the previous night. The neighbours found her; she was sitting in the armchair we left her after dinner, holding the picture we took together, smiling.

Liang was not himself for the next few weeks, but he refused to put our practices on hold. One day he took me to a new location. It looked like an abandoned barn.

“This is where we used to live with my Grandma”, he said in a soft voice. “When I was very little. She worked very hard to provide me with everything I needed.”

He looked so forlorn. I just wanted to comfort him. When the words did not come I just held his hand.

“Thanks, Abbie, this means a lot to me.”

Liang led me inside. It was hard to imagine that once this place was someone’s home. He took a step towards me. Then his lips found mine. His kiss tasted sweet, and I wanted more. As he tried to pull closer, one of the floorboards creaked and we lost our balance, nearly falling in the opening that lead downstairs. The magic of the moment was gone.

“I’m sorry… I… I don’t know what came over me”, he muttered, slowly backing away.

“You don’t need to apologise”, I assured him. “You are confused and in a disturbed state of mind. I can’t blame you for wanting a little comfort.”

We spent that night in the old barn. While drifting off to sleep, I listened to Liang telling me stories from his childhood. In spite of sleeping on a haystack, I woke up refreshed the next morning.

We had a few more training session and eventually I got my certificate from the Martial Arts Academy. I was so proud of myself.

“It was an honour training you”, said Liang, and bowed.

“The honour is mine”, I replied, returning the gesture.

On my last weekend he took me to the lake in the mountains. It was a beautiful place. So tranquil and secluded. For a long time none of us said anything, we just stood there, watching the colourful fish playing in the crystal clear water.

From the corner of my eye I saw Liang take a step towards me. I turned to him and suddenly he was right in front of me. My heart was beating fast. He cupped my face in his hands, tilting my chin up.

“Abbie…”, he whispered as he leaned in, his lips nearly touching mine. I could feel his soft breath on my skin and saw him closing his eyes.

I jumped back just before he could kiss me.

“No”, I said, “this is a bad idea…”

“I just… I thought”, he was looking for the words.

“No”, I shook my head. “Please don’t make this harder.”

He seemed taken aback and I felt bad. But I really didn’t want to complicate things. I came here to do an assignment, and in the meantime also sort out the emotional mess my life became, and getting involved with someone just a week before my departure was not a good idea. We packed up soon after and went home. We really mastered the awkward silences by this time, and just tiptoed around each other for the last few days.

For a while I contemplated to just walk out while Liang was asleep. I had no idea how to say goodbye to him. Everything was so weird. I went to his room downstairs and just sat in the armchair, watching him curled up on top of the covers.

As I was halfway out the door I heard his voice, speaking clearly, not like someone who was just waking up.

“I will miss you, Abbie.”

I turned to look at him as he was lying there, a bittersweet smile playing around his lips.

“I will miss you too.”

I knew I will probably never see him again.