Today Alice was looking for this man to convince him to carve a box for her. She once met him on the street where he was trying to get his old machines repaired. But his machines were as old as him making it difficult to repair them. In addition to this, he was a typical miser, who doesn't want to spend much money. Someone advised him to look for the genius girl who repairs the machines like magic.

As expected of Alice, when he approached her for help, she repaired all the machines of the old man to his satisfaction. But the cunning old man refused to pay her for service, stating the reason for his poor condition.

But in return, he gave his address saying she can look for him for any wood carving project. Out of respect for the old man, she accepted it politely, but never in her dreams had she thought that one day she will genuinely look for this old man.

When she reached his workshop, her eyes were widened in shock and her mouth agape. It was a luxurious workshop filled with aesthetic pieces of carved wood. One look at them and you'll understand the depth of dedication of the old man in his work. Every piece was life like as if the dragons, humans, animals, and flowers carved on wood will jump out any time taking a real form of life.

She leaned in closer to check the price tag on the piece. Her lips pressed in a thin line as she clutched the small bundle of money in her hands. Every piece in this workshop was over three hundred thousand dollars but the money hidden inside her fist was just over a thousand dollars. She felt herself small in front of her requirements.

Sighing in disappointment, just when she was about to leave from the shop, a heavy voice was heard from behind, "Pretty girl, Do you want to buy that?" Reflexively she turned around and found the same old man standing not too far from her.

"I'm sorry; I was just taking a look at your work."

"Do you like it?"

"Like? It's a small word to describe them. They are beyond one's imagination, exquisite and every piece is narrating their own story." Alice replied.

"Which piece is your favorite? I'll box it for you"

"That's a great honour…. But I'm afraid I can't afford any of it"

The old man approached her and reads her carefully through his experienced eyes. He noticed she was hiding something in her hands. Carefully he lifted both her fists and opened them one by one.

In her right hand was a crumpled bundle of money which has turned slightly damp because of her sweaty palms. In her left hand was a neatly folded paper, which was not at all crumbled or damp. Probably this paper was important to her than money, that's why she was holding it delicately.

When the old man opened the paper he gasped in shock. It was a beautiful design meant to be carved on a box to keep a musical instrument… Violin…

Her eyes were looking down at her feet, unable to meet the sharp eyes of the old man. He smiled, "So this is what you want me to make for HIM…"

"H…HIM??" Her eyes widened in shock as she stammered and old man clank loudly, "Of-course HIM…!! Pretty girl, this old man has seen more life than you. This is not an ordinary design, but a hidden message for someone special. Isn't it?"

With blushed cheeks, she nodded shyly.

Looking at her shy face he clanked loudly, throwing his head back and spinning around his place. "Hahaha….. What a creative way to express the feelings!! I'm impressed!!" Suddenly he caressed her hair lovingly, "Give me one month; I'll make this for you…"

"Umm… Thank you!! But..."

"Consider this as my payment for repairing machines…" he interrupted in between and Alice looked at him bewildered.

"Pretty girl, I'm not any poor old man. I was checking you that day if you're really using your talent to help others or is it just a façade to earn money. But to my surprise, you are one of those few people who don't give any importance to money, just like me. I didn't saw an ounce of resentment on your face when I refused to pay for your service, this shows your sole motive is not money."

"From an artist to another artist, as a respect towards your skills, let me make this box for you… I promise I won't be a disappointment, pretty girl" Alice felt embarra.s.sed as well as touched by the old man's kind gesture.

The old man saw the hesitation in her eyes and asked, "What happen? Do you want to say something?"

Fidgeting with her hands she replied, "Umm!! I don't have one month's time… Before the third stage of the exam, I want to surprise him with this gift… This means I could give you only five days at max"

"More than enough, I'll dedicate day and night towards this project!! Come back after four days to take the delivery" he patted her head.

"Thank you so much….." she was about to leave from there when he called her, "Pretty girl, can you tell me what is the hidden message??"

"No No No… In this entire world, except him, no one can decode it…." She ran from there, "Thank you for your help! Goodbye Mr. Matsuyama....."

"Mei…." She opened her eyes when he called for her.

"Can you play it once?" Feeling her pulse pounding in her temples, she tried to divert the topic. But in reality, her heart was craving for the melodious music he used to play for her.

Feng Jianyu's eyes lit up. This was what he wanted to hear from her, "Of course!! That's why I brought it along with me to play a beautiful piece for you…. I know how much you like instrumental music..."

Holding the fiddle on his left shoulder, he played one of the most beautiful love pieces of all time, 'A Time For Us, Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet by Andy Williams)….

A time for us, someday there'll be

When chains are torn by courage born of a love that's free

A time when dreams, so long denied

Can flourish as we unveil the love we now must hide

A time for us at last to see

A life worthwhile for you and me

And with our love through tears and thorns

We will endure as we pa.s.s surely through every storm

A time for us, someday there'll be

A new world, a world of s.h.i.+ning hope for you and me

Feng Jianyu stopped playing the violin and looked towards her in antic.i.p.ation. He knows she would not give her the same response like seven years back, but something….. He was expecting her to turn her head once and look at him...…..

When she didn't turn her head for a long time, he called her softly, "Mei…."

***NO Response***

Taking a deep breath he called her name again, "Mei…. Do you like it?"

***No Response***

Thinking she might have slept listening to the music, Feng Jianyu got up carefully and without making any noise he approached her tiptoeing on his steps. Upon reaching to the other side his face froze at the sight of blood....