Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 2 - 2 | Page 159

Sunset from Cochin
The Independent Schools Foundation Academy, Zhang, Miya - 11
Lian stared ahead at the golden sunset as the waves cracked against the helms of China’s treasure
ships. She looked to the distant horizon and made the promises she owed to her friend, and to the world.
She made vows, and thought back, to that soul whose fire rivaled that of the sun’s.
Lian thought back to the time she’d had with Anala in Cochin. The day she met her friend had
been when the sunset was at its full, glorious climax. The sky was swathed with vibrant ribbons of light in
purple, ruby and gold. The healer had leapt off the treasure ship, “neglecting” her duties as her father would
later say. She raced through the streets of Cochin, gliding past silk-clad bodies speaking in a language like
the gentle currents of a river, or like gusts of wind rolling off the tongue in soft, melodic trails. She inhaled
the sweet aroma of steamed seafood as it drifted through the air and admired the sky’s brilliance. Lian had
skidded to a stop only when she’d heard cries of pain from inside a cottage. That was when she’d spotted the
other girl lying on the floor, trying to shield the gaping wound on her forearm. Silently, the healer had
lowered herself so she was face to face with the other girl. Anala, who couldn’t have been much older than
Lian herself, had sun-kissed skin the rich color of star anise. But her eyes - they were ablaze with a flame-
like quality. She had a fierceness that seemed to rival even the flames of the sun. It was these flames in the
girl’s eyes that encouraged Lian to reach into her sleeves and produce the bundles of healing herbs.
Absent mindedly, Lian spoke in a soothing tone as she tended to Anala’s wound, describing her first
few days at sea with China’s fleet. How she’d had the good fortune of being chosen to accompany the
imperial eunuch Zheng He on his voyage for the Yongle Emperor. When Lian was finished, Anala had
spoken in uneven Chinese to tell Lian her name. Anala had gone on to discuss Zheng He’s voyages with
Lian during their many conversations. Though the girls had both known how their friendship was to end,
they still had felt crushed when Zheng He’s fleet’s time in Cochin was announced to have expired.
So, the girls had prepared themselves for their last night together. Lian had sat with her head on
Anala’s shoulder. “Do you suppose what Zheng He is doing is noble?”
Anala had contemplated her question, her soft smile flickering like a flame. “I do in fact. He came
to give. To provide. So many people come to Cochin because they want to take back a part of its luxury.
It’s spices or whatever else they find valuable. I think it’s noble that the Yongle Emperor sent him here to
give to the Calicut Kingdom instead. Perhaps it’s a fool’s way of thinking, but I can admire that. Maybe
what China is doing now, what you’re contributing to, is helping the world. Maybe. I’m hoping that this
act of selfless goodness will bring our worlds back to the light.”
Then, Lian had laughed, for she did not understand. As laughter-like beams of sunlight hit the sails
of China’s fleet, she exclaimed, “Anala! This began as a voyage to obtain pepper!”
Anala smiled a little wider. “Hope, Lian. Hope that we will be brought back into the light.”
Lian and Anala had talked that night away. In the few moments Lian had with Anala before
boarding the treasure ships, Anala had leaned in and said to her words that were to be more cherished than
even the precious pepper aboard the treasure ships. Words murmured beneath a sunset painting their faces,
lacing their hair with color. “I wish to know you by the name Kanaka. A piece of Cochin, and of me, to
take with you on your voyages.” When Lian had given her a perplexed expression, Anala smiled back and
spoke in hushed tones.
“Gold, Kanaka. That is the name I have chosen for you. Gold. Remember me when you see the
sun, or embers rising up from flames. Remember me, and hope, for that is what you gave me when I was
wounded and lost. Gold, Lian. Gold, for what you gave when I had nothing. Gold, for the glory that will
befall China. For the hope, you will bring as Kanaka, or Lian, or whatever you wish to call yourself.
This memory of Anala was what kept Kanaka going. Somedays, Kanaka could still feel the warmth
of Anala’s breath beside her ear. This friendship helped her fulfill her silent promise on the deck of Zheng
He’s fleet.
“I promise to spread that hope and to give until my very being is shriveled up and crumbling. If
only to honor my homeland and the fire of the friend I shall never see again.”