* * *
warmth swept through Yong’s heart, guarding him against the actual cold of the morning desert.
But suddenly, the light was covered up by a big dark mass of not-knowing-what which moved so
quickly in his direction, like a herd of dark brown buffalos in migration in the tropical rain forest.
“Oh, I have to run for life!”
It was not buffalos. In no time, he was covered nose and mouth with swarming sand all flying
in the air. He quickly pulled up his sweat shirt to cover his face. He lost balance and fell onto the
ground. He realized it was a sand storm which he learnt could sweep away a whole nomadic tribe
in a few minutes. He tried hard to keep himself on the ground, with head buried in his arms, eyes
closed. He could hear loud sizzles of sand flying past his ears, loud and hurting. He felt pain on
his skin, over his back, and on his face when some sharp pieces scratched across his cheeks.
“Hey, what are you doing?” A distant voice suddenly knocked into Yong’s eardrum, bringing
him consciousness, “Quickly crawl to the rock on your left! It can be your shield and protect you
from the sandstorm.” Without further procrastination, Yong immediately follow the instruction
and crawl difficultly to the rock. He knelt down in front of the rock and grabbed it so tightly to
keep himself balance.
He did not remember for how long he stayed there motionless. Suddenly, it became quiet
again, very quiet, like before. He dared not open his eyes but only tried to glimpse through his
eyelids after a minute to find that things had settled and he was again on a piece of peaceful
stretch of land. It seemed that nothing had happened---unknowingly, there was a sudden upsurge
of emotions and awe in his heart: Yong was largely taken by this sudden sweep of “things” and
just after seconds, “things” return to their order, feelings ebbed, and you had to take to ordinary
life again---this was the desert nature. He felt the morning chill again around; he began to smile.
He had almost forgotten the voice. He looked up and he saw some dim shadows moving in his
directions. He strained his eyes and clearly realized that they were shadows of man. That must
be the voice which saved his life, Yong thought. What came into his sight was a small boy who
cannot be more than nine summers old. His skin was dark yet his eyes were like sapphires set
symmetrically in his face, ivory like yet radiating a peach-laden aura, to the point of overflowing,
with glamour, wisdom and compassion. Behind him were a man and a woman, apparently the
father and the mother, together with a flock of goats and cows. Yong could not believe his eyes.
That was the boy he saw in the photo of the Gobi Desert!
“So that was why you are here in this desert.” Ling, the small boy spoke to Yong after hearing
his story while gathering some dried sticks and logs to build a fire. “Well, perhaps it is our destiny
to meet each other.”
“This can be a beautiful interpretation!” Yong giggled, “It sure is very kind of your family to
let me join you on this lonesome land.”
Ling’s eyes suddenly grew dim and frowned. There was an aura of grey around him. It was a
mist that wouldn’t raise, a state of depression to Yong.
“Erm… sorry…did I say anything wrong?” Yong was terrified by Ling’s look, not knowing what
to do.
“Nope, it was not your fault,” Ling said in a very low voice, clearly showing some annoyance, “I
was just worrying about our uncharted venture ahead.” Ling was actually deep in his own thoughts.
