11

赤崁社婦女集會所外，蟲鳴此起彼落，空氣裡夾帶著樹葉和泥土的濕氣。集會所是一間以木柱和藤條編成的簡陋屋舍，屋頂覆著乾稻草。屋內燈火微弱，竹編燈籠散發出溫暖的橙色光暈，隱約照出牆上懸掛的圖騰和獵具。

俊生和莎韻被圍在一群婦女中央，這些婦女有的雙手叉腰，有的交叉於胸前，有的彎腰探看著地上的道具。莎韻身旁擺著幾個陶罐和玻璃瓶，瓶罐裡盛著清水與髒水，還有一頂白色的紗帳疊在一旁。婦女們對這些物品投以好奇的目光，竊竊私語聲不絕於耳。

達邦雅走到人群中央，粗壯的手臂一揮，示意大家安靜：「各位姐妹，今天請大家來此集會，是要讓各位瞭解，如何讓家人避免感染流行疾病，活得健康。我邀請了這位洋人醫生來為我們說明。」

里美站在前排，點頭附和：「這個洋人醫生可不是普通人喔。我sama前幾天鬧肚子疼，拼命跑毛廁，整個人都快虛脫了。莎韻說她無能為力，幸好遇到這位醫生，吃了兩天藥就好了。」

「對呀！」另一位婦女拉露也開口說道：「我哥卡力的寒熱病，就是俊生醫生治好的。他的醫術真是高明啊！」

說完，拉露朝俊生笑了笑，眼中閃著崇拜與感激。莎韻看見這一幕，唇角微微揚起。

俊生走上前，語調溫和而清晰：「我是來自荷蘭的俊生，感謝兩位姐妹對我的肯定。頭目給我這次機會，能夠與各位分享一些預防疾病的觀念與方法。」

他環視四周，對上每個人的眼神，確保她們都專注於他的講解。拉露雙手交握，眼神專注，嘴角微笑。里美則用手撫著下巴，若有所思。

俊生繼續說道：「許多傳染性的流行疾病，會因為我們不重視環境和個人衛生，而找上我們。所以，我們要有事先預防的觀念，並且採取一些實際的作法。」

大雅從人群中出聲：「醫生，實際的作法是什麼呢？」

俊生對莎韻微微頷首，莎韻便彎腰拿起一個玻璃罐遞給他。兩人的手指在短暫的接觸中，輕輕碰觸了一下。

俊生舉起玻璃罐，裡頭的水已經渾濁，漂浮著幾條黑色的幼蟲，扭動著身體，像是焦躁的靈魂在水中翻滾。「這裡的水已經髒污，而且長出蚊子的幼蟲來。請大家仔細看看。」

玻璃罐在婦女之間傳遞，有人發出驚呼，有人皺眉，有人瞪大眼睛。「原來這些小蟲子就是蚊子的幼蟲嗎？」里美湊近了看，眼中滿是好奇與嫌惡。

「是的。」俊生解釋道：「蚊子會把卵產在死水裡，幼蟲在水中孵化、成長。如果我們任由這些水容器暴露在外，就會讓蚊子有機可乘。」

拉露皺眉：「那我們該怎麼辦？」

俊生轉身拿起兩只陶壺，一手提著一個。「我左手的這壺水是煮開過的，右手這壺水則是生水。喝起來的味道或許一樣，但生水中有許多肉眼看不見的細菌與微生物。喝了這些水，可能會生病，甚至危及生命。」

「可是我在山上打獵，口渴時喝溪水也沒事啊。」拉露插嘴。

俊生微笑：「妳的身體可能足夠強健，或許是運氣好沒喝到受污染的水。但我們不能只靠運氣。」

莎韻在旁補充道：「醫生的意思是，我們最好隨時備好乾淨的開水，即使在外工作或打獵，也可以用鹿皮水袋或竹筒帶著煮好的水。」

大雅笑著說：「拉露啊，妳這麼健壯，蚊子大概都不敢咬妳。」

眾人哄笑，拉露被調侃卻也不以為意，反而哈哈大笑。

這時，俊生拿起了那頂紗帳。「莎韻，幫我抓住兩端。」

莎韻點頭，上前抓住紗帳的兩側。兩人一起將紗帳拉開，白色的網紗在燈光下散發出柔和的光澤，如同一張編織出的光之帷幕。

「這頂紗帳可以防止蚊蟲侵入，尤其是寒熱病的傳播。病人睡覺時若能掛上紗帳，蚊蟲就不會叮咬，疾病也不會輕易傳染給他人。」

達邦雅環視眾人：「醫生說的對。姐妹們，今天的收穫很大，但這些方法必須要大家去實行才行。我想我們可以將村子分成幾個組群，一起來清理環境。」

「好啊！這是大好事。」里美高興地揮舞著雙手。

「還請俊生醫生從旁指導大夥兒。」達邦雅恭敬地說。

俊生微笑，語氣溫和：「我很樂意協助大家。」

12
赤崁社的街巷裡，晨光輕灑在青石板路上，彷彿為這片土地鋪上一層溫暖的金紗。木屋與茅舍錯落有致，門前掛著的紅布條隨風微微擺動，草香與炊煙的氣息交織在空氣中。

俊生和莎韻並肩行走，腳步輕快。莎韻的長髮被綁成一束，隨著她的步伐微微晃動。俊生手中拿著記錄病情的紙張，時而抬頭與周遭的社民寒暄。

正在整理居家環境的社民見兩人走來，紛紛主動打招呼。

社民甲笑著揮手：「醫生！我們聽從你的指導，開始清理家門口的積水了！」

俊生微笑點頭：「這樣很好啊，有整潔的居家環境，才會活得健康。繼續保持！」

莎韻則俯身檢查一戶人家前的水缸，伸手攪動水面：「這缸水應該定期更換，不然蚊子會孳生。」

社民乙抱著一個瘦弱的孩子迎上前，滿臉感激：「醫生，我兒子擦了你開給的藥膏，他的皮膚發癢症好些了。」

俊生輕輕拍拍孩子的肩膀，笑容溫和：「你兒子的發癢症是被跳蚤咬的。按時擦藥就會痊癒。記得，家裡的棉被要經常清洗曝曬，臥室也可以噴灑辣椒水或大蒜水來驅蟲。」

社民乙點頭如搗蒜：「好的，我會照你的意思做，醫生。謝謝你！」

此時，另一名婦女端著竹籃走過來，笑顏如花。

社民丙：「莎韻，妳給我的豆子結出許多豆莢了！」

莎韻驚喜地鼓掌：「太好了！那些荷仁豆豆仁可以和小米一起煮粥，豆莢也可以清蒸，沾佐料直接吃喔。」

一旁的大雅揮著沾滿泥巴的手，氣喘吁吁地靠過來。

俊生注意到她家門前的水溝淤塞，眉頭微蹙：「大雅，妳家門前的水溝堵住了，這樣容易滋生蚊蟲，要儘快清理。」

大雅歪著頭喘息：「你們的吩咐我有記得啦！等我把陶甕給清洗乾淨，就會去疏通水溝。」

忽然，一輛嘎吱作響的牛車從街巷盡頭緩緩駛來。卡力趕著牛車，車上載滿了各式貨物，木桶和麻布袋隨著車輪的顛簸微微晃動。當他看到俊生與莎韻並肩而行時，目光頓時凝滯了一下。

卡力抬起手揮了揮，強裝輕鬆地說：「俊生、莎韻！我正要去赤崁城交貨，要不要順便繞去大員港醫務所，替你們取回藥物？」

俊生微笑搖頭：「暫時不用，漢醫所裡的備用藥還夠用一陣子。」

卡力抓了抓後腦勺，掩不住語氣中的悶意：「好吧，那我先去忙囉？」

莎韻揮手告別：「路上小心喔，卡力。」

牛車吱呀作響地駛遠，卡力的背影顯得有些沉重。搖晃著的貨物在牛車上搖曳不定，仿佛映照出他內心的不安。

卡力低聲自言自語：「怎麼最近莎韻和俊生似乎形影不離？莫非莎韻…不行，我得趁著即將到來的螢火節，主動向莎韻表示…」

13

卡力正在竹林邊揮舞著砍刀，陽光從高聳的竹葉間灑落，斑駁的光影在他的手臂與刀鋒上跳動。每一次刀鋒砍下，竹節發出清脆的劈裂聲，碎片四散而落，似乎連空氣都震盪著。

不遠處，大雅正提著一個竹籃，裡面裝滿了新鮮採摘的翠綠竹筍，還沾著細小的泥土。她踩過軟綿的草地，走向卡力。

大雅笑盈盈地說：「卡力，你來砍竹子做什麼用？」她將竹籃放在地上，雙手叉腰，眼中閃爍著懷疑的光芒。

卡力一時心虛，臉微微發紅，說話吞吞吐吐：「沒，沒啦！就砍根竹子回去修繕一下屋子外頭的，扶手，是扶手啦！」

大雅挑起眉頭，嘴角微微上揚：「依我看，不是這回事吧？以往都是你妹拉露來砍竹子回去的。」

卡力慌忙轉過身去，掩飾似地繼續砍竹子，卻因用力過猛而讓刀鋒卡在竹節裡。他輕聲咒罵了一句，手忙腳亂地將刀抽出。

「拉露她在忙著研究紗帳，所以叫我來砍啊！」卡力的聲音明顯有些發抖，顯然心虛。

大雅抱著手肘，看似漫不經心地說：「看你都臉紅了，還說是你妹差你來的。如果我猜得沒錯，準是為了即將到來的螢火節做準備吧？我又不是頭一天才認識你，卡力。」

卡力窘迫地抓了抓頭髮，儍笑道：「大雅，我…」

大雅輕輕嘆了口氣，眼神柔和了下來：「其實，我和里美這些姐妹淘早就看出來，你喜歡著頭目家的莎韻妹妹。我們覺得你們倆郎才女貌，很登對。」

她微微頓了頓，語氣裡透著一絲無奈：「但是，自從那個金頭髮的洋醫生出現後，莎韻好像整個人都被他給迷去了。如果你想要和莎韻在一起，恐怕得主動積極一些。」

卡力望著手中的砍刀，神情顯得茫然又沮喪：「大雅，坦白說我也感覺到莎韻似乎變了…就像竹林裡的風，忽然改了方向。」

大雅莞爾一笑，輕輕拍了拍卡力的肩膀：「那麼，你就趁著螢火節，趕緊向莎韻表白吧！竹子要砍，話也要說，藏在心裡是沒用的。」

卡力緊握著砍刀的手微微顫抖，終於抬起頭來，眼中浮現一絲決心：「嗯，我的確打算這麼做，但是我擔心會被莎韻拒絕…」

大雅搖了搖頭，語氣中帶著堅定：「擔心是難免的，但你總得試試看，不是嗎？」

卡力沉默了片刻，終於露出一個苦笑：「或許吧。謝謝你，大雅。」

大雅輕輕揮了揮手：「快砍完竹子回去吧。別讓你的勇氣隨風跑了。」

說完，她提起竹籃，轉身向小徑走去。卡力看著她的背影，手中的砍刀緊握，似乎也下定了什麼決心。

14

赤崁社漢醫所的正午，陽光從紙糊的窗格間斜灑進來，照在木製診桌上，泛出溫潤的光澤。竹簾微微晃動，帶進細碎的風聲與外頭傳來的雞鳴狗吠。

剛看完診的俊生，正小心翼翼地擦拭銀針與木盒內的器材。他的指尖沾著酒精的氣味，動作精準而迅速，如同戰場上的將軍整理兵器。

莎韻從藥劑室裡走出來，手中捧著一籃剛曬乾的草藥，腳步輕快卻帶著一絲猶豫。

「醫生，這幾天來看病拿藥的人數明顯減少了。」她放下草藥，抬眼看著俊生，眉宇間流露出淡淡的欣喜。

「這是好現象啊！」俊生將銀針收進木盒，合上蓋子，發出清脆的咔嗒聲。「表示我們推動的疾病預防工作，逐漸顯見效果。」他的語調沉穩，帶著些許自豪。

「對了，醫生，我們赤崁社一年一度的螢火節就快要到了。」莎韻輕輕將草藥籃放在桌上，手指撫過藥材，似是在掩飾什麼。

「螢火節？」俊生挑眉，顯然對這個名稱頗為陌生。

莎韻的臉頰泛起紅暈，目光略帶羞怯地閃爍。「就是情人節嘛！適婚年紀的男女，在這天晚上聚集在一起，飲酒唱歌跳舞……然後由男孩主動向喜歡的女孩表達心意。」

俊生笑了笑，雙手交疊在胸前，帶著幾分戲謔。「喔？聽起來似乎很有趣！」

莎韻抬頭望向他，眼中閃過一抹狡黠。「你可以一道去見識一下，說不定你會心動呢。」她的手指無意識地捻著草藥的葉片。

「心動？」俊生似笑非笑地搖頭。「坦白說，我還沒有想到這問題上。」

「無妨啊。」莎韻笑意微揚，卻藏著一絲緊張。「你就跟著我去吧。如果你有看中意的女孩，可以跟我講，我來幫你牽線啊。」

「牽線？」俊生輕輕一笑，伸手將木盒放回架上。「妳看我每天忙成這樣，哪有心思來談情說愛呢？」

「等你遇到喜歡的女孩，你就會想要和她談情說愛了。」莎韻的聲音低了些，像是自言自語，又像是在試探。

「也許吧？」俊生撇了撇嘴，目光卻沒有離開莎韻的臉。

莎韻忽然湊前一步，眼神閃亮。「要不要我幫你準備好螢火蟲竹筒？說不定派得上用場喔。」

「螢火蟲竹筒？」俊生眉頭微皺，眼中露出好奇。

「就是螢火節當天晚上，男孩向女孩表達情意的求愛信物呀！」莎韻的手在空中比劃著，像是描繪著某種神秘的儀式。

「喔？」俊生笑了起來，卻帶著點無可奈何的意味。「我看不用吧？我只是去湊熱鬧而已。」

「好吧。」莎韻的笑容似乎有些落寞，但她迅速地轉過身，假裝忙著整理草藥。

俊生看著她的背影，微風從窗外吹入，捲起幾片草葉，仿佛是兩人之間未曾說出口的情意，飄蕩在空氣中，若有似無。

15

坐在窗前的竹桌上，俊生微微俯身，筆尖在泛黃的紙頁上沙沙作響。窗外的月光透過巴蕉葉的罅隙灑落進來，如碎銀般攤在桌面，映照出他沉靜而專注的面容。竹泥牆面上，朦朧的影子隨著風的輕拂微微搖曳，彷彿一場無聲的潮汐。

門扉輕響，卡力跨步進屋，腳步刻意放輕，但板木地板仍發出細微的嘎吱聲。他站在俊生身後，望著那頷首書寫的身影，眼中流露出些許猶豫。

「醫生，你還沒休息啊？」卡力壓低聲音，試探性地開口。

俊生的筆停了一瞬，抬頭微笑。「是啊，正在寫日記。」他的聲音在月光中顯得柔和而平靜。

卡力好奇地走近一步，手指輕撫著竹桌的邊緣。「寫日記？」

「嗯，就是記錄一天內所發生的，比較重要的事情。」俊生說話時，目光重新回到紙頁上，似乎在思考如何整理這一天的點滴。

卡力側頭望著那張紙頁，似懂非懂地點點頭。「喔。你……你覺得我妹拉露如何？」他的語調有些踟躕，目光閃爍，卻又帶著一絲認真的探問。

俊生抬起頭來，目光坦然。「拉露啊？她很大方，很好相處。」語畢，他笑了笑，似乎覺得這樣的回答已經足夠。

「我問的不是這個。」卡力的聲音變得更加低沉，目光緊盯著俊生的臉，彷彿要從他的神色中探尋什麼。「我是說，你有沒有感覺到拉露對你……」

話語突然中斷，卡力的喉結微微滑動，雙手不自覺地交疊在胸前，掩飾著某種難以啟齒的情感。

俊生眉梢輕輕挑起，笑意中夾帶著困惑。「拉露對我？你是指她縫製衣服給我的事？」

卡力搖了搖頭，語氣中夾雜著一絲焦躁。「不只這事。自從你出現在我們家以後，拉露明顯變得溫柔起來。不怕你笑話，以前我們兄妹倆經常鬥嘴，我sama嫌她個性和男人一樣。」

俊生困惑地瞇起眼。「和男人一樣？」

「就是好強，凡事大而化之，不像女人細心溫柔。」卡力笑了笑，卻帶著些許自嘲。「但自從你來了，她好像變了，變得更溫柔、更在意自己的舉止。」

俊生搖了搖頭，表情真誠而坦然。「我不覺得啊！拉露一直是個溫柔的女孩。」

「那是因為你。」卡力語調堅定，目光炯炯。「她為你改變的。」

俊生沉默了片刻，終於低聲說道：「喔！我懂你的意思了，卡力。但拉露就像我的親妹妹，雖然我妹幾年前因病去世了。」

卡力微微一愣，眼中掠過一絲歉意與遺憾。「對不起，俊生，我不該撩起你的傷心往事。」

「你別放心上，卡力。」俊生的聲音有些低沉，卻帶著一種如水般的溫和。「我妹是急性肺炎過世的，我親眼看著她的生命一點一滴地消逝，但我卻無能無力。」他的目光投向窗外，仿佛穿越了時光的厚幕。「從那時起，我決定成為一個醫生。」

月光從巴蕉葉間滴落，像是天穹在無聲地垂淚。蛙兒與蟲兒的嘶鳴聲此起彼落，彷彿天地間的一場無盡哀歌。

卡力輕輕吸了一口氣，像是在為接下來的話尋找勇氣。「俊生，明晚社裡舉行螢火節晚會，你想不想去開開眼界？」

俊生將筆擱在桌上，微笑搖頭。「這活動白天我聽莎韻說了。我去也是湊熱鬧而已，目前我把心力放在工作上，還沒有成家的打算。」

卡力笑了笑，帶著幾分無奈。「喔！我原本想幫你準備竹筒的，既然你沒有這方面的打算，竹筒就派不上用場了。不過，拉露可能要失望了。」

Chapter 3 – Chihkan Village Women Sanitation Day

11

Outside the women’s meeting hall in Chihkan Village, insects chirped in chorus and the air carried the damp scent of leaves and earth. The meeting hall was a simple structure built on wooden poles woven with rattan, with a thatched roof. Inside, dimly lit by bamboo lanterns, the amber glow softly revealed totem carvings and hunting tools hanging on the walls.

Jansen and Sayun stood surrounded by a group of women—some with hands on hips, others with arms folded or leaning forward inspecting objects laid on the ground. Nearby stood earthen jars and glass bottles, half-filled with clean and dirty water, along with a folded white mosquito net. The women whispered among themselves, curious about the items.

Tapanya entered the circle, raised a strong arm, and asked for silence: “Sisters, today’s meeting is about learning how to prevent diseases in our families and live well. I’ve invited this foreign doctor to explain.”

Rimei, in the front row, nodded in agreement: “He’s no ordinary man. A few days ago, I had a terrible stomachache and could barely stand. Sayun said she didn’t know what to do. But thanks to this doctor’s medicine, I recovered in two days!”

“Yes!” chimed another woman, Lalu. “My brother Kali’s chills and fever were cured by Dr. Jansen. His medicine is truly extraordinary!” Lalu smiled at Jansen with awe and gratitude, and Sayun couldn’t help but smile in return.

Jansen stepped forward, calm and clear: “I’m Jansen from Holland. Thank you for your trust. With the chief’s invitation, I’m here to share preventive methods and tips for staying healthy.”

He scanned the room, making eye contact with each woman to ensure they were listening attentively. Lalu’s hands were clasped, her gaze focused. Rimei touched her chin thoughtfully.

“Many contagious diseases strike because we overlook personal and environmental hygiene,” Jansen continued. “Prevention is key, and I’ll share some practical methods.”

From the crowd, Daya asked: “Doctor, what are the practical steps?”

Jansen nodded at Sayun, who bent to hand him a glass jar. Their fingertips brushed briefly.

Holding the jar up, Jansen said, “This water is contaminated—mosquito larvae wriggle inside. Look closely.” As the jar passed among the women, they gasped, frowned, and stared wide-eyed.

“These little worms are mosquito larvae?” Rimei leaned in, curious and disgusted.

“Yes,” Jansen confirmed. “Mosquitoes hatch in stagnant water. If containers are exposed, they become breeding sites.”

Lalu frowned. “Then what should we do?”

Jansen lifted two pots: “This pot in my left hand is boiled water. The pot in my right is untreated water. They may taste similar, but the untreated water holds invisible bacteria that can make you sick—or worse.”

“But I drink stream water when I’m hunting in the mountains and I’m fine,” Lalu objected.

Jansen smiled gently. “Perhaps your body is strong—or lucky. But we can’t depend on luck alone.”

Sayun added: “Doctor means we should carry boiled water in deer-hide or bamboo containers when we work or hunt.”

Daya teased: “Lalu, mosquitoes probably fear biting you—you’re so tough!”

The women laughed—Lalu joined in, unbothered by the teasing.

Jansen then lifted the mosquito net. “Sayun, hold each end, please.”

They stretched the net between them, the white mesh glowing softly in the lantern light like a woven curtain of light.

“This net prevents mosquitoes from biting through it during sleep. It helps stop transmission of malaria.”

Tapanya surveyed the women: “The doctor is correct. Now we must act. Let’s divide our village into groups and clean our surroundings.”

“That’s great!” Rimei cheered, waving her arms.

“We’d be honored to have Dr. Jansen guide us,” Tapanya said respectfully.

“I’d be happy to help,” Jansen replied with a warm smile.

12

Morning light blanketed Chihkan’s stone streets in a quilt of warmth. Wooden homes with thatched roofs dotted the lanes. Red cloth banners fluttered at each door. The air smelled of grass and wood smoke.

Jansen and Sayun walked side by side. Sayun’s hair, tied back, swayed with her steps. Jansen carried notes and greeted villagers as they passed.

A woman cleaning her doorstep called out cheerily: “Doctor! We followed your advice and cleared the stagnant water.”

“Good!” Jansen replied. “Clean surroundings mean healthier lives. Keep it up!”

Sayun inspected a nearby water jar. “This should be refilled regularly or it becomes a mosquito home.”

Another villager approached carrying a frail child: “Doctor, my son’s itching healed with the medicine you gave.”

Jansen patted the child’s shoulder gently: “It was flea bites. Keep applying the ointment. Wash bedding regularly—sun-dry is best—and spray garlic or chili water to repel insects.”

The mother nodded earnestly: “I’ll do that, doctor. Thank you so much!”

Another woman came with a bamboo basket full of bean pods: “Sayun, my beans are producing pods now!”

Sayun beamed: “Wonderful! These beans make great porridge with millet, and bean pods can be steamed and eaten!”

Daya emerged, wiping mud from her hands, slightly breathless.

Jansen noticed her blocked drainage: “Daya, the ditch in front of your house is clogged. That breeds mosquitoes—please clear it soon.”

Daya nodded: “I haven’t forgotten. Once I clean the jars, I’ll clear the drains too.”

A creaking cart approached. Kali steered it, loaded with supplies. When he saw Jansen and Sayun walking together, his expression faltered.

He waved awkwardly: “Jansen! Sayun! I’m heading to Chihkan Town to deliver goods—need me to swing by Anping clinic for your medicine?”

Jansen smiled: “Not yet, the clinic’s stash will last a while.”

Kali scratched his head: “Okay… I’ll be going then.”

Sayun waved: “Be careful, Kali.”

As Kali departed, his figure seemed a bit heavy. His cart rattled with some hidden tension.

He whispered to himself: “Why do Sayun and Jansen seem inseparable lately? I need to make a move at Firefly Festival…”

13

In a nearby bamboo forest, Kali wielded a machete under dappled sunlight. Bamboo snapped crisply at each cut.

Daya approached with a basket full of freshly picked bamboo shoots. “Kali, why are you chopping bamboo?” she asked suspiciously.

Kali stammered: “Just for repairs outside the house.”

Daya raised an eyebrow: “But your sister always chops bamboo. Something else going on?”

Kali blushed and resumed cutting awkwardly.

Daya teased gently: “Lalu’s busy with mosquito nets, so you got the task? Preparing for Firefly Festival, I presume.”

Kali looked at his blade dejectedly: “Yes… because Sayun seems changed since that foreign doctor arrived. The wind in the bamboo forest… it changed.”

Daya smiled and patted his shoulder: “Then you should bravely express your feelings at the festival. Bamboo gets cut and feelings get said—keeping them inside won’t help.”

Kali gripped the machete and nodded with determination: “Okay. Thank you, Daya.”

Daya waved and walked away with her basket, leaving Kali thoughtful.

14

At midday in the Han clinic, sunlight filtered through paper windows and warmed the wooden medicine table. Jansen methodically cleaned his silver needles and instruments, his fingers precise as though performing a ritual.

Sayun emerged from the medicine room with a basket of freshly dried herbs, hesitant yet cheerful.

“The number of patients has fallen noticeably,” she said.

“That’s a good sign,” Jansen replied, closing his case. “It shows our preventive work is working.”

Sayun hesitated: “Doctor, our village’s Firefly Festival is coming soon.”

Firefly Festival? Jansen was curious.

Sayun blushed shyly: “It’s like our Valentine’s Day—young men and women gather to sing, dance, and express affection.”

Jansen smiled playfully: “Sounds interesting.”

Sayun looked at him pointedly: “You could join us—who knows?”

Jansen winked: “I’m here to work, not court romance.”

Sayun softened: “When you meet someone special, you’ll want to express feelings.”

Jansen’s expression grew thoughtful. Sayun brightened and offered: “Would you like me to prepare a firefly-filled bamboo lantern for your valentine gift?”

A gentle breeze stirred leaves—unsaid emotions drifted between.

15

At a bamboo desk by the window, Jansen wrote carefully in his journal. Moonlight filtered through banana leaves, casting silver patterns across the desk and illuminating his thoughtful face.

Kali entered quietly and observed him from behind.

“You’re still up?” Kali asked softly.

Jansen looked up and smiled: “Yes—writing notes about today.”

Kali hesitated, then asked: “So… how is my sister Lalu?”

Jansen looked back at his papers: “Lalu’s generous and kind.”

“That’s not what I meant…” Kali’s voice trembled: “Since you came, she’s changed… softer, more thoughtful.”

Jansen paused before replying: “I see what you mean. But Lalu is like family to me. My sister died years ago of pneumonia.”

Kali’s eyes misted: “I’m sorry, Jansen.”

“It’s okay,” Jansen said quietly, voice steady yet tender. “She inspired me to become a doctor.”

The night hummed with insects, like a quiet lament.

Kali exhaled thoughts of courage: “The Firefly Festival is tomorrow night—would you like to go?”

Jansen placed his pen down and smiled: “Sayun already explained it. I’m focusing on my work and not ready to settle down.”

Kali sighed: “I wanted to prepare a bamboo lantern—but if you’re not interested…”

“In time, you’ll find someone special,” Jansen said quietly.