I Couldn't Keep Her

The morning mist in the mountains still clung to the air, and the herbs in the bamboo basket were heavy with dew, droplets sliding off the leaves onto the slate stones below. The small town was modest, with the apothecary occupying the third shop at the alley's entrance. Whenever the wooden door creaked open, a faint scent of mugwort would gently waft out. That day, I closed my stall early and carried my bamboo basket into the mountains, hoping to gather some dewy sprouts — said to soothe insomnia when dried and brewed. Crossing the mountain ridge, I caught the sound of movement by the stream. "Are you alright?" I set down my bamboo basket and hurried over. The bank of the stream was overgrown with plantain, and a young girl was crouching there, the hem of her skirt speckled with mud as she gently rubbed her sprained ankle. "I slipped my foot." She looked up at me, her eyes shimmering like the clear spring water of the mountain stream. It was my first time meeting Hannah Shaw. She was the young lady of the Shaw Family's silk shop in town, always dressed in clothes embroidered with exquisite patterns, a sharp contrast to the coarse linen worn by those from the mountains. "Let me take a look." I knelt down and rummaged through the small cloth bag I'd brought from the apothecary, pulling out herbs known to invigorate the blood. "Crush these and apply them; in half an hour, you'll be able to walk." She quietly stretched out her foot, her fingertips gently clutching the hem of her skirt. "Thank you. My name is Hannah Shaw." "Dewy sprouts must be gathered before sunrise, or their medicinal properties will fade." I said this as I pounded the herbs. "What are you gathering these for?" She leaned in with curiosity. "To treat insomnia." I applied the crushed herbs to her ankle and wrapped it with a cloth. "Many people in town work late into the night; this helps them rest." She nodded, her eyes settling on the herbs in my bamboo basket. "Are you the apprentice at the apothecary down the lane?" "I wouldn't call myself a teacher—just someone who's studied under Mr. Fisher for a few years." I packed my things. "Shall we go? I'll walk you home." She tried to stand, stumbled slightly, and I reached out to steady her. "No need to trouble yourself; my home is just around the corner." Her cheeks flushed faintly, and she gently pulled her hand away. I didn't insist. I set aside a small bundle of the gathered dewy sprout and handed it to her. "Here—if you have trouble sleeping tonight, brew this in water and drink it." She took the cloth bundle, her fingertips brushing mine—like a touch warmed by morning dew—and quickly withdrew. "How much does it cost?" She asked. "It's worthless, you can find it everywhere in the mountains." I smiled, "Be more careful when you walk next time." She nodded, limping forward a few steps before turning back. "My name is Hannah Shaw. I'll come to the apothecary another day to bring you a thank-you gift." I waved goodbye, watching her figure vanish into the mist, then turned and continued deeper into the mountains.