Feng Ping, University of Warsaw

Now it is summer in Poland. Everywhere in Warsaw is covered with green color. The branches of big trees are waving softly in the summer breeze. Every day in the morning, I will be waked up by the tweeting of the birds. The scent of sweet flowers could be smelled even though I am in the dormitory. I walk near the window, observing the colorful world outside, but still feel very empty in my mind. I feel a little disappointed of myself. I know I missed my friend Mr. Park.

Mr. Park was once my best friend in Warsaw. He is about 45 years old, from South Korea. He kindly called me younger sister. He was one year senior of me. As he was more experienced than I was, I received a lot of help and support from him.

We first met in the spring of 2017. I had stayed in the dormitory for a very long time, and couldn’t help feeling bored. I rubbed my eyes with my hands, and closed the computer.

I went downstairs, wishing to take a breath of free air. At this moment, I happened to see a very strong Asian middle-aged man downstairs. I peered at him several times, wondering whether he was also a Ph.D. student in the University of Warsaw.

I dared not talk to him at first, though I was disturbed by a great curiosity in my mind. While was secretly wishing that he would talk to me, I suddenly heard a very magnetic voice calling me, “Hello, how do you do?”

I blushed, and met him directly. I said, “Hello. Where are you from?”

“I am from South Korea,” he said. “I am studying for my Ph.D. at the University of Warsaw. This is my third year. Are you from China?”

“Yes, I am.” I was a bit surprised. “How do you know?”

“European people would say Asian people looked the same, but to Asians, it is very easy to distinguish among themselves. Judging from your looks, your dressing style, and your temperament, I thought you are Chinese.”

I smiled, and said, “I am one year junior than you. This is my second year.”

So, in this simplest way, we naturally became friends.

Mr. Park was like an old brother to me. He told me that he had a job and family in South Korea. But he wanted to get his Ph.D. diploma, so he went to University of Warsaw to study, as this university had a professor who specialized in the topic of railway logistics. He liked traveling. He had been to many places in Europe.

Sometimes, travel enriched his experience. He just wished that time could stop there, so that he could devote himself to his deity.

I found myself to have a lot of common topic with him. We talked about God, about international relations, about politics, and even about our personal life. Once, I happened to tell him that I could play Chinese chess. It surprised him. He insisted I teach him how to play. He said in South Korea, they also had a Chess game, similar to Chinese chess, but the rules were a little difficult.

“Okay. That’s fine. How about walking to the center of Warsaw, and finding a cafe? We can play chess there?” I suggested. It was already June in Warsaw. The weather was extremely good. There were more sunshine days than rainy days. I wanted to walk in the street, and at the same time to lose weight.

“No problem. But it takes an hour’s walk towards the city center. Aren’t you tired?”

“Not at all. I like walking.” I laughed.

“You are quite different from South Korean ladies. Korean girls don’t like walking under the sun for a long time.”

I laughed, and took it as a compliment.

We reached the cafe. I briefly told him the rules of Chinese chess, and he grasped the essence in just a few minutes. Then we started our game.

“Now is international chess competition between Chinese and south Korean players.” He joked.

“I am just a beginner of chess.” I hurried to say. “I don’t want to compete with you.”

“I am just joking.” He laughed.

He was very quick, and intelligent. After a few games, he could win without too much trouble. I was a bit tired, and lay on the chair, enjoying the music in the cafe.

“To be honest, I would rather become a writerinstead of a chess player. I always play chess, but I am always a loser.” I said.

“Do you like writing? “Mr. Park opened his eyes, “Do you know in the future, writers will have one competitor in writing.”

“I don’t know. What is that?”

“AL.” Mr. Park said half seriously.

“Ah. Al. But they are controlled by human beings.”

“No, they will defeat human beings. Now they can even write poetry, which means they have human’s emotions.”

I laughed.

“I am much older than you. I have two daughters. But I strongly suggest you to meet more people, and look around the world, especially if you want to be a writer. I will tell this to my own daughters too.” He said.

“Of all the places that you have been, which one do you like most?” I asked.

“Norway. “ He said at once. “I went there in the summer last year. When I drove to the forests, I felt everywhere was so quiet. It was at the moment when I believed there was God in this world. I wished time could have stopped there at the moment. I wouldn’t think of busy life, and of hash reality, but I was in a dream state.”

“Are you a liberal?” I asked.

“No, I am a realist. But at that special moment, I would give up being a realist, and become a liberal.”

“Okay. I would like to go there too in the future.” I said.

Last year, Mr. Park and I spent a lot of time together. We talked about the relations between China, Japan, and South Korea, the adventures in Poland, and our own lives in Polish society. He accompanied me many miles everyday on my walks in Warsaw, helping me to lose weight. He also gave me a lot of help in my study. I often discussed with him the topic of my thesis. The firm friendship was established between us.

The day when he finished his thesis, and left Poland, I met him again in the cafe. He was excited, but a little depressed. He bought me a chess board as a parting gift. I gave him the book that I recently published in Warsaw.

“Ping, I think you will become a writer. You have that talent. What you need is just more experience in life. Thank you for teaching me how to play Chinese chess. I wish one day, we could meet again in Warsaw, or somewhere else in the world.” he said.

I didn’t realize at that moment how much his absence in Warsaw would affect me. I accepted his gift, and bid him the last farewell.

When Mr. Park left Poland, I began to feel loneliness overwhelming me. Especially when I met the fine sunny days, I would miss the interesting coffee talks with him. I still lacked the courage to walk one hour towards the city center, without other people’s accompanying. Though we still wrote to each other every now and then, I still had the feeling that I had lost a dear friend.

Overseas student life was very lonely. Sometimes, I could meet many friends like Mr. Park, but they were just passerbys. The friendships with them would flash away in a second, and at last, I found out I was still alone in Warsaw, greeting every sunny day, or rainy days. However, the warmth of remembrance in a few moments could add color to my lonely gray life.