Episode 1

"Spring Day"

"How beautiful the weather is today! It is springtime, the perfect season for planting flowers..." — said Zion, smiling happily at the bright sky.

"Grandpa! Come inside, you’re back from school already?"

Zion waved his hand and called Joseph over.

"Come here, my child. Help me plant these flowers."

Joseph ran towards him, carrying his bag, his eyes shining with excitement.

"Grandpa! I have something amazing to tell you. I saw new farming machines and equipment over there in the field, used for harvesting..." — Joseph shared excitedly.

Zion nodded slowly, looking at the young boy with a mix of pride and nostalgia.

**"You know, my child, things are truly different now compared to before. Life has become so much easier for people because of electric tools and modern inventions. Everything has changed, and changed greatly. Especially now that it is already the year 2000... we live in a modern, advanced era.

But back in my time? Oh, it was very different. We only used our bare hands and simple tools. We didn’t have proper equipment because of poverty. There were no metal tools, and above all, no silver or gold to buy fine things. Unless you were someone of high rank or position in the kingdom, you had nothing. It was a hard life, very different from yours today... isn’t that right, my grandson?"**

Joseph listened carefully and nodded.

"Yes, Grandpa, I understand what you mean."

He paused for a moment, then gathered his courage to ask the question weighing on his mind.

**"Grandpa... may I ask you something, and I hope you won’t take it the wrong way? Why is it that you always stay here, in this vast field, instead of living comfortably in the city? We need to keep up with the times and how people live now. Why can’t you let go of this land? You always come here early in the morning and late in the afternoon, just to look at them and water them... these countless flowers, especially the Daisies.

They are the only plants you take care of every single day — morning, noon, and afternoon. You do this even at your age! You really should rest now, Grandpa. Your knees might ache or go numb from working too hard.

And Grandpa... to make your work faster and easier, you should buy some machines or tools. You can afford it, right? You have enough savings to pay for them... I apologize if I speak too much, or if I am interfering. I just say this because I don’t want you to suffer or struggle. I really worry about you, especially when you are here all alone at home, while I am away at school..."**

Grandpa Zion smiled warmly, his eyes soft with affection.

"You know what, my child? You are truly very kind. Thank you for your advice and for worrying about me. I know I am old now, and sickness can easily catch up to me. But regarding your advice... honestly, I really do not want to rest yet. Besides, you are capable enough to handle yourself now. You are seventeen years old already. You should learn to be independent now, for you have a mature mind and understanding. I want you to grow up free, so you will have no regrets in life..."

"But why, Grandpa?" — Joseph asked, confused.

"Oh well... since you really won’t stop worrying about me, then fine... I will agree to rest eventually."

Joseph’s eyes suddenly welled up with tears, feeling a pain in his chest.

"Is that true, Grandpa? Don’t you love me anymore? Why do you have to say things like that? Are you going to leave me for a long time? You know, Grandpa... I haven’t even repaid you for everything you’ve done for me. I am so grateful for everything in my life because you are the one who raised and cared for me. So please... do not speak like that..." — tears began rolling down his cheeks.

Zion gently patted Joseph’s shoulder, his expression turning serious yet gentle.

"Joseph, listen to me. I will never leave you easily. Not as long as I am still breathing, and as long as no serious illness has befallen my body. And if God grants me a longer life and a peaceful, happy life... then that is what I will cherish the most, together with you, my child."

Joseph wiped his tears and took a deep breath, calming himself. His curiosity returned.

"Grandpa... I have another question, and I hope you don’t mind. Why do you always come here to the flowers? I see you talking to them often... do they speak back? Can one really ask things or make wishes to them?"

Grandpa Zion let out a soft laugh.

**"You really are funny sometimes, my boy. Is it forbidden to talk to beautiful flowers? They are like people who possess a rare beauty that you only get to see once in a lifetime.

And besides... I have truly loved plants and taking care of them ever since. This habit has been with me since long ago... since She was here. Because these were Her favorite flowers. To me, they still hold life and spirit, just like when she was here..."**

Joseph tilted his head, listening intently.

**"Since She was here...? Who is this person you mentioned earlier, Grandpa? Who is 'She'? Is she your first love? The first person you gave your heart to?

I know you loved painting too, and you said you would never exchange that passion for anything else... isn’t that right? So why did your passion change? Why do you love gardening and caring for flowers now, and why is the Daisy the only flower you truly cherish above all others?

What is so special about them, Grandpa? Please... may I know?"**

A heavy silence fell. Zion looked at the daisies swaying in the wind, and sadness filled his eyes. Tears slowly formed at the corners of his eyes.

"You know, my child... if you ask what I wish I could change... it is not who I am or what I have. What I truly wish is that the past — the mistakes I made and the things I deeply regret most in my entire life — had never happened at all..."

Joseph stepped closer, his heart aching seeing his grandfather cry.

"Ah... Grandpa... what else is there about her? Why is she so incredibly important and valuable to you?"

Zion wiped his face and looked at Joseph with eyes that held the weight of many years.

**"You see, grandson... your experiences are still so far behind mine. You are still young, while I was already a grown man when all this happened.

To tell you the truth... the love and devotion of a virtuous woman hold so much meaning and worth. Far more than a worthless man who failed everything... a man who had everything, yet lost the one thing he regrets losing more than anything else in the world.

What you are pointing to... is the woman who was my first love. The woman I loved more than anything in this world, the most important person in my entire life. But... everything changed, and everything was taken away from me... the moment She was gone."**

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