September 1920. Tristan and Victoria got married in a little church in town. Shortly after their marriage, Victoria fell critically ill and had to be bed-ridden. Tristan spent all his time taking care of her and getting her the best doctors available. He never left her as promised even till her very last days.
January 1921. The wintry snow came one morning and everything was covered in white. It was one of the worst winters the town ever had in years. On such a cold winter evening, Victoria passed away. She was at peace when she died.
Tristan was with her, holding her in his arms. He never left her as promised, but she left him instead. She was only twenty-four. The funeral was simple. Tristan was heart broken, but he took his grief well. There were condolences from all who loved Victoria. But what Tristan wanted most, was to hear her sweet voice again.
“For dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return”.
Without Victoria by his side anymore, he felt there was no meaning to continue in staying at Clair estate either. He thought he needed to leave this place — a place filled with sad reminders as well as happy memories. He did not know where to go, but on the day of his departure, he visited Victoria’s grave one last time. He spent a long morning talking to her grave and finally, as a parting gift, he left her a red rose amidst the snow. He left and never returned to Vancouver.
In the following years, Tristan spent his life travelling everywhere around the world. He continued with his writing and soon became a successful Canadian novelist and short-story writer.
When World War II broke out between the Allied Powers and the Axis Powers, during the years 1939 to 1945, Tristan was an active participant as a wartime journalist and photographer. His works won him numerous prizes worldwide and brought him fame and recognition as well.
After the war had ended, Tristan settled in Paris and got married again with three children. He died peacefully in his mansion in November 1961, at a ripe old age of seventy-two. His wife and children were by his side at his death and so was Victoria. He held on to her silver locket even as he took his very last breath. So ended the life of Tristan Haze—a writer, a soldier, a fighter and a lover…
THE END
The night has a thousand eyes,
And the day but one;
Yet the light of the bright world dies
With the dying sun.
The mind has a thousand eyes,
And the heart but one;
Yet the light of a whole life dies
When love is done.
F.W. Bourdillon, “Light”
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
“Love On Wheels” is a short story by Jessica Yeow, a 20-year-old primary school teacher, who lives with her family in the northern part of Singapore. The story is inspired by a friend who loves to ride his bicycle everywhere, especially to a jetty near his home. As such this story is very much dedicated to him.
9th July 1998 ©1998 Jessica Yeow