The Bamboo Forest

Twenty Nine.

"Honey? Could you fetch me the bottle of milk on the dining table, please? Teddy is crying again."

Frustrated, he ran a hand through his dark, short hair and stood up abruptly. The sounds of a baby's cries were getting on his nerves. He snatched the bottle from the table and walked into the living room, where his wife and baby was. His eyes immediately softened at the sight before him. "Here." He sat down beside her and handed her the bottle. She pecked him lightly on his cheek.

"Thanks," she said in that soft, silky voice of hers. She proceeded to feed the baby.

"Hey, um, dear?" he asked uncertainly. She looked up at him with a questioning glance. "Yes, honey?"

"I know I promised you this, but...I don't think I can handle another baby. One is enough."

She let out a soft chuckle. "You said we could have five babies. Where did the other four go? I don't see them anywhere." She pretended to search for them.

"No, no, Anne." He took her face in his hands. "I'm serious." And he was.

Her chuckles died down, an uncomfortable silence now fell between them. "What...what did you...say?" she finally asked.

"I said, we cannot have any more children. I'm already going crazy with Teddy in the house. I don't think I can stand having another."

Her eyes welled up with tears. "But...but you said...you said..."

He sighed. "I know I promised you that, but--"

She stood up abruptly and rocked the baby gently as she shot daggers at her husband. "You said you'll never break a promise. You said so. You did!"

"I know, Anne, but--" He tried to comfort her, patting her shoulder gently.

"No. Don't say anything. I need some time alone." And she ran out of the house with the baby.

"Wait, Anne! Anne!" he shouted, chasing after her. But she was too far gone to listen.

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She wandered around in the bamboo forest, admiring the bamboo trees for their tenacity. They stood still together, braved the harsh weather together and endured through season by season together. Unlike someone, she thought bitterly. Then, she felt the urge to throw up.

Covering her mouth with one hand, she ran to the nearest drain and let it all out. Weak, tired, and disgusted, she collapsed onto the bench along the perimeter of the bamboo forest.

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Five minutes later, a young girl with a French braid, about seven or eight, was walking past the bamboo forest when she saw a lady with a baby lying on the bench. Curious, she walked over and examined the lady. "Hello?" She shook her hand gently. "Are you okay?"

To her surprise, the lady opened her eyes and whispered in a raspy voice, "I'll be fine, my dear."

"Alright then. Don't let the bench bugs bite! Bye!" She waved and skipped away happily. The lady gave her a tired wave and fell asleep again.

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He kept walking and walking, searching high and low for his beloved wife. He asked around for her, each time only getting a response of "No" or "Nope, sorry" or "Didn't see her around". With each person he asked, he began to feel more and more dejected. Annie, please be alright, he prayed silently.

He came across a girl with a French braid, who looked about seven or eight, and asked her the same question, preparing to get a negative response. To his surprise, she replied, "Yeah, I saw a lady on the bench outside the bamboo forest. She seemed very tired." Thanking her profusely, he set off straight for that bench where they had shared many kisses. And my oh my, how right was the girl.

On the bench laid a woman, with the same dress as Anne, the same shoes, the same hairstyle and the same baby wrapped in the same blanket. "Anne?" He shook her. She opened her eyes sleepily and when she saw his concerned expression, burst into tears again. He panicked. "Anne? Anne, please don't cry." He wiped away her tears as they began their steady flow down her face.

"I thought you're weren't coming for me," she weeped.

"Of course I would, you silly little bug. You are my wife, after all. Oh, and your breath stinks."

"I threw up, of course my breath stinks."

"You threw up? Are you alright? Are you sick?" He fussed over her, putting a hand on her forehead. She pushed it away.

"No, silly. I was going to tell you on your birthday but... I'm pregnant."

He was taken aback. "You...are?" he asked uncertainly. She nodded. He wrapped his arms around her as tears began to form in his own eyes. "You should have told me just now."

They pulled away and she replied, "I was afraid you would kick me out when you found out."

He laughed and pulled her in for another hug. "You really are the stupidest yet most beautiful girl I have ever met."