The Bamboo Forest

Thirty Four.

They were walking down the road along the bamboo forest when he asked, "I wonder what happens after death?"

"I'm not sure about that. Some say we have an afterlife, some say we get reincarnated, some say we simply rot. But no one knows for sure."

"Such a crude word, isn't it? Rot. But everyone has to be a rotten egg every once in a while, right? Don't you agree, my daughter?"

"Not necessarily. Look at yourself, dad. You haven't been a rotten egg as long as I can remember."

"Oh, I have, I have. When your mother first moved into our neighbourhood, I, along with my friends, pelted rotten eggs at her window. How furious she was at that time! Ah, old times."

"Did you love her?"

He pondered on this for a little while before answering, "I did. And I still do."

"After what she did?"

"They always say love knows no boundaries. She crossed so many lines, and yet my heart still aches for her presence."

"You know, dad, sometimes I feel like I'll end up like mum. I'm afraid I won't be a good enough mother to my children."

He stopped and looked her in the eye. "If you really think that, then you are certainly not a good mother. But if you could just turn that mindset around, think that the glass of water is half full, and not half empty, think positively of yourself, you will be a good mother to your children. You are a great person, Anne. Believe in yourself."

"Really? You think so?" She eyed him uncertainly.

"I'm 99.9% positive."

"The remaining 0.01%?"

"If you could see through my funeral and make sure it goes well, then you'll earn that 0.01% positiveness."

"Dad, I've already told you, stop worrying about your funeral and have fun while you're still alive."

"But--"

"Mum? What is a few-ne-rah?" Her daughter opened her eyes sleepily and asked in an equally sleepy voice.

"Darling, a funeral is held when someone passes away," he explained softly.

"Ah-pa, what does passes away mean?"

"It means someone died."

"Dad!"

She tugged on his sleeve. "Ah-pa, does that mean you will die?"

"I may."

Tears welled up in her eyes. "Don't die please, ah-pa. Don't leave me here alone."

"Dad! I told you not to bring up the subject."

"Okay, okay, don't cry, darling. Ah-pa won't leave you here alone."

"Promise?" She held out her pinky finger.

"I promise." He linked his pinky with hers and pressed their thumbs together. She giggles. He muttered under his breath, "Sorry, my dear, for I cannot keep this promise."

He thought no one heard.

But someone did.

And that someone gazed at her father sadly......

Sadly...

Sadly.