October 21st
1990
Today is my wedding anniversary. Choong Boon and the children have
booked a table for dinner at Ritz Carlton. I was just choosing my
attire for the special evening when the doorbell rang. Wonder who
could that be?
Good afternoon, madam. Theres a package for Madam Lim Poh Choo.
Could you please sign for it?
A package for me? *Haha* It must be either Choong Boon or the
children who send me a present for the wedding anniversary. I
opened the package. Inside were a nicely sealed envelope and a few
books, which looked really old and yellow. Now, why would they send
me such old books? I gently opened the envelope and inside laid a
letter, addressed to me.
Dear Poh Choo,
It has really been a surprise to see you again along Orchard Road
yesterday, after 20 years. Im glad to see that you are living so
happily.
I know this must have seemed very abrupt of me to send you this
package, but please forgive me, because Im migrating to the United
States and Ill be flying off today. These diaries do not belong to
me; they belong to my brother, Wee Teck. Perhaps your memories of
him have faded as the time passes. But Poh Choo, he never did ever
forget you. You were in his mind, in his heart all the while, even
after you got married. It hurt him so much to see you married off
with another person, but he loved you. He truly loved you so much,
enough to let you go. He didnt think much of his own feelings but
he felt that as long as you were happy, he was willing to sacrifice
his own happiness in exchange for yours.
After you left, Wee Teck would go to the National Library on the
21st of October, every year without fail, to wait for your return.
No matter rain or shine. Because he believed that one day, you will
remember the pact you made to visit the library with him. He had
been doing that faithfully every year. 10 years ago, Wee Teck went
to the National Library, like he did every year on the 21th of
October......
