Chapter 11

We were nearing a dessert stall. This stall was near our mansion. We used to come here on our bicycles after playing in the paddy field.

"It has been a long time since I tasted red bean ice shave." said Henry.

"Should we have some red bean ice shave?" suggested Henry.

"Yes!" Josh and I shouted in unison.

The last time I came was two years back when Josh brought me here on a hot sunny afternoon on his bicycle. He used to bring me here a lot after Henry left for England. However, things changed when Josh started spending more time with his strings of girl friends.

I am usually left alone at home. I would spend my afternoon finishing my school work. Then I would go to the library to do some reading and sometimes painting. Before dinner I would take a walk in the garden.

After parking the car at the side of the road. We came out of the car and walked towards the stall.

We sat around a square plastic table with plastic chairs. The old lady who ran the dessert stall came over and took our orders.

We talked and laughed reminiscing about our childhood while enjoying our red bean ice shave.

Without any notice Henry leaned over to me in a middle of a conversation and lifted his fingers to wipe off some red bean from the side of my mouth. I was caught off guard.

He stared into my eyes, chuckled and said "You are still a messy cat."

My heart skipped a beat and I blushed.

Henry used to wipe my mouth with his handkerchief when I make a mess after eating. There are some things which never change. I thought to myself.

We continued on our journey home after finishing our favorite red bean ice shave.

When we reached the mansion, I went straight up to my room to finish up my homework. After finishing my homework, I walked to the library to do some reading.

When the door to the library opened, I saw Henry sitting on one of the arm chair reading a book. He looked up at me and smiled but he did not say anything.

We sat quietly together reading in the library. When it was about time for me to take a walk in the garden, I stood up and put the book I was reading back to the shelf.

As I was walking away, Henry suddenly asked, "Are you going for a walk in the garden?"

I nodded my head in reply.

"May I join you?" he asked.

I nodded again in reply. Both of us then walked to the garden together in silence. He was walking ahead of me.

"What is your plan now, Henry? Are you going to work at the Bangkok General Hospital?" I broke the silence by asking him this.

"Yes, I applied for a position there while I was in England. I will start working there next month. I came back earlier to attend your birthday party," he answered.

He stopped walking and turned around. "Wait for me under the big shady tree in the middle of the garden. I want to give you something," said Henry.

Then he turned around and walked quickly back to the house.

I continued walking towards the big shady tree.

After a few minutes I saw him running towards me with a smile on his face. One of his hand was behind him. He was hiding something.

"Close your eyes," said Henry.

I did as he said and close my eyes. Then he put something in my arm. It was soft and fluffy.

"Open your eyes now," said Henry.

"A teddy bear! How cute." I answered happily.

It was the cutest bear I had ever seen. When I looked more closely at the bear it seemed to resemble Henry. It was wearing the same spectacles and clothing as Henry.

"It looks just like you. I don't mean you look like a bear but it resembles you," I said.

"Yes, I asked the bear maker to make you a bear that resembles me, so that I can always be at your side to protect you," he said with a charming smile on his face.

"Thank you," I replied.

"Sorry for not giving it to you yesterday." Henry apologized.

"Its alright. Better late than never right?" I teased him.

He laughed for awhile. Then he started asking me questions.

"How have you been all these years? Did Josh give you a hard time when growing up?" he asked me.

"I had a happy time growing up here. Aunt Helen and Master Lim showered me with lots of love as well as Chen. Josh was a good companion and a big brother to me. We got into many troubles together. That's the fun part though," I replied while holding the teddy bear tightly in my arms.

"Josh has become very popular in school especially among the girls I heard. I can't imagine the chubby boy whom I left behind six years ago had grown up to become a Romeo."

"How about you? Do you have anyone of interest?" asked Henry curiously.

"No. I am too busy helping Josh to get rid of his unwanted girlfriends to even pay any notice to anyone. Anyway I prefer burying my nose in books then worried about boys," I answered.

Henry looked at me again and smiled. "Let's get back into the house. It is getting dark and dinner will be ready soon," said Henry.

So we walked back into the house together.