It was the Best of Ages, it was the Worst of Ages. This is the retelling of the true, tragic and universal story of: Love! Rejection! and Resentment!
I present to you... A Tale of Two Babies.
Last Sunday was one of the most gorgeous days I had ever seen in New York city. Definitely the best day so far this year. I dropped by Central Park to get some reading and meditation done (FAIL)...
As I was sitting on a plot of grass right off of Columbus Circle and attempted to meditate/read/do some heavy duty contemplation on life, I suddenly noticed an adorable baby walk by, struggling to keep steady and concentrating furiously on the "endless" fields of green in front of him. I'm not usually a fan of babies (the noise!) but this one was adorable and he didn't make much noise... so I kept on watching. Let's name him Baby A, or BA. Moments later, as BA stopped in front of two runners who were chitchatting on the grass and studied their water bottle intensely, another baby appeared.
This baby was slightly younger and was still wobbly when he walked. Let's call him Baby B, or BB. BB was with his mom, trying to practice his new found game - walking. BB had an adorable mat of flying golden hair that danced in the wind and the most innocent look, enough to tickle your heart.
Then came that fateful moment when BA saw BB - the sparks were unmistakable. BA left the water bottle immediately and with his stubby but strong feet stepped quickly towards BB. This was a classic Love-at-First-Sight. The parents were all cooing "how cute~ finally found someone your size?", but as we all know, parents sometimes just have not a CLUE what kind of psychological and emotional trauma their kids may be undergoing.
BB saw BA's advances and at first was stunned. BA saw his opportunity and quickly stepped even closer to BB and - in a breathtaking moment when everyone's gaze froze and heart melted - stood on tiptoe to kiss BB on the forehead. It was then that I started flipping through my bag for my phone (couldn't really use my camera even though I had it).
In a turn of events that no one expected (yea we're all Hollywood bred), BB recovered right before BA's puckered lips reached his forehead and retreated, backing into (whom he thought was) his mother. The cornered child raised his head to seek solace from his mother, just to find out that he was holding on the pants of BA's mother (i.e. a complete stranger). His eyes swelled, lips tightened, and he turn and stumble-ran away from the spot. BA chased after him. As one wobbled, the other wobbled faster. The dance would have continued (for who knows how long), but realizing the hopeless situation and giving up, BA stopped, turned, and with a face grieved by rejection, he ran toward BB's carriage and stood in front, back to everyone, refusing to let others see his tear stained face.
BB watched him from far away, eyes perplexed and perhaps, moved.
BA's father, unable to stand his son's sorrow, tried lifting him from where he stood and setting him down in front of BB, who now seemed to be warming up to BA. But alas! It was too late! BB's rejection had left BA's feelings hurt and pride bruised! As BB looked at him encouragingly, BA simply turned - and ran back to in front of BB's carriage (don't ask me why! O_O).
Despite multiple efforts by the doting parents on both sides and BB's increasing interest, BA seemed resigned and since he was pulled away repeatedly from BB's carriage, he ran to the two runner ladies and focused his attention back on the water bottle.
Such is the fate of love (and inevitably accompanying that, hate);
such is the loss of innocence (and initiation of the "game");
such is the tragedy of youth (and easily amused adults)...
... and it certainly was a beautiful day.
曾經有一份真誠 的愛情放在我面前，我沒有珍惜，等我失去的時候我才後悔莫及，人世間最痛苦的事莫過於此... 如果上天能夠給我一 個再來一次的機會，我會... 說三個字：我愛你。如果非要在這份愛上加上一個期限，我希望是……一萬年……*
Once upon a time, a genuine heart was laid down in front of me, I did not know to appreciate it, but was only beyond regret when I lost it. In this world, there is nothing else more devastating... if I may be granted another chance, I will... speak three words: I Love You. If this love must have a limit, I wish that to be... ten thousand years...
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p.s. You can bet I was ROLLING on the grass while this was all happening...
* From Steven Chow's
A Chinese Odyessy (way overused but eternally true)
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