It was no use watering it any more. My cape jasmine stood lifelessly there, only one or two withered yellow leaves left on the dull branches.
It seemed silly to feel so sad for a dead plant. But , I had my reasons.
I bought it the year before, it gave me two full blooms in the following two years. For two years, it stood beside my writing desk, keeping me good company when I read or wrote here. Its silent friendship was part of the charm of my small study.
But one day early this spring, when I was watering the plants I noticed some tiny red creatures on the back of some leaves. And those leaves with these hateful tiny creatures were turning yellow and withering helplessly. The second day, there were more leaves with more small red things coming and going with their mean business. My cape jasmine looked sick and unhealthily yellow. Was it dying just because of those small things? It was true that I was sort of busy those few days and slightly ignored my plants except for a hurry watering in the evening.. It was so strong and vigorous last summer and even bloomed continuously till about November. I simply couldn’t believe it could be ruined by such small creatures. I moved my plant to the wash room and washed the leaves one by one, carefully brushed the back of each leaf till it was free of the harmful creatures. I did it for about a week, then I noticed there were no more red things on its leaves. It regained its strength and became greener. Some new leaves were ready to grow out. I heaved a long relieving sigh, overwhelmed with joy. It would be all right and keep staying with me for more years to come and the white fragrant flowers would more than once make me fresh for my study. It was just like an old friend. I could not afford to lose it.
When I thought I almost lost it because of my negligence, I felt a feeling of guilty. From them on, I gave it special care, I washed its leaves every morning, watered it every evening, did some trimming now and then, even added some extra fertilizer to its soil. It grew more robust each day. “Soon it will be in bloom again with those white small flowers I love so much, for the third time.“ I smiled to myself with great expectation.
It grew well enough for a couple of weeks before I was shocked to find it looked sick again, its root was rotting away. Over watered. And too much fertilizer. Too much care. I killed it. This time it died so fast, I got no way to save it.
Again it seems silly to feel so down and blue for a dead plant. But, I am not being so sentimental just for the vicissitudes of life. This is just like when we regain the friendship of a long lost friend, we cherish it more than ever , and maybe count on it more than ever. And when we lose it for the second time it hurts more. Can too much care also suffocate friendship? People say a hedge between keeps friendship green, it is true that friendship also needs space and freedom to live and grow...
I was hurt more when I lost my favourite plant for the second time.
