When I was little, the stretch of meadows in my modest village sheltered the most vibrant wildflowers which jauntily sprouted in between the tall grass. Whenever I came across them, I fell victim to my incongruous thoughts. My disarray arose when I didn't know whether to give into my impetuous urges and pluck the blossomed flower and kill it for my selfish pleasure or out of the compassion of my heart, leave it be and let it shrivel and die on its own.

That was exactly how I felt when I met her- Lilly Ann.

I rode on my bicycle to her village to collect wild berries for the jars of jam that I meticulously prepared. As I pedalled down the narrow lanes, my eyes locked into her intoxicating, aquamarine ones. She smiled strangely at me like she knew that this fleeting encounter wouldn't cause us to desperately try and etch this moment in our evanescent memories.For we would meet again. And we did.

I scrupulously passed through the same lane at that precise time to catch a glimpse of her. She was always clad in a billowy white dress with puffed sleeves, balancing her bag of groceries against her wide hip. A child grasped her free hand and skipped merrily by her side.

We were in this harrowing predicament where we silently loved each other, but couldn't express ourselves.

No. Not because she was married. Not because she was with a child. But because like her-I was a woman too.

I tucked my frock underneath my thighs as I passed her every afternoon, the wind gently caressing my face. I could feel her curious stare on the back of my blonde head when I forlornly manoeuvred ahead, wishing that one day she would follow me. And to excite me some more, she did.

That portentous day, she was without her child or the bag of groceries. I should have sensed the ominous atmosphere since I possessed a marvellous intuition, but the limitless sky was bright blue and devoid of any clouds. Everyone in the village warmly smiled at each other and their happiness radiated around me. I couldn't have known any better, I couldn't.

I leisurely brought my bicycle to a halt when I heard her light steps pacing after me.

"Hello," she said breathlessly, looking quite flustered. "You dropped your hat."Her fingers lingered inquisitively when she handed my straw hat.

"Thank you," I said, pleased that she bothered to return the hat that I had consciously released.

"I see you every day," she said, biting her lower lip. "I see you gather these berries." She gestured towards my filled basket. "I know a better place, one where you'll find plenty and you don't have to climb much."

"You do?" I quirked an eyebrow in question, fighting my growing delight. Somehow, I found the task of uttering words arduous. I couldn't believe that this lovely woman was finally talking to me.

"Behind my house. You can come and see for yourself," she offered, her aquamarine eyes wide and hopeful. I recalled her looking so young, so childish at that specific moment. So unmarried, so unmotherly.

I was tongue-tied at her candid invitation that I mutely nodded.

We sauntered to her place in overwhelming silence, her delicate face observing the fields of wheat and I anxiously looked straight ahead of the deserted road. She walked briskly two steps ahead of me, leading me to a dense thicket. The colourful berries there were abounding and we picked some, proceeding towards a clearing.

We plopped down on the soft mud in a daze and she popped in a red berry, chewing nervously. I emulated her actions, the rich sweetness exploding in my mouth. Then I took a sly glimpse of her and she caught me. My confused heart skipped a beat. Before I could hastily look away, she laid down and started unbuttoning her white gown.

"Aren't the berries delicious?" she murmured and the lascivious thoughts took hold of me with each tiny button being opened.Her flimsy dress fluttered in the wind, revealing her smooth, naked body.

"You're . . . " And I kissed her, I kissed her red-stained lips.

Her face flushed in sensual gratification and her bare body came alive, unravelling under my tender, attentive fingers. I touched her like a woman, gently, warmly, affectionately. Her breath came out in short puffs and she gave out an unbridled cry when she was done.I stared at her in shock, tingles shooting all over my aroused body.

"Mommy?" I heard the quiet, innocent voice that echoed in my ears, rendering me completely immobile.

"Abraham!" She wildly clutched at her now torn dress and scrambled up.The child had seen it all, her child.

Abraham ran resolutely, disappearing in the dark woods and his mother helplessly fell on her knees in front of me.

"He'll tell him!" She shrieked, tears welling up in her beautiful eyes.

Her body shook as I tremulously tried to hold her, feel for myself that this was real.

Suddenly, she wrenched free from my hold, wiped the fat tears streaming down her scarlet cheeks and shouted, "I knew it! I knew this was going to happen! I knew it!"

I was stupefied when she claimed reassuringly, "That's why I took care of it. I took care of it, love. You don't have to worry."

"I-I don't understand . . . " I stammered, my faltering voice only a whisper.

"We sinned, we sinned," she reiterated, her once beautiful eyes, now coldly flashed to me. "We'll be good in heaven, they'll forgive us then. They'll . . . "

More tears spilled out of her big eyes which was rapidly losing its light as she gasped for breath, clasping her slender throat.

Through a veil of tears, I looked down at the squashed, venomous, fatal berries we had foolishly and I, unknowingly consumed. Goosebumps pricked at my cold skin when she collapsed on the ground, lifeless. Moments later, my heart raced and I struggled to breathe too.

I fell in love with a poisonous wildflower and I plucked it.