The Storm We Made: A Novel

In 1936, Cecily becomes distraught with Fujiwara’s prolonged absence. The neighborhood women start to gossip about her change in behavior, criticizing her for her failure to take care of herself. Gordon checks on her regularly but does not know what’s causing her “moods.” Around this time, Kapitan Yap is executed, forcing Mrs. Yap to flee from town.

Months later, Gordon is promoted to the highest position granted to a non-British person in public works. Their change in status allows them to live a more affluent lifestyle. One night, they are invited to a ball at the local country club. At the ball, Cecily encounters Mrs. Yap, who has changed her appearance to look more European and has renamed herself Lina. Lina introduces Cecily to her new husband, “Bingley Chan.” Cecily is shocked to see Fujiwara for the first time in months.

Lina explains that Bingley consoled her after her first husband’s death. Lina expresses her desire to befriend Cecily, and Gordon likewise reacquaints himself with Fujiwara. Fujiwara passes a note to Cecily to arrange a meeting with her. She goes to a hotel to see him the following day, fearing that he will no longer have any use for her. She criticizes his decision to leave her behind and marry Lina. Provoked by her words, Fujiwara chokes Cecily against the wall. She taunts that he does this with all of his women, and Fujiwara, ashamed, leaves her again.

Jasmin stays at Fujiwara’s house for several days. Fujiwara looks after her, and she spends much of her day playing around his large house. Jasmin refuses to go home, especially as Fujiwara reminds her of the Uncle Toothpaste her sister had often spoken about. Fujiwara starts telling her stories about a brave woman he used to work with, a woman he describes as a patriot. Fujiwara starts letting her wear his clothes, instructing her to show the label bearing his name to protect her from the soldiers.

When she starts getting bored of the general’s house, Jasmin explores the area outside it. During her walk, she sees the row of shacks where Yuki had brought her. Jasmin is excited to have found Yuki’s home again and looks for her friend at the wheelbarrow. Yuki tells her that she went to Jasmin’s house to look for her. Jasmin breaks down, remembering her situation. Two days later, Jasmin returns to the wheelbarrow to play with her friend. Yuki accidentally drops Jasmin from the wheelbarrow, and Jasmin pretends to die. Yuki cries, so Jasmin reassures her before telling her about her new home.

Jasmin notices the general becoming more tired as he listens to the radio night after night. He asks about her education and promises to teach her to appreciate literature.

Jujube spends the next week desperately searching for Jasmin and fearing for her safety. After searching in trash piles, she washes herself outside her house and takes a nap by the drain. She is awoken by the voice of Mr. Takahashi, who is looking for her. She brings him inside the house, which has been kept poorly by her parents in the wake of Jasmin’s disappearance. Takahashi explains that he has come to look after Jujube because she hasn’t been to the teahouse in several days. Takahashi tries to clean up their kitchen. Afterward, Jujube asks him about his daughter. He shows her a photo of Ichika, his daughter who studies art and nursing at university. Jujube swallows back her resentment.

In 1937, Cecily is revolted by Lina’s reintroduction to society as Bingley’s wife. Fujiwara is beloved by British society members, adopting a self-deprecating sense of humor to curry their favor. Cecily avoids them even as she continues to wish for Fujiwara’s attention. Eventually, she decides to start passing information along to Fujiwara once again, wishing to progress the Japanese agenda in Malaya.

Cecily steals some of Gordon’s documents and brings them along with some European pie to Lina and Fujiwara’s house. Lina invites her to join a gathering with some of the British society women in her parlor. Cecily tries to give the files to Lina to pass over to Fujiwara, but Lina insists on spending more time with her so they can grow closer as friends. Cecily relents and stays over, listening to the British women gossip about the men they would want to “have [their] fun with if [they] weren’t with [their] husbands” (182). They talk about the local men with racist overtones, including Lina and Cecily’s husbands in the discussion. They are especially drawn to Fujiwara, rudely talking about having him in front of Lina. Out of pity for Lina, Cecily feigns illness, bringing an end to the gathering.

After the women leave, Cecily expresses her indignation. However, Lina says that she must act favorably toward them, per Fujiwara’s instruction. Lina thanks her nonetheless for dispersing the women. They start to bond over their shared burden of serving their respective husbands, as well as the disappointments of their mothers. Fujiwara finally returns home, and Lina tells him about the documents from Gordon.