PART THREE

1945 - 1946

SECTION 1

On August 14, 1945, it was announced that Japan had surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, effectively ending World War II. Since then, both August 14 and August 15 have been known as “Victory Over Japan Day,” or simply “V-J Day.” Fairs were held all over Burma as part of celebrations that took place all over the world.

The British returned once more soon after the Japanese surrendered.The late Imperial Japanese banknotes have once more lost all of their value and have been replaced with newly issued British bills bearing King George's visage. And British custom has once more grown in popularity across the nation.

Following the VJ Day, another headline story that depicts a young couple kissing in Times Square quickly gains global attention.

After news broke that Japan had surrendered and World War II was over on August 15, 1945, photographer Alfred Aisenstaedt took a picture of a sailor jubilantly kissing a woman in Times Square.

The photograph was published a week after Victory over Japan Day, and was given a full-page spread in LIFE magazine. It made Mr Aeisenstaedt famous and became the iconic image of the war ending.

The image, dubbed "the Kiss," has drawn attention from all over the world, even to A Mar. A Mar would be more intrigued than ever by a peaceful picture that depicted love between two strangers. What kind of kiss would the couple be sharing? Are they in love? Or is it more than A Mar is capable of thinking, or is it simply someone celebrating for their pleasure?

A Mar starts to ponder about LOVE, love, and affection in the companionship of strangers. She is no longer a girl; she is blossoming into a woman. She feels uneasy every time she fancies getting intimate with a stranger. Being with someone would be wonderful, or would that be odd? she pondered.

On top of that, A Mar must follow her mummy, who is unconventional, traditional, and old-school. A Mar would never try to confront her, and simply thinking outside the boundaries of her mummy's standard would make her cringe. That is why A Mar always neglects her heart desire and her need for emotional self-esteem.

However, the other siblings in the family are confident; they get no agitation from their parents, and, unlike A Mar's mother, they let their sons and daughters to stand on their own, to make their own decisions. And that caused a different life-style between A Mar and them, despite the fact that they lived in the same house.

A Mar's life is tremendously constrained by the great shadow of her mummy. A Mar 's life is horrible since she is constantly concerned about offending her own mother for anything she does nearly almost every time. As a result, whenever she has to make a decision, she is almost always bewildered and baffled by her own thoughts.

Aside from her lack of confidence, she has all of the abilities and aptitude for pursuing her own interests. She also has the guts, skill, competence, and willingness to improve her life, but she is unable to overcome her own prejudice.

Her cousin Ni Ni, who is three years younger than her, even has more guts and confidence. More firm and brave, she has never seemed worried or lacked spirit.Certain of one's need or desire, and daring to do so at any cost, with no regrets or doubts.

When A Mar's mind is still conflicted about whether she wants to get or have a boyfriend or love one of her own, Ni Ni has already fallen in love and found a wonderful boyfriend.She has already brought her boyfriend home. She made certain that the family met and interacted with him.

Ni Ni is a small person with a charming personality. She talks and walks her own style, and she does the works of a beauty that is above A Mar's competent range of imagination. She is daring, loving, admiring, and adorable all at the same time. When her lover, Ko Thin Maung Aye, came to ask her out, she would boldly put on a pair of high heels and ride with him, behind the motorbike.Every time the couple came and went, everyone in the neighbourhood took an interest in them.They are unquestionably a match made in heaven.

Every woman in the family has their own unique personality, beauty, attractiveness, and charm. And the household became its own Eden on the ward. Suitors and wooers would approach the residence with the backing of the lads from the house.

A Mar genuinely admires Ni Ni and her openness. Ni Ni is younger than A Mar, yet A Mar thinks Ni Ni to be more mature, confident, decent, and authentic. A Mar learned from Ni Ni's hard-headed demeanour that, in order to live a fulfilling life, one must have a strong character and a desire to be courageous.

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SECTION 2

A Mar had been noticing him for quite some time. Fair-skinned, tall, and powerful jaws. And the tough jaws signified that he'd be a man with a fearless, daring, minding, bold, and captivating mindset. All of the indications pointing that he is a stubborn and obstinate person.

Yet, A Mar can't stop thinking about him, — especially his gimlet eyes. A Mar's soul would be torn by the keen and intense, ardent, earnest, eager, and fanatical glaring.

Every evening, once A Mar finished her class for that day, he would come to the same spot, in front of the school gate, beneath the Badan, under the shade, leaning on the hood of the mahogany sedan. Wearing an opulent Roll's silk longyi and a fine leather shoe.

His stance, manner, look, and standard convey that he is not a regular guy, but a Yangon Grad student. They're all the same: high standard, gilded sheen, and toff. The graduate students at the University of Yangon are all very diverse compared to one another.From the top of the hairstyle to the bottom of the shoe, everything looks different.

The Lanmadaw Medical School reopened in postwar 1946 with just twenty students as the first batch, but by the second batch, it had increased to thirty. When A Mar re-enrolled in the MBBS program, she was among the third batch, and that included another thirty-five students.

The programme was packed with varied and foreign scholars, including Japanese, British, Chinese, Punjabi, and even Muslin scholars. Even the program's rector is from another nationality. Regrettably, there are very few female scholars, and the majority were male. Male counterparts dominate all important fields and professions. Only a few females were fortunate enough to be a part of the major areas and profession at the time.

Because the school only has a few hundred students, everyone is easily recognizable. As a result, they will all be aware if a stranger arrives or pays a visit there.

It's a mystery when some lad or a nice bloke arrived near the school and waited for some gals from the school. So all the ladies would become so excited that they would make fun of each other and guess who would be the lucky one.

A Mar also made new friends there. A Mar would hang out with her close friend, who is also a classmate, Nyunt, and Nyunt's Sister, who is both of their seniors.Because the sisters and A Mar reside in the same neighbourhood, it's only natural that they'd spend their time together. A Mar's mother, too, was pleased to assure her daughter that she only hangs out with the sisters who live nearby.

A Ma Gyi, Nyunt's sister, is quite sophisticated and can drive. And A Mar would accompany her everywhere she went. As a result, if A Mar is with A Ma Gyi, Mummy would have confidence in her. Since then, A Mar's life has been carefree, with no distractions, and everything is starting to fall into place.

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SECTION 3

The majestic buildings of the University of Yangon are surrounded by emerald green landscapes and a golden Mesua sea.The main campus and surrounding areas were filled with the wonderful aroma of Mesua, making everyone who came across feel delighted.

It was the day of the prestigious social gathering, which would be held in the North Hall (Shwe Bo Hall), and all students, senior and junior, would be there. This gathering is intended to give attendees more welcomed and socialising opportunities between each class, which includes everyone.

The celebration is organised by seniors from each department, and nearly everyone from every sector, college, school, and programme is invited. Students from the Medical School, Engineering, Education, and other fields would surely attend the gathering. Everyone is inviting their close friend to accompany them.

Ma Ma Gyi was invited by an old acquaintance from the North Hall, who happens to be an old pal from the same native. And, fortunately, A Mar is invited to the gatherings through Ma Ma Gyi's pleading and, eventually, Mummy's consent. She has never attended an event like this before in her life, and now, as such a country gal from the midland, her life is about to change yet again.

“There is no friend like wisdom.” is the official motto of the University of Yangon. Founded originally as an affiliated college of the University of Calcutta in 1878, Rangoon College was established under British rule. Its name changed to Government College in the early 1900s and then again in 1920 to University College. In that same year, the secular University College merged with the Baptist-affiliated Judson College to become Rangoon University.

During the Second World War the Japanese army took over the University and used the buildings for their offices. Myanmar gained independence from British rule in 1948 and this was a golden period for Rangoon University, until the military coup in 1962. Rangoon University became one of the most prestigious universities in Southeast Asia, attracting students from across the region.

(The military authorities ended the University’s autonomy, placing it under central government control. The language of instruction was changed from English to Burmese. The 1964 University Education Act separated several professional departments from the university, establishing them as separate universities: the University of Medicine, the University of Economics, the University of Technology, the University of Education. At that point, the university was renamed the Rangoon Arts and Sciences University, concerned only with liberal arts, sciences and law. In 1989, the university was renamed the University of Yangon.)

Prior to the formation of the Nationalist School, the University of Rangoon was the most respected and prominent institution, with programmes taught in standard English.Even after Burma regained her rightful independence from the British Empire, western influences remained popular in the social standards of student culture.

The highly intelligent student's habits and attire have evolved into their own subculture of its own. With varied majors and subjects, different students would practise their own customs and fashion in a number of different ways. In the end, it becomes its own social class.

Even though A Mar is a medical student, she will never become a part of the distinctive class; rather, she will remain as she has always been, introverted, quiet, and leisurely.When she first started at the school in the first two terms before the war,She didn't have the opportunity to make friends or have a pal back then since she didn't have to stay at the campus but rather at a residence in Sanchaung Township.

As a quiet person, A Mar disliked attending any social gatherings back then, but things have changed, and if one lives in the social circle, one must link up the dots that need to be attached together. A Mar understands that now, and that’s why she agrees to go with Ma Ma Gyi.

"Don't worry, Aunty; we'll be with her at all times, and I promise to return on time, at 8 p.m."

Mummy glances at A Mar, and with a hesitant nod, she agrees to let A Mar join them. A Mar gracefully wears a parakeet silk longyi with a gorgeous long lace blouse. The hairstyle would be a knot bun adorned with three Mesua flowers.She then carries a handcrafted green velour handbag that she made herself. And she looked stunning in the classic velour slipper.

With a secure sense of self-confidence in herself,A Mar boards into the car, which Ma Ma Gyi is driving.

"Oh, my A Mar, you look fabulous; I'm betting all the fellas are coming for you as you attend the party."

"Oh, Nyunt. Stop, it is absurd."

Despite the fact that A Mar backfired on Nyunt's jest, she still enjoys making fun by others like that.

When they arrived at the party, all of the Mesua trees were richly decorated with smart colorite LED lights, the entrance was covered in red carpet, a number of ten person tables were lined up side by side beside the mid lane carpet, at the end of the lane carpet, a reasonable high stage was stated with disco lights, and a dance floor was stated near it.

The buffet station extended the entire corner of each side, and the menus were filled with a variety of cuisine, meals, deserts, and drinks.

Everything is exciting, intriguing, and interesting; some guys are dancing below the disco lights despite the fact that there is no music playing.

Some acquaintances are meeting one another and some are starting to have their own drinks, other lads are smoking in droves, and some women are elegantly seated at the table and cheerfully exchanging memories with each other.

And then, shortly after some senior introduction statements for welcoming the events, comes the Anyeint, which is performed by some college students, and it was entertaining to see. Because some of the comedians make multilingual gags.

The ladies' dresses are stunning. Their lace was so thin that the beauty of the uptown bosom was visible, and the twin seat of affections was exposed in part magnificently.Their nails were velvet polish, and their lips were also colour. The aroma of many French perfumes fills the entire room and might make one dizzy.

While chatting in English and then Burmese, the conversation is continuously shifting. Some lads are drinking their shot of scotch, some are smoking cigars magnificently, while yet others are enjoying a pint with their colleagues.

A Mar, on the other hand, is naturally timid, so she prefers to keep away from the throng and observe from a comfortable distance.Before Ma Ma Gyi went to join her classmate, she reminded A Mar that if she was offered to dance by someone, she had to accept or be seen as impolite. Hence, A Mar was nervous about it, fearful that someone might approach her and request her out to dance.

A Mar began to hide herself in the darker location just as the music became much more powerful than before. And observing the entire event from afar, which is not accustomed to her at all. As she grew increasingly bored, she turned around and decided to taste the Biryani and gulp an orange juice, a nonalcoholic beverage that was only available there.

Everything starts to taste better as she begins to love the music.The majesty of the grandiose architecture of the University of Yangon became much more prominent under the multicoloured dim LED light. With the cool breeze of the south, the perfume of the Mesua becomes even more enticing.

As she starts to enjoy the music, flowing with the rhythms, she is suddenly pulled by her inner trauma and all the horror of the past, when she has escaped the lifeless village. A taunting trauma ruined her evening yet again.She had once lost all faith in the world and had to renew herself so hard to get to this point, and yet her haunting past had always been crashing her all the time.

After so many difficulties and challenges, she has become a student of M.B.B.S Programme, which is equally distinguishable as the degree of M.B, Ch.B from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

She then eases herself from her daymare with a thought , "Still alive, strive on, and survive.."

The exhilarating Anyein has concluded, and the Western Orchestra would then perform after that. The dance floor is beginning to fill up, and several couples are dancing together to the waltz. A bunch of admirers are roistering around a star gal who happens to be a prestigious guest for the night. She welcomed those who invited her to dance one by one.The party has become even more exciting as the night grows longer.Everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives.

Meanwhile, A Mar is hiding behind a veil of shadows in the corner of the hall, between the tables full of feast, the food they serve here is finest, the drinks seem to be great, because no one seems to be disappointed when they have it, and on top of all that, the music, the lighting, the environment, everythings is perfect.

She feels nervous and anxious as she watches people dancing merrily. Fortunately, no one approaches her to ask her out to dance. A Mar was distressed, rubbing the corner knot of her handkerchief and making herself at ease. And she wonders, what if Mummy discovers the true nature of this sort of party? A Mar is confident that her mother would not allow her to go

She was pondering about this and that when she noticed the time, it was about 7:30 p.m. A Mar must return home before 8 p.m. Otherwise, Ma Ma would be worried sick.

“Ahem., Ahem.,”

Clearly, the noise is coming from behind her; she makes no answer and then grubs her purse and walks over to where Ma Ma Gyi and Nyunt are dancing.

The jeep with A Mar on board finally returns home about 7:45 p.m. They drive along Avenue Road, then along Pyi Road, and finally Sanchaung Street. A Mar could breathe freely once the jeep enters the street where they live.

"Oh! No."

"What's the problem? A Mar?"

"I think I lost it."

"What? Darling? What?"

"Oh, no trouble, just a handkerchief."

"Are you sure? If you want to retrieve it, let's go get it while we can, sweeties."

"No, it's alright, no big deal"

"Alright"

A Mar couldn't remember where she had lost the handkerchief with her name embroidered on it.

The pleasant evening is passed underneath the peaceful splendour of a spectacular crescent, which falls beneath the top of the Judson Baptist Church’s roof cross. The music of the party can still be heard from a distance.

The magnificent edifice of the University of Yangon is left behind, lonesomely.

⚜⚜⚜

SECTION 4

A Mar has never considered having an inamorato or a romantic interest. Obviously she does not have the luxury of doing so. Obedience to one's mother is enough to prevent her from ever considering it. But, every evening, that one lad, whom A Mar noticed before, comes to wait, and it makes A Mar crashingly anxious and excited. All the girls are talking about it, as if he comes for them, but A Mar knows it is not.

A Mar feels something she has never felt before when she thinks about the person who is waiting outside the school, beneath the shade, which always makes A Mar's heart race and most of all thrills her.But A Mar will not allow the sensation linger in her head for more than a few moments.

She just cannot; there are far more essential things to consider, and far too many priorities. Despite her assurances that she would not take an interest in it, A Mar becomes irritated when the expected one does not appear.

And, as it should be, On a sunny day, A Mar takes a shortcut through the Badan trees to the parking lot where Ma Ma Gyi's car is parked. The weather is pleasant, but A Mar decides to bring a parasol in case of heat, so she carries her small yellow parasol over her shoulder and goes about her business.

But she is distracted. He came to wait as usual. A Mar tries hard to ignore him, but her subconscious mind is still observing him unintentionally. As she passes him, she notices the broad smirk, but A Mar remains poised. Trying hard not to accidentally entice him with any sign.

Unfortunately, when A Mar arrives near the vehicle, it appears she is still too early; no one, Ma Ma Gyi or Nyunt, is present. Regrets and unease A Mar calms herself and stands still near the vehicle, pretending that everything is normal and nothing has changed or happens. Then she notices that someone is approaching her, so she boards the car and grabs the nearest book that her hands can reach and pretends to be reading it.

After a few seconds, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching her, and suddenly the stepping stopped. The daring man leaned against the open door of the Master Jeep, in which A Mar is on board, and said bluntly, in a deep voice,

“Hello, Ma Ma Than?”

When A Mar heard the bold guy's greeting, she was flabbergasted. Who would have guessed that the man knew A Mar's name, not just any names or nicknames, but the personal name and a name that A Mar considers the most private?

"Who are you? What are you doing here? What do you want? Go away, what if Ma Ma Gyi or Nyunt saw me like this, they would have thought else, Go away"

A Mar stares at him with scornful eyes. But the man seemed unconcerned.

“Oh OH! Hold it right there, I am sorry, SORRY, I don’t mean to bother you, please hear me out, I just want to return this, I believe this handkerchief belongs to you? Isn’t it?”

His sudden acts leave her startled, frightened, and irritated. Then he placed something on A Mar's thigh. A Mar then removes the thing he had placed on her thigh and says to him,

"How dare you! What do you think you're doing? Take it back, I won't take anything from you, and please leave."

"OK, OK, OK - just take it, I believe this is yours, you see your name here, I believe you embroidered it, Right?"

He took his leave shortly after placing the handkerchief on A Mar's hands. A Mar swiftly checked her hands and the handkerchief, and she was convinced that he had left not only the handkerchief, but also some paper, which she assumed were love letters. The handkerchief, on the other hand, was unmistakably hers, as she can see and feel the name embroidering as “Ma Ma Than” on it.

The letter wrapped in the handkerchief is written entirely in English. A Mar immediately checks the initial, and it shows that the person is called -

Chain, B.M.

A Mar returned home with a heavy heart, as if carrying a live snake in her bag, with anxieties.

⚜⚜⚜

SECTION 5

A Mar just knows his last name and initials, but it is not difficult for anybody who wishes to investigate someone who is not a typical one, but rather an uptown-boy, to do so. He is not difficult to check out based on his surname "Chain."

But A Mar was intrigued by the initial BM, though .. When A Mar returned home, she would not dare to read the letter right away because if her mother found out, A Mar's life would surely end instantaneously, so she had to read it at school's Lavatory where she could have some privacy and be away from any distraction.

Love letter or not, all letters are the same in A Mar's opinion, and unlike in the prior, A Mar was impressed this time.The usage, manner of writing, and method of expressing are all admirable, and A Mar is astounded by his language proficiency that his abilities and talent are comparable to those of a native speaker.

Every word and expression imply that he is the sort of person who will not accept a no for a response.A Mar becomes lost in her thoughts after reading it more than once.What type of person is he? Is he sweet or cranky? charming or daring? Bigot or sweetheart?

I don't have much time to explain. I try to be as direct and basic as possible. I'm not sure I'll be able to come and see you every day as I do now in the future.

I'm sure you've noticed that I've been coming to see you every evening. And I am convinced that no matter how long I have been waiting, I am neither irritated nor frustrated.

But now I can hardly restrain my feelings for you. I can't sleep, do anything, eat anything, or drink anything right now. It's quite difficult when love has completely absorbed you. I am willing to tell you everything you want to know about me.

I feel I know more about you than any stranger could, which is why I adore you for who you are and what you have been through.

Life is too brief to waste time dallying.

If you don't mind, I'd like to meet you in person. Instead, if you want me to get consent from your family, I am pleased to do so.

With all my loves,

B.M Chain

He is seeking consent from the family! shockingly, indeed. A Mar was worried before reading the letter because she assumed it would be much worse if she didn't read it and things would happen inadvertently, but after reading it numerous times, she is even more anxious since she is now worried that he might come to her house and make a scene of it with asking permission to her mother.

A Mar had never imagined that a single letter would make her life so difficult, putting her under anxiety every second of the day. She can't focus or do anything with a clear mind; everything she does is wrong. Her innocent mind is suddenly taken by him and only to him.

He vanished for a while now after giving the letter and handkerchief that A Mar had left at the party, just as he had stated.A Mar is disturbed, even if she wishes to respond to him but is unsure how.She knows nothing about him other than his initials and last name.

She curses him for abandoning her like way, under pressure. No one knows or notices that A Mar has received a love letter, but after a long time of bewilderment, A Mar can no longer hold herself, so she needs to open out only in order to escape the muddle.

Only friends can assist in this type of situation. When one is under the spell, only a friend can see out of blue.

"What's wrong? A Mar? Are you alright?"

Ma Ma Gyi ask A Mar with worrying eyes,

"Oh, I guess A Mar is distracted because she can't find the one who is usually waiting for us." Right?”

Nyunt is making fun of A Mar, but it makes A Mar even worse. A Mar can't stand it any longer, so she takes the letter from her purse and hands it to Ma Ma Gyi and Nyunt.A Mar feels relieved after handing it to them. Somehow it still makes A Mar anxious and exciting.

"Oh, it's simple," Ma Ma Gyi remarked, "we can always ask my friend from Shwe Bo Hall, what's his name again?" Chain? "Right? NO worries, honey, surprise disappearances can be boring, but I swear you'll find out all you need to know about him early tomorrow, OK? If you still want to respond to him, you should."

Why is it that the day is so long? A Mar just cannot wait any longer.

⚜⚜⚜

SECTION 6

They claim the odd watchful one's name is Ba Maung Chain, and he is a distinguished scholar from the department of English. The eldest son of a respected prominent bureaucrat also a Section Judge.One of the well-trained alumni boarders of the Prestigious Diocesan Boys' High School. Growing up in the culture and customs of western British style and au fait as the classic British.

One of his traits was his high standard of manners and social etiquette. He is an athlete; his usual swimming place is the elite Rangoon University Swimming Club, also a prominent member of the famed Rangoon Sailing Club. He is one of the few who are affluent, exalted, and thus can afford to enter the gentleman's club, formally known as the "Pegu Club," which was established in 1871 during the British colonisation of Burma.

The Pegu Club's membership standards are exclusive. Non-whites were not permitted to enter the club unless they were servants—usually Indians. Despite the lifting of the rigorous racial restrictions, only a few Burmese are privileged enough to enter. But he has access that not everyone is born with, and his competence and privileges pave the path for him.

However, shortly after the Imperial Japanese took control of the whole country in 1942, they confiscated the renowned Pegu Club. But it was in the late period of Japanese Invasion, that the Club was used as a comfort station. It was used as a brothel for Japanese soldiers.

In southeast Asia, Pegu Club was an equivalent place to the Royal Selangor Club of Kuala Lumpur and The Tanglin Club of Singapore.It was formed as a gentlemen's club at first, but as parts of the club's rules were eased, it became a resort for the high-class as leisuring club.

[NOTE; During the colonial period, membership was limited to Caucasians only even though the text says "all gentlemen with interest in general society". Under Japanese rule, the Japanese also did not allow local Burmese inside the club except for a few exceptions.]

The main clubhouse was built to withstand the heat and is made of teak wood. The upstairs living quarters have louvred doors and windows for cross-ventilation. The structure features high ceilings and separate carriageway and carriage porch, demonstrating the estate's high social status.

The Windsor Lounge is housed in the main building, the lounge measures 110 square metres (1,200 square feet) and can accommodate up to 20 people for drinks parties. Another area with a view of the grounds is the drawing room, which accommodates 30 people or so.

The Great Hall was constructed in preparation of the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1922. The Great Hall is 284 square metres (3,060 square feet) in size and can accommodate 120 people for cocktail events and 100 guests for theatre and dining events.

The Somerset Court is located between the main structure and the Prince of Wales Great Hall. It is 333 square metres (3,580 square feet) and can accommodate 150 people for cocktail events and 100 guests for banquets.

Swedaw, Thazin, and Ingyin gardens are 2600, 1550, and 840 square metres in size, respectively, in the Pegu Club compound.

Ba Maung Chain would go to the club and play tennis, followed by a signature Pegu club cocktail to chill after exercise.

RECIPE

• 2 ounces London dry gin

• ¾ ounce lime juice

• ¾ ounce orange curacao

• A dash of Angostura bitters

• A dash of orange bitters

He'd dance with the blond girls, hang around with them, and make out with them. Rumour has it that he was once in a relationship with a celebrity from there. Nobody knows why they break up.

He is modern, fresh, and forward-thinking. Educated, stylish and fashioned. As it happens, he is from the state of Irrawaddy, which is the nation's backbone state; he comes from a wealthy agricultural family that is the landholder and proprietor with a long line of heritage.

Although he has his own numerous customs, he is likely to favour the British way of life; he would play and exercise just like a westerner, loves rounders, was an early roller skater, and would spend his spare time playing chess or board games, just like a high-class British lad. Among all the practices, norms, and habits, he enjoys reading foreign literature of all genres, thrilling, daring, and sometimes tragedy.

He preferred to converse solely in English, not because he was an admirer of Westerners, but because he appreciated the significance of communicating in a different tongue.

As it occurs, the majority of the individuals he needs to connect, contact, and associate with are foreigners; at school, practically all of the teachers, lecturers, tutors, and professors are from other countries, like Britain, America, Italy, Spain, and even France.

And almost every classmate, acquaintance, and colleague seems to be the son or daughter of a prominent family. Some are even descended from royals, British colonial tycoons, and industrialists.

When he was in eighth grade then, he recognised the significance of mother language and was proud to be a native. Because, as it happened, he had to transfer to the Nationalist School in eighth grade , which was located in Dagon Township on Godwin Road (then) Myoma Kyaung Road (now). Unsurprisingly he becomes a nationalist as one would expect.

He hails from ShweBo Hall, and his family supports him with a monthly allowance of 100 kyat, not including educational expenses. They also bought him a car.

He is well-known in his department; everyone adores him, and the guys worship him as if he were their role model. Some English department girls describe him as a prince charming from a fairy tale. It's almost too good to be true.

In 1946, he became an honorary 1st degree English Literature student who was awaiting his terms to begin the master's programme.

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SECTION 7

A Mar feels so tiny after hearing everything about him; their lives are very far apart.Different in every aspect in any lifestyle. He is from the upper class and has grown up unaware of the true nature of the open world. Meanwhile, A Mar's life is filled with trauma, despair, suffering, and afflictions.

What would come next? A Mar is unsure, yet she must respond to him nonetheless. Or he might come up unexpectedly at the front door. Both of their lives are diametrically opposed. That's difficult to even consider. When A Mar thinks about her current life, she constantly feels depressed.

A girl who has no one's backing or support,working so hard to accomplish a standard of living,she is doing everything she could to become a medical professional of any sorts. And now she must evaluate what the true value of different lives is.

Moment to moment, second to second, she thinks about it not once, not twice but many, many times. And yet every option leads to one stop, and one stop alone, therefore she doesn't have time to contemplate about it; instead, she must choose the one and only solution in the end and make a final decision of it.

Even if she has a response for him, what if he refuses to accept it? What would follow if it happened?

Without considering the real solution, and instead thinking it as honestly as she would, she does feel a yearning to see him in person, not multiple times, but only once. She wants to confront him about his disappearance; she wants him to understand how difficult and stressful it is for her to wait for him day after day.

And again again, the night passes to light with no final decision. When she gets to school the next morning, she has a feeling something is about to happen, and it will happen quickly.

She was very positive that he would come to see her today, so she chose a silk-green longyi to wear elegantly.

The school ended a bit late because the last class was a practising section. A Mar leaves the class excitedly and heads to the gate through a shortcut, but she notices that the usual spot where he comes to wait is empty.

A Mar feels a sting in her heart and walks to the car with a saddened heart. Ma Ma Gyi and Nyunt are already waiting for her because their class finished earlier than A Mar's. They seem alright, A Mar thought to herself, and contain herself as if nothing happens in or out, acting like all normal.

"You're late? Sweetie?"

"Yes, you know, Practical Day."

"Oh, I see."

Sadden A Mar (pretending she is fine) on board the car as she answered to Ma Ma Gyi. Just as Ma Ma Gyi is about to drive at a certain speed, a red sedan appears out of nowhere and blocks them.

"Oh! ooh, my lord!"

Nyunt cries in horror. Why A Mar feel so odd? or not? She's not sure about it herself, but she's delighted to be stopped by him like that. But she is unsure how to respond to him. Daring is frightening, but admirable.

He opens the sedan door and steps out, then boldly approaches the jeep. He looks stunning, A Mar thought to herself, he's dressed differently today, a gent' shirt with a bow tie, gleaming leather shoes, and exquisite pants are fascinating to behold as he walks like a manly man.

He then casually approaches A Mar's side of the door, leans against the jeep, and says,

"Oh! "Hello," he greets everyone in the jeep in English, then continues, "Ma Ma Gyi, how do you do?" I am Ba Maung Chain, and I apologise for stopping you in this manner; but, as you are aware, I have no alternative. Secondly, Ma Ma Gyi and Nyunt, may I request your permission to allow me to express my feelings to Ma Ma Than,..."

Ma Ma Gyi looks at A Mar with questioning eyes, and A Mar turns at Nyunt with the expectation of seeking advice from her. But all in vain, because he constantly insisted on them to let him have the chance.

"Oh, gee, I'm not sure, dear, It's quite late, I must add, and blocking us in this manner is really unkind... and I am not sure my darling sister Than would ….

"Oh, Dear, Please, just five minutes, no more, no less, just five minutes, that's all, I ask you."

"A Mar?" "Oh, umm, A Mar?"

Ma Ma Gyi glanced at A Mar, inquiring if it was okay to give him a chance for five minutes. A Mar has no ideas, so she just agrees with a nod. When Ma Ma Gyi saw the nod, she was unsure at first and looked at A Mar for a moment before turning to him and saying,

“Oh, Umm, OK, Alright, FIVE MINUTE … Umm ok?”

He smiled with delight as he heard the answer. And says,

“Oh, YES! Just five minute, just here, ..umm”

"Oh, I understand, then go on with it, but please get in, it's not common courtesy for a gentleman to come that close to a lady's car."

“Oh, uh Yes, sorry, sorry”

"A Mar, we'll be there, near the stand, call us just in case, OK, hello, Nyunt, come darling, what do you think you're doing? give them privacy"

Everything is happening so fast that A Mar is confused about what to do, especially what to say to him, and the whole situation is making her woozy.

Before Nyunt left, she placed her hand on A Mar's shoulder and said, "Hey, no worries." A Mar then abruptly pulls Ma Ma Gyi's hand, and Nyunt removes A Mar's hand away from Ma Ma Gyi, says -

“What’s wrong? I am sure you have something to tell him too? Am I right? Just say what you have to say to him.”

Soon after Ma Ma Gyi and Nyunt leave, he takes a seat next to A Mar. It was quite awkward for A Mar to sit next to a man who had given her a love letter and who always made her feel uneasy.

"So, umm... May I call you as Than? So, as you can see, I believe you already have read my letter; what do you think?"

A Mar was so shocked, because of his bluntness. Not even a greeting or How do you do is coming from him, and instead he is demanding a response. How arrogant, how impolite, how am I going to tell him?, but what am I going to tell him? Should I just tell him bluntly like him, or should I greet him so that he understands that for a decent gentleman, giving a greeting before every talk is high manners? A Mar thought to herself and was still quite unsure to say anything.

"I don't think it would be right for us, Ko Ba Maung Chain, since, as you know, we are different, and my life is harsh and low, unlike yours; I have so many priorities than my heart's affairs, and I believe you would understand that."

"I know that, I mean I understand, I do, but think about this: if I can be near you, Than, I believe that would help you out without a doubt."

"I don't believe so, I'm not sure, I'm worried... I..."

"What's the trouble? What is it that is holding you back?"

When A Mar heard the question, she caught an accidental glance at him. His skin on his face was so smooth, clean, and free of wrinkles and blemishes. Even she sees it as too good to be true.

"Don't worry, I understand you would, but think about it OK?"

"I'm concerned; what if..."

"You see, Than, take your time, think about it, and remember that I am not pressuring or rushing you, OK? I simply want you to... you know what I mean is? Allow me to be close to you, and... If I may, I want to be able to come and go and make regular visits to your house … freely, you know? Would you give me the chance?"

"What do you mean? visiting my home, wait? I mean you can't .."

He seemed irritated by the response, and he suddenly placed his palm on the steering wheel, where A Mar noticed it clean and pink. Although she sees no rings or accessories on it, as A Mar looks at his shirt, she notices the custom made top button, which is made out of some fine gems and sparkling in the light.

"Don't you worry about that, I will see to it, one way or another, OK?"

A Mar felt pressured by his demands, and then she noticed Ma Ma Gyi and Nyunt slowly returning. He noticed it too. He then become more impatient, annoy and says,

"Oh come on now, just say YES, I will come to wait for you as usual, and I already know your class schedule, and please do leave early in the practical day, I will be beneath the Badan tree, but if I can't see you, beware that I am coming to your home to see you, OK? But now I'm going, ta ta"

Just like that, he says what he wants, demands what he wishes, pleads for what he needs, and then goes away without saying goodbye. After he's gone, all that's left of him is the delightful aroma of expensive foreign perfume.

He shakes Ma Ma Gyi and Nyunt's hands and expresses his appreciation before leaving. A Mar breathes out a long sigh.

What would happen next? is never certain. But A Mar is certain of one thing once he leaves: for the first time, she is under his influence which she would not be able to leave easily.

⚜⚜⚜

SECTION 8

Ba Maung Chain came to wait at the spot as it always is, he is indeed a man of his words. Things have changed just like that. They get to meet every day for around half an hour throughout the week.

At first, A Mar was worried and nervous of being in love with him, because she wasn't sure she was ready for a commitment of any type.

Nevertheless, she falls in love with him.If not then, what could she possibly do? She has no chance or obligation to dismiss him amicably.And she do dear him greatly, she misses him greatly while they are apart, but she feels like she is top of the world when she is about to meet him.

As a person born with the golden spoon, he is quite insistent, bald-headed, willful, and quick to wrath whenever things go wrong or things happen opposite of his supposing. Even though he is four years older than A Mar, he sometimes acts like a ten-year-old child when he does not get what he wants.

He still loves A Mar dearly, and he would always tolerate and support her no matter what happened to him or her.He favours the western style of living but he cherishes the culture of his mother land even more. He is an extrovert who enjoys being around others. He is a highly sociable and admiring man.

They become even more inseparable as the time they spend together grows more frequent.Then there's the unfortunate day. As it happens, A Mar gets a cold and has been unable to attend school, despite having an appointment with him that day, and has stayed at home to recover.

The trouble was that A Mar awakened with a headache on that dreadful morning. So she takes some pain relievers and rests, only to discover when she wakes up that she has overslept. Ma Ma Gyi and Nyunt may have come to retrieve her, but A Mar discovers from a note on the desk saying that they left without her.

A Mar was disappointed that she couldn't send him a word about her condition, but she was confident she'd find out about him as soon as Ma Ma Gyi returned from school.

When the clock struck 5 p.mThe house was in its regular state, everyone was home, and it became quite noisy, with people screaming, asking questions, and chattering.

All of the girls have returned home and are helping Gyi Gyi and Mummy in the kitchen. The lads and Ba Ba Gyi, on the other hand, are all in the sitting room, discussing today's racing.

Mum is reheating the pork sweet curry, which smells delicious, Gyi Gyi is laying the greens and herbs on the tray, and the smell of the hot bowl of Ngapi sauce curry is tempting. All the girls, including A Mar, are gathered and preparing the vegetables and spices while talking about how things are, this and that. A Mar feels relieved after spending some time with the sisters and gossiping with them.

"You wouldn't believe Ma Ma Than, you know what Ni Ni did to that man, oh it was so ..."

“Go on, what happened?”

Ni Ni is still choking on her own laugh and is struggling to finish her words. Everyone started laughing at her, and the entire kitchen was filled with their laughter. The elders, on the other hand, don't seem to be bothered with it; it seems that all the girls are having their independence for the day.

"Go on Ni Ni, tell us what happens next?"

"OK, I'll tell you, but just let me catch my breath first."

When Ni Ni says about anything, she must act for it, so she clears her throat and gets up, a kitchen knife falls from her sleeve, she didn't see, luckily it fell near the tray, on top of the greens, and no one was wounded.We started laughing again when we saw her clumsiness.

She then takes the knife and places it on the table for safekeeping, during which she begins to act out her story.

"I told him something like, Oh dear sir! Why don't you allow me my space and let me go about my business without being bothered..."

“You said that? Wow Bravo!”

Everyone applauded her, and then they heard the sound of an open door from the sitting room. And then an introduction…

"Daddy, I'd want you to meet my friend,"

When A Mar heard her cousin's voice say "meet my friend," she raised her chin and listened carefully.

“How do you do,” Ba Ba Gyi greets the visitor, and his son continues to introduce his friend …

"His name is Ba Maung Chain, and he is an honour graduate with English from our school. He's waiting for his degree of course, come on mate, meet my father."

When A Mar heard the word "Ba Maung Chain," she became extremely nervous, as if the entire world was about to collapse.

How could it happen, how and why would he be friends with her cousin, one question after another, anxiousness rises, frightened and worried.

"Hello, girls? As it occurs, we have a guest this evening; could someone kindly make some drinks for us?" Ba Ba Gyi calls,

"Shh, shh, girls, keep quiet! Shh, we have a guest." Gyi Gyi reminds all the girls.

"Come on, make a tea tray, come on, come on.", Mummy told the girls with a head.

“Ni Ni here you take it,”

“No, No, I won’t take it, you take it”

The girls are arguing because no one wants to take the tray to the sitting room. And in the end, it was A Mar who had to take it.

"Oh, you, I won't forget this, you guys, mark me well."

Then a Mar would clean and mend her longyi. She looks around for a while, not confident since her face is bare, there is no time to make up with Tanakkha now, and her hairdo is a mess. But she makes an effort to appear decent and walks into the sitting room without hesitation.

A Mar placed the tea tray on the table; no one was looking at her, but A Mar felt, subconsciously, that someone was staring at her.

“Oh, Ma Ma Than, please”

Just as A Mar is about to go, her cousin calls her abruptly.

“Yes?” A Mar replies to him as politely as possible.

"Ah, let me introduce my friend, Ko Ba Maung Chain, and brother, this is my cousin, Ma Ma Than Htay, from Mynn Bu."

A Mar has no choice but to look at him. He, on the other hand, is as at ease as a king sitting on the throne, staring at A Mar's eyes as if a cat had caught a scurrying rat, and roguishly smirking at her.

“How do you do”

Acting innocent, greeting A Mar like a gent,

“How do you do”

A Mar greets him back as courteously as she can. He seemed delighted to see her.

"Oh, A Mar? You are back early today, eh?"

"Actually, A Mar isn't feeling well today, so A Mar missed school."

Odd, A Mar has no idea why she sounds this way.

"I see, how are you doing now? Then."

"A Mar doing fine now, thanks for asking"

"Oh, good,"

"Will you excuse me ..."

A Mar quickly ended the conversation and hurried to the kitchen. Everything is nearly ready for dinner. Mummy is finishing up her heating, Gyi Gyi has already placed the plate on the table, and the girls are all placing the dish on the table, and there is nothing left for A Mar to do.

"What kind of guest is that, coming at such an ungodly hour, right before dinner?"

Everyone chuckle at Mummy remarks,

“Who is that? A Mar?”

“Umm, a bloke calls Ba Maung Chain, English graduate”

“Ohh, another educated one eh?”

Mummy skewed the answer and once again, all the girls are having a laugh.

“Shh, hurry up, what took you all so long to place the plate on the table?”

Gyi Gyi scolds them, but Ni Ni speaks up without concern.

"I suppose the guest ought to be hungry; why don't we invite him over?" eh?

“Nonsense, Shhhh, stop it”

Everyone laughs at Gyi Gyi, and A Mar shifts her eyes to the sitting room, accidentally catching a glance of his sight at the same time.A Mar puts away her head immediately, with a blush.

⚜⚜⚜

SECTION 9

Ba Maung Chain and A Mar become love birds shortly after the surprise visit by him. She finally gave him the answer he wanted, and it was beautiful. The greatest and most thrilling things A Mar has ever done in her entire life. Under the spell, love entrapment, and enticing of being "lovers" has made A Mar more audacious and courageous than ever.

Once, an innocent girl grew into a woman who would deceive her mother for her own heart's desire. She would skip class and go out with her love. She would do her assignment by copying others, and become late in homework again and again. And she learned the value of beauty, make-up, and fashion. All because of LOVE and LOVE alone.

Ma Ma Gyi and Nyunt were both overjoyed when they discovered that A Mar had said "Yes" to him. They even become his supporters. Aside from Mummy and others, all the girls in the family appear to realise that A Mar is in love with him, and they would make fun of them when the seniors aren't around. And every now and again, he'd drop by, claiming to be visiting A Mar's cousin.

When A Mar questioned him how he became friends with her cousin, he didn't respond appropriately, just stating things like –

"You know, sometimes, we must keep a secret of certain moves, in order to impress..."

A love that blossoms from the growing of two different classes is certainly fascinating and thrilling but love is love. And they become official, though without the consent of her mum. The pair would go on practically every occasion together since they felt it would be special for them.

From downtown to the outskirts of Yangon, they would take the cable car from midtown to Shedagon Pagoda, stroll down Strand Road, and savour the finest coffee in Yangon at the Strand Hotel, before returning home in rickshaws drawn by langot indians.

The downtown Yangon road is teeming with Indian labourers, cheap Chinese bazaar vendors, and a sea of padastrians.It was the post-war era, therefore British or white folks may be encountered here and there.

From dawn to midnight, every road and street is filled with chaises, vendor carts, automobiles, and carriages. From midtown to Theingyi Market, commerce is almost always bustling.

Between 1905 to 1907, under the British Administration, Yangon prospered and business flourished. The roads were rebuilt, and the city was reformed with a new transportation system, including the construction of a cable car that runs from downtown to KyiMyindaing Township, which is very convenient for all.

A new bus system is being developed to connect the towns; it has become dependable and economical for working-class citizens. Minmahaw, Issitan, and several bus lines with different names and routes operate under the administration of the city municipal office.

The cable car runs on a 6 to 6 routine, and the route is quite convenient; one can always go directly to Sule Pagoda through the Strand Road route, as well as to ChinaTown.

As the city grows, so does the underworld enterprise; certain areas and wards operate without intervention from the bureaucrats and even become autocrats in their own right.

Hustlers, gigolos, call girls, courtesans, rent boys, call boys, masseuses, and prostitutes may all be spotted on 27th street. All of the Pleasure Station would be brightly shining, and all of the workers and host would greet with a tremendous act of persuasion whoever entered the street.

Thin, fat, chubby, big-boned, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, White, Brown, Black, Pink, massive, enormous, boys, girls, man, woman, lads, ladies, and so on are open to anybody who desires to have them.

A lot of young students like Ba Maung Chain would then venture downtown once or twice a week, on Fridays and weekends. If one desires to have a good time to spend the weekend, then one would go to Chinatown and would get opium there, sometimes, one can even have cocaine or heroin. The whole area would then, throng with working girls, if one desires more then, one can conveniently go to a nearby hotel there. If too much satisfaction makes one tired and exhausted, one may easily order anything desired.

Ba Maung Chain would openly confess everything he had done in the past before meeting A Mar, and those stories would sometimes make A Mar uncomfortable to listen to, but she tries her best to listen to them because she admires and understands a man's true courage and his pride must be proud and respected.

Time moves quite quickly. The precious time of theirs being together is slowly changing, the plea of his, "we have not much time to be together, you know," starting to become literal.

As it turns out, Ba Maung Chain has already decided not to pursue academics, instead intending to enlist and serve in the army.

Despite the fact that the Second World War had ended, Burma had not yet achieved independence and was once again subject to British rule. The Anti-Fascist People's Freedom League, formally known as the abbreviation of the group as PHASAPALA in mother dialect, is led by General Aung San and is striving for deserving independence from the British Empire. Burma as a whole was revolting against the British government, and nationalist movements were on the rise.

Ba Maung Chain was formerly an admirer of Western ideas, but after enrolling in a prominent nationalist school in eighth grade, he changed his attitude and thoughts. Even if his intellect has begun to be free of it, old habits continue to influence him later on.

Turns out, he met A Mar when he was waiting to enrol for the next cadet training. And the timing is inconvenient for them both.As the days passed, the moment for separating comes, shortly before A Mar's second semester examination.

"Than"

Ba Maung Chain held out his hand to A Mar and handed her a photograph of himself, which was taken when he got his degrees.A black and white portrait, as A Mar turned it over, she noticed his signature on it, as “B.M Chain”

"Well, sweetie, I suppose this is it; we'll be away for a time now, but don't worry, I'll be back as soon as I get the chance, Alright?

Shortly after 9 months of training, I believe we have to go to the front. The whole nation is in need of us, I don't want to be a coward who left behind in shame, I believes you would understand me and I hope you forgive me for my pride, I know it's gonna be hurtful for the both of us, to be apart, shortly after we meet and loves each other, but what do you know, I might able to coming back alive and no parts of my body is broken, or dead."

A Mar was shocked by his words, and she quickly covered the talkative lips.

"Who knows, A Mar? who knows what may happen in the future, but before I leave, I'd like to ask you something, not just a question, but a request,..."

“What is it?”

"If the gods favours me and do let me comes back alive, then, once I see you again, I would like to marry you, sweetie, I know, she still haven't finish your education yet, but all I ask is quite reasonable, I just want to make sure its official, just one small thing, is all you have to do,..."

“What is it?”

“"You must tell your family about us, about me."

When A Mar heard his proposal, she breathed a heavy sigh, wishing she could go to war instead of him since it would be easier than telling the family, and to mummy...

When he notices A Mar hesitating to respond, he then says,

"Oh, sweetheart, don't worry too much, you'll be OK, take your time, as much as you like, but you must know that when the time comes, you must be brave.. That is all I am asking, OK?"

“I … I am … not so sure, mummy … mummy would ..”

"Than, sweetheart, just think about us, Alight? If you do really loves me, dearly, truly, solely then you must be brave, be free from your fear dear, chose your life, chose wise, you know me, I love you for life, not for just messing around before going to war or something, I love you more than you love me so, I am ready, I am ready for everything, the war ,the whatever may comes between us, .. Than, don't you forget how much I love you, don't you dare forget that."

He comforts A Mar by placing her in his heart and rubbing her head,but for A Mar though, starts to burn inside by her own anxiety …

⚜⚜⚜