PART FOUR

1947 - 1949

SECTION 1

Ba Maung Chain and A Mar don't have much spare time since Ba Maung Chain is in cadet training and A Mar is preparing for her exam. Even though they don't have time to think about each other, they keep in touch on a regular basis and write letters to each other on a weekly basis.

To,

Ma Than Htay

Third Year, MB

University of Medicine (1)

Lanmadaw Township, Yangon.

He only sends the letter to the school since mailing it to the house is problematic. A Mar was grateful for his thoughtfulness.

He isn't much of a writer; almost all of his letters are written in English, never in Burmese, although he occasionally uses Burmese when he wasn't sure about the expression or aspect of his predicament.A Mar, on the other hand, would only write to him in Burmese, never in English.

Cadet training is in Mingaladon Township, a bit distance from where A Mar lives, and he happens to get a day off every weekend, so he gets to meet A Mar whenever he has the chance.

The difficulty is that he only gets a day off on weekends, and weekends are no longer a leisure day for her since, even when he comes to see her, they don't have their own spaces with privacy, and instead have to see each other as if they were no more than friends.

After a few visits, his presence has become more stressful than pleasurable and painful than diverting for A Mar. Everyone in the family thinks he is a suitor for one of the girls in the house.

He would be enraged if A Mar said -

"Please don't come over; if Ma Ma knows or suspects anything fishy about us, it'll be trouble for both of us."

"Oh, please, why are you making things more difficult than they already are, is it too much to ask?"

He would become enraged with A Mar and then disappear for several weeks. This makes A Mar even more miserable, and if A Mar truly wants to be happy with him, she knows she has to bring it up to all, but she doesn't have the courage to tell, especially to her mum.

"Than? How long do I have to wait? Hmm? answer me, why don't you look up to Ni Ni and Tin Maung Aye, they are more than happy, free, and can do whatever the hell they want, they don't have to give a damn about others anymore, I hate this, I really do, I can't live like this anymore, this is too much, I am losing my patience here, Than? Do you know that? should I tell them instead of you?

Ba Maung Chain, who has a fast temper, does not move against A Mar's will; he is losing patience with A Mar, but he gives up pushing any more because of A Mar's persistent implores.

Nine months of training has come to an end, finally. And everyone who reaches the final state of training gets to go on to the front.

Before heading to the front, he send the farewell letter to A Mar and in the letter he deliberately says -

"Than, I am going to war, either dead or alive henceforth, if I am alive somehow, I will be returning, and hear my words, I am going to marry you, but if I am dead, my darling, just forget and have your own regrets that as a coward woman, who can't even fulfill her loves demand."

A Mar can only pray, pay homage to the Lord Buddha, and offerings on behalf of him at this point.

"Oh Ma Ma Than, I fear You won't be getting out of there, eh? the altar is already full of eugenia,..."

The girls are teasing A Mar's practice at the Lord Buddha's great altar. A Mar must now wait for the letters day after day, and it is only then that she begins to realize how “Love” is equally distressing and delightful.

✪✪✪

SECTION 2

-/- 1947, July 19th -/-

The day known as the day of Black Tears Tragedy in Burmese history, when the country's attempts to rebuild and regain its rightful independence from the abominable British colonial rule came to an end. The nation experienced national tragedy on this day, which permanently turned the course of history.

-/- Breaking News -/-

General Aung San, seven other national inde- pendence leaders, and one bodyguard were all assassinated by a squad of armed men in uniform at the Secretariat in downtown Yangon at around 10:37 a.m., BST., while they were holding a cabinet meeting.

The following afternoon, when the nation as a whole heard the astounding news over the radio, everyone was all at once in mourning, with no hope left, no aspirations left. The news of the nation's leader's tragic death has left everyone in shock, awe, and misery.

The dark blue sky was pouring mercilessly, the weather was in mourning with the people,The country was in complete silence, not even the sounds of nature could be heard. The once-crowded downtown streets and highways have gone deserted, and the constant raucous noises of pedestrians, street vendors, bazaar sellers, dustmen, laborers, etc.,all have become quiet.

The Zayyawaddy street would typically be brimming with people after 5:00 p.m., and every big store and few tea shops would reopen. Farm vendors, bakers, and everyone would shout and sell their goods in spar. However, the entire street has become desolate, and everyone is staying at home and listening to the radio for more news updates on the recent event.

All of the family members, including the elders and all of the boys and girls, are in shock, unusually quiet, and listening to the melancholy looping radio tunes as they wait for the next update newscast. A pack of stray dogs are barking and whining vexatiously outside the house. One of the stray dogs started barking unexpectedly, and it was very loud. Other dogs soon followed, and they all started howling suddenly. It was so terrifying, and the long eerie and witheringly lingered for quite some time. Bad omen, bad omen everywhere.

Feeling demoralized, lost, lonely, and hopeless, A Mar is sitting at the front door, beneath the porch. When she heard the eerie of the strays, she then became even more gloomy and low. What would follow next? What will happen, will there be another war? or perhaps more frightening? Will the school be closed again?

A Mar is concerned that if her beloved Ba Maung Chain heard the tragic news, he would be incredibly disheartened and discouraged. She wonders how he would be handling this and wonders if he will be okay. She also wonders where he would be in the front right now.

✪✪✪

SECTION 3

Regardless of how hard or challenging the circumstances are, if the momentum is in an excellent expedition, the matters are in their plausibility of completing in triumph. Even the most significant disruptions would not be able to halt the protracted development trajectory.

The Black Tears Tragic event is Burma's greatest setback. However, the path to independence is gathering momentum attributable to the prudence of the great general Aung San's preparations. More than ever before, resentment has become a fuel for attaining independence.

The Martyrs of the Black Tears Tragedy comprise two distinct ethnic leaders of different races, which has hastened the decision-making of different leaders and representatives of different races toward the Panglong Agreement. And it leads to the final unanimous attempts to achieve independence from the British Empire.

The leaders who have miraculously survived make every effort they can to reclaim the formal states and confront the British in order to accomplish the ultimate goal: independence. A Mar, on the other hand, puts every effort to pray for her loved one who is currently at the front. As it turns out, there is nothing she can do but pray and make offerings on behalf.

It's been a while since he's sent a letter or made any contact of any kind. It is undoubtedly concerning for A Mar, but she comforts herself with the cliché "no news is good news." But it didn't help at all. She has to brave out day after day to endure the anxieties and stresses.

Nothing good or bad lasts forever, she thought, and things will alter whether we prefer it or not, in the end.

❆ Burma eventually gained independence from the British Empire in 1948. Since 1885, the British Empire ruled over Burma as a colony and after 63 years of bane, toil, adversity, calamity, deprivation, grieve, plight, pine, misery, desolation, despair, grief, catastrophe, Burma has yet again, regain her formal independency with so many lost of innocent lives with blood, sweat and tears.

-/- 1948, January 4th,

Glory Sunday, Golden Dawn

4:20 a.m -/-

The Burmese Declaration of Independence was officially promulgated on 4 January 1948, as a result of the Burma Independence Act 1947, which brought to an end British rule in Burma.

The National Ceremony of Independence Victory is held in front of the National Parliament Building. All of the boys and girls, in the family including A Mar, proudly attend the ceremony.Ba Maung Chain, it turns out, has returned with his special holiday pass.

When A Mar heard for the first time that Burma had gained independence and that the Independence Act had been signed, it felt like dumping a giant boulder that had been draping over the neck for a thousand years.

It is really relieving, comforting, and pleasant news for everyone. A Mar reflected on how wonderful it would be if the fallen could witness and discover that their beloved nation had reclaimed its independence and sovereignty.

The auspicious time determined by the official astrologer is quite gratifying to the Burmese, who tend to regard the dawn time as the finest and blessing. The ceremonial square is shroud with a thin mist, everyone is suited in an overcoat and tops, and the Mangala Drum is rhythmically beating in behind, giving the intensity to the auspicious events.

When the elected head of state, First President Sao Shwe Thaik, arrives and ascends the stone pillar, the dramatic drumming is put to a halt. A flagpole with the Union Jack on it stands in the distance of the National Parliament Building. The assembly is instructed to remain silent with a bright light signal, at 4:19 a.m. by the beacon officer.

As the clock struck 4:20 a.m HMS Birmingham's cannons were shot. And then One of the British Empire's Naval Officers has approached the flagpole and slowly lowers the Union Jack. When the Union Jack is removed, the Burma Naval Officer approaches the flagpole with the new Union of Burma flag, attaches it to the pole's rope, and slowly raises it.

After hoisting the National Flag, the National Band would begin to play the National Anthem, and the entire crowd would sing passionately.Once the National Anthem has been successfully sung for the first time, the most melodious sound of traditional Silver Conch follows. Some would cry with excitement, while others would cheerfully clap.

The following evening, both A Mar and Ba Maung Chain visit Revolutionary Park to enjoy the celebrational fireworks displays.For the first time, A Mar notices her beloved's REAL smile, a smile brimming with fulfillment, appreciation, adoration, compassion, admiration, and delight. As for Ba Maung Chain, he'd be holding A Mar's hands and staring at the fireworks.

Time has been strange for A Mar, everything seems to move so rapidly and so quickly, it hasn't been long since she passed the Master Program exams, and now she's in the final part of her terms, and she's just one year away from being a doctor. As per Ba Maung Chain, they are about a year away from marrying.

However, he would occasionally eagerly pressure A Mar to marry sooner than he had originally requested.Whenever they discussed it, the subjects would invariably lead to a heated argument and, at times, discord.

Whenever A Mar tells him to wait,

"Oh, don't be this way, why can't you wait a little longer...", he would burst-up, and say, ''

``You know, it's too damn hard to love you; aren't I a worthy person at all? hmm? Tell me, please. Why can't it be right now? I see no concern, no reason not to, Oh, please explain to me now?

We both are adults now, you see, and can make our own decisions. As for myself, you and the rest of the damn world know, I am a graduate, my family is good, fair, and as far as I can tell, there is nothing to complain about, and I am an able man you know, I can take care of you, I will take care of you, OK?”

When it comes to reasonable objectives and rational explanation, no one in the world can dispute him. What if the talk turns into a huge argument?

He would then become a different man, with a different demeanor, a higher and more forceful voice as the subject becomes heated, agitated, and fast to rage as the discussion becomes absurd.

He was right about A Mar, and his requests are reasonable; yet A Mar lacks the confidence to confront the one who is dragging her back.

Nonetheless, she must confront her. There is no other way.

✪✪✪

SECTION 4

A Mar is in the final term of her doctoral program, which is in 1949. She plans to prorogate and play for time till she completes her programme. However, as it turns out, Ba Maung Chian is already on active duty almost consistently, so he doesn't have much time to even urge or plead with A Mar for engagement. He was promoted to lieutenant, when A Mar started her final terms and his current circumstances are based on the higher order of interchange placement as a result of his tenure.

On a nice Friday evening,Ba Maung Chain came to the house unexpectedly. A Mar's heart had been racing since the jeep he came in arrived at the door. Strangely, he is fully dressed in uniform; he has never come to visit wearing a uniform, and this is the first time he has done so.Everyone would look at him in surprise. At this time, A Mar's heart is thumping like a jungle drum, wondering what he will do unexpectedly.

"Hello there, mate. What a shocker! Come on in, you're looking good, pal. So what’s up? How do you do?”

A Mar’s cousin welcomed him immediately when he saw him coming into the house.

"Yeah, it's OK, honestly, I just got notice that my next posting would be in Shan State, so I came to say goodbye before I left."

As he speaks, he removes his dazzling shoe and enters the house; when A Mar hears the last words "I came to say goodbye before I departed," she is heartbroken. Mummy was knitting near the windows and A Mar is reading an anatomy exercise book close to her mum. She wasn't sure if she should get up and cater to the guest or simply sit there and pretend nothing was wrong. It appears that he does not have time to meet A Mar in school and therefore has to come to her home instead.

"What? Really? Well, how's it goin'? Do you need any, or how can I help you?"

""Actually, I haven't prepared, packed, or done anything yet, since timing is so inconvenient, you know..."

"Blimey, don't worry, as it turns out, I happened to fried some dried shrimp, it has already packed, you take it, Okay, and thanks for harking good will to say farewell before you leave, may you be well dear, may you be well."

A Mar was grateful for Gyi Gyi's thoughtfulness. But all of the sudden Ba Maung Chain says -

"Oh thank you, Gyi Gyi, thank you so much, but I must ask you something; please excuse my audacity, Gyi Gyi, Ba Ba, and Daw Daw, but I humbly wish to request a moment with A Mar to say goodbye before I leave."

Everyone in the sitting room is staring at A Mar with astonishment. A Mar knew there was nothing she could do to change the situation, so she placed the book on the chair and lowered her head.

"Pardon me, did this man say he wanted a time with AMAR?"

Mummy was enraged at Ba Maung Chain's request.

"Yes, Daw Daw." Daringly, he responded and said, "we have been in love for about three years and three seasons now."

"Three years and Three seasons, eh?"

Mummy's accusatory gaze falls on A Mar.

A Mar then nodded without saying anything.

"Oh, my. Ingenious indeed, I never expected this sort ...my daughter is already other’s now, what can I say… Yes, or what? Take your time, have it, grab it, who cares? "

Mummy abruptly stood up and was ready to leave the room. Both Ba Ba Gyi and Gyi Gyi are looking at A Mar with critical eyes.

"Thank you Daw Daw, I promise I will come to propose in front of the elders as is customary as soon as I return, and I want to make this official, I hope everyone understands."

"NO, NO, NO!! This is just wrong, you! Listen, Ba Maung Chain, proposing to a girl takes far more than a promise and a few simple words. But instead, you come as you want, acting as if you can do whatever you want, disrespecting my daughter, and even insolently disrespecting me and all the elderly here, how dare you?"

The entire situation has changed tremendously.

"No, NO! Daw Daw, you are mistaking me, please. I am a son of respectable family, and I promise I will come to propose A Mar with my side of respectable elders, and you will know without a doubt, that I am a man of my words and so do my family is unmistakably reputable"

"So, OK, OK, it's too early to talk about it, where are the dried shrimp fries? A Mar, go find some old newspaper, wrap the entire packet, and give it to him. Make sure you wrap it well."

Mummy completely ignored him and told A Mar to fetch the package before leaving the room. Everyone in the room is starring at A Mar, and then she goes into the kitchen and takes the package. Ba Maung Chain was left alone in the room, answering everyone's social questions.

Mummy then returns to the room before A Mar arrives; as soon as Mummy enters the room, Ba Maung Chain stands up and exits, bidding his farewell to everyone. A Mar had to follow him with the package that is still dressed in newspaper, and Ba Manug Chain did not slow down to meet A Mar's haste.

When Ba Maung Chain approaches his car in a spot where Mummy cannot see him, he waits for A Mar for a moment and says as soon as A Mar is near him.

"I'm sorry, Than, but I have no choice."

"I understand; I don't blame you; I blame myself; I don't know what will happen now; she is definitely angry with me."

Ba Maung Chain then grabs A Mar's hands and says -

"Hey, darling, don't worry, we'll be OK, we'll be together, we won't be separated anymore, I don't want to be apart from you longer, you know, OH how I'll miss you, I'm already missing you, Don't worry, I'll write, I'll post you, but you must respond, OK? here, this is my new address."

A Mar is still standing where she and Ba Maung Chain stand, gripping the piece of paper containing his new address. What will start happening? She has no idea, but one thing is certain: she is missing him already.

✪✪✪

SECTION 5

One who is left behind, can never be happy or content. It is even more painful to live if one is awkwardly left behind. Every member of the family congratulates on the unexpected news. Except for Mummy.

She would trash Ba Maung Chain as an ogre or an ugly troll every now and then. A Mar understands mummy's anger and mental state, and she really appreciates her for not physically punishing her just like she did before, when A Mar trimmed her hair.Although, frequent harassment, trashing, scolding, askewing at A Mar is all the more painful, hurtful and even more infuriating.

As A Mar's interaction with her mother becomes more tense, she begins to suffer from trauma caused by her vicious mother's scorn. When A Mar could no longer take the insultings, she would respond to her mother by saying something like,

"Oh Stop it, Ma Ma, I'm breaking up with him, OK, is that all you want? Please, please, please stop badgering me.... Ma Ma."

Mummy would lounge at A Mar with so many assumptions, accusations, sarcasm, and lies from dawn to night.Day after day, A Mar begins to worry whether she will pass the test or not, because she never has time for study or homework, and she is unable to memorize any of her courses or assignments.

A Mar knew this was going to happen from the beginning, which is why she told him not to tell anybody, especially Mummy.But now, A Mar has no choice but to stay between him and her mother, who are both traumatizing her, and take it all in.

"I can't believe my one beautiful daughter has fallen in love with the ogre, what a loss, what a loss!" "I was content at first, thinking my daughter would become a doctor and I wouldn't have to worry any longer, and yet,how ungrateful!"

"Oh, look at you; do you think you're still unspoiled?"

"Oh ungrateful daughter, look at us, oh how I labor and struggle, day in and day out, to feed, clothe, and provide for you, even under strict supervision, and yet you've got a man? Eh?"

"I see; you want to be the wife of a major, or what? A general, perhaps? Hmm? You want the sickening vanity, don't you?"

"How dare you? How very dare you, how ungrateful to me? I can't believe it, you know honestly, which aspect of him attracts you? eh? I am curious, Oh I can't stand it, I just can't stand his face, his voice, his attitude, manner, and everything. Oh I can't stand it. Hear my word, you know, he is going to overtake you and your life, he is going to sack you till you rot! Disgusting!"

There is no justification, not even one, for her to say such to A Mar; it is demeaning, humiliating, uncaring, and outrageous. A Mar can't take it anymore, it's simply too much, all the drama, all the trauma has pushed A Mar to the brink of suicide ideation, and no one dares to stand in their way since it would make matters even worse.

"Oh, Ma Ma Than, I feel you should think, or consider another choice, like eloping with him... she will not accept you both, that is for sure."

Even A Mar's cousins are encouraging her to consider "eloping." Although A Mar is still unsure what to do, it appears that everything will come to an end if she dies.

Days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months,and the first midterm exam is becoming closer and closer.A Mar has no choice but to take the exam, so she breaks all contact with Ba Maung Chain for a while.

A Mar goes to school with Nyunt, Ma Ma Gyi is already a doctor, and Nyunt drives. When the last day of exams arrives, A Mar is exhausted. She is tired. The only thing she wants in the world right now is a long rest with no disruptions of any kind from anyone.

"Oh, Darling, you look thin; the exam is almost over; why don't you take a rest afterward, Hmm?"

"I know, I lost a few pounds; I'm going to sleep all day and night afterwards."

"You should, and I should, by the way, you want to go to the free-market and get some treats?"

"I don't feel like it, but if you insist, I'll accompany you."

"Oh well leave it, we will go there later, your mommy will scold us again if we are late."

It irritates A Mar every time she hears something about her mother. Both of them board the jeep, and Nyunt takes the usual path through the parking lot, but not long after they leave, a mahogany sedan appears out of nowhere and blocks the car. A Mar recognised the sedan as his when she saw it approaching.

"Oh my goodness, it must be Ko Ba Maung Chain," says Nyunt,

"Oh no, what is it again with him now? " A Mar cries.

They're both at a loss on what to do. He gets out of his car and walks up to where A Mar is sitting. It was midday, so he was wearing sunglasses, but he was dressed as a civilian.

"Hello, Nyunt!" he says with a smile as he greets her.

"How do you do? Ko Ba Maung Chain?" Nyunt kindly answers.

"How is it? the exam? you do fine?"he asked,

"It's fine, when did you arrive? You don't even tell us."Nyunt inquires about him, A Mar is pretending not to notice him.

"Three days ago, I didn't tell you because I don't want to bother you"

"So, you're heading back home, eh?" he asks Nyunt with a smirk.

"Oh sure, as you can see, we're both exhausted." Nyunt tells him apathetically,

"Oh, I see, ta ta Nyunt, but A Mar, you stay." he then tells Nyunt to go and yet, telling A Mar to stay behind. And even pretending it's no big deal. And suddenly he grabs A Mar’s hand to get out of the jeep.

"I beg your pardon! What are you doing? Don't do this to me, Ko Ko; I hate it. "Please leave us alone."

A Mar had no intention of saying anything to him, but pressuring her is more than she can stand.

"Oh, NO, NO, NO, don't do this Ko Ba Maung Chain, Nyunt will get in trouble, don't do this to us, please, I can't go home without her, if you want to speak with her, I'll give you privacy, but she has to come back with me, "

"Please, Nyunt, you must assist us. Persuade them that A Mar might return earlier than you. Please, Nyunt, you know her mommy, she won't allow me to have A Mar, I have to do this or I'll never have a chance, now or forever, and I'm returning to Yangon right now, everything is already planned."

"I don't think so, Ko Ko; I won't come with you because I haven't finished my term yet; don't make the situation worse than it already is; please, let us go back and we will talk about it later, OK?"

"Oh, NO, NO, you have to come with me Than, you have to. I didn't say anything about attending school, but the most important thing is you have to come with me, now or never. Don't worry, Nyunt; we'll return with respectable elders and, as is customary, propose to her then."

Nyunt was startled, but his explanation was persuasive. As a result, she let him have A Mar.

A Mar has nothing on her right now, except a bag and a purse, and she has to follow the love of her life with nothing but the clothes she's wearing. What will happen next?

✪✪✪

SECTION 6

SEARCH FOR MISSING

MA THAN HTAY or A MAR

Daughter of Ms Ma Ma Lay,

Final Medical Student,

who lived in

Sanchaung Tsp, Zayyawaddy Str.

notified and reported to

OBO Police Department

by her Legal Custodian; Mother.

Not long after A Mar ran off with Ba Maung Chain, a red notice with the headline "Search for Missing" was posted in the following daily newspaper. Their running is a sort of elopement, but they aren't truly hiding, as it turns out. It was just bringing A Mar to a place near Ba Maung Chain's posting barracks. If A Mar's mother contacts a few of Ba Maung Chain's acquaintances, she will immediately find whereabouts her daughter goes.

Everythings is his doing. And now he has it, he has what he wanted in the end. There is nothing the old garbage can do. A Mar is now his. A Mar feels terrible for her mother, but spending time with her beloved Ba Manung Chain is much more wonderful than ever. The timing is ideal for them; A Mar's next term is a few months away, and they'll have all the time in the world to themselves.

With the generosity of his friend, both of them are provided with a house that they may use as they please. It is just temporary, but A Mar feels much more at ease than before. It is not their home, but A Mar feels as if it is since both of them may live freely and at leisure here.

Ba Maung Chain, on the other hand, has time to spend with A Mar, but he needs to finish what he has to do in the barracks before leaving the military. Now that the country is in a stage of restoration, it needs the youth power once more, but in a new form; the demands of military powers have been achieved, but the country still requires development with different factions.

Ba Maung Chain has decided to revert to civilian status and will work as an official manager at the Ministry of Industry (1). And that is why he would return to Yangon, and he was thinking that if he arrived in Yangon as a civilian, he would customarily propose to A Mar's family and relatives, with appropriate respect and regard to her mother. They would then travel to the marriage council and legally sign in front of the judge, blissfully marry.

Ba Maung Chian is a self-respecting man, undeniably bold, yet a confident optimist. Naive and immature in nature, but who can blame him when his life has been that way since birth? He'd take whatever he wanted, no matter how difficult it would be to get. And now that he has A Mar, he is ready to move forth with courage, hope, and trust.

A Mar, on the other hand, is mentally weak, feeble and frail, delicate and powerless. On everything she has to face, she gets muddled, ambiguous, and indistinct. She would cry and sob anytime she missed her mother or faced hardship. Actually, if Ba Maung Chain had not eloped with her, they would not be together at all, since A Mar lack the confidence or fortitude to do or ask for it.

Tears and sobs are common whenever she's in bed and thinking about the blank space on the bed, which she believed was the place for her mother, and she then believes her mummy would be thinking the same thing as her and miss her terribly all the time.

When Ba Maung Chain notices A Mar crying or sobbing, he says,

"Oh, Than, why can't you be happy, when we should, please forget everything that makes you miss her."

"I simply cannot; I miss her horribly, and she would be doing the same."

"Than, think about it, we did nothing wrong, it happens, she will understand, I assure you."

"It's different, you wouldn't understand, she's reliant on me, she'd be lost without me, you know."

"Oh darling, this isn't going to last forever, you know I'm going to send you back to her, and I wouldn't leave her in the room, back in the kitchen, I'll get her to live with you when the time comes, you know what I mean, and I understand what you mean dear,"

"Really? Promise? You would bring her to live with us once we marry, don't you?"

"I promise, I will"

A Mar leaned against Ba Maung Chain's chest, and he softly rubbed A Mar's hairs.

"You know, I'd always be grateful to you for that. I know it's difficult for you to even consider it for me, but if you do bring her to live with us, I can't thank you enough, forever”

“You mean you would only Thank me and not otherwise?”

“Yeah, just a thanks, what?”

Ba Maung Chain suddenly wrapped his hand around A Mar's back and kissed her. A Mar shouted with surprise.

Both of them live happily for a while, and they are totally satisfied.

✪✪✪

SECTION 7

Good times don't last long sometimes.

It's almost time to go back to school, and practically all of the schools in Yangon have begun their semesters. A Mar wants to go to school and is eager to complete the last term; it would be a shame if she did not after 7 years of preparing for it.It has only 6 months remaining to complete it.

As promised, Ba Manug Chain plans to return A Mar to her family. The original plan was for both of them to return to Yangon together, and Ba Maung Chain to bring his family to join him in his customary proposal to A Mar's family. And they'd pick an auspicious day for the wedding. Then Ba Maung Chain would return to Shan State, where his duties remained, and complete his turn.A Mar, on the other hand, would complete her studies at Sanchaung Residence while waiting for Ba Maung Chain's return.

Soon after Ba Maung Chain returns, A Mar will have completed her terms, and they will marry at the most opulent Strand Hotel, as according to traditional Burmese customs. A Mar would become a doctor after just six months, and Ba Maung Chain would also become a civilian official manager at the Ministry of Industry (1).Everything is well planned, and they would make an ideal match.

As it turns out, A Mar's family already knew her whereabouts and are only waiting for word from Ba Maung Chain out of civility and respect. A Mar's mummy, on the other hand, has spoken with a promise that if Benedict returns the intended in the traditional customarily ways, she would grant her blessing.

So soon after spending a month together, they both return to Yangon happily.When Benedict returns the intended, he takes his father and other respected elders with him.On the day of returning home, A Mar wears parakeet silk longyi, macaroon long sleeve shirt and a yellow rose on her head.Nervous to face her mummy, and worrying.

When they arrive home, three of the family's elders are waiting for them, and all of the cousins are excitedly expecting A Mar from the back of the house. A Mar felt odd in the sitting room, despite the fact that this was previously her home.

Both Ba Ba Gyi and Gyi Gyi greet the visitor heartily, but Mummy remains silent.

"Ma Ma?"

A worried Mar calls out to Mummy, but Mummy responds with disdainful stares. Before sitting on the cushion, a Mar is preparing to pay her respect to Mummy. This is an important custom for everyone. Accepting respect indicates that all the wrong doing is forgiven. Ba Maung Chain joins A Mar in her attempt to pay her respects to mummy.When mummy see Ba Maung Chain is trying to sit on the ground, she becomes uncomfortable and says -

"Oh Ba Maung Chain, you don't have to, you don't need to ..."

When Ba Maung Chain heard Mummy refuse to accept his respects, it all became awkward; he was going to sit and squat.

Mummy then says A Mar,

"A Mar, go to your room first, and there you will find a package on the bed, will you go and take it first?"

"Mummy has not forgiven us yet, she is still mad at A Mar," A Mar thought to herself. And she goes into the back, but as A Mar enters the bedroom, she notices that there is no package on the bed, and she learns that this was a trick. A revenge act for him.Then A Mar heard a click and realized Mummy had locked the door.

Mummy is going to ruin the proposal,A Mar starts to feel like she's falling into a deep abyss.

“Ma Ma”, A Mar cries, no reply.

“Please …” A Mar begged, but no response from her.

No one is going to hear A Mar’s calls now, that is for sure, everyone is in the sitting room, and then she hears a bang, sound like slamming the wooden things. And then she hears,

"What did you do?" Give her to me right now! Return her to me!"

"Well, I've reclaimed my daughter; she is now mine; and I will not allow my daughter to marry you, ogre! This proposal is dissolved"

"I don't care whether you allow it or not; she's already my wife; give her back to me or I'll sue!"

"Oh my! Beg your pardon! Sue me eh? your wife eh? where's the document that you both sign that probe as she is your wife"

A Mar faints and falls to the ground in the back of the house, behind the closed door that only Mummy can unlock.

"I was mistaken in believing you! You have dishonored me, but remember my words, I promise, I promise I will get her, tut!"

Ba Maung Chain stamps violently on the ground, and A Mar feels as though the entire world is shaken by his wrath.

A Mar collapsed on the ground, sobbing with her own tears on the floor, the yellow rose had torn, and her lover Ba Maung Chain had departed without saying goodbye or saying anything.

✪✪✪

SECTION 8

Everyone in the family, even Ba Ba Gyi and Gyi Gyi, is afraid of Mummy, not because of her fast temper, attitude, or manner, but because of her persistence and determination.

No one dares to turn against mummy, not even Ba Ba Gyi, since mummy is a natural pusher, managing the whole household on her own and handling practically all of the business assets on behalf of Ba Ba Gyi.

Even Gyi Gyi Daw Shin has to back off, and she sometimes needs to seek help when things around the house need to be done properly.

Everyone feels terrible for A Mar, but no one dares to plead Mummy for relief forgiveness on behalf of A Mar, since they would be scolded by her. And since this is a problem between mother and daughter, they have little rights to intervene.

As it turns out, the natural blossom that should be blooming has been stalled this time, thus A Mar understood that she has been blessed with a precious gift from God.

When A Mar recalls the time she and Ba Maung Chain lived together, all of the speculation leads to the precious gift as confirmed.

She now has a final and rational cause to confront her mother.

"Ma Ma, I have to marry him because there is a reason for it, and that makes the conclusion all the more certain."

Mummy becomes even more enraged when she discovers the reason for A Mar's confrontation with her: permitting her daughter to marry the man she despises.

"Ungrateful Child! Shame! Shame! Sinner, Sinner!"

One slap after another, all of Mummy's wrath had reached to her hands, and the fury was plunging down A Mar's cheek.

"Ungrateful Child, how dare you repay your gratitude to me in this way, all the sufferings, afflictions that I have ever endured in my life are solely due to you, and I have even worked hard to provide you with the education that you wanted, and now you dare insult me in this way, useless, hopeless, a total waste of time, worthless!"

"But I assure you, no daughter of mine will carry an ogre's child, and no vile will enter this world."

No matter how many times A Mar tries to persuade her mother to forgive and let her give birth to the child, she would not listen; the more she confronts, the worse she becomes.

A Mar becomes hopeless, helpless again, even with the persistent rejecting Mummy would use force and makes A Mar to drink the destroyer of the precious gift.

After three days, three drinks of bitter bark potion, A Mar could never feel the feeling of the feathery hearty living sensation and her life giving power faded.

As life was lost, hope has gone astray.

The child of the ogre has been annihilated.

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