PART FIVE

1950 - 1963

SECTION 1

Things are going as though nothing bad has happened. A Mar has been away from school, but Nyunt has always helped her catch up on the lessons. It's hard for A Mar to go to school as if nothing had happened, and she has to pretend she's alright.

Almost everyone knows the story of A Mar and Ba Maung Chain, and it has been making the rounds on campus. Everyone would gawk at A Mar once they saw her, which made A Mar insecure.

A Mar tries her hardest not to be judged by others, and instead concentrates on studying harder than before, even though the term is almost over. She felt no joy in her deepest heart, she felt as though the entire world had lost its happiness.She gets quieter and more solemn than before.

She chose her life's priorities: she would pass the final exam and become a doctor, and then she would save some money to buy a house in which both she and her mother could live, and she would make the most of her life with her. She thought to herself that it was all she needed to decide, which would be her single goal.

She feels hurt, regrets, and sadness everytime she thinks about him, whenever the memory of him crosses her thoughts in some way. A Mar thinks that he would hate and scorn her so that he will not suffer as much as A Mar and eventually forgets about it. But A Mar knows he'll return as soon as his work is done. A Mar, somehow feels like hoping to see him again.

The Royal Red Delonix are falling as the seasons change. The wheel of time has now come to the days of finals.Mummy and Gyi Gyi would accompany A Mar to school during exam days in turns.

On the last days of the exam, it was Gyi Gyi's turn to escort A Mar; after the exam, they would return home on the same route, at exactly the same time, with Nyunt driving, A Mar in the middle, and Gyi Gyi alongside A Mar.

When they get close to the Shwedagon Pagoda's beltway, they are surprised to see a mahogany sedan parked across the narrow route and blocking them advance. Nyunt turns the car before approaching the blocking sedan and takes a different turn to avoid it, but it is in vain because another car is already trailing them.

No wonder A Mar's mum is overwhelmed with worry and paranoia. To everyone's surprise, he did it again. Nyunt has no option except to pull over. They all expected him to appear from the sedan, but they were wrong; he came out from the car behind. Gyi Gyi gasps in disbelief as they see him slowly approaching the car.

"Oh my goodness, Ba Maung Chain, my dear son. Please, I beg you, do not do anything foolish that would make things worse."

"Oh Gyi Gyi, you don't have to beg me or anything; just tell her everything, and she should understand that we're all grownups; come on, Than, come with me."

"Come on now, Than, don't make me pull you out, you know I will, don't be a fool, come with me instantly," he says, taking A Mar's hands.

A Mar has no choice but to follow him.They then go to the marriage registrars and immediately sign the marriage licence and get legally married. The next day, there was a new announcement in the daily newspaper's notice section, stating that the two of them were lawfully married.

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SECTION 2

-/- 1950 -/-

A Mar has an old dream, a dream which, in her belief, made her life make sense. A dream that turns into a fascination, so much so that it becomes an obsession with which she is always infatuated.

She is still haunted by the same dream she had in the past, a dream of her home, that her own father had built for her, a perfect house in her imagination, the most beautiful home she had ever lived in, a home with a garden ringed by shrubs of Jasmine, Gardenia, and Plumeria. But her one and only ideal house has been diminished to ashes in her eyes because of the out-turn effects of the war-terrors.

Fortunately, when they arrived in Yangon after a long journey and had escaped the bombings, they were fortunate to receive the kind-hearted help of Ba Ba Gyi and had a place to shelter themselves.

For a brief while, the back room of the house, a little garage, had become their safe sanctuary. Nevertheless, it was difficult for her and her mother to be content with it. It is sometimes downcast to live there, in the tiny room, it's really dispiriting.

And that is why A Mar dreams of having her own home, a home like her old one, with a garden, shrubs and bushes of Jasmine, Plumeria, and Gardenia growing, and both she and her mother would be content to live there without any concern.

Soon after their marriage, they rented a house in Sanchaung Township and moved there. Not her own home, but better than the previous; she is no longer in the back of the house, in the small room, and she feels freer than ever before to live with the love of her life.

In her spare time, she would make her own sitting sheets and cushion covers, embroidering them with her own hands. She'd furnish the house with her own handcrafted style and decorations.

She becomes even happier and more gratified as she begins to feel safe and free to live. She begins to embrace the life of a wife and a person who can live as her genuine self.

When she graduates, she becomes First Dignitaries of Medical Doctorate in the place of 61st. She is proud of herself, and she is honoured to be the 61st Doctor of her homeland.

They had intended to have their wedding ceremony at the prestigious Strand Hotel, with a great number of distinguished guests from both sides of the family, but after so many unpleasant encounters, they had decided not to.

They feel there is no one on earth who can stop them after eloping twice and finally getting married.

However, A Mar cannot leave her one and only mother behind, in the little room with the livings of misery at the house of others, helplessly. So she asks Ba Maung Chain to take in her mother and let her live in the same house with them.

Ba Maung Chain, admirably accepting her wife's request, went to retrieve his mother-in-law, just as he promised. He allowed his mother-in-law to live with them under the same roof, but he is not readily forgiven, and neither is his mother-in-law. Their feud is still going on.

They can't just let go of their hatreds; they'll always tilt, slant, and skew at each other every time they interact.Four out of every five encounters would end in a quarrel. They just can't stand each other.

Most of the time, they would try to avoid one other. If one of them has feelings for another, they will get close to A Mar and say negative things about the others.When Mummy got upset, she would refer to Ba Maung Chain as "ogre" or "that one," while Ba Maung Chain would call to Mummy as "that mother of yours" or "Your praising MOTHER."They've never gotten along, not even once.

When A Mar begins her housing as a Surgeon, Ba Maung Chain is already a civilian, and he becomes an official Manager as arranged.They had to entrust housework to Mummy since both of them are overloaded.

Actually, A Mar can't cook at all; she can only help around the house when it comes to housework. Even when they lived at Ba Ba Gyi's house, she never cooked there; she only helped her mother with preparing spices, cutting vegetables, or handling the protein, but she was never needed to cook; it was entirely up to Mummy; she is the only person who can cook and handle the household chores.

And once again, it is Mummy's job to oversee the chores and meals.Ba Maung Chain and Mummy have their own dispute, yet when it comes to household duties, both of them do wonderfully well. Mummy understands and appreciates Ba Maung Chain for consenting to let her live with them. For that she would cook for both A Mar and her son-in-law as a gratitude to him.

And yet, when it comes to meals, she would prepare a lunch box for A Mar but not for him, claiming that she can only cook for him and that she cannot make a lunch box for him because she just does not want to. So, while A Mar didn't have to worry about her lunch box because it was always packed and ready to take, she still had to create one for her husband.

Living between the feuds is difficult for A Mar; it has never been easy; one or more depressing or bothersome happenings would always occur, one way or another, at any time.

When A Mar goes into the kitchen to make a lunch box for her husband, the plentiful chicken curry is sometimes only left for her husband as feet and bone, while A Mar's lunch box is overflowing with them.

So A Mar has to change the lunchbox while no one notices; if one of them notices, the entire house would be rowdy all morning. No matter how hard A Mar tries to fix the contrasting meals problem, an unintentional dispute has occurred.

Ba Maung Chain would occasionally buy some comfort food on his way home from work, such as Samosa, Pakora, Vada, Rice cake, and so on. Mummy, it turns out, enjoys them as well.

On one particular evening, Ba Maung Chain buys three rice cakes on his way home. One for each member of the household, but when he tells A Mar to give one to her mother, he wants payment, causing a huge dispute.

"A Mar, here! Rice Cake from Myaynigone,I got them just after they were taken out of the pan. So soft, so sweet; give one to your mother, but pay me back for it; I want it."

He wants to pay back for one tiny piece of rice cake, which surprised A Mar.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Oh yes, Than, do you remember the time you were on night duty? When I asked your mother where my lunchbox was the next morning, what do you think she said? She scolded me to have my lunch with Tea Salad on my own, she is mean, so I just can't give anything free to a freeloader! anymore, give me my penny back for the rice cake”

"What is wrong with you guys, please stop"

They would quarrel, fight, and skew at each other every now and again.

A Mar and Ba Maung Chain both yearn for a child from their marriage, a treasure born of their own blood. They couldn't become pregnant no matter how hard they tried, despite having so many options, treatments, and practices. Ba Maung Chain is the sort of individual who obsesses over having a son. However, after so many failed attempts to become pregnant, they simply give up and comfort themselves while waiting for the miracle.

✺✺✺

SECTION 3

Ba Maung Chain's favourite cafe in Yangon is on the Spark Road, near the well-known Saint Paul School, is known as "Burma Cafe." The café is famous for its best, "Raisin Bread," which costs 25 cents for a loaf of bread, as well as their Custard Pudding, and they even have "Brown Bread," which was extremely hard to get in Yangon at the time.

A Mar has to buy some loaf and bun every week or so. Because Ba Maung Chain wouldn't have his breakfast without his favourite. When it comes to breakfast, Ba Manug Chain is very picky about his food and coffee. So A Mar needs to ask him in advance every night what he wants for breakfast the next day.

If he wants any local food, A Mar will tell the housekeeper beforehand in order to prepare it for him the next morning. If he prefers a traditional taste, A Mar has to instruct the housekeeper to buy the right Mohinga with gourd tempura or Youtiao at the usual shop, and he sometimes asks A Mar to prepare him Nan Gyi Thoke by herself exclusively.

Every Sunday, he would have his western style breakfast, and only A Mar could prepare it perfectly for him; he like it that way.Sometimes preparing proper English style breakfast comes in handy; bake beans take time, a nice sausage is difficult to get, excellent quality bacon is difficult to find, raisin bread, toast, butter, omelette and cheese, and so on.

On weekends, especially on Sundays, Ba Maung Chain would start his day with breakfast, relax leisurely in his chair, and read “The Guardian” morning newspaper while eating. He enjoys his slow mornings.

Despite being married for nearly four years, they are still very different in character, habits, and routine.

While Ba Maung Chain appreciates western customs, A Mar and Mummy are the same oldies. Their typical breakfast is quite simple; the main dish is left-over rice, side with Mandalay Chickpeas Crisps, red pepper tempura, and fish sauce curry. They would take hot tea water to wash it down, but on occasion, they would make fried rice with steamed peas or egg fried rice.

When Ba Maung Chain thinks of breakfast as a feast fit for kings, A Mar thinks of it as simply another meal to keep herself fed.Having treats like sticky rice, turmeric rice, and dried fish may appear to be a pleasure every now and again.

As the son of a wealthy family, Ba Maung Chain is a big spender; he would not hesitate to squander, and he is incredibly blessed in terms of money; he has never had to worry about anything in his whole life.

A Mar, on the other hand, is different; she has lived in poverty as a war refugee and must earn a living by selling her handcrafted items. She understands the value of each income earned and the devastating consequences of poverty. When it comes to spending, A Mar is extremely cautious.

When A Mar and her husband went shopping at the Scott Market, a major bazaar in Yanong's downtown, when they walked by the footwear store, A Mar's eyes were attracted to the colourful velour footwear and slippers.

When it comes to looks, A Mar has her own distinct style; she likes matching the colour, from the headdress to the footwear. She loves beautifying herself with vibrant colours.

She could no longer hold excitement after seeing the colourful valour footwear, so she told her husband to wait for her in the car, and she would browse the goods on her own whether she should buy or not.

And she'd be tempted between the white slipper and the parakeet slipper, which would look better on her or go with the other clothes she owns.She finally decided after a lengthy moment that she would only take the white one. Despite her decision, her thoughts was still drawn to the other parakeet slipper since it would match with others.

When she returned to the parking lot, irritated husband would chastise her -

"What took you so long, what did you buy this time that has you hesitating for so long?"

"It's a white one."

"Do you like it?" Ba Maung Chain enquired unconvincingly.

"Yes, but..."

"But, what?"

"I like the other one as well,"

“Which one?”

"the tea green one"

"Tea… what?"

"The green one,"

"Why don't you take that as well?"

"No, 3 kyats per pair, so it would be 6 kyats, which is way more than I expect to spend; it's above the budget!"

"What exactly do you mean? Over budget, if you want it, take it."

"No, I can't; you have no idea what 6 kyat can buy."

"Oh then do tell"

And A Mar goes into great detail with her husband about the Six Kyats worth of groceries, fish, and protein, and so on.

Ba Maung Chain becomes irritated as he hears the lengthy lecture about the worth of 6 kyat.

"All right, then, may we go now?"

"Yeah," A Mar said hesitantly.

As they return from the market after a short drive, A Mar abruptly announces ,

"Ko, Ko, wait a minute, I guess I should get the green one as well, turn back, turn the car back!"

"Damn, why didn't you mention it before we left?"

A Mar hastily exits the car as it comes to a stop at the bazaar's platform.

"I won't be long, Ko; I swear I'll be quick!" She says this as she is about to leave.

"No, NO! Wait, I'll come with you this time,"

A Mar responded.

"Are you sure, Ko?" Astonishingly,

"Most definitely dear!"

Then he locks the car and grabs A Mar's hands, winking at her and indicating which directions he has to take her to the store.

Once they arrive at the store, Ba Maung Chain asks A Mar,

"Is it this one? or this one?"

"No, not that, and not this one either, here, this one!"

Ba Maung Chain began to annoy, and then he would pick all the identical ones that differed in colour and hand them to the shop lady to pack, saying,

"We'll be taking these, how much?"

The store lady surprised by Ba Maung Chian asserts,and A Mar argued,

"Ko, you don't have to get these; I don't need this colour,"

"No, you need these, you'll wear them, you'll love them, I'm sure, take them."

A Mar was always that way, never confident, never convinced. Doubtful, hesitant, and unclear.In contrast to A Mar, Ba Maung Chain was always basic, simple, obvious, frank, broad, and direct.

However, for A Mar's mum, Ba Maung Chain has always been a difficult man, a blunt one, impolite and aggressive, hateful and arrogant. She usually describes him as having western zeal, which she despises.

To irritate her, Ba Maung Chain would occasionally talk in English to say anything negative about her. When she realised this, she began barking at A Mar to tell her what he was saying.

They are typically crooked to each other almost all of the time. Which A Mar can do nothing but to stay between them and ensure their disagreements do not turn to fighting or disputes.

Ba Maung Chain was promoted to a higher position in 1954, and they no longer have to live in the renting home at Sanchaung Tsp; instead, they acquire a new apartment, which is a moderate flat dispensed from work, at Navarat Housing, on U Wisara Road.

As Ba Maung Cain succeeds in his work, his relationships and working environment broaden. As a result, he would naturally return home late on occasion, such as after a late-night work party or gathering.

Mummy didn't like it, especially when he returned home drunk.She feels disrespected,she would fret every time he was late, even if A Mar is fine with it.

When Ba Maung Chain's late arrivals became common,She would say bad things about him like,

"Oh, I think he's drunk, having an affair, or something."

A Mar never argues with mummy since it makes things worse; instead, she ignores all of her nasty words. Mummy is a woman of trickery and skewing. When Ba Maung Chain gets home late at night, she will deliberately sleep in the same bed with A Mar. And she would not let Ba Maung Chain enter the bed that night. When she does this more than three times, Ba Manug Chain becomes irritated.

When he was late more than usual one night, it was almost midnight, and A Mar was unconcerned because Ba Maung Chain had already informed her that he would be late. But Mummy was so worried and irritated that she couldn't sit still and wait for him to return.

"Where did he go?"

"Did he not mention where he went?"

"Look at the time; it isn't time for good people to be outside; it's almost midnight!"

And she wouldn't let go of it, and she slept with A Mar again. They both fell asleep while waiting for him to return. Ba Maung Chain has to enter the house by himself, and when he sees both his wife and mother-in-law on the same back, he becomes upset and yells at them to wake them up.

"Oh, what a night, what is going on here? My wife and my wonderful mother-in-law, eh? I'm coming between yah!"

He then jumps across the bed between them, A Mar softly giggling at her husband's actions, but Mummy was stunned, unsure what to do, but as Ba Maung Chain's hand began to hold her, she shouted in surprise.And she ran off.

"Oh, Ko, what is wrong with you! see she ran off! poor mummy", A Mar remarks.

“Ha, Ha, Ha, that would not make her scared then what would? So long my wonderful mother-in-law!”

“Ko, have you been drinking again?”

“Oh no, no, socially level, no worry, I was just pretending you know, to scare her off, it's her fault entirely, what in the hell she is doing on my bed, right? Now, I am sure she won’t do it again! Ha! Ha! Ha!”

"OK, I'm sure she won't, it's really late, why don't you clean yourself and get into bed?"

“Alright, Alright, I will”

He gently kissed A Mar's forehead. A Mar then pushes her husband away, hinting that he should clean up. Their marriage is like that; it may be tough or dreary most of the time, but one or two happy occasions may make it great and enjoyable.

A Mar's cousin Khin Mya Ni married her long-time love Ko Tin Maung Aye on January 3rd, 1954, at their residence on Zayyawaddy Street.

“Wedding Ceremony of Khin Mya Ni at Zayyawaddy Rd. Everything's smooth, not like myself”

A Mar felt bad when she discovered the entry about Khin Mya Ni's wedding in Ba Maung Chain's private journal.

She thought to herself that, if Mummy would accept and compromise, both A Mar and Ba Maung Chain would have the same or a better memories of their romance and marriage. Sometimes life may turn out unexpectedly at any time, she comforts herself with that thought and promises herself that she would always do her utmost to ensure that Ba Maung Chain's intentions were followed.

✺✺✺

SECTION 4

A cool breeze from the north would pass through the Inya lake. One would feel wonderful and refreshed after experiencing it.

On weekends and holidays, A Mar and her husband would picnic at Yangon Sailing Club at Inya Lake, occasionally. Even after six years of marriage, they have not been able to have a child of their own, but this has been a blessing in some ways, because there is no one who keeps them preoccupied all the time.

They are unrestricted, easy, and stress free. They are free to come and go as they please.Both of them are fairly standard in their own social status as they advance in their own professions. A Mar became well-known as a respected housing doctor, while Ba Maung Chain grew in stature as a reputable government industry official.

Without her husband's support, A Mar would never advance herself from a life of a rural girl with a short fringe to a residential doctor.She concedes that her life has altered dramatically, and she eventually gets a spouse who is clever, intellectual, affluent, gorgeous, smart, and caring.

However, for Ba Maung Chain, his marriage would be extremely nerve-racking at times, but he is proud of himself for being able to marry the lady of his dreams, the love of his life. He is always blessed with an amazing and meliorating life.

When A Mar was on the run from war, encountering the worst that a person could behold and suffer, Ba Maung Chain was at leisure, and he even had the pleasure of reading his favourite foreign books and literature.Their lives are quite different, yet their loves are the same.

Their personalities may differ, they may quarrel when things go wrong, one may be arrogantly yelling while the other is annoyingly attached, yet no matter how far or close they are, they always love the same.

When Ba Maung Chain told A Mar that he wishes to go on a picnic, A Mar, prepares everything that her husband appreciates.Army-Rum, Cheese, Jerky, Fried Noodles, Coffee for herself, Tea Salad with Dried Shrimp as a side dish, and a few drinks. A Mar found a spot along the water's bank, where the green yard is shaded by a huge tree and placed the mat and cushions on it.

A family of a husband, wife, and a child, with a puppy, is nicely settled and enjoying their picnic nearby. A Mar raises her hand to greet them, and the wife returns the greeting.

Their child is roughly 5 years old and is dressed in a blue and white sailor outfit. Putting on his shiny boots and playing football alone alongside his father. Coincidentally, the ball he was playing was rolling towards Ba Maung Chain and came to a rest along the water's edge.

Ba Maung Chain then takes the ball, and the child rushes over to him, but the puppy is ahead of the child, and the father of the child follows.

“Hello, Ko Ba Maung Chain?” the man greets, he seems to be delighted to meet him.

“Hi, Ko Htun Myint” he politely greets back.

“It’s been a while eh?”,

“Yeah, so how is it going? Everything well?” Ba Maung Chain socially ask,

“Good,fairly good, thanks for asking, how do you do?”

“Doing Great,”

“So, are you still sailing like the old days?”

“Oh, no, not anymore, you know, I don’t have the time to even ….”

“Yeah, I can imagine that, ..”

They both awkwardly remain silent for a few periods until the boys of his acquaintance arrive to fetch the ball that Ba Maung Chain is currently carrying.

He then ask to his acquaintance with a wide smile,

"Is this your son?"

"Yes, he's nearly five, my little pride, of course."

"I see, my dear, so lovely, here son, take it."

Ba Manung Chain tosses the ball to the boy, who gleefully thanks him,

"Thank you, Oo Oo."

A Mar is watching them from a distance.

"So, who is this small man then, how may I call you sir?" the little boy wondered in response to Ba Maung Chain's absorbing questioning.

"My name is Kyaw Swar Htun"

"Oh, nice to meet you dear, what a lovely name indeed, go about you then, enjoy!"

The little boy ran back, toward his mother, with the wiggling dog following behind.

"You are a lucky man, gifted with the love of the gods. I don't think I'll be blessed by any gods, though, since no matter how hard we try, we simply can't have children, which is unfortunate for me, given that the first was a miscarriage... and the others seem to follow, what a life?"

Even though it is typical of Ba Maung Chain to express his intimate affairs bluntly, his acquaintance appears to be uncomfortable when he hears the awkward narrative that Ba Maung Chain is giving, and A Mar feels so guilty.

But Ba Maung Chain always saves his saying by stating it with the look of "he is fine with it," so no one feels uncomfortable, even though it always does.

"Uhm, yeah, it is if you look at it that way, but for me, it is a kind of blessing, not having a kid you know, you will have all the time you want with your wife, if the kid comes into your marriage then, I am sure you will not be the same, it's true, I am really exhausted whenever I remember that the other one is on its way now!"

His friend answers to him in a regular tone, expressing no offence or dismissing him.

"Oh, my heavens, congratulations!"

Ba Maung Chain cheered and joyfully shook his friend's hand. Both of them would talk for a bit, and then after his acquaintance was gone, Ba Maung Chain called A Mar to him.

She nods at him, then takes out the glass, fills it with rum, walks up to him, hands him the rum, and leans on him.

"You see there, the kid of Ko Htun Myint, he said another one is on the way too, what a fortunate eh?" stated Ba Maung Chain, taking a sip from the glass.

"I watched him chatting, how cute?"

"Would you not want a son like that?"

"Oh, of course I do want it, Ko."

A Mar says little to no. The green scarf is securely knotted over her chin, with the corner flapping in the air.

"We're not young anymore, you know, you're 37, almost 40, and I'm over it now; I feel like I need something to make our marriage more satisfying, joyful, and even more wonderful."

"Isn't that why we're trying and saving to build our dream home? We can't live in social housing forever, right?"

"Oh, you know what I mean, the home doesn't matter all that much, not that it isn't a wonderful thing! I mean, a house is simply a structure; we only need a damn good place to shit, right? Honestly"

A Mar chuckles at his remark.

"You know that a lavatory isn't a home; a home must have a sitting room, dining room, kitchen, garden, and, of course, the bedroom, guest room, storage, and so on."

"But a family needs some gorgeous creature to fill the dream home with the sound of joys, excitements, and, of course, love; otherwise, it would be so drab, plain, and gloomy, isn't it?"

A Mar lost the answer, and say

"What do I do then, since no matter how hard I try, it never happens?"

He lost in thought for a second and then says,

"How about adopting?"

"But how?"

"I'm thinking of adopting your cousin Ni Ni and Tin Maung Aye's son."

“You mean Aung Kyaw Aye?”

"Yes, why don't you speak your cousin about it, you know, I think Aung Kyaw Aye is a bit younger than Htun Myint's boy right, he would be so adorable"

A Mar recounts her nephew's face and wonders how her life would be different if she had him around.

Tin Maung Aye, Cousin Ni Ni's husband, is now stationed in the upper state of Banmaw. And Ni Ni is in her second pregnancy; they would only return to Yangon for vacations, Thadingyut and Thingyan New Year. It appears to her that Ba Maung Chain is attached to their boy when they visit their house, and he is now asking for adoption.

"Oh, Ko? You can't just think about adoption whenever you see a child, because being a parent is a whole different life, you know, responsibilities, dedication, and so on, and when you adopt a child or so, you have to accept and eventually embrace the good or bad outcome of it, and most importantly, we can't just return to their parents if we don't want it, and they aren't that poor or desperately wanting to give away their child, and they need to be willingly give to us, it is not that simple!"

"I know, I know, I understand, but you're overthinking again, like you usually do, and would it help?" I don't think so, you talk to Ni Ni, and I speak to her husband; how about that, you're sister, cousin! And, unlike the Hollywood drama, we are not going to take their child away from them; they may always see, meet, or do whatever the heck they want.

Hold those thoughts; I'm sure they'll be on Thadingyut next month, right? Why don't we ask them to let Aung Kyaw Aye live with us for a bit and see how that goes? We're thinking too much and making little progress; I'll call Tin Maung Aye tonight and ask him about it."

"Wait, wait, don't rush; we need to think about it properly, and we still need to ask Ma Ma what she thinks."

"Oh, for crying out loud, what for? This is about us, not her, Than! This is about US! ABOUT OUR FAMILY! Let us make our own decisions, not by hers or anyone else's."

A Mar takes a long, deep breath; she knows she can't just force her husband to give up his ambition now; no matter what happens, she has to face it; there is no other option.

Although the breeze from the lake is calming, there is a bustle inside A Mar's heart that is beginning to flare up.

✺✺✺

SECTION 5

Ni Ni's family has just arrived in Yangon the day after the Thadingyut Holidays, and everyone is quite pleased to see their relatives and they all celebrate the Lighting ceremony together.

Ba Maung Chain was so excited to see Ni Ni's son Aung Kyaw Aye that he even brought him birthday presents. Aung Kyaw Aye was almost 5 years old at the time, and his birthday was on October 3rd, which was during the festive season.

When Ba Maung Chain went to buy a present for Aung Kyaw Aye before Ni Ni arrived in Yangon, he became so excited at the store that he would examine and explore so many toys and sports goods that he ultimately decided to buy a tricycle as a present.

The following night, while on a picnic at Inya Lake, Ba Maung Chain asks Ni Ni husband if they would be content to let their son live at A Mar's residence for 3 or 4 months, reasoning that it is a good option in terms of education and lifestyle because they would eventually return and it would make no difference, and the boy would readily adapt to the new environment ahead of their expectations. But he never mentions adopting their boy.

Ni Ni's husband, Ko Tin Maung Aye, appears to appreciate the suggestions since he values and trusts Ba Maung Chain's opinion.

"I think Methodist English School would be the best alternative to select, you know, he is almost in kindergarten, we would love to take care of him, you don't have to worry about anything, if you guys are happy to let him stay with us, of course."

Ko Tin Maung Aye was overjoyed to hear the request and had no objections because this may open up new prospects for his kid's education, but Ni Ni has second thoughts, not because she doesn't want to, but because it's difficult to be separated from her son as a mother, which she accepts in the end.

And then just like that, Aung Kyaw Aye entered into their life.

"Look here Thar Thar! Daddy bought you a tricycle."

Not soon after Aung Kyaw Aye enters their family as a new member, Ba Maung Chian immediately makes himself a "Daddy", so thus it makes A Mar as "Mummy" naturally.

Ba Maung Chian is captivated with the child right away and becomes obsessive with him; he even nicknamed the child "Thar Thar" and certainly wouldn't call him anything else. A Mar knew how her husband would be feeling at the time, and she was assured there would be no turning back for him; he would get even more attached to the child, and he would undoubtedly adopt him in the end.

"Ko Ko, I know how you feel right now, but I don't want you to be over it because we still don't know how the child feels about us, and especially about you, and you must keep in mind, Ni Ni loves her son more than anything, so I don't want you to be hurt in the end if anything goes wrong."

"I know, I know, but I am sure Thar Thar is going to live with us, Right? Thar Thar? you love daddy Right?"

Ba Manug Chain deliberately exhorts the child.

“Yes, Daddy”, Aung Kyaw Aye excitedly answered back.

“That’s my boy!” Ba Maung Chian praised the child exuberantly.

They are not biologically related, yet they are dependably in line with each other, and not even A Mar can get between them.

"I know Thar Thar is going to school, right? you are going to school with Daddy's car, you see there, that car! Daddy goannas take you to school every day with that car"

"I will!"

The child deliberately agrees to everything Ba Maung Chain said.

"You realise you can't go back to Banmaw with your Mummy and Dad if you want to go to school in that car, Thar Thar? Right?"

When A Mar heard Ba Maung Chain's precise query, she became concerned for the child and became interested in the child's reaction.

"Mother and Dad would come to see you over the holidays, of course, and I am sure your mummy is going to give you a baby brother very soon, she is going to be too busy with it, as I am sure you would understand. And if you stick with us, you'll have me, mommy, grandma, and others, A Win, A Myaing, and so on, and you may play whatever you want, just like that, you can do anything you want."

Thus, Tin Maung Aye's ten-day break has come to an end, and they must return to Banmaw.

"Oh my gosh, Ma Ma Than, I really want to leave him with you, I know that would be really great for him, and I appreciate you and your husband for your generosity, I know when I labour another one, then I would need someone to look after him obviously, but you guys are a great help, but I'm still not sure about it yet, I don't want him to be uneasy after we left, if he is really not happy to live here, then I says I am going to get him back"

The anxious, anxieties, concern of Ni Ni are understandable, before they go back, his parents and both A Mar and Ba Maung Chain are sitting in the main room, while Aung Kyaw Aye is playing on the ground with his little soldiers' toys,

"Thar Thar, we're heading back to Banmaw; aren't you going with us?" Tin Maung Aye inquires.

"No, I'm staying with Daddy and Mummy."

When A Mar heard the child's final response, she felt relieved, but Ni Ni cried and left the room. The two men, on the other hand, are still discussing.

"What's wrong, Ni Ni, look at me, oh poor creature, don't worry, a son of yours is always a son of mine, I'll take care of your child, don't worry."

"But he's only five years old, too young to be separated from his parents; I feel horrible about it; he could miss us, he might want us."

"Oh, don't worry, don't you worry, as you can see, how Ba Maung Chain loves with your son, he will be fine, I promise"

"But promise me you will call, as soon as Thar Thar mentions he wants to return back to us, OK?"

Ni Ni and Tin Maung Aye left the following morning, while Aung Kyaw Aye was still asleep. When he was awake and realised that his parents were gone, he responded calm and normally. Thus, a child has entered the life of both A Mar and Ba Maung Chain smoothly.

✹✹✹

SECTION 6

Ba Maung Chain's first wish was fulfilled when his Thar Thar was admitted to the Methodist School in 1959, the same school where Major General Ne Win's granddaughter attended.

Every morning before leaving for school, Ba Maung Chain would place his Thar Thar on a chair in front of the house, near the car, and order all the maids to prepare the child for school.

"A Myaing, A Win come on now, put his shoe on!, where's the backpack, where's the lunchbox! Hurry up girls!"

The child is indeed born with a blessing from Karma, he wouldn't have the same fate if he lives with his parents, but now, he has all the luxury that a young boy could dream of, a maid of his own, a finger that could command anything he ever wants, each and everyone in the family loves him, adore him and even A Mar's mother attaches to him to everyone shock, Ba Maung Chain is the most loving and made a show of affection whenever his darling son's face saddens or disappoints him, concerned the kid would hate him or feel less love for him.

"I want to be a soldier when I am grown up, Daddy!"

"You certainly are my boy."

When Ba Maung Chian learned that his darling boy wanted to be a soldier when he grew up, he gave him a commando costume to wear whenever the boy played like a soldier; no one knows how he managed to find a commando suit that fit his boy perfectly.

Ba Maung Chain gradually advanced from simple official to ministry delegate. He would occasionally travel overseas on missions directed by the ministry as an honourable representative.Whenever he returned from such missions from abroad, he would bring so many foreign souvenirs as a present for everyone, especially mainly for his darling son.

Particularly to western countries such as Germany, France, Italy (European), Switzerland (Scandinavian), and England. The years when Aung Kyaw Aye joins the family are the best for him. He continues to receive promotions, and the family prospers even more than before.

So, ultimately, both A Mar and Ba Maung Chain reached the point where they could afford to purchase a new house of their own, and their savings were sufficient, so they considered buying a piece of property and steadily building the new home on it.

They started with Windermere Housings and then went to the Inya Housings area, but they couldn't find anything that suited their preferences, price range, or surroundings, and then finally they found it, a hundred feet square land on the area near the Pyi Road, and it was perfect.

The land was on a little street near Pyi Road, it was perfectly square, and it was surrounded by greenery. Clean and tranquil, as they prefer it, the price was reasonable, and they paid Three Hundred Thousand Kyats for it.

A Mar's aspirations are taking shape. Who would have guessed, even A Mar can't believe it then.

✹✹✹

SECTION 7

When it comes to her life, a Mar is not ambitious or aggressive; rather, she is peaceful, content, and easy-going. She has been miserable, belittled, uninspired, and despondent since the lowest point of her life, yet she paces herself and never lets her determination derail or go awry.

She learns from her mistake that the most crucial qualities that everyone needs are patience and tolerance. And in fact, only love, a loving heart and a loving soul, can make her stronger and more steadfast in the face of fatigue and dread.

A Mar loves her mother, she alone is A Mar last family, without her, she would never survive the horror of the war or terror of the world, indeed, A Mar's mummy is arrogant, bold, hard, proud and aloof but no matters how she afflicts on A Mar mentally or physically, she still loves her, she must, and she knew she have to, there is no things that is above the family, she learns that hard, and she understand it by hearts.

Her marriage would be the most thrilling, pleasurable, and contenting if A Mar's mother were not present. But she never blames her mother for her misery, depression, and cruel treatment. A Mar adores her mother, no matter how horrible she is or will be.

On the other hand, Ba Maung Chain's life is transforming along the way; before A Mar met him, he was a tough, stubborn, and headstrong individual. He got even more persistent as he moved up the ladder of prominence, privilege, and honour.

However, neither Ba Maung Chain nor his mother-in-law ever come around altogether. He can't tolerate it when his mother-in-law scolds the maid for their clumsiness or inability; he would back them up and fight for them, not because he is biassed or anything; he just doesn't like how his mother-in-law treats the maid.

There's not much to say about Daw Ma Ma Lay's aged livelihood; A Mar's mother aged life is quite a blessing, unlike the past, which was full of terror and despairs, husband dies in the war, house burns down and destroyed by the bomb, one and only son dies from the plague, and the only daughter marries the one person she despises.

She is old and infirm and unable as in the past, she can hardly manage the home duties then, so A Mar provides her with four maids to help her around with the approval of her husband. As she has gotten even more chubby than before, because she rarely walks or exercises, not because she is idle, but because she is preoccupied with home matters, she still has to oversee everything, she simply doesn't have the strength and health to do so physically.

A Mar is preoccupied with her own work; she has to work all day in the hospital where she has been assigned by the government, and then she has to work in her own clinic in the evening, so she can hardly handle the load and responsibilities of a housewife, let alone cooking or dusting. She would not save a dime if she did not work additional hours at her clinic; working at the government hospital would not afford them to acquire property along Pyi Road.

There is also the daily expenditure of their son, which Ba Maung Chain solely wants the best for his boys, therefore it is not an ordinary average expense, but a lot of exceptional cost.

Both A Mar and Ba Maung Chain have to leave the affairs of household chores to A Mar's mother, since they have little time to supervise them. As a result of Ma Ma Lay's boldness and the maids' incompetence, misunderstandings or atypical home problems would arise every now and then.

Even though A Mar's mother is rather old and late, her arrogance and pride never get old or frail, but rather become greater.Ba Maung Chain's quick temper may also become extreme at times.

When the young maid called as "Myaing" becomes lazy and sleeps while she should be dusting, several of the maids complain to mummy, and mummy becomes angry with Myaing and scolds her harshly.

"What are you doing? Girl, you're a terrible sloth! When it comes to eating, you're the first, but when it comes to cleaning, you're the last, eh? how dare you, you should be eating dog shit, not human food, ugh"

Mummy was always like that, a bluff, saying horrible things when she was upset. When the girl was scolded by her and began to cry out in embarrassment, Ba Maung Chain heard everything and became enraged at Mummy. Ba Maung Chain generally ignores all the commotion, but when he sees the girl sobbing and speaking things she should not be saying, it becomes too much for him to stand.

"Ma Ma, you shouldn't be saying things like that, they aren't your relatives or close ones, they are paid labourers, not servants, and she is still a girl, she would get lazy or idle sometime, what if she fell asleep and did not do the work, then why can't other girls do it for her once, and next time let her do more or so, and you all girls, listen up, if I ever hears complains like this again, leave my house at once.”

As it turns out, the crying girl A Myaing is one of the girls they've recruited for labour from the same Ba Maung Chain native. And, once again, A Mar's mummy boldly misunderstands and accuses Ba Maung Chian, which she should not.But she didn't say anything to him directly, but instead told A Mar after she returned home from work.

"Oh, you wouldn't believe it, A Mar, what happened today, what if I scolded or driplined the girls, what does it matter? If he cares so much, I suspect he's cheating you with that girl."

"Shh, Ma Ma, lower your voice, what if he heard your sayings things like"

"I don't care, he heard or not"

The person who should not be hearings the sayings of mummy is already heard,

"She can't just say she don't care, she must, these girls are still young and naive, we have to teach them, not torture them, nurture them if we need to, these are the responsibilities that on us since we are the employer, we can't simply abuse them, in fact we should not be abusing them mentally or physically”

"I'm disciplining them, Ba Maung Chain; you know she's idle; this isn't the first or second time she's been lazy; she's been lazy more than once."

"You may discipline them however you want but with soft and tender not shouting or scolding them, they aren't animals, they are human, they understand the human speech, you should be enquiring why she is sleeping and instead you are blaming her for it, don't you know why she and other girls are sleepy while they should feel refreshed and ready"

"What exactly do you mean by this?"

"Oh, you don't know, do you? You asked them to massage till midnight, when they were supposed to be resting."

"Oh, NO, you don't mean... how dare you, how dare you blame me like that, why don't you consider your precious son is still riding even at the ungodly hour before you return home, and all the girls have to wait with him till you come back!"

"Excuse me, aren't you a grown up? you even bring the little boy into your matter and accuse him for it, how on earth? How dare you? How surprising? I will tell you now, all of you, including you. Then, if you are not pleased with my boy, then leave us, at once, all of you, go now, and never come back!"

Ba Muang Chian is always like this; he can't take it when someone says something negative about his boy.

When it comes to the triangle between her mother, husband, and child, A Mar always thinks about it. She is the only one keeping them together, standing between them, holding them together, and roofing them not to fall apart; she would not dare to consider or dream of abandoning them, because it would be a tragedy all at once.

For A Mar, family comes first, then others, yet things do happen unexpectedly.

✹✹✹

SECTION 8

A Mar is sitting on her desk, not feeling well, as the ceiling fan rotates with a clacking noise. She feels as if she were whirling like a fan.

She had just arrived to the office after a round; the stethoscope was still around her neck, and the white coat had not yet been removed.

On her hand is a letter, which she is rereading frequently, and the letter is swaying with the air above. And in the end, she decides to call her husband.

"Ko Ko, it's me, Than."

As she was speaking, she glanced at her watch, which read 3:30. He wouldn't be leaving work till then, she reasoned. However, A Mar is free to return home if she so chooses.

"Oh? Hello darling, Than."

"Let's meet up somewhere, not at home, after you leave. I have something urgent to discuss, Ko?"

“OK? Is there something wrong or what? It's everything fine?”

“It alright, KO, but we need somewhere private to discuss”

Ba Maung Chain was in shock, A Mar had never taken on an appointment with him before, especially like this.

“What is going on, why can’t you tell me now on the phone, there is no one listening”

“I know, but it has to be in person, KO, Please”

"All right, don't forget to tell our kid that we will be late for dinner and tell the girl to feed him on time, and don't wait for us."

“Ok, I won’t forget, see you”

She hung up the phone and started to call home again, but she knew Ba Maung Chain would call as well,even though he urged A Mar to do so. He's always been like that, never pleased with anything he didn't do himself.

When A Mar checked the time again, she was convinced that Aung Kyaw Aye would return home from school. He might have a snack after the bath and play for a while. He wants to finish his homework unless his Daddy helps him, and he wants to have supper with his Daddy and Mummy.

He will be upset if his Daddy and Mummy are not home when he expects them to be.

Aung Kyaw Aye has been living with A Mar and Ba Muang Chain for nearly five years, and he meets his parents every summer holiday. He has not yet been legally adopted by A Mar and Ba Maung Chain, but he is already their son by loves and affections.

After calling home, A Mar takes out the cream puff and delicately puts it on her face. She also applied some lip gloss on her lips. As the world modernises, so do the lips colouring customs.

Even cosmetic items have advanced in the Western world; she recalls having to red her lips with henna leaves, which was not as easy as it may appear. When Ba Maung Chain returned as a gift, he would bring some cosmetic goods called "lipsticks" from abroad.

When she has finished beautifying her face, she does her hair, the pink rose she has been wearing since the morning is still fresh, she puts on the original eau de cologne, and she is ready to go to meet his loving husband Ba Maung Chain at Inya Lake Hotel.

As she walks, the pearl buttons on her shirt reflect the lights, making her appear exquisite. White and gleaming medium heels. Paediatrician, 43 years old, still stunning and elegant as ever. A Mar's beauty is not like any sophisticated style or attractiveness, but rather simple and plush, which makes her appear more grand and appealing. And that was enough to make Ba Maung Chain fall in love with her the moment he saw her.

When she arrived at the hotel, she dispatched the car; the hotel is freshly opened, built by Russian architecture, simple yet majestic, exactly like A Mar herself; everything is beautifully ornamented, opulent, and yet exquisite, from the entry to the main reception hall. The lobby is famed for their signature comforts, a basic sandwich, and most foreigners choose to dine here over anywhere else in Yangon.

The office where Ba Maung Chain works is only a short distance away and can be reached in 10 minutes or less, which is why A Mar chose a location close to him. A Mar comes early, orders a coffee, and browses pastries for Aung Kyaw Aye and Mummy while waiting for her husband.

The lobby was constantly kept cool by the air conditioning system, making it a relaxing and pleasant environment. A harpist is performing chamber music and fits in perfectly with the atmosphere.

Ba Muang Chain comes swiftly, and he hurriedly leaves the car and heads to the lobby, properly suited, with the pinned necktie and sunglasses.

"Oh, sorry, Than, the minister's phone rang just as I was about to left."

"It's alright, I already order a sandwich for you just the way you like"

"Oh good, so what? my heart is pounding!"

"Oh, just a moment, KO?"

A Mar takes the letter from the leather tote bag that Ba Maung Chain gave him when he returned from Germany, as a gift.

He instantly took the letter she handed him and read it with great interest.

"What?"

He exclaims excitedly, and as his and A Mar's gazes meet, he smiles proudly at her.

"WoW! amazing! Than, this is indeed great news! congratulation Than, congratulation.!"

He then takes A Mar's hand and kisses it repeatedly.

The letters contain a deliverance instructed by the ministry, as designated by the Colombo Plan, to undertake a Diploma of Child Health Programme in England.

Nyunt had already completed the programme prior to A Mar. The Colombo plan is a Southeast Asia regional intergovernmental initiative that yearly selects students and sends them abroad to attend various professional programmes.

"But it's two years."

"Yes, Ko Ko, that is why we need to talk about it; honestly, I am honoured to have been chosen, but I am not happy about it; I don't want to go at all."

"Please pardon me. You don't want to go, are you? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you know?"

"I don't think it's going to work out; I'm going to tell the minister No, tomorrow, and I hope someone more deserving gets it."

"You must go, you have to go."

A server came in between them with the order, which A Mar had already made since her arrival.

"OK, sweetie, two chocolates and one box of cookies for takeout, OK? Thank you very much." A Mar order again for takeaway.

"I simply don't want anything to happen while I'm away, you know, KO?" The conversation continues.

Ba Maung Chain takes a drink of coffee and says nothing, and then all of the sudden he says - with a weird eye.

"What are you going to do if you die right now, right now?"

The question startled A Mar.

"What do you think we should do?"

"I'm not sure, I can't do anything then."

"That's it! You can't do anything, damn the consequences, we'll make it, why are you concerned? We'll all be alright in the end, so just go!"

"I know you want me to, but"

"But what? This is not about buying a damn slipper or scarf, you must decide clearly, sometimes you have to be selfish in order to bestead, I want you to go on board, to learn, to experience, and to open your eyes, you must go, this is not a request, this is my demand, my command"

As a wife, A Mar is interdependent with her husband, and she values his wisdom and direction. Even now, A Mar is anxious, but she knows that no matter what she says, he would press her to pursue the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

She answered yes with a convincing nod, and he then grabbed her hand as a compliment, and she burst into tears of joy.

"Oh, my darling, this is a time to celebrate, not to cry, come on dear, I am going to tell you all about England, and I am going to show you on the map where you must go to visit and experience, and I promise I will behave myself, OK, I try my best not to fight, argue, or confront with your mother, I promise, I know that is the only reason holding you back, Right?"

"YES"

And he smiled at A Mar, implying that he would keep his word, and they left the lobby and walked down the lake's stroll pathway, closely gripping each other's waist. And, as the sun sets in the west, A Mar feels that they both should have had this sort of experience a long time ago.

A Mar leans into Ba Maung Chain's chest, and he softly kisses her cheek; she scents her husband's French cologne, and she will never forget the look of her husband gazing longingly from above to her eyes, joyously. A Mar, while excitedly tearing and smiled at him.

✹✹✹