“Maung Loon… Maung Loon… Hurry… Hurry…”
“Hey… Dway Lay…”
As Loon Yay Kyaw rode his motorbike into the yard of Princess Bagan’s house, Aunt Daw Hla Thay called him softly, signaling for him to stop. She called him “Dway Lay” because she and his aunt were close, almost like sisters.
Loon Yay Kyaw parked his motorbike and walked over to Daw Hla Thay.
“What’s wrong, Dway Lay?”
“The situation isn’t good, Maung Loon.”
“What happened?”
“Your Aunt Thaik is angry with you. You should check on her when you go inside.”
“Why is she angry? I haven’t done anything recently to upset her.”
“I don’t know either, but ever since Tama arrived, your aunt’s face has been clouded.”
Loon Yay Kyaw paused, thinking. Yesterday, he met Tama while dropping off Nansan…
“Ah, Jandaw… I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I’ll find her.”
He quickly walked toward the showroom. If Tama was here, she would likely be in the showroom.
“Tama… Tama… Yut Hway, is Tama here? Where is she?”
“You looking for Tama to have a quiet word, Maung Loon?”
The voice of Aunt Thaik came from behind, causing him to turn with a smile.
“Oh, Aunt Thaik! Have you eaten? I heard Tama is here, so I was thinking we could eat together.”
“Don’t be sly.”
“Ah, Aunt Thaik! You’re teasing.”
“Come sit. I’ve been waiting to ask you something. Answer truthfully.”
Aunt Thaik motioned him to sit in the guest room, adjoining the showroom. Being around her made him a little nervous because she had a strong presence.
“So, it’s true that you were walking with that Japanese girl yesterday?”
“Did Tama tell you that?”
“Who told me isn’t important. Just tell me whether it’s true or not.”
“It’s true, but she’s not Japanese. Her father is Burmese.”
“So, she’s Burmese then…”
“Well… her mother isn’t Burmese.”
“Stop going in circles…”
“Her father is Burmese, and her mother is Japanese, Aunt Thaik. But she speaks Burmese fluently.”
“What’s your relationship with her?”
“We’re just friends. I was helping her out.”
“What kind of friend is she? Explain.”
“Oh, Aunt Thaik…”
“Answer the question.”
“I met her at the balloon festival while I was accompanying Auntie Myo, and we got to know each other there.”
“So, she just asked for your help after that? You know what I’ve told you, right? Guests who come for a holiday are often carefree, seeking to escape their everyday lives. They easily grow fond of someone, but when they return to their real lives, they forget. That’s why I told you not to get too emotionally involved with guests. Didn’t I?”
“Aunt Thaik, you’re making it seem like a big deal. I was just helping out.”
“You call helping out walking with a Japanese girl?”
“I told you she’s not fully Japanese, Aunt Thaik…”
“Half, half… listen, remember, there are two types of guests: those who are just enjoying the moment and those who take someone along for a lifetime. There are men who follow them abroad, too.”
Aunt Khin Hnin Thaik’s words carried her own personal pain. She couldn’t help but remember Boon Kyaw, who left her to chase a fleeting romance abroad. She still felt the weight of her own heart, which once foolishly loved a man who pursued an escape.
“If you say she’s gone abroad, I’ll have to ask—this girl’s father is from Bagan, right? She looks like someone from around here.”
Aunt Khin Hnin Thaik’s heart skipped a beat…
“What’s her name?”
“Ah, Aunt Thaik, you seem shaken. Is she reminding you of an old love?”
“Shut up and answer, or don’t. It doesn’t matter.”
“Bo Htun Kyaw San, wasn’t it, Aunt Thaik…”
Bo Htun Kyaw San… could it be? Hm… Hm…
Aunt Khin Hnin Thaik thought to herself. If she’s married to a Japanese woman, it must be him, Bo Htun Kyaw San…
Looking at Loon Yay Kyaw, Aunt Thaik stared at him deeply.
“Come here, Maung Loon.”
“Yes, Aunt Thaik.”
“I’m going to ask you, and I want the truth…”
“Of course…”
“What were you thinking when you walked with that girl yesterday?”
“Haha, Aunt Thaik, are you asking because you don’t know or because you do know?”
“Don’t play games with me. Just answer honestly.”
“She’s beautiful, Aunt Thaik. She’s sweet and pure… You’d like her too if you met her.”
“And how do you feel now that you can’t see her?”
“I feel restless, Aunt Thaik. To be honest, I want to run off and meet her again.”
“Restless, huh? You fool!”
Aunt Khin Hnin Thaik snapped in irritation.
“See? I’m telling you the truth, but you still don’t believe me.”
“Calm down. Don’t get too carried away by those feelings… Just because you’re close with Tama doesn’t mean I agree with anything else.”
“I don’t have feelings for Tama that way, Aunt Thaik. I think of her more like a friend.”
“Feelings aren’t everything. There are plenty of couples who don’t work out despite feelings, and plenty who get along without them. What matters is harmony in life. I’ve felt those kinds of feelings before, but let me tell you, they don’t last. When you’re feeling them, your brain doesn’t think straight…”
“Was it Bo Htun Kyaw San, Aunt Thaik?”
“Hey! Stop with the jokes. You and Tama grew up together. You’re connected, and your lives are harmonious. Don’t go looking for anything else.”
“Tama doesn’t even like me that way, Aunt Thaik.”
“Why wouldn’t she? She does. That’s why she hasn’t rejected what I’ve said.”
“What if I ask her?”
“Go ahead, ask her, if you don’t believe me. Tama! Tama!”
“Yes, Aunt Thaik…”
“Come here for a moment…”
Tama came out from the kitchen with a calm demeanor. Loon Yay Kyaw felt irritated looking at her.
“Hey, Tama, Jandaw… what have you been telling Aunt Thaik?”
“I just told her what I saw and heard.”
Tama said calmly, sitting down across from Loon Yay Kyaw.
“There’s no loyalty among friends, I see. You only know how to stir trouble.”
“Keep your mouth shut for a while, Maung Loon.”
Aunt Thaik scolded, and Loon Yay Kyaw had no choice but to stay quiet. Tama, on the other hand, sat there with a neutral expression, wiping her hands on a wet towel.
“Well… Maung Loon and Tama, listen carefully. I’m speaking seriously now. I’ve already told both of you my thoughts separately, but now I’m telling you together. I approve of both of you. Before I said this, I’ve already thought it through. Now, what do you two have to say?”
Loon Yay Kyaw glanced at Tama, hoping she would reject the idea so he wouldn’t have to. He gave her a look, urging her to refuse. Reject it, Tama. You don’t even like me, right?
“I don’t have anything to say, Aunt Thaik…”
What does that mean?
Loon Yay Kyaw was shocked, staring at Tama, who seemed indifferent.
“Aunt Thaik… as for me…”
“Oh, guests are arriving! Excuse me, let me attend to them. Welcome, welcome! Good afternoon!”
Aunt Thaik hurried away to the showroom, leaving them alone.
He shifted closer to Tama.
“Tama… you should have refused. Why didn’t you?”
“I didn’t want to.”
“What? Do you like me or something? I don’t see you that way, Tama. I can’t think of you as my girlfriend.”
“If that’s how you feel, then reject me in front of Aunt Thaik. I wouldn’t dare oppose her…”
“Tama… don’t be a people pleaser.”
“I’m not. I’m just calm and staying as I always do.”
“Well, what if Aunt Thaik says you must marry me? Would you go along with it?”
“Aunt Thaik said…”
“What did she say?”
Tama paused, then reached for a teapot, pouring herself a cup of tea. She calmly blew on it to cool it before taking a sip, frustrating him even more.
“Tama, if you have something to say, say it now!”
“Calm down. I’ll tell you… let me finish this tea first.”
You…
