A few days back, Su submitted an application to a semi-government organization in Yangon for her internship. Through a letter, she's been invited for an interview the day after Rafiq left Yangon. The letter has mentioned that her primary responsibility is data entry. She will be given wages on daily basis. Later a monthly salary will be considered, once the job becomes permanent, depending on her skill and efficiency. Usually nobody gets a job so quickly before completing the diploma course. However, Su’s case is exceptional. Su has been thinking about it after reading the letter. At home in her bedroom she keeps the letter on the computer table in the corner. With unsteady steps, she goes to the bed and lies down. Since the departure of Rafiq, a kind of waeriness has gripped her.
Nearly three months ago, Rafiq and Su went through their matrimonial vows in the Buddhist temple beside the Lake Inia. The only witness to the event is the priest of that temple. Anxiously, Su keeps thinking what role Rafiq will play if his family refuses to accept their marriage. She can do nothing if Rafiq denies the marriage, because the marriage hasn’t been registered for being afraid that Su's father may find out.
Su's mother always keep's Su's bedroom tidy and well decorated. The furniture may not be very expensive, but anyone having a glimpse of her bedroom has to praise Kim's taste. Kim purchased the furniture for her daughter’s bedroom so that it matched with the off-white wall and the floor made of white marble. There’s no dust or dirt. Everything is in tiptop condition.
Su's been lying in her snow-white bed with her eyes closed. The after effect from her morning breakfast is still lingering in her tongue and stomach. The familiar sound of her cell phone kept on the side table beside her brings her back from the trance. Finally, she extends her hand and picks up the phone. Rafiq's number on the screen drives away the depression from her heart. She brings the phone to her ear and in a low voice says, “Hello sweetheart, I couldn’t imagine you were going to think of me so soon after leaving Yangon.”
Rafiq’s voice reaches her ears from the other end. Su feels like she has been living to hear that voice for ages. Rafiq says, “My dear, you are always on my mind. But circumstances don’t let me express it.”
“How long did it take to reach home?”
“Almost a day and a half. There wasn’t any problem on the road other the time it took. What are you doing at the moment?”
“I am in bed thinking about you. I have a news for you,” Su smiles a bit after saying this.
“My dear, your sweet voice is the best news to me. Anyway, tell me what you want me to hear, my ears are all yours.”
“I have secured a job at the Yangon gas distribution company. I’ve just read the letter they sent me. For the time being, they’re hiring me on temporary basis. Hopefully, the job will be permanent in a short while. Then I’ll try to secure a job for you in the company.”
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“Su, I don’t think I’ll be returning to Yangon. The situation at home is not very pleasant right now. Apart from that, mother has started looking for a bride for me.”
Abruptly, uncomfortable silence prevails between them after Rafiq finishes. Rafiq hoped Su would say something, but she doesn’t. At one point, Rafiq hears the muffled sound of someone crying. He keeps wondering what to say to console her. He clears the clumsy sensation in his throat and says, “Su, you have to understand the situation. You can’t break down like this, not now my dear. Don’t be scared, I will never leave you.” After a brief pause, he resumes, “Okay Su, do you think I should inform my family about our marriage? I don’t know what to do.”
Su stops crying and says, “I think you should inform your family about our marriage. Make sure it stays within your family. Even by mistake, my parents must not guess what’s been going on between us.”
“Alright,” Rafiq agrees. After a brief pause, he adds, “I wanted to talk to you about one more thing.”
“What is it?”
“Yesterday, the troops from a nearby army camp took into their custody my elder brother and my uncle’s younger son.” He then describes the whole incident to Su.
A few moments pass without any words from Su. Then he hears Su’s voice from the other side, “Sweetheart, I will try my best to get your brother and cousin released from detention. Right now, I’m not sure exactly what I will be able to do. You know my father very well. The gas distribution company has asked me to join within seven days. I have to meet my father before that. I’m sure they will be released if he intervenes. The big question is, will he intervene? Anyway, whatever happens, don’t kill yourself over it.”
Then Kim enters the bedroom. Su manages to terminate the phone connection before Kim comes closer. However, Kim had been standing behind Su’s bedroom door before she came in. The door was slightly open, she could hear Su crying. Kim has entered the room to find out what her daughter is up to. Kim is eager to find out with whom Su has been talking to. Even if she could not hear Rafiq, she heard everything Su had said. Su has secretly married someone and it is also clear to Kim that Su’s husband is in trouble.
Su can’t help being surprised seeing her mother enter her room at this time of the day. Kim ignores that and stares at Su. Su feels like her mother will burst out in tears any moment. In a confused tone she asks her mother, “Mother, what happened to you? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Kim doesn’t answer her questions. Obstinately, she asks, “Who is he?”
This time tears roll down Kim’s face. In a stiffled tone, she says, “You know very well who it is I want to know about. I’ve heard everything from behind the door. Now skip your excuses. Tell me, who that scoundrel is. Is it his natural trait to kidnap young women?”
Su sits on the bed with her head held low in front of her mother. She keeps quiet for a while and then answers, “We finished our diploma from college together. Sun is a very gentle and nice man.”
“What do his parents do? Where do they live?”
At this point, Su decides to come up clean with her mother. She blurts out, “His parents are Rohingya Muslims. They live in the RuthiDaung district.”
A terrible cry comes out of Kim’s mouth when she hears the word Rohingya. Both her hands start shaking. Su takes her mother’s hands in hers and makes her sit beside her.
Kim keeps whispering, “Su, what will I tell your father? What will happen when he hears about it?”
“There’s no need to tell dad about it.”
“Today or tomorrow, the truth will come out, what will happen then?”
Su holds her mother’s face and looks straight into her eyes before saying, “We’ll see when it leaks out. Now come out of your nightmare. Tomorrow I have a plan to go to Sittwe to meet dad. I’ll come back a day later. Keep yourself in one piece till then.”
Kim stares at her daughter. All of a sudden, it makes her feel like someone has set fire to her whole body. A thin layer of sweat has enveloped her face. Promptly, Su closes all the doors and windows, and turns the air conditioner on.