Chapter 6

Chapter 6

She was completely stunned by his present at the old lady’s door. She saw him waiting for Om-Rie to open the door. She thought she would pretend she did not see him by trying not to make any sound, still she was well-remembered. He suddenly addressed her.

“Hello, Lina. What a coincidence!” he happened to smile at her, “do you live here?”

"Oh Hello. What brought you here?” she almost smiled.

“I’m delivering a letter for Om-Rie. It seems no one home,” he said with the letter dangling.

“She’s always home. Let me try,” said so, Lina looked at the door and started knocking it. She told her it was Lina waiting outside. Then not too long, footsteps were heard and the sound of door opened. The old woman came out to see Vichear waiting outside with the letter in his hand. She invited them in. Lina wanted to refuse, but it was too late. Om-Rie had already walked back into the house. Vichear gave her a sign as if to say “after you”. She went in quietly. They were showed to the chairs and told to be seated. Lina noticed that the old woman looked quiet and pitiful. Normally she was more vigorous, energetic, and annoying, not today though. Vichear handed her the letter whose sender was from England. Om-Rie did not even look at the letter. She remained silence for a while and finally asked Vichear to read for her. He wrote that he apologized for not being with her and went to Europe instead. He said he was fine and would graduate a year earlier than his plan. His grade was excellent and would graduate with honor a month later. It was unexpected and he was told right after his coming back from Europe. He sent his kind love to his mother. The letter ended. Suddenly a broad smile flared up on Om-Rie’s face; the room seemed brighter and more joyful for the owner.

“This is unexpected,” blurted Om-Rie with joys.

“Unexpected joy. Congratulations, Om-Rie. Your son is coming home with honor,” said Vichear.

“I can’t wait,” said Om-Rie.

“Finally he’s back to you. I’m glad for you,” said Lina while patting her shoulders.

Om-Rie quietly proceeded to the balcony, looking down to the crowded street of busy people. The house seemed so spacious and quiet. Vichear looked at Lina as Lina glanced at him. Their eyes met. She immediately averted her gaze by looking to different direction while feeling as if the sight was still fixing on her. She bit her tongue. She felt she could hardly to breathe. She wanted to stand up and walked to the balcony, but it was so strange she could not even get to her feet. What is happening to her? She was confused. Her behavior could not hide from Vichear. He thought he saw her blush.

“Where is your house, Lina?” he finally broke the ice.

She felt weak but tried so hard to muster the strength to answer him. “It’s on 4^th floor,” she said this without looking at him, “I guess it’s about time.” She got out of the chair as she finished saying it. She went to Om-Rie, saying goodbye, and walked to the 4^th floor. Vichear, whom she did not notice, followed her steps. She unlocked the key and was about to get into the house when a voice was uttered: “Don’t you invite me in?” It was Vichear smiling with human flesh. She would wish a million times for no moment like this; this situation was not what she had urged for.

“I’m afraid not. I don’t think you want to step into a house of the only one member, woman. It’s rude and easily rumored,” said Lina as turning round.

“I don’t have to feel guilty if nothing wrong,” he answered with utmost smile. Still keeping his walk up to Lina.

“I’m afraid, sir, that I can’t. Have a good day!” Lina tried to pull the shutters to be put up. She could not. The shutters got stuck and did not move. Vichear laid his hands on hers, looking at her eyes. She struggled to free her hands off his, but it did not work. He kept it a few minutes like this, and then he helped to put up the shutters. He smiled.

“You will let me in one day, I promise,” his smile was broader, “don’t forget to dream about me tonight.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but there won’t be such a day, nor will such a dream,” she was furious. How rude he is! We only met twice and this? It was beyond her tolerance. She walked into the house with her head shaking, throwing her bag on the desk. Never a thing like this had ever happened to her. Ever. It was the first time and there was no denying that it would not fade out from her head for a long time.

 

Lina staggered into the apartment, throwing her-light-self into the snug bed. Her heart was still pounding; she pressed upon her chest as though making sure if it really pounded hard. Was it because of him, or was it from the surprising thrill? She inhaled deeply. Overwhelmingly bewildered. The thrill made it, she decided. But she just could not figure out Vichea’s weird behavior. He gave her the impression of being reserved, quiet and calm—the way he politely offered her friend, Vanna, and herself at the dinner at LOMORNG restaurant, the way he kept his quiet distance at the mean time. She had convinced herself that she was not attracted to him. And now this? The picture he touching her hands came into her view again, “No,” she almost shouted to herself. It was the first time she remembered a man really grasping her hands firmly like that. She shut her eyes and let time fly away into the night. Relentlessly. 

Chapter 5

5 The Lonesome Neighbor

It was 8 a.m., yet Lina was still in bed, dozing away. Thanked God, it’s Saturday; otherwise, she would have asked her boss to take a day-off from work. With a tipsy feeling like this, was just not in the mood for work; she felt badly sick, like a hangover; right, a hangover where her colleagues made her drink last night at the birthday party. And she was not in the mood to read either. She would not want to drink again; with that hangover it really killed her day. 

An hour later, an old woman living downstairs brought her a pot of traditional herb, which she boiled with the water for Lina. The Chinese-looking old woman drank it everyday instead of jasmine tea, and said the herb was also effective in the remedy of hangover. Lina painfully crawled to answer the door.
“I saw you came home late last night. A little drunk,” the woman made the silliest grin, acting like it was her duty to look after Lina instead of her mother. “And I bring you this magic medicine! Happy?”
Annoyed, yet appreciated for a moment like this, Lina embarrassingly managed to return a smile and let her in. The woman entered the kitchen and poured the herb tea into a glass for Lina. Her behavior was without the least hesitation, would make anyone on earth think she was the mother, or at least the closest relation to Lina, which was actually not.
“A girl should not drink until you get drunk. You should stop working if they make you drink at work,” strongly advised the old lady, “if I was your mother, I would make you quit working there.” She said as if she knew everything about Lina’s work. “Right, the thing is your mother should live here and take care of you,” she said it with eyes largely open as if it was the best idea in world she could ever come up with. Lina took the magic tea with a smile on her lips, but did not say a word. Old people liked to talk, especially a lonesome woman whose son was overseas studying, had to live by herself like her. She must have been missing her son, so let her act as she liked; moreover, in such situation that Lina helplessly suffered from the hangover like this. Her head still hurt.
“Have you had breakfast yet?” the woman started fumbling about the kitchen, “everything’s in its place, which is a good thing, but like this; you must not have had the breakfast yet. I must cook it, or shouldn’t it be lunch instead?” she took a pan while speaking, as to cook rice, “I’ll take my vegetables and meat to prepare for meal here.”
Lina was startled out of headache, and gave a cry in spite of herself, “please, don’t bother yourself. I’ll go out when the pain ebbs away. Thanks for the herb, I feel much better now.”
“It doesn’t bother me a bit. I’ll have to cook for myself, anyhow. Let’s have lunch together today,” The old woman was occupied herself with rise cooking, paid no interest in Lina’s refuse. The girl thought it was undeniable, so she thought she would take a quick, chilly shower. The same old thing, let she did what she liked to. In the shower room, though, there were no shower facilities, but a small reservoir made from concrete, a plastic bowl and a copper bowl. She had her hair gotten wet with a few plastic bowls of water from the reservoir, and washed it off with hair shampoo. She thought the chilly water, or, maybe the herbal remedy had made her headache smart with less pain. She watered herself a few more bowls, and scrubbed softly her body with a nylon washcloth. She thought she would call her parents today, but maybe not today; they might realize she has a hangover. Suddenly her attention was driven by a nosy voice outside. “Is everything okay, Lina? I don’t hear a sound of water dropping.”
“Everything is okay. I’ll be quick.”
"Just take it easy. I’ll love to make it ready before you get dressed.” She poured a few bowls more of water on herself, rubbed her face off, drying herself with a bath towel. She finished the shower with brushing her teeth, and came out with the towel cloaking her body. The hangover seemed to have disappeared.
“Okay, get dressed now ‘coz lunch is ready, though it is a little bit early.” The woman pointed the table loading with food in the living room. How could she cook rice and food in twenty minutes? That she was in the shower about twenty minutes ago must have not been wrong.
“I’ll be ready in five minutes,” the girl mysteriously looked at the old woman, whom she usually called orm-Rie. The lunch was unexpectedly delicious. The pain also disappeared. This time, the girl thought, she really owed the old woman. She should still have been in bed, if not for her annoying, yet helpful offer. After the washing, Lina came to see orm-Rie sitting on a folding chair at the front balcony. Sad and worried she looked.
“Orm-Rie,” she paused, “thanks very much the tasty lunch. I must pay for the food.” Lina sat next to her. The day was hotter than usual, but the gentle breeze eased the heat of the scotching sunlight.
“Lina?” orm-Rie said firmly without looking at her, “do you miss your mom?”
Lina looked at her and firmly said, “Of course I do. I call her once every two weeks, and usually visit Battambong four times a year.” Lina softly put her hand on hers, “your son misses you too.”Orm-Rie did not answer, but continued looking down at the crowded street with students and others rushing home for lunches and businesses respectively.
“You know...I want him here during his summer vacation, but he said he wanted to travel in Europe.” She said it sadly. Lina, somewhat, could understand the lonesome mother’s shadow for she used to undergo the same things with her mother when she left home. Her mother seriously thought she did not miss her because she had not had many chances to visit home during the first two years in university as used to be.
“I could not say for your son, but he thinks about you all the time if you ask me,” she thought she had to do something to encourage the old woman. Annoying though she was; she was only lonely.
“Now tell me, does he call you often?” she sounded with a cheering voice.
“Once a week,” said orm-Rie.
“Wow, he misses you more than I miss my mom. See?” the girl managed to laugh cheerily.
“But, you see your mom, at least, four times a year.” The woman made a wry face, longing for warm comfort.
“It’s because we live in the same country. If I am abroad, I don’t know if I could visit her, even once a year.” Lina softened her voice. The old woman took a deep breath, and turned to Lina.
“Do you think he cares for me?” And without hesitation, Lina replied, “Absolutely yes! He thinks a great deal of you, and he’s worked hard to study abroad because he wants to make you proud. He decided to travel to Europe, probably, because he thought he had no other chances to do it when he left England.” She smiled at the woman gently, and continued, “It’s by no means because he doesn’t want to see you.
”Suddenly it made orm-Rie smile spontaneously. She put her other hand on Lina’s. Lina, however, knew that orm-Rie only needed someone to talk to when she was lonesome and badly wished her only son back home. Orm-Rie had her husband pass away more then 10 years now, and what she had left was her only son, the treasure of her life, but her 25 year-old son left her about one year ago to do postgraduate in England. Låina did not know where in England he was studying, and apparently she had never seen him before because she had moved in after he was gone. The old woman retired from being a school teacher, and was now so lonely after the absence of her son. She was the first person who rushed into Lina’s new apartment before receiving Lina’s greeting. It was unfortunate that Phnom Penh city was not a place for an old woman to live by herself any longer. She did not know her neighbors well as she used to ten years ago. Lina, though not the person she was well aware of, was not the least person she called upon at the weekend. The girl, suddenly, stuck upon a bright idea; the woman needed relaxing.
“Do you swim?”
“I don’t swim, but I don’t dislike being in the water. Why do you ask?”
“Okay, prepare your swimsuit and wait for me. I’ll come to take you at 3 p.m.,”
“To where?” the old woman asked with doubt.
“You’ll know by the time I take you there.” the woman was wrapped with mystery. Lina took a book to read after the old woman took her leave. She opened the book and pretended to read while her mind was wondering why she bothered to do this for the old woman, who was not the most favorable sort she felt comfortable to be around. She wanted her to leave her alone, but now she was likely the one who drew their relationship closer. Liked it or not was no longer under her decision now.

At three, Lina went down to the second floor; she saw the woman waiting in front of the door for her with a big bag carrying in her arms. It was at that time, that Lina knew she did the right thing. She took the bag from her arms, stepping down to where she put her motorbike, and started it ready waiting for the woman.
“Are you sure you could still drive with me on it?” the woman felt a little ill at ease. The woman knew she was a little heavy for the skinny girl to drive her. Lina was uncertain either and told the woman to get on it. Thanked God, Lina’s motorbike was Honda Cub 90, which was strong enough not to become out of balance. Lina made sure to keep its speed low. Her motorbike took two of them on Kampuchea Krom Street, turned right once, then left to Russian Boulevard, heading for Water Park, a few hundred meters from Royal University of Phnom Penh. Orm-Rie was surprised to see the views along the boulevard where she had not seen since sending off her son at Phnom PenhInternational Airport. Lina made her put on her swimsuit and took her in the water with her in many sorts of pools, and on the open tube where they slid down the water slope and drank lots of water. First orm-Rie was shy and refused not to get wet, but after a few times in the pools, she got into the water without Lina’s invitation. Lina managed to get some food every time they came out of the water, and lay down on the collapsible chairs, watching children and others playing in the pools with pleasure. It was almost seven o’clock by the time they got home. The woman stopped Lina walking at her door, and said goodbye with the brightest thankful countenance. With a tired, yet honest smile, Lina walked up home. 

Chapter 4

4 HER WORK

Her motorbike stopped along Monivong Boulevard and parked inside of a fence of a small dark creamed-colored two-storied building whose doorplate written in English “Hope Org.” underlain by Khmer title. She was just in time as usual. Morning greetings were exchanged to one another as the girl was walking toward her desk, passing her colleagues. 
“Please check the new files on your desk,” a man with dark complexion in his 40s said, “they were filed away by our local agent in Preah Vihea province,” said so, he walked into his office. He must have been her boss, if not the directing manager of the organization.
“New files coming fast,” she said, a little sad somehow.
“Yes, things are getting worse lately. You might need to do fieldwork, meeting the victims over there,” the man spoke louder, afraid she could not hear.
“Tell me you’re amplifying the actual situations, actually aren’t that bad,” she always wished it was not so bad, as it happened, but nothing could change the truth, though; there were lots of HIV’s victims found in remote areas of Cambodia-Thailand border reported every single month. Mostly they crossed the border to work in Thailand with their determination to help the living of their family left in Cambodia, but it turned out that they usually ended up in doing drugs or getting infected with HIV without realizing it. To make the matter worse, it was too late before they knew they passed those infectious viruses onto their wives and newly born children. 

The girl studied each file carefully. There were victims’ photos attached on it, some of them including a few small children’s inserted between the papers, which striking her like a knife into the heart. Every time she looked at it, she sobbed herself out, and blaming everybody until there was no one else to blame, but her own, who seemed impotent to help those victims out of poverty, unemployment, and the contagious diseases. There were fifteen files, more than 22 victims in Preah Vihea province, desperately waiting for financial and medical aids. Her manager’s perception of the matter was right; his idea of sending her to visit them personally as to make things easier for her organization to decide whom they would select due to Hope’s financial competence. At work, Lina was a reliable person, and appointed to decide which HIV victims’ qualification met Hope’s requirements. It was the hardest decision to elect between the sufferers, but someone had to take over it and Linas was just the person for it. What she always put on her mind was to austerely take everything into account as to make her selection fair and square.

A female colleague came to her table with a stem of orchid, laying it on her desk on the papers.
“Happy belated birthday,” echoed the woman. Lina smiled with joy, but did not say a thing and got back to work. The plump woman flared a straight smile on her lips, standing there still.
“Bong Khar, please wipe that smile off,” burst into laughing, the girl pinched the woman’s chubby cheek, “what’s so funny, Bong?”
The amiable woman passed an envelope and a note to her. She told Lina that it was an invitation to an interchange of AIDS issues in Cambodia between NGOs and related agencies, which was held under the presidency of WHO’s regional agency in Cambodia. It would be held at Intercontinental Hotel, on the last Friday of the month. “And why do you take it to me?” she asked with doubt.
“’Coz our manager will be meeting one of our sponsors’ representatives from America that day. He strongly suggest you should go.” again, the smile flared up on her face.
“Do you think you can torture me with that ironic smile?” the girl opened the invitation card, and read it quietly.
The woman patted Lina upon her shoulder, and joyfully returned to her desk.
“Bong, does it count into my overtime?” though not loud, the girl hilariously burst in laughing again. She knew it, attending a conference or a party, though on an account of Hope’s representative, generally does not consider as working overtime. But, then something happened; the girl heard a faint voice flowing into her mind, with that, three hours overtime would be added. 
“My goodness, what’s happened to the man with a heart of stove?” surprisingly echoed in return. 
“I thought you knew it, a-Na, that they put him in the lion cage."
They heard a burst of laughter spread throughout the room. The plumb woman saw it was about five thirty in the evening. She told Lina to call it a day, and got ready to attend a birthday party their colleagues'd prepared for her. 

Before leaving, she looked out over the office with a thought of thankfulness and the decision to have chosen to work for Hope at the beginning. The main reason she picked Hope, was to help her people who were weak and poor along the borders of the country, who had been ignored by whose eyes being shut. It went without saying that an outstanding student like her, without fail, was offered some well-paid jobs by private companies which directly came to take bright students into employment. She refused them, though. She used to take work shadow program in her second at a bank following by a voluntarily work at NGO in her third year, and what came clear to her mind, was that she enjoyed working for the NGO, rather than at the bank. She thought she was lucky when she applied for Hope Org. and was informed that she was accepted one week later. Her parents could not agree where she would be sending to remote areas and doing research, so she decided to take on office job instead. The girl, however, did not seem to have given in and quietly hoped some day or other she would be approved to engage with those people in person.

Chapter 3

Lina lived by herself on the third floor of an apartment, a French antiquity probably built during French colony, laying on Kampuchea Krom St. about a half mile away from the central market, Phsa Tmey. She bought the apartment one year later after she graduated from school, at four thousand dollars out of which three fourth was borrowed from her parents. It was agreed that fifty percents of her salary would be monthly return to her parent. It was a little hard on her as to cope up with paying the loan and the cost of living; however, she was inexpressibly proud to see her name on the legal paper of the apartment’s ownership. 

Although the apartment was built in the 50s or 60s, it had survived the brutal massacre, Khmer Rogue regime and it, strangely enough, did not fade the ancient beauty which left no marks of the tragic wars. Lina bought it for it was nicely repaired, with a length of fourteen meters, a kitchen, a bathroom next to a bedroom, a living room, and a balcony; futhermore it was located in the heart of the city, both convenient to where she worked and to the shopping centers. One inconvenient thing though was that she had to leave her motorbike in an acquaintance’s house on the ground floor and paid him fifteen thousand riels a month. She, however, was very satisfied with the view of the city, especially with bracing breeze through all the entire year on the balcony where she loved to spend her time at night. Her parents allowed her to live there by herself for some reasons; one the apartment was triple locked,　helping her to be independent was another. Lina was born in Kompong Som Ville, but moved to Battambong province since she was 5 years old, where her parents kept a stationer’s shop, which was probably the biggest shop in town. It was when she passed junior high school's graduation exam with an honor that her parents decided to send her to study in Phnom Penh, since which she had learned how to do things on her own.

She could not still believe it she let Vanna give her approval to the new guy’s dinner invitation. She thought Vanna was a bit blunt, and it was not her duty to accept the stranger’s invitation. Harmless though it seemed, it was out of interest. Her mind was shaking with the thoughts of the stranger while doing her washing with a clothes brush. Her unsettled mind let the brush scrub her own hand. As if to Awake her from the blank thought, she heard her mobile phone ringing in the living room, where she had put it on a wooden desk, the desk made from neang nuon, her favorite tree. She quickly washed her hand, and dried it with a towel hanging on the clothes line, and ran for the phone.

“Vanna?” she saw her friend’s name appearing faintly on the screen.
“Haven’t gone to work yet?” sounded with caring, she continued, “sorry, I might have upset you about the dinner date with the man,”
“Not your fault, though. You just want to be friendly with him,” Lina, however, could always remain calm with her girlfriend because nobody knew any better that her friend did not mean to disappoint anyone.
“Shall I call it off? I can always do so ‘coz I have his number,” Vanna might probably have been scrupulous in her girlfriend’s uneasiness concerning the appointment with the stranger.
“Please, don’t. I always want to have dinner at LOMORNG KHMER; you’re expecting it with pleasure, aren’t you?”

So, after all she had to meet the guy again, Lina thought. She could cancel the appointment anytime, but she chose not to. She did not want to hurt her friend’s feeing by doing so, or probably including the man’s feeling and his good intention as well. Ah yeah, it was no doubt his good intention, it must have been. Decided so, the 22 year-old girl went to back to her washing and dried the clothes in the sun, by hanging them neatly on the line near the towel. 

The sun rising a little high where she could tell the time was around 7:30 in the morning. Most Cambodians could tell time from the height or the position of the sun. They were growing and trained that way. Time to work, she thought. She came out from her room with a long blue skirt and a shirt blouse in pink, closed the front door, grasped her briefcase, and locking the double back doors. The girl said good morning to her neighbors while running down stairs. She needed to walk across the jammed street in order to take her motorbike. The weekdays’ activities were repeated the same, almost at the same time, was an immutable rhythm of her living.

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Her House

"Have a sandwich a few bites before leaving?" Lina offered her friend a rest before moving forth. "Thanks, that's a good idea. I am so tired; a ten-minute break will help a lot." She said softly, trying to reassure that she was not going to load her friend another weight breaking her frustration. Giving a few more breaths to her late friend to inhale, she excused herself to the rest room. Restoring herself to soundness, her eyes happened to bump into a strange man in front of her, Vanna started to wonder. A tall, handsome guy sharing a table with Lina? That is likely questionable, she watched him again and again from his head to his hands lying on the table, and his mouth busily biting his sandwich. So doubt, but was not brave enough to ask before Lina coming back. She drank her coffee Latin, but kept her eye on her opposite seat’s stranger. Her brown big eyes rolling up and down as she moved her beautiful charming face anxiously. In her 21 years old, Vanna was very attractive with big brown eyes, long nose, natural pink lips and long black glossy hair; she was about 163 cm a bit taller than the average height of Cambodian women, but still shorter than her girlfriend. Honestly, no one could refuse to see such a beautiful scene while it came so closely to them. Vichear, while biting his sandwich and drinking his coffee to the last drip, tried not to look at her now and then; he could see the differences between the two women he had just met at the last hour. One looked reserved, while the other was cheerful; however, as long as he had observed so far, the two shared a common friendly character. "You must be Lina's friend.” Surprised at this question, Vanna blurted out what lingered her mind for the last few minutes, “Who are you? What are you doing here with Lina?” He showed his big grin, made his interlocutor thought like what on earth he was grinning about, for awhile. Is it the air of depravity or arrogance? Hope so, Vanna thought alone. “I am Vichear, just known your friend an hour ago,” He smiled, “nice to meet you,” He heard she replied with her doubtful breath. "Yes, I am Vanna. Nice to meet you, too,” Then her face tilted her head close to him, and spoke in tone he could scarcely hear, “actually, I need to treat her today as my apology for being so late." She laughed, but did not sound too aloud, just like one of those adorable ladies. “Do you think she gets mad? I’ve promised her not to be late today. It's her birthday. I failed to keep my words again." He put his coffee cup back on the table, leaned forward and whispered. “I can't read her face. She looks more serious, but carefree somehow. Well...what I can really tell is that...she seemed to have enjoyed reading the book all alone here, had it not been for any interruption.” Vanna smiled hesitantly with suspicion, “An interruption?” A big smile reappeared on her face, "Don’t tell me you’re talking about yourself." There was no another word, though. Silence does mean something and at this very moment their quiet smiles did corroborate it.
Lina walked toward the table slowly and gently, smiling at both Vanna and Vichear, truly from her heart without obliged attitude, making her smile more naturally sweet. Beautiful, Vichear who saw it, had to admit. She would have looked more fantastic if she were able to smile as she did now, he accidentally thought it alone.

“How's it going, Vanna?” Lina sat back. “I'm great. Alright, er... it’s a bit early. Happy birthday to you, Lina! Here!” Saying so, Vanna handed out a beautifully ornate box to Lina. “Open it, Lina!” The amazed girlfriend opened the box carefully with glittering, almost watering, eyes. It’s a white tea cup with colorful flowers pattern, baroque antique like. It was written Lina’s name in the bottom. She held it up and looked at it slowly. Things seemed to move in slow emotions here; even Vichea seemed to hold his breath. Thanks, Vanna. You do know how much I love drinking tea. “I do, Lina, I do and I’m glad you like it.”

The girl put the cup back into the silver box and managed to smile at her girlfriend gratefully. Happy time elapsed fast, but stayed in a person’s heart as long as it could. It happened quickly, but time likely remained still. As deep as it could be in her reflection, her vision met the guy’s gaze, without warning, which was fixing on her. The austere air was what she came to her by osmosis; she was not the one who made an affectionate overture to this stranger, though.

Outside, the sun was bound to ask for a twelve hours’ break, abandoned the earth, no, probably was abandoned for darkness to make life on earth as regular. The three young people were still sharing the table although there were other tables here and there become vacant. Coffee was drunk. Sandwich was eaten. A great number of words and smiles were exchanged. There was nothing left, except noise and laughter drifted about the air in the room. It was about time. “If you both would allow me to ask for dinner today, I should feel very much honored to this small token of new friendship, “ When asked out, usually, Lina would find it a paltry trick, unlike her girlfriend found it rather arduous to reject an offer or refuse a demand. “It doesn’t sound any better, does it?” charmingly seduced her girlfriend. Lina, however, found it rather bashful in such situation. To say “no” is to insult her friend, but to do the wrong way around is against her policy. This guy has a lot of guts to have asked a virtuous girl like Lina. She, eventually, knew it as it happened the way it did. Apparently, the man possesses benign persona, still..., “I’m afraid it’s a disturbance; besides, I’m a little tired today,” Without hearing another upcoming word, he was convinced of the reluctant answer, but he would have these new friends-to-be sharing a dinner nevertheless. “It doesn’t have to be today, though,” cutting in her lines, he continued, “what about next Sunday, at LOMORNG KHMER restaurant?” His speech was in all seriousness for sure. It occurred to him that the encounter was a fluke, and the characteristics he found in their behaviors were another, in a way of his insipient curiosity, or even an enigma he’s ready to be a part of.

LINA, MY LOVE

Lina 

Chapter1
Someone would say she looked so serious and quiet when they saw her alone while someone else would say she was too noisy and exciting when she was among her friends. Someone usually had different impressions upon her personality. She smiled, but also acted so apathetically toward any of whom not involved. You might be welcome if you happened to ask her something you wanted suggestion or necessary information; on the contrary, you might be completely ignored through her strict eyes behind her face if you happened to ask something personally. No wonder, you would think she was kind of stuck-up, and to your frustration, she had no reaction to your unsatisfactory thoughts regarding her characters. It didn't matter when there was no one approaching and talking to her while she didn't like to do it and not it mattered too much even when she knew she was totally ignored by the crowd during the party; she would volunteer whenever she felt like it was necessary. She was counted to be likely difficult to understand and there seemed a lot of things you had to learn about her if you wanted to know her more closely.

It was such a simmering Sunday afternoon when she went out enjoying herself in a quiet Cafe shop not much far from one of her friends' workplace. She often killed time by reading some kinds of books while waiting her friend from overtime Sunday’s work. They could not meet as often as before since they were done from school. She ordered a cup of lemon tea as usual, not more than a cup of tea though, as she took most of her time and mind focused on her book. No Motive. First detective novel she had chosen to read. It was not too thick though, about 200 pages, a pocket-sized book, very portable. Once she opened the book and started reading, she was very much known as insensitive to outside world, deeply falling into a world of unaffected reality. Could I join the table with you? I am just wondering if I could sit here because the others are totally full, Miss...? For the second time a young man around 23 years old, challenged to beg for a seat. Like a cool water splashing on her head she was awaken again to join a very nice, chilly, peaceful atmosphere of the Cafe and took a squint at the mysterious young man. "I'm sorry, but are you talking to me at the moment?" Who else, he whispered to himself at a limited tone which couldn't be heard by our absorbed reader. "Yes, I want to know if I could sit here or not because there seems no more seats else left except here." He urged her curiously, no doubt, trying to pledge her for the seat. She looked around for a second to see no other seats left as he just mentioned, “I can see that. Please use the rest seats here, but remember to leave one for my friend who will be right here in 10 minutes." She carefully lowered her voice as much as she could avoid revealing any annoyance in her intonation. A faint smile reappeared on her face as he said thank and dropping his slim body on a round seat next to her. He looked at his watch and then called a waiter to order a cup of a coffee and a harm sandwich with fresh crisp green slice-tomatoes. He looked so hungry; again and again he stared at the counter, and then the waiters as if blaming them for not taking his food as quickly as it should have been served. It occurred to him that he was given some times before meal, he actually laid his eyes on her, but was amazed at the indifference to his action, "You are all attention to the book." Again she did not pay any attention to his conversation, but at least could hear what was just being commented, "Detective story calls the entire concentration. Everyone knows it, you bet." She closed the sky blue book, and took a sip of her lemon tea, looked up at a square creamed-color watch on the wall; it pointed 4: 20 pm. "Otherwise, perhaps you don't like reading novels, do you?" Asking him with less interest, or even not hoping to have his answer to the question, she had her eyes’ sight outside of the shop, looking for a supposed-to-be-coming friend. What keeps her so long today, she thought. "Almost not," Said so and turned his attention to the waiter carrying him his coffee and harm sandwich on the tray, he continued, "I don't know much about novels." That looks rather like you, looking around the shop once again, as she spoke to herself. "So, do you often come here?" He changed the subject. She took another sip of the tea, which was almost run out of. "Every free time I can find. What about you?" She likely showed her interest in the late conversation he had broached. "Not much different from you. I am Vichear and you?" She paused a second, looking at him with more interest. "Lina. A novel regular reader," she challenged him and gave him a random grin, "my friend must be too busy today. She's never been too late like this," Holding up his sandwich in the air, he offered her a share. Clumsily. No, thank you, she answered gratefully, showing determination in her eyes through the shop open terrace, searching earnestly for her only date. Waiting to the last minute she thought she was about to get up and walked out of the Cafe, as a young cheerful-looking, slender girl with long black hair bound in pony tale rushed into the Cafe and peered her neck as if looking for someone she had kept waiting for ages. "Hi Lina! Sorry, I am so late." Not expecting Lina's reply, she ran into Lina's seat and cuddled her frustrated friend as tight as this young girl could not move another inches, like one who had never met her for hundred years.