University of Phonaing - Rainy Night Dream

Part (1)

Sister from a past life

Tenfold bond

Mom and Dad

The Himalayas

Every time I go up

Maung Thar's side

With one hand

Golden handshake

The body is shaking.

Entrance to the cave

They arrived together.

He is in front.

With the air of a king

If you are, then

It's still there.

(1)

Looking out the glass window of the train, you can see the green fields and the hailstones that have just begun to fall.

It was the beginning of the Thadingyut month, and the rice fields were already waist-high. Looking beyond this emerald sea of ​​rice fields, swaying in the wind and swaying, I could see the Bago River in the east, as if it were a misty, misty landscape.

As the train slowed down, the sound of a clatter, the kind you hear when crossing a large iron bridge, was heard not long ago.

Under the bridge, I saw a brown stream flowing furiously and heaving.

“That’s the Phoe Tha Aung Bridge, Tu Magay, on the border of Tharyarwady District and Pyay District. In fifteen to twenty minutes, we’ll reach Paungthi.”

The old man in front of me, about fifty years old, spoke, and the woman, who was called "Big Sister," was about thirty years old, with fair skin, dark, flowing eyelashes, a prominent nose, and a face that was both beautiful and steadfast, smiled politely, showing her white, even teeth.

“Ah...we're going to Paungthi Aung, thank you for letting us know in advance, but I'll continue on to the sand dunes…” he said.

"Yes, ah...we've only spoken in private, let's get to know each other before we part ways. My name is U Thein Maung, and I'm...the owner of the machine..."

The young woman smiled. Her smile was bright but calm and dignified.

“My name is Dr. Ma Thet Yi, I am a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Yangon University. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

U Thein Maung's eyes widened in surprise.

"Dr....Dr. Ma Thet Yi, a doctor means you have a doctorate."

"The word 'professor' is too lofty, but it's still used as a term today..."

U Thein Maung nodded and commented, “Well... times have changed a lot.

Back then, was it really rare to have a doctorate? All you know is Dr. Ba Maw, Dr. Ba Han, Dr. Thein, and then your cousin, Professor Dr. U Hla Phu, who would become a teacher, there were only these great people.”

“Yes... Master U Hla Phu is our teacher, yes, he is our father, he is a great and inexhaustible benefactor.”

“Well... well... it's a pleasure to meet you. Seeing a woman like you have a doctorate degree makes me happy for the future of Myanmar. I wish you happiness while you are visiting the region. The people of the region are very friendly. Now... now... take your things, my dear.”

U Thein Maung politely interrupted and turned his face to the newspaper. Ma Thet Yi thanked U Thein Maung.

As a former world traveler, Ma Thet Yi had prepared in advance, so she didn't have to pack anything until she got off at the station. However, she had one important matter to attend to. That's why Ma Thet Yi was grateful to U Thein Maung for his understanding.

Ma Thet Yi pulled out a piece of paper from her notebook. She had to write as best she could in the motion of the train, so her handwriting was not neat. But it didn't matter.

Ma Theri smiled faintly, folded the paper, and put it in an envelope. Then she addressed it. The train was not moving very fast, so it was not difficult to write.

“U Min Lwin, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Secretariat, Yangon”

After sealing the envelope, Ma Thet Yi put it in an empty bag and started to pack and prepare everything. After finishing everything in a few minutes, she sat down and looked out the window again.

Ma Thet Yi was a little excited to come to Paungsing.

Through a fellow writer and lecturer, Ma Thet Yi got to know many writers, poets, and artists from Paungthina. The beauty of Paungthina that they described was breathtaking.

Green fields, lush forests, dark mountains...

But Ma Thet Yi could not see these beauties clearly, because the rain outside was already pouring down with great anger and bitterness.

The train slowed down again and crossed a small stream. It was entering Paungthi town.

The train started to enter the city from the side of a building that looked like the police station. At that moment, U Thein Maung looked up from the newspaper and spoke.

“Since this is my sister’s first visit to this area, I have to ask, what kind of people will be waiting to meet me at the station?”

“Yes, I am staying at the house of retired Justice Minister U Min Khaing. I will come and pick you up.”

“Ah... U Min Khaing, huh... So don’t worry even if there’s no one to greet you. They know who to ask at the station. Well... I’ll tell you the context. Your Paungthina area was famous during the Saya San Rebellion, so some people think that Paungthina people are tough and ruthless. Well, when it comes to matters of the Wan Thanu, you’re tough and ruthless, but in normal times, your people are very polite. That means even if there’s no one to greet you, don’t worry about anything, right?”

Ma Thet Yi had to say “Yes sir” out of politeness, but she was deeply moved. The people of this region seem to be very proud of their region. The writer Thaw Ta Swe, who was a close friend of Ma Thet Yi, once wrote proudly.

"Gasconia in France, Scotland in England, and Paungthina in Burma"

Whether what "Brother Swe" said was true or not, Ma Thet Yi was truly thrilled to have arrived in Paungsing...

Before Ma Theri could finish her thoughts, the train arrived at Paungthi Station.

Ma Thet Yi said goodbye to U Thein Maung, pulled out her leather suitcase and other belongings, and got off the train.

When I got outside, the rain was heavier than I expected, Ma Thet Yi said.

The strong wind was blowing hailstones everywhere. It was still midday, but the rain was dark and seemed to be late evening. The sound of thunder drowned out the sound of the trees swaying in the wind.

When she found the letter in her bag, she put it in the mailbox and stood on the platform of the station, looking up.

I don't know if it was because of the rain or because there were fewer people getting off, but the station was empty.

Ma Thet Yi was a little worried.

It's a good thing that a stranger has arrived in this land amidst this rain, this wind, this water.

Ma Thet Yi sighed and braced herself. She had traveled far and wide, even in foreign lands, hadn't she?

At that moment, a man in his forties approached Ma Theri.

“Excuse me, sir, is this Dr. Daw Thet Yi?”

The man's question made Ma Thei happy, and she quickly looked at him before answering.

His appearance was noble, his dress was honest and neat, and his manner was polite and respectful, and he had a calm and steady demeanor.

Ma Ther Yi smiled calmly and replied, "That's right, my name is Ther Yi."

“My name is Soe Hlaing, I am the steward of the great master U Min Khaing. The great master gave me this letter for you.”

As she took the letter that U Bo Hlaing had handed her, Ma Thet Yi glanced at his face. Judging by the way he called her “teacher,” it seemed that U Bo Hlaing knew her well in advance.

The handwriting on the letter was that of U Min Khaing, whom Ma Thet Yi clearly recognized. There was nothing special about the letter. U Min Khaing had to leave for the country on an urgent matter, so he would try to return today, but he would not be able to make it before the train arrived. If he did not, he would be asked to forgive him and to trust the treasurer Hlaing.