December 2016
Our small town is situated in the upper part of the Sagaing Region. One thing that sets it away from other towns is its serene and bracing winters..
At 5:00 AM, the cold is bone-chilling, yet you can catch blurry glimpses of people offering morning alms along the roads. With the heavy mist, walking only becomes comfortable once the light improves. You can spot the early risers out for their morning walks, and the rhythmic chanting of diligent students reciting their lessons echoes through the air.
By 7:00 AM, the sun finally emerges, revealing the whole town, though the fog hasn't quite lifted yet. Since there's only one main road and not a single traffic light, the area around the town's only municipal market becomes packed with people on both sides of the street.
Those who fear the cold would rather stay wrapped in blankets with socks, gloves, and woolly hats, or perhaps huddle around a small fire for warmth.
But as for a girl named Phue Ngone Thit Lwin—I notice her every morning, clad in countless layers of thick sweaters, power-walking with great determination.
Today, I had to head to school early for my second-semester exams. Her exam was scheduled for the afternoon, so we couldn't go together.
I filled my stomach with a piece of warm, soft Paung Tin (bamboo-steamed sticky rice) dipped in oil. I've always had a weakness for snacks made from glutinous rice. Htamane, Kauk Nyin Htop, Paung Tin, Kauk Nyin Paung—these seasonal delicacies possess a flavor that can only be truly savored in winter, a season that feels like living among the clouds.
Once I finished daydreaming about my favorite foods, I got ready for school. I decided against wearing a thick sweater; I was worried I'd break into a nervous sweat inside the exam hall and end up feeling too hot.
I said my goodbyes to my uncle, aunt, and the little one. Even though I'd been going to school alone every exam day, I still hadn't quite gotten used to it. I glanced over at Phue Ngone's house. She was just getting ready to wash her face. When she saw me, she flashed a smile.
....
At 12:00 PM, Nyein Min Thaik and I emerged from the exam hall. In true top-student fashion, he immediately flipped through his textbook to check his answers. This is the one downside of being friends with the smart kids.
"I got two questions wrong!"
And so it begins. As for me, I think to myself: I tried my best. I might not be at the very top, but I'm definitely above the middle. I tend to look on the bright side and accept things as they are, but this guy is different.
"I shouldn't have missed those! I'm so annoyed with myself!"
I patted the exploding Nyein Min Thaik on the back to comfort him. One thing was certain: my marks were always lower than his anyway.
"It's not the final exam. You can fix your mistakes later," I said.
To an outsider, it probably sounded like I'd aced it. Only then did Nyein Min Thaik pack his books into his bag. Since I don't have a habit of carrying books on exam days, I was only holding a bundle consisting of a pen, pencil, and ruler tied together with a rubber band.
The leaves of the large Flame of the Forest tree near the office were already starting to turn yellow. I didn't head home right away; instead, I sat down on the wooden bench beneath the tree. The cool December breeze couldn't penetrate my dark blue sweater.
"Are you going back for the December holidays?" Nyein Min Thaik asked, sitting down beside me.
"Yeah... I'm going back."
"The sports competitions are coming up. Aren't you going to compete?"
Nyein Min Thaik knew I loved sports. Actually, I'd made sure he knew—boasting about my athletic ability was the only bragging right I had.
"I want to, but... never mind. I'll just go home."
Nyein Min Thaik didn't push the subject.
"Let's head back then. It's getting hot."
"Mhm."
"Ride with me on my bike. Since you aren't with your 'little sister' today, you'd have to walk back alone."
He was smiling as he said it, but it was a bit mischievous.
"What do you mean, 'little sister'?" I played dumb.
"Phue Ngone Thit Lwin, obviously. You're always sticking close to her."
I waved my hands dismissively. "We're just... ordinary friends."
He looked skeptical. "Is that so?"
"I'm serious!"
Nyein Min Thaik just laughed and teased me the entire way back.
Since tomorrow is the start of the December break, I began packing my things. As someone who loves going home, I planned to leave as soon as the sun came up, hitching a ride on the motorbike my family would send to fetch me.
While I was busy packing upstairs, I heard the little one laughing downstairs.
"I bought some snacks for you, Angal!"
"You're so kind, Ma Ma! My brother never buys me anything..."
Hearing Phue Ngone's laughter as well, I headed downstairs.
"Koko, Ma Ma is here!"
Angal bit into a chicken wing and scrambled away from me, as if he were afraid I'd snatch it from him.
"What are you doing here? Did you come to see me?"
We sat together on the wooden floorboards near the kitchen. We'd been close for months now, and Phue Ngone dropped by occasionally, so the elders in the house didn't find it unusual anymore.
"Yes, I did."
"You didn't bring any snacks for me, did you?"
Only after I practically begged did she hand me a chicken wing. It was quite a bit smaller than the one she'd given Angal.
"Satisfied?"
"Mhm."
I didn't eat it right away; I just hooked it onto a nail on the wall nearby.
"I'm heading back home tomorrow."
"Wait, really? Aren't you joining the sports competition?"
"So you remembered what I said..." I sighed, leaning back slightly with my hands braced behind me.
"Of course I remembered."
"I'm not competing."
"Even if you aren't competing... can't you come and cheer for me?"
"Huh?"
My exclamation of surprise was probably a bit too loud.
"Why do you look so shocked?"
"The way you look..."
Before I could even finish my sentence, she crossed her arms, pouted, and turned her face away.
"What? Do you think I'm not capable?"
With her frail frame and constantly pale complexion, she looked like she'd topple over if the wind blew too hard. Forget sports—she didn't even look like she knew the meaning of 'exercise.' And here she was, acting all serious and asking me to cheer her on.
Looking at her, I had to stifle the urge to laugh.
"I didn't say that..."
"If you didn't, then come! The competition is the day after tomorrow, okay?"
I hesitated, wondering if I should stay or keep packing. Should I stay for her?
"What, you don't want to come?"
"I'll come, I'll come! Now uncross your arms and stop pouting. And turn your head back—isn't your neck getting tired?"
Only then did she turn back and give me a bright, beaming smile.
"What are you competing in?"
"The 400-meter. Actually, I didn't plan on it, but the teacher put my name down because there weren't enough participants."
"I guess you're a teacher's pet too."
She gave a wide, toothy grin that made her eyes practically disappear.
"Have you ever competed before?"
She shook her head gently. "Is it okay if I just reach the finish line? I'm not doing this to win a prize."
She probably didn't remember that I'm the type of person who won't even show up for the ceremony if I only get second place.
"Winning is up to you. But if you're serious, let's practice tomorrow."
"We have to practice? Can't I just... run?"
"No. We're practicing tomorrow."
"Hey! I'm the one competing, not you!" she shouted at me, so I shouted right back.
"Because of you, I'm going home two days late! So, we're practicing!"
My aunt just laughed at our bickering. Angal, finished with his snack, was already playing with a ball. Phue Ngone covered her ears as if she didn't want to hear another word.
That night, I borrowed my uncle's phone to call home. I had to tell them I'd be late returning, though I mixed in a few white lies.
"Dad, can you come pick me up the evening after tomorrow instead?"
"What happened? We already have everything ready here!" My dad's voice boomed over the phone, loud enough to burst my eardrums.
"Dad... I just want to ask my friend Nyein Min Thaik about some lessons I don't quite understand yet."
I felt a twinge of guilt for lying to my father, and for using Nyein Min Thaik's name as an excuse. I didn't dare tell him the truth. As long as I didn't say anything, he'd never know.