Modern Myanmar Maiden

Thin Thin is a young modern Myanmar maiden. A wee bit fashionable with her hair dyed Brownish Black, not totally Brunette. Her hair is cut short with a touch of punk, at times seems as though a bit unkept. Actually, she paid a lot of money and spent long hours sitting in the saloon to achieve this look. In her line of thinking, it was money well spent. She also wanted her nose pierced but refrained from doing so, as it might discriminate herself when applying for a job. She also dons on more slacks, jeans and dresses short and long, compared to htameins. She is good looking, with a figure to match, fair, out spoken and a personality second to none. On graduation with an Arts Degree reading Philosophy, she applied for a passport and flew to Singapore to enrich her empty coffer and brush up on her English at the same time. She knew that there were not much openings back home with her qualification. Thus her new found bravery to venture out all alone to seek for greener pastures. Thin Thin just turned 20 when she left home to stay with her three friends, who left 3 years ago to become student nurses. Home in Singapore was a rented three rooms HDB apartment, level four in Clementi Avenue 3, block 448 near the market, 10 minutes brisk walking to the MRT station.

Thin Thin enquired with her friends, checked in the Strait Times, Classified Section and Today’s daily newspapers for available positions that might suit her. After a week, she was already scraping her empty coffer again and she owed a few hundred dollars to her friends, and also did some walk in interviews as well. The best she could muster was a sales girl position at Robinson Department Store in Raffles City. The job was five days week shift job, but at least it paid her bills. She was assigned to a Cosmetic Counter as a temporary under a Malay girl, her supervisor. She enjoys the position as she was allowed to use many well-known brands of makeup and be their real life advertisement.  Thin Thin looked at herself many a time at mirrors by the cosmetic counter. Should that were not enough, she would view herself by the nearby sparkling glass counters. If she really needed more, she venture into the ladies wears section and takes a long deep inspection of her body in the full- length mirror. There was no end to passing comments of her own, in her mind. Face looks okay but needed to attend to her eyebrows. Her nose does not look flat or too pointed. Lips were full and maybe she ought to change the colour of her lipstick. Boobs may not be up to par but important thing it was not sacking and in full bloom. Not a blemish on her skin, which satisfied her. Arms were firm and her stomach was flat. Her legs were not fat, thin or flabby, and it was soft and shapely with not a hair sticking out.  She takes every opportunity to view herself, at times she makes a private joke saying ‘ mirror, mirror on the wall, I’m the prettiest of them all ’ in her thoughts. She liked that and squeezes out a slight smile, not too plain for all to see.

Days passed and at least she can now sleep nights. All four girls slept with a slim mattress on the floor side by side, similarly to a dormitory hall. They share all costs equally, including food, household, gas, PUB (Public Utility Board) bills, and any other common expenditure. The girls kept a list for all to follow. Cleaning, cooking, washing up and keeping the toilet in a sanitary condition, for all to do was according to the roster of the week, pinned outside the bathroom below the light switch. Each time Thin Thin showers, she check that her figure was prim and proper and not an ounce of extra fat in the wrong places. She knows that she has got a decent body and she aims to maintain it this way. This was her selling point. No compromise on this count.

After two months, her S Pass has been approved and she got the hang of things at Robinson. There was still a small outstanding amount, which she intends to finalize it in her third month. After that, money was all hers. The expenses at her digs, was minimal with most free time spent in their HDB (Housing Department Board) apartment.  Washing of clothes was done altogether in the landlord’s supplied washing machine if the load was acceptable, however ironing were done by themselves at their convenience. They had a lot of visitors sometime they would have a cook out during weekends. Most of the visitors were single young men, doing their part of sizing the availability market. They were a mixed lot, students, sailors, construction workers, programmers etc etc. Somehow they did not click for Thin Thin, they seem to her as shopping for a wife with love as a side dish. She did laugh and have a nice time with them, but that was it, no further did she go.

At work, she noticed a young lady would venture into the department store around lunchtime and browse through the cosmetics and lady wears during weekdays. This young lady was a regular supporter as far as she could make out. Maybe she was killing time during her lunch breaks, as she was not holding any packets or shopping bags. After about a month, the young lady in question approached to her directly and posed a question.

“ Please do not think I am impertinent, I think you are very beautiful and wondering whether you would like to share your evenings with me. I can sure give you a good time that you will not regret or forget.”

Thin Thin was shocked but she was taught to be cordial with the customers and thus replied with a smile, “ Why thank you ma’am for your kind offer, but regretfully it’s not my style. Why don’t you try some other girl?”

She was clearly shaken though. 

The young lady smiled back in return and walked slowly to the direction of the main entrance. Thin Thin cannot help but force a smile. It takes all sorts to make this world go round. This experience was not something she would like to share with her colleagues in the store or friends back at the apartment. It did give her a fright though, she said to herself that she was attracting the wrong gender and wondered whether it was the way she carried herself. She was not hard up for a partner, male or female, she was in Singapore to find her pot of gold and nothing more. She took another good look of herself in the mirror, on top of her cosmetic show case and criticized herself. She found that her features were not radiating similar to the ladies on Geylang Road and wondered why in the heck the young lady approached her. There was nothing she could do, but console to herself, and let the incident pass as it comes with the territory she presumed. When her relieving girl came, she again viewed herself in the changing room face mirror. Yes to be sure, there was no lustfulness callings or encouragements on her feature, but she was just pure and plain beautiful. Some passer by made a comment whether she was still not satisfied looking at herself in the mirror.

She just made a disgruntled loud remark, “I’m just looking whether I am in need of a haircut or not."



This reminded her to check out the saloon near the market beside her HDB Building.  Maysi said cutting hair was S$15/- only, she will size them up and see whether the barber knows how to cut the in crowd style she wanted. No use wasting good money if the lady was not up to it, cheap or otherwise.

On the MRT train during her way back to Clementi Station, her stomach was hinting sounds and then realized only that she was famished. That also reminded her that it was her turn at the stove. Fish to be cooked, and not fresh water at that. She was still thinking how to suppress the fishy smell and whether to add carrots and ladyfingers, to make the curry more interesting. Adding some tamarind might be the answer. Cooking was not one of her favorite chores but she does cook a mean dish or curry.  No dispute on that. Actually, when one was hungry, everything tastes good, come what may.

The department store was running back to normal. Thin Thin did not spot that young lady again, at least during her shift that is. She tries to eat the cheapest item on the canteen menu saving money was her main agenda. One day, a young man approached to her, she had seen him before but does not know from which department. She did not check further, not to be seen as much interested in him, which she clearly was.

He said, “ Hi, I’m Kelvin from the mans’ wear. May I offer you a cold drink from the food court?”

With an uninterested aloft face she replied, “Okay, on some days perhaps.”

That started the ball rolling. He said that he is from The Philippines, and studying Civil Engineering at the (NUS) National University of Singapore. Two years completed and now taking a year sabbatical to save enough money to continue study at UCLA (University of California Los Angles) in The United States. As his family is from the slums of Manila, this was the only way of obtaining the capital he required. His statement impressed her as he showed no false pretenses and since he was also not bad looking, neat and presentable, she said to herself that he was worth further assessment.

Off and on she let him buy a few meals and after about eight weeks elapsed, while enjoying a small snack at the staff canteen, Kelvin posed a question, “ Thin, I know a great place where they serve a mean chili crabs at Clarke Quay, will you please join me next Saturday evening?”

Thin replied with a not too eager expression, “ Okay Kelvin, just to make you happy, see you at six in the evening outside Clarke Quay MRT Station next Saturday.”

That said, they both attended back to their respective positions to serve the customers. She as usual took another glance into the mirror on top of the cosmetic showcase. Her lips were fine, so was her mascara and makeup. While walking up and down by her cosmetic stand, she spared a thought about Kelvin. She does not know him well enough but she was willing to share her free time to assess him further. One can never judge a book by its cover. How much she should read, depended on him.  Saturday evening came and they met outside Clarke Quay MRT Station as rendezvoused. They first took an easy stroll into Diamaru Department Store and checked for bargains. Not found, they walked and proceeded back to Clarke Quay and sat by a table beside the Singapore River. The chili crab restaurant was packed, but since Kelvin made a reservation in advance, there was no hassle. The dinner was long and the chili crabs were great, so was the red wine, it complemented each other. There was no rain and the evening drifted in gently, the night was beautiful so was she.

Kelvin then had a question for her, “ There is a disco by the next lane called Starbright. How would you like to join me after a quiet dinner at Clarke Quay next Saturday, say seven?”  

Judging by his fine gentleman etiquette she had no hesitation. Filipinos are well known good dancers and as such replied, “ Okay Kelvin, at seven as usual. “  Than enjoys disco dancing and looked forward to the time next Saturday evening on the dance floor.

At the department store she did not see him as work takes precedence. Thus no time for idle minds either. Come Saturday, Than chose a shining and sparkling blouse and a black sequenced skirt with her best high heels. ‘You only live twice’ Ian Fleming wrote, but she believe only once therefore she was ready to dance the night away, maybe up till wee hours of the morning too. By that evening, she met Kelvin at the designated time and headed straight for a European dinner by the river. The beef was tender and rare, so was the red wine. He must have bought two bottles. By the time second bottle was drained, it was already around ten. They joked and laughed, leisurely joined the crowds, which started to pour into the Starbright Disco. Once inside, they both hit the dance floor under the revolving chipped glass dome. They must have danced to four continuous records before they sat down by the dimly lit tables lighted by a single candle on each. Kelvin ordered a bottle of red house wine and with a glass in their hands, sat and watched the dancers on the floor. She felt Kelvin hand on her shoulders reaching for her breasts. She thought it was an accident and brushed it aside. Later on, his hands went for her skirt, only then she knew the full intent of Kelvin. She was a wee bit tipsy but not drunk.

She got up and said, “Thank you” and stormed out of the club with guilt and anger boiling inside.

She heard him say, “Anytime girl” while still sitting on the dimly lit side chair.

She took a taxi waiting outside the club for her apartment in Clementi. She was furious with herself. She should have known. She should have checked him out at the department store. Now she understood why the Malay girl was giving her the mischievous mocking smile. She could not tell her friends and get a sympathetic shoulder to cry on. She just has to bite the bullet. One lesson well learnt the hard way, she asked for this, no two ways about it. Next Monday at the beginning of her shift, she tendered her resignation. She needed a change of scenery, a different environment, a new set of colleagues. She knew that she would be a laughing stock behind her back, let it be and no use crying over spilled milk. Than had served a total of eight months there. If not for the unfortunate incident, she has no intention of leaving.

The interview at Takashimaya Department Store went well. It was brisk, very professional and with eight months working experience at Robinson, the job was hers. Before the start of the new job, she had her hair trimmed in an Orchard Road saloon which set her back S$43/- to her original style without tinting. The cut was nothing to shout about but the expenses did hurt her, she felt the pinch. Beginning of next month, at eight in the morning, she reported for work. At the staff entrance while clocking in, she was duly informed to report to kitchenware in Basement two. The floor was large. Her duty was in glassware section. The job was similar to the regime at Robinson. Than chores were nothing out of the ordinary and needed no rocket science. Takashimaya Department Store is the largest department store on Orchard Road, and also in Singapore. This department store also supplied uniforms similar to Robinson, thus eases the taxing on ones clothes. Pay and overtime rate wise were similar. The S pass was in order within two months.  After a year of service there, she took a week off to journey back home and saw her parents. Time rolled on without much further incidents. Than was quite happy and content in kitchenware department. Some of her colleagues were much older than her and treated her as their niece, which was nice like working in a family environment.  

One day, a man walked in, age maybe five, six years older than her, was describing by the help of his hands the item he required. On her way to the payment counter, she knew that he was from the home country by his accent.

In Myanmar she offered her help, “ Can I be of some help to you? “

He was overjoyed and said, “ Yes, thank you. I would like to buy a French made juicer, Moulinex brand, if possible? “

“ That’s a strange request as there are much cheaper other reliable brands from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China to choose from.”

He countered, “ Thank you for your enlightenment. The people I work with are mostly French and one or two from Belgium and Holland. The French are very nationalistic, I would like to give them a present as they enjoy a real fruit juice, organic if they can. I work for Medecins San Frontieres (MSF), and they arranged my second trip here for my amputated left foot to be custom made and fitted with an artificial one at Mount Elizabeth Hospital here.”

After a few moments she brought a red Moulinex fruit juicer, his face lit up and was all smiles.

She said, “ Here you are, a bit more expensive being European made, is it what you are looking for? ”

“ That’s just fine, I’ll take it. Thank you very much. Look, it’s lunchtime, will you please join me for a meal in the Food Court I hate to eat alone. No funny business that I promise. Outside of the Supermarket checkout counters?”

Than being a sporting type replied, “ Okay, catch up with you in fifteen minutes. “

Thus they met and made their way into the Food Court. She chose Japanese, as less oil. She settled for saba fish set lunch, which he joined.

They set down among the crowds and she enquired in all earnest, “ Tell me about MSF? Tell me how you lost your left foot? Do tell me your predicament? ”

While waiting to be served he replied, “ Well, MSF in English stands for doctors without borders. I work for them. One day, outside the town of Myawaddy by the Moei River, I was walking beside a dirt track with a colleague when he stepped on an anti personnel mine. We do not know whether the rebels planted the mine as they have the China made anti personnel mine also. We were checking the track for the doctors to go into towns and villages to treat patients with HIV, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The town is just inside Myanmar on the border with Thailand. My colleague died on the spot, I was lucky as I was wearing industrial boots, thus lost only my left foot well below the knee. Presume MSF felt that they were responsible, and attended to my wounds. They sent me to Singapore on their account for further treatment and transferred me also to work at their small office in Yangon. The physiotherapists and the people doing my left foot told me that the limp would be ever so slight and be as good as new. I will go there after lunch and again tomorrow for a final fit and fly back home the next day. That’s about it really.”

Than with a sad face said, “ You poor man and I can see that you hold no grudges against anybody, which demands stellar strength and you seem to have that. If it was me, I’ll make every living soul pay for my loss and make hell for all to witness.”

With that said, both tug into their lunches and washed it down with hot green tea. Then she made her way back to the kitchenware department and he made off to the Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Than was happy that she could be of some help to a fellow citizen, and to a person who did not dwell on his predicament, but picking up the pieces and choose to face life again. Than carried on working in Takashimaya and it suited her personality quite well. One day after being there for about a year and a half, she received a letter from her mother stating that her father suffered a stroke and he had diabetes also. She could not phone home, as the family does not own a house phone or a mobile. At the earliest, she rushed for the Peninsular Plaza level three Ye Yint store, where she remitted about S$1000/- to home through the back door channel. Then she wrote a resignation letter and settled all outstanding matters. She thence was on the next month flight back to Yangon. She has got an elder brother in the Mawchi Mines, Kayar State, about 40 km west to the Myanmar-Thai boarder, working as a Chemist, and for him to comeback was next to impossible. The access to transportation was somewhat questionable. She took it upon herself to be near her father and mother under the circumstances. Next month, she was back at home beside her parents. She did all the chores to keep the household going and relieving her mother of mundane matters. Seeing her mother showering her love, kindness, attention and doing all the dirty work for father with sincerity touched her deeply. Times like these, their undivided love for each other really shined and she was very pleased to witness that. At their age, sex was no more part of the equation and what she saw was deep love, pure and simple. Their love was beyond words and she understood now that love was more to giving than taking. Father labored all these years for his wife and family without a hint of the heavy load he was carrying. Now mother was giving all she could, if it meant surrendering her own life, she would undertake it, for father be back to his normal self. Than felt it in her heart and really understood the true meaning and value of love, which was total and undying.

She gave up work and concentrated on her father getting well. By about six months, he was able to walk with a stick and mother remained throughout beside him, no need to say what was required. Only then did she apply for work at the nearby Sein Gayhar Department Store opposite Hledan market, close to their house in Kyun Chan 2^nd Street, 5^th ward near the Hledan Railway Station. Sein Gayhar was only 12 minutes walk from her home. The interview was a walkover after working in Robinson and Takashiyama in Singapore. She was assigned to its supermarket on the ground floor. The pay was incomparable to what she was earning in Singapore. This was one sacrifice she had to make. As long as she was bringing money home, it was all well worth it.

One day while she was changing the prices on the tin products, she heard a voice.

“ Well now, are you not a wonderful sight for sore eyes. Who would have thought seeing you here in the flesh again? ”

She turned around. It was the man she met in Takashimaya about one and a half, two years ago. Now in his beige colour cotton pants and Hang Ten yellow tee shirt with not a hint of a limp.

She smiled and said, “ Hello, I see you are now doing fine. What brings you to our neck of the woods? "

“ I work not too far from here. My MSF Office is on the Pyi Road and I drop in here now and then to get a few things for my parents. I aim to get a few packets of Korean instant noodles to quench their in-between meals hunger. I am amazed with our strange fate. May I please offer you a dinner around here next Friday evening that is if you are free? What time can you make it? ”

Than looked pleased and replied,” That’s very thoughtful of you. Okay, six, outside the Sein Gayhar next Friday. See you then.”

That said, he walked to the next isle to get his instant noodles and she continued with her chores. She does not even know his name but extremely happy for him that he was coping with the ever demanding, life of ours today. That reminded her of a sick joke that went round the department store in Singapore. It was said that in the western culture, girls nowadays are seeking the five ‘C’s to consider for marriage. Meaning, to be considered a bridegroom, they are to have a car, cash, condominium, credit card and career. Such are the dilemma of our materialistic world today. She was sad to notice that it was not only in their cultures, but also in Myanmar such thinking was being adopted by some girls here also. A marriage of fair weather and convenience, if you like, they loved themselves most above all, quite simple. Not a mention or murmur about sharing love anymore. She said to herself that she might be modern in her thinking, the way she dresses, keeps her hair and being individualistic, and having views of her own, but when it comes to marriage, sharing love was still important to her and a strong believer in abstaining sex before marriage also. She said to herself that she still stands by the phase ‘ in health and in sickness, till death do us part. ’ Maybe no more their cup of tea, for the girls following that western materialistic culture, but there you are. Times they are a changing. Sad really.

Come Friday evening, he took her to an Indian restaurant serving only vegetable dishes and curries with one fixed price. Eat all you can, prices remained same. 

He started the conversation, “ Please do not think I am a cheapskate. I am not rich and cannot afford to take you to a high-end restaurant. By the way, my name is Myo Win, you can call me Ko Myo if you wish. It’s nice to see you again and what gives for you to be here? Or you rather not say? ”

While the waiter served rice and dhal curry onto their steel plate cum tray she said, “ Ko Myo no problem, take me to wherever you can afford, this is fine also. Hi, my name is Than Than and live on Kyun Chan 2^nd Street, near the Hledan Railway Station, just about 12 minutes walk from here. You may call me Than. I came back just over six months ago as my father suffered a stroke and mother was alone to help him in the house. I still left my CPF (Central Provident Fund) savings there just in case I decide to go back. Thus my reason for working in Sein Gayhar, near my home to ease the financial burdens. I am also happy to see your artificial foot is fine too.”   

While tucking into his rice mixed with dhal and vegetable curry, Ko Myo resorted, “ I’m sorry to hear about your father’s condition, so that’s why you are here. My father U Htay Win was a Sergeant Clerk at the War Office and about ten years ago, he built a wooden house on Thit Sar Street, off the Way Zayan Tar Road in South Okkalapa. I have only one elder brother, age 32, a Health Assistant, now stationed in Taunggyi, still single. I now live with my parents. My artificial left foot is fine, I don’t even think about it anymore, its second nature now. I do wear my longyi when I’m not working or at home since it is thin, roomy, airy and loose. Not too westernized, I’m afraid ”

They both laughed and tugged in, when bellies filled to the brim, he walked her to Hledan Railway Station and then took a bus ride back to South Okkalapa. Than liked him and they continued to see a lot of each other. By another six months, he was holding her hand. Than thought carefully about Ko Myo as once bitten twice shy. He’s an honest hard working guy, maybe five years older than her. He may not have the five ‘C’, but does love her immensely with a stable job. She criticized herself and found she also loves him and willing to share her old age with him similar to her mother and father. She does not know much about religion nor Myanmar classics but was willing to learn, he’s a stanch Buddhist and a lover of Myanmar classics. She was also willing to share with him to everything that she owns or to likely own in the future. 

One day while having their dinner by the road stall near Sein Gayhar off the  Hledan market, he posed a question, “ Would your mother and father mind, if my parents and myself make a call at your place next Sunday, say around ten in the morning?”

Than much surprised shot back, “ What ever for? "

While enjoying his hot pot Ko Myo replied coolly, “ To ask officially for your hand in marriage to me. "

Than sarcastically forced a smile and remarked back, “ While I shall not be too unhappy, I think my father and mother will also not be offended either. "

The hot pot was good.