Chapter 15

Before they kicked off working, they were available the whole Sunday. Thus they happily consulted to visit Pintaya and around the town. Dun and Nobel Lin were just participants who agreed to their plan. When they entered the city, Nobel Lin was comfortable as he got enough sleep. During the break, they got down to eat Shan noodles but Nobel Lin ordered warm tofu with rice noodles.

By the time they arrived at Pintaya, they had to leave their bus at the mountain base and hired a mountain car to go up. Before they did, Dun was responsible for washing Nobel Lin's face and limbs carefully. Now Dun was resentful that he brought Nobel Lin.

"Noh Noh, are you feeling better?"

Ma Thi worriedly asked Nobel Lin and he answered her question by nodding his head.

"If the elder asks you a question, you have to give an oral answer, Nobel Lin."

Dun couldn't help but get involved and told Nobel Lin. So, Nobel Lin looked at Ma Thi and gave a firm answer.

"Yes."

The ladies on the bus swooned over Nobel Lin as his chubby cheeks made them feel tingling.

"Come, Noh Noh. Hold my hand. It's dark in the cave. Even if you are not lost, I'm afraid you might slip if you aren't careful."

Nobel Lin obediently held Ma Thi's hand and headed out first. Dun now had no one to take care of so he just walked slowly from behind.

"Ko Dun." (Ko is the same like 'brother' in Myanmar culture)

Saw Thadar matched up with his steps and greeted him. He also returned with a smile. Dun was not stupid not to go with the flow the girl initiated. He was a man and definitely, he loved enchanting women like her.

"Oh, Phyu. What's up?"

"Eh.... I heard we have to divide two groups when we enter the town. So is it okay if I follow you?"

"No problem. I will tell Saw Yatu to go with Ma Nwae Thu Zar."

"Thank you. I'm a fresher in this hospital so please, take care of me."

She said, smiling beautifully and Dun replied to her in a quick-witted way.

"Certainly. We are always going to be together ."

Because of Dun's ambiguous words, it brought a blush to her cheeks. Even though Dun didn't like to be in a relationship, he didn't mind flirting with the girls since he was in high school. Nonetheless he had one girlfriend at high school, it led to troubles with Nobel Lin and even lost his parents in the end. Whenever he recalled, he was annoyed with Nobel Lin more than ever. If he had not run out and lost control on that day....

"Ko Dun, you really took care of Noh Noh. Are there only two of you?"

"You can say so. Actually, Nobel Lin is... Well, we two were left alone when our parents passed away. We still have one older sister. "

He didn't want to give a lengthy explanation that they three were nevertheless non blood-related.

"Oh my GOD! Noh Noh!"

When Dun heard Ma Thi's scream, he was shocked as she cried out Nobel Lin's name. What happened to him this time?

"Ma Thi, what's wrong?"

"Nobel Lin slipped. I think it's because he was beyond dazing. Show me where you are hurt."

Ma Thi helped the boy to get up and shook the dust off his knees.

"Tsk. Even the kids younger than you won't trip over. You should watch your steps."

Dun disappointedly told the boy.

"Ko Dun, he slipped accidentally. Don't scold him, please."

Saw Thadar Phyu negotiated between them. Although Ma Thi was silent, she didn't like the way he treated his brother as she had seen how Dun kindly treated the patients.

"It's okay, Doctor. You can relax. I will take care of Noh Noh. Come on, Noh Noh, let's step on Victory Ground and say prayers. Come."

Ma Thi dragged Nobel Lin who bowed his head the whole time. It's been a long time since he lost touch with Myanmar religion. While his mother was alive, she taught him how to say prayers.

Nobel Lin was in a Burmese posture of sitting with joined hands to say prayers and he looked like a snowball in his hoodie. Dun also said prayers beside them and then, they came out of the cave.

Nobel Lin was sparkly dazing everything he saw all the way. He had never been on a trip nor seen the beauty about the mountain town.

"Noh Noh, I will take a photo of you and the spider. Go upwards."

Due to Ma Thi's persuasion, Nobel Lin sat down quietly beside the spider statue. Compared to the Netherlands, it was not that cold but his cheeks and nose tip turned red in contrast to his porcelain skin.

"Oh, it's so cute. Come here, Noh Noh. You can come down now."

Dun raised his eyebrows because he saw how the boy obediently listened to Ma Thin, especially. If Dun said ten words, it was hard for the boy to obey even one word.

"I want to buy a Shan costume for Nobel Lin as I think it will suit him. Ko Dun, could you help me choose the costume?"

Dun accepted Saw Thadar Phyu's invitation. They got an orange Shan costume for the boy. On top of that, they even bought Paline( bamboo basket). Ma Thi also suggested buying a headdress and she helped out to choose it. Finally, according to the elders' plan, Nobel Lin became a real Shan young man.

They all put on casual clothes after taking a bath and most of them had a shirt with "Pindaya for remembrance" However, because of Ma Thi's decorations, Nobel Lin adorning with Shan headdress, Shan costume with Paline was charming and dainty.

When they cheered up for the team that was playing Shan drums, foreigners thought Nobel Lin was Shan and asked for photos. Nobel Lin without even smiling had to take photos with them for a long time. The doctors from other departments also thought the same way and they took advantage of the boy as well.

"Ko Dun, you should also take a photo with Noh Noh. You two will surely be cute as you two are similar to each other. Stand closer to Noh Noh. I am going to take a picture."

Because of Saw Thadar Phyu's conviction, he finally got a photo for remembrance at Pindaya.

They all took a short rest at the hotel in Taunggyi. Some people who wanted to visit other places went out to take a stroll. Some who wanted to rest took a rest at the hotel. They got a quad room so Dun and Nobel Lin had to share with Saw Yatu and San Min Myat.

"Noh Noh, I didn't get a chance to take a photo with you? Will you take a pic with me?"

When Dun heard what San Min Myat said, he glanced at him from lying down on the bed. He called Nobel Lin as Noh Noh. Since when did he get close to the boy?

"I'm also in. Let's take a selfie. Dun, come."

Saw Yatu energetically walked to them and invited Dun. At last, Dun got another photo with his roommates.

"I will sleep with Nobel Lin on one bed. If an extra bed is sent later, you two can sleep individually."

When Dun said this, Saw Yatu looked at the boy.

"Can Nobel Lin sleep on one bed with another person?"

"It's fine. We are used to it."

Dun replied and took Nobel Lin upstairs to take a bath. Seeing this, Saw Yatu commented that Dun was a considerate brother.

As night showed up, it got colder. Thus, Dun asked the boy to wear a winter jacket and give the medicine beforehand. Dun could hit the sack only when he's sure the boy was in Dreamland. Dun learnt what it was like to go on a trip with Nobel Lin.