Chapter 17

Now, they have already done their work. However, there's one place left to visit - Inle lake. If one was in San state, he must visit Inle lake. That's why, their group headed there without hesitation.

They hired the motorboat and put the bags that were only necessary on the boat. Nobel Lin was standing near the shore and hesitant to climb up the boat. It seemed that Inle that was surrounded by water wasn't safe and sound for him who was scared of water.

"Noh Noh, come here. Get on the boat. "

Though Ma Thi called him, he bowed his head and took a step back.

"It becomes cloudy. I think it will rain when we get back from Phaung Taw Oo."

When Saw Thadar Phyu said this, they all looked up at the sky. Grey clouds were passing through the vast dark sky.

"Nobel Lin, everyone is waiting for you. The boat is safe. Come and get on the boat."

Dun, who was near the boat, stretched his hand to Nobel Lin. The boy kept a straight face and offered his hand too. Then, Saw Yatu who was already on the boat helped to pull the boy. After that, Dun let Ma Thi and Saw Thadar Phyu get on the boat first. He trailed them later. Ma Thi bought some snacks to feed the seagulls so she placed them into Nobel Lin's hand. While Nobel Lin was focusing on some seagulls resting on his hands, he was far away from noticing water surrounding Inle lake.

Saw Thadar Phyu's prediction was a little wrong. Before they arrived at Phaung Taw Oo, it suddenly rained. Due to the downpour, they had to open their umbrellas on the boat. Dun wanted to help the boy but there were two people between them so he couldn't even touch the boy. They couldn't hold their umbrellas for long because of the momentum of the boat and harsh wind. They could only afford to get wet.

Saw Yatu was aware of Nobel Lin who was clearly shivering so he took off his jacket and shielded the boy with it. Seeing this situation, Dun fretted over the boy. Was Nobel Lin freezing because he was afraid of water? Dun felt like he should have sat beside Nobel Lin. Otherwise he could ask the boy.

They didn't go to Phaung Taw Oo as they decided to take a break by having dinner first at a restaurant in Inle. Their stomach growling got louder when they observed the warm dishes they ordered. Nobel Lin's hair was soaked so he looked like a white mouse that fell into the water. His eye rims were red and had a runny nose too. One thing that never changed was that he sat quietly until his name was called out.

Seeing the boy, Ma Thi was itching to do something. Most of the dishes were Inle cuisine. The dish called 'stuffed fish(Ngar Doke Kha)' was presented in front of the boy and Dun could see that the boy furrowed his eyebrows. Immediately, Dun put the dish aside to Saw Yatu. Nobel Lin didn't eat fish.

Grilled king prawns with lime sauce was their favorite among the dishes. Saw Thadar Phyu placed one prawn on Dun's plate that Dun didn't have time to refuse. He smiled at her awkwardly and then, a fork picked that prawn up. The owner of the fork happened to be Nobel Lin.

"Eh..Noh Noh, you want to eat shrimp? I'll give it to you. Ko Dun is older than you so you need to offer him first. "

Saw Thadar Phyu told him softly and peeled the shells. Then, she put it on his plate.

"This is for you, Ko Dun."

After she gave one prawn to Nobel Lin, she proceeded to put one for Dun. Again, Nobel Lin took the one from Dun's plate and ate it up.

"It seems that Noh Noh wants to eat the prawn only from his brother."

Saw Thadar Phyu commented on the adorable boy who snatched the prawn from his brother's plate. Then, Nobel Lin said one thing that they all were momentarily stunned.

" Al...ler.....gic."

Nobel Lin uttered one syllable after one syllable.

"Sorry, what did you say?"

Saw Thadar asked him back and everyone's attention was on the boy who took a long time to speak.

"Dun is....allergic...to prawns."

"Oh!"

At the end of his words, Saw Thadar Phyu looked at Dun apologetically. Dun was moved as he heard the boy called him "Dun." He felt like his wish was finally answered. The name Nobel Lin called him was the same to others. But the thing was a person who uttered the name was different.

Dun felt warm deep down his heart at this moment. The warmth of a family. How many years had it been to feel like this? A small smile blossomed on Dun's face for a second.

"I'm sorry, Ko Dun. I didn't know that "

"It's okay, Phyu. The blame is on me cause I didn't tell you."

Dun returned with a smile and he took spicy dried pork with a spoon and placed it into the boy's plate. Nobel Lin didn't eat curry paste so he would eat more with a plain dish. After they finished eating and paying their bill, the rain had already stopped. They didn't get any extra clothes so Dun bought a coarse cotton towel and wrapped the boy with it in order not to get sick on the way back.

When they were at the Phaung Daw Oo pagoda, Nobel Lin obediently followed up Dun. He didn't even return a word when Ma Thi called him. When he shaked off Dun's hands and rushed off, Dun had to run after him. The boy pointed at the shop where the paintings of Inle lake were displayed. Now Dun knew the reason why Nobel Lin opted to follow him. Dun purchased the painting the boy wanted and at the end, he was also the one who had to carry it. He would reduce the marks that he gave the boy at the restaurant. Nobel Lin, you wouldn't change forever.

When they got in the car on the way back from Inle, Nobel Lin lifted his legs on the chair and sat with his legs tucked. It was icy-cold as the air conditioner was turned on. He was a little feverish so Dun had no other way than to hug the boy tightly. If Nobel Lin were a bolster, it would be the best because his skin was soft to touch.

Now they were on their way back home and the melody of "Lovebird's street" by Sai Htee Saing was played. Dun has been on this kind of trip a few times. This time, it was not a bit monotonous for him because troublesome Nobel Lin has come along with him. When they arrived at the hospital, he woke Nobel Lin and drove home. The boy was weary and exhausted so he fell asleep leaning back in the chair.

"You two are back?"

"Exactly, aunty. I'll carry the stuff upstairs tomorrow. For now, I don't feel like moving. Nobel Lin was sleeping in the car. Please, wake him up. I'm gonna sleep."

"Ok. Ok. Go and take a rest. "

Dun carried some stuff and went upstairs. His whole body was aching so he just wanted to lie down on the bed and rest. Dun felt like it was colder than before in Yangon. Even when he covered himself with the blanket, he was still bitter. Suddenly, he was aware of something warm beside him so he pulled and embraced it in order to feel less cold. Dun came to fall asleep only when he felt warm.