One Body Two Soul

6.

That evening I along with Fui went outside the village at a registration office to register for the substitute teacher form. I found an old man sitting at a desk inside a building and bowed to him. When I said I am here for substitute teacher, he gave me a form and asked to sit in front of him.

"Where did you graduate from?"

"I am currently studying engineering. I am taking a short break for a while and this is the proof of my academic leave."

I hand him some of my identity forms "Why does your last name sound familiar to me?"

"My father is the finance minister of the country"

"Ohh...then don't bother being a volunteer teacher. Your whole month salary can pay for a volunteer teacher for a whole year"

"But that's my family's money, not mine"

"Okay! Where do you want to teach?"

"Yumai village"

"Oh my! Do you know how rural and uncomfortable that place is? Have you ever lived in a place with no water supply and electricity?"

"No Sir"

"Have you ever cooked for yourself?"

"No Sir"

"Have you ever lived without a servant?"

"No Sir"

"Do you know how difficult it is to bring teachers to that village? Do you know how many has to lose their time in taking care of that teacher? If you are going there just for a while and come back it's a waste of time for everyone involved. If you just want a Instagram photo or portfolio for your resume, I suggest you to look for some other job"

"No! It must be that place only"

"Then answer me this, what is the most difficult thing for you?

"Even if something is difficult for me, I won't stop from trying to accomplish it.....Look Sir, I am serious about teaching and I am serious about that village. Please give me permission"

"Okay, I trust you. There was only one person who stayed the longest. Felt like she decided to settle in that village. But what a tragedy that took her away from us. Hope for you to stay as long as you can"

A sad look passes through my face as I remember the reason for Fu Hong's death. My hand automatically places on my chest and I sign. "Thank you Sir"

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After returning from the registration office I went to the village to meet the village chief. He was very excited to meet me and made sure I was welcomed in the village. He asked his wife to make delicious foods for me. I couldn't say no to him. I couldn't tell them I cannot eat spicy or salty foods. I know my doctor told me to not eat this or it might rile up some heart issues again, but I couldn't tell anyone about my surgery.

(Doctor : Your body accepts the new heart quite well. However, the heart still considers your body as foreign. So you need to take your medicine regularly to help control any rejection that may have. You must not skip the medicine's even for one day. These medicines have side effects though, it will weaken your immune system. So stay at clean places and eat healthy foods. Spicy and salty foods are prohibited.)

I was looking at the foods which were all salty and spicy. I had a nervous smile on my face and without thinking twice I ate the food with them.

When I was returning back I was quite not feeling well. I knew I shouldn't have eaten those food, but I couldn't refuse when they gave it so lovingly. As I reached my cabin I saw Yunlan sitting outside.

"What are you doing here?"

"Why are you so late? It's getting dark already"

"What's with you questioning? I can be wherever I want and can come home whenever I want"

"This isn't your city where you can come back whenever you want to. There is jungle surrounding us and it is very dangerous to be out after dark. If something happens to you I would be blamed. Your safety is on me as I am the forest ranger here. Don't go on doing whatever you wish to and give us extra work. I have more important work than run behind to take care of you"

"Fine, fine...why are you so cranky all of a sudden?"

"It isn't sudden!"

"What?....wait a minute....are you cranky because you haven't seen me the whole evening?"

"W-what? N-No....why would I even bother to see you"

I chuckle "Then why are you stuttering? Aren't you confident about your own words?"

"Stop with these nonsense chatter and get home. I have work to do"

"Fine! You leave and I will go in"

Yunlan was about to go but stops in his tracks. "Where did you even go to get such marks on your body?"

"What?"

"Look at your hands"

I raise my hands and see dark patches all over my skin. "Ohh...ummm...this....I was attacked"

"Attacked? Who attacked you? Do you know them? Did they hurt you? Where did you confront them?"

"Calm down! Calm down! I was attacked by the ferocious mosquitoes of this village. If I knew I would have brought mosquitoe repellent from home"

"Don't tell me you didn't use mosquito net?"

"Mosquito net? Is there one here?"

"It's in the corner of your room. Do you know how to set it up?"

I clear my throat and look elsewhere. Yunlan signs and walks inside the cabin. He finds the net and starts tying on all the four ends. After he is done tying he removes everything.

"Why are you removing it?"

"You have seen me do it. You know how to do it now. So do it yourself "

"Ass!"

"What did you say?"

"Nothing, I said thank you"

"Hmm...go ahead and tie,I will watch"

I pick up one corner of the net and try to tie the strings on the bamboo wall, but doesn't seem to do it right. Yunlan signs and walks towards me, traps me between his body and ties the knot. I turn around and find his face close to me. We look at each other's eyes for a while and the room temperature increases. It starts to get hot and we both start sweating. He immediately backs away and ties all the corner as if nothing happened just now.

"Do it right next time"

"Thank you so much, chief"

"I will leave now. Good night "

"Good night "

Yunlan hurriedly walks out the cabin and I realized I was holding by breath till now. I was sweating profusely.

"What just happened? Why did my heart beat like that...."

I walk to my bag and remove Fei Hong's diary. I open the page and read about her love for Yunlan.

"Your heart still beats for him Fei Hong. But, I am sorry I cannot help you on that one thing. Because, we both are men"

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