My Alchemist (the Mythical Zawgyi of Myanmar) Book I

Chapter 3

It's been 3 full moons since I first saw 'him' at the lake. And he never left my mind or my heart ever since.

With time, I've come to realize that he is non other than the famous alchemist from grandma's stories.

The infamous "Zawgyi".

I slowly started to realise it, judging by the way he could conjure magic at his own will and how he could fly. Not to mention his obvious choice of color in his clothes and most importantly, his magic staff.

I couldn't believe how I ended up meeting such a being in real life and that I was completely, deeply and madly drawn to him.

I wandered around the lake every now and then since I last saw him, hoping to meet him again. And it was in vain for the first couple of days.

However, with time, I came to realize that he only comes around during a specific time of the day ; around sunset.

So, I ended up waiting at the big oak tree everyday, at noon, hoping he might come by, so that I could catch a glimpse of his ethereal figure.

And my heart sings, every time I get to see him.

One time, he almost caught me peeking up on him, but a rabbit came to my rescue. He picked up that little bunny in his arms and caressed it gently, completely oblivious to my existence.

Oh, I could see the kindness in his eyes.

He even healed its injured leg with just a touch of his staff.
Maybe you can fake a kind act in front of people but you cannot fake a gesture where no one's looking.
He didn't need to be that caring towards that animal.

So I thought,
Grandma might be wrong.

Maybe these Zawgyis aren't so condescending.

Maybe he wouldn't detest that much if I go out to greet him one day.

Maybe...,

I swear, one of these days, I will pick up my courage to go talk to him.

The village ladies said that I'm one of a kind beauty myself.

Maybe.., Maybe he won't be offended that much about me.

So...it went on for months, me, my daily strolls to the lake for no reason and my secret love for the mythical Zawgyi.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Mi Mwae..why have you been leaving the house everyday?" asked my mother.

"I...I don't know what you mean mother"

"You know that I'm your mother right?..tell me where have you been going every day around sunset?"

I peeked over to my mother and found she's serious about my outings.

"I just figured I need to take a walk mom"I tried giving out a white lie.

"Don't try to fool me girl..."

Mother approached closer to me.

"Are you seeing a boy?"mother asked staring straight at me.

"Boy..!!"I startled.

"Mom...that's hilarious!"

She narrowed her eyes giving me an untrusting look.

What if I told her that it's not a boy, but a Zawgyi?

She would beat me up right then and there.

So for now, I tried to feign everything.