If I loved you

A danger foreseen is half avoided

'I have good news.'

I didn't call New last night. Mr Narawin arranged a new phone and SIM for me. I called pa and ma and let them know about my safe arrival in Australia and then switched off the old phone.

Who knows if he tracks my phone or not.....

'Have some breakfast first.' I made some porridge while Mr Narawin was working.

'Thanks. My wife is a good cook but I am not..let me have some......'

He just took one spoonful and his expression changed immediately.

'Mr Narawin? Are you okay?'

'it's so salty!' He spat it out and started to chug water.

'Really? But I put so little....'

I took a spoonful and tasted..

Yuk!

I gulped down with difficulty and apologized,

'I am sorry....my mom always cooks for me so I don't know how to.....'

'Ah ah alright. Let me order something.' He took out his phone and I remembered New's expression when his mom was trying to feed him. A smile started to spread on my face.

God I miss him! So much!

After having a delicious breakfast Mr Narawin told me about the good news. His friend who used to live in that village has heard that the village chief is looking for an engineer.

'Really?'

'Hm. That's what he told me. The roads there are in poor condition so they were repairing it. Everything was going well when a landslide happened and a few people got killed. The chief engineer was one of them. That's why the work is stopped for now. It won't progress until someone takes over.'

'Only an engineer? What about other people?'

'They already have a team. Do you want to take the job?'

'I....'

'My friend can recommend you. But you have to leave tomorrow.'

'New isn't leaving until Monday.'

'Even better. You go there first, build up some rapport and take over the job. This way he won't be able to drive you away easily. One more thing, after going there, both of you need to pretend that you don't know each other. Rangong is a small village, it's beautiful but full of hidden danger. Be careful. Trust no one.'

'Talk to your friend. I am willing to take the job. I am not much experienced in that particular field but I will do my best.'

'Are you sure?'

'Yes.'

'Then go ahead and take the job. Give me the necessary documents, I will send them to him tonight. I wish you good luck.'

......................................................

So next day I went to meet the man who's going to refer me. We met at a shabby restaurant. He was a middle aged man maybe a few years older than Mr Narawin. His personality wasn't very pleasant and he doesn't like to talk much. I couldn't get much information from him, only that no one is willing to take this job because of the bad reputation of that village and it's remoteness.

'Who do I meet there and talk to?'

'The village chief should be there to greet you. If not then he will send someone.'

'Okay.'

'Don't ask unnecessary questions and don't interfere in their internal matters. They are not very friendly people. Just go there, do your job, take your money and come back.'