The Lion and the Sun – Chapter 5 - Part 1 – The British Lion (Cont’d)

    Maung Ba’s first month’s salary was heartening.  It helped provide him with certain advantages that were wanting until now. The first thing that came to mind was the necessity of moving to better quarters; also his desire to help his brother-in-law start a little business of his own, as well as facilitate his sister’s confinement.  She had already entered her full term of pregnancy.

     One morning, before breakfast, Ma Hla felt excruciating pains. Maung Po had his rickshaw parked by the side of the house. It was a real blessing, since no other means of conveyance was readily available at that time.  He helped his wife onto the rickshaw and without wasting any time hastened to the General Hospital. The traffic was heavy at the time.  He managed to take some short cuts before arriving at the hospital where she was immediately admitted into one of the free maternity wards.

    Maung Po and Maung Ba waited anxiously in the waiting room.  They waited a long time before the intern, assigned to those who couldn’t afford a well-seasoned professional, finally showed up.

    “How is she doing?” Maung Po inquired nervously, as the intern approached him.

    “I’m so sorry!” he began.

    ”Why?” Maung Po asked, jumping up from his chair.

    “We tried our best,” he said.  “She couldn’t survive the strain.”

    ”What do you mean?” Maung Ba interjected.

    “Your wife died of heart failure,”  the intern said,  turning to Maung Po.  “The baby is well.”  He gently placed a hand on Maung Po’s shoulder by way of consolation.  “She’s gone but your son is alive and well.”

    “No.  It can’t be!” Maung Po cried.  “I can’t believe she’s dead.”

     The men appeared stupefied. Tears welled in Maung Po’s eyes, while Maung Po appeared dazed and speechless, as an elderly nurse was around to console him.  Moments later, another nurse entered the waiting room with the baby.  ”Here,” she began, handing the baby to his father. 

     Maung Po was still in a state of shock, as he soon returned the baby to the care of the nurse. 

     “Can we go in and see her?” Maung Ba requested.

     “You sure can,” the nurse replied.  

       Ma Hla’s face was exposed for their viewing.  She appeared as if she was in a deep and peaceful slumber, after a hard day’s work.

         “How could you leave me so suddenly, my beloved!” Maung Po cried, bending over her body and kissing her forehead.  He kept staring at her face. For a moment he imagined her eyeballs moving, with the usual gleam that was expressive of love and concern.  He touched her face and imagined watching her lips quiver, as if to utter a few words of comfort and encouragement, even in death.