The Lion and the Sun – Chapter 12 – Part 2 – (The Rising Sun) – Cont’d

    As an Heiho member, Maung Ba was assigned to watch British war prisoners confined in a special internment camp.  Much to his surprise, he spotted Cecil scouring dishes in the kitchen. There was a Japanese sentry not far away.  He had a feeling that he was being watched, having heard that members of the Heiho organization were not exempt from being observed by Japanese sentries.  He was almost tempted to approach Cecil, but, on second thought, refrained from doing so while the sentry was around. 

   Cecil appeared calm.  Maung Ba could sense his anguish that was reflected in his sunken eyes.  He wondered about his health, for he appeared to be sick and emaciated.  He thought of Rose and could not forgive himself for having turned down the opportunity to leave on that last boat to India.  He wondered about the whereabouts of Ma Shwe and Virginia and hoped that they were all interned together with Rose and not isolated. 

    It was dinner time. He walked into the dining room where Heiho and Japanese sentries gathered to eat.  The sight of the food nauseated him. 

    Suddenly, he spotted Tan and Maung Po.  They were seated at a table at the far corner of the dining room. After helping himself with some rice and potatoes, he walked up to their table with his tray.

   “Am I glad to see you guys!” he began, joining them at the table.   “Are you  both assigned to this prison block?”

   “No.” Tan said.  “I was sent to a candle factory.”

   ”Candle factory?  For what?”

   “Supervise.”

   ”Are you guys transferred here?” Maung Ba asked.

   ”We don’t know yet,” Maung Po said.  

   ”They didn’t tell us yet,” Tan interjected. “All they did was put us on a pending list and bring us here.  Don’t know what they have in mind.”

   ”I saw Cecil,” Maung Ba said.

   ”Where?” Tan asked.

   ”In the British internment camp  where I am assigned to sort of supervise.  I saw him in the kitchen.”

   ”Does he look okay?” Tan asked.

   “He looked kind of emaciated.  I think he’s sick.”

   ”Oh, that poor man!.” Tan exclaimed.  I hope he’s okay.”

    ”By the way, I’ve got some news,” Maung Ba said.

    ”I hope it’s good,” Maung Po said.

    “What kind of news?” Tan asked.

    ”I saw the commandant today,” Maung Ba informed.  “He wants me to write for a newspaper that they are soon going to publish.  It’s called “Greater Asia.”

    “What are you going to write about?” Tan asked.

    “That’s a good question to which I have no answer.”

    “Some propaganda stuff!” Maung Po interjected.

    ”What else?” Tan agreed.

     An hour had elapsed before Maung Ba realized that he had to return to his duty.  “I got to go,” he said, as he got up to leave. ”Hope to see you guys again.”

      “Be careful,” Tan replied.  “Hope we’ll get together again.”

       Hours later,  Maung Ba was surprised to see Tan and Maung Po in the adjacent section of the British internment camp where they were assigned to observe the activities of prisoners.  He felt that having them around was a source of comfort.  Except for Rose, Ma Shwe and Virginia whose whereabouts were as yet unknown,  it seemed as if Providence had brought the men back together again.