Sabaidee all

Thank you for your feedback on the novel.  I sense that some people got used to have Keo and Laddavanh as part of SJD by now.  I would like to thank you all, on behalf of Keo and Laddavanh, for your warm acceptance.

In this episode, we will touch on what love is from Keo's point of view.  Keo, as a man himself, may be seen as representative of males' point of view.  But as mentioned earlier, love can mean so many different things to different people.  So please accept that his view is not meant to be an exhaustive definition of love.  However, any comment is welcome, especially from the male readers, whether you have other views on "love". 

I must admit though, that I have tremendous problems translating the novel, especially this episode, because I wanted to keep the flavour in terms of content and especially language as much as possible.  This has been one of the most challenging translation assignments I have been involved with.

TheDeon
Thanks for the warning regarding the new virus.  It's such a coincidence that the sub-title of the novel is also on "love".  But Keo's and Laddavanh's love is a pure one and does not contain any virus - one would hope!  A warning, TheDeon: Are you over 18 years of age?  If not, please delete the novel and do not attempt to read it, OK?

Guy
You brought the novel with you on your fishing trip?  I am flattered.  I look forward to hearing your comment. Hope you catch some fish too.

Thip
You wrote: "Are we safe enough to open Phayvanh's "what's love" part 4a? Hot and touchful chapter! Hope this episode don't attach any virus to destroy my imagination for I can't wait to read the following part (4b)... It looks like this novel is based on the true story, is it true Phayvanh?"

If you think Part 4a is hot and touchful, you'd better prepare yourself for Part 4b.  It's hotter and more touchful.  I welcome your comment on Keo's definition of love - whether that is repesentative enough from Males' point of view (but please be gentle!).  Is this novel based on a true story?  In a sense, Yes ... But not all.

D+D
I did receive your comment and please send my regards to Tee.  You commented "What's so cool about some guy in a white shirt and Kakhi pants?" and "We just don't understand the story;( ai Tee says its because we are too young and he and Ashi love it;)" Tee was right to say that you guys are too young to understand.  By the way, would you like me to contact your friend (the one you mentioned in your e-mail?) in Sydney for you?  Do you have their phone number?

Well, everyone, I hope you enjoy this episode.  Remember next episode is the final one.  Prepare yourself!

Hak phaeng 

(Eauy Pauline)

To Paris with Love (Part4b)

WHAT IS LOVE? KEO'S DEFINITION

The dinner was eventually winding down. Everybody was happy, talking and laughing. They took turn in telling each other their interesting life experience. Laddavanh felt very comfortable among foreigner friends, she felt that she could talk freely without having to be cautious, the way she would be when she was among Lao people. With the latter group, she was conscious that she might say something, which could upset other people. Sometimes speaking the truth could also put you in trouble.

At "Lao Pa Ko" resort, kerosene lamps and "kabong" were used instead of electricity. Each bungalow was situated along Nam Ngum River, and was surrounded by small beds of gardens and bush trees - a real romantic world. Tonight, the full moon looked so big, and Nam Ngum River was flowing lazily under the moonlight. Keo and Laddavanh were sitting on a bench under a big tree, her back leaning against his wide and strong chest; his arms wrapped her petite body while her long hair messed around his chest. Keo rested hin chin on her head - in this manner, it's convenient for him to smell the nice odour from her hair.

The lingering evening breeze, the stunningly beautiful Nam Ngum, the full moon and in the arms of the person who had been in her heart ever since . couldn't be helped that Laddavanh felt so flushed with pleasure she wasn't sure whether the incident was a reality or a dream. To prove whether this was real, she pinched herself quite hard . "Ouch!" this was real indeed because she felt that sharp pinch. That "Ouch!" alerted Keo, surprisingly he asked her:

"What happened Vanh, were you bitten by a mosquito?"

"No, it wasn't a mosquito, I pinched myself", she replied honestly.

"What? You pinched yourself? Let me see, where is it hurt?". When Laddavanh showed him her hand, he examined that hand closely and refused to let go . plus he gently kissed it . the kiss moved slowly to her silky cheek. Especially, when it reached the cheek, it started to wander around . Laddavanh's whole body became suddenly so melted she nearly fell off the bench due to lack of energy. She tried to utter some sound - although hardly any sound managed to escape from her mouth., in order to try to stop him. The vice somehow did not sound very serious and not really genuine, but she did try anyway:

"Keo . please . stop". It's Keo's turn now to turn deaf; he didn't hear a single word she said. Laddavanh decided to raise her face upward so that she could speak more loudly - but that was a DEADLY MISTAKE because as soon as she turned her face up, her lips became an easy target for his kiss . a perfect target too! Laddavanh went into a shocking state for a while; this gave Keo an excellent opportunity to explore the sweetness at his leisure. Once she realised what had happened, it was a bit too late, or was it? Besides she didn't really have any intention to stop him anyway. Actually, she had been listening to her heart too much lately and tonight it looked like the heart would again hold the upper card. So . she responded to his kiss wholeheartedly . there's no point to stop him, he wouldn't listen any way . and most importantly she had been longing for him for more than twenty years now. Two hearts were there to match . the surrounding atmosphere was encouraging - the sweet evening breeze was still lingering, Nam Ngum River was still lazily flowing and the moon was still shining dimly. Nothing on earth could now stop their hearts. Keo was actually mumbling something, which Laddavanh could not hear very well, her hearing was half blocked anyway, but somehow managed to grab some part of his words:

"Vanh . I love you . I want to be close to you . and I need you so much . this is my definition of love . you understand me?". It was rather obvious, wasn't it? She would have been really dumb if she didn't understand what he meant. He started to mumble something again:

". Understand .?", he asked while kissing at the same time. Those arms embraced her tightly - just like a python that grasped its prey. Not only that . his hands started to wander to various spots of her body. Ooii! Her heart would definitely stop breathing if this were to continue, so she'd better answer his question:

"Yes . yes . Keo . yes . I understand . Please be gentle, I can't breathe". Her plea woke him up and he immediately loosened the embrace. The rather heated performance suddenly became very softened and cherishing. He pushed her chin up gently, their eyes met in the dim light of the full moon. There was no single word uttered because once the hearts communicated, there's no need for any word. This time, Laddavanh was the one who put her arms around his neck and tip-toed her way up to seal a tender kiss on his chin . and . snail-like . that kiss moved up very naughtily to his mouth . where she stopped. Both of them stood still in that position for not long. With his strong arms, Keo lifted Laddavanh up - just like carrying a small child. 

That night, US$50 rent was wasted since Keo's room was not used at all. On the contrary, Laddavanh's room received two guests. The owner of the room was still sleeping happily although the sun already started to come into view around the top of the mountain .and the birds were singing sweetly on the tree next to the window. The invited guest to the room woke up a while ago but did not dare move because he did not want to disturb the sleeping person who used his arm as her pillow. Especially when this person was a sleeping champion, she may throw tantrum if disturbed. 

A stream of happiness reflected in Keo's eyes, he leaned down to smell the sweet odour of the velvety forehead and silky cheek of his "Sleeping Beauty". With love, he hugged that petite body against his chest. Keo felt a sharp pain in his heart when thinking of the time they'd have to depart . When this thought hit his mind, he hugged her tightly . How could he let go of this happiness? Oh! It would be far better if he was never exposed to this happiness at all, rather than having tasted it and having to let go . Oh! . 

"What are you thinking of?" a voice whispered softly in his ear, while that little hand started to feel his rough chin as if she just discovered her favourite toy.

"I am scared of departing". Laddavanh became also cheerless by his comment but despite the heavyhearted situation, with the full blood of a philosopher, she managed to bravely console Keo:

"You shouldn't worry about something which has not happened. I think we'd better recognise and grab the happiness of today. We'll deal with what will happen tomorrow when the time comes". She was right. Her advice woke him up. With a rather cunning look, he proposed some very good idea to the philosopher:

"OK, in that case, why don't we grab the happiness of today right now?". He hardly finished his sentence when he was hit by a pillow. But he still managed to hear Laddavanh calling out: "You . you are so.!".

(to be continued)

P Phoumindr

Sydney, 21 May 2000