5. The monetary price of marriage

The monetary price of marriage

Somsy was the only daughter of Phor Pheuay. The villagers used to spread rumors about how charming and cute she was. Her body was well balanced, with skin as white as an egg shell just as described in the old saying, "With feet and hands refined, you are lucking when going fishing. With feet and hands sturdy, your rice field will be very productive. If you marry that girl, nothing can go wrong". This was a well-known maxim for people living in Bane Houaichik village.
One day, on his way back from attending a Baci ceremony somewhere in the southern part of the village, Choi noticed that Phor Pheuay was all by himself, weaving a basket. Choi greeted him loudly:
“ Phor Pheuay! May I be your son-in-law?”
“ Choi ! All you can do is screaming at me. If you dare to talk to Somsy and if she agrees to marry you, I won't object. In fact, I'd be glad to give her hands in marriage to you at once." He pulled a cigarette from his one of his pockets, lit it, started inhaling, and added:
“ Where have you been to be screaming at me like this?"
 “ I just came from the south of the village where I took part in a baci ceremony for a new born baby in Pachanh’s house.”
Choi walked slowly toward Phor Pheuay to show he felt close to him and had no other agenda. Even though he never thought that Somsy could ever be more than just a friend to him, he sometimes thought if he could be Phor Pheuay's son-in-law, he would be indeed very happy.
Beside Choi, other youngsters of all ages in the village and vicinity would also love to be Phor Pheuay's son-in-law. Indeed, that truly was Phor Pheuay's luck. They all flocked in to seek Somsy's company, and all of them were good husband material, including Choi himself (who was as slim as his name suggested).
That day, Choi had a great opportunity to sit beside Phor Pheuay. He wanted to speak up his mind, but that was beyond his capability. All he could do was sighing. When he was close to Somsy, his chin refused to work. It became frigid and forced his mouth closed, despite his strong desire to speak his mind. He couldn't say a word, and his body was shaking with cycles of warmth and cold. 
The only chance he had to be with Somsy last month was at one of his friends' wedding. He was not able to speak up either at that party.  All he did was rubbing his hands for a while before he could utter,
 “ Somsy! I'd like to move my mulberry garden closer to your jackfruit garden. May I do that?”
After he spoke, he heard people laughing loudly behind him, and that caused him to turn red out of shame.  
Since that day, whenever Choi met with Phor Pheuai, he felt somewhat distant. Even his whole body language reflected his shyness and fear toward Phor Pheuay. Choi, after some efforts, finally managed to say jokingly,
"I've heard that some people will come and ask for Somsy's hands. Is that true?"
 “ Where did you get that?" Phor Pheuay asked with an almost angry tone, although still fairly subdued, because he realized that Choi was a close relative of his. Choi bursted into laughter and said,
"This an open secret among all the villagers. Even my mother at home knew about it."
“ It's not yet true, Choi! Besides, Somsy has nothing working for her."
 “ It is true that she wanted to marry somebody from abroad?” asked Choi half-serious, half-joking.
 In no time this news spread to nearby villages, causing disappointment among all of Somsy's wooers.  As for Choi himself, even if he didn't loose composure, he still felt some vibrations internally.
Pho Pheuay pulled his cigarette from his mouth, looked at Choi in the eyes, and said with sincerity,
 “That's would be great if that could happen.”
He then looked at Choi inquisitively. Choi smiled back mechanically, but couldn't help feeling heart-broken, because now he has heard it straight from Phor Pheuay. 
One day, a lot of people of all ages were seen gathering at Phor Pheauy's house, talking and laughing loudly, going in and out in a hurry. Choi went in to take a peek inside through a wall opening, and saw a group of elders sitting in a row, among whom he recognized Uncle Thid Dord.  Next to him sat a young man of around 30 years old, slightly bald, apparently of good social standing. This man said,
"No matter what, I will not let you down. You parents and Somsy have to trust me". He turned his head around and added,
"After the engagement, I have to go back to America to file the required paper work and then I will return to marry Somsy and take her with me."
These words had the same effect as thousands of needles going through the hearts of village's young men like Choi. Choi's heart jumped in an unusual way, rolling up and down. He decided to go through this ordeal and watch the whole show to be convinced it was real.
“Now, here are the US$ 10,000 we agreed to give you as a token of the engagement according to the Lao tradition", concluded Thid Dord as he laid down the dollar bills in front of the elders. One of them interjected with pride,
“ From now on, Konny and Somsy are engaged. When Konny returns from America next December, we will have another ceremony..."
Many people stayed over to celebrate this happy event. Nobody could imagine this virtual marriage contract was like a knife striking the heart of someone who was there observing the event. The end of the engagement party made Phor Pheauy a lot more at ease, despite some outstanding loose ends. Three days later, Konny flew back to America, leaving Somsy behind in a waiting mode night and day.
The date scheduled for the wedding came and went, but Konny's return never materialized. Somsy kept hoping but couldn't help shedding tears like any other girls whose wedding engagements were broken.
 One day, Somsy attended the wedding of one of her friends named Nang Ord. This was a big event for Bane Chick villagers. Nang Ord's skin was tan, but she married a white American who spoke Lao as his mother tongue. Their wedding was celebrated according to Lao tradition Lao and the villagers were very pleased about it.
While Somsy washed the dishes, her tears dropped, thinking how so lucky was her friend Nong Ord. She wiped her tears in a hurry when she someone calling her from behind.
“ Wow, Somsy, why are you washing the dishes by yourself? Go and grab something to eat, my friend", said the bride.
“ You are such a beautiful bride”, commented Somsy.
“ How about you, when are you going to get married?” asked the bride.
“ Maybe when horns grow on horses!" replied Somsy.
Somsy said no more, and kept observing Ord and Tony, her new American groom. On the outside, the two had nothing in common, but maybe inside they match each other, which explained why this ceremony took place. Pretty soon the couple will fly to America. So, Somsy asked Ord and Tony to contact Konny at the address he left with her.
Nang Ord and Tony's wedding party was now over; it further increased Somsy's anxiety and worries.  Time continued to fly, and Somsy's pain and sadness kept on growing. Her physical beauty also faded gradually. 
The situation became a lot clearer when Thid Mee’s soon arrived in Laos to visit his parents and told them that Konny was already married with three children. This news almost killed Somsy. She was so full of hope before, but that hope has now all but evaporated, leaving her only with tears of immense regret.
Choi, who held no hope before, kept watching the events. The realization that the pain Somsy suffered was more than what a young girl like her could bear, also began to affect him directly. He was almost as badly hurt as Somsy. Choi came to see her at home and found her crying near the top of the staircases. He tried to console her,
 “ Somsy, I know and understand your situation, and I also feel very sorry for you.”
“ Why are you trying to make things worse?" said Somsy, as she wiped her tears and stared at him.
“Not at all, Somsy! I know you are in extreme pain. But do you know you are not the only one to suffer? I'm in pain too", said Choi with his eyes wide open.
 “Don't say that, I'm not Superwoman and you don't love me.”
“ I loved you for quite a while. You are worth a lot to me. You are not a bad person, and I understand that.”
“You sounded weir. You have to wait until today to tell me that? Do you want me to believe that you are suddenly falling in love with me? I don't think I deserve your love."
“ Sy, don’t blame yourself. Don't you think we still have the right to choose what we want to be?” Choi said, as he moved to sit closer to her in order to unload what he had under his chest. A great chance like this is hard to find. If he were to let it slip, that would mean no self-confidence and no hope to ever convince Somsy about his love for her.
In the end, Choi got what he was longing for through good fortune. Two hearts became closer to each other and finally merge into one. Scars disappeared and life got to a fresh start. Dreams became reality, right before Choi got to further his education overseas. Their wedding, which required two to three buffaloes, was a relatively large event for the residents of Ban Chik village. It took place amidst general acceptance of both families, including close as well as distant relatives, as the symbol of matrimonial longevity.
In an atmosphere of warm affection, under romantic moonlight and cool Eastern breeze, the newly-weds held hands and slowly entered their new living quarters, with trepidation and complete happiness.