On the plane, Lee takes out a novel she found and borrowed from the school's library a few days earlier from her backpack. The novel was called "Under the Hawthorn Tree," a love story took place during the Cultural Revolution in China.
Eyes fixed on the book, Lee does not pay attention to what Sothea talks to her. The book totally captures Lee's mind. Unable to grab Lee's attention, Sothea gives up. Reaching out to the pocket of his bag, Sothea takes out his iPod Touch and scrolls for his Favourite Playlist. "Apologize" covered by Kris Allen, the winner of American Idol's Season Eight, is on tune.
While reading the book, Lee compares her situation to Jingqiu, the main female actress in the book. In the book, Jingqiu saw the photo of Old Third with his fiancee which made Jingqiu confused that Old Third's contact with her was not real. Jingqiu thought that Old Third was a kind of guy who wanted to fool around with girl when he was away from his fiancee. Lee thinks the same way about her relationship with Yong. The same as Jingqiu, Lee thinks that Yong just wanted to play around with her when his girlfriend was not around. Yong did not tell her about his girlfriend. Lee thinks that it was not fair. Though she did not ask him directly about having a girlfriend or not, Yong at least informed her about his unavailability. Lee is now angry with Yong, and as a return, she has ignored Yong's calls and text messages. She did not even let Yong know about her trip to Thailand. Lee told herself that she should give him a lesson. At the same time, Lee thought that there was no use to inform him about her departure, since she was nothing to him. After a moment's self-reflection, Lee goes back to her novel.
While reading the book, Lee compares her situation to Jingqiu, the main female actress in the book. In the book, Jingqiu saw the photo of Old Third with his fiancee which made Jingqiu confused that Old Third's contact with her was not real. Jingqiu thought that Old Third was a kind of guy who wanted to fool around with girl when he was away from his fiancee. Lee thinks the same way about her relationship with Yong. The same as Jingqiu, Lee thinks that Yong just wanted to play around with her when his girlfriend was not around. Yong did not tell her about his girlfriend. Lee thinks that it was not fair. Though she did not ask him directly about having a girlfriend or not, Yong at least informed her about his unavailability. Lee is now angry with Yong, and as a return, she has ignored Yong's calls and text messages. She did not even let Yong know about her trip to Thailand. Lee told herself that she should give him a lesson. At the same time, Lee thought that there was no use to inform him about her departure, since she was nothing to him. After a moment's self-reflection, Lee goes back to her novel.
Bored with her book, Lee flips the book over her laps and looks around. Sothea is into his music. Eyes close, his head is moving back on forth with the rhythm of his song. Lee has no idea to which song he is listening. Turning to other passenger, everyone is taking nap. Silence fills the whole plane, except the crying boy at the far end of the plane to her right next to the wing. The boy probably struggle to sleep under the pressure of the plane and air. Poor the boy, Lee thought. Thinking about the crying boy, Lee recalls her little brother, who is now 3 years old about to run and talk word by word. It would be glad if Rith, his little brother's name, has a chance to sit in the plane. He loves the aeroplane very much. Among his toys, aeroplane is his most favorite. I hope that day would come. Not only Rith can ride the plane, but my whole family, Lee was deep into her imagination.
Lee decides to take a nap too, given that she has no more desire for book or music. Off her eyes, Lee falls into her sleep and leaves Sothea with his music.
Before long, Lee is woken up by a bad dream. Sweat on her forehead, Lee saw her father is affected by serious illness. He was in his bed, looking weak, physically and emotionally. He was calling Lee's name as if it was his last chance to see the world. Lee starts to cry which wakes Sothea from his music world.
"Are you alright?" Sothea asks in a surprised voice.
"Yes, I'm alright," Lee answers while turns her face away from Sothea to wipe her tears.
"But why are you crying?" Sothea inquires, "Is there anything wrong?"
"No, yes," Lee utters the words.
"What? No or Yes?"
"I mean No," Lee corrects her word, "There is nothing wrong. I just had a bad dream only."
"How bad was it?" Sothea looks worry. "Can your dream be shared? Or you want to keep it for yourself?"
"It's nothing secret," Lee tries to recompose her feelings. "It's about my father. I saw him lying in his bed, severely sick. I haven't talked to him for a month now. I'm not sure if he is doing fine. I'm just worried sick."
"He should be fine," Sothea comforts Lee. "Haven't you ever heard our elderly say about dream? Usually, dream is different from reality. If you saw him sick in the dream, it meant he is healthy."
"Really?" Lee asks.
"Why should I lie to you?" Sothea assures her.
"But why hasn't he called me recently?" Lee wonders.
"Maybe he is busy with his job or maybe he thinks that you are busy with your class that he should not bother you," Sothea explains.
"I hope what you said is right."
"If you want to visit home we can also do that," Sothea suggests. "Cambodia and Thailand are neighbour and it takes only about 45 minutes by flight."
"But I have to assist you with your research?" Lee excites.
"Don't worry. I can manage it by myself," Sothea claims. "Moreover, if you are here with unsettle feelings worrying about your father you can't concentrate on the work either. But conditions are not good."
"That's very kind of you, Sothea," Lee smiles.
"Don't worry. I just don't want you to distract my work." Sothea smiles to her.
"Oh!"
"I'm just kidding," Sothea jokes. "I think you should relax too."
"Many thanks again, Sothea."
Silence ensues between them. Lee turns her face to the window, looking into the dark cloud. Still, her heart aches, thinking about her father. Sothea puts his earpieces back and press the "Play" button and get back to his music.
The crying boy is now sleeping in his mother's arms. The the flight attendants occasionally walk around to check their customers. The whole plane falls into deep silent, into deep stillness. The light is totally out. Midnight is approaching.
To be continued...
