Ratul was worried.He saw it on T.V. Next day, the Newspaper also mentioned it.The Military Junta in Myanmar cracked down heavily on civilian peaceful demonstration lead by Buddhist Monks.Many are injured and some are killed.Figures are difficult to know.Why it happened?Why it happens to hapless people around the world?Sometimes or other?Why some people are so cruel to their fellow men.All just because of Power,Money etc.?Ratul wants to know yet don’t.But definitely he is worried.worried about Mie Mie.

Now, how can he  find her. He knew that she was supposed to visit her native place. He wants to know her wellbeing but he does not even know where she exactly stayed in Singapore. Her hand phone was also not responding. He would have to find out about her. Her well being. In a foreign land, she is someone he knew. She is a friend. Or may be something more? But anyway, her well being is important.

He met her one day when he was just a few months old in Singapore. It was his first trip abroad for a stay away from home, for an indefinite period. He never thought of staying away from home so long. He was not totally inclined but it was a good job offer.Freash out of business school and landing with an International Banking job offer was too good to refuse. Initial days were lonely. Though Singapore is a beautiful, clean and comfortable city, but it is also very cold and professional in characteristics. You are alone if you do not have a circle and for a newcomer it takes time to develop a circle of friends.

He met her then. Once he went to Chilli Pod restaurant in Esplanade-Theater on the Bay, for a business lunch meeting with some foreign delegates.Chilli Pod is one of the well known Indian food joints in Singapore, known for its cuisine and location. Durian shaped Esplanade on the Marina Bay has a grand view. She was the stewardess for them. He felt  attracted to her calm and soothing beauty and  captivating smile. What he  immediately noticed in her was her beautiful voice and  an accent so different from usual Singlish of the Singaporeans. At the end of the lunch, he asked and learned that she is from Myanmar.

It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, though from a mismatched background. He was an upcoming banker, she was a jobseeker  from Myanmar but both were in a foreign land. This friendship grew gradually over such many more visits for lunches, leading to more meetings outside the working hours. She had told him that she stays somewhere near Gaylong, an area popular with low earning immigrants from the neighboring countries of Asia. But he never visited her home, which he knew, she was sharing with some other girls from her country.

He first tried to find her address from Chilli Pod..The staff there were not very cooperative. Either they did not know  it or they wanted to avoid telling him. He thought searching at Gaylong would be ideal.

The bus dropped him in Gaylong.He only knew this is the place to find her.The Gaylong is an wide area .As per Street Directory, it stretches from Lorong 1 to Lorong 44.The Lorongs mean small roads-lanes. It was just the advent of ensuing evening, the weather though hot but was pleasant. He started walking aimlessly.

The footpath of the roads was full of crowd.  Lots of eateries and Food Courts around, selling all kinds of cuisine from Chili Crab,Laksa,Fish Head Curry,Mee,Rojak,Prata Biriyani etc etc..He first asked at  some Food Courts, but none could tell precisely where the people from Myanmar usually stay. He walked and walked. He suddenly found himself looking at a well lit signboard of a Hotel-Hotel-21.He thought this kind of low market Hotel may elicit some information. As he entered the hotel, he noticed a burly man, probably Malay, behind the reception. The guy gave a very peculiar look-as if he never expected him there .Ratul said-‘Hi! Can you tell me whether any Burmese people stays around?’ The man gave  a sly smile and asked-‘Girls, lah?’ Ratul nodded. The man said-‘Can,can!Good girls lah!From Myanmar also lah!Can also, Chinese,Malay,Indian,Indon,Philipino…lah.! 

It struck Ratul like a blow. In a flash he remembered that somebody in the office once had remarked about Gaylong-it is a designated red-light district-where government allows licensed prostitution. He also understood why the people at Chilli Pod were not very enthusiastic to find the residence of Mie Mie.Ratul just sprang back through the Hotel door to outside. He was having goose pimples and cold sweat on  his body. This was the first time he is inside a red-light area. As he almost running  through the footpath, he saw a number of girls in various revealing outfit standing or soliciting clients. A great Flesh Bazaar. A nice looking Chinese girl in a short off shoulder outfit approached him and pulled his hand-‘ai ! Mister…come with me,lah! Can give good massage…! You will enjoy lah!’ She  winked.Ratul pulled himself away from her and walked fast,towards the Bus Interchange.

He was roaming aimlessly and reached the Clarkes Quay central. While sitting on  the steps besides  the Bank of the Singapore River and looking vacantly with a blank head at  a beautifully lit Clarkes Quay-he just went on gazing at the restaurants,the crowds,the Bum Boats,the Bungi Jumping Sling and the Skyscrapers at the background. He felt terribly alone. The crowd all around made  his loneliness more profound.

Suddenly his hand phone rang. As he listened, he heard-‘Ratul…Hi! It’s me-Mie Mie…How are you? Are you listening? Ratul…what…happened?......!!!

Ratul just went on listening…….!