Chapter 3 Leaving Vietnam

As he gradually raise his right hand pointing towards the table where Mara sat, the entire congregation rose up in applaud and in much adore, poured out their delightful cheers all over the room where they converged in a grand elite ceremony.

She, elegant in style and astonishing in beauty, walked forward to meet him, sparkling on her elongated white gown – how she loved it – she filled the cyclic angles of her shoes which sparkled in gold with her gown: she was indeed a sight to look upon. Lifting up her left hand, Henry supported her hand towards him and kissed her hand as a symbol of adoration, then made her stand before him to gaze at him alone. Mr. Martin stood afar off smiling and shaking his wine glass as he nodded once to alert his son to proceed.

All the chattering ceased for a moment as everyone watched Henry pick out something he hid in his shoe while bending down as if something hurt him by the left leg so soon. At first Mara thought something happened to him, which made her forget all the thoughts going through her head and came fully back on at the moment. She would have bent to help Henry when he dramatically presented a diamond fashioned ring before her on his knees as he said in a whispering voice,

"I have waited long enough for this moment Mara, will you marry me?" he paused in a tensed mood waiting for a reply and wishing he should never get a no for an answer.

"You know, from day one it has always been you Henry. And yes, Henry, yes I will go the ends if you don't mind"

Words cannot describe the joy Henry felt in those moments when his only world accepted him; he immediately stood up on his feet and grabbed her by the waist, drew her closer, much closer and engaged her in a thought forever kiss full of passionate out pour of love. It was Mr. Martin, who came closer in ecstasy and for joy, creamed and the top of his voice,

"You two get a room right this minute!"

Words alone could not only describe how Henry felt, but also how his father Martin felt as well. But as for Mara, she was running out of control deep down within her. She felt at the moment whether she really knew what she wanted in life, or whether she could bare living life without anyone else to call relative.

To Mara, her life was beginning to come to an end with no one present to hear her out. She kept giving herself hopes she was going to be just fine, but as the nights lingered, she began developing feelings of sorrows and pain, mourning and tear, and when she found out everyone was gone out to their dwelling place for the night she left Henry and the rest of the company who were filled with party spirit and drunken with wine at past eleven o'clock to go in search of her family. She advance out of the building and progressed from walking sluggishly to running further in anticipatory fear and disdain to catch a taxi instead of going on one of the cars she owned of the Martins family.

......

"Taxi"

[Pulled over]

"Wherever you please miss, there shall my wheels go. Good evening miss" The cab driver greeted.

Mara was in no way eager to respond but she struggled to do so instead, perceiving the man on the wheels was really a gentle fellow.

"Good heavens, take me to Tx. An Khê" she said while closing the door.

The cab zoomed off the minute she entered. The driver began whistling to the tune of the music playing on his radio as he drove on, for some time, he kept nodding his head following sequentially the melody from the song until he noticed she was really quiet.

At first, he noticed she had not her seat belts on, which made him spoke again,

"Hello miss, I think you should have your seat belt on, the road is about to get bumpy".

As his voice became pronounced, she turned her head to look at him, breaking out of the thoughts she had going on in her mind,

"Oh my dear, thank you" smiling she putted on her seat belt and turned again to face the window.

"Lovely view right?" The man asked as he turned down the music playing on the radio to keep the conversation on, seeing he was beginning to have a drowsy feeling.

"Yeah, really a good one." She replied keenly staring out the window

"So why is a beautiful Lady so charming be out all alone on her way to Tx. An Khê?" He asked again supposing not to get a straight response.

"Am I alone?" Mara asked as she turned slowly again to really identify the gentle man.

"I think you are ma'am, if am not mistaking cause no one seems to be with you"

"Oh my dear, you are with me, aren't you? She asked pretentiously.

"Oh gracious God, am only at your service" he replied with his face brightening with smiles all over.

"Just take me to Tx. An Khê okay."

"Yes ma'am" he nodded as he fired on.

Mara soon had enough of thinking and set her eyes on the moment to maintain a stable mind. She soon placed her hand on her forehead to confirm her temperature state and then exclaimed

"I need to be in Manila but don't want to get there soon, I just need to clear my head."

"Oh, is that so? I think I've got someone at Sông Câu who can help you fulfil both at the same time."

"Oh kindly I would love to meet that person"

"Sure you will miss.

Although it gives me concern at the moment why on earth a wealthy looking lady as you, will prefer to move over to Manila of the Philippines by ship instead of the usual and more comfortable flight means of transportation."