Mei Lin was asleep inside a cabin. Siu and Ahlin were beside her. They were wiping her face with a wet cloth, soaking it in water now and then. They were sweating profusely in the unbearable heat of the cabin.

Although she was exhausted like the others, Siu looked happy and content. Her life had changed. Now she was Chun Fu Thien’s wife. Their guardians had decided to get them married on the ship since no one knew what would happen once they reached China.

‘You two go and rest. I will sleep,’ Mei Lin said weakly.

‘You can’t be on your own.’

‘I’ll be alright. Don’t worry. You’ve both been sitting here since morning. Now go and get some fresh air, or else you’ll end up falling sick. Let me sleep alone for some time. I will be okay. Believe me.’

They left reluctantly. Mei Lin closed her eyes. She wanted some time alone. This merciless reality was like an illusion – understandable, yet so incomprehensible! A bud was blooming inside her body!

Hours passed. Mei Lin was not aware of her surroundings. It was as though she was standing between life and death, or in that foggy moment between dream and reality. As if there was no one else around. As if she were floating through the endless silence of death.

‘Mei Lin – Mei Lin –’

Someone seemed to be calling her from a distance. Who could it be? She opened her eyes, reddened with the smoke of delusion. Two familiar but hazy faces were hovering above her.

‘Sit up, Mei Lin. We have to get off the ship. We have arrived in China.’

China!

That undesired word hit her. Slowly sound and sight became prominent. Someone had placed a soft and cool hand on her forehead. Lee Chang was saying anxiously, ‘She is burning with fever!’

‘I want some water,’ Mei Lin said slowly.

Liang hurried out and brought some water, while Lee Chang helped her sit up and made her drink it. Looking at Lee Chang, Mei Lin said slowly, ‘I don’t want to die, Lee Chang!’

‘Everything will be okay. We will live.’ Lee Chang’s eyes became moist.

‘I am so tired! I have travelled so much! We have left Makum far behind. How will Pulok find me? How will I see him again? I must return Lee Chang! I will return to Makum!’

Lee Chang looked at Tung Chin and Ameng. Mei Lin was delirious.

‘Have some more water, Mei Lin. You are dehydrated. Please get up.’

Lee Chang helped Mei Lin sit up and drink some more water.

‘Now we have to go out. We will have to get off.’

Lee Chang held her and took her out. Ameng took her bag. Meanwhile, the passengers went up to the deck to set eyes on the huge port.

This was China! They would have to live here till their deaths! Utter confusion and fear had paralysed their minds.