Chapters (58)
She felt his energy sweep her entire body and longed for him to kiss her again. The first time it had happened on her initiative but now she wanted him to take the lead. She stopped walking, then lifted a hand to touch his cheek. When he took her in his arms and skimmed her lips gently with his own, it electrified her. He teased her, and she teased him back, her lips barely touching his but searching for the moment when it would become more. She felt the power of her own feverish appetite, until she was ready to dissolve. Fluid like water, or molten like mercury. It was a wonder. A joy. Then – and she didn’t know how it turned from one thing to another – when she rested her head on his shoulder for a moment, unexpected laughter erupted from her. It was laugh-out-loud happiness and perhaps the only way to deal with the intensity of her heightened senses while surrounded by so many other people. He joined in the laughter.
‘Come,’ he said, when they stopped, and he pulled away a little, holding both her hands. ‘We’d better move on. People here are offended by public displays of affection.’
‘Affection?’ She laughed again. ‘Is that what it is?’ But she looked around and saw a few women were staring at them.
She felt altered by being with him on such an intensely romantic evening but was also curious about what she’d witnessed. Once her emotions had subsided and she had calmed herself she asked him to tell her about the religion.
‘Buddhism,’ he said, ‘blended with nat worship.’
‘Nat worship?’
‘Remember I said before?’
‘Oh yes. Spirits.’
She listened to the sounds of the evening, the noise now more subdued.
‘And the monks? I often see them in the streets.’
‘Yes, they go out usually early each morning with their bowls to collect alms. Food for the day.’
‘And it’s all they have?’
He nodded. ‘The role of Buddhism has changed so much since the British took over. The laws used to be built around Buddhist teaching and the monks were protected. Now, of course, the connection between government and Buddhism has been lost.’
‘What do they believe in?’
He frowned as he thought about it. ‘Very simply, they believe in showing respect for parents and elders. They’re naturally curious and think ignorance is a sin. And they emphasize the need for forgiveness and caring for family and community.’
She glanced up at him. ‘Sounds pretty good to me.’
‘But there’s an odd kind of contradiction because this type of Buddhism is highly individualistic. Each person is responsible for their own salvation, despite the emphasis on community.’
‘It must lead to a peaceful life.’
He laughed. ‘Maybe. Anyway, after all that, I think it’s time to come back down to earth. Ready for a drink?’
