Free Jane Vejjajiva by Unknown

– it would make your mum so happy not to have to worry about you. And if there’s anything I can do for you, Kunn, just let me know. Pat was very helpful to me and I will never forget her.’
    Afterwards, Uncle Kunn told Kati that Touk’s husband had been addicted to gambling. He gambled everything they had. Touk separated from him and had to bring up her son on her own. Kati’s mother had helped out many times, especially with school fees. It seemed that Mother had done a great deal to make those around her happy. Kati felt proud to be her mother’s daughter.
    The little swing was half-hidden under a trellis overgrown with vines. Uncle Kunn had gone swimming in the pool. Kati walked all around and came to a stop in front of the swing. Swinging up in the air on top of that tall building had a curious feel,
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    as though she were swinging up to touch the clouds. Kati let her feelings go with the breeze. The view of the capital city looked strange and new to her eyes. Her thoughts returned to the envelope that Uncle Dong had handed her that afternoon.
    The envelope had been addressed in Mother’s handwriting. The person to whom the letter was addressed was none other than Kati’s father. Uncle Dong said that just by slipping this letter in a mailbox Kati would get to meet her father.
    Kati missed her mother so much. Mother had prepared everything for Kati but had been willing to leave the final decision for Kati to make for herself.
    The swing flew higher and higher. Post the letter. Don’t post the letter. Post the letter. Don’t post the letter. Kati chanted to herself in the rhythm of the swing.
    But she already knew what she wanted to do. It was how she was to do it that required some thought.

Postbo x
    All I ask is to be happy at heart.
    A letter cannot be posted without a stamp. What Uncle Dong had said was wrong. If Kati wanted to send Mother’s letter she would need to go to the post office, which was not far from their apartment – five minutes walk at the most.
    Kati knew everyone was intently waiting for her decision even though no one mentioned it or tried to hurry her in any way.
    When Kati was ready, she came out of her bedroom and told Aunt Da she wanted to go to the post office. Aunt Da, Uncle Kunn and Uncle Dong all jumped to their feet, exactly like the time Tong sat down on the red ants’ nest at the foot of the mango
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    tree. In other circumstances Kati would have laughed because all three grown-ups seemed at a complete loss as to what to do next. Finally Uncle Dong cleared his throat and said that actually he had to go to the shops as well, so he would walk there with Kati. Uncle Kunn mumbled that perhaps he could go too to help carry the shopping as it might be too much for Uncle Dong at his age. Any other time Uncle Dong would have raised the ceiling with rage, as no one was allowed to get away with pointed remarks about ageing or senior citizens to Uncle Dong’s face.
    So it was that four figures followed one another into the lift in single file, spreading out four abreast when they reached the laneway. Kati stood stock-still when she reached the post office and turned to face the others. She said, ‘I’d like to go in by myself, please.’ ‘Fine!’ three voices answered in a chorus of varying pitches.
    Kati walked into the post office and joined a queue at the counter. She gave the letter to the clerk. After she had paid the money Kati received the stamps which she pasted onto the envelope. She posted the letter in the postbox.
    Now only the postbox knew her secret. Kati looked at the slot through which you posted the letters. She had the feeling the postbox was winking at her as if they had some understanding between them. Kati smiled and walked out to join the little committee that awaited her.
    From that moment on, the life of the house in the city was heavy with waiting. People started when the phone rang and then argued over who was going to pick it up. There were three or