The location of the ASEAN Health Training Center was in Salaya, 20 kilometers from Bangkok. Participants from ASEAN countries gather at the center to attend a certain training program there. This institution was under the auspices of the Mahidol University.
Its trainers were mostly experts from Thailand, many of whom have mastered the English language. The training center is a place where people from various places gather together for events. The duration of the training varied from one week to three months. Participants studied at several halls and stayed in a dormitory. They took the opportunity for recreation on field trips outside the training center.
The training center also serves as a forum for people to get to know each other. They are from different places with various backgrounds. The acquaintanceship among the individuals can become chummy.
On holidays, participants went to the city of Bangkok, to kill time in the supermarkets, plazas and other places. At the end of the training, there was always emerged the feeling of closeness, whether among the fellow participants, the trainers and the staff of the organizers.
Efendi and several participants from Indonesia, were among the participants. He had got acquainted with two American girls, Shirley and Nancy. Then, one day came a newcomer, named Carmela.
Carmela, a white American woman, wore a white long-sleeved shirt and blue jeans. Her shoulder length hair was the color of dark chocolate. She was of medium built, with a charming face.
Next day Efendi met her.
"Where are you from Carmela?" Efendi asked her.
"I am from Chicago, in the north of America, at the border with Canada."
"Are you a doctor?" he asked.
"Anthropologist, not a doctor," she replied.
"What is the relation of an anthropologist with this health training center?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm a medical anthropologist. I will work together with a lecturer of the Faculty of Public Health here, researching the sociocultural influences on the health care efforts," she answered.
She asked to leave and departed for the Chonburi town, where there was a Regional Health Training Center. She wore a gray T-shirt with oversized brown trousers. She walked quickly.
Next day she sat alone in the dining hall. Efendi came to meet her.
"We, the participants, will go to Kanchanaburi on Sunday, the day after tomorrow, Carmela."
"Oh, that is an interesting place. I wish to go there," said Carmela.
"Why? For the research?" asked Efendi.
"No. Over there you can find the cemetery of the allied troops, that were killed as the Japan's prisoners of war in the World War II," answered Carmela.
"So you will go along with us, Carmela?"
"I can't. I have to go to Chonburi again tomorrow. As soon as I finish my work, I will go along."
*****
They departed early in the morning by bus, enjoyed the ride and stopped in front of the War Cemetery in Kanchanaburi, 130 kilometers from Bangkok. On the wall of the gateway, there was a plaque that read: "In loving memory of the sacrifice and the powerful spirit of the courageous troops who were killed during the construction of the Thailand-Burma railroad. Many of them were held as Japanese prisoners of war for a long time."
"Carmela, I'm startled to read it," he said.
"The honorable words were written by a writer for them," she said.
"Carmela! Tell the story, please! I hear you know it," he asked.
"Here are buried thousands Allied troops, who were killed during the construction of the deadly railroad, in World War II. As Japan's prisoners of war, they were commanded to work for 16 hours a day. Malnutrition, torture and diseases killed them," told Carmela.
"This mausoleum is so nice and interesting. How about your opinion, Carmela? "
"This is one of the famous war monuments in the world, beside the war monument in Honolulu, Hawaii"
"But this is also a victory monument for Japan. Thousands of the Allied troops are buried here," said Efendi.
Carmela was provoked, her patriotism awakened.
"Why is your perception so bizzare, Efendi?" she asked unhappily.
"My perception is not bizzare, Carmela. I'm not a supporter of Japan, because my country Indonesia once was colonized by them. I'm only amazed by the superiority of Japan. "
"Nevertheless, as an American citizen, this is a bitter fact for us of the Allied Force. I do not like the war. I can't measure the sadness of the troops' family as reflected on by honorable words written on each gravestone," she said.
She stared at Efendi, signaling that she did not want to continue discussing the topic.
"Forgive me if you are angry. It was not my intention to invite you to this place."
*****
In the countryside of Kanchanaburi flows the Kwae river. Over that river, connecting Thailand and Burma, stretches the Kwae River Bridge, more popularly known as The Bridge Over The River Kwai.
Carmela and Efendi walked over the bridge, just like the other tourists. There were many soldiers from the Allied Forces that were killed on that bridge. Just as the bridge had been built up by Japan's prisoners of war, the Japanese troops rode a train over it. The train carried many prisoners.
A special unit of the Allied Forces blew up the bridge, unaware that the train carried the prisoners. The bridge was cut off, and many prisoners plunged, along with the train, into the river far below.
The next day Efendi did not see Carmela.
"Possibly she went to Chonburi or went with the other man," he said.
Suddenly he felt ashamed with his insensitive prejudice. She was not his only friend, but the friend of all the participants.
"Were you angry with me in Kanchanaburi?" he asked Carmela when they met the other day.
"No. The difference of perception among people is common."
*****
After staying in Bangkok for one month, when the training was about to finish, Efendi planned to have his wife, Nurul, visit. Suddenly he longed for his wife; Carmela's presence had made him homesick.
Nurul was due to land that day in Don Muang airport, Bangkok. The next afternoon, after he finished his training, he and his wife went around Bangkok. They visited supermarkets, plazas and shopping centers. They also went on holiday and stayed overnight in Pattaya, the famous coastal town not far from Bangkok.
Finally, he tells his wife about his acquaintanceship with Carmela, a woman who suddenly emerged at the time when he wished for his wife.
At first Nurul was surprised, but afterwards she said, "I have come. It's unnecessary for you to bring another woman."
But she wished to be introduced to Carmela, the white woman.
One afternoon, Carmela just returned to the dormitory from Chonburi. Knowing that Carmela was coming, Efendi called Nurul. Nurul fixed herself in front of the mirror for a moment, and then went with Efendi went to meet the woman.
Carmela immediately saw him with a woman, who she did not recognize, but she did not say anything. Carmela did not yet know that she was his wife.
"Carmela, I wish to introduce my wife, Nurul, to you."
Both women shook hands. After speaking for a moment Carmela asked to leave.
"Is she your friend Efendi?" asked Nurul.
"Yes, dear."
"She seems so good and soft," she said to herself.
"Others also said so, dear."
Nurul stared at Carmela as she rounded the bend of the dormitory, and, like she was sulking, stared sharply at him.
"I doubt whether you still yearn to go home."
She ran to her room and threw herself on the bed. She sobbed.
She finally understood, she would not hear her own conscience anymore.
Two days afterwards Carmela was lost in thought while sitting in the wide dining hall.
"Carmela, we will go home to Indonesia in a moment."
"Yes, I known," she said. "Your wife is beautiful, Efendi. I like her. I think you are lucky to be with her."
"Adios, Carmela!"
He said to his wife, "Carmela thinks you are beautiful. "
Nurul did not react. She shook Carmela's hand shyly.
