Follow the heart to Myanmar

Chapter 7 to the conflict zone

James brought the girl back to the hotel. Luck awaits her anxiously.

“Brother Lin, are you okay? I was shocked when I saw the crowd pushing you away. It's good that the captain went to help in time. Otherwise, I would have to be herded into the crowd and then driven out of the city. I'm glad you're back safe." The girl nodded.

Thank you very much. Captain who saved Brother Lin.” Chok turned to thank the young man instead of the young woman.

"Nevermind It's my duty You'll have to wait.” The woman stood still. Looking at the tall figure as he walked away, he thought to himself that she still owed his gratitude to him. The girl followed luck to the room. After reviewing the video clip, she said luck.

“Tomorrow we will go to Myawaddy.”

“Is it too dangerous, brother? Right now, the Burmese government has not stopped airstrikes.”

“So how do we have to go?”

“We should tell the captain first.”

“Am I the team leader, or is he?” the girl called out.

“Brother Lin, it is, but it is too dangerous. I'm still in a bad mood today. I'm afraid that I will be fooled In any case, I would like to tell the captain. for him to send soldiers to protect them.”

“If I see him at dinner this evening, I'll tell him. She contacted the driver. We'll be leaving soon. because we have to travel for many hours If we get there in the morning, we make news for a few hours and we can go back. It's not too late to arrive here. Let me know how you got it."

“Yes,” he accepted.

“See you at dinner.” The woman walked out of the young man's room, opening the door. She went downstairs to meet James, but his shadow was not there.

During dinner time, Ploy Sapphire Still looking for Captain James Marshall, but he wasn't there either. A woman interrogated one of his soldiers and heard that the young man had boarded a warship moored in the bay. The girl then told the soldier that Tonight she will go to Myawaddy, Kayah State, tell him to report to the young man, he acknowledges, so she goes back to the room to prepare.

At 3am that night, Maung Wen's taxi was waiting in front of the hotel to pick her up and luck. It took the driver over six hours to reach Myawaddy town. empty road Seeing only armed Karen soldiers patrolling, upon reaching the checkpoint, they had to pay a higher toll before being allowed into the fighting area. Formed in Kayah state late that day. They saw a caravan of cars traveling out of the city along various roads. because houses were destroyed by air bombs The people fled. Because in the area there is a battle between the Burma Army and the Karen Army both on the ground and in the air. They stopped to make news for a caravan heading out to Shan State. The driver said he should not enter the combat area any further. Because it might be too dangerous. They took to the highlands to catch a glimpse of helicopters bombing Karen military bases throughout the day. The houses around that area were bombed until they were completely destroyed. Many innocent people were killed by crossbreeds and Karen soldiers. Bodies are scattered throughout the area, and even on the streets, migrants continue to leave. They kept all the recordings for several hours until late afternoon. So luck asked them to return because all the news footage had been enough. The woman then ordered the driver to take him back. They arrived at the exit from the city, heavy traffic jams. Karen soldiers now patrol every car that enters and leaves out of fear that the opposing team will take advantage of the opportunity to intervene. Evacuated people were asked to come down and check their weapons before leaving the area. The Karen soldiers arrived at Maung Wen's car and drove them down before patrolling the car. Karen soldiers are fully armed. walk towards them and then spoke in Burmese, with Mong Win as the one who responded and negotiated on his behalf. Knowing that they are journalists The chief Karen soldier asked them to return to the camp with them. Maung Win then told them, “The boss wants us. back to his camp.”

"No, it's too dangerous. Reject him," said the woman to Maung Wen. She refused, but the Karen soldiers raised their muzzles to threaten and threaten them in Burmese.

“The Squad Leader won't agree, we'll have to go back in with him first.”

Even if they refuse Later, the soldiers threatened with guns and forced them into the car, with two Karen soldiers guarding them. He gave Maung Yun the directions. drive into the battle zone with combat troops and jeeps driving past The car parked in front of the campsite. Karen soldier The soldiers guarded the Mong Wyun outside. and took her and luck into the barn Fear entered a young woman's heart for the first time. Just for luck, the dread has been there for a long time. Their situation was very unpredictable right now. The woman cheered the young man's hand before they were stopped in a room. The soldiers opened the door before pushing them in. The group of soldiers in the room immediately turned to look at them. The woman overheard the soldiers who held her reporting in Burmese to one of the soldiers, probably the leader. He walked in and stopped in front of them. before speaking clearly in English

"welcome This is the Karen camp and we would like to ask you to be our guests for a few days. Our Leader wants the events that happened here to be spread out to the world. You don't have to be afraid, it's safe here. Once you have completed the General's interview. We will bring you back safely outside the border.”

“Yes, we will do it. And hope you keep your word.” “Of course, in the meantime we will arrange a room for you guys. The soldiers will take you to your room and provide food for you, don't worry.”

“The two of us will stay in the same room,” said Ploypailin.

“Are you two lovers?” Colonel Karen asked curiously.

“Yes, we are lovers,” the young woman hurriedly invented for their safety. The Karen soldier looked at the girl and Luck alternately and laughed slyly.

“Yes, as you please.” He then turned to order the soldiers to take them to the room immediately.

“Wait, our driver. We want him to come and stay together.”

“Don't worry, we have arranged for him to rest outside. He will be waiting to bring you back, don't worry.” Finished speaking, he turned to order the soldiers who were guarding them.

“You can take it away.”

Ploypailin and Luck followed the soldiers who commanded them from the Dan to a room in a room with a bed and a bathroom. and a desk as if it was a high-class soldier's room Unfortunately, it's no problem being in the same room with the girls as they often go to press together.

“What are we going to do, brother? Our bags are all confiscated by the soldiers." Luck asked nervously. “We have to follow the water first. I said the Karen soldiers wouldn't do anything to us. It's good, too, we'll have some big news," said the young woman, trying to comfort herself and her luck.

"I think if the captain's men came, we wouldn't have to be confined here, sigh," he said nervously. The girl remained silent. A moment later, a soldier knocked on the door. and bring back their food and backpack The man said in Thai

“If you guys want anything more Please inform me immediately.” The woman smiled humbly, at least there was someone who could communicate with them.

“We need clothes, towels, toothpaste soap and toothbrushes to use during our stay here. Please provide to us. And when will your Leaders arrive?”

“I don't know. I think the chief will tell you. I'll go get the things you need first.”

"Thank you." Chok came to stand and look at the food table that the soldiers had placed. He saw that the menu was curry, salad, and rice. “Lin, let's eat a little bit. I hope the curry isn't too spicy.” The woman walked over to look.

“How can we do that? We have no choice. You have to be patient. You eat first. I want to wash my face first.” The woman opened the door to examine the bathroom. The condition was good, although the smell was not very clean, but they had no choice at all. The young woman prayed that everything would be over quickly and that they could return safely. and secretly hope that Captain James Marshall will know that they came here. If they don't see them go back, he might go find them and come help. In a time of war, anything can happen. The young woman prayed for the Karen soldiers to keep their word and not harm them.

Capt. James Marshall received a report from the soldier as the young woman had told him. He waited for their return until morning, but no one had arrived. Twenty-four hours later, he was certain that something was wrong.

The driver brought James to the Loikaw border checkpoint. A young man wears casual clothes, a shirt and trousers to cover his status. They still couldn't go inside. He told the driver to wait outside the checkpoint because the Karen soldiers closed all the checkpoints. due to fear that the opposing soldiers would invade They had to find a temporary shelter to watch the atmosphere in the morning. The young man, having spoken with François, learns that he is still with the Karen soldiers at the camp and there is no news of the young woman there. The young man had his driver lead him to wait at the front of the checkpoint. Soon, François came out with Karen soldiers from the camp. James rushed over to a freelance journalist. Before François took the young man into the Karen army camp together. François informed the Karen soldiers who held him that the young man was a colleague who accompanied him.

Ploy Sapphire was informed by the same chief. that their leader will arrive tomorrow evening and ask her to prepare Make news of interviews on TV. He wanted her to do a special interview to let the world know the real situation here. including the intentions of the Karen military leaders who wanted to call for the separation of the country. which the leaders of the Karen Army expected When this news goes out, the nation will support the anti-government side. While there was a battle to take over the area and continuous air strikes Thousands of migrants fled the war in search of safe havens. The young woman saw the military welcome procession the next evening. A young woman and a photographer are invited into one of the rooms where receptions are held. General Karen's name was Minzor. Her gaze first saw Francois and James sitting in the room. In James' hands was a video camera. They looked at them as well. The girl was amazed and overwhelmed with joy. They didn't greet each other. She saw General Karen sitting prominently in the commander's desk chair there. He told the young lady to immediately begin a special interview with the general. It took about half an hour to complete. before the soldiers took her to the shelter At least she felt relieved that James was here as well.

François and James ask the soldiers to take them to meet Sapphire and Luck at the guest room. The sound of the door opening into the room shocked them. François hurriedly walked in and embraced the customary greeting.

“Lily, are you okay?”

"I'm fine, Francois, I thought you weren't here."

“The soldiers found me a reporter and therefore detained me like you.”

“What about the captain? How can you follow? I'm so glad to have met you," said Luck happily.

“I arrived yesterday but couldn't enter the area. So try to contact via Mr. François. thought he was still in the area You guys are safe, right?” he replied luckily, glancing at the girl. She stared at him for a long time.

“We are safe, Captain. The commander here said he would send us back as soon as the interview was over.”

“Then let's hurry up and pack up and go back together. I will never go back to Yangon. But I will go out to the Myawaddy border checkpoint. I will continue to do news in the refugee center in Thailand,” François said.

"Yes, let's hurry and meet the commander," said the woman. before they packed up and asked to meet with the troop commander here. The Karen soldier looked at all the people with disbelief. before he gave in by allowing soldiers to follow up and escort them to the checkpoint James sends Maung Wen to the camp where Scott's driver is located. Lawrence is waiting He ordered Scott to drive. François at the Myawaddy checkpoint Then the young man rode back with Ploy Pailin's team to go to Yangon. The swarms of migrants kept them stranded on the road for a long time.