Episode 43: Bargaining chip

Within hours Phuong had confirmation through his intricate network that Trung and his thugs had indeed kidnapped Bill, and that he was being held in a house just outside the old quarter.  With this confirmation he realized that he had to take immediate action to save Bill's life, generally in situations like this the victim would already be dead and so he wondered why Anh had not given Trung permission to end his life immediately.   

It was clear that Phuong's course of action was to treat fire with fire, calling together his closest confidants he briefed them, much as he had all those years before.  Strangely it felt like old times, with the adrenaline rush of going into action coursing through his body.   He hadn't felt this alive in years...

Nhu Ha squatted by the brazier next to her stall at the ChợĐồg Xuân in the early morning light, few others were around at this time of day but Anh's mother had always risen at 4:30 am to begin her day while her husband Quang walked to the nearby square to begin bargaining with the farmers that had brought their produce for the days market.  

She hadn't noticed the darkly clad figure stealthily observing her from a nearby stall, but looked up to see the headlight of a scooter slowing moving toward her down the darkened lane.  She turned back to her food preparation as the scooters motor drowned out the peace and quiet of the early morning.  It stopped close by, and before she make a sound an arm enveloped her small frame and while another covered her mouth before being bear hugged onto the back of the waiting scooter, thus now trapped between the two figures as the scooter accelerated down the narrow laneway.

Quang returned with his cart full of produce for the first of many trips and was surprised that Nhu Ha wasn't ready with her morning bowl of piping hot Pho.  He called her name softly but with no response, and with only the slightest wisp of smoke still raising from the brazier she had simply vanished...

Episode 42: The Call

Lea was excited to talk to Bill and hear his voice, but when the receiver was picked up in Hanoi it was Vietnamese voice that answered.  Lea asked for Bill but had been told that he wasn't in the office, she enquired as to when he'd be back but they weren't able to give a definitive answer.  Dejectedly she hung up the receiver...

She felt disappointed that they hadn't spoken as she wanted to pass on her flight details so that all would be ready for her upcoming visit.  Whenever she thought about going to Hanoi a wave of excitement coursed through her body, part butterflies and part fear. 

But something deep inside gnawed away at her, was it self doubt about seeing Bill again, or was it something else...  And by not being able to speak to him she felt like her equilibrium was off, if only she could hear his voice perhaps that would calm her.   

A couple of days later she tried calling the Hanoi desk again, but with the same response. Lea's frustration began to boil, why wouldn't he speak to her she?  Was he trying to avoid her she wondered, why had he changed his mind?  

Until now she'd been able to keep the tide of self doubt in check, but this opened the flood gate to her worst fears.

"Damn him" she sobbed as tears rolled down her face dripping onto her cotton nightgown soaking it.

Episode 41: Duality

After Bill's incident Phuong had instinctively activated his underground network, but already knew deep down that Anh was behind the attack.  Even without corroboration it was plainly obvious that Anh's jealousy had been unleashed with Mai and would not accept someone coming between them.

Phuong often reminisced about the pleasure of his first assignment - tailing Anh and Mai in the ChợĐồg Xuân, but that was before he was sent south to Saigon to infiltrate the bourgeois and corrupt Diem regime and fight the imperialists during the American war.  

He had fought bravely and as a decorated hero was recognized by the revolutionary council for his leadership and courage in the last days of the war.  In late 1975 he was repatriated back to the North, but instead of taking a place of honour on the council he had elected to continue his clandestine activities as an agent of the people and evaporate back into the shadows.

With the opening up of the country to the western powers in 1979 he had been reactivated and assigned to become a translator for the Hanoi desk at the Times newspaper with a dual role of ensuring that important and significant news coming out of the country was portrayed in the best possible light while "assisting" the foreign journalists with translation and opening the right doors at the right time.  Often, especially in the early years his role of feeding good news stories to the west was near on impossible, particularly after the first of the many land reforms had failed so miserably.  

Over the years Phuong had worked with many foreign journalists, but none quite like Bill and to his surprise he had bonded with him almost immediately.  He felt drawn to Bill and had soon become rather protective of this happy-go-lucky and warm hearted Australian. Bill was both sincere and diligent in his journalism but also set out to be become proficient in Vietnamese and thus become a trusted part of the community.  He showed great respect for the history and culture while observing the social mores, which was a first given that most of his predecessors quickly fell into the boredom of living an ex-pat life, showing little interest in either work or the people that surrounded them.  

Generally he felt nothing but disgust and some level of malevolence toward the westerners he encountered but not Bill...no he was different.

Episode 40: Missed

Before lunch Mai showered in the open air walled shower which was adjacent to her bedroom, the leafy frangipani fringed shower had been such a decadent luxury with its large rain head and she loved the feeling of hot water running over her head, shoulders and down her back.  This is where she often did her best thinking... or fantasizing in Bill's case.   She closed her eyes and imagined his hard body against hers, feeling his broad shoulders and strong arms holding her...  She could feel her nipples harden at the very thought of his touch.

Only a few more minutes more she thought and smiled broadly, the flock of butterflies dancing in her stomach.

She knew that Bill would be prompt as it was in his nature, and so turning off the water stepped naked from the shower, and was immediately intoxicated with the smell of flowers which surrounded her.   Mai was more than excited to see Bill again and so was difficult to sit still while her assistant dried and styled her hair.  She had already had an early morning appointment to wax her body and have a full pedicure and manicure, and she wanted to be perfect for when she saw Bill again.  

As the hands slowly approached 2:00 pm she became unable to sit still, unconsciously she lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply as she staring intently looking at the front door...

Episode 39: Blind

Bill sensed the change in the light through his hood, but surprisingly hadn't heard them approach.  He felt his ropes being untied and smelt the strong odor of fish sauce on the men that handled him.  His hands and feet were numb, and his knees ached after being stuck in the same position for what felt like an eternity.  He was roughly pulled to his feet but the hood remained firmly fixed on his head as he was made to sit on a chair.  He could feel the flimsy table in front of him, but was unable to make out anything except for the shadows and the deep sense of foreboding.

"We know you're a spy" the woman interrogator spat.  Hanoi can be a dangerous place she threatened menacingly, you will tell us who your operatives are at once.  Bill realizing that he was way out of his depth thought best to remain silent...   

After a few moments she instructed her accomplices to restrain Bill and tie him to the chair.  He tried to push against the ropes being attached in the hope that when he relaxed there would be a small measure of slack that would ensure that the ropes cut into him less than before but to no avail.  The ropes dug deeply into his wrists and ankles as they were pulled tightly behind him

Before he could gain his composure his chair was thrust backwards and now balanced precariously on its back legs as a bucket of water was slowly poured over his head and hood.  Bill gagged with the sudden on rush of water now flooding his face.  His involuntary scream muffled by the constant stream of water now pouring over his hooded face.  

Coughing he endeavored to move his head so it was out of the stream, but found that it was held tightly but the strong hands which gripped each side of his head.

Bill's mind was a blur of fear and disbelief as blackness enveloped him... 

Episode 38: Finally

After Lea had told Glenda and John about her conversation with Bill and her upcoming travel plans John had decided to submit her paperwork as though he was transferring her to the Hanoi desk, reconciling himself with the fact that if she and Bill made a go of it she'd likely want to stay anyway.  It would be a nice surprise he thought. 

John endeavored to be the peacemaker between Lea and Glenda, but to little avail. Glenda had resigned herself to the fact that Lea was so headstrong that she wasn't going to be able to stop her, but still held out hope that the Australian would somehow come to his senses and ask her not to come, after all it had been almost a year since he left.  

That's a lot of time and water under the bridge she reasoned.  Hell, Lea may still come to her senses, well at least she hoped she did.

The company solicitors had interviewed Lea and completed all of the paperwork before sending to be sent to the Vietnamese consulate in Paris.  Surprisingly, the French had been one of the first countries to recognize Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975 and had invited them to open an embassy in Paris late in 1979.  All European visa applications and business dealings were funneled directly through the consulate in Paris.   

So when the package finally arrived and Lea opened it to find that John was transferring her to the Hanoi desk as a new correspondent she was speechless. 

On one hand she desperately wanted to see Bill to see if she could rekindle their relationship, but at the same time didn't want to move to Hanoi.  No, she wanted to bring him back to London. 

She felt the shards of doubt and panic rise in her chest as she turned the situation over in her mind... 

Episode 37: Hostage...

Monday dawned like any other with Bill walking towards the Star Cafe through the crowded streets and alleyways of the Old Quarter, the noise, humidity and throng of scooters had become his second home.  He loved the grittiness of his life in Hanoi, and the juxtaposition of its innate beauty.   As he walked he could see through the limbs of the overhanging Banyan trees that the sky was transforming into the dark and leaden form which occurred each afternoon right before the torrential downpour and the respite from the tense humidity.

He began to hear the first heavy drops on the leaves above him and so instinctively stepped under an awning.  He hadn't seen the shadowed form of the two men standing deep inside the darkly lite store front nor felt the blow that rendered him unconscious.  

Bill's head ached as he slowly became aware of where he was, or where he wasn't to be more precise.  He wasn't able to remember much about anything as his brain felt completely muddled.  He tried to open his eyes, but realized that he had something over his head which felt like a cloth or bag of some sort.  His hands and feet were tightly bound behind his back and he was lying on his side on a cold floor.   

What the bloody hell was going on he thought as his mind began to regain some semblance of order and understanding to his predicament.  He could hear the muffled sound of voices nearby but couldn't decipher what they were saying.  He wondered how long he'd been here?  And why he'd been trust up like a pig and left on the floor.  

His first thought was to yell, but soon thought better of it.  Although never being in a situation like this before, he sensed that this was more than a simple scare tactic and that if he knew what was good for him he needed to remain silent as though he was still unconscious and try and glean what information he could.

The ropes on his hands and feet were cutting into his wrists and feet and so uncomfortably tight. His mouth dry with the lingering taste of blood and wondered if the wound on his head had been reopened, it sure felt like it from the blinding pain that emanated from his head...  His mind raced as he tried to remember his last conscious thought before he found himself here.  

A deep fear began to build...

Episode 36: Uncompromising

The wound on Bill's head was healing nicely and with the stitches now removed it hurt a whole lot less.  He was excited at the thought of seeing Mai, but also a little apprehensive especially given Phuong's information on who had attacked him in his apartment.  Was this a set up he thought, although try as he might to expunge the thought from his mind...it kept scratching away in the back of his mind.

Mai stood barefoot on the marble patio with a brightly colored sarong tied neatly above her breasts, she was transfixed by the brilliant tropical sunset over the lake and was so absorbed that she didn't hear Anh approach. Anh wrapped her arms around Mai's waist and nuzzled her ear before kissing her neck lightly.

This was the perfect time of day and Mai's favorite, she truly felt at peace bathed in the late afternoon sunlight as it slowly changed colors from the reds and yellows to the deep purples of the early evening.  It was rare that Anh and Mai's paths crossed at this time of day, as generally Mai's day was just getting under way.   

Anh was easily bored with the tedium of small talk, and especially with the embassy set that Mai tended to float so beautifully within.  However, more than anything she despised the revolutionary council and dismissed them as a traitorous group that should be lined up against the nearest wall and shot.  She felt deeply betrayed given that they had fought for so long for independence, only to now open up the country to all the western powers once again.  

At least she controlled the ChợĐồg Xuân as she saw fit, without interference from anyone and ruled it with a iron fist.  This was her turf and the revolutionary council knew better than to interfere especially since she paid so handsomely each month, which undoubtedly kept the local coffers flush and thus ensured everyone gave her a free hand.

It as Mai who spoke first as they stood in the diminishing light, "I finally heard from my Australian friend" she said brightly.  Anh didn't have to enquire as to who she meant as it was immediately obvious.  "So the Australian has finally resurfaced" she said with a slight edge to her voice. "Yes, I'm seeing him next Tuesday" Mai said defiantly as she turned to look Anh in the eye.  

No one spoke to Anh like this.  She had always loved Mai's fierce and uncompromising courage when faced with situations like this - she was like a cornered tiger Anh thought.  Anh was silent momentarily as she contemplated her response.  Then finally said, "he is unreliable and disappears for long periods, clearly he is using you" she spat with a venom so rarely seen by Mai.  Mai laughed softly, "you've always instructed me to use my male suitors to my advantage, whose not to say I'm not doing that now to him" she mused. 

Anh knew Mai, better than Mai herself and could see that she felt something deep for this man...

Episode 35: One spirit

After Bill's call Mai's mood improved considerably, and she began day-dreaming about being with him, his hard and muscled body against hers.  Yet she had sensed that Anh was less than amused with her dalliance with Bill after the cool reception she received from her whenever she mentions his name and so wondered whether she should divulge that he'd called or that they were going to meet next week.  

She felt conflicted!  On one hand she felt completely loved and protected by Anh, but deep inside she knew that she needed more.  Mai was more surprised than she cared to imagine given that that she'd actually spent so little time with Bill.  She knew it was more than just physical attraction, it was as if she and Bill were of one spirit and that on some unspoken level completely were in sync with each other which was both unnerving and exhilarating at the same time.

Although initially annoyed by his absence and lack of communication, after she'd pouted for a few days she realized that he was who he was and that he would be in her life no matter what and so she relaxed and waited for his inevitable call.   

It were as if the universe had brought him back to her...finally!

Episode 34: Tuesday 2:00 pm

Mai picked up the receiver and placed it to her ear "Chào buổi sáng" she said softly.  On hearing Mai's voice Bill's face immediately flushed and he awkwardly stammered "Ahhh hi...Mai, it's..its Bill".  The silence on the other end of the phone was deafening.

Bill started to explain why he hadn't contacted her since their last meeting, Mai smiled inwardly as he made his excuses but let him continue until he was done.  She could hear him breathing heavily on the other end of the phone, waiting momentarily before purring "Tuesday 2:00 pm, you know where I'll be", the receiver went dead in his hands.

He wasn't sure how he felt given the one way conversation between them.  He was thrilled to be seeing Mai again, but also felt anxious with the impending meeting.  He felt conflicted as to whether to tell Phuong, if nothing more than to know where he was and reasoning with himself that the more people that knew the more risk of Trung and his cronies finding out and showing up...that he knew he didn't want.

Bill was also nervous about seeing Mai again, generally he was so confident and always in control with few situations unnerving him, but Mai was different in so many ways and she always seemed keep him a little off balance and unsure of himself.

One thing was certain, Tuesday couldn't come fast enough...

Episode 33: Hard Facts

Phuong was sitting in his normal spot at the Star Cafe chatting to Bin Dong when Bill entered the next morning.  Thank god he thought to himself, at least I hadn't totally pissed him off.  As Bill approached, Bin Dong turned, nodded and retreated behind the counter to make their morning coffee.  After sitting Bill started to apologize but Phuong held up his hands, we cannot speak of this he said firmly.

Bill was confused, he felt as though something had changed in their relationship and that a measure of distance now separated them...

For the remainder of their conversation that morning Bill practiced his Vietnamese under Phuong's tutelage, as if it were a normal day which confused Bill more than ever.  As they exited they strode into the oncoming traffic and crossed the busy thoroughfare for their daily walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake.  

Once out of the turbulence of the scooter traffic and cacophony of noise Phuong said in a low voice.  I warned you about Mai he said firmly, you could have been killed the other night.  So this is what this is all about, said Bill.  A couple of thugs beat me up and you think it was because of Mai.   Mate, you're dead wrong about that he said firmly...  

Am I? Phuong shot back staring firmly at Bill

They continued to walk in silence, however Phuong was at odds with himself and felt compelled to protect Bill from the dangers of Mai and Anh.  

Phuong explained that Anh, Mai's lover had most likely set Trung and his thugs upon Bill the other night, hoping that it would scare you enough to leave Hanoi.  "Why would I leave Hanoi?" Bill protested.  It feels like I just got here, and to be honest I'm starting to like it, although a little bit warm for my liking he said smiling trying to lighten the mood.  

Phuong decided to take another tack with Bill, he then went onto tell Bill the story of Hanoi Rose and her escort service.  He said that she had enforcers that accompanied her everywhere and that it was most likely they were responsible for the beating and subsequent head wound.  

Bill was feeling perplexed, "Are you sure we have the same Mai?"  After all, she certainly didn't have any bodyguards with her when I was with her last.  Now it was Phuong's turn to smile wryly. 

Episode 32: Disbelief

Within a couple of days of being back in Hanoi, albeit the nasty head wound his mind often turned to Mai and the idyllic afternoon spent together before he left for Bangladesh.  He felt guilty that he hadn't been able to contact her or get word to her before setting off on his assignment...although now it seemed so long ago.  

Bill was intoxicated with the very thought of Mai and how they had come together in physical harmony so effortlessly.  It was if she knew him already, how he liked to be touched and caressed, and their easy banter and conversation felt so incredible. 

He just had to see her again...but he realized that during his time in Bangladesh he had lost the slip of paper with Mai's number on it.  He sensed that Phuong wasn't a big fan of Mai, and so was reticent to bring her name up in conversation even, although it was now clear that Phuong knew a lot more about what was going on than he gave away.  

Bill had observed that whenever Mai or even Anh's name was mentioned the tone of the conversation changed considerably, as well as Phuong's demeanour - was it hostility or something else, all he knew was that Phuong became a different person and that his "cloak and dagger" routine seemed to surface.   

When Phuong came into the office later that morning they got straight down to business and discussed the various stories that they were working on, although in Bill's mind he didn't really care about the local politics or any story for that matter, all he wanted was Mai's phone number.  Bill sensed a natural gap in the conversation and so awkwardly broached the subject with Phuong.  "I seem to have lost an important phone number you gave me a little while ago mate, could you give it to me again?"   

Phuong sat in silence looking directly at Bill, his expressionless demeanour unflinching in its gaze.  Without speaking he stood and walked out the door.  

"Jesus, what's gotten into him" he thought as he unconsciously touched the back of his head.  

Bill's head throbbed uncontrollably...

Episode 31: Unexpected

The next morning Bill was sitting in the office trying to concentrate on a story that they had been working on for submission later that day, his head throbbed incessantly from the stitches in the back of his head.  

The phone jangled loudly, "Bloody hell that's loud" he thought as he picked up the receiver... "The Times - Hanoi Desk" he said, expecting his usual contact from London on the line, but there was a moment of silence before Lea greeted him "hello stranger".  It took Bill a few seconds to register her unmistakeable voice.   "Hello you" he said smiling broadly.  It was great to hear a friendly and familiar voice, almost reassuring after what he'd been through.

After the brief catch up there was a slight pause in the conversation, Bill was feeling a little awkward when Lea broke the silence "would you like a visitor?" she said as brightly as possible given her nervousness.  

Bill was clearly surprised given all that had transpired, or in actuality what hadn't transpired before he left London or his new posting in Hanoi some months before.  "Of course, whenever you want" he said expectantly.   Well, I might be able to book for the end of the month she said breezily, not wanting to give anything away.  Is it okay if I come for two weeks, I realize I'm imposing, but I'll explore while your at work. I'll be no problem and it'll be fun! 

"Okay, sure that sounds great" Bill said nervously.   Let me know when you finalize your flights land I'll come pick you up.  Lea sensed the slight hesitation, but put it down to the surprise phone call.   

"I'll look forward to seeing you" she said before hanging up the receiver.  Bill sat holding the receiver, a million thoughts rushing through his head as he reached out and slowly replaced the handset back into its cradle.  

All he could do was shake his head...

Episode 30: Imperialist!

Phuong waited at the Star the next morning at the usual time, but there was no sign of Bill.  He made his way to the office and waited but there was no word from Bill and by 10:00 am he began to worry.  

Parking his scooter in front of Bill's apartment complex on Cát Linh đường phố, he sensed something was amiss as the hair on the back of his neck began to tingle.  All of his training now kicked in as he flattened himself against the wall of the complex wall and stealthily made his way toward the apartment.  Even from a his vantage point at the corner of open corridor he could see that Bill's apartment door was ajar...

He now regretted not telling Bill about what he learned about Anh and the enquiries that Trung had been making about him in his absence.  Time stood still as he crept along the wall, he slowly pushed the door with his fingers, keeping concealed against the wall incase there was someone inside.  The door slowly swung open, he peeked into the semi dark room and noticed the body on the floor.  

There was a pool of blood on the floor next to Bill, although crept into the room softly.  His ears tuned to the slightest sound, slowly he crouched and noted that the blood seemed to come from a superficial head wound on the back of his skull  He carefully rolled Bill over to see if there were any other wounds, but fortunately he seemed to be uninjured except for the deep gash in his head.  He noted Bill's eye lids begin to flicker and slowly open, and in a croaky voice ask where he was.  Phuong peered into his face, until the glimmer of recognition passed over his face.  

It was then that Phuong noticed the slogan painted on the walls "get out you imperialist dog" in dripping red paint.

So this was the tactic they were using Phuong thought...

Episode 29: Routine

Phuong waited patiently at the Noi Bai airport as Bill's flight landed from Bangkok.  It was late and Phuong was shocked when he first saw Bill walk toward him, he had visibly aged, his haggard and drawn look reminded Phuong of that all too familiar look of someone directly from a war zone.

Bill endeavored to greet him warmly, but his exhaustion seemed to seep from every pore of his body as Phuong shook his hand, smiling Bill said  "so Phuong what's been going on here while I've been away?"  They talked as they walked to the car in the nearby parking lot, but within seconds of pulling from the lot Bill fell into a deep sleep. Phuong drove through the crush of scooters that besieged the roadways even at this late hour and thought about what lay ahead for Bill...he must warn him.

Bill woke while a start when Phuong gently shook his shoulder upon arrival at his house.  "Sorry mate, I must have dozed off" he smiled sheepishly.  Thanks for the lift, back to our old routine tomorrow?  Phuong replied "chắc chắn, xem bạn vào ngày mai".  At this late hour and with his muddled brain Bill couldn't decipher Phuong or the familiar Vietnamese.  Phuong realizing that it was beyond his friend said "okay, see you in the morning at the Star"

As Bill gathered his bag from the back seat, Phuong turned to him and said  "we must begin our lessons again".  Bill smiled as he closed the door to the car and watched as the taillights of Phuong's car disappeared into the darkness along Cát Linh đường phố.  

Bill tried to imagine surviving in Hanoi without his trusted friend Phuong, "No bloody way he thought to himself".  He turned toward his apartment but didn't noticed the two men sitting on the scooter lingering in the shadows.

Bill unlocked the gate and made his way toward the sanctuary of his apartment, too exhausted to think...

  

Episode 28: Advantage

After Trung received his orders from Anh he quickly began gathering information about the Australian, and within hours had discovered that he'd been sent out of the country to cover a story in Bangladesh.  Reporting back the next morning Anh listened in silence as he outlined what he'd found.  

Dismissing him, she walked to the balcony of her apartment adjacent to the ChợĐồg Xuân.  The question she turned over in her mind was, should she divulge this information to Mai to calm and reassure her or withhold it and see how things played themselves out. 

Although Anh truly loved Mai she had been hardwired at an early age to use every advantage possible, irrespective of how small to ensure she initially gained and then maintained control.  After all "information is power" she often thought to herself.  

She began playing out scenarios in her mind as to how best to use the information that Trung had discovered, completely oblivious to the cacophony of sounds and smells emanating from the nearby market. She leaned heavily on the railing with both hands and pondered her next move as she stared into the crowded and congested epicentre of Hanoi. From her vantage point overlooking the market she felt like the queen of Hanoi, which arguably she was.  Everything that occurred in the market - she knew about, every transaction - she took a cut of and every stall owner knew exactly who was in control, and it certainly wasn't the central government - her power in Old Hanoi was absolute.

The next morning Anh woke as the translucent light began filtering into the bedroom just before dawn, slowly running her fingernails down Mai's naked back, she leaned in and breathed deeply. Anh loved the smell of Mai's natural scent...  Taking her time, she began to tease Mai awake by softly skimming her body from her neck to her hip and crease of her ass with the light touch of her fingertips.  As she softly caressed her back and nibbled her neck she felt her nipples harden and the excitement grow inside her as her lips softly kissed Mai's beautifully sculpted neck from behind.  Mai began to stir and rolled over, opening her eyes and smiling as Anh continued her morning ritual of waking her to make love.  Their lips met as their tongues and bodies slowly entwined...

As they lay bathed in sweat under the slowly revolving overhead fan sharing a post-coital cigarette it was Anh who asked "have you heard from your mysterious Australian?"  Mai took a long drag on her cigarette but remained silent.   

The air suddenly seemed to thicken...

Episode 27: Status

It was almost a week before Lea spoke to John again after the morning tea conversation.  

She knew he had no choice but to send Bill to Dhaka, after all it was the biggest story of the day and surprisingly she took great pride in the fact that he was now on the world stage, everything that he'd hoped for was coming true.  

His riveting account of the devastation and the relief efforts had been hard to grasp given the graphic nature of the stories, especially with the cholera epidemic that followed shortly after the disaster.  All she could do is worry about his safety and tell herself that she'd take care of him once they were together again.  

As she boarded the elevator for her usual ride to her floor, the door was held just long enough for John to leap in.  Their eyes met as he boarded but the silence was deafening as it made its way slowly up, stopping floor after floor to deposit its human cargo until they were the last two onboard the slowly moving elevator. Lea was first to speak, "Look I'm sorry about the other day, of course you were right in sending him to Dhaka", John looked at her with a business like look and said "yes I know".  She smiled a half smile, but at that moment the elevator jolted to halt and the door opened at her floor.  

The awkward silence prevailed as she exited and the doors slowly closed behind her.  She could feel his anger and disappointment in the way he'd reacted to her half apology.  "Fuck, now he's angry with me as well."

John continued his ride, and as soon as he stepped from the elevator his assistant was instantly at his side with a telex from Dhaka confirming that his local correspondent was indeed dead.  It took a moment for the impact to sink in, and another for him to realize that having Bill on the ground was the best decision he'd made. 

He'd been expecting this news, but it impacted him heavily as now his concern was for Bill's safety, knowing that the Cholera epidemic hadn't yet reached it zenith.  

John was not a religious man, but all he could do was pray for his safety in the aftermath of the disaster after all he'd put him in harm's way.   John silently prayed for them both, because if anything happened to Bill he would never forgive himself, nor would Lea...

Episode 26: Distant Thoughts

Bill had been so caught up in his mission to Dhaka that on the rare occasions that he had time to think of anything but the death and destruction, his mind wandered back to the blissful afternoon spent with Mai.  These fleeting memories became less and less the longer his mission had dragged on, and now felt completely bereft of any feelings as his body slumped into the hard seat in the Hercules transport plane as it sat on the tarmac at Dhaka airport.  His exhaustion was complete as he fell asleep almost instantly the moment he sat down, which was more than surprising given the noise inside the aircraft as it continued to load its final cargo.

Bill woke with a start, his eyes adjusting to smiling face that loomed large in front of him as the Canadian loadmaster shook him awake and shouted something to him.  Bill still half asleep didn't catch what he'd said, but assumed that they were about to land in Delhi as he could feel the plane slowly sinking toward to ground, and touching down a few minutes later with a slight bump.   

As soon as the plane landed and the tail gate touched the tarmac the aircrew began unloading their cargo with breathtaking speed, Bill watched in fascination as the busy crew darted back and forth in clockwork precision quickly unloading and loading the new cargo with minutes of touching down and reading themselves for the flight back to Dhaka.   "Good luck to them" Bill muttered under his breath as he walked away from the noisy plane.

A driver was on hand to greet Bill as he walked from the tarmac, smiling broadly he directed him to the car that was waiting for him and his short trip to the passenger terminal to catch his flight to Bangkok.

His eyes still sore from the short sleep that he'd been able to garner on the plane, all he could do to keep awake was drink black coffee and walk the terminal until his flight was ready for boarding.  God how he hated black coffee he thought to himself, he'd only really become accustom to drinking coffee in Hanoi then he smiled as he remembered his morning routine with Phuong and the Star cafe and how he was looking forward to seeing his old friend again.  

As he reminisced about seeing Phuong, he remembered the clandestine way Phuong had passed Mai's telephone number to him at the Star that morning and the strange manner in which he had told him about Mai on their walk around the lake.  At the time he'd thought Phuong was just playing games with him, nothing like a little "cloak and dagger" he thought, but now on reflection Phuong had been more than serious about everything that had transpired.  I suppose secrecy was just one of those things that came with living in Vietnam, after all the government was still far from being open and at times could be rather repressive. 

Would life ever be normal again he wondered...

Episode 25: Abandoned

It had been a long time since Anh had seen Mai this upset, normally this was reserved for the anniversary of her parents death, but that wasn't for some months yet and so she was taken aback but this sudden show of emotion.  As she held her she could feel the hot tears on her shoulder and blouse as Mai sobbed quietly.   Anh felt the tension in Mai's body begin to dissipate as her heaving shoulders slowly calmed, Mai slowly pulled back and wiped the remnants of the tears from her eyes.

"Fuck him" she spat, I don't need him...or anyone else as she turned and walked into the bedroom.  

As Anh sat on the balcony she was turning the conversation over and over in her mind when Mai reappeared.   She was dressed in a beautiful jade colored dress, black heels and her hair tied in an Audrey Hepburn updo which was very popular with the Consulate crowd.  "I have a party at the Dutch embassy and the car is waiting for me" she announced breezily, before turning and walking toward the front door, with not a flicker of the consternation she'd experienced earlier.  

Anh wasn't one to sit and wait for answers and as soon as Mai had closed the door she called Trung, her top lieutenant.  

Find the Australian she instructed...  

Episode 24: Never ending...

Lea picked up the phone on her desk, “Its John, um we need to talk, can you meet me in five minutes out front of the building?”.  From the tone in John’s voice Lea knew that something was up “okay, I’ll be right down”.  

As she exited the elevator she could see him silhouetted against the glass doors leading to the street, making her way toward him she could tell by his body language that something was amiss.

He sensed her approaching and turned to see her stride through the revolving doors, John turned and tried to smile as she came toward him, but he sensed from her frown on her face that she had guessed he had to tell her something. “What is it?” she demanded as came toward him. “Has mother finally gotten to you?  Are you going to try to talk me out of going to Hanoi as well?” 

“Actually, Lea I have something else to tell you” he said carefully, perhaps we should go for a cuppa around the corner.  Lea looked deeply into his eyes and she could sense his concern.  “Sure, I could do with a cup after the morning I’ve had” she said trying to lighten the moment.

As they walked to the café in the lane nearby they struggled for conversation beyond the weather and how Chelsea had played that weekend in the English Premier League.

John ordered two cups of tea as he walked in, as a regular they knew exactly what he type he liked and brought over two steaming cups and placed them in from of them.  The tea shop was always relatively busy given its central location, although surprisingly few from the office frequented the shop as they mostly crossed the street to the nearby Cafe San Remo. 

Lea was first to speak, “C'mon out with it” she prompted, “it can’t be that bad, now can it”.  As a journalist who’d done a lot of human-interest stories she was a keen watcher of body language, it came with the territory but she could tell by the lack of eye contact that John had something pretty important to tell her.

Lea reached for his arm and touched it.  He gave a half smile and looked into her eyes.  

Look Lea, you can’t go to Hanoi…well, not just yet anyway he said almost a little too quickly.  Lea’s anger rose instantly, how could she have been so wrong she thought.  “What the hell do you mean I can’t go to Hanoi” she said a little too loudly.   I thought you said this wasn’t about me and Hanoi.   Look Lea I’ve had to send Bill to Bangladesh to cover the disaster there and I’m not sure how long he’s going to be on the ground.  Lea’s eyes instantly welled with tears, “Why would you do that to me?” she sobbed.  “You knew I was leaving at the end of the week, how could you” she sputtered. 

Now it was John’s turn to be defensive, listen I had to do it, my local correspondent is nowhere to be found and I’m afraid that he maybe dead, Bill is the closest guy I could get on the ground and he left this morning for Dhaka.  This is business Lea and you know it he said firmly.

She looked up with tears still glistening in her eyes and nodded.  Deep down she knew he was right but was feeling unusually vulnerable at the moment.  Perhaps it was her own doubt now starting to rise, as it felt that every time she planned to move forward with Bill something always seemed to come up.

Episode 23: Exhausted

Bill eyes burned from the lack of sleep and the constant headache and the visceral images that constantly ran through his head were never ending.  The past six weeks had been the most shocking of his life and absolutely nothing could have prepared him for the level of destruction and devastation he found once he’d eventually gotten into Bangladesh.  

Bill had built his reputation on being the guy on the spot, the guy who could get to the heart of a story no matter how difficult, but nothing could have prepared him for the sites and smells that he was to find. Making his way with the aid convoy toward Dhaka he realized that the death toll was going to be enormous.  Initial estimates, had been up to 10,000 but from what he now saw it must have been many more times that as the destruction, with the countryside being completely decimated, god only knew what he was going to find in Dhaka he thought to himself as the convoy slowly rolled on…  

Upon arriving into the decimated capital he tried in vain to find his colleague, after finding the locating the local office, or the pile of rubble that once was the local office, it was then that he realized for the first time that his colleague was most likely a casualty.  

Bill’s resourcefulness had come in handy time and again during his relatively young career and this was no exception.  Quickly establishing contacts within the various aid groups that he accompanied each day to provide food, water and assistance where possible.  

His daily stories were gripping first hand accounts of the brutal situation that was now unfolding inside the capital and indeed across the country, but Bills difficulty was now getting the news out of the country.  

John had surprised him and had gotten a message to him via the International Red Cross, that he had a contact within the Bangladeshi army that would provide him with access to a telex machine that had been set up by the military in the basement of the Hilton Hotel.  

His time in Bangladesh had tested his resolve on so many levels, at times he felt more like a humanitarian aid worker rather than a journalist, as he found himself helping pull bodies from the still swollen rivers and from the thousands of piles of rubble so that they could be either buried or burned.  

His new colleagues within the aid agencies had been quick to point out to Bill that the biggest worry they now all faced was the threat of Cholera, and he could tell by the look in their eyes that they’d had some experience with it other global hotspots over the years.

He was at the end of his tether, exhausted both physically and emotionally, and at the end of four hard weeks he telexed John to say that he was done.  John had been reflecting on the situation and as a newspaperman knew deep down that the story had run its course and that the outside world had moved on.  So when Bill telexed him to say he needed out, it was a straightforward process for John to approve it, effective immediately.  

By this time Dhaka airport was again open for business and now a central hub for international aid, although few commercial flights were coming in or out of the country John, through his vast network of contacts had again surprised Bill by getting him on a Canadian Hercules scheduled to leave the following afternoon for Bangkok.

Bill put in a call to Phuong at the office in Hanoi.  As luck would have it he answered the phone on the fourth ring.  “G’day Phuong” he said as brightly as possible, there was a short silence before Phuong replied “Xin chào Mr.Bill”.

His mind was mush and so couldn’t translate anything into Vietnamese, “listen mate, can you please book me on a flight out of Bangkok for Wednesday night?  I’ll pick up the ticket at the airport”.   Phuong could sense the tiredness in Bills voice and at once agreed to his request.  “Are you well?”  he questioned.  “Yes, mate I’ll be fine as soon as I can get into a hot bath and get some shut eye” Bill replied.   See you when I get back he said before hanging up.

The phone went dead in Phuong's hand as he slowly replaced the handset.

Episode 22: Treasured memories

Lea got back to her flat after lunch with John feeling completely drained. Her eyes still visibly puffy from the outburst in the restaurant but instead of feeling better about her decision to go to Hanoi to surprise Bill she felt sad and more alone than ever.

As she reflected on her time with Bill she now realized that during their time together she had taken so much for granted and that she had wasted so much time with petty, and what now seems like inconsequential and trivial things.  

Like when he would just walk in on her when she was in the bathroom having a pee, and how mad she would get at him. For him growing up in a large family with only one bathroom he didn’t seem to think twice before just barging in.  At first this was endearing, but she told him firmly that a lady needed her privacy and that he couldn’t come in while she was in there by herself, but still continued to do amid Lea’s most frustrated outbursts.  He would just seem to laugh it off and say sorry each time, but never seem to remember and do it over and over, much to her chagrin.

Or the way his jaw would crack and crunch when he ate, the result of a dislocated jaw from his rugby days at University. To Lea his chewing felt like water torture with the constant sounds emanating from his mouth when he ate…   I would get so angry she thought to herself, and for what?

Now these irritants were precious and treasured memories.  

She had made up her mind to go and that was all there was to it.  After all, it was her pettiness and pride that had pushed Bill away in the first place; even when he had tried in vain to reach her before he left for his posting in Hanoi.  By ignoring him she had hoped that he would have come to his senses, realize that he loved her and abandon the silly idea of going half way around the world to a country that was just getting back on its feet after years of war with the West.  

Now she had decided to make things right, tell him how she really felt about him and that she would quit her job and stay with him in Hanoi, anything as long as they were together.  

After all she loved him and that’s all that mattered…

Episode 21: For the revolution

Anh held Mai as the orgasm slowly subsided; her breath slowly recovering from the ragged gulps and cries of passion that echoed around their bedroom just moments before.  

Anh’s tongue slowly tracing the length of Mai’s stomach from her glistening lips toward her belly button, the saltiness of her skin turned Anh on as she slid her body along Mai’s. Pausing to suck on her hardened nipples, and circle them slowly as she looked into Mai’s beautiful green eyes.  Anh was always struck with Mai’s stunning Eurasian looks, her sparkling green eyes were hypnotic not only for Anh but for everyone she met.

Mai smiled a look of complete love and contentment as she reached for Anh.  They kissed deeply as Mai rolled Anh onto her back and sat astride her thighs, slowing grinding into her while reaching to explore her beckoning womanhood. Mai always knew exactly how to touch her to bring her to a shattering orgasm, often bringing her to the edge time and time again before Anh would beg her to release her pent up passion.

Afterwards Mai took a long, slow drag on her cigarette before passing it to Anh, this post coital cigarette felt heavenly after such powerful orgasms.  The soft caresses of the overhead fan felt refreshing cool on their sweating bodies as it slowly revolved overhead and a deep feeling of contentment engulfed them both as they lay on the damp sheets.

Anh had never felt any jealously because deep down she knew Mai loved her and that she'd always be hers, but Mai was a little surprised when Anh suggested that she should take advantage of this and make some money from her suitors.

Mai had always been the center of attention where ever she went, but more and more she found herself in the company of the foreigners who had started to frequent Hanoi since the normalization of relations with the West some five years before.  At first Mai had been a little reluctant, but Anh had persisted saying that this was also part of the revolution and that exacting money from rich foreigners for the pleasure of her company was both good for the country but also could provide her with a sound income, especially now that Uncle Duong had fallen out of favour with the current ruling class.

Surprisingly, there had never been an issue with her foreign suitors; they were only too willing to pay for her company.  Initially Mai had been opposed to being intimate with her patrons, but when they doubled and often trebled the amount they gave her for her company how could she resist their advances especially as it ensured that she lived the type of lifestyle that she had grown accustom to.  Anh had been instrumental in helping Mai with the business even providing a couple of guys she knew to act as her bodyguards to ensure she was remunerated and treated appropriately, albeit always in the shadows and never truly visible.  On the rare occasion that one of her suitors needed some encouragement to provide payment, they appeared and often convinced them that he should pay double the rate just for the pleasure of Mai's company for their disrespect.  

Mai was indebted to Anh, not only for helping her start a successful high-class escort service but also for her deep love and affection, Mai felt safe with Anh and knew that she would protect her no matter what.

Even with all this, Mai felt like something was missing from her life and had a deep longing that she couldn't explain.  Most days she'd put it down to missing her mother and father, but the yearnings were elusive and even when focusing in on her memories of her parents she still felt unfulfilled deep within her core.

Episode 20: Uncle Duong

After their initial meeting Mai and Anh had become inseparable, spending all of their free time together much to the chagrin of Mai’s uncle who she lived with.  Mai’s parents had been killed during an air raid on Hanoi in 1971 when Mai was nine, and now lived with Uncle Duong in a large villa in the Ba Đình district.  

At first Uncle Duong was wary of Anh, as an important member of the Revolutionary council he had to be very careful of his alliances, even with a young girl.  He had his bodyguards follow her, and then her parents and neighbours in the Chợ Đồng Xuân questioned at length but found nothing untoward.  Still sensing something unusual with Anh he decided to have one of his youngest but most reliable agents keep a close eye on the Thanh Van family.  

His agent became a fixture of the markets; day and night he kept tabs on the family and especially the daughter Anh reporting back everyday to his cadre leader what had transpired during the prior day.  He'd become an expert at surveillance and closely monitored the two beautiful girls and constantly looked for signs of subversive behavior. He definitely enjoyed his new assignment, watching the two girls gave him enormous pleasure, and in moments of solitude he would often fantasize about being with them, his kisses and touch reciprocated until he climaxed. 

Like most young girls they constantly held hands wherever they went, but observed on occasion, as Anh would whisper in Mai’s ear that she would linger just that a moment too long.  It was something about the way she looked at her that gave away her love for Mai.  

He was torn between his assignment and his obvious attraction for the two beautiful women; he loved Mai’s inexorable beauty but was surprisingly drawn to Anh’s physicality and edginess. There was just something about the way she demanded respect from those around her that excited him.  

Anh had grown up in the Chợ Đồng Xuân and knew both the Old Quarter and the shopkeepers exceedingly well.  He'd followed her day and night, and what struck him most was the unusual level of deference the shopkeepers provided her, noting that they often gave her a slight bow when they met. 

Why would a shopkeeper bow to a young girl he wondered... 

Episode 19: Restless

Mai seemed preoccupied, even a little more than normal but and Anh was low on patience for her lover. One moment Mai would want to kiss and caress Anh’s naked and quivering body, the next she’d be flitting out the door to meet another suitor. It always seemed to be a tale of extremes, which added to the level of frustration for Anh as she had never become accustomed to feeling second best.

Anh had fallen for Mai from the moment she saw her at the first Reunification day celebrations at their school.  There was something about Mai’s beauty and confidence even in those days that drew her in, and although their first furtive kiss had been pure ecstasy for Anh she could also sense Mai’s free spirit which drew her in even more.

Much had passed since those early days, but the unwavering love Anh had for Mai was evident in every gesture, glance and moment together.  

It was Anh who broke the silence as they sat watching the sunset, “Is everything okay, you seem distracted?” she asked hesitantly.  Mai turned to look at her, a serious look in her eyes.  “Yes, actually I need your advice” Mai faltered.  Remember I told you about the Australian journalist I met at the embassy ball, the one I challenged to find me.  “The dark and brooding one” Anh shot back.  “The same” Mai said smiling, before it slowly faded.  

There was a long pause before Mai went on, well, he was a better detective than I could have ever imagined. I invited him over to get better acquainted…  Anh now knew where this was going; she’d seen it all before.  “And…?” pressed Anh.  Well, that was almost a week ago and he hasn’t contacted me since.  Anh laughed, “but isn’t that what you wanted, a quick conquest with no strings?”

You could always tell when Mai was angry, her eyes flashed and her nostrils flared at Anh’s flippant remark.  “Fuck you” she spat as she got up and walked into the house. 

Now it was Anh’s turn to be angry, she quickly followed Mai into the house and grabbed her by the arm spinning her around, Anh’s anger dissipated immediately when she saw the tears spilling down Mai’s cheeks, her lower lip quivering as Anh reached to embrace her.  

“Mai, what’s going on?” she asked anxiously.