‘She’s at the riverside.’ the lady said.

‘Uncle, you’re buying banana fritters to feed the monkey?’ little boy said.

‘Don’t mind my little boy! He’s always like that’ the lady interrupted.

‘What’s Rinn doing at riverside? Would you mind?’ I asked.

‘She’s probably just stay there stoning!’ responded the lady.

‘No! Mum! B. Rinn would climb a tree and jump into the river! ’

‘Would you mind if I meet her there?’ I asked Rinn’s mother.

‘As you wish!’

‘I shall make a move then. Thanks a lot!’

So I went looking for Rinn at the Riverside. Indeed she was there, sitting on a pavilion with both her legs in the water, as if she was thinking about something. She couldn’t see me at first.

‘Rinn!’ I called her name as I approached.

‘Mister, if you’re looking for banana fritters, the shop is at the other side.’ Rinn responded without turning to see. She already knew it was me.

‘Rinn!…I just have something to tell you’

‘Don’t tell me you fall for me! Pat told me about your challenge with him. So who wins?’

‘That…I don’t really care. It was just a brain teaser for fun.’

‘Don’t you like Vonn?’

‘No…Vonn is a good girl, a perfect one actually. But I never really happen to like her.’

‘So what you want to tell me about?’

‘I’m……I’m going back to Singapore soon.’

‘Have you told Vonn and Pat yet?’

‘Not yet but I’ll meet them in class later. I don’t know whether I’ll meet you again before that day’

‘Ok then! I guess it’d come to time like this. Can’t be helped! Good luck on your way!’ Rinn still looked away as she responded.

‘That’s all I wanted to say! I guess I shall leave now. Good bye!’ I turned and was about to leave before Rinn said.

‘Neh! Are you gonna leave a girl like that? Come just come, go just go as and when you please?’ Rinn’s tone changed suddenly. She’s becoming emotional…

I paused but haven’t turned back before she continued….’Neh! Say something!‘

‘Rinn….I actually liked you. But I believe it isn’t fair for you’

‘Why?…..is it wrong to like someone?’

‘Going away, leaving the girl alone here for an unknown time…is not going be fair to the girl. I just don’t think it’s right to like someone that way.’

‘What if the girl like you too?’

‘It still isn’t fair to the girl’

‘Why does it need to be fair? Life isn’t fair’

I turned around and Rinn’s eyes as if she’s gonna cry…

‘I like you!’ she said.

An air of silence descended upon us…I approached her; using my bared hands, I wiped away her tears…’It’s okay now, Rinn, everything’s gonna be alright‘….[...]

We promised to keep in touch once I got back…by hand-written letters………We didn’t know what future would hold, but we were determined to see it through…..together!

Thus brings the end to the long-standing Operation Heart Hunter drama series. Hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing my first love story…

Sampoch Production, Vireak.net Copyleft©2007, Presque tous droits réservés

We were having a class for the first time….my so-called apprentices? Vonn and Pat. Not surprisingly, they both were extremely smart. But there was clearly a certain difference in their style of studies. While Vonn tended to shower with questions, Pat preferred to stop and think as if he wanted to keep questions till the end. Indeed, just like I thought. At the end of the class, Pat said:

‘Vireak, can we have a discussion after this over a drink?’
‘What you wanna discuss about? Can I join?’ Vonn interrupted.
‘No, Vonn! It’s just between us!’ Pat tried to be polite but still sounded really mean.
‘Sure, no problem!’ I responded but I was puzzled by Pat’s words “It’s just between us”.

So I went off for a drink with Pat….‘What was you wanted to discuss about, Pat?’ I somewhat suspected that it wouldn’t be about studies.
‘I heard all about you from Rinn’
‘About what?’ it’s Rinn afterall so I guessed she spilled out everything.
‘Are you really attracted by Vonn?’
‘What if it’s true?’
‘Well, you have competition’
‘You mean to say?’

‘I’m just curious as to how smart you are compared to me. You were a top student here afterall. How about a test?’ Pat showed he meant business.
‘Oh no. I was just so-so, but I’m ok for the challenge as long as Vonn is not involved’
‘Sure, it’s just a test of pride. The outcome won’t stop you doing anything’
‘So what is it?’
‘The rule is simple, I give you One quiz of any types and you give me One. Whoever gets it right wins, but there’re possibilities of stalemate if we both get it right or wrong’
‘Fair enough! So when do you want the answer?’
‘Between now and the next time we meet. Are you ready?’
‘Be my guest!’

‘Here the question:
Suppose 6 monkeys take 6 minutes to eat 6 bananas.
(a) How many minutes would it take 3 monkeys to eat 3 bananas?
(b) How many monkeys would it take to eat 48 bananas in 48 minutes?‘
Pat threw down his gauntlet.

‘That’s surprising, Pat. I thought it’s something to do with Maths. Never thought it would be monkeys’
‘Aint that Maths? Now it’s your turn!’

‘What?’ Pat was clearly expecting something else…

‘That’s the question’
‘Fair enough’

‘All right, Pat. Nice talking with you, but I guess I gotta go now’
‘Wait….you’re not afraid of cheating, are you?’
‘It’s a test of pride, you said. I suppose our pride does not consist of cheating’
‘As expected!’
‘By the way, you know where Rinn’s Banana Fritter shop is?’
‘Why you want to go there?’
‘To spend some of the 5 bucks you and Vonn paid me for the tuition class of course’
‘You’d better go there anyway!’
‘Why?’
‘You’ll know when you get there. It’s on Phum Traing road, near the bridge’
‘Thanks! see you later then!’

It’s Snake VS Monkeys and Pat VS errr….
Monkeys? I guessed I heard that before but I never managed to answer it myself. Brainteasers were never in my habits. And what awaits me at Rinn’s Banana Fritter shop?

Find out in next episode: Monkeys and Banana Fritters
To be continued…

As I rode home after the ice cream, something popped up in my mind.
‘Lok Kru Chea’s tuition class…huh?’ I pondered.
‘Don’t know whether he still remembers me. I guess I’ll pay him a visit’ I told myself.

The next day….It was just before 3pm. At Professor Chea’s home, the tuition class was about to start with around 20 students there. Knowing that Vonn, Pat and Rinn were in the 5pm to 6pm class, I walked in.

‘Who we’ve got here! If it ain’t Vireak!’ Lok Kru Chea looked out to me. And naturally, all the students in the class turned to look. I lifted my hands to Jum Reap Sour, but before I could say anything one voice was heard. ‘Lok Kru? Who’s that weird-looking Japanese?’ a girl’s voice….sounded familiar. Indeed it was no other than Rinn. And in fact, the trio Rinn, Vonn and Pat were all in the class. ‘Weren’t they supposed in the 5-6pm class’ I thought. But obviously she was being sarcastic and pretending not know me.

‘Lok Kru, I think I’m disrupting the class. I shall stay back until you finish.’ I decided to wait for a chit-chat with him after that. I walked up to a hammock near by and pulled out a book that I brought along. The title of the book was ‘Blink: The power of thinking without thinking!’.

4pm, the class ended. I continued my chit-chat with Lok Kru Chea as the students were going home when I looked around….. Gone! the three of them…all gone. ‘A miss opportunity’ I thought.

On the way home shortly, on my bicycle…..someone was following me. I could sense. I turned around. ‘Vonn, Pat… you two…we meet again, don’t we?’ I found out. ‘Err…actually…err… we came to ask you for help’ Vonn was hesitating while Pat looked away.
‘Well! what can I do for you?’
‘We want to sit in for the scholarship exams. We heard you’re a scholar. Think you can give us some tips’ Vonn continued.
‘Hmmm….!’
‘How about we pay you to teach us?’ Vonn smiled.
I looked to Vonn. A young and pretty girl. ‘Well, I can’t say no, can I?‘. We continued discussing for a while more before going different ways.

On my way home again…. this time, someone was following me again. ‘Mister, now it’s your chance‘ guess who said that.
‘My chance?’
‘Don’t tell me you’re not interested in Vonn’ Rinn was gigling.
‘Hmmm…!’
‘See?’
‘Don’t you wanna try for scholarship too?’ I asked Rinn.
‘Hah… I’d rather be selling Banana Fritter‘
‘I thought so’
‘So?’
‘Ice cream? I promised ice cream if we happened to meet again, didn’t I?’ I asked…
‘No, you can’t. You said if we happened to meet by chance’
‘Now, isn’t it a chance?’
‘Nope…you came here purposefully…to find us.’
‘I guess you’re right’ this girl knew so much…I thought.
‘Mister or rather Vireak, I won’t bother you more. I guess you need to prepare the teaching materials for Vonn and Pat’ said Rinn. That was the first time she said my name.
‘You’re right again, Rinn. Class starts tomorrow’ I returned in kind. Rinn couldn’t hide her smile but before long…….we parted again.

Vonn was clearly a bit prettier and more clever. On the other hand, Rinn is more down to earth, cute and cheerful…. But Rinn had said that she already had someone in mind. Hmm… I guessed I only had one choice…or rather one challenge.

Next episode: Choice and Challenge
To be continued…

It was almost 5pm and the rain began to subside. ‘Rinn, we’re going first! See you at Prof. Chea’s house‘ Vonn said. ‘So you’re leaving me alone here?‘ Rinn was somewhat upset. ‘That can’t be helped! You lost! You gotta buy the winner an ice cream‘ Pat was visibly exited at the prospect of accompanying Vonn alone. It was his chance! ‘I’m sorry! If it’s time for your tuition class, you may go ahead! Don’t bother about the ice cream‘ I interrupted. ‘A promise is a promise! Isn’t it what a man should be saying?‘ Rinn responsed firmly as she accepted to stay back. ‘Alright! See you there, Rinn! V…huh..vireak, good bye, but remember don’t come in the school without permission next time‘ said Vonn as she and Pat took the street on their seperate motocycle.

Rinn took a deep sigh and said ‘Mister! sorry if I’m going to disappoint you! We’re going to the school canteen!‘. But she looked more relieved and gave out a cute grin as if she was happy with something. ‘My pleasure.Thanks!‘ I responsed with a smile as we took a short walk toward the canteen.

‘Those two! They’re always like that. That’s why they score in exams better than me’ Rinn said of Vonn and Pat.
‘Then I won’t keep you for long’
‘It’s alright, I’m going home after this’
‘So you’re not going to the tuition class?’
‘Yes, come to think of it. I can’t believe I’m having ice cream with a stranger while my parents are struggling at home’
That made me feel even more guilty to have kept her. ‘We’re selling Banana Fritters‘ Rinn continued- this time with a smile as if to assure me.

‘Banana fritters! Isn’t it a good business?’ I asked.
‘Yes, that’s why we’re struggling to keep up with the demand. So I help out whenever possible’
‘But your parents want you to put in more efforts in studies, am I not wrong?’
‘You’re not wrong!’

Rinn ordered two cups of ice cream filled with roasted peanuts on top.
‘Neh, Mister! Are you a former student here?’
‘You can tell’
‘And you came here? to see old teachers or to look out for high school girls?’
This girl is pretty good. I thought. ‘What if it is the latter?‘ I returned.
‘Good luck on you! But you won’t find one in me though’
‘Why not?’
‘I already have someone in my mind. You can try that on Vonn!’

I paused a bit and look at Rinn in her eyes. Rinn didn’t avoid eye contact before she dug in the ice cream and said.
‘Neh! If there is a cherry on top of this ice cream, will you eat the cherry first or keep it till last?’
‘I’ll keep it to the end, you?’
‘I eat it right away’
‘Why?’
‘There’re times when you cannot finish the ice cream- thus the cherry’
Rinn sure loved to talk as she continued.
‘Neh! Ain’t you find me weird? I can tell that you were a student here and why you came here, but I couldn’t tell whether you’re a Japanese or Khmer. And I asked for ice cream when it rains and cold’
‘Yes, you’re weird and-’
‘And?’
‘Interesting’

We finished the ice cream and it was just a little bit over 5pm.
‘I guess it’s about time’ I said.
‘I guess so’ Rinn replied as she looked at her watch.
‘If by chance, we meet again, I’ll get you ice cream next time’
‘Sure…and good luck’ she smiled and before long we parted…

A first date that gave lasting impression. If it was a love story, would it be better if the romance blossom at the end? What if it’s not gonna end at all…
next episode: Chance or Purpose! We meet again!

The story itself is in the form of episodic series. Episode 1 and 2 are already out. Here are list so far:

1. Operation Heart Hunter: premiered on 26 May

2. Invasion of Snake: premiering today 16 June

Characters

Here is the list of the known characters so far:

1. Vireak a.k.a Snake: the main character of the series. A fine young man on a mission.

2. Major LopLop: a mysterious man supporting Snake. Little is known about him up until now.

3. Vonn: a 12th grade 10 January High School girl in Siem Reap. Young, beautiful and bright student.

4. Rinn: a close friend and classmate of Vonn. A stupid and cheerful girl as what her friends call her.

5. Sopat: a guy friend of Vonn and Rinn. Another bright student of the school along with Vonn.

I was standing there looking at an old playground; seemingly lost in the heat of the day. A girl approached me from behind and asked ‘Who are you? what are you doing in my school?‘. I turned around to a young lady with bright eyes and long black hair. ‘If you’re not a student here, please leave!‘ she continued. But before I could response, heavy drops of rain started pouring down. ‘Come here‘ she said as we ran for cover. Two friends – another girl and a guy were also at the cover.

‘Vonn, what is that weird-looking japanese doing here?’ a friend asked.
‘Rinn, stupid girl. He’s khmer. Can’t you even see?’
‘Oh hehe! hey, you what you doing here, 10 January high school is strict you know? you can’t just come in and see see’ srey Rinn asked.
‘I shall leave when the rain stops.’ I responsed.
‘Alright!’

The rain continued heavily and showed no signs of abatting as the four were stuck in school cover. A frog was jumping up and down in front of us. Something interesting was going to happen! ‘Let’s play a game!‘ Rinn asked. ‘What is it?‘ the guy friend was curious. ‘Simple! see the frog over there? Who ever makes it jump the longest wins!‘

‘Four of us – me, Vonn, Rinn, Sopat and you. Hey, we haven’t got your name yet.’
‘Vireak, my name is vireak!’
‘Alright, listen! The loser must buy the winner an ice cream, ok?’
I’d be rude if I turned down the challenge, so I accepted knowing that I only got 1 in 4 chance of losing.

Vonn started first. She pushed the back of the frog with her finger. How long did it jump? ’11cm’. Sopat next. He used his toe to push the back of the frog. ’9cm’…Rinn did the same as Vonn, but she only got guess-what 8cm. Finally, my turn. What did I do? I caught an insect and placed it around 15 centimeter in front of the frog. The frog saw it jumped with joy and as hard as it could…..13cm. Yeah! Rinn was obviously in disillusion as to why she lost. Why she lost? Simple! Snake VS Frog! There could only be one winner!

to be continued…

next episode: First date!

Major: Vireak, I’ve got an important news. The head of the HDA* has given us the green light to a Heart Hunting Mission.

*HDA: Household and Domestic Agency

Vireak: A hard hunting mission?

Major: A Heart Hunting Mission!! Your future is depending on it.

Vireak: So what is this wonderful mission?

Major: You are to sneak into Siem Reap and capture the heart of a local girl.

Vireak: Who is that girl?

Major: Look for the girl with a broken smile. If everything goes to plan, she’ll be your wife.

Vireak: The girl with a broken smile. Is it all?

Major: Don’t get cocky. This is a stealth mission. You are not to be seen by your enemies and competitors or you’ll be in hard time.

Vireak: So what do I have?

Major: You are equipped with an iPod, a silver bracelet, a pair of slippers, a charmed key chain, a bicycle and 200 Riels*. And you have two weeks.

*1USD = 4100 Riels

Vireak: 200 Riels? How do I supposed to get a wife with 200 Riels? That’s not enough even for a haircut.

Major: Use your head! You are to gather supplies along the way. Between, you look ok with the stupid long pony tail hair of yours.

Vireak: So what should I do once I complete the mission?

Major: Meet me at this place at 5pm in 2 weeks.

Vireak: In time for dinner!

Major: You got anymore questions?

Vireak: Why is it only Siem Reap? How about Phnom Penh?

Major: Phnom Penh, isn’t it where you vomited blood? On top of that:

Vireak: Well said!

Major: From now on, we’ll be referring to each other by code names. You’ll be known as Snake…Naked Snake.

Snake: Snake! So what should I call you, major?

Major: I’ll be….I’ll be Major LopLop. And this mission is called Operation Heart Hunter!

Snake: Major LopLop?

Major LopLop: Snake, try to remember some of the basics of CQC*.

*CQC = Close Quarter Combat Courtship

Snake: CQC…huh. That brings back memories.

Major LopLop: Snake, get ready! Pump your bicycle and ride! Success be with you!

Snake: Commence Operation Heart Hunter now!

to be continued…..

next episode: Invasion of Snake!