Yeekae (Yike)
Tum at Teav’s house
Monk Tum agreed to go to Yeay Phann’s house, but Monk Pich disagreed citing that it was against the advice of the Abbot. He wanted to stay behind to take care of the oxen and to guard their belongings. So Tum went alone to Yeay Phann’s house. Pich was unhappy that Tum ignored the Abbot’s advices.
When Tum arrived at the house, he was well-received and performed an amazing Smoat. Teav watched from behind a curtain as she was prohibited from being seen. She was anxious to see Tum, so she peeked from the edge of the curtain behind her mother. Teav stared at Tum and Tum stared back at Teav. Yeay Phann did not see it. Only Noh did. Teav signaled for Noh to come to her. She gave Noh a small rounded container full of an ointment and a beautiful silk cloth called Phahum. She asked Noh to give them as offerings to Monk Tum. Noh slipped the offerings to Tum, who took them. Yeay Phann was very impressed with Monk Tum’ Smoat. She asked him to be her godson. Tum accepted. When Smoat session was over, Tum said goodbye to Yeay Phann and returned to the camp near the well where Monk Pich was waiting so anxiously. Tum knew that Pich was unhappy with him and tried to smooth things out. He told Pich about Teav, praised her beauty, and vowed that one day he will come back to Teav and marry her.
Tum back at temple feeling sad
When all of the Tauk (wooden furniture ornaments) was sold, monks Tum and Pich proceeded to return to the temple. Tum could not stop thinking about Teav. He had never seen any young woman as beautiful as Teav. The more he thought about Teav, the more worried he became that Teav will marry someone else. He discussed his feelings towards Teav openly with his friend Pich, but the latter tried in vain to persuade Tum not to think too much about Teav.
Tum’s sadness and worry intensified as days went by. He caressed the cloth and used the ointment that Teav gave him. He was convinced that these were a token of love. One day, he could no longer bear his suffering. He discussed with Pich about quitting the monkhood and becoming an ordinary citizen so that he could travel anywhere he wanted to. Pich concurred on the idea. They went to the Abbot’s residence. They lit incense and candles as offerings to Lord Buddha and recited the Dharma.
After the Buddhist ceremonial gesture was completed, they turned and kneeled down in front of the Abbot. They told him about leaving the monkhood and going back home to care for their ill mothers who, they claimed according to a fortune teller, would get better if their sons quit the monkhood.
The Abbot, who was himself a soothsayer, knew that this was not the true reason. He told them that the real reason they wanted to quit the monkhood was because of a woman whom they met during the trip to sell Tauk. However, he did not object to their request but rather, asked them to wait until the time was right. He told them that if they did it now, they would suffer a severe casualty in the future. He said Pich could quit during the lunar month of Bos (January-February timeframe) about 30 days from the present time (November-December timeframe). As for Tum, he had to wait until the lunar month of Pisak (May-June timeframe) about six months later. He told Tum that if he were to do it now, he would suffer a life casualty, but that if he waited until Pisak, he will be rewarded with good luck.
It should be noted that in Buddhism, to become a monk, an initiation rite must be performed. Likewise, to quit the monkhood, a termination rite must be also performed properly. Quitting without doing so is a stigma in the Khmer society. Hearing that he would have to wait that long, Tum became even sadder. His desire for Teav had grown stronger day-by-day. He wondered if Teav had the same feelings towards him. Not knowing Teav’s true feelings made him feel worse.
