Part X — Between Power, Love, and Regret

One thing you must understand, my dear:

“Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Anyone can become a monster once they hold unchecked authority. That is why we must continuously defend democracy, transparency, good governance, and the rule of law.

If anyone breaks the law, there should be no exemption and no immunity — not even for the highest leaders.

Only then can every villager and citizen feel safe from the dangers of dictatorship.

And we must always protect minority rights from the tyranny of the majority.

That, to me, is the essence of democracy.

But enough about politics for now.

Let us return to something closer to home.

If you go ahead with your divorce plan, what will happen to our everyday life?

What about my favourite Shan Pae Poke and Aungban potatoes?

We may need trade agreements, import-export permits, taxes, and formal procedures just to share simple food between us.

Your favourite Ayi Tawn La Phet would also become complicated. It would need to be imported from Shan land, processed, and then exported back again. Even if you manage to enjoy it, you would end up paying far more for something that once belonged naturally to both of us.

Dear Nan, please reconsider your decision to leave me.

I still remember our first Valentine’s Day together at our beloved Uncle Khun Tun Oo’s house. Valentine’s Day is approaching again.

Like Htee Sai’s song, I now feel like a lion that turns back to look at its own footprints — realizing that I must retune the melody of my life.

I also now understand that our marriage agreement — our Panglong-like union — was not the real problem.

The real issue was my failure to treat you as an equal partner, and my stepmother’s distorted interpretation of power — using control instead of persuasion, exclusion instead of cooperation.

If I had the chance to begin life again, I would still love you.

I would still marry you.

Even if the whole world said I was wrong, I would still walk that same path again — a hundred times, a thousand times — because love, after all, is blind.

Now I do not even know how to continue life without you.

At times I feel half-crazy, half-lost because of you. Everything I see reminds me of you. Everywhere I turn, I see your face.

When one partner becomes extreme or unbalanced, the other inevitably suffers. Because I was too one-sided, you suffered as well.

I realize now that I must change myself.

From now on, I will try to understand what you want, what you need, and what makes you happy. I will try my best to fulfill it.

I will be kind to you.

I will take care of you always.

Though we are now very close, we feel painfully far apart.

Please do not go. Please do not leave me, my dear.

From now on, your wish will be my guidance — your desire will be my direction.