The Art of Hearing Heartbeats

Julia enters a small, dilapidated tearoom in Kalaw, Burma (modern Myanmar), surrounded by strangers who watch her. A strange, older man, U Ba, sits beside her. He apologizes for his demeanor and explains that he knows who she is and has been waiting for her for four years. He addresses her by her full name. U Ba says Julia’s father, Tin Win, told him a story that he is supposed to share with Julia, saying. “I have a story yet to tell, a story meant for you” (4).

Julia walks out of the tearoom. The merchant refuses to accept payment for her food and drink, saying, “U Ba’s friends are our guests” (8). Julia describes Kalaw as desolate, remote, and without resources. Though the streets are crowded, there are few vehicles. There is a wide array of people selling everything and many tearooms. Once Julia walks back to her hotel, she lies on the bed, noticing how sparse the room is. She wonders if U Ba truly knew her father. She mentally reviews her father’s disappearance. Though Julia asked her father about his childhood, the first 20 years of his life are a mystery.