There three elderly women discussed some plans of approach , while at the same time busily chewing betel nut

       "Dearest Paya," Kalang began his letter. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. "Come in!" he shouted, putting down his pen.
        A nimble twelve-year-old boy entered, struggling with a basket bulging with rambutans. "Where did you get those rambutans, Lalo?" Kalang asked his brother.
        "Aban, Kuleh and Maping brought them down from our village."
        "Has mother come down too?"

        "No, but here's her letter for you." Lalo handed him an envelope.
        Kalang hastily swallowed the rambutan he had in his mouth. He tore open the envelope and raced over the contents.
        "What does special...everyone's well at home and.."
        "And what?"
        "Well, I'll tell you later," he tore the letter.
        This was the thired time his mother had pressed him on the question of marriage. She had told him not to wait too long.
        "When you're old the chances are slim," she had often advised Kalang. Kalang, who was twenty-five years old, had managed so far to put her off with some practical arguments.
        Kalang had been teaching in St. Puis' School, Long San, for the past seven months. With the salary he was earning he could easily manage to support a family in the country. But he was an untrained teacher, a fact which made him feel  insecure. He had often told himself and his mother that he would marry when he had found a permanent job. In this resolution he was, however, not very firm because he already had an intimate girl friend named Paya. She lived in Long Moh, some six hours from his own village, Long Julan, by boat.

        They had first met in Long Moh during one Christmas Celebration. Ever since that first meeting, Kalang had not been able to forget her. Hardly a week passed without his sending a letter to her. Although Paya had received only primary education, she was able to reply to his long love letters. Despite the feeling of insecurity that lurked continuously in his heart, Kalang could not resist the desire of having someone to love. However, he did not want his mother to know-at least not for the time being.

        Instead of giving his mother a reply immediately, he deliberately waited until the August holidays. On the morning of his first day home, he sat by his mother's side before the kitchen fire. It was only five o'clock in the morning; cockcrows were heard all over the village.

        "Did you get my letter?" Tina Kalang asked, stirring the big pot.
        "Yes, . . . I think I'll wait, mother."
        "It's not wise, son. If you can't find a girl yourself, why I've one in mind for you."
        Kalang shifted uneasily in embarrassment. "Who's she?"
        "Mbang. They say she's slow, but she's steady."

        Kalang knew Mbang, She was a trainee at the Long San, hospital and, in his opinion, a homely girl. Many times he had talked to her, but he never felt that kind of exhilaration he usually experienced when in Paya's company.

        "She's not for me, mother. I know her too well!"

        Kalang did not know what to say. Should he tell her? "Paya," he whispered, after a long silence. He dared not looked at his mother's face. Anxiously, he waited for her reply.

        "Paya Ope . . . " Tina Kalang uttered softly at last. "But she's the only girl in the family. I don't like her way . . . too brisk."

        Lowering her voice further, Tina Kalang continued, "She's a Tiger Class aristocrat. But we're only Payin Umah (freeman of low social status)."

        Kalang never thought of this before. "Well, what's wrong with a free man marrying a Tigress?"

        "Nothing . . . but the dowry would be too heavy for us. You've to buy yourself into the artistocratic rank. Can't you find other girls?"

        "If  I don't get Paya, I'll forget about marriage altogether!" Kalang said firmly.

        Scratching her head, his mother said, "We'll try."

        An hour had slipped by unnoticed. It was already dawn. Kalang hurried away to prepare himself for the day's work on the farm.

        It was nine o'clock, two nights later. Tina Kalang was visiting her intimate friends, Bulu Unyong and Naping Uson.
        "So the boy has decided to ask for 'tobacco'?" Balu Unyong asked.

        "That's right," Tina Kalang confirmed, "I came to ask for help. He has Paya Ope in mind. I need you two to come with me to see her parents at Long Moh about this."

        Naping Uson was smiling happily . " There 's nothing we like better than this ! " she said .

       There three elderly women discussed some plans of approach , while at the same time busily chewing betel nut.

        " When do you intend to go ?" Balu asked . She , experienced in this matter , was eager to go .

        " We'll go up with Father Frankurf tommorow . I've told Jalong to request him to fetch us here . "

        As she rose to leave, Tina Kalang said, "I've sorry to interrupt your work at this busy season ."

        " No , don't say that . I am only too happy to be of assistance," Balu smiled .

        The Mission boat finally arrived at noon the following day . Tina Kalang invited Father Frank for lunch .

        " Any space for three old ladies in your boat , Pada ?" Tina asked during the meal .

        " Yes , plenty , where are you going ?"

        " To Long Moh also ."

        " Why?"

        " You'll come to know about it soon ."

        Halp an hour later , they were on their way to their destination . The boat sped easily over the rapids. When
the sun was a paddle lengh above the green hill , they arrived at Long Moh . Thankin Father Frank for the trip,
Tina Kalang led her companions to Tama Paya Ope's bilek ! Luckily , everyone was at home. Their rather sudden and wholly unexpected arrival slighty surprised the family ,who logically suspected that there must be something behind it .

        Late that night , when all the younger children had gone to bed , Tina Kalang spoke of the real purpose of their
visit , assisted capably by her friends .

        " Paya ? No one has wooed her so far ," said Tama Paya after they had explained everything . "She's such a
worthless girl , who'd ever want to marry her ?"

        " Our Kalang is in the same boat ,"Balu Unyong put in .

        " But he need someone to roll tobacco for him . We know our unworthiness , that's why we're not thoughtful of our-
selves ."

        " So she's free then ?" Tina Kalang asked .

        " Yes ," Paya's mother repied .

        " What do you think of thr match ? Do you agree ?"

        " If they like each other , we have no say . "

        "In that case ," said Tina Kalang , taking a brand new sarong batik out of her rolled mat , 'we'd like to leave
this piece of rag behind ."

        " We'll keep it on your behalf ," said Tina Paya , taking the sarong .

        Paya was lying nearby , pretending to be asleep. But her ears were all attentive to the conversation in progress .

When she heard mother's voice accepting the gift , her herat missed a few beats . Her mother had agreed ! It seemed
too good to be true .

        Two days later , the match-makers returned home to Long Julan . By this time , Father Frank knew everything
about this affair . " I must reason with the boy !" he resolved .

        St.Pius' School re-opened on 26th August . For the first few days , Kalang was busy reoganising his classes anew .
Paya sent him a letter through the kindness of his own pupils from Long Moh . He found himself thinking of her all the
time .

        So busy was he that he gratefully welcome the first Sunday .Taking a short story book , he sank into a chair and began reading . But his rest was short-lived . Tok , tok , tok ! "Yes , come in !" Kalang said irritably .

        " Excuse me , Sir . . . " It was Lenjau , one of his pupils .

        " Yes , what is it ?"

        " Father Frank invites you to his house . He would like you to go now . "

        " Thanks you , Lenjau ."

        When the boy had gone Kalang angrily threw the book down . " Why can 't he postpone this invitation !"

        When  Kalang entered the priest's living room , he found Mr.Mato and Uchat , the School cook , Already there
sitting around a table , talking with Father Frank and drinking beer . " Come , sit down !" the priest pointed to an empty
chair .

        " What are you going to do next year , Kalang ?" Father Frank asked a few minutes later .

        " I don't know . I have applied for a post inthe Malaysian Information Service . So far I haven't receive any reply yet ."

        " Aren't you going to teach again ?" Mr.Mato enquired.

        " I don't think so ," Kalang replied , embarrassed . He tried to explain , " You see , I don't think I'd like undergoing
two years' training ."

        " Why are you in such a hurry ? You're still young , " Father Frank remarked . "If I were you , I wouldn't think of marrying now . You've no permanent job yet . Get a job first and wife later ."

        Kalang was too shy and irritated to say anything . As for the other two , they were happily surprised to heard that
Kalang had a fiancee .

        " I wouldn't mind it so much ," Father Frank continued seriously puffing hard at his pipe ,  , ' if she were a Cotholic.
But she's Bungan pagan . I don't tolerate mixed marriages in my parish . They have been of many a broken family here ."

        " I only want Paya , not her religion ," Kalang argued .

        " Yes , but why don't you fall in love with the Catholic girl you see around here ? Beside , Paya's a Mission trained nurse . When she marries you , she is bound to follow you wherever you go. It costs the mission well over two thousand
dollars a year to replace a girl like her ."

        Kalang lisened with his hope sinking lower at every word . Although he was almost bursting with things to say he just kept quiet . He was so angry with the priest for making him know these obstacles that he stormed out of the room .
" What you've said wouldn't stop me , Father Frank !" he shouted over his shoulder as he descended the stairs .

        Meanwhile , Kalang's father was thinking of having another talk with Tama Paya . He sent them of his visit.

        It was on the night of 13th October , a hot Saturday noght , when Tama Kalang went to see Amai Sagan , Long Julan's headman . The elderly man was cudding and playing with his grandson in the living room .

        When he had rolled himself to tobacco , Tama Kalang introduce his subject . " So I have come to request you to accompany me ," he ended finally .

        " Does she want to follow Kalang ?" Amai wanted to know .

        " My wife hasan't disccused that yet . All I want is that you , Kuleh and Lawai come with me to Long Moh ."

        " It's all right with me . But have you asked the others already ?"

        " Yes , they said they would come ."

        " When is it you want to go ?"

        " If the water is low on Monday , we'll go up Monday morning ."

        " Good . I'm free nowadays . The women can take care of the weeds on the farm ." Amai said smilingly .

The travellers

        Dusk was falling when Tama Kalang and his party arrived at Long Moh . Almost everyone was at home . The girl's parents were prepared to receive the travellers .

        Late in the night , the formal talk began . Adamantly , Tama Paya refuse to let Paya follow Kalang .

        " She's my only daughter ," he said .

        " My boy can't stay up here . He is a stupid lad . He will never be able to adapt himself to his way of life . He has
been  staying at the school too long . Besides , I'll miss him very much ," Tama Kalang insisted .

        Deadlock was unavoidable . Amai came to tehe rescue by putting up a proposal . " Both of you have a good reason. It's useless for us to discuss the residential question without asking the consent of the boy and girl . Wouldn't it be much better to settle the dowry and groom-gift first ? Let them marry first , only then can we settle the problem of resident ."

        Everyone nodded in agreement . Since Paya was of the Tiger Class , her father made full use of  this advantage .
"Our old custom demand that the man present one likut murek (a costly bead ) and ten other beads plus a large gong ."

        Tama Kalang made a quick calculation . Too costly and heavy on us , he thought .

        " The ten beads are not necessary , I think ," Amai Sagan put in .

        " My daughter is a tiger Aristocrat . If we dispence with the beads , it mean we are lowering our rank to that of a serf !"

        There was nothing more the visitor could say . Thus the talk came to an end . Rice wine was distributed generously to all present .

        Early in November , a week after the talk , Tama Kalang went down to Long San . He brought a tin of rice for his two sons . That night he put up with Kalang in the Teachers' Quarters .

        Hardly had they finished dinner , when Kalang eagerly asked his father , " What was the out come of the talk ?"

        The middle-age man puffed hard at his pipe and looked fixely at the distant , rising full moon . They ask for too costly a doery ," he finally replied .

        But Kalang did not care about the dowry . He stared at his father . "But does she want me . . . what does her father say ?"

        " She's all right . It's the question of residence that's not settle yet . Her father would give his consent only if you agree to live at Long Moh ."

        Kalang closed the Geography book he was glacing throught . He began calculating on a piece of paper .

        " Do we have any gong ?"

        " No , but all the beads mentioned we have ."

        Kalang drew ten circles on the sheets . " Anyone around here possesses gongs ?"

        " The Datu must have some or the towkay in Long Akah . You see these  are antiques . Perhaps they may not want to sell them ." Tama shook his head .

        " Dont't worry about the price . I'll see to that ." Kalang was thinking of his saving box under his pillow .

        Silence followed .

        Tama Kalang knocked out his pipe and asked , Did Father Frank say anything about this , son ?"

        " He did . He's very much against it . He said I can't marry Paya because sheis not a Catholic ."

        " Not now , anyway ."

        Kalang almost jumped out his seat . " What do you mean ?"

        " Oh , it has something to do with the Pagan customs ,"Tama Kalang began. " The Long Moh Headman's daughter,
Usun , an unmarried lass , was discovered to be pregnent . The Pagan custom demanded that she be exiled to the cementry until the fatherless child was born . Her father , of course , didn't like to happen to usun . So , he decided that all his villagers should become Christinas . The villegers , being very loyal , obeyed the Headman's order to a man ."

        " So they're all Christians now ?"

        " Yes, Tama Paya and all his family were the first to be baptised by Father Frank ."

        Kalang was too excited to feel sleepy . He want to sleep long after his father retired , when the clock above his table stuck one .

        As soon as class was over the following afternoon , Kalang paddled to the neardy Long Akah Bazaar . He wanted to buy a gong . Luckily , when he arrive at the little town , Siong , his favourite towkey was in .

        " Hello , Kalang . What do you want to buy ?" Siong patted him in a friendly manner .

        " I'm looking for an old gong ! Perhaps you have one ?"

        Siong stopped to think . Yes , I've a very old one . It's upstair . I'll go and get it ."

        "It's the oldest in thr whole Baram , ' said Siong , shouldering the gong , some minutes later . He dusted it affectionately .

        " How much is it ?"

        " Very cheap . . . only two hundred dollars ."

        Kalang's heart sank . "You call that cheap !" he exclaimed . He fingered his hundred-dollars note in his pocket anxiously .

        " You may pay by installments . I wouldn't mind ."

        "Can't you make it one hundred and fifty dollars . Come on , some discount . I'm a regular customer ."

        "No , many people want to buy it . Tama Jalong will be here this evening to get it ."

        " What does he want it for ?"

        " His son's getting married . It's part of his dowry ."

        " I want it for the same reason ," Kalang confided .

        " Really !" Siong almost jumped out of his chair . He shook Kalang's hand . "In that case , you can have it for half price . It's a special present from me ."

        " Are you serious ?" It sounded to good to be true .

        " I mean what I say . Take it for one hundred dollars ."

        After the purchase , the generous towkey opened two bottle of beer . It was a small celebration for his friend .

        For Kalang , the rest of the year was , seemmingly , just endless day of waiting . Finally to his intense relief , the end of the school year came round and he eagerly packed his things .

        He had been a week at home when one evening his father said , " I think we should finish our eagrely at Long Moh."

        Kalang had been waiting for this all the time . "I'm all for going sooner the better ."

        Two days later , a long boat , powered by a thirty-five horse-power Chrysler outboard engine , was been speeding up the rapids of the Baram .In the boat sat Kalang's parents , Amai Sagan and most of the longhouse elders . The travellers reached their destination as the cicidas began singing .

        The meeting that evening was very decisive , especially for Kalang . The talk began late . When it began Kalang and Paya were away in another bilek , visiting some youthful friends .

        Before anything was discussed , Tama Kalang handed over all the dowry gift - beads and gongs . The old agrument over the place of residence of the couple began  anew .

        " She's my only helper in the home ," Tina Paya insisted . " You've many boys . Let us have Kalang ."

        Tina Kalang nudged  her husband , " But he's the only one who stay with us , apart from young Lalo . The rest have gone their own way . He's the only one we hope would take care of us in our old age .

        Amai Sagan , seeing no end to the argument , said , " The best solution is to ask the two young people themselve."

        ' That's right , " Balu Unyang put in .

        Kalang blushed slightly when he enterad the crowded room. "Im no good for work in the longhouse.  I would be more of a nuisance than a help. I've been too long in school."

        " You'll learn soon, son,"  Tama Paya said kindly.

        " I don't think so."  The very idea of being looked down upon and considered an unskilled worker was too much for him. He knew too well his clumsiness in the longhouse way of life.

        All this time, Tina Kalang was ashamed of her son. " Kalang, I know it will be like this.  I don't like you to go to other people' bileks becaue you're so clumsy . Let's put an end to this affair . She's not the only girl . We'll find an easier one ."

        Tama Paya looked confuse . '' Neither of us allows his child to leave him . I've a solution -let's break this engagement . Let them not marry .

        " Don't be too downhearted son !" It was Amai Sagan , conforting Kalang who was quitely . He never expected it to end this way . " Now answer Tama Paya ."

        Thoughts were cascading in a jumble through Kalang's mind. Ways must be found, he said to himself, to win this Tigress, the most beautiful he had ever seen. He was so absorbed in his thoughts  and broken-hearted that he did not hear the headman's words. Seeing his son thus, Tama Kalang, patted him on the shoulder. Just at this moment, an idea struck Kalang. Kalang looked up.

        "Didn't you hear your uncle? Do you accept Tama Paya's conclusion?"

        "I don't. I've got a way out." He was thinking of his application. He might be accepted by the Information Department.

        "Certainly, I can't stay with you, uncle. But even if Paya follows me, we'll not stay in Long Julan. In whichever place I'm posted there we'll stay."

        Paya's father considered the statement. "I see. All the same, I can't let her leave us, because she's the only one earning a bit of cash for us by her midwife practice."

        "If she follows me, you'll still get the cash," Kalang replied.

        "I don't see how that could be."

        Kalang knew he was counting his chickens before they were hatched. "You see I'm going to work in the Information Service. I can easily send you $50.00 every month."

        "She's smilling!" Tina Kalang hissed to her husband when she saw Tina Paya's golden teeth flashing in the lamp-light.

        The girl's parents were glad to hear that, because Paya's monthly earning seldom exceeded thirty dollars. However, they looked unmoved. For a while they conferred, talking in low voices. After some time, Paya was sent for. A minute late, a tall, rosy-cheeked girl entered the room. Her black, long hair was beautifully held back by a red ribbon.

        "Yes, she's indeed beautiful!" admitted Balu Unyang to her friend Tina Lian. Even the elderly headman, Amai Sagan, found it hard to tear his gaze from her.

        Quietly and quickly, her parents axplained Kalang's proposal to her. Paya remained very still, her eyes constantly gazing stealthily at Kalang.

        After what seemed an eternity to Kalang, Tama Paya said, "Paya agrees to your proposal. Your aunt and I too are of the same mind."

        Kalang could not help giving Paya a smile. But his joy was short-lived for Tama Paya insisted, "You must declare your promise before all the headmen and elders here now, in this room."

        With a heavy heart, Kalang did it. "How could he be sure of being accepted for the post?" Amai Sagan muttered anxiously to himself. "If he's unselected, he'll be in for it!"

        The same thought had crossed Kalang's mind when he said the solemn words of the promise. But it was a risk he had to take. His future happiness and purpose in life were at stake.

        Now that everything had been settled, the wedding day was discussed and fixed-10th February of the following year.

        One evening, several days after they had returned from Long Moh, Kalang and his family were having supper in Long Lama, coming into the room.

        "Why, Abing, when did you come up?" Kalang enquired.

        "I just got here. I come to give this letter to you."

        "Oh, thank you. Come, have supper with us."

        "No,Thank you. I've just had mine."

        When Kalang saw the envelope and the words Urusan Kerajaan on it, he forget about his meal. He tore it open. Iti requested him to attend an interview in Kuching on the 16th of January.

        "My! Only three days to go!" Kalang said looking at his watch calendar. Excitedly, Kalang started to pack.

        He rushed down to Miri by boat and from there flew to Kuching for the interview. From Kuching airport he rang up a former classmate, Leo, who invited him to stay at his house. He was warmly welcomed by Leo and his parents who drove up to the airport to fetch him.

        The next morning a nervous Kalang was driven down to the Public Secvice Commission's office at the Aurora Chambers by Leo's father. His turn was at nine o'clock. When he entered the office, he was requested to sit down and wait. There were three other young men who were waiting for their turn. They were all quiet and thoughtful.

        When his turn came, Kalang was asked to go into an inner room where the members of the Commission were waiting. There were eight of them, all stern-looking and seemed to pierce him with their stares. Kalang felt his heart melting. He tried his very best to answer their questions honestly and clearly.

        Kalang stayed in Kuching for two weeks waiting for the outcome of the interview. While he was in Kuching, he made himself a coat for his coming wedding.

        On the last day of his stay in Kuching, Leo handed him a letter from the Establishment Office. To his great joy, the letter stated that he had been accepeted for the job. He quickly wrote a  reply, accepting the offer of appointment. A few hours later Kalang was bidding his kind host good-bye at Kuching airport.

        When he reached home he found that preparations for his wedding were in full swing. Their spacious bilek was attractively decorated. The walls were brightly painted. Strips of decoration papers were dangling gaily down from the ceiling. Two model houses, roofed and walled with rolled tobacco were hanging from the ceiling. In the centre of the mat-covered room lay two gongs, sisteen beautiful bead-ornated hats, baskets and other atricles for the wedding ceremony. Stacks of clothes, bags, parangs, plates and variety of other articles given away as dowry to bride's family and relatives.

        In the kitchen, severals girls were busily sucking wine with bamboo pipes from some of the many jars that stood along the kitchen wall. They poured the wine into bottles.

        "Have you heard anything from Paya?" Kalang asked his mother. "Oh yes, she sent her kisses to you!" teased his mother.
        "What about the guest?" Kalang rejoined, ignoring her remark with a smile. "Have you invited many?"
        "Everyone from Long San to Long Palau, including Long Moh," his mother replied. "I sent special invitations to the Dato and Father Frankuf."

        During the remaining days before the wedding, Kalang and the village young men went hunting and then collected a large amount of firewood.

        On the day when the guests began to arrive, they put on their best clothes and performed the duty of leading the guests to their alloted bilek. The Dato's boat was the last to arrive; Fr. Frankurf was with him. Kalang led them to his bilek. Paya and her family stayed in Balu Unyang's.

        The night was spent in last minute detailed preparation and discussion with the Dato whose words were law concerning the tribal marriage customs.

        The great day began at eight o'clock in the morning. After the priest had blessed the bridal couple, there followed a long and elaborate Christainised Kenyah wedding ceremony.

        The ceremony began with couple, Kalang and Paya dressed in their best clothes, sitting on two large gongs and eight men and women each holding a sun hat above their heads. The long ceremony which included the sprinkling of the couple with cock's blood came to a close with the presentation of the dowry.

        Once this delicate task was over, the guests were invited to the real wedding feast. The jars of rice wine and bottles were opened and glass after glass of  the strong liquid was passed among the guests. Cakes, biscuits and roasted pork were passed round, too. The gathering got livelier as the effect of the wine began to be felt. Lunch was served at one o'clock. The feast continued after lunch and went on more wildly till dawn the next morning.

        As dusk engulfed the revellers, they sang and danced under the bright glow of the hurricane lamps. During the party, Kalang and his cheerful bride were everywhere, making sure that every guest had something to eat or drink and was enjoying himself or herself.

        Dawn found the merry-makers still going on full swing-singing, dancing and drinking. However, when the Dato's boat left at nine o'clock the revelry ended. As the guests began to leave the village, there was a fierce battle as hosts and guests tried to soak and blacken one another as much as possible. The young girls were the most pitiable victims.

        As the guests scrambled into their boats, Kalang and Paya stood on the river-side thanking each guest and bidding them good-bye. In return, they got their good wishes and blessings. When the last boat had disappeared behind the nearest bend, they walked home hand in hand to get a well-deserved rest.

        "I'm glad it's all over!" signed Paya with immense relief.

       "No, Paya," said Kalang taking his wife's hand, "we haven't finished, we've just begun."

        They were laughing over this when mother appreared. "Come, let's have our own feast," she said.

        They enjoyed themselves so much that they both fell asleep in each other's arms. Mother let them take their well-earned rest.