No",I'd reply. "I didn't open my eyes. I know where the Ylang Ylang is.
"Do you?" Dad gave the distinct impression he didn't believe me.
This game didn't only take place in the garden-we also played it inside the house.
Dad would hide a piece of candy somewhere and I'd always be able the distance between him and me.
I used to get it wrong in the beginning. Then I'd come quite close. Dad would take a rule and measure the distance exactly.
Lying in the blanket and hearing Dad's footsteps,I now knew how many meters away he was. This game caught Uncle Hung by surprise. He would say,"It's impossible,you must be cheating. You must have half-opened your eyes." I would do it again and again until he exclaimed,"It's unbelievable. You must have divine eyes!"
It was just a game,but later it became part of a very serious incident. A small river wound its way behind our house and Dad would spend some time taking me down there to swim. Dad was a great swimmer. He was able to hold his breath for several minutes while he dived.
Now on that day we were having lunch when we heard somebody screaming. Then there was silence. My parents looked around,not knowing what direction the scream had come from. But I knew at once."About thirty meters,this way!"
Mom jumped to her feet. "Oh my! He means,the river bank".
Dad dropped his rice bowl and ran across the garden. Mom and I followed him. I was right. A boy was drowning in a whirlpool,and all we could see were his feet kicking.