MR. BANG sat, legs perched against the veranda's rail, and one arm resting against his nape whilst the other held a pipe up to his lips. A fervent gaze was kept at his possessions, the decades and generations of hard work manifesting itself in the surrounding acres of land.

The dazzling Aussie sun made a futile attempt to divert Bang's focus, being put to shame as his eyes continued to trail all about, until landing on one path in particular. A shortcut, edged from his part of the land, even somewhat more presentable than the main road that'd also get him to that near fraction of the neighborhood.

Bang was well aware of where that road led to, and his stomach grumbled silently at the mental reiteration of the delicious pies and goods that the near residence would send over. How appreciative, he appeared in that moment, for a man who was often swift to object that his wife always did the same in order to keep their friendly mouths buttered.

Mrs. Han was what she went by; that lady who would routinely send over the favored dishes. A laudable cook.

      Han must be a lucky man, Bang thought, exhaling a cloud of tobacco. He was yet to acquaint himself with the couple, as it was her son, Jonathan, who regularly delivered the products.

But Mrs. Bang habitually transferred the returns herself, claiming that, and Bang quotes, "Having a young girl like Cherry go out in those fields is too dangerous." But such an excuse was invariably sufficient to entice a scoff from Mr. Bang's lips, not wanting to supposedly waste an attempt of dominance on her opposition. He himself craved her absence at times.

But sitting there, that warm afternoon whilst the sun made preparations for its departure, a healthy distance from the horizon still, Bang mindlessly wondered what his 'beloved' neighbors looked like.

      Was the woman more submissive to her husband than his wife? Was her husband an illustrious, hard worker like himself? What was their son like behind the occasional, "G'day Mr. and Mrs. Bang"?

It truly hadn't been long since they moved in, but noticing how his wife was quick to grow so comfortable with the strangers, Bang couldn't help but feel a bit, curious. Anxious.

Setting his leg down from their cramped position, Bang let out another deep puff of smoke, straightening the straw hat on his head, ready to do his last round in the fields before checking on what his wife had prepared for dinner, if she had done anything yet. The woman could pose so tardy at times.

"Cherry," he peeped through the front door, "Where's your mother?"

"Daddy? I think she's visiting the Han neighbors," the child replied from the living room, pink and yellow flowers scattered in between her parted legs whilst an almost completed petal laid in front, fingers working their artistic magic. "She said that she'll make supper when she gets back."

Bang clenched his jaw, annoyed. Sometimes that woman appeared too rebellious to be worthy of the title of a wife in that age. "Thank you, Cherry," he snatched the piece of straw from the back of his ear to chew on. "I'm going out to the field, take care of yourself."

ϟ ϟ ϟ

Bang strolled, hands in the pockets of his stained overalls whilst he kicked a few pebbles out of the way, teeth chewing against the straw. "What if..." he hummed, already walking through the stalks of corn, not so far away from that narrow road to the neighbors' home, "I go see what's so blessed about over there," he glimpsed back, ensuring that the door to the house was closed to protect his daughter inside.

Sighing, Bang diverted his steady steps to the marked beginning of the path. "If it's an affair," he aimed to allow himself less to feel guilt for the intrusion, "I will catch her red-handed," he walked through, observing how on either side of the path, more acres of land spread outwards. Acres and acres of plantation.

   Soon enough, Bang neared a building; a cottage, homey and welcoming, fit for a loving family of three, as he perceived the Hans to be. He then continued forward, hesitant to knock with the wooden floor creaking beneath his feet.

      "Good day," he worked up the courage, placing his hands back to his side instantly upon hearing footsteps grow clearer and clearer from the inside.

"G'day mate," a slender but masculine, youthlike fellow appeared in the door frame, his voice a smooth chord of humility; Bang wondered if he was a singer.

"Hello there," Mr. Bang greeted and smiled, not seeing the need for formalities in front of a youngster as such; he didn't know the Hans had a second son. "May I speak with your mother or father?" He asked, peeking over the shorter male for a shallow glimpse of any other inside.

"Excuse me, sir? That's quite disrespectful of you, don't you say?" The man said, still humble and smiling a bit. "But you seem new here so I'll allow this pass. Who exactly might you be?"

Confused, Bang tilted his head sideways, struggling to figure out why such a young boy would work up the nerve to speak in such a manner. "Please forgive me if I'm mistaken, but aren't you one of Mrs. Han's sons?" Bang asked, bending his knees to match the fellow's height. "You do know that I'm a grown man, right?"

"Sir," the male patted Bang's shoulder, indicating that he should regain appropriate posture. "I am Mr. Han. Now please have some respect before I have you leave," the man rebottled, not as calm as before; the friendly smile no longer present on his face.

"E- excuse me?" Bang stuttered, straightening his stance; embarrassed. "Y-You're Mr. Han? My sincere apologies, sir," he muttered, holding his hat to his chest; brown strands of hair appearing golden under the angle of the sunlight. "You just look so... pure, and youthful. I'm sorry. I meant no disrespect."

"No hard feelings. Now, how may I help you?" Mr. Han's light smile returned, and the adorably attractive showcase of his gums caused Bang to flaunt his most prominent dimple. "I've never seen you around here before."

"I actually came to check on my wife. She should be here," Bang admitted, glancing over Han's head again. "Mrs. Bang?"

"Oh, you mean Cheryl? I didn't know she was a Bang," Mr. Han made known, turning to face the inside of the cottage. "Let me get her for you," he said, heading for the two conversing women seated at the dining table.

How embarrassing for a sturdy man like Bang, and significantly disrespectful to their marriage, for her not to uphold her marital surname.

"H- Honey? What are you doing here?" The woman in question asked, struggling to keep a calm tone as the crack in her voice was swift to breed third-party assumptions of her true fright and anxiety. "You left Cherry alone?"

"I wanted to see what the Hans had to offer for myself- You're over here so much," Bang smiled, painfully sarcastic, "And when you get home, we need to have a talk," he winked at the already uneasy woman, the other couple visibly uncomfortable from the injurious chemistry between the two.

"O-Okay," Mrs. Bang almost whispered. "Well I'll be home in ten minutes. I guarantee," she forced a smile. "Tell Cherry that her mum will be back soon... Please don't leave her alone for too long."

"Of course," Bang replied, tone taunting, "I'll see you in a few." He briefly saluted the more civil-looking couple behind, smiling, "I'd keep a longer visit next time. Nice meeting you two."