The Story of Tum Teav
Tum looses control
Meanwhile at Tbaung Khmum, Teav waited anxiously for any news from Tum. She knew that her mother did not change her mind and pressed on with the wedding. Not hearing from Tum made her even sadder. Yeay Phann went to Oar Choun’s residence again and told him that the wedding must not be delayed. It must happen now before Tum knows about it and comes to take Teav away. Lord Oar Choun and his wife agreed. He told his servants to prepare for the wedding. The servants went fetching beef, pork, lamb, chicken, ducks, wine, and fruits. They constructed wedding tents and prepared all kinds of food and cakes. They had all the clothes and got the elders, musicians, and guests ready for the ceremony. The wedding day began with a sound of wedding music that could be heard around the area.
When Tum arrived at Tbaung Khmum, he asked Pich to confirm that the sound of music he heard was actually the wedding music of Teav and Ngourn. He began to doubt Teav’s fidelity. He kept drinking wine and became drunk. Pich asked Tum to take it easy. They dressed up nicely. Tum wore green cloth made from silk and Pich wore purple cloth. Tum put the King’s letter on his waist and wrapped it with a piece of cloth. They arrived at the wedding place and saw people eating and drinking, laughing and having fun. So many of them. Some were drunk. The organizers lost track of who were guests, who were not. Tum and Pich sneaked in without fear through the crowd and got to a place where musicians were playing. Tum was drunk and determined to test Teav’s fidelity. He and Pich took control of the music. He sang a song asking Teav if she still considered him as her husband and if so to come out and pour him a glass of wine. Teav came out and did what Tum asked. Tum hugged and kissed Teav and told her to get ready to go back to the palace with him.