KHEMJIRA, Epilogue Chapter:
The two didn’t stand hugging for long before they heard the sound of a helicopter landing, the strong wind from the rotor blades blowing their hair and clothes, and they slowly pulled apart.
Soon, they saw Jett and Chan running towards them. Even though Pharan was extremely exhausted, there were still many important things he had to do, like summoning the spirit and taking the monk’s body back to the temple for funeral rites.
Once Jett and Chan arrived, they quickly helped support both master and Khem.
The four of them walked back to where Luang Pu Kasem was sitting.
Upon arriving, Pharan knelt down in front of Luang Pu Kesem, about two meters away, with Jett, Chan, and Khem sitting behind him in prayer. He began preparing for the spirit-summoning ceremony by taking a white cloth from his toolbox, spreading it on the ground, and placing an incense pot, a pack of incense, an oil lamp, and a string of beads on it. He then brought out a stainless steel tray, followed by canned rice and pickled vegetables, which he placed on the tray. After opening the cans, he inserted an incense stick into the rice can and lit it.
“Go fetch Luang Pu’s bag.” Pharan instructed someone, and Chan crawled over to retrieve the bag not far away. Pharan took it and placed it beside the food tray, then lit another incense stick to call Luang Pu’s spirit to receive the offerings, and finally placed the incense in the pot.
Then, Pharan clasped his hands in prayer, closed his eyes, and chanted the seven books of Abhidhamma and the Matika Bangsukul. Normally, this ceremony would involve inviting a monk to perform the rites, but with none available, he had to do it himself.
After finishing the chants, Pharan held up the incense pot with both hands, softly saying:
“You are now free from suffering and sorrow. Let’s go home, Luang Pu.” After speaking, he slowly stood up, supported by Khem. Meanwhile, Jett and Chan, once the ceremony was over, helped pack everything back into the toolbox. The canned food, now with extinguished incense, was placed under the Kapok tree where Luang Pu Kesem had sat.
Once everything was ready, Jett carried the master’s nearly ten-kilogram bag, while Chan carried Luang Pu’s body. They followed the master to the waiting helicopter to return. The driver was the same forestry officer who had volunteered for this mission.
Earlier, around four in the morning, Chan, who was resting in Pinto’s hut, woke up and roused Jett, saying it was time to leave. Not long after, Jett received a call from Khachen, whom he hadn’t seen in three years, informing him that a helicopter would pick them up to go to a certain location, which was here.
Upon arrival, Khem helped the master into the back seat, followed by Jett with the master’s bag. Chan placed Luang Pu’s body next to the driver’s seat and then sat in the back beside Jett.
After ensuring everything was in order, the driver took off the helicopter, heading towards Ubon Ratchathani.
When Luang Pu Kesem’s remains returned to his home temple, Pharan sent Jett and Chan to inform his disciples, relatives, and the villagers of the news, so all could come to pay their respects.
Jett, Chan, Khem, and Pharan himself, despite their bodies being in pain and utterly exhausted, had to force themselves to go through with Luang Pu Kasem’s funeral rites first.
Because of the grave karma from this life, they had survived due to the compassion and sacrifice of Luang Pu Kasem. If they didn’t fulfill this, none of them could eat or sleep peacefully and continue living with ease.
Since Luang Pu Kasem was a senior monk with many years of ordination and impeccable moral conduct, his funeral was grand, with all the disciples, including Pharan, cooperating. People came in droves to pay their respects to his body, continuing until the cremation ceremony in the afternoon of the next day.
During the offering of sandalwood flowers, after everyone had been busy with the funeral proceedings for Luang Pu Kasem, Jett, Chan, and Khem finally had time to talk.
“Khem, the monk left this for you.” Jett said, handing over something wrapped in clean white cloth. Khem took it, unwrapped it, and saw an infant-sized anklet made from snake skin.
Just by looking at it, he knew whose item it was and what he should do next.
“Jett, Chan, thank you so much.” Khem said, with Chan nodding slightly and Jett patting Khem’s shoulder a few times before they all walked up to the crematorium to offer sandalwood flowers with others.
When it was Khem’s turn, he placed the sandalwood flowers and the anklet on
Luang Pu Kasem’s left ankle, then spoke softly to the lifeless body,
“I’m returning this to you. May you go to a good rebirth, Luang Pu. I will remember this kindness for my entire life.”
After the offering of sandalwood flowers concluded, the final cremation ceremony began. Jett, Chan, and Khem approached Pharan, who was standing under a tree, all of them watching the white smoke rising calmly into the sky from the chimney.
No one knew that the anklet had been tightly held by Madam-Ramphueng in her last moments of life until it was stolen and sold by a close servant, who didn’t know that the item was meant only as a gift for the descendants of the Phraya Worasingh family.
About three years later, one day, Mae Ying Kaknang, along with her daughter Krongkwan, went to the market and found the item for sale. They bought it back, the maid who had sold it was punished and immediately expelled from the house.
The item was preserved and passed down from generation to generation, with the hope of returning it to its rightful owner someday.
After that, the four of them went to the hospital for treatment and examination, spending three days and two nights to ensure their bodies had returned to normal strength before they traveled back to Pharan’s village.
Although Pharan appeared outwardly strong, his body internally had damage that medical science could not detect, an ailment referred to by ancient beliefs as a karmic illness.
Therefore, after returning, he had to continue treatment at home. Jett, Chan, and Khem chose not to go back to school out of concern, fearing that the master would have no one to look after him.
However, today, everything had to end because exams were approaching, and both classmates and professors had called, insisting that the three return to their studies.
That night, Pharan had to bring up the topic:
“It’s time for you all to go back to school.”
“Oh, master, how can we leave you when you’re still in pain?” Jett, who was currently kneeling and scrubbing the floor along with Chan and Khem, looked up to argue immediately, but then winced as he was hit on the head with a tray again.
“That hurts, master.”
Pharan narrowed his eyes and said.
“It hurts but isn’t fatal. Do you want me to tell you why I haven’t gotten better?” “But…”
“No buts. Go pack your clothes now. I’ll have Uncle Chai take you to the airport.”
“Master!” Jett almost threw himself on the floor in protest, but Chan quickly pulled him away. Seeing his friends leave, Khem wasn’t sure what to do next, except to quietly follow them.
“You stay here.”
Khem pressed his lips together, turned back to the master, sat down, and kept his head bowed, not daring to look up.
And every time Khem acted this way, the master would always gently lift his chin to make eye contact.
“Don’t cry.”
Khem didn’t want to cry, but controlling himself in front of master was extremely difficult.
“Master, I…”
“You’re confused. You don’t know what to do next, right?” Khem nodded, then shook his head due to the conflicting thoughts in his mind, before resting his face in the warm palms and holding them, gazing into the dark eyes.
“I want to stay here with you.”
Pharan’s eyes softened, his thumb gently caressing Khem’s cheek.
“You don’t need to rush that.”
“…”
“This home will always have its doors open, welcoming you.”
“…”
“Right now, you should go and live your life as fully as you’ve always intended, do your best in your responsibilities first, and when you want to come back, you can.”
“…”
“I’ll be here waiting for you. Agreed?”
It felt like a great weight had been lifted off him once more. The events that had just transpired made Khem reluctant to leave Pharan, wanting to care for and repay his kindness right here with no intention of going anywhere.
But beyond this, there were many things Khem wanted to do.
Tears flowed from Khem’s eyes onto the master’s hands continuously, before he slowly nodded, filled with respect and love.
“I promise I’ll live my life well and come back to you soon.”
After that day, Jett, Chan, and Khem returned to their full-time roles as university students.
Time passed in peace, Khem learned a lot, understanding the balance between hard study and fun, chasing his dreams alongside Jett and Chan, making new friends, exploring new interests, and even entering art competitions where he won numerous awards. He even got the opportunity to study abroad.
During the school holidays, they returned to participate in community development volunteer camps organized by various rural volunteer clubs in different provinces, places they had never been before, fostering close relationships with the club members, especially with Phraemai.
As for Kornkan, Pondit, and Tejaton, after surviving a life-threatening event, they continued to be ordained as monks, practicing virtue at the temple near their homes.
However, since all of them resided in Bangkok, not far from the university, their studies did not stop; they simply switched to attending special classes every Sunday. They occasionally met with other friends and had conversations.
The volunteer club friends did not hold any resentment towards what the three had done that day; instead, they rejoiced in their merit of becoming monks and regularly visited the temple where the three were stationed to make merit together.
Moreover, Khem got to know Jett’s family. His father is currently a member of the parliament for Ubon Ratchathani province, and his mother is the director of a well-known private school in the same province. His older sister, called Sister Jen, loves and cares for Khem as if he were family.
Additionally, Chan’s mother owns a medium-sized hotel business in Chonburi province. His eldest brother is now a surgeon, and his youngest brother is still in middle school. Chan’s family environment is much stricter than Jett’s. Since his mother raised three children on her own, all have grown up to be good and love each other deeply. Knowing Chan has friends, one of whom is quite wealthy, though a bit roguish, and the other, Khem, who is academically excellent and wellmannered, she feels less worried and lets Chan live his life to the fullest.
Every moment and many events that Khem went through were always shared with two people: the father abbot and the master.
After leaving the master’s house that day, it seemed the master had switched from a button phone to a smartphone. Khachen, a friend of the master, helped him buy it.
The master, not knowledgeable about technology, was tricked into buying an iPhone Pro Max, which, along with being confusing to use, was as expensive as a motorcycle. He also sent one to Khem to have a matching set. This was during the time when the province approved the installation of a mobile signal tower near the master’s village.
Khem and Pharan didn’t talk on the phone often; they both had their own daily responsibilities. Mostly, they exchanged short messages before Khem went to bed, or sometimes Khem would send pictures of delicious food, funny pets, or beautiful sunsets.
And he discovered that the master also had a romantic side when he sent back similar pictures.
And finally, the day arrived when Jett, Chan, and Khem graduated together. The atmosphere at the graduation ceremony was hot and humid, but wherever one looked, there was joy, smiles, and laughter.
Unfortunately, on this day, neither master nor father abbot could travel to attend Khem’s graduation, but Khem understood and held no resentment.
What Khem didn’t expect was the arrival of Khachen, who came with a bouquet of flowers and the keys to a Benz, saying to Khem,
“Pharan asked me to bring you your graduation gift.”
Khem was so shocked he almost fainted, but after recovering from the initial surprise, he accepted everything with a joyful smile, thanking Khachen for bringing the gifts. Before Khachen left, they didn’t forget to take a selfie together to send to their master.
“I’ve transferred a hundred thousand baht to you. Use it to buy some snacks. By the way, where’s Jett?”
“Oh, over there, hey! Khachen, don’t go yet, that’s too much money!”
At that moment, Khem didn’t know what to do and chased after Khachen, trying to give the money back, knowing well that this person wouldn’t listen or comply with his request.
After the graduation day ended, Khem drove the white Benz that master had given him as a gift, taking Jett and Chan to visit father abbot in their home province. When they arrived in the morning, they rushed to find Father Abbot at the temple pavilion and bowed to him.
“Paying respects, father abbot.” Khem said, with Jett and Chan following suit.
Phra Pinto looked at his son with eyes full of affection, along with the two young men he had seen once a year since that time.
“Blessings upon you, layman.”
“Father Abbot, I brought my diploma to offer to you.” Khem took the diploma out of his bag, placed it on a golden tray, and respectfully presented it to the abbot, then stepped back and bowed three times.
“Father Abbot, thank you for raising and supporting me, for always helping and protecting me, sacrificing yourself for me all these years.”
“…”
“I’ve gone through life and death situations. I’ve lived my life with caution, as you always taught me, and now I’ve graduated, capable of earning my own living. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“…”
“Father Abbot…would you like to disrobe and live with me?” Khem clasped his hands in prayer, looking at the abbot, hopeful that he might agree, but if not, Khem knew he could only accept whatever decision was made.
Phra Pinto smiled slightly, his eyes clear and filled with compassion and pride for his son. However, returning to a layman’s life at this point was something he felt he could no longer do.
“You don’t need to worry about me. I am well and happy with my ordination. Leaving worldly life behind to follow the path of Dharma, I don’t feel any distress.”
“…”
“Today, what I’ve been waiting for has come true. That is, to see you living the life you dreamed of since childhood, graduating, having a job, smiling like other young people. That’s all I need to feel at peace.”
“…”
“From now on, I will continue to live by the principles of a monk until the end of my days.”
Khem smiled before nodding, having already anticipated that the abbot would choose this path.
“…”
“Whenever you wish to see me, just come and visit. While you still have the strength, do what needs to be done, don’t leave anyone waiting for too long.”
Khem’s heart skipped a beat, and he blushed slightly, knowing that once, Pharan had come here to see father abbot, but he had no idea what they might have discussed.
Once he understood father abbot’s wishes, Khem didn’t think to challenge or persuade him otherwise. Instead, he changed the subject to health, the upcoming temple fair, and shared his near-future plans, with Jett and Chan answering questions along the way.
When it was time to leave, Khem, Jett, and Chan bowed to his father together, then looked up with cheerful faces.
“Paying respects and farewell, father abbot. Next holiday, I’ll make time to visit again.”
“May blessings be upon you, and may you all travel safely.”
After these words were spoken, all three raised their hands in prayer and said in unison, “Sadhu.”
By a little after ten at night, Khem, Jett, and Chan arrived at the master’s village.
Upon arrival, they parked the car at the village chief’s house because they wanted to reminisce about old times. They shouldered their bags and walked to the master’s house.
The night air in the village was quite cold, especially when they walked through the banana and rubber tree plantations towards the master’s home, it felt even darker and colder.
Everything around was eerily silent, with only the faint sound of the wind. But this time was different from before because Chan was with them.
Just a few dozen meters from master’s house, Khem took the opportunity to hand all his belongings to Jett, saying,
“Take care of these, Jett. I’ll go ahead.” And with that, he sprinted off, ignoring his friends’ protests which were loud enough to scare the birds.
“Hey, Khem, what’s the hurry? Wait for me!”
Khem reached the master’s house first. He stifled a laugh when he saw the master reading a Dharma book, waiting on a bamboo bed in front of the house.
Pretending not to notice that the master was reading the book upside down, Khem quickly approached. The master set the book down as Khem sat down beside him.
Khem met master’s eyes and then slowly bowed down at his feet.
Once again, the master lifted his hand to gently hold Khem’s face. After a moment, Khem looked up and smiled.
“I’m back, master.”
The master’s slender fingers brushed the hair from in front of Khem’s eyes, then flicked his forehead gently.
“What did I tell you to call me?” Khem bit his lip softly, his face flushed as he remembered that the master had recently asked him to change how he addressed him from “master” to something else. Khem wasn’t quite used to this yet.
“…”
“Phii Phim…”
“What was that?”
“I am back.”
The change in the term of address indicated a new form of relationship between us, and this nickname was one that only Pharan’s mother used to call him.
After his mother passed away, Pharan hadn’t heard it until today.
As if time had stopped, Khem was held still by the master’s dark eyes. The distance between them gradually shortened until he could feel the cool, moist tip of the master’s nose touching his cheek.
And then, his lips were kissed gently and sweetly, with the master’s hand behind his neck, preventing him from leaning back.
At that moment, Jett arrived in front of the master’s house, but before he could see anything, Chan, who was right behind him, spun him around, pulled out a cold powder from his side bag, poured it into his hand, and immediately smeared it on Jett’s face.
“Yikes, what the hell, man, Chan, it stings my eyes!”
At that time, the full moon shone brightly, adorned by a sky full of twinkling stars.
The cool breeze and familiar atmosphere warmed the heart.
Accompanied by the howl of the spotted dog welcoming everyone back home, ready to start a new life together.
THE END
May the power of the Triple Gem,
The great beings in the sixteen heavenly realms, fifteen earthly realms,
Tree devas, Brahma devas, and sky devas, among others,
Bless all the readers who have supported this novel,
Wishing them ever-increasing happiness and prosperity.
With love from, Kali
#KhemjiraMustSurvive
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