MYMOON, Chapter 2:
“Klai… what’s Panli’s rank? I need to fill in the order.”
“What’s Panli’s real name, Phii Dom?”
“Oh, I totally forgot we don’t know Panli’s real name.”
“…”
“Panli’s name is Sasin Pisut.”
Last week’s conversation replayed in Klai’s mind as he picked up Phii Dom’s MacBook and hugged it. Phii Dom was part of the exhibition organizing team, tasked with arranging the order of Digital Media students participating in the exhibition, sorted by student ID for each year. Although Phii Dom already had his girlfriend helping, the list of students across all four years was overwhelming, so he called Klai for assistance.
Last week, Klai happened to be back home, so he let Phii Dom bring the work to his house, which led to Dom leaving his MacBook there. Last night, Dom called to ask when Klai would be home, as he needed the MacBook for work. Normally, Klai went home once a week, but this time he had to return earlier than usual to return the well-kept MacBook to his brother.
The small figure emerged from the bedroom with the MacBook and headed downstairs to the living room. He saw Phii Dom and Phii Babe chatting. Klai plopped down opposite the inseparable couple and handed the MacBook back to its owner. The reason he called Phii Dom and Phii Babe the “inseparable couple” was that, since they started dating, Klai had never seen them apart.
If you saw Phii Dom, you’d see Phii Babe.
If you saw Phii Babe, you’d see Phii Dom.
That’s the origin of the term “inseparable couple.”
“Thanks.”
“Thanks alone won’t cut it. You need to treat your little brother to a meal too. Last week, you had him help with work, and today you made him come home to bring you the MacBook.”
Phii Dom nodded to Phii Babe, then turned to Klai and said, “I’ll treat you to a meal later, Klai.”
“No need, Phii Dom… I was already coming back this week to pay respects to Mom before her birthday anyway.”
“Tell Uncle I miss him, okay, Klai?”
“Sure, Phii Dom.”
“Klai… the day after tomorrow is your birthday, right?” Phii Babe asked.
“Yes, Phii Babe.”
“Is you hosting at home like last year?”
“This year, I’m is planning to celebrate at a restaurant near Siam… It just so happens that on my birthday, Dad is holding an engagement party with Ms. Lin at home, so I thought it’d be better to invite everyone to eat out somewhere else,” Klai explained.
Phii Dom and Phii Babe fell silent for a moment. Klai knew they were concerned about his feelings. He gave them both a smile to reassure them that he wasn’t upset. It wasn’t just Phii Dom and Phii Babe who were worried—Klai knew that Phii Jeab, who became his nanny after his mother passed away, and many others close to him were also afraid he’d be hurt about his father’s engagement to his close secretary.
As a child, Klai feared his father would replace his mother with another woman. But as he grew older, he realized how much his father loved his mother, and those fears and sorrows faded. Now, all Klai felt was understanding… he understood that his father needed someone by his side, someone to care for him.
And of course… a man in his late forties, like his father, still needed love too.
“Are you okay, Klai? You can tell us anything,” Phii Dom said.
“Yeah, Dom and I are always here to listen,” Phii Babe added.
“I’m really okay,” Klai replied with a smile. “But if this were when I was a kid, you two would probably have to spend the whole day comforting me.” He laughed lightly before continuing, “Now I’m old enough to understand a lot of things. Dad’s decision to get engaged to Ms. Lin doesn’t make me sad like everyone thinks. It actually makes me feel relieved because, from now on, Dad will have someone to take care of him.”
“Klai… I think your mom would be so proud of you,” Phii Babe said.
“I hope I can make her even prouder,” Klai replied.
The smiles from Phii Dom and Phii Babe showed Klai that they were genuinely proud of him, just as they said. He remembered how his mother always told him to listen to Phii Dom, as he was his older cousin. His aunt, his mother’s younger sister, also told Phii Dom to take good care of him. That’s why the two of them were so close and bonded, even though they were just cousins.
“For your birthday this year… what do you want? I’ll buy it for you,” Phii Dom offered.
“You!” Phii Babe exclaimed, playfully smacking Phii Dom’s arm.
“How can you ask him like that? It ruins the surprise!”
“I’m afraid of buying something he won’t like… It’s better to just ask him directly,” Phii Dom defended.
“You need to put in more effort than that! Check his Instagram or Twitter to see what he’s into lately, then get something he likes right now. That way, he’ll be surprised,” Phii Babe suggested.
“Honey, Klai barely uses social media. He only posts on Instagram once in a blue moon, and on Twitter, he just retweets posts from bookstores recommending new releases,” Phii Dom countered.
“Exactly, Dom! That should tell you what he likes,” Phii Babe pointed out.
Phii Dom furrowed his brows, seemingly deep in thought as he looked at Phii Babe. “You’re right. Klai loves books.”
Klai chuckled softly. He thought Phii Dom and Phii Babe were such an adorable couple. They were quite different from each other, but they complemented one another in an almost unbelievable way.
This must be what they call… different but perfectly matched.
“Phii Babe… I would like to invite Theerak to the birthday party too.”
Theerak was Phii Babe’s younger brother. They’d met several times already. He was studying digital media, majoring in graphics, and was in the same year as Klai. Theerak was a cute guy with a signature rosy flush on his cheeks. Whenever Klai ran into him at university, he’d often step away from his friends to greet him. Maybe it was because Theerak always spoke so sweetly and had a bright smile constantly lighting up his face, which made Klai feel especially fond of him.
But Klai thought that, besides the world being cruel at times and kind at others, it also loved to play tricks on him. Since meeting Theerak, Klai had never once seen him with Panli. But after that incident when
Klai met Panli, he started noticing Theerak hanging out with Panli often.
That’s when Klai learned they were close friends…
It seemed like almost everyone around him knew Panli.
“Sure thing, I’ll invite him for you,” Phii Babe said.
“Thank you, Phii Babe.”
Phii Babe flashed him a smile before turning to Phii Dom. “Honey, let’s head back… we’ve taken up enough of his time. He’s probably got other things to do.”
“Klai’s so polite, though. Even if he had stuff to do, he’d never shoo us out,” Phii Dom said with a laugh, then added, “So we’ll just have to leave on our own.”
“It’s no trouble at all… Honestly, after paying respects to Mom today, I don’t have anything else planned,” Klai said.
“If you’re feeling lonely, come hang out at my place, Klai,” Phii Babe offered.
“I’ll definitely visit your house sometime, Phii Babe… Consider me part of the Nirand family in advance!”
“You’re always welcome!”
“Honey, let’s go.”
Phii Babe nodded to Phii Dom, who stood up to his full height. She followed suit, and Klai walked them out to the front of the house. While waiting for the driver to bring the car, Phii Dom’s eyes widened slightly, as if he’d just remembered something.
“Klai, have you seen my photography exhibit yet? They’re taking down the photos next week.”
Klai gave a small smile before replying, “I’ve seen it already. Your photos are amazing, Phii Dom.”
“Pfft… If you wanted compliments, just say so. No need to bring up the exhibit closing next week,” Phii Babe teased.
“Well, you never compliment me, so I have to get it from him!” Phii Dom shot back.
Klai laughed when he saw Phii Dom pout at his partner. “So, Phii Babe isn’t joining the photo exhibition? I didn’t see your name on the list.”
“I’m joining next year. This year, it’s Dom’s solo spotlight,” Phii Babe replied.
“And Theerak is not joining either, right?” Klai asked Phii Dom.
“Yep, he sitting this one out too. Next year, Theerak will join,” Phii Dom said.
“Oh, I see…”
“Excuse me, the car’s here,” a voice interrupted.
“I’m off, Klai,” Phii Babe said.
“Alright, Phii Babe,” Klai replied.
“Sorry for always bothering you, Klai,” Phii Dom added.
Klai smiled and said, “No trouble at all, Phii Dom.”
“See you later!”
“Bye~”
Klai waved as the couple got into their car. He stood there until the BMW drove past the gate. Reflecting on Phii Dom’s words, he realized that Phii Dom hadn’t bothered him at all.
Because Phii Dom was the one who told Klai that Panli’s full name was Sasin Pisut.
And Phii Dom gave Klai the chance to say thank you to Panli.
Even if it was just through a photo…
For Klai, that was more than enough.
Klai picked up a familiar white CD and slid it into the player before sitting back on his bed. He pressed the remote to turn on the TV. On the screen, a woman who looked strikingly like him was sitting in a backyard garden. She wore a clean white dress and had a smile as beautiful as an angel’s.
Klai had never seen a real angel.
But he knew the woman in the video had an angelic smile… Because his father always said so.
And Klai thought… his mother’s smile was truly beautiful.
He couldn’t help but smile as he watched his younger self toddling toward his mother on the screen. She beamed widely, arms open to welcome him. Klai grabbed the remote and turned up the volume, knowing what came next—he’d hear his mother’s voice again.
“KhunKlai… come to Mommy quick, sweetheart!”
“…”
“Klai, come to Mommy, darling!”
And he’d hear his father’s voice, the one behind the camera recording the video…
“Just a little more, buddy…”
“…”
“My KhunKlai is so talented.”
Klai smiles while wiping away clear tears that he doesn’t know when they started flowing. He likes to watch this video before his birthday. Klai does this every year, but no matter how many times he watches it, he can never hold back his tears.
The tears that flow… they must be from longing.
I’m no longer as sad as he was back then, Mother.
The precious childhood memories continue to play, leading up to his birthday. At that time, Klai turned twelve. He still remembers that birthday celebration vividly, even though so much time has passed.
Because it was the last year Mother was there for his birthday…
“Happy, Birthday, to… my KhunKlai.”
“Mother and son, smile for the camera… I’m recording the video.”
“Father, are you recording again? I don’t like it.”
Back then, Klai didn’t like his Father recording videos because he was afraid he’d accidentally make a funny face, and his Father would tease him about it later.
“Make sure you record it well, dear… so KhunKlai can watch it when he grows up.”
“Alright, wife.”
“KhunKlai… I wish for you to keep being a good boy like this. May you meet good people, encounter good things, and grow up well, both in mind and heart. May you study well like your Father… I will always be here to support you.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“KhunKlai thanks me too… because, besides your mother, I am the one who loves and cares for KhunKlai the most.”
“Thank you, Father… I love you Father and you Mother the most.”
“Father and Mother love Klai too.”
When the video ends, the TV screen turns completely black. Klai closes his eyes, thinking back to that day when his Father drove him to the hospital in the middle of the night. Twelve-year-old Klai stood listening to his Father’s conversation with relatives outside the emergency room. He saw his Father’s red, teary eyes, and when he looked down, he noticed his Father’s trembling hands. At that moment, Klai vaguely sensed something bad had happened to his Mother, but his Father and the others wouldn’t tell him the truth.
But when the doctor came out of the emergency room and spoke with his Father and the relatives, the truth everyone tried to hide was revealed through Grandmother’s cries. his Father rushed back to hug him as he sat on the white chair. Klai remembers his Father letting his tears flow freely without holding back, before speaking in a trembling voice:
“Klai…”
“Yes, Father?”
“Actually, today your Mother was supposed to stay over at your
Grandmother’s house, you know that, right?”
“I know, mom called me this evening… She told you to go to bed early, and when I wake up in the morning, I’ll find her in the kitchen.”
Dad smiled through tears before saying, “Your mom must miss her Klai so much… That’s why she decided to drive back in the middle of the night. She probably wanted to surprise you.”
“…”
“But your mom’s car was hit hard by a pickup truck…”
“…”
“Klai… no matter what happens next, I want you to know that… our hearts will always be with you.”
Back then, Klai didn’t fully understand what his dad meant by “our hearts will always be with you.” But the memories from every stage of his life, carefully edited by his dad onto a CD and given to him as a birthday gift when he turned thirteen, helped Klai deeply understand his father’s words.
Creak!
The loud creak of the bedroom door made Klai hurriedly wipe away his tears. He thought it was probably Phii Jeab behind the door, but the person who appeared made Klai break into a wide, joyful smile.
“Dad…”
“Jeab called and told me you came home, so I rushed back to see you.”
“…” Klai got up from the bed and ran to hug his dad. He knew his dad had been extremely busy lately, and Klai didn’t want to disturb his work. But the truth was, he missed his dad so much.
“Why didn’t you call to tell me you were coming home?”
“I know you’ve been busy, Dad. If I told you I was coming home, you’d rush through your work without resting just to come see me, like you always do… So I thought I’d wait until you had some free time, and then I’d come back to visit again.”
“Last week when you came home, I was barely around… I’m sorry, okay?”
“It’s fine, Dad. I understand.”
His dad hugged him tightly, then pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Ever since I became an MP, the responsibilities have piled up.”
“…”
“But I’ll try to make more time to be with you, okay? Just wait for me a little, Klai.”
Klai nodded while holding onto his dad. “Okay, Dad.”
“Today, I missed seeing my angel’s smile because you were secretly watching the video alone.”
“We can watch it again… because I still miss Mom.”
“Let’s do it.”
Klai pulled away from his father’s embrace and led the tall man to sit on the bed. He pressed the remote to replay the video, stealing a glance at his father, who revealed a warm smile upon seeing Rak angel.
“When you were learning to walk… your mom bought you so many shoes,” his father said while watching the video. Klai looked at his father, dressed in a white dress shirt with the hem untucked from his black pants and his tie slightly loosened. Normally, his father was impeccably dressed, but today, he must have been truly exhausted.
“Dad…”
“Yes?”
“You need to rest sometimes… I am worried about you.”
His father smiled and pulled him into a hug. “You don’t need to worry about me, Klai. I’m still strong.”
“No matter how strong you are, you still need someone to take care of you.”
His father released the hug, and Klai met his gaze for a moment. His father let out a sigh and gently ruffled his hair, a hint of concern in his eyes.
“I…”
“I’m okay, Dad… You can talk to me about Ms. Lin.”
“I’m not trying to replace your mom with Ms. Lin, Klai…”
“I know, Dad… That’s why I’m not as upset as everyone thinks I’d be.”
“I want you to know, Klai… Ms. Lin doesn’t make me love your mom any less. But she’s the one who helped me learn to love someone again.”
“…”
“The love I have for your mom is still the same—it hasn’t been divided or given to anyone else. The love I have for Ms. Lin… it’s a new love that grew on its own.”
“…”
“Do you understand what I’m saying, son?”
“I understand, Dad.”
Klai hugged his father again. Closing his eyes, he silently thanked his father for keeping his mother’s memory precious in his heart. Even though she was no longer alive, his father still loved and honored her always.
After his mother’s passing, his father never dated anyone until he met Ms. Lin. They’d been together for two years, and that made Klai realize… it wasn’t easy for his father to love someone again. For his father to find someone who made his heart swell once more…
Klai thought…
His father should spend the rest of his life with that person.
Knock knock
Klai pulled away from his father’s embrace when he heard a knock at the door. Since the door was wide open, he saw Ms. Lin standing there, dressed neatly. Ms. Lin, in her mid-thirties, was polished and wellmannered. Klai wasn’t very close to her, but they’d spoken a few times.
“Sorry to interrupt your time, KhunKlai,” Ms. Lin said.
“It’s fine,” Klai replied.
“What’s up?” his father asked.
“The tailor brought the suit for a fitting after some adjustments,” Ms. Lin explained. “I’d like you to try it on. If it’s still loose, I can have them fix it again.”
“Do I have to try it on now?” his father asked.
“Yes… if you try it now, the tailor can check it right away,” Ms. Lin replied.
“…”
“I’m really sorry for interrupting your time with your son,” Ms. Lin added. “But since it’s the suit for the engagement, I want to make sure you look your absolute best.”
Klai glanced at his father, who let out a quiet sigh. His father probably felt guilty for leaving him to watch the video alone again.
“Go try on the suit, Dad,” Klai said. “You don’t want to look less than perfect on the big day.”
“…”
“I’ll go pray at Mom’s shrine in the prayer room,” Klai continued. “Once you’re done with the fitting, let’s go grab something delicious to eat.”
His father leaned down, kissed his forehead, and said, “I’m sorry,
Klai… I’ll be quick, and then we’ll go eat.”
“Alright~” Klai smiled.
He watched his father leave the room with Ms. Lin. Klai stood up, turned off the DVD player, and carefully placed the CD back in its case. He prepared to head to the prayer room to pay respects to his mother’s ashes. But as he opened the door, he was surprised to see Ms. Lin standing there. Raising his eyebrows, he asked, “Is something wrong, Ms. Lin?”
“KhunKlai… I’m so sorry,” Ms. Lin said.
“…”
“I know you haven’t had much time with your father lately, and here I am, interrupting your time with him again,” she continued.
“Please don’t worry about it, Ms. Lin. I understand,” Klai reassured her.
“And there’s one more thing I need to apologize for, KhunKlai…” Ms. Lin met his eyes, pressing her lips together before continuing. “I’m so sorry that we’re holding the engagement on your birthday.” “…”
“My parents are very particular about auspicious dates,” she explained. “They consulted and found that day to be the best. At first, your father and I were really conflicted because it falls on your birthday…”
“Klai…”
“Ms. Lin, I’m really okay, I promise. You and Father don’t need to worry too much.”
Ms. Lin stays silent, looking into his eyes.
“Please take care of Father, Ms. Lin.”
“Of course, KhunKlai.”
Klai smiles at Ms. Lin. She’s been his father’s secretary for three years now. Throughout her time working with his Father, Ms. Lin has always treated him with polite and respectful manners. Even though he’s told her multiple times to act more casually, Ms. Lin always says…
“I have always respected you, KhunKlai as the boss’s son. If I were to suddenly act too casual, it wouldn’t feel right for me.”
“As long as Ms. Lin doesn’t feel tense when talking to Klai, that’s more than enough to make me happy.”
“I’ll try, KhunKlai.”
Even now, Ms. Lin still seems a bit tense.
Klai doesn’t know how to make Ms. Lin feel less anxious. Her expression looks very uneasy. He furrows his brow, thinking, before reaching into his pocket to pull out a lemon-flavored candy he likes to eat. Klai hands the candy to her. Ms. Lin slightly frowns while looking at it.
“When I feels anxious, I like to eat lemon candy. It makes me feel a lot better.”
Klai isn’t sure how much this gesture will help strengthen his relationship with his stepmother.
But he’s trying his very best…
“Thank you, KhunKlai.”
Ms. Lin’s smile lets Klai know that his efforts weren’t in vain.
“You’re welcome.”
“…”
“I’ll go pay respects to Mother now, Ms. Lin.”
“Please, go ahead, KhunKlai.”
Klai nods to her before walking away. He heads straight to the prayer room. A smile spreads across his face when he sees Phii Jiab standing in front of the room, holding a garland in her hands. Father said that Phii Jiab was initially hired just to be his nanny, but after she stayed for a long time, Father made her the housekeeper as well.
Phii Jiab has been in this house for a very long time.
All the maids and the driver call Phii Jiab…
“Head Housekeeper.”
“I miss you, Phii… so much,” Klai said, before hugging the middleaged woman who was like a second mother to him. Truthfully, Klai shouldn’t call the woman in front of him “Phii,” as she was around the same age as his mother. But when he was a child, Phii Jeab told him to call her that because she didn’t want to feel old. So, Klai had stuck to calling her Phii Jeab ever since.
“How does KhunKlai miss Jeab, huh? Leaving me to deal with those chaotic kids,” Phii Jeab teased.
Klai laughed. This morning, the driver had told him that his dad hired three new maids, none of whom were very skilled, so Phii Jeab had to train them from scratch.
The “chaotic kids” Phii Jeab mentioned were probably the new maids.
“I’ve been busy with classes, Phii Jeab,” Klai explained.
“…”
“Dad hiring new maids is a good thing. Now you won’t be lonely,” he added.
“I’d rather be lonely than have to deal with this headache,” Phii Jeab retorted.
Klai laughed again. He took two garlands from Phii Jeab. “Thank you, Phii Jeab… for always preparing garlands for me every time I come home.”
“If I don’t take care of KhunKlai, who else would I take care of? I’m not looking after your dad, that’s for sure,” she said playfully.
“If Dad heard you say that, he’d be upset,” Klai teased.
“That’s why I only say it when it’s just the two of us,” Phii Jeab replied with a grin.
Phii Jeab always managed to make him laugh. “Would you like to come in and pay respects to Mom with me, Phii Jeab?” he asked.
“No, I’ll pass. Maybe today KhunKlai wants to spend time with your mom alone,” she replied.
“I’ll come out and talk with you soon, okay?” Klai promised.
“Wait, hold on, KhunKlai…” Phii Jeab called out just as he was about to open the door to the prayer room.
“Yes, Phii Jeab?” he turned back.
“I know I shouldn’t ask this now… but I can’t help worrying. My heart’s all restless with concern,” she said.
“Since you started your second year… you haven’t told me anything about new friends,” she continued.
Klai wanted to let out a long sigh, but not wanting to worry Phii Jeab, he gave her a smile instead. Phii Jeab was always concerned about his friendships, knowing how often he got hurt because of friends.
“…”
“Even though Khun Kant is at the same university, he’s in a different faculty. I can’t help but worry,” she went on. “And the last time you mentioned, all the friends you were close to in your first year transferred to other faculties. That makes me even more concerned.”
The last time he updated Phii Jeab about his friends… It really had been a while.
“I have new friends now… These two are really nice, Phii Jeab. You don’t have to worry.”
Let Phii Jeab know only the good things.
As for the bad things I’ve been through…
It’s better if Phii Jeab doesn’t know.
“Don’t lie to me, okay?”
“I’m not lying… but I might not be telling everything,” Klai said with a laugh, before quickly slipping into the prayer room.
Once inside the prayer room, Klai adopted a respectful posture, as his mother had taught him. He sat cross-legged, bowed to the Buddha, and crawled forward to offer a garland to the large Buddha statue. Then, he turned to the right side of the room to hang another garland on his mother’s urn.
Klai looked at his mother’s photo and said, “Mom… the day after tomorrow is my birthday. This year, I’ll be twenty.”
“Please bless me, Mom.”
“…”
“And on that day, please join in celebrating with Dad too.”
“…”
“I believe you’d agree with Dad’s decision this time… You must feel relieved knowing someone is taking care of him.”
“…”
“That’s what I think too.”
“…”
“Dad and I still love and miss you always, Mom.”
“…”
“No matter where you are… I believe our hearts will always be together.”
The name Klaijai… his mother gave it to him.
She said Klaijai meant…
“Our hearts will always be together.”
But Klai thought…
For our hearts to be with someone, There must be something guiding them… And that something is love.
Love makes… our hearts stay together.
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