WESTTHESUNFROMANOTHERSTAR, Chapter 11: Old Song
Daotok
While still sitting and playing with everyone, I turned to look outside when I heard the sound of rain; soon, it was pouring heavily as if there was a storm brewing. Cat, who was sitting next to me, moved closer, making me turn to look at him. He didn’t even seem to realize he was squeezing in next to me, because Cat is afraid of thunder, afraid of the dark, and both often come together when it rains; when it rains hard, there’s thunder and the lights go out.
Boom!!
Thunderstruck, and that made Cat immediately cling to me, his hands trembling.
Suddenly, Cat’s partner stood up, picked him up, and held him to comfort him. I watched that warm scene for a while before averting my gaze, thinking it was impolite to stare.
“Phipungto.”
“What?”
“Do you have anything you’re afraid of?”
“Why ask out of the blue?”
“Just curious, you seem indifferent to everything in this world.”
“I won’t tell.” I said, “If I tell, North will definitely tease me with it.”
“Why think of me so negatively?” North pouted slightly, not too pleased, “You know I’m scared of ghosts, yet you still like to tell me scary ghost stories.” “Well, you like listening, don’t you? I had to listen to so many ghost radio shows to select the scary stories to tell you.” I said, speaking the truth. There was a time when North was really into ghost stories, to the point of listening to ghost radio shows, but he would complain that they weren’t scary enough. So, I helped by listening too.
“Yeah, you tell some good ones, but you’re not using ‘rao’ anymore, huh?”
“Do you want me to?”
“There was a time when you did, but now you used ‘ku/mung’, it feels strange when I know you are someone who uses polite speech to me, really.” North said. I couldn’t help but smile affectionately.
“Really, Khun North?” I teased, which made North look even more annoyed.
“Just call me North.”
“Dao, don’t you say it.” Ter interjected. I turned to look at him, “Dao you isn’t someone who speaks rudely from the start, so when you change, it feels weird.
Honestly, it’s not something we’re used to.”
“Why didn’t you say that from the start?” North asked, “Or is it that your family is strict about not saying it?”
“No, no.” I shook my head gently, “I just don’t say it, but honestly, I can.”
“Go on then.”
“Damn, North.”
“No, that won’t do.” North shook his head, “It’s not appropriate, you curse with such a gentle voice, it’s like being hit with a flower, not fierce enough.”
“Really? That’s bad, or maybe if I say it more often, it’ll get better.” “No need, just be yourself, why would you want to speak like North with all those vulgar words?” Ter said with a sigh, “So, with your…ex, it’s okay now, right?”
“It’s okay now.” I nodded, “With Mr. Jeon around, I have the strength to fight another day.”
“What’s with the sudden fighting spirit?” North teased, “But there’s one thing I want to say.”
“What?”
“This is something my friend reminded me when I was going to talk to my ex too, don’t forget what he did to you, don’t forget how much you were hurt and how sad you were.”
“Uh-huh, honestly, I don’t even know if I can forgive him. I don’t know.” I let out a small sigh as I tried to recall everything. “I was really angry about what he did. It wasn’t just him, that friend who betrayed us too. Has he realized how bad it was for me when he came to apologize now?”
“…”
“I was really heartbroken back then. I was very sad, so now I’ve learned to let go
a little.”
“…”
“…What was that ‘damn’ for?”
North burst out laughing loudly, along with Ter, making me laugh as well.
“What was that? I was trying to listen seriously, thought it would be something significant.”
“Did you like that last bit?” I asked.
“Yeah, you really are my disciple.” North reached out and slapped my shoulder hard.
“No, Dao, you can’t play like that.” Ter said, shaking his head while still laughing, “One North is enough, he’s such a mood killer. At first, he was all serious-faced.”
“Stop laughing, North. When I play, it’s not that funny.” I said when I saw North laughing so hard he was on his back.
“My humor is thin, so give me a moment.” the person who couldn’t stop laughing wiped his tears away, “It’s funny because it’s you playing; you have such a deadpan face.”
“Why is your humor so thin?”
“I don’t know, it just is, even the slightest thing is funny to me. I once watched birds for an hour and laughed the whole time.” North’s words made me frown in confusion, “Birds are funny, man, they have such hilarious behavior, you should try observing them.”
“Maybe when I have time, I’ll try watching birds.” I said.
“Don’t bother, Dao. I think it’s a waste of time, don’t believe him too much.” “You always oppose me.” North turned to Ter, looking somewhat displeased.
…
Arthit
On a night with heavy rain, around three in the morning, at the same old coffee shop, I died peacefully at the age of twenty-two, having blacked out my notes twice and coming back from the dead to read again, otherwise, I’d fail.
Has it come to the point where I have to trade my life for grades, damn it?
Not just me, Fah and Hill are also struggling. I remember in their first year, when they got good grades, they didn’t have to study to death like this. Now, even with their ears and eyes hurting from studying, they’re not doing much better. Is it too hard, damn it, hard like it’s not meant for humans to learn.
If only we had realized this in our first year, we could have switched paths, now in our fourth year, it’s too late to turn back. Initially, I wanted to be a doctor because it was something I promised my mom when I was little, but I think by now, she would understand, right? She would understand, and at that time, she didn’t really care much; it was only me being stubborn.
What are you being stubborn for, Arthit, huh? If you had listened to Direk from the start, it would have been over. Direk warned you that med school is tough. Not listening, thinking you could handle anything, ‘I can do it, I can do it,’ can what? I’m dying here, damn it.
“Fah, oh, where’s Fah?” I looked up to call out and found that Fah was gone from the table.
“He’s with Phoon.” Jo said. I glanced around the room to see Fah reading his book while hugging his wife in the corner, the only real couple in this world, how sweet can it get?
“So, Hill?”
“What?”
“Ask here.” I said before getting up to sit in Fah’s place next to Hill, and then Hill explained. In our tutoring sessions, Fah tutors me, and Hill tutors Jo, because the way they explain things is different; I understand Fah’s explanations better, while Jo understands Hill’s better.
After about half an hour, we were really starting to struggle. Here, ‘struggle’ means we were about to collapse. Not only had we not slept enough, but our brains were overworking too, we were exhausted, and now we have to go to the ward again tomorrow, damn it, and there are so many exams.
Looking outside, I saw that the rain hadn’t stopped and showed no signs of stopping, it might continue until next year. We started packing up and preparing to leave.
“Arthit.” Jo’s wife called out as she walked over.
“What?”
“Take my friend back with you.”
“Huh?”
“He lives in the same condo as you, he brought a motorcycle, but it’s raining.” “Yeah, yeah.” I responded without much thought, then walked down to the lower floor with them and headed to the parking lot. The kid from the room next door didn’t say anything, just followed me quietly, “Can you drive?”
“…?”
“Answer me.”
“Yes, I can.”
“Drive for a bit, I’m sleepy.”
“…”
I handed over the keys, and he took them, looking confused. I didn’t wait for any more words, opened the passenger door, and got in immediately because I was really tired. It wasn’t that I couldn’t drive, but if I could, I’d rather sleep. I adjusted the seat to lie back comfortably and prepared to sleep.
“Drive well, okay? My car isn’t cheap.” I said. I do love my cars, I enjoy customizing and driving them, but I’m not possessive to the point where no one can touch them. It’s not like that because I’m rich and have several cars. I don’t care much, but don’t crash into others for fun, that would be disastrous for everyone.
“Uh-huh.”
…
Daotok
I looked at the owner of the black sports car with some confusion. It seemed like he easily fell asleep in the passenger seat. I looked at the keys in my hand once more before getting into the driver’s seat, then North came over to tap on the car window. I rolled down the window and looked at the person outside.
“Why are you driving?”
“He said he’s sleepy.”
“Oh, and can you drive?”
“I think so.”
“Be careful, Arthit’s car is powerful, just touch the gas lightly.”
“Okay.”
“It’s dark and raining, drive safely.”
“Okay, see you.”
“See you.” North said. I rolled up the window and saw North walking back to his partner’s car as usual. I slowly adjusted the seat and mirrors to fit me, buckled up, then started the car.
Before driving off, I didn’t forget to turn on some music, connecting my phone to the car’s system and scrolling through my favorite driving playlist.
I got the song I wanted to play and, upon starting to drive, found out just how powerful the car was, just as North had warned. Initially, it was a bit of a shock, but soon I got used to it. I kept my speed around thirty to forty, as usual, because it was raining and dark; there was no need to speed.
Even though I was still a bit confused, driving while listening to my favorite songs on a quiet road with the rain falling wasn’t bad at all. No, it wasn’t just not bad; I actually loved it.
“What song are you playing?”
“…” I didn’t answer his question; the person who had just woken up seemed somewhat displeased, or maybe he didn’t like the song I was playing. “Want to change it?” I asked, after all, it was his car.
“No need.”
“Okay.”
“Just surprised, it’s an old song. Didn’t think anyone still listened to it.”
“You know it?”
“Yeah.” He replied before turning slightly and falling asleep again. I was also surprised that he knew it; the song was really old. I continued driving along the road, letting the soft music blend with the sound of the rain outside.
At first, I thought the next turn would lead to the condo, but somehow we ended up somewhere else, which made me realize I had taken the wrong turn, probably because I don’t drive at night often. So, I pulled over to the side and pulled out my phone to find the way back to the condo.
“Are we there?” I asked the person next to me as I opened my eyes, probably because the car had stopped, making him think we’d arrived at the condo for sure. But when I looked around, it wasn’t the case, and he looked surprised, “Where is this?”
“We’re lost.”
“What the hell?”
“Do you know the way?”
He didn’t respond, just adjusted his seat back to sitting up, rubbing his face hard as if trying to wake up.
“Let’s go around up ahead.”
“Okay.” I said that before putting my phone down and continuing to drive, “Don’t sleep yet, tell me the way first.” I said because I didn’t know this area at all.
If no one told me the way, it would be bad.
“You drive so damn slow.” the person next to me complained, “Wow, forty, I’ve never driven at forty in my life.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Let me drive. Otherwise, we’ll never get there in this lifetime.”
“Nah.”
“Damn.”
I didn’t say anything more; I didn’t let him drive because I thought it would be too dangerous, meaning from the looks of it, it was quite risky, and he drives very fast too. Before, he said he wasn’t afraid of death or anything, but not anymore, because I forgot about Mr. Jeon. I can’t die yet. No way.
I drove to the U-turn point and turned the car back towards the original direction. “Turn left at the second red light.” He said before falling asleep again, and then I finally drove back to the condo. Even after all that time, the rain hadn’t stopped. I parked under the condo and woke the person next to me.
“We’re here.” I said, he slowly opened his eyes, got out of the car, and we walked to the elevator, went up to the seventh floor, and returned to our rooms. I quickly took a shower and went to bed, preparing to wait for Mr. Jeon, who would arrive in a few hours.
I woke up early, excited about Mr. Jeon’s visit, so I cleaned the room. Dad called to say he was almost here, which made me even more excited. Soon, there was a knock on the door. I rushed to open it.
“Hey.” The person in front greeted me with a smile. I looked up at him, smiled back, and gave him a light hug out of longing. I saw the box in Dad’s hand and took it immediately.
Mr. Jeon~-
I looked at Mr. Jeon in the box, walked back into the room, and set the box down, opening it to take Mr. Jeon out. I didn’t even notice my dad sitting down on the floor beside me.
“Mr. Jeon, was the trip tiring?” I asked softly, watching Mr. Jeon slowly emerge from the box and look around the room, “This is our new room, bought so we could live here together.”
“You forgot about me , huh?” Dad said. I turned to look at him. I’ve gotten used to speaking to my dad in English because he’s not very fluent in Thai, “Mr. Jeon has gained half a kilo, you know.”
“Dad, or was it papa who made Mr. Jeon gain weight?” I asked.
“It was Pai, I didn’t have the time.” Dad said. Pai is my papa’s name, and Dad just calls him by his name, like how my papa calls Dad just by his name. That’s how it is for partners.
“How many days will you be staying in Chiang Mai?”
“A couple of days, any restaurant recommendations? I’d like to try the local food.”
“I don’t really eat out much, Dad you should search for some.”
“You’re not eating again, huh?” Dad started to complain, “Just like Pai, why don’t you listen?” He said before standing up to explore my room. I turned my attention back to Mr. Jeon, who was all soft and fluffy.
“Pretty spacious, and high too.” Dad commented, touching the top of the bathroom door, “Normally, I almost hit my head.”
“Dad, you always have issues with height.” I said, because my dad is very tall, and even though my papa is tall, he’s a bit shorter next to him.
As I mentioned, Dad is English. If you ask about looks or personality, I think he’s one of the best-looking people I know. He goes to the gym and works out, and he’s involved in software system design, leading a team in a large company with branches in Thailand. My papa is a business law consultant, checking various transactions.
I’ve told everyone about this, how my papa has a new partner who is a man, because we were talking about family and I was okay with sharing it. North, Ter, Cat, everyone said it was cute. I don’t care how people view my family, but if they don’t see it as strange, I’ll be very grateful, because my mom tends to overthink. Regarding my mom, she’s also remarried, to a good man. Mom and Dad parted ways with an understanding that their love couldn’t continue, but both have always been good parents even after starting new lives with others. Mom and Papa still keep in touch because they have to look after me.
I chose to stay with my papa when my parents divorced because I wanted to be with my grandmother, and I thought my mom was going to live with her new family and if she took me, it would be difficult for her. I lived alone with my papa for a long time until Dad came into our lives. I knew how much trouble he was going through then, worried that I wouldn’t accept him having a new partner who was a man.
But when we opened up and talked about everything, it worked out fine. I respected my papa’s love, accepted Dad into our lives as his partner, and he eventually became like another father to me. Dad is a very good father; he’s kind and loves me like I’m his own child.
Dad told me about meeting Papa for the first time at a coffee shop in central London. By chance, they sat near each other, and Dad knew right away he only had a few minutes to strike up a conversation before they might never meet again.
At first, papa didn’t like Dad at all; he rejected him, saying he already had a son.
Dad was persistent for a year until papa softened up.
It’s quite a romantic story, actually, a love at first sight in a bustling London coffee shop in the morning. Why did it have to be papa when the place was full of people? Why him from the first moment they locked eyes, when Dad could have met so many others in this big city?
“Michael.” Dad called out. I told Dad my name was Michael because, like I said, I used to tell everyone that, and it’s easier to say.
“Yes?”
“Pai told me that Khram is coming back?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I don’t trust him.”
“…Okay.”
“Did Pai tell you not to go alone if you’re going to see him?”
“Yes.”
“You’ll take a friend with you, right?”
“Not a friend…the person next door, we have a little agreement.” I said, causing
Dad to slightly furrowed his brows, “Ah, Dad.”
“What?”
“I’m going to California. If I have free time, maybe in a month or so, during the semester break.”
“For vacation?”
“No, it’s part of the agreement with the person next door, to help him.” I tried to explain, “Dad you know I can sense spirits, right? Dead people.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I’m going to help him find his deceased mother.”
“Hmm, are you sure you can trust him?” Dad said, his face showing concern again. It’s not surprising since Dad doesn’t believe in spirits or ghosts, “California, why there?”
“That’s his hometown.”
“Where exactly, LA? San Francisco?”
“I don’t know, didn’t ask.”
“Ask him, okay? I know you can take care of yourself, but Pai will worry, you know?”
“Yes.” I nodded, “I’ll tell papa later.”
I played in the room with Mr. Jeon and chatted casually with Dad, as we hadn’t seen each other in a while. Dad stayed to hang out in my room, waiting for dinner. …
Arthit
I woke up with difficulty when I heard the alarm, feeling like I had only napped for a brief time, but I felt refreshed. Maybe my body had adjusted. I got out of bed to shower and get dressed, but when I was about to leave the room, I found that the car keys from the day before were missing.
Where did they go?
Oh, I remember now, last night. No, this morning, I let the blue-haired kid next door drive, and we even got lost. How could we get lost on such a straightforward route? But he drove smoothly, maybe because he drove slowly, so it was smooth. I could sleep the whole way, though not deeply, I was waking up now and then when the car stopped or when the song changed.
Also, the music he played while driving; I liked every song. I like old music, and it’s rare to meet someone who listens to the same genre. I was a bit surprised to find someone with similar taste, and he played all my favorite songs too, plus I like indie rock and similar styles.
I stopped by his room to ask for the keys before heading to the ward. Soon, the door opened, but the person who answered wasn’t the familiar face, which surprised me slightly. He definitely wasn’t Thai, about my height.
Uh. What should I say? And what was that kid’s name again?
“What do you want?” the person in front of me asked in English with a pure British accent. Before I could reply, another voice chimed in.
“Dad. Who is it?” And then the blue-haired kid came out, holding Cat, looking at me standing at the door, “Oh, the keys, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Sorry, I was sleepy, so I forgot to return it.” He said, before walking over to hand me the keys. I took them and walked out.
Dad?
And this dad; he’s English too.
Is the kid half Thai?
Or if not…then he must be Dad or is it Daddy.
So does Dad as in father or Daddy as in—, huh?
Hey, this kid isn’t ordinary anymore.
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