WESTTHESUNFROMANOTHERSTAR, Epilogue Chapter 52: Lucky Me 🙂
Daotok
Several days have passed since Arthit left the university; he spends most of his time holed up in the studio working on music. I brought in a sandwich I just made and a glass of juice, placing them on the table without saying anything so as not to disturb his concentration. Just as I was about to turn and walk out, he called me back.
“Could you listen to this for a bit?”
“Huh? Are you done?”
“Yeah, it’s okay for me now, give it a listen.” He handed me the headphones. I put them on, and a fairly familiar tune started playing. It was familiar because I had listened to it with him many times; he had gradually tweaked it until he was satisfied. There were some beats that were different from before, and I thought they were better.
“Hmm. I like it.”
“Really? Because I thought I couldn’t tweak it further, this is the best for me now.”
“Then it’s okay.”
“Yeah, so I’ll upload it then.”
“Hmm.”
“And what kind of sandwich is this?”
“Ham.”
“Thanks.”
“Hmm. I’ll go back to reading now.”
“Yeah, I’ll finish recording the song and then go out for a bit.”
“Okay.”
I walked out of the studio and returned to my desk, my gaze once again fixed on the textbook content. It’s exam season, so my schedule has been put on hold. Everyone is stressed about the finals; I’ve seen Arthit stressed out too before this. I felt relieved seeing him happy with the path he chose. As I’ve said, I don’t mind listening to his daily complaints, but I am quite worried. Uncle Direk feels the same; when we talked, he mentioned he never agreed with Arthit’s decision to apply for medical school.
When we tried to stop him, he wouldn’t listen, stubbornly sticking to his choice, so we had to let it go. Uncle believes that Arthit’s mother would have wanted him to follow his dreams more than anything else. That’s why Uncle never supported Arthit’s path because he knew how much Arthit was forcing himself.
Uncle supports everything his son desires, whether it’s every musical instrument, the studio setup, or even potentially starting a record label. I’m glad Arthit has such an understanding father. As I’ve said, he’s lucky to know what he likes and has the strength to pursue his dream path.
Not everyone can choose like he does. Although people say to follow your heart, in reality, it’s not easy; everyone has their reasons. But when you have the chance, the talent, and everything is ready, I wouldn’t want him to miss this opportunity. When he studies and when he makes music are completely different; he spends all day and night in the studio, hardly sleeping because he loves making music. And I prefer seeing him full of dedication and focus rather than stressed out. It seems like when it comes to music, he never gets tired or gives up.
After a while, my phone buzzed with a notification from YouTube about a new video from a channel I follow—it was his new audio track. I immediately clicked to watch it, only to find that others had beaten me to it. Comments and views were increasing rapidly, and the reception for his new work was excellent.
I smiled with pride; more and more people knew about his work, and the more they shared, the more visibility he got. His first song is almost at thirty million views now. Regarding the record label, it seems Uncle Direk is seriously considering starting one for Arthit because he’s worried that if Arthit joins another label, he might be taken advantage of or not well taken care of.
It’s not surprising for a father who would do anything for his son.
I turned to see someone approaching; Arthit sat down in the chair next to me, raising his hand to rest his chin, looking at me.
“How far have you read?”
“Almost done.”
“Oh, good. Just wanted to say I’m hungry.”
“The sandwich from earlier, then?”
“Who could be full with just that? I want spaghetti, make some spaghetti for me to eat.”
“Okay, wait a bit.”
“Yeah.”
I turned my attention back to the book in front of me, but before I could even start reading, my phone rang with a video call from my mom. I answered immediately.
“Hello.”
The screen showed my mom smiling, with what looked like an office in the background. Even though we don’t see each other often, we talk regularly. My mom’s new partner doesn’t mind but isn’t too keen on me contacting my dad because of jealousy, but he’s fine with me talking to my mom.
(What are you doing? Am I bothering you?)
“I’m reading.”
(Oh, really? Then we can talk later.)
“I’ve been reading about the Pacific Ocean, but there’s nothing new.”
“Hmm.”
I was quite excited about going to San Francisco with him. Although I’ve been there once before, what’s important is that it’s happening at this time, during a significant family moment, and he chose to bring me along.
He told me that his New Year’s plan hasn’t changed for years. Even though it’s a long holiday, he, as a travel enthusiast, never goes anywhere except home to spend time with family, staying together at the end of the year and welcoming the New Year together.
Uncle is also happy for me to join them. I am thrilled that both he and Uncle said so, which means to them, I am part of the family, sharing in a space and time of memories that no one else can touch. Now, I am part of it.
…
Arthit
I drove to the airport; finally, it was time to travel back home to San Fran. This year, many things have changed, and some of these changes have been turning points in my life. Whether it’s about my mom, meeting Dao, or deciding to resign, this year will be different from all others because Dao has become part of our family.
The end of the year at home in San Francisco is a time I cherish; the last memories with my mom still with us. It’s understood that no one can interfere or take this time away from me, but one thing that Direk and I agree on is wanting to have Dao with us here, during such an important time, we want to be together. Once we arrived at the airport, we checked in, grabbed something to eat, and waited for boarding time. I idly scrolled through Instagram and found that those guys had also gone abroad to celebrate Dao’s birthday.
“Do you want to go somewhere else?”
“Huh?”
“In case you’re bored, you’ve been to San Francisco before, plus I want to celebrate Dao’s birthday at home.”
“It’s not boring, we can go somewhere else next year.” Dao said with a smile. I nodded in understanding.
“Next year is just a few days away, where do you want to go?”
“I don’t know yet, haven’t thought about it.”
“Are you interested in quitting like me, so we can travel together?”
“No way. It’s just for a short while, you can bear it. Besides, I’m not that short on time.” His words made me look disappointed, but I didn’t say anything because Dao loves what he’s studying, so there’s no reason for him to quit like me. As for me, I just want to do what I feel like.
I lifted my camera to snap a photo while he was drinking coffee. Dao didn’t mind because he’s used to me secretly taking his photos.
I felt a little disappointed that I couldn’t take Dao to see the Christmas atmosphere since he was tied up with exams, making us miss it. But, we can wait for the next few years; it’s never too late.
It was time to board the plane. We booked first-class seats for comfort. After several hours on the flight, we arrived in San Francisco in the evening. The weather was cold, with light rain, making me feel down immediately; winters in San Francisco rarely see snow, mostly it’s rain.
I said I hate cold weather, but that doesn’t mean I can’t handle it; if I had a choice, I’d choose a warmer place to be.
I saw Direk leaning against a black car parked in front of the airport; we walked over to him right away. Direk had been waiting here for several days. We had to wait for Dao to finish his exams.
“Did you wait long?” I asked while getting into the passenger seat.
“Not long, and how were your finals, Dao?”
“They were good.”
“Direk, you shouldn’t ask; he’s already an honor student, isn’t he, my wife?” “Not that much.” Dao said, and finally, the black car turned into the familiar driveway. We got out of the car and walked into the house.
“Mom, I’m home.” I said, it’s the phrase I always say when I return home. I took off my shoes before walking further inside, put my luggage in the bedroom, then went out to find Direk in the living room. I glanced at the painting of my mother that Dao had colored, which had been framed and hung on the wall near the living room.
“Do you think it looks okay hanging like this?” Direk asked because he had arrived first and hung the picture.
“It’s good, but it’s a bit crooked, isn’t it?”
“It’s not crooked; your eyes are just tilted.”
“No, Dao, come look, do you think Direk hung this picture crooked?” I waved Dao over to look at the picture frame hanging on the wall. Dao got up from the sofa and walked towards me.
“It’s not crooked.”
“See, it’s your eyesight that’s crooked.”
“That’s not true, my eyesight can’t be crooked, is the house crooked or what?” “Damn, you just don’t like to accept the truth.” Direk said with boredom, walking back to sit on the sofa.
“I’m going to see Mom.”
“Now?”
“Yeah, I want to see her soon.”
“Go then.” Direk said without much thought, standing up from the sofa immediately. I looked at Dao to indicate that we should go together. All three of us left the house to head to the cemetery, even though it was still drizzling.
The car stopped in the cemetery parking lot, where I saw several people visiting graves. I got out of the car, opened the umbrella, then opened the door for Dao, leading him to my mother’s grave with Direk following with an umbrella. “Mom, I brought someone to introduce to you.” I said, my gaze lowered, looking at the name, Emma Castillo, engraved on the gravestone.
The atmosphere around was quite chilly, with the wind blowing and the light rain falling as the sun was setting. I felt an indescribable emptiness in my heart, always like this when standing here. The sadness and longing overwhelmed me more than usual, but more than that, there was warmth when I thought of Mom’s face. I wondered what expression and tone Mom would have if she heard what I was about to say next.
Even though Dao said Mom wasn’t here anymore, I still wanted to tell her. “Last time I brought someone, but there’s a little update to the story.” I started, speaking in a normal tone, not too soft because I didn’t want the sound of the rain to drown it out, “My boyfriend’s name is Daotok, Mom you would be as surprised as Direk for sure. If you knew I had a boyfriend, I can just imagine your face.” I smiled as I pictured Mom’s expression.
“I never thought I’d fall in love either, because I’ve never moved on from your situation. I know you wouldn’t like to see me in pain all the time. If you were still here, you would probably scold me to death for being so sad, not to mention my stubbornness about studying medicine.”
“Mom you always said to do what I love, it’s not easy but today I’ve done it. I quit from a place where I was just enduring because I thought you would want me to be happy, and now I am happy, so Mom you don’t need to worry. I have Direk who supports me in everything. I have Dao who’s always by my side.” “I’m back to making music too, the music I make is fucking awesome, you know, it’s got millions of listeners, soon I’ll be world-famous for sure. Mom, you will have a world-famous son. You know, Direk’s going to start a record label just for me, my mom’s boyfriend is so damn grand.”
“But…it’s a pity you’re not here. If you were here, you would definitely cry and say you are so proud of me. I know it.” My voice started to soften without realizing it, I felt something tight in my chest, and my eyes were welling up. I quickly wiped them away, “I miss you so much, I fucking miss you, Mom.”
Dao reached out to hold my hand. I gripped his small hand tightly, and Direk came to stand beside me, gently touching my shoulder.
“I wish you were here, I want you to see that I’ve done it. I’m not the same person who was just sad and stuck in the past with you Mom. I dare to step out and chase my dreams now, I want you to praise me, say how amazing I am and tell me she’s proud of me.”
“…Fuck, I’m crying now. Not because I’m sad, but because I miss you so much.” I wiped my tears again, but they kept flowing, so I handed the umbrella to Dao and turned to wipe my tears and nose on Direk’s sleeve.
“…Fuck, my shirt.” Direk muttered quietly, but after I stopped crying, I felt a bit better.
“Will you continue talking, Direk?”
“I’ve said it all. From the first day I got here.”
“Oh, why didn’t you wait?”
“Why do I have to wait?”
“What did you say to Mom? I want to know.”
“I’ll tell you later, are you okay now? So we can go back, the rain is getting heavier.”
“Yeah.”
“May I talk to your mom for a moment?” Dao spoke up. I immediately looked at him, snatching the umbrella back from him.
“Go ahead.”
“Hello. My name is Daotok, as he just introduced me. I’ve visited once before a few months ago. Your son, he’s quite stubborn, tough, and rough, but he’s sincere and honest, and I love him for that.”
“No matter what happens from now on, I’ll be by his side, so you don’t have to worry, Mom.” After finishing, Dao turned to me, who was standing with the umbrella beside him, “That’s it.”
“Tell me you love me in front of my Mom a lot, okay?”
“Enough.”
“Why do you talk to you when you yourself said she’s not here anymore?”
“Then why do you talk?”
“Just want to tell her.”
“I feel the same.”
When we got back home, we had dinner cooked by Dao. Of course, Direk was quite picky, but out of politeness, he couldn’t show it. I asked Dao to go to his room or head up to the music practice room because I wanted to be alone with Direk.
The two of us sat on the sofa in front of the fireplace; the fire was lit for warmth, and the atmosphere in the house was quite quiet. I was the one who started the conversation. “Direk.”
“What?”
“What did you tell Mom?”
“Just told her about you, that you’ve moved on and can do what you love now.” “That’s all?”
“Why, what else do you want me to say?”
“What do you think about me choosing this path?”
“Why ask again? I’ve already told you I’m glad you finally chose to do what you like. I’ve never had an issue with your studies, I told you not to go for it during the entrance exam, but you didn’t listen. How about that? Do you think your Mom would want you to do that? You’re not completely stupid.”
“Would Mom be proud of me, Direk? I want to know, but she’s not here to ask.” “If I were to answer for her, having been Emma’s husband for over a decade, I believe Emma would definitely be proud of you, just like I am.”
“Are you proud of me, Direk?”
“What, didn’t I ever tell you?”
“Never.” I shook my head, “You might have, but I don’t remember.” “There’s not a day I’m not proud of you.” Direk said, gently touching my shoulder, “From the day you were born until now, as your father, I just want you to be happy. Having you is what makes me want to keep living, you know?” “Fuck, Direk. I’m going to cry, you bastard.” I said, trying to hold back the tears that were ready to flow again, “I’m so fucking emotional right now.”
“I’m just speaking the truth. If you weren’t here, what would all this mean to me? Why would I work and earn money if it wasn’t for you? You’re everything in my life.”
“Direk…fuck, oh. I’m going to cry.”
“Fuck, can’t I say something heartfelt for once? Like I said, all I hope for is your happiness, so I’m really glad you decided to quit, because it means you’re not clinging to the promises from when you were a kid. You’re not drowning in things that make you miserable anymore.”
“…”
“Whatever you want, I’ll get it for you. If you like making music, I’ll build you a studio. If you want to be a singer, I’ll start a record label for you, Arthit. There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for you.”
“Fuck…this is a father’s love, Hia, Direk, my tears won’t stop, why does it suddenly feel so touching?”
“I don’t understand why you would put yourself through so much pain when you have me here, who loves you this much. Sometimes I wonder if I’m talking to my son or to a buffalo. I think Emma and I aren’t that stupid, why does our son turn out to be so damn foolish?”
“Oh, my tears have turned back around.” I said while wiping my tears vigorously, turning to look at Direk, “Have I ever told you;Direk that I love you ?”
“I don’t know, you better not.”
“I love Direk, you know.”
“I told you not to, it gives me goosebumps.”
“Or should I say it in a cute way like other kids, ‘Dad, I love you so much’?” “You buffalo, so cute, so cute I feel like kicking you.” Direk rubbed his face hard. I couldn’t help but laugh at his gesture.
“And you aren’t serious about studies?”
“Nope.” He said, picking up a glass of wine to drink, “Do you want some wine?” “Yeah, pour me some.” And Direk poured wine into a glass for me. I took it and raised it to drink.
“You doing music is good, not to mention my record label business. You’re good at making music, right? In the future, if you become famous, it’ll attract more people, draw in more artists or producers to the label, making our label bigger and bigger. I’ve got plenty of connections, don’t worry.”
“Awesome, Direk, let’s toast to success.”
After sitting and chatting, crying once, and drinking wine together, I went to find Dao in his room but didn’t find him there, so I went up to the music practice room upstairs. There I saw Dao playing the drums, looking somewhat awkward, which made me smile involuntarily. I stood watching until he noticed me.
“Wrong beat.”
“Yeah, can’t get the beat from the video right.” Dao said softly. I went over to have a look.
“Come on, let me teach you.”
“Okay.”
The last day of the year came around quickly. We made dinner ourselves in the evening and then sat waiting on the sofa in front of the fireplace. I sat in Mom’s rocking chair, glancing over at Direk and Dao who were talking. The warmth of the fire helped to dispel the cold.
I got up and sat next to Dao, pulling the smaller person onto my lap, hugging his waist and resting my chin on his shoulder. Dao tried to get up, embarrassed in front of Direk, but I wouldn’t let him.
“It’s okay, no need to be shy.”
“No need to be embarrassed with me. It’s fine.” Direk said, which made Dao stop fidgeting, turning his attention to the movie playing on the TV, “What movie is this?”
“A love story.”
“Do you watch love stories?”
“Well, I’m in love, aren’t I?” I said; this was a movie I chose myself, connecting my computer to the TV to play for all of us to watch together, “Direk, tell us again how you met Mom.”
“The movie is playing though.”
“Then let’s pause it.” I said, reaching for the remote to pause the movie. “I met her when I came here to study. My dad, Dilok, had had enough of me and sent me here for high school, probably hoping I’d improve my behavior. I was on the football team, and Emma was the cheerleader captain. That day, Emma was locked in the storage room by her friends, and I happened to pass by and helped her out. After that, Emma kind of liked me.”
“No matter how many times I hear this story, I start to wonder if it’s really true.
Mom liked you Direk first, huh?”
“True, I was handsome, I was super hot back then, but I didn’t know shit. Back then, my team lost a football match, and I thought it was my fault, so I was really down. Emma bought snacks to cheer me up, oh. I thought an angel had descended.
We got closer and closer, then started dating, got married, and had you.” “And what about the person who pranked?” Dao asked.
“I heard Emma got back at all of them; she put cockroaches in lockers, frogs in shoes, secretly during cheer practice, until no one dared to prank Emma again.” “Kind of like you, who got targeted because you were too good and it made people jealous.” I said. Dao nodded in understanding, “It’s similar to what you told me before about setting fire to people who wanted to wrestle you, damn, you were really good, I must say.”
“Oh yeah, she’s just like Emma, indeed.”
“Don’t give me that look, Direk, or I’ll poke your eyes out. He’s not at all like that, he’s my wife.”
“When did I ever look at you like that, you bastard?”
And then we just sat watching movies until it was almost time for the New Year countdown. Dao took out his phone to check the time down to the second and began the countdown.
3
2
1…
“Happy New Year, you, and Direk too, thanks for the past year, let’s spend another year together.”
“Yeah, may it be a good year for you.” Direk smiled, “and for Dao too.”
“Thank you, may it be a good year for you as well, Uncle.”
“Me too…”
“…”
“I don’t need to wish you well.”
“Why?”
“Because I will make every year of you a good one myself.”
The words from the person in my embrace made me smile broadly; I couldn’t help but lean in to give a cheeky kiss on his cheek. As soon as I kissed, Dao stiffened because Direk was still there with us.
“Same here, from now on, I’ll make every day of yours a good day.”
“Uh.”
“I love you.”
“Hmm.”
“Say it back.”
“…I love you too.”
“Kiss me back.”
“…”
“Quickly.” I urged. Dao hesitated for a moment, glancing at Direk, who was sitting there with a smile watching us. Direk seemed to give his approval, so Dao turned back and kissed me. I raised an eyebrow at Direk like I was the winner.
“Are you jealous?”
“Yeah, I’m going to bed, it’s all too lovey-dovey here.”
I carried the little one, who had fallen asleep watching the movie, upstairs to bed. It was past one in the morning on January 1st. I watched the person next to me, eyes fluttering as they slept, their breathing steady as if in a good dream. I found myself smiling without realizing it.
I thought back to the day we first met up until now; it still feels like I fell in love with you just yesterday. The only thing that has changed is that my love for you grows every day.
I consider myself incredibly lucky. Lucky to have Direk. Lucky to have met friends who understand and support me. Lucky to have Dao by my side.
Everyone who is there for me whenever I turn around, having them here is worth more than anything else.
I don’t know where my life will lead from here, but just having everyone here is enough to keep me from getting lost again.
I couldn’t help but plant a kiss on the soft cheek, waking him up in a daze.
“Sorry for waking you up.”
“Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”
“I will soon, just lost in thought.”
“What are you thinking about?”
“I was thinking how lucky I am to have met you, to have met those guys, I mean Fah, Hill, Jo. Those guys are the best friends I’ve ever had; we’re always at each other’s throats, but they never leave, always helping and supporting me in every way.”
“…”
“And meeting you, that’s probably the luckiest thing ever, aside from Direk being my dad, you fit perfectly with me in every way. Having you by my side makes me feel like I can do anything in this world. No matter how tough things get, I’ll get through them as long as you’re holding my hand.”
“I feel the same.” Dao said softly, lowering his head, “I feel like I can do anything, go anywhere, as long as I have you with me. I’m the lucky one.”
“I am the lucky one.”
“Then we’re both lucky. I’m lucky to have Arthit, Arthit is lucky to have me.
We’re lucky to have each other.”
“Yeah.” I leaned down to kiss the forehead of the person in my embrace gently,
“I’ll make you the luckiest person in the world.”
“I already am, from the very first day Arthit walked into my life.”
“I am too. From the first day you were born as my soulmate.”
“I was that from a past life, from when we were together in a past life.”
“We were together in a past life?”
“I don’t know, but if we were, then we were.”
“Whatever, then I’ve been lucky since many lifetimes ago. Since the Stone Age when you walked past my cave and I hit you on the head and dragged you into my cave.”
“That’s cruel. No need for violence, we could’ve just talked.”
“Back then, I had little patience. You came walking by, looking so cute near my cave, I hit you with a stone and made you my wife.”
“Oh, cheating.”
“How’s that cheating? Being my wife was good, I made you a dress from the hide of a saber-toothed tiger, no one in the village had clothes as nice as yours, you lived well, ate well, didn’t have to hunt because I provided it all.”
“You’ve been taking care of me since the Stone Age, huh?”
“Exactly, how good am I?”
“You’re good, very good, the best.”
“Do you want to hear about you and me during the Egyptian era?”
“I’d love to, tell me.”
“Alright, let’s go to sleep while I tell you a long story tonight.”
“Haha, sure.”
“Back then, I was a pharaoh, so you were a slave building the pyramids for me.”
“Why am I the slave? I want to be a pharaoh too.”
“Then you’re the pharaoh. At sixteen, you became a pharaoh, but because you were young, you were envied, and someone pushed your head against a pillar until you died.”
“Oh. I was only sixteen when I got killed?”
“Yeah, because back then there was a lot of jealousy. Anyone with a bit of power was targeted, it’s normal. After you died, you were made into a mummy.”
“And what were you Arthit? The sun god?”
“I was the grave robber.”
“Why don’t you make yourself sound cool?”
“What’s not cool about Jo? Because I was poor, I wanted the treasures in the tombs since they used to bury treasures with the dead, right? So, I dug up your grave and fell in love with you while you were lying there as a mummy.”
“Huh? Why?”
“Well, because you’re cute.”
“But I was a mummy.”
“Can’t a mummy be cute?”
“Oh, okay. And then what? Did you steal my treasures?”
“Yes, I stole the treasures along with you. Sold them, got rich, then used the money to hire a shaman to bring your spirit back to life.”
“…”
“But when you were resurrected, it turned out it wasn’t you.”
“Then who was it?”
“A zombie.”
“…”
“You were the first zombie in the world that had never been recorded. Although you could revive your body, your soul didn’t come back with it. So, I decided to have a shaman perform some rituals to go to the afterlife. I met Anubis and fought him, I managed to defeat Anubis, and finally, we met.”
“Wow, that’s awesome.”
“Right? But we couldn’t go back to the old world because your body had become a zombie. Now, Zombie Daotok is biting the townspeople. In the end, the Egyptian era ended because of the zombie plague.”
“Because Arthit wanted to bring me back to life.”
“Well, the ritual went wrong, blame the shaman, and importantly, the shaman was named North.”
“Huh?”
“He’s been foolish since back then, messing up the chants, scamming villagers for money.”
“Oh, North. That’s not good, what happened next?”
“We fell in love in the world of the dead. I became the god of death after defeating Anubis, and you became my wife, ending the Egyptian era.”
“And how could I love you Arthit?”
“I went to great lengths to reach you in the afterlife, wouldn’t you love me a little?”
“Oh, okay, love, love.”
“Come on, hey. Not wholehearted love? I’m sulking, sulking on behalf of my past self when I was Jo, robbing tombs, meaning all your declarations of love back then were lies, just to trick me into fighting Anubis?”
“From what I’ve heard, I think I didn’t trick Arthit at all.”
“I don’t know, sigh, it’s heartbreaking, we fought through so much, but he doesn’t appreciate it, truly pitiful.”
“Oh, come on. That’s not it, aren’t you holding onto the past too much?” “Then make it up to me, kiss my cheek now.” I said, Dao sighed slightly before leaning in to give me a big kiss on the cheek, “Want to hear about the Greek times next?”
“Okay, go ahead.”
Dao listened to my bedtime story until he drifted off to sleep. Now, I had to go to bed too, tightening my embrace around the smaller one, planting another kiss on his smooth forehead.
“Good night, the one I love the most, you know?”
“Hmm.”
Happy Ending 🙂
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