Love Upon A Time.

A Strange Phenomenon.

Even though it was a Friday morning that everyone eagerly awaited for a well-deserved rest after a week of hard studying, sitting under the faculty building, I didn't feel as refreshed as I should. The reason was the recently concluded class where quiz scores were announced, and my score was lower than expected. It left me so disheartened that I didn't feel like doing anything.

 

"See, I warned you about your bad luck. You should've considered making merit or getting your fortune read, but you didn't believe me," Thi's voice came from across the table.

 

"What does this have to do with bad luck?"

 

"Why wouldn't it? When someone's luck is bad, everything goes wrong, just like what's happening to you now."

 

This strange reasoning gave me a headache, but I was too lazy to argue, so I let him ramble on.

 

"Come on, it's just one quiz score. It won't drop your grade by much, maybe just 0.1." Thi seemed to notice that I was genuinely serious, so he stopped teasing me and lightly tapped my head with his study sheet to comfort me. He then took a sip of his soda, his face relaxed.

 

"You're so chill," I looked at him, envious of how he could remain so carefree despite having a lower score than I did.

 

Thi has a philosophy of not taking anything in life too seriously, including his studies. He doesn't care much about maintaining his grades, believing that simply graduating is enough. But he can afford to say that because his family is wealthy. Once he graduated, he planned to help his family's business. In contrast, I need good grades to secure job opportunities. With the intense competition among new graduates, how can I not be worried?

 

"Yeah, you should try to be more like me, Kun. Don't stress out. You can make up for it next time. By the way, have the sophomores finished their class yet?" Thi's sharp eyes scanned the area, looking for the reason he hadn't gone home yet despite being done with his classes.

 

"Probably in ten minutes. Pun just texted me saying the professor is letting them go later than usual," I replied

 

"Man, how can the professor do that? That's not right," Thi complained, chewing on ice from his cup out of boredom.

 

"Then why are you still sitting here? Class is over; you should go home."

 

"I'm waiting with you so you won't be lonely. I'm a good friend, right?" He flashed a fake smile at me. I snorted, seeing through his act.

 

Today, I brought my lecture notes for Pun, and Thi, who was trying to court my junior, didn't miss the chance to act like a good friend, sitting with me to kill time even though I didn't need him to. Honestly, I was surprised by his actions.

 

Thi-tath, whom I'd known since our freshman year, didn't seem like someone who wanted a committed relationship. He'd see various people without getting serious with anyone. That was until last year, when we, as sophomores, were in charge of welcoming the freshmen. 

 

That was the first time Thi met Pun. I saw my friend staring at the cute, small freshman without taking his eyes off him, clearly wanting to get to know him. At first, I thought he was flirting as usual, so I didn't pay much attention. But when Pun drew me as his mentor, I warned Thi to tone down his flirting. Knowing my friend's nature, I was afraid they might have issues later. But Thi's response surprised me.

 

"I'm not just flirting. I'm serious about this one, Kun. I really like your junior. I liked him a lot from the first day I saw him; It was love at first sight."

 

I still remember his firm voice and earnest eyes, which were unexpected. I didn't understand how someone could like another person so much at first glance. Honestly, I didn't quite believe my flirtatious friend's words.

 

But over a year had passed, and Thi was still resolutely courting Pun. In his eyes, there was no one else but Pun. So, love at first sight might be real, just not for me.

 

"Hey, Kun, a girl is looking at you," Thi whispered as I played a game on my phone to pass the time. I looked up and saw a cute junior girl looking my way. When our eyes met, she shyly smiled at me. I smiled back out of politeness and quickly turned back to my friend, feeling a bit uncomfortable.

 

"Not interested? I think she's cute," Thi continued, glancing at the girl. I gave him a stern look to make him stop, then returned to my game.

 

Even though I didn't think I was particularly good-looking, many people, both guys and girls, had tried to flirt with me. But believe it or not, I've never had a girlfriend or boyfriend. No, I've never even liked anyone romantically. Since high school, my peers have had puppy loves, but I've never felt attracted to anyone. Most people were surprised when I told them my story.

 

"Is she not your type either?" Thi asked.

 

"Yeah."

 

"You don't like girls, and you don't like guys. I don't get why you don't like anyone."

 

Thi was one of the people saying something like this. I didn't really know why, either. It's not that I didn't want a partner. Seeing others with someone made me want a relationship, too. I wasn't closed off to it; gender didn't matter either. But no one had ever made my heart race.

 

Sometimes, I wondered if something was wrong with me for not feeling anything for anyone. Or maybe I just hadn't met the right person yet.

 

"I don't know. I don't feel anything," I answered helplessly. What else could I say when I didn't know why I was feeling this way?

 

"Maybe you're still single because you made a vow to someone in your past life," Thi's words made me look up from my phone, frowning at him.

 

"What are you talking about?"

 

"I heard that people who don't have partners might've made a vow in a past life to love someone forever. But when they reincarnate at different times, they end up single. Maybe your soulmate hasn't been born yet."

 

"I don't think so. When you're dead, you're dead. It's over. There's nothing left."

 

"But in religion, there's karma, right? People around us meet because of past deeds. Maybe you made a promise to someone and forgot," Thi wouldn't stop imagining. I locked my phone and stared at him seriously.

 

"First of all, can you prove past lives exist?"

 

"...”

"I just haven't met someone I like yet. That's all. It has nothing to do with that stuff."

 

"See, you're always like this," Thi dragged out his words, looking slightly annoyed that he couldn't argue with me.

 

"Don't mock what you don't believe. You might regret it if you really encounter something."

 

"I'm not. I don't believe it. And if I do encounter something, then I'll know if past lives are real," I replied calmly, unlocking my phone to check my social media. Thi grumbled about my stubbornness and muttered that he hoped I'd get haunted by a ghost to teach me a lesson.

 

Okay, I admit I'm stubborn about some things. Maybe it's because my parents never restricted my thinking, making me confident in my beliefs. I do follow Buddhism, but I don't believe in ghosts, spirits, or superstitions.

I go to temples to make merit for peace of mind and share what I have to help others. I never thought making merit would get me to heaven. The concept of past and future lives is unprovable, and karma, to me, is the consequence of one's actions.

 

If you do good, you'll encounter good things. If you do evil, you'll face the same consequences. Even though many bad people seem to get away with it, I believe it won't always be that way. They might not face consequences today, but someday, they will, either legally or mentally. But if someone believes in karma or doing good to go to heaven, ideas that science can't prove, that's their choice. Beliefs are personal, and I won't interfere. I don't see those beliefs as nonsense; I don't believe in the concepts.

 

I played on my phone for a while longer before hearing my name called from behind. Seeing a small boy in a student uniform walking towards me made me smile. But it seemed Thi, sitting across from me, was smiling even wider.

 

"Hello, P'Kun. “Did you wait long? The professor let us out late. Sorry,"

 

My junior greeted me with an apologetic look. I shook my head, about to say it was fine, but Thi interrupted. "Pun, I'm here too. Aren't you going to greet me?"

 

"Oh, P'Thi, you're here too? Why didn't you go home?"

 

"I wanted to see you, Pun, that's why."

 

Even though Pun was harsh, Thi still managed to smile charmingly and wink his eyes at my junior in a way that made me want to roll my eyes. The person being flirted with just rolled his eyes, making me, the observer, chuckle.

These two were always like this. One tried his hardest to get close, while the other constantly cut him off. 

 

It seemed like he wasn't interested, but I could tell that Pun probably liked Thi, too. Maybe he was waiting to be sure. But it's been over a year now. Quite a long time, don't you think? It seems Pun's trust in my friend is still pretty low.

 

"Here... these are the lecture notes you asked for, Pun. I'll be going home today. If I find more, I'll bring them to you, but my handwriting is a bit messy," I said, handing over a notebook and a stack of lecture sheets to my junior, who took them with a wai and started flipping through them.

 

"Messy? P'Kun, your handwriting is beautiful! Thank you so much," Pun said, gesturing a wai again and smiling widely. "Do you have more classes today, P'Kun?"

 

"No, I'll catch a ride with Thi to the van station. What about you?"

 

"No, I'm heading back to my condo too."

 

"I'll give you a ride, Pun. Kun, you can take the bus," Thi said immediately upon hearing Pun.

When I gave him a weary look, he just patted my shoulder and laughed

 

"Just kidding. I'll drop you off. But Pun, you sit in the front with me. I want a cute dashboard doll."

 

"The cute doll is P'Kun! Let him sit with you, and I'll sit in the back."

 

Thi glanced at me, then rubbed his arms as if he had goosebumps.

 

"Huh?! You're saying he's cute, like a doll? Maybe a Chucky or Annabelle doll."

 

"Annabelle, my foot!" I snapped, smacking his head, but he dodged just in time.

 

"P'Thi, what are you talking about? P'Kun is adorable. He has big eyes, cute lips, and a sweet face," Pun defended me, making Thi glance at me again and shake his head.

 

"Pun, this guy is sweet only on the outside. His personality is a pain."

 

"P'Kun has never been a pain to me."

 

"That's because he's fooling you. His true self isn't like this."

 

"This is who I am. I select who deserves my kindness," I said, raising an eyebrow at my friend.

 

It's normal for one's personality to change depending on who they're talking to. With Pun, my good junior, I act like a good senior. But with Thi, who's quite a pain himself, I become annoying, too.

 

"Hmph, you're such a hypocrite."

 

Thi sighed before sweetly inviting Pun to go back with him, with me trailing behind, not wanting to interrupt their moment.

 

Thi led us to the parking lot near the central cafeteria. When the car unlock sound beeped, I raised an eyebrow in surprise as Thi walked to a white Benz instead of his usual Audi.

 

"Did you get a new car?"

 

"My baby was acting up yesterday, so I borrowed my brother's car."

 

"You have an older brother?" I asked as I squeezed into the passenger seat, letting Pun sit in the front. We've known each other for almost 3 years, and I've never heard Thi talk much about his family. I always thought he was an only child like me.

 

"He's not my real brother but a cousin. He's my uncle's son, a year older than me. Here, isn't he handsome?"

 

He showed me a photo on his phone just as my phone beeped with a message.

 

"Yeah, he's hot," I said, glancing briefly at the photo before focusing on my phone, which displayed a message from the family LINE group.

 

"Right? But not as much as me."

 

"Really? I think he's way more handsome than you, P'Thi."

 

"What? Why would you say that, Pun? I'm crying now."

 

"I'm just being honest. He has sharp features, wears glasses, and is a hot nerd-my type."

 

"Pun..."

 

Thi whined as the car started moving out of the parking lot. Their playful banter made me shake my head until Thi dropped me off at the van station. They were still bickering.

 

"Get home safe. See you on Tuesday."

 

"Yeah," I said, closing the car door, waving goodbye, and walking to the queue for the van home. Just thinking about going home to sleep and eating my mom's cooking made my heart feel great. There's no place like home.

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

I arrived home in Chachoengsao just before dark and was greeted with a big meal I'd asked my mom to make the day before. I spent all of Saturday in our family's mango orchard behind the house, helping workers pick mangoes.

 

Our family owns about 5 acres of a mango orchard that was inherited from my grandfather, who gave it to my mom before he became a monk. I've been playing and climbing trees there since I was a kid. Returning to familiar activities and surroundings helped ease some of the stress.

 

On Sunday morning, the alarm clock rang before dawn, pulling me from my sleep reluctantly. But I couldn't avoid it, so I groggily got up, showered, changed clothes, and went downstairs to help my mom prepare food to offer to Luang Ta at the temple. Once everything was ready, we left the house to join other relatives at a nearby temple where Luang Ta resided.

 

"Oh, Kun! Long time no see. You've grown into a handsome young man," said a middle-aged woman as my family joined the others in the temple hall, filled with locals making merit.

 

"Hello, Aunty Orn," I greeted my mom's older sister with a polite wai and smile, though I couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed.

 

Every year on Luang Ta's birthday, all his children, including my uncles, aunts, and my mom, would gather to make merit at the temple. I didn't mind family reunions, except that some relatives liked to meddle in my personal life, like..."You look thinner, Kun. You look almost like a walking skeleton. What's with kids these days, dieting until they're skin and bones? And look at you, so pale. Do you ever get any sun?"

 

Before I could finish my thoughts, the criticism about my appearance came. “I've been busy with work, Aunty. That's why I've lost weight. I'm not dieting," I replied calmly, exchanging weary glances with my parents. My dad gave me a look to keep quiet, so I did.

 

"Really? How's school? What are you studying again? English, right?"

 

"Yes, it's quite tough right now."

 

"My son is studying medicine, and it's very demanding too. He hardly comes home. But you can still come home, so it must be less demanding. Studying languages isn't as hard as medicine, right?"

 

"You studied science in high school, didn't you? What a waste. Why didn't you go into medicine? What kind of job will you get with a language degree? The salary will be low, and you'll struggle."

 

Aunty Orn continued to pester me, making my mom uncomfortable. As for me, I was starting to get irritated. She's been talking about the same topic since my first year. When will it end?

 

I was about to retort when Aunty Orn's husband fortunately intervened, diverting her attention to my parents. I sighed heavily in relief. This is why I don't like family reunions. Some relatives just can't help but meddle in my life. Aunty Orn is actually kind-hearted, but I don't like it when she belittles me or compares me to her son. It's my life, isn't it? I have the right to choose what I want to study.

 

"Let's go see Luang Ta. Kun, help me carry the food tray," my mom said after everyone had gathered. We then carried the food and offerings into the temple hall.

 

Since my grandmother passed away, my grandfather divided his inheritance among his children and became a monk, which happened before I could remember. With the temple close to home, my parents often took me to make merit and talk to Luang Ta, so I was quite familiar with him. He was fond of me, but his fondness came with a holy water sprinkling stick he liked to tap on my head.

 

"How have you been? I haven't seen you around lately," the elderly monk's raspy voice asked after we made our offerings and chatted for a while. I gestured respectfully with a wai and smiled at Luang Ta before answering politely.

 

"I've been busy with school, Luang Ta. I haven't been able to come home much. But I'll be back more often during the break."

 

"It seems quite tough."

 

Luang Ta's cloudy eyes, dimmed by age, looked into mine as if he could see everything in my heart. Even though my Luang Ta is over seventy years old, he still looks robust, like someone who just retired. The villagers around here highly respect him because his predictions often come true. People frequently come to ask him for fortune-telling, but he never accepts. 

 

If Luang Ta has something to say or warn about, he'll do so on his own. As for me, he only read my fortune once when I was a kid and never mentioned anything to me again. He probably knows I don't believe in superstitions, but he never scolded or criticised me. It was rare for everyone to gather together like this, so the conversation tended to be long.

 

As it neared lunchtime, everyone started to leave. I was the last to say goodbye to Luang Ta. I was about to join my parents and relatives who were chatting outside the pavilion when a raspy voice called out.

 

"Nakun."

 

"Yes?"

 

"Come closer to me."

 

I moved closer as Luang Ta instructed, a bit puzzled that he called me by my first name, the name he'd given me. He said that this name would bring me all good things, love, and happiness. My parents agreed that the name had a good meaning, so I've used it for the past twenty years.

 

"Yes, Luang Ta?"

 

"The time is near." Suddenly, Luang Ta spoke up, leaving me confused and unable to understand it.

 

"Yes?"

 

"Your fate isn't good right now. You're going to face some misfortunes. Many things will happen to you during this period, but not all of them will be bad. You were born with a vow you need to resolve."

 

".."I was stunned. The last time Luang Ta read my fortune was ten years ago, and he said something similar. But I never took it seriously.

 

"But you don't believe it, do you?"

 

"..."

 

"Just take care of yourself, do some prayers, and don't be reckless. Understand?"

 

"I'm a good kid, Luang Ta. I've never been reckless," I mumbled softly, only to receive a gentle tap on the head with a holy water sprinkling stick.

 

"Not reckless? I still remember when you fell from the mango tree in the temple and broke your leg, crying so loudly that the whole village heard it."

 

"Well, I was just a kid back then," I rubbed my head, mumbling. Luang Ta chuckled softly and picked up a sacred thread beside him.

 

"Give me your hand. I'll give you a sacred thread."

 

Out of respect for the elder's goodwill, I extended my hand, allowing the old monk's shaky hands to tie the thread around my wrist.

 

"Don't take it off, understand?"

 

"Yes," I replied. Luang Ta sprinkled holy water on me a few more times before having me help him to the dining hall to join the other monks for lunch.

 

"Why did you take so long? Is everything okay?" my mother asked as I joined them outside.

 

"Luang Ta gave me a sacred thread, and then I accompanied him to the dining hall, so it took a bit long," I answered my mother, not telling the whole truth. If she knew that Luang Ta predicted I'd have bad luck, she'd drag me to see a fortune-teller or find a way to ward off the bad luck during the remaining holidays.

 

My uncles and aunts invited my parents to a riverside restaurant for lunch. They agreed, so followed my family back to the car, glancing back at the temple pavilion we'd just left. I've never believed in fortunes or superstitions, but for some reason, Luang Ta's words this time made me worry like never before. Maybe it's because he's my biological grandfather, someone who was deeply respected. He warned me out of pure goodwill, unlike some fortune-tellers I've met who charge fees to ward off bad luck.

 

I shook my head slightly to clear my thoughts before getting into the car, where my father was already waiting with the engine running. I thought to myself, 'Never mind. Why worry? Just staying alert and being careful should

be enough.'

════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

I didn't feel very happy during lunch, even though the food was delicious and the atmosphere was pleasant. The conversation with my relatives pressured me and left me without an appetite. My grades had been dropping, and I was already stressed enough without having to listen to their criticisms. But to save face for my parents, I forced a smile and responded politely, even though I wanted to leave the table right then.

 

"Don't take it to heart, dear. Your aunt means well." My mother comforted me as we got back into the car. I looked at her sitting in the front seat and sighed loudly. She then gently patted my head.

 

"Don't listen to them. Don't stress yourself out. You're the best for your father and me."

 

"Thank you." I smiled at her praise. My parents never pressured me. They only gave advice and let me make my own decisions, making me feel luckier than my cousins, especially Aunty Orn's son. He was forced to take extra classes and aim for medical school. Every time we met, he'd complain to me. A life that isn't your own, dictated by others, even with good intentions, is still depressing

 

I got home in the early afternoon, took a nap, played some games, and browsed social media. Around five in the evening, my parents left again for their high school reunion. My parents had been friends since elementary school. They started dating in high school, got married after graduation, and had me as their only child. I think it's a sweet relationship. With the house to myself, the emptiness made me overthink again.

 

Being an only child is quite pressuring. I receive all the love, but it comes with loneliness. I have no siblings to confide in and constantly worry about whether I can take care of my parents in the future. Honestly, I have no goals in life right now. I chose to major in English because I didn't like science that much, and my English grades were decent. But if you ask what job I want or what I plan to do, I can't answer.

 

The loud music from the house across the street disturbed my already stressed mind. I frowned slightly and went to close the window to block the noise, which didn't help much. But I couldn't complain since they celebrated their son's success in passing a government exam.

On such a happy day, I didn't want to ruin their mood by asking them to lower the volume. It wasn't that loud anyway; I just don't like noise.

 

I left the house and rode my motorcycle to buy some food and a few cans of beer for dinner. After returning home, I showered and changed into a T-shirt and sweatpants. Then I sat down to eat pad kra pao with beer, thinking about various things.

 

I want to take good care of my parents and have a stable job. But as we all know, the country's economic situation isn't favourable. The job competition is fierce. Without outstanding grades, getting a well-paid first job would be very difficult. And now my grades are dropping. Damn it!

 

Time passed, and my parents hadn't returned by past nine. The music from the house across the street showed no signs of stopping, and my mind started to blur from the alcohol. I usually don't drink unless I'm stressed, and I'm not a heavy drinker, so three cans of beer were enough to make me tipsy.

 

"So noisy..." I muttered irritably as the karaoke music continued. My body felt hot and uncomfortable. I decided to get up, holding a half-empty beer can, and staggered to the front door, opening it to step outside. People often do strange things when under the influence of alcohol. For example, instead of turning on my room's air conditioner, I sat outside to catch the breeze. The cool night air helped ease the heat in my body, but the loud music from the house across the street was still audible.

 

I clicked my tongue in annoyance, looked around, and then headed to the mango grove behind the house. At that moment, I wasn't thinking about anything. I just wanted a quiet place to be alone. If you're not familiar with the area, walking into a dark grove like this could easily lead you to a fall into a ditch. But I've lived here since I was born, so the drunkenness wasn't an obstacle as I navigated through the grove. 

 

The deeper I went, the quieter the music became. Surrounded by trees and the cool air, I sat at the base of a mango tree, continuing to sip my beer. I looked up at the sky. The branches and leaves partially obscured it from my angle, but I could still see the deep red hue from the gathering storm clouds. It was unusually red, covering the sky so completely that neither the moon nor the stars were visible.

 

Oh, right. I think I saw on social media that there would be a lunar eclipse tonight. No wonder the sky seemed darker than usual. The atmosphere around me was eerily quiet, almost devoid of the usual cricket sounds. But in my slightly inebriated state, I didn't think much of it. I continued to sip my beer until it was all gone, planning to sit and enjoy the breeze for a bit longer before heading back inside. The cool wind made my eyelids grow heavier and heavier until I eventually dozed off.

 

"Over there!"

 

The distant sound of shouting woke me up. I opened my eyes groggily, blinking rapidly to adjust to the bright morning light. At first, I was quite startled to find myself lying on a patch of ground with tufts of grass here and there. But then I remembered that I had drunk too much beer last night and had wandered into the garden. My initial shock subsided.

 

"I found him!"

 

Suddenly, a group of strangers surrounded me, causing my heart to race again.

 

"Mr Klao!"

 

Wait a minute... I remember walking into the mango garden behind my house. If I were to meet anyone, it should be the familiar workers I know, not these strangers.

 

"Ok-ya and Muun, I have been searching for you for days. Where have you been? How did you end up in the forest, sir?" A young man asked me, his voice a mix of relief and distress.

 

I sat there, confused, my throbbing headache making it hard to think clearly. Even if I weren't hungover, I wouldn't have understood the situation any better.

 

In front of me stood a group of men who appeared to be around my age. They wore traditional Thai pants, were shirtless, and had their hair styled in the old-fashioned Mahad-Thai hairstyle. Each one was muscular, and some had blackened teeth, looking like they'd stepped out of a historical drama set.

It wasn't just their attire that was weird; their speech and mannerisms were bizarre as well. 

 

They held what appeared to be swords, some looking at me with relief, others with a mix of seriousness and fear. And what did they just call me? Mr Klao?

 

I was speechless. I just sat there watching them converse, some of them shouting for their comrades in old Thai terms. The more I looked at them, the more I felt something was off. Even though I was drunk, I clearly remembered walking into the mango garden behind my house. And there certainly wasn't any historical drama being filmed there. So, who were these people?

 

"Mr Klao, Mr Klao, sir." The young man kept calling me by a name I didn't recognise. My throat went dry, and my heart pounded so hard it felt like it'd leap out of my chest. 

 

Instinctively, I knew this wasn't normal. I've read novels and watched dramas in which the protagonist travels back in time. There are plenty of stories with that kind of plot. I always thought they were just fictional, the imagination of writers or filmmakers. But what I'm experiencing now is shaking that belief to its core.

 

But no, it can't be... Those are just made-up stories. Maybe I'm still dreaming. This is just a dream. I haven't actually travelled back in time... have I?