OOPS! MYSTERIOUS SOUNDS: BOOK 2.

Special voice number 5

[Jinna]

 

Anda's mother hasn't been feeling well lately.

A middle-aged woman has been on the verge of illness and has been in and out of the hospital several times this month. Ever since Anda's work was completed, his mother's health has worsened to the point of becoming bedridden. She was already small, but now she's even smaller, scrawny, skin and bones. Her face is pale, and she's weak. Seeing her like that makes me feel terrible.

 

"It's my time to die," the voice echoed in my head again as I stared at Mother Anda's pale, motionless face. I felt an inexplicable pang of dread. I'd tried to accept this, but when it happened to someone close to me, my heart sank instantly. I pressed my lips together tightly before turning her face away and walking off until they saw Anda's father sitting outside with his head down.

 

"Jin", I sighed deeply before speaking.

 

"How is your mother doing?"

 

"Not very good."

 

"Dad, please take some rest. You're taking care of Mom all the time, you might get sick too."

 

"Since Anda left," he said softly, "everything hasn't been the same. This house doesn't feel like a home anymore, Jin. It's all my fault."

 

I looked at him sympathetically before moving closer and holding his hand. Father Anda's face looked terrible, filled with sadness and sorrow, no different from the house, which looked so depressing. Before, whenever my friends and I visited Anda's house, everything was so beautiful. From the beautifully landscaped front garden to Anda's mother cooking delicious meals for us, and sometimes Anda's father would come and chat with us, and P'Itti would also join us whenever he had free time. But that's the thing, those events are in the past now. Nothing is the same anymore.

 

"Please let it go, Dad."

 

"The other day," he gazed into the distance, "when I went to visit Itthi, the officials said that Itthi had attempted suicide several times. What should Dad do, Jin? Mom can't take it anymore. And Itthi doesn't want to live with this guilt either. Why did these things have to happen to Dad's family? If only Dad had listened to Anda. He should have talked to him properly on the day Anda revealed who he was. Mom once asked if Dad had forgotten the love he had for Anda."

 

I sighed deeply.

 

"Mom's words have made Dad feel guilty to this day. Why wasn't he there for Anda when he was going through something terrible? It's too late, Jin. What can I do to fix it now?"

 

"No, it's not possible."

 

It was a price to pay, and it came with excruciating pain. This loss was a costly lesson for a family that had let love and understanding within the family become worthless in the past. It's too late to fix things; all they can do is understand the loss and move forward. But the strength to move forward depends on whether those who remain can endure.

 

"Dad, no one can go back and change the past. All we can do is accept what has happened. As for Mom, it's probably time to let go. As for Itthi, that's the result of his own actions. The result is from his own deeds." I sighed heavily when I heard the repeated "To Mom" ​​sounds, as I thought of Mother Anda's face.

 

That night, I couldn't sleep at all because I kept tossing and turning, disturbing the person sleeping in the same bed. I woke up, rubbed my eyes a couple of times, before glancing around...

 

"Can't sleep, Jin?"

 

"Sorry," I hugged my lover tighter, "for waking you up."

 

"Is there something bothering you?"

 

"Well, a little bit."

 

"Do you want to tell me?"

 

I sighed deeply. At that moment, Phodduang’s hand moved to stroke my back gently.

 

"Sometimes I hate my special abilities. I don't like knowing about the limitations of other people's lives."

 

"..."

 

"I don't want to hear the sound that causes someone to disappear from this world."

 

The beetle hugged me tighter.

 

"I don't know if it's a gift or a curse," I vented my feelings. "I know death is commonplace, but when it happens to someone close to me, I  end up getting scared myself."

 

"What's so strange about that?" the beetle said softly. "As long as there's life, as long as there's breath, humans are inherently greedy and want to possess happiness for as long as possible. Who wants to experience suffering? It's perfectly normal to cherish happiness."

 

"Sometimes."

 

"Mmm."

 

"I can't help but wonder what I would do if that sound happened to the person I love most," Phodduang fell silent for a moment before moving his lips to kiss my forehead.

 

"If that day comes, you have to accept the truth. Accept it." His hands cupped my face, and he pressed his forehead against mine.

 

"It's not easy at all, beetle."

 

"It's not easy, Jin, but you'll get through it. You'll be alright, Jin. You'll definitely be alright, you'll miss the person who's gone more." I met his gaze in the darkness, using the moonlight streaming through the window to see my lover's eyes looking at me, eyes filled with love. And then I felt incredibly good.

 

"Stay with me for a long time, Phodduang."

 

"That's a given."

 

"And if that day comes, teach me to be strong like this. Teach me."

 

"It's like you're cursing me to disappear quickly, Ji."

 

The beetle spoke jokingly before its leg came loose.

 

"Who would dare to think that?"

 

"Swear to it?"

 

It glared at me intensely, looking so menacing that I couldn't help but laugh.

 

"Did I ever tell you that ever since you've been in my life, things have been incredibly good?"

 

"Of course, there's only one person like me in the world."

 

"You have to love me very much. There's only one cute boyfriend like me, you know?"

 

I burst into laughter before pulling the other person into a hug.

 

That's really good.

Thank you for being with me. It's been an important part of getting me through bad days.

 

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[Phodduang]

 

Two days after Jin visited Anda's mother, she passed away peacefully. Anda's father decided to become a monk and never leave the order. This news made Jin quiet for a week.

 

Seeing my loved one's expression made me feel bad, too. Jin must be hurting just as much as his friends who lost their beloved friend's mother, a close relative, forever. Sometimes I see it staring into the distance, as if deep in thought. Its demeanour really worries me.

 

"Phod Duang"

 

While I was lost in thought about my love,  Beam walked up and greeted me as I stood in line for lunch.

 

"Oh, Beam!"

 

My little friend with the adorable face smiled and greeted me right in front of me.

 

"What are you having for dinner today? Can I copy your order?" Beam leaned over to look at the food on my plate. "Looks delicious."

 

"That's my usual fried chicken shop."

 

"Mmm."

 

"Don't forget today."

 

Huh? I was immediately confused.

 

"We're having a barbecue at home tonight because it's Jin's birthday."

 

Oh no! I completely forgot about this. I completely forgot that today is my boyfriend’s birthday. We're in our final year of university right now, so we're busy with internships and looking for jobs afterwards. After graduating, Jin has been quiet lately, busy organising events for Anda’s mother. He's probably forgotten about his own birthday, too.

 

"Don't tell me you forgot," Beam asked with a smile, while I reluctantly nodded in agreement.

 

"I haven't prepared a birthday gift for it yet."

 

"Jin doesn't want anything, really."

 

"but..."

I made a worried face.

 

"Just having you at the event makes him incredibly happy."

 

"Oh, Beam"

 

"Don't deny it. My friend is head over heels for you."

 

"You're so good at teasing. Watch out, when you get a girlfriend, I'll tease you morning and night."

 

He beamed the muzzle of his smile before giving me a cute glare.

 

"I'm not talking to you anymore."

 

I shook my head, watching Jin's little friend's back until he disappeared, while my mind was still pondering what gift to give Jin. But in the end, I couldn't think of anything. I finally got a chance to go shopping because I had an exam that afternoon, and it didn't finish until almost 5 pm. In the end, I didn't buy anything.

 

When I arrived at Jin's rented house, I saw Jin's friends from college, along with Beam and Thiw, preparing food. So I walked over with the cake box I bought at the convenience store and put it in the refrigerator.

 

"So, we got cake after all?" Beam asked.

 

"Mmm."

 

"That's enough."

 

"Well, it's his birthday after all."

 

"Why don't you just tie yourself up with a bow and give yourself as a gift?" Tos called out teasingly from the backyard.

 

"Yeah, that's the gift Jin wants most." Art added.

 

"You guys..."

 

Standing not far away, holding a cake.

While I was engrossed in my phone, the lights in the house suddenly switched on, followed by the sound of confetti cannons, and then the figures of my close friends and Phodduang appeared.

 

Happy birthday to you.

 

I immediately smiled before handing the bag of groceries to my best friend, just as my lover handed me the cake to blow out the candles.

 

"Quick wish"

 

"Okay, hurry up. I want to eat cake now."

 

The damn friend behind me let out a wailing cry.

 

"Pray before you open your wallet."

 

The beetle whispered to me.

 

"I wish I could be with my partner like this forever."

 

"Pray in your heart." Phodduang interrupted to cover his embarrassment, so I smiled, closed my eyes, and made a wish in my heart. When I opened my eyes, I blew out the candles.

 

"Happy Birthday, Jin."

 

"Have a wonderful time, my friend."

 

"You're a year older, my friend. I hope this year is a good one for you."

 

"Stay strong, my friend. Don't let your waist get sore. Keep it fit and active."

 

I shook my head at my talkative friend before turning my gaze to my lover, who stood there smiling without saying a word.

 

"And what about you?"

 

"what"

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[Jinna]

 

It was almost 7 PM when I got home. I happened to have some business at Ronnalak this afternoon, so I went in to take care of it. Everything was completely quiet when I got back home. The lights aren't even on. They said we were having a barbecue today! I went to the shop owned by the son of an older gentleman to buy some food for them. Actually, "bought" isn't quite right; I just stopped by to order some food, and his son recognised me and insisted I get it for free as a thank you.

 

You may recall that I mentioned something important he left for his son. His son told me it was a bank passbook he'd been saving up for him, but never got around to giving it to him until I heard him at his shop that day. His son thanked me profusely by preparing a whole free meal for me, planning to eat with friends. But why is his house so quiet?

 

I furrowed my brows, trying to look around, before pulling out my phone to call my lover, because Phodduang had said he would be stopping by today. But why do I see no sign of my lover?

 

"What about my blessings?"

 

The beetle's face turned red before it mumbled something under its breath.

 

"I can't hear anything."

 

"You bastard."

 

"Speak louder."

 

"Happy birthday! I hope you always have a lovely boyfriend like me."

 

"Huuuuhhhhhh!"

 

After Phodduang finished giving his blessing, my friends started cheering and teasing him, making him even more embarrassed. So I moved closer, put my arm around his waist, and whispered in his ear.

 

"I want to unwrap the presents now."

 

"Jinnnnn"

 

The beetle is so shy and adorably cute. How much more will it make me love it? I'm already completely smitten with you, my love. I feel incredibly good on this most important day...

Life is good when you're with your close friends and loved ones. Being surrounded by these people makes me feel great. In life, just being with the people you love is truly the happiest thing you can do.

 

For a moment, it occurred to me that by now Anda and his mother must have been reunited, and they're probably happy somewhere. As for his father, he must have found happiness elsewhere. Everyone has their own life path. I don't know if my special ability will be used to help anyone else in the future, but what I do know is that I will always have Phodduang by my side... forever.

- END -

 

***So, it's just dawned on me that Beetle is a Duang translation. I'm not going to go through my whole translation and re-edit it. The word Beetle isn't used much and the story makes sense without me having to go back and change it 🙈**

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