The sun had dipped low, spilling gold across the streets, but there was no warmth for us. The cremation, the prayers, the final rites — all of it had ended. The air still smelled faintly of incense, the echoes of chanting lingering in the quiet corners.
Anurak walked beside me, silent. His eyes were distant, his hands loosely holding mine, but he didn't speak. Every so often, he would glance at the place where his mother's body had been laid to rest, lips pressed tightly together, as if holding back words he couldn't say.
I didn't let go. Not once.
Not for a step.
One week passed..I need to go back tomorrow
Finally, as the evening settled around us, I squeezed his hand gently. "Anurak…..I need to go back ...come with me to Bangkok," I said softly.
He turned to me slowly, eyes clouded with grief and hesitation. "Bangkok…" he murmured, almost like tasting the word. "But… my home…"
"I know," I said, my voice steady. "We'll go to your home first, pack your things. Then… then we start fresh. Together. You won't be alone again."
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he let me guide him through the quiet streets back to his house. The familiar neighborhood, the small garden, the gate — everything felt heavy with memories. Memories of a life just lost, of love and loss intertwined.
When we entered, the house was silent, almost untouched. The air smelled faintly of sandalwood and his mother's perfume. It was the first time I had ever stepped inside Anurak's world. The walls seemed to hold whispers of laughter, quiet conversations, and all the moments that had built him into the person I loved.
He moved slowly, touching the wooden furniture, the bookshelves, the small photographs carefully placed on the tables. His fingers lingered on each item, as if memorizing them for the last time.
"Kael…" he said softly, voice breaking, "this was… my world."
I stepped closer, pressing my hand over his. "And now, it will be ours too. You're not alone anymore. I'm not letting you face anything without me."
He looked at me then, his eyes glistening, and for the first time since the morning, he let a small shiver of relief pass through his body. Slowly, we began to pack — his clothes, some books, a few personal things. Every movement felt sacred, a bridge between the past and the life we were about to live together.
Sorren padded around the house, sniffing curiously, sensing the tension and grief, but also the safety that came from being together.
At one point, Anurak paused, standing in the middle of the living room, and whispered, almost to himself, "I never imagined…..Mama leave me suddenly ...she was the only one who was there ..and suddenly without any notice...she gone...like she was not here before...i am ...I don't know what to do...i miss her Kael..I miss her a lot...i never told it lowd..but I love her a lot more than anything..and now here I am... again alone.. without her"he said sobbing...I take both of his arms in mine
"Phi, I know that whatever I say now will not bring back what you had lost...but don't think you are alone again...I am here..I will be with you..every moment..every second ,and I am not gonna leave you alone..I will not make you feel alone, and about Mama ,even if you never said it loud..she knew you loved her..and she didn't want to see you broken like this ...I am here..I will always be....and now if you need to cry..let it out please..don't try to hold back..and remember you are gonna be alright..we are gonna be okay..i promise "
I said, pulling him into a long, firm embrace. His head rested on my shoulder, i could feel his body shaking with every broken sob..and after a moment I could feel the tremors of his grief slowly softening.
We moved from room to room, packing and reminiscing silently. There were no words big enough to capture what had happened, no apologies needed, no explanations. Just presence. Just us.
And in that house, where echoes of the past still lingered, I realized something: grief could be heavy, but it could also be shared. And love — love could guide the steps that followed.
Finally, with everything packed, Anurak turned to me, eyes moist, but determination flickering there. "Let's go," he said quietly.
I smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Yes. Let's go home — together."
Sorren barked softly at our side, as if agreeing, and I knew — no matter the distance, no matter the memories we carried — we would face everything side by side.
And for the first time since that tragic morning, there was a small spark of hope, fragile but real, illuminating the path ahead.,