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Chapter 41 - Chapter 40— A circle of love

The morning air was cool and fragrant with jasmine and frangipani. The sun had just begun to stretch its fingers over the horizon, brushing golden light over my grandmother's courtyard. Today, our lives would change, yet somehow, it felt like a continuation—like everything had been leading to this moment.

Anurak was already there when I arrived, standing quietly by the altar my grandmother had prepared. The soft scent of incense mingled with the fresh blossoms that lined the courtyard. He looked… breathtaking. The traditional Thai attire clung elegantly to his frame, deep indigo silk embroidered with gold threads, and the way his hair caught the light made me stop, heart pounding.

He turned at the sound of my footsteps, and his smile—gentle, shy, and full of love—made every anxiety I had vanish. I adjusted my own ceremonial attire, nerves fluttering in my chest. It wasn't just a wedding; it was a promise, a celebration, a testament to everything we had survived, everything we had found.

Granny appeared, radiant and tearful, her hands holding the ceremonial flower garlands. Her eyes met mine, and I knew in that glance she understood—this was more than a union; this was a culmination of love that had transcended lifetimes.

"Kael… Anurak… you've made it," she whispered softly, her voice thick with emotion. "May your lives together be filled with the love you both deserve."

My younger siblings, Kian and Kaew, stood nearby, eyes shining with excitement, and my parents eyes, radiated warmth. My Dad's eyes filled with unshead tears. He gave me a glance that said, I see your happiness, and that is enough for me.And my Mama she is Smiling through tears..

We moved to the ceremonial space, and the monk who had blessed Anurak's father's monkhood years ago now presided over us. He chanted softly in Thai, the sacred syllables resonating in the courtyard, guiding our hearts. We knelt on the floor, hands pressed together in the traditional wai, facing the monk as he recited blessings.

I could feel Anurak trembling slightly beside me. I reached out, fingers brushing his, and he let out a soft sigh of relief.

"We are here," I whispered, "together. Always."

The monk handed us the flower garlands, which we draped around each other's necks. My hands shook, not from nerves, but from the depth of what this symbolized. I looked into Anurak's eyes—eyes that had held centuries of longing, pain, and now complete joy—and I knew, with all my being, that we were finally home.

"Kael," he murmured, voice barely audible over the chant, "I never imagined… a lifetime like this."

I smiled, pressing my forehead to his. "Neither did I… but I wouldn't change a thing."

The monk poured holy water over our hands, symbolizing the blessings of the universe upon our union. I closed my eyes, letting the cool water run over my fingers, feeling the energy of everyone around us—the family that loved us, the ancestors that watched over us, the spirits that had guided us to this point.

When the ceremony ended, we rose slowly, garlands still around our necks, hands tightly entwined. Granny stepped forward, tears running freely now, and hugged us both. "My falcon… my teacher… I have waited so long to see this," she whispered, voice breaking. "You are together. You have each other. That is all that matters."

Anurak's arms wrapped around her tightly, and I watched him cry quietly, letting the years of fear, grief, and loss pour out. I placed a hand on his back, feeling his heartbeat settle into mine.

Later, as the family gathered for the small celebratory meal, laughter and chatter filling the air, I caught Anurak's hand under the table. He gave me a small, shaky smile, and I squeezed back. Words weren't necessary. We had lived through despair and longing—this moment was ours.

By late afternoon, the sunlight began to soften, and I suggested we visit the site where his mother had been cremated. It was time for me to make my promise, a continuation of the vows that had begun centuries ago. Anurak nodded silently, his usual composure stripped away by emotion.

The cemetery was serene, lined with frangipani trees and the gentle murmur of water from the small temple pond nearby. Anurak knelt before the ceremonial site, hands pressed together in prayer. His body shook with the quiet sobs he tried to contain.

I knelt beside him, wrapping my arms around him from behind. His head rested against my shoulder, and I whispered softly, "Mama… I am Kael...Anurak's husband..i never got a chance to introduce myself to you...but i promise you one thing that I won't make your son feel alone again. You don't have to be afraid. I will be his anchor, his safe place… and his everything always."

He clutched my hands, tears falling freely.

" Mama ..today is the most important day in my life..i wished that you were here.....I am okay now Mama... kael's family is treating me like their own son...I am happy " he said smiling through his tears

i softly pressed my lips to his temple. " I'm here. I am Anurak's Kael, and you are my world. Now, and for everything to come."

I looked said with a small smile.

Mama now you can finally rest in peace, i will take care of Anurak ."

He lifted his head slowly, eyes wet and glistening, and finally allowed himself to breathe. I held him tight, feeling the culmination of centuries—the heartbreak of Chaiyan and Rungsak, the long searches, the losses, the reunions—all distilled into this quiet, powerful moment.

"Thank you," he whispered, voice choked, leaning into me. "For staying. For being here."

"I will always be," I said, pressing my lips to his, a gentle kiss that held everything: love, comfort, safety, and promise.

We stood together, hand in hand, before the sacred spot, letting the sun dip lower. The warmth of the late afternoon wrapped around us like a blessing. There was no rush, no fear, just the profound weight of love and remembrance.

As we walked back to the car, Granny at my side and Sorren padding around us, I felt a quiet peace settle over us. The circle was complete—the past honored, the present cherished, and the future, now shared, unafraid.

Anurak slipped his hand into mine, fingers intertwining as if to anchor us to each other and to life itself. "Kael," he said softly, "we are home, aren't we?"

"Yes," I said, smiling through tears. "Home. At last."

And in that moment, under the same sky that had watched over countless lives, I knew we had finally finished our song. Not as a memory, not as a dream—but as a reality, shared and celebrated, unbroken and infinite.

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