The bookstore was full of people queuing in an orderly line. Aksorn himself had chosen the location for this small signing event, which made the bookstore owner smile radiantly with satisfaction.
"Water, khrap, Khun writer." Phîi Nai placed a glass of water on his table and said in a playful tone, believing that after this, he might even get a raise.
"Thank you, khrap, Phîi."
"No need to rush, take your time signing. While they wait, some might want to try looking for a book or two to read."
Aksorn laughed heartily before turning his attention to the next person handing him a book to sign. One person after another. A bouquet of pale yellow roses extended right in front of him immediately made him look up.
The tall figure who owned the flowers was standing right in front of him, smiling. Aksorn smiled back as he reached out to take the bouquet, holding it in his full arms.
"Thank you, khrap," he said politely. Even though their status doesn't require such formality, in this place, even Songjam must receive equal rights with everyone else.
"Congratulations, khrap."
"Hurry up, Khun, other people are waiting." Phîi Nai, who was managing the queue, pretended to speak sternly. Seeing this, Songjam quickly handed over his copy of 'Aksorn in Memory' for the writer to sign instead.
"It's already signed."
"I'd like another signature, khrap."
"Ah... well then, what's your name, khrap?" Aksorn raised an eyebrow and asked, curious himself about how the other would respond.
The young man narrowed his eyes, staring at the tease, before leaning in. The distance closed more and more until the sounds of other people exclaiming in surprise could be heard.
Aksorn sat there with his eyes wide open. When Songjam's face was just a fraction away, the tall figure gave him a faint smile before whispering so only the two of them could hear.
"That rak." (My dear / beloved)
"...Please sign for me 'To my dear, khrap'."
And then he pulled back to his full height. Aksorn cleared his throat to collect himself before hurriedly bending down to sign, trying to hide the embarrassment that now made him unable to look anyone in the eye.
"Thank you, khrap." He immediately handed the book back to Songjam. That guy just kept grinning brightly before gently placing his hand on his head.
"I'll go look at some books and wait, then."
"Mhm." Aksorn shooed the hand away, even though his own cheeks were bright red. He turned to stare until Songjam's figure disappeared among the bookstore's shelves before refocusing on his work. But the sentence from the next girl in line, who handed him her book with a smile, made it hard for Aksorn to concentrate fully.
"Your boyfriend is so cute, kha."
"Tha... Thank you, khrap."
After a while longer, it was time to finish work. Aksorn stood up and walked straight over to the person standing intently reading a book.
Looking from here, if he had never known him before, he might have fallen in love with Songjam all over again...
"Picked one yet?"
The tall figure looked up from the book, looking at the person asking who was now smiling beside him.
"Got one already, khrap. Are you heading back already, Phîi?"
"I was thinking of staying to help Phîi Nai pack up first."
"In that case, I'll help, khrap."
Aksorn nodded in agreement, took the book Songjam was holding straight to the counter, and immediately resumed his duties as a shop employee.
"Decided where you'll do your internship yet?" the owner Phîi asked while packing things away. Aksorn didn't look up from wrapping the book at all as he answered.
"Grandpa invited me to intern at the publishing house, khrap."
"That's good, it's just that far away." Phîi Nai was referring to the record shop whose upper floor Grandpa used as an office for the publishing house, while the ground floor still sold records as before.
"Why, so you can easily come find me for some easy work?"
"Yep, so we can help each other when it's crowded."
Aksorn looked up at the smiling face of the shop owner. Even though he was joking, Aksorn believed those scenarios would actually happen.
"Phîi should probably hire more staff. If I go for my internship, I likely won't be able to work here anymore."
"Wow, really going to abandon me like that?"
"That's not what I meant. Once my internship is over, I'll have graduated. I need to find a proper, serious job then."
Phîi Nai, who had just finished putting away the promotional signs, sat down on a chair and heaved a deep sigh, leaving Songjam to move the tables and chairs to the back of the shop by himself.
"In the blink of an eye, you're about to graduate already? I didn't plan ahead."
Aksorn, holding the newly wrapped book, walked out to him and sat down on the chair opposite to look at the face of the young man he'd known since childhood.
"Time really passes quickly, doesn't it? I can still remember the first day I came to ask for work here."
"At that time, there were many customers, so I took you on to help. But lately, people don't read books much anymore. Seems I probably won't need to hire more staff."
"If you work alone, when will you find time to go see your girlfriend at the flower shop?" Aksorn teased in a playful voice, earning himself a fierce glare.
"Quiet, you."
The two went to help Songjam again. They spent the entire afternoon sitting around, sipping coffee, and chatting idly while waiting for someone who arrived at the shop right at 4 PM.
Phallop joined the circle, sipping coffee until his cup was empty, before they all bid farewell to the bookstore owner upon seeing the softened sun and cooling breeze, the weather suitable for going to a place that always awaited them. Aksorn volunteered to drive, letting the two of them sit and chat comfortably in the back seat, as friends do. Another reason was that his father had already prepared a bouquet of white flowers placed on the passenger seat first.
If Mom were here, this would truly be her seat...
Soon the car reached its destination. Aksorn parked in a wide area where there wasn't another car in sight. The conversation during the journey was swallowed by the air as the three young men let silence prevail while stepping into Likhit's cemetery.
She lay sleeping in a corner of the hillside. The wind blew in, welcoming them as they stood quietly in front. Aksorn, who was holding the bouquet, placed it down in front of his mother's grave. The sound of the rustling wind ceased, and the wind fell still.
Suddenly.
"Mom, khrap..."
The smell of the earth was so fragrant. The mountains echoed as the wind blew stronger again, creating a faint sound in the distance. Aksorn smiled widely as warmth filled and tightened within his heart.
"Today, we've brought him to see you." Phallop spoke up after being quiet for a good while. He placed a hand lightly on his friend's shoulder. Songjam nodded slightly before also speaking up.
"Hello, Likhit."
Aksorn's eyes welled with tears. He didn't dare make another sound for fear his voice would tremble beyond control. He remained silent, just listening to his father and Songjam continue like that.
"...This is the first time all three of us have come to see you together. I wonder what it would be like if you were still here."
"You'd probably be a nagging auntie until our ears went numb."
"She was quite kind. Remember, she was the first one to talk to us when we went to the first foster home."
"You just kept praising her until she got a big head," the husband said, shaking his head in mild exasperation.
Both the smiles... and the tears...
For a long time, they just kept gazing at her photograph like that. The bright smile remained forever beautiful. From the first day, until today.
Aksorn regretted immensely that he never got to see that smile with his own eyes.
"Don't worry about Aksorn. We'll take the very best care of him. We promise." The speaker's hand was holding Aksorn's hand tightly, emphasizing that this promise would be kept with all the life he had. Phallop went back to the car first, giving the reason that he forgot his phone and needed to check quickly. But Aksorn knew well that his father just wanted to slip away to cry alone.
If it were in front of Songjam, he might not be that embarrassed.
But in front of his son, my Father is never weak.
Aksorn held his lover's hand tightly. We stood in front of Mom's grave for a good while longer, until darkness began to creep in, a sign that this meeting had come to an end.
And believe me, this won't be the last time. Because she has been written into the hearts of every one of them, with a special ink that, no matter how many years pass, will never fade...
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