Mail and Gadgets

Chapter eleven - The Lion and The Turtle

Hi here's the next chapter,
Sorry it's a lot late.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas.
I only know things about the Loi Karthong Festival from research off Google if I've got anything wrong I apologise.
The picture above is off Google too I've only tweaked it.
Dedicated to T for being the best. <3 :-)
Enjoy!

'The sun'll come out tomorrow,
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow,
There'll be sun.
Just thinkin' about tomorrow,
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow,
'Til there's none.

When I'm stuck with a day that's grey and lonely,
I just stick out my chin and grin, and say, oh

Tomorrow, Tomorrow,
I love ya tomorrow,
Your only a day away.'
                          Tomorrow - Alicia Morton

Kong watches as Pan smiles at her audience. She's stood on a small, home made stage with a grand piano taking up most of the space. As the first notes are played from the piano behind her,  the pianist playing the introduction to 'Annie's 'Tomorrow', Pan starts singing. She's a bit out of time but she does hit every note and Kong can tell that she has been practicing really hard for the last week or so. He glances over at his grandfather who is smiling at his daughter with such pride and admiration that even if Pan had been terrible he would still be grinning.

Next to his grandfather is his father who is sat watching the performance, grimacing every so often when Pan hits a high note. Day is curled up next to Kong, his legs under him as he uses his arms as a pillow. Kong can see the child's eyes drooping, trying to stay awake.

The whole family had spent the weekend at Chaing Mai, celebrating the Loi Karthong Festival. It was early when they had arrived. Beating the large gathering crowds that would come each year to let go of their anger and grudges or to make wishes as they float large candle lit vessels down streams or lanterns into the night sky.. Each one made with either large banana leaves, for the vessels or rice paper for the lanterns and decorated with incense sticks, flowers or anything else that comes to mind.

It was one of Kong's favourite times of the year because it had also been his mothers. She had said it was the best time to get rid of any misfortunes and to express a wish. She would always stand with him, whispering each wish into his ear as they let their lantern fly, joining the multitude of other brightly lit lanterns. His good health. Growing up to be a kind and generous man. That he would find love one day. He had scrunched up his little nose at the last. In the years that followed, especially after his mother had died he would say a prayer in the temple to her before making his own wish as he let his lantern fly.

This year had been only slightly different. He had still paid his respects to his mother. Entering the golden temple with it's tall and gold plated elaborate, crowned monument (Chedi). He had still knelt down, in front of monks dressed in orange, as he prayed and told his mother how much he missed her, still did miss her. He had still stood with his family as they ( at least Pan and Day) decorated their lanterns. Pan standing with his grandfather while his father was on his phone, occasionally watching Day as he attempts to draw on his. The small child’s tongue stuck out at the side of his mouth while he concentrates on his task at hand. Gillian stood nearby taking selfies while Maureen was stood chatting excitedly at each lantern that happen to float past. Even Patricia had joined the group and was talking to admirably to a couple behind.

He had invited Pete but Pete had had his own plans. He was meeting someone but wouldn't say who exclaiming that Kong would just have to wait and see.

Kong would of enjoyed it more if his mind hadn't been occupied with other things this year. Namely a certain store owner. Remembering the meeting in the supermarket and the flustered look on Arthit's face. He's not daft. He knows Arthit had been trying to avoid him but even a scowl directed at him still made Arthit look somehow adorable. A tug on his trouser leg interrupts his thoughts and he looks down to see Day holding up his lantern with the biggest grin on his face. His tiny voice spelling out three letters.