Losing Game

Chapter 8 - Orn's Memories

June 2008 : 

A wide awaked Orn walked into her living room where her grandparents were. She held onto her favorite light pink teddy bear while she went to sit in the middle of them on the couch. Her grandmother was watching a drama on the tv and her grandfather was reading the newspaper. She LOVED the weekends because her grandparents would come over to spend time with her and baking was her favorite activity to do with them. Mild wouldn't be home since he was sleeping over at his best friend's house and her parents had left for work earlier. Her grandmother moved to face Orn and fix her bedhead hair. She commented on how she wanted to wake her up thirty minutes ago but she had looked so peaceful sleeping. Also that she did not want a cranky five year old throwing a tantrum when they went on their walk. Not knowing what she was talking about Orn asked her.

"We will be going down the street to have lunch with the Namsiripongpun family. They just arrived back in Bangkok a few days ago. There is someone we want you to meet as well."

Orn knew exactly who her grandmother was talking about. Thanom and Fa Ying Namsiripongpun were both great friends and business partners to her family. Uncle Thorn, their son, was always nice to her and even got her a tiara for her birthday. She hadn't seen or heard from them in over a month, so she was excited to go and visit them. Orn quickly changed her shoes and stuffed her teddy bear into her mini bookbag before walking out the door.

She tried to get any information out of them as they walked. All that her grandfather told her was that this person was the only grandson/child of their family, was her age, and that he lived in America or China prior to arriving in Thailand. They honestly did not know much either.

When they arrived in front of the house, they had to wait for one of the house workers to open the gates for them. Unlike most kids her age, Orn was outgoing and hyper and once inside the gates she ran to the door to ring the doorbell. Sadly one of the maids had seen the little girl running towards it and opened the door for her to run straight in. She greeted both Thanom and Fa Ying before her own grandparents got into the house. As the elders greeted each other, Orn walked over to the window that looked into the backyard. She saw a boy sitting on the ground with a maid standing beside him. She could hear them still talking in the background and decided to go out the door to see who this boy was.

"Hi, I'm Orn Patchanan and you are?" she greeted the boy, standing behind him with her head tilted to the side . She was unsure to go in front of him or sit beside him. When silence filled the air, she tried again but was greeted with nothing. The maid was her savior and motioned for her to stand in front of him. For the third time, Orn introduced herself and the boy finally looked up at her.

He doesn't know why but he felt safe at that moment. The warmth vibrated off of her and he felt no need to be mean or rude. Everything about her was...welcoming compared to his grandparents and father.

"Hi...I'm Saint Suppapong." The two talked about their favorite shows and hobbies. Orn was shocked that Saint spoke Thai pretty fine for not being raised here. He could even name some ongoing children shows and dramas. She pulled out her teddy bear from her book bag to show him. When asked if she had a name for it, she told him it was "Adira". Orn then went on to explain that the name means to be strong, noble and powerful. In times that she herself feels weak or upset, she hugs her teddy bear for comfort and remembrance that she is strong.

After meeting Saint, who she had declared to be her new best friend, and eating lunch with their families, Orn felt tired and ready to go home. She waived Saint goodbye and fixed her much lighter bookbag on her back.

November 2017 : 

Orn had arrived back into her room after rummaging through the pantry. Her snack tray was filled with fruits on one side and chips and cookies on the other side. She was going to sit down on the bean bag when she heard her mom say her name and knock on the door. Orn opened the door just so a little of her body would be visible. A curious look took over her mom's face but changed it to serious before asking her daughter questions.