The Taste of Clouds

VII

[Warning! Phobias will be mentioned in this chapter if you are sensitive to this topic. Just skip.]

"Dad's d-dead?" a cracked voice was utter in Gene's mouth. Tears follow to roll down. He can not conclude what happened to his dad after the disaster. 'Sorry dad, I didn't do anything to save you.' he blamed himself, sobbing.

His mom is crying as well. Unstoppable tears and cries were heard. A lot of people died. It was the worst nightmare for Gene. He was only 12 but he keeps on blaming himself for what happened to his dad. He was too young to experience pain.

"Dad, wake up. We are here in Bangkok." He forcibly smiled.

He looks so broke.

His mom hugged him after, for convenience. "I'm sorry mom." He whispered.

"Don't blame yourself, sweetie."

Gene and his parents should move to Prawet, Bangkok but the worst thing happened.

Skip time: One year after Teep died (Gene's dad)

"Good morning class! We have a new student from Phang Nga."

"Wow! That's too far." one of the students said in amazement.

"Please introduce yourself to the class."

"I'm Gene Aroon Chaiat."

"You can sit beside Gulf, Gene." His teacher said while pointing in the direction.

As Gene sat, Gulf greeted him with a hi.

"Hello."

"I'm Gulf." he offered a hand.

"Gene."

They shake hands.

"How many years are you staying here?"

"A year."

"Oh! Welcome to Prawet."

They have a nice conversation until they became friends.

After his one month of going to school. He starts to love to walk every day after school period.

Gene went home walking on the streets, he witnessed the clouds turn into dark ash grey. He remembered what happened last year, the same pain when he lost his father. He felt a pain in his chest. He couldn't feel breathing. He is trying to catch his breath by inhaling but nothing changes. He thought about what is happening to him. He lay down in pain while his right hand is holding his chest. Rain starts to pour into his body. He cried, feeling hopeless that he will die after his father.

But no, Gulf passed by him and saw his position and immediately called the ambulance. He woke up in a white room. He saw his mom and Gulf in front of him.

"Oh, Gene! You're awake!" Mrs. Chaiat hugged him with tears on her cheeks. Happy to see Gene wake up.

"What happened, mom?"

"I should be the one to ask you that."

"Are you okay now, Gene? What happened to you?"

"Yes. I also don't know what happened to me earlier. I just saw the sky turn dark and I run out of breath. Then—" Gene cut his words when the doctor came in.

"Hello!" the doctor.

"Doc, what happened to my son?"

"I also don't know, Mrs. Chaiat, I'm about to know. I need to interview your son first before stating what happened to him."

"How are you, Gene?"

"I'm feeling good, doc."

"What did you feel before you were found unconscious?"

"I saw the clouds turning dark ash grey while I was walking home—" he paused.

"And then what happened after?"

"My heart was weakly beating. I can't catch my breath, I'm trying to but nothing happens."

"I see... You have nephophobia."

"Nephophobia?" Gene repeated the word.

"What does that mean, doc?"

"Nephophobia is a fear of clouds. Like any phobia, nephophobia causes persistent and extreme physical symptoms including anxiety, tremors, and a fight-flight response when you are exposed to the thing that you fear.

Exposure to extremely bad weather that is related to clouds — such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and tropical storms — can sometimes mark the beginning of nephophobia.

There are no definitive causes of nephophobia. Nevertheless, genetics and one's environment may both play very significant roles in the development of this condition. For example, if someone has a family history of mental illness, especially anxiety disorders or specific phobias, then they may have a higher chance of developing nephophobia. This may be due to them than having a genetic predisposition to developing mental illness in general." The doctor clarified.

Gene didn't catch up to what the doctor said.

"You are not allowed to be exposed in the clouds even taking pictures of the subject, Mr. Chaiat. And avoid thinking about clouds because it would cause you anxiety. I suggest you have to take medication twice a week and it is better to stay inside your house for now."

End of flashback