Things Change, So Does Life

TCSDL - Chapter 01

The prologue starts here:

It is a typical day at work for our dear Kongpob.

He is 24 now and is working as a Senior Software Specialist with a leading company. He has been working since his graduation away from his home in a different city. Even though he misses his family and being with them, he has come to love this life of his where he is surrounded by good and great friends for life, learning, and living on his own terms.

Kong was having a chat with his friends. They were planning a trip to a hill station coming weekend that is close by to Kong's native place. As Kong is to travel abroad for work the coming Wednesday after the weekend. They chose a close-by place to his native so that he can visit his family before his trip which even though planned for 1 month could at least extend out to three months to a year.

Suddenly Kong's phone rings. Kong's attention goes to the caller ID. It is his mom. He never gets a call from his mom, especially at this time of the day. He answers with a worried and wondering voice.

"Hey, Mom – What happened? You calling me at this time is everything fine at home?" He starts off...

"Yes Kong, everything is fine. Mom is really sorry to call you at this time and disturbed you. Hope you were not in a meeting. I had to call as it is a matter of urgency and I need to get the confirmation from you. Now tell me Kong, has your tickets confirmed for your travel, and what is your plan for this weekend?"

"Yes mom, in fact, the tickets got confirmed just today morning for Wednesday and I was having a chat with friends now. We all are planning a small trip before my travel. I was waiting for that to be materialized to inform you. But I along with my friends will be visiting you on Sunday so that I can meet you all before my travel. Please ask Dad and Nong Dae to be at home itself on Sunday mom."

The moment Kong's mom heard him saying visiting on Sunday, she started certain calculations and she said; "Ok, so you will be here on Sunday. But can you come here on Saturday itself?

"Let me check with friends, give me one min mom."

Kong replies to his mom after confirming.

"Yes, mom I can be home on Saturday. But please note, we will be able to reach home only by late at night. It will take at least 4-6 hours of drive from the resort we are planning to stay in."

"But mom, why are you asking me all this information, and what does it have to do with the matter of urgency?"

"That's perfect Kong. Please pack a good outfit also and take care during the trip. Make sure you apply sunscreen lotion when going out."

"Mom – can you please answer my question. What does this have to do with the urgent matter"

"Oh, nothing big, there is a boy's family coming to see you on Sunday to see you and to ask your hand in marriage. So, make sure you are packing a good outfit and take care. Let me go and inform the family and start preparations. There are only a couple of days for getting everything ready. Bye Kong. Have fun"

To say Kong is shocked will be pointless. The moment he heard 'boys' family' and 'marriage' he was stunned. He did not even realize that his mom has disconnected the call after bombarding him with the news of urgency.

The prologue ends here.

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To say Kong is shocked will be pointless. The moment he heard 'boys' family' and 'marriage' he was stunned. He did not even realize that his mom has disconnected the call after bombarding him with the news of urgency.

Kong snaps back into reality. He forgot that he was in the middle of a conversation with his friends and his mom had called in between. He did not know what to do and how to react.

Talks of his marriage have been going on for some time now and he had met some potential candidates as to how it works in the arranged marriage. But he could not feel any connection with anyone and nothing materialized.

He asks for a moment to his friends and calls his mom back.

"Hello dear Kong, tell me"

"Mom, you cannot be sharing such huge news and disconnect the call leaving me shaken. How can you plan something now mom? You know I am traveling abroad. Moreover, the visit that I am planning to home, it is not alone all my friends will be there too. Have you informed the boys' family about all these?"

"I don't know mom; can we not do this now?"

Kong's nervousness, anxiety, fear, insecurity every single emotion starts to surface. Understanding her son's dilemma his mom replies.

"Calm down son, you know we will not force you into any kind of marriage or relationship, correct? This is needed Kong. More than it being a social norm, it is about you having someone with you as your partner, your other half, who will support you motivate you, encourage you, share your happiness, be your foundation like how we are Kong"

"Also, the boy and the family are very good. Apparently, they have seen you at your cousin's wedding. The boy's paternal uncle is very close with your cousin's uncle. After seeing you they enquired about you and here we are today."

"Ok mom, it is not like I can say anything against it. Please tell me the details and share the boy's photo"

"I am afraid there are no photos son. They want to meet you in person and as the meeting is planned to occur in four days' time, there is no need for photos. You can meet the person himself this weekend."

"As for details, here is what you need to know now – The boy's name is Arthit. He is also working in your field and stays in the same city as you. He is a Business Analyst and the youngest in the family. He has completed Post graduation..." and Kong's mom goes on to share the college's name and family details.

"Mom, this information won't help to search his social media profile. I really want to see a photo before I meet the guy. Let me check what I can do with this. Anyway, I along with my friends will come home by Saturday late at night. Take care." Call ends.

Kong returns to his friends and shares the news. They were eagerly wondering what has happened as their friend doesn't get into shaken mode frequently. Unknowingly Kong was blushing when he was sharing the news of a probable partner visiting to his friends. Seeing their friends' new emotions, all of his friends started teasing and pulling his legs.

In the middle of these fun memorable moments, Kong pulled out his phone and searched for Arthit's profile using the school, college names. Maybe luck or coincidence, out of many Arthit's only one profile matched with his search query. He was smitten by the profile pic of Arthit. To say Arthit was handsome would-be injustice. He was hot, classy, elegant, and eye-catchy.

Kong sat there looking at the image, then without saying anything he simply downloaded the image and saved it to the gallery. He revives from his thoughts about Arthit, from the anxiousness of meeting him in a couple of days, from the thoughts about the nervousness of marriage, and brings himself back to reality. He takes a deep breath and bids bye to his friends and heads back to the workstation. He has many things to be completed and handed over before his trip.

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To be Continued...

From the Author: That is a wrap of Chapter 01. I have included the Prologue also here. It is a simple cliché story based on some true events. If the response for this story is well received, at the end I will definitely share some facts.

Please share your comments on how you think about the plot and story. Request you all to read, share your views, encouragements, like and vote. See you soon with the next chapter.

Bye - Lux1986