SAND
A week later I found myself slinging my hiking backpack, packed with all the things I thought I might need. I had said my goodbye to Boston and Nick whose sniffles actually made me laugh. I told them I'd miss them but that I'd keep in touch. Top was discouraging me but knowing I had already made up my mind, assured me he'd take care of my investments and keep me updated and Mew, with those discerning eyes, was quiet as he hugged me goodbye. I knew he understood that this is what I needed to do to at least free myself a little from the guilt of what happened to Ray. Cheum cheerfully told me to take care of myself and to remember to look for them when I come back.
Just like that, I've bid the 5 people I now consider like family. Tian is sitting in the passenger seat of my olive green Jeep- the latest model, that I had purchased just a few months back after a rather large pay out from one of the investment Top and I did.
Tian was regaling me with stories of his adventures and misadventures in the village, prodding me to share some of my own which I realized were close to none eversince Ray was gone. And soon enough just before darkness fell, after threading through an endless road of wilderness- thanking God I had opted to buy a vehicle meant to be used off road instead of the sports car that Top had suggested, we'd arrived at a clearing in the top of the mountain with a scattering of houses surrounding the otherwise purely forest like background.
A tall-maybe as tall as I am, handsome looking man in uniform approached the vehicle with a slightly shorter man trailing behind. Tian had immediately jumped out the vehicle even before I had put it to a complete stop and jumped right into the arms of the previously serious looking, now happily grinning man in uniform.
I got out of the vehicle as Tian, still holding on the officer's arm, introduced us.
"Sand, this is Chief Phupha the head of the Forest Rangers and that's Rang (pointing to the shorter man who WAI'd in return). Phupha is also my fiance." Tian added, blushing instantly.
"Phupha, Rang this is Sand. He's the friend I told you about over the phone who worked as a paramedic and has volunteered as a medical staff for the village"
Greetings were exchanged and Rang suddenly commented "It seems the good looking, rich ones are often the ones who come to volunteer in our village" grinning at Sand who just returned the grin.
Tian and Phupha led me to a lone hut a little bit further down, away from the small cluster of huts that the chief explained to be the residence of most rangers and now Tian, who had started living with Phupha since getting engaged.
I parked my jeep and took out my backpack and guitar case, finally entering the simple hut. Tian explains this was formerly where he had stayed. Indeed, the house was at its bare minimum. A wooden double bed at the corner with a cot cover. Wooden chairs outside the veranda and an open kitchen.
I don't mind, I was sure I could live with this. Rang's assumption that I was born a rich man actually makes me smile at the misconception.
"We'll take you to Doctor Nam tomorrow morning, for now you can rest" Phupha says, explaining how the kitchen had been stocked with village produce if I wanted to make myself something and proudly showed me that now there is running water directly connected from the waterfall not too far away, all thanks to the donations gathered from the charity dinner that Tian's family had thrown in lieu of the usual engagement party. I thanked them and watched them walk out hand in hand, giggling like a couple of highschool kids. Is this what made Tian stay? Ray would have a ball teasing him if he was here.
I slept pitifully that night, the silence of the surroundings a stark contrast to the never ending sound of Bangkok 24/7. I think of Ray and if he would have come here with me if I asked him. Laughing slightly at the thought of my little spoiled drama princess navigating the simple life in this village and imagining the endless whines that would surely be uttered all through the day. How can Ray survive sleeping in this wooden bed with only a cot, when he even needs his feather filled pillow to sleep. I let the exhaustion of the drive finally lull me to sleep still thinking of Ray, imagining his reaction to not having the luxuries in life he was born and raised in.
YOU ARE READING
Little Sprout 🌱 A SandLongtae Story.
FanficHope. Growth. Life What happens when Sand, who was suffering from the death of the love of his life Ray meets Longtae aka. Ray's Look-A-Like? Would the Small Town Boy, Longtae be willing to get to know Sand when he had been burned once and had swor...
