If I loved you

Moon in the night sky

Present day

'So Mr Tawan, are you ready to give your statement now?' The police officer is really dedicated to his job. This is the fourth time he came back to get my statement.

'Yes.' I sat up with difficulty. Pa was ready to help but I smiled and gestured him to sit still.

'Tell me then. What happened that day?'

My mom was sitting on the sofa, a bit far away from us, cutting fruits for me. I saw her hand became still for a moment, then she looked at me with eyes filled with tears.

'Pa?' I looked at my father who was eagerly waiting for my answer. He got startled by my call.

'Yes, son?'

'Why don't you take ma outside? I don't think she needs to hear this.'

My mom is a very soft hearted person. It's true that I got adopted by them at the age of 13 but from the very beginning she's treated me with such tenderness that very quickly I forgot that she is not my biological mother. Both of them welcomed me in their family as their own. She gave me so much love that I felt completely at ease in my new home.

It was a dream home........just what New wanted.

I sighed inwardly. New......and his longing for a family......

Then again, he's already got his family back. His real family. His real mother. His maternal uncle. He is happy there.

Or that's what I liked to think before.

'It's alright. She already knows everything. No need to worry.' Pa said with a wave of his hand.

I sighed again.

If my mother is a soft hearted person then my father has a head solid as rock. Yes, he is a stubborn and hard headed person. He always sees this world as black and white. There is no grey area for him. Something is either right or wrong. Because of this nature he sometimes gets in big trouble but ........well, he is also a very capable man. His buisness in USA is flourishing without a hitch. That's why after adopting me he arranged everything very quickly and efficiently and within a month we went there and settled down.

He admitted me in a famous private school and helped me every way possible. Today I have a successful career only because of my parents.

My parents were dead against my decision to come back here and start a new company but in front of my constant nagging they finally gave me their permission. We came back a year ago and ma and pa were planning to go back next month when this happened.

'Mr Tawan? Is everything alright?' The police officer was waiting for my response.

'Huh? Yeah..yeah ..' I shook my head and took a deep breath. Time to recall that event.

'That day, pa and I went to meet an investor who was at that time staying at the hotel Skyline. After our meeting ended he asked us to stay a bit longer because he wanted to introduce us to another potential investor. As you already know, my company builds energy efficient, safe and secure buildings and infrastructure. It's a small company and needs financial support constantly so we didn't decline his offer and stayed back.'

'You don't need financial assistance from others. I wanted to invest many times but you are so stubborn....' Pa quickly interfered.

'Pa....I want to be a self made man just like you. You know that already na?' I smiled helplessly.

'Humph.' He wasn't happy at all.

Actually seeking financial support was an eyewash. All I wanted to get in touch with New. After all his family is one of the most rich and influential family in the whole city.

One year ago I came back here with determination to find him at any cost. I was trying to get into contact with him for so many years but not once succeeded. At first I was only a teenager with little resources but as time passes I kept trying to get information about him. To me he is like the moon in the night sky. I know he is there. I can see him sometimes but can't touch him. It took me ten years to finally meet him face to face and....... everything went south from there.

'Please continue.' The officer was getting impatient.

'Huh? Oh..yeah yeah...' I controlled my emotions and continued,

'New...I mean Mr New joined us with two of his subordinates. We discussed some matters and......'

'Why are you being so vague? Tell them! Tell them that he was hostile from the beginning....'

'Mr. Sangthong please. Let him talk.'

'Yeah....no....I mean Mr New didn't show interest in this investment.....and....wanted to leave.'

'Then my son just asked a question and that basterd shot him!'

Yes. I was desperate to stop him...so I mentioned that pendant.......but I didn't think that through.....

'I already have your statement Mr Sangthong. Please let him continue. Mr Tawan...'

'I was just making small talk.....' I lowered my head because the next thing I am going to say.....pa won't like it.

'Then?'

'Then someone shot me.'

'Someone?'

'Yes. I was looking at my phone.....so didn't see who....'

'Tay!'

I clenched my fist and said firmly,

'Sorry but I really didn't see the shooter's face. There were many people....'

'What are you saying! There were only three of us!'

'Mr Tawan?' The police officer was looking at me with relief evident on his face.

'What's going on in here?' Suddenly the door slammed open and a middle aged man came inside.

The officer shot up from his chair and hurriedly salute the man.

'Chief! I....I...am taking the statement...' He was stuttering.

'Taking statement? Oh. So what did he say?'

'He said......he didn't see who shot him.'

'Ha! Good. Very good. Then go to the station and file everything accordingly.'

'What! No! He is lying! Tay! Why are you doing this? Don't be afraid son! We are here! Tell them the truth!' Pa was flipping out.

'Mr Sangthong. Please don't pressurize the victim. He already said that Mr New didn't shoot him. Don't worry, we'll definitely find out who the main culprit is.'

With a big smile on his face the chief left the room.

'What the hell Tay?' Pa was furious.

'Don't get so hyper honey. Calm down.' Thankfully ma wasn't angry at me. She gave me the plate and gently rubbed my head.

'You don't understand! He lied about the whole thing! He...he.....!'

'My son is back from death's door. I don't care about anything anymore. I just want to go back to USA. Arrange that.' Ma glanced at pa and he quiet down.

'I am not going back.' I grabbed ma's hand and said,

'I am doing well here. My company is getting recognition.... please ma. This is the place where I belong.....I won't go anywhere else. From now on.....I am going to stay here permanently.' I finally said the thing I wanted to say this whole time.

Ma kept looking at me but didn't say anything but Pa got up and walked out from the room without a word.

'You want to stay here? Why darling? You can launch your company anywhere.'

'I know ma. But...... please, please let me stay here. I never asked for anything ma, but please this time I'm asking for your support.'

She closed her eyes and sighed.

'As long as you are happy, son.' Her eyes were brimming with tears.

I hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. My mother is the best.