Afterglow

Beginning of an End

Time has gone by so fast. It seems like it was only yesterday when Ar-Nueng was a struggling artist, firm in not giving in to her grandmother's demands to go back to the palace. At the same time, wanting nothing to do with a girl like Anueng. The young girl, followed her constantly and consistently managed to evoke emotions out of her usually cold exterior. Somehow in a short amount of time, Anueng was able to capture not only her attention but also the heart she protected so much. From trying to get away from her, suddenly she found herself unable to be without Anueng, no matter what it takes.

It has been a year since Nueng's accident that placed her in a coma. Like the doctors have instructed, there were multiple tests and physical therapy sessions that she had to go through before getting a clean bill of health. The road to recovery wasn't easy but now that she had Ar-Nueng by her side and a family with a more open-mind about their relationship, she was willing to put in the work to recover the soonest time possible.

Piengfah and Nueng's grandmother have slowly learned to accept their relationship, especially after seeing how Ar-Nueng remained consistently by Anueng's side while she was in recovery and how she took care of the young girl in the aftermath. They were also able to see how happy Anueng was and the positive effect Ar-Nueng has on the girls life. It also didn't hurt that Ar-Nueng was a nobility that could definitely give the younger girl whatever she wanted and needed. Chet was a different story. Though he no longer makes explicit comments to negate the relationship, both women knew that he was still not a hundred percent onboard. He may be tolerating them at the moment but acceptance wasn't really there yet. Thankfully though, he has kept mum on the subject and just prefers to not breach the topic. Out of sight, out of mind.

Time has passed and everything seems to be going their way. Nueng has now moved in with Ar-Nueng at the palace full-time and has recently started a job at a radio station where she aims to be a radio host in the future. Ar-Nueng and Chet have both offered pulling some strings to help her get the position she wanted, with her father even offering starting his own broadcasting company, but Nueng politely declined them both. She wanted to start from the ranks and learn her way up with hard work, something that was definitely admirable about her.

Ar-Nueng on the other hand has ventured into multiple businesses together with Sam and Mon. From starting a cafe business to finally opening her very own gallery wherein she part-time teaches drawing. Her life has never been fuller than it was now. Though she often thinks of Song and her grandmother, and all the 'what could've beens', she makes sure to honor them any chance she gets. A life that once was filled with a lot of blanks seem to be complete and she couldn't be happier.

Life has been pretty routinary for the couple, both would head to work in the morning and would spend the day exchanging messages about how much they miss each other. Their relationship isn't exactly new but the way they act still makes it feel like a new romance. Often times, Sam and Mon would invite them for dinner, making a stronger bond between sisters. Eventually, Anueng and Mon also grew a bond that both Ar-Nueng and Sam are actually scared of. The younger pair knew how to manipulate the sisters and exchanging strategies isn't exactly helping them have the upperhand to anything. Some weekends, Ar-Nueng would make sure to remind Anueng to spend the day with her mother and grandmother and sometimes inviting them over for a meal.

As much as Anueng tries to avoid it, her girlfriend would also remind her to check in with her father from time to time. It wasn't a secret that he still hasn't accepted the situation and often acts awkward whenever they all see each other but Ar-Nueng knows that Chet wants a relationship with his daughter no matter what the circumstance may be. It was her that he didn't want to see.

Even with little hurdles here and there, Ar-Nueng and Anueng was living their life the way they always hoped to be. Together.

3 months later...