Everlasting (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 1: The Meeting

The estate was bathed in golden light, the grand chandeliers casting a warm glow over the extravagant event. Laughter and polite conversation filled the air, but Nueng felt none of the joy that seemed to permeate the room. His family's grand ballroom, with its towering ceilings and walls adorned with priceless art, felt more like a prison than a place of celebration. Every guest's gaze felt like a weight on his shoulders, every smile a reminder of the expectations he could never escape.

Dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, Nueng moved through the crowd like a ghost, offering polite nods and forced smiles to the guests who greeted him. His parents had insisted on this gathering—a way to display their wealth and status, and to remind Nueng of his place in the world. But tonight, more than ever, he felt the suffocating burden of responsibility pressing down on him.

As the evening wore on, the noise of the crowd grew louder, the conversations more boisterous, but Nueng's heart remained heavy. He needed to escape, if only for a moment. Slipping through the crowd with practiced ease, he made his way to the garden—a quiet haven he had often sought out in moments like this.

The garden was a world apart from the grandeur of the estate. Under the starry night sky, the air was cool and fragrant with the scent of blooming jasmine. Nueng let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding as he stepped onto the stone pathway that wound through the carefully manicured bushes. The soft rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze was a welcome change from the clinking of glasses and the chatter of the party.

He wandered deeper into the garden, his footsteps light on the cobblestone path. The further he went, the more the noise of the party faded, until all that remained was the sound of his own breathing and the quiet chirping of crickets. He stopped at a secluded corner, where a small fountain gurgled softly, the water catching the moonlight as it danced over the stone. This was his refuge, a place where he could be alone with his thoughts.

But tonight, he was not alone.

"Are you okay?"

The voice startled him, and Nueng turned quickly, his heart skipping a beat. Standing a few steps away was a young man, his simple attire a stark contrast to the opulence of the event. He held a small tray in his hands, but his eyes were focused on Nueng, filled with concern.

Nueng blinked, momentarily at a loss for words. He hadn't expected to see anyone out here, let alone someone like this—a helper, someone who clearly didn't belong to the world of luxury and wealth. But there was something about the young man's presence that was calming, grounding, even.

"I—I'm fine," Nueng managed to say, his voice barely above a whisper. He straightened, trying to regain his composure. "I just needed some air."

The young man nodded, his expression softening. "It's a beautiful night. The garden is a good place to clear your mind."

Nueng studied him for a moment, taking in the warmth in his eyes and the kindness in his voice. There was no judgment there, no expectation—just a quiet understanding that made Nueng feel seen in a way he hadn't in a long time.

"I'm Palm," the young man offered, stepping closer but still maintaining a respectful distance. "I was helping out with the event, but I saw you come out here and... you seemed like you could use a friend."

Nueng's heart skipped again, this time for a different reason. There was something in Palm's eyes that drew him in, something that made him want to reach out, even though he didn't fully understand why.

"I'm Nueng," he said quietly, the name feeling foreign on his tongue as if he was introducing someone else. "Thank you for... noticing."

Palm smiled—a small, genuine smile that made Nueng's chest tighten. "It's hard not to notice when someone looks as out of place as I do."

For the first time that night, Nueng felt a genuine smile tug at the corners of his lips. "You don't seem out of place to me," he replied, surprising himself with the honesty in his words.

They stood there for a moment, the silence between them comfortable. Nueng felt something shift inside him, something that made the weight on his shoulders feel just a little bit lighter.

"I should probably get back," Nueng said eventually, though the last thing he wanted was to return to the crowded ballroom.

Palm nodded, his smile fading slightly but his eyes still warm. "Of course. I can guide you back if you'd like."

Nueng hesitated, then nodded. "That would be nice."

They walked back together, the quiet companionship between them a stark contrast to the noise and chaos of the party. As they reached the edge of the garden, where the lights of the estate began to spill over the path, Palm stopped and turned to Nueng.

"Take care, Nueng," he said softly, and in that moment, Nueng felt something in him stir—something he hadn't felt in a long time.

Before Nueng could respond, Palm began to turn away, but their hands brushed as he did. The touch was brief, accidental, but it sent a shiver down Nueng's spine, leaving him frozen in place.

Palm glanced back, his eyes wide with surprise, but he quickly masked it with a polite nod before disappearing into the shadows of the garden.

Nueng stood there for a long moment, his heart pounding in his chest, the feel of Palm's hand still lingering on his skin. He had no idea what had just happened or why it affected him so deeply, but one thing was certain—this was a moment he wouldn't soon forget.

As he finally made his way back to the ballroom, the noise and light of the party swallowed him up once more. But this time, something was different. The burden on his shoulders didn't feel quite so heavy, and the memory of Palm's touch stayed with him, a silent acknowledgment of a connection that had just begun to take root.

And though he couldn't yet comprehend it, Nueng knew that his life was about to change in ways he could never have imagined.