Everlasting (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 21: The First Test

As the weeks passed, Nueng and Palm's plans for the future began to take shape. They had started to see a clear path ahead, one that was filled with hope and the promise of a life they could build together. But as they grew closer to realizing their dreams, they were reminded that the road they were on was far from easy.

One day, after school, Palm received a phone call that would test everything they had been working toward. He had just returned home when his mother, Mrs. Tangsakyuen, called out to him from the living room, her voice tinged with worry.

"Palm, there's something we need to discuss," she said, looking up from where she sat on the worn-out couch. Her brow was furrowed, and Palm could sense that whatever she was about to say, it was serious.

Palm sat down beside her, trying to hide his anxiety. "What's wrong, Mom?"

Mrs. Tangsakyuen sighed, folding her hands in her lap as she looked at her son with a mixture of concern and sadness. "It's about the family business," she began, her voice heavy with the weight of her words. "We're in trouble, Palm. Financial trouble. Your uncle has been struggling to keep the shop afloat, and he's been borrowing money to make ends meet. But now the debt collectors are coming, and they're demanding payment."

Palm felt his heart drop into his stomach. The family business—a small, modest shop that had been in the Tangsakyuen family for generations—was not just a source of income; it was a piece of their history, their legacy. The thought of losing it was devastating.

"What can we do?" Palm asked, his voice filled with worry. "Is there any way to save the shop?"

Mrs. Tangsakyuen shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't know, Palm. We've been trying everything we can, but it's not enough. The debts are too high, and the business isn't bringing in enough money to cover them. Your uncle is talking about selling the shop, but even that might not be enough to pay off what we owe."

Palm sat in stunned silence, the weight of the situation pressing down on him like a heavy burden. He had known that things were tough, but he hadn't realized just how dire the situation had become.

As the reality of their financial troubles sank in, Palm felt a surge of guilt. He had been so focused on his future with Nueng, on building a life together, that he hadn't fully grasped the challenges his family was facing. Now, those challenges threatened to upend everything.

"What about school?" Palm asked quietly, though he already knew the answer. "Can we afford to keep going?"

Mrs. Tangsakyuen looked at him with a sorrowful expression, her voice trembling as she spoke. "I don't know, Palm. We might have to make some tough choices. If we can't find a way to pay off the debts, we might have to pull you out of school so you can help out more at the shop."

Palm's heart clenched at the thought. He had worked so hard to get to this point, had poured his energy into his studies and into his plans with Nueng. The thought of having to give all that up, of having to put his dreams on hold, was almost unbearable.

But as much as it pained him, Palm knew that he couldn't turn his back on his family. They had always been there for him, supporting him in every way they could. Now, it was his turn to step up, to help them in their time of need.

"I'll do whatever it takes," Palm said firmly, his voice filled with determination. "If I need to leave school to help out, I will. The shop means everything to us, and I won't let it go without a fight."

Mrs. Tangsakyuen reached out, taking Palm's hand in hers, her eyes filled with love and gratitude. "You're a good son, Palm. I know this isn't easy, but we'll get through it together."

Palm nodded, though the fear and uncertainty still gnawed at him. He knew that this decision would change everything—would put his future with Nueng on hold, would force them to rethink their plans. But he also knew that he had to do what was right for his family.

That evening, as Palm sat in his room, staring blankly at his schoolbooks, he felt the full weight of his decision settle over him. He knew that he had to tell Nueng, had to explain what was happening and why things might need to change. But the thought of having that conversation filled him with dread.

Finally, after hours of agonizing over what to do, Palm picked up his phone and sent Nueng a text:

**"Can we meet? I need to talk to you."**

It didn't take long for Nueng to respond, his concern evident in his reply:

**"Of course. I'll meet you at the park."**

Palm took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation that was about to happen. He knew that this would be one of the hardest things he'd ever had to do, but he also knew that he couldn't keep it from Nueng.

When he arrived at the park, Nueng was already there, sitting on their usual bench under the canopy of trees. The sight of him brought a wave of emotion crashing over Palm—love, fear, sadness—all mingling together in a way that made his heart ache.

Nueng looked up as Palm approached, his expression filled with concern. "Palm, what's going on? You sounded so serious."

Palm sat down beside him, his hands trembling slightly as he took Nueng's hand in his. "Nueng, there's something I need to tell you," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "Something that's going to change everything."

Nueng's eyes widened in alarm, and he squeezed Palm's hand tightly. "What is it? What's happened?"

Palm took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "It's my family. We're in trouble—serious trouble. The shop is in debt, and we might have to sell it. My mom... she's talking about pulling me out of school so I can help out more. We might lose everything."

Nueng's face fell, his eyes filling with sympathy and concern. "Palm, I'm so sorry. I had no idea things were this bad."

Palm nodded, his throat tight as he continued. "I don't know what's going to happen, Nueng. I don't know if I'll be able to stay in school, or if we'll be able to keep the shop. But I want you to know that I'm not giving up on us. We might have to change our plans, but I'm not letting go of what we've built together."

Nueng's heart ached at the pain in Palm's voice, and he reached up, cupping Palm's face in his hands. "Palm, we'll figure this out," he said firmly, his voice filled with determination. "You're not alone in this. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Palm's eyes filled with tears, and he leaned into Nueng's touch, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. "I was so afraid you'd be disappointed, that you'd think I was giving up on our future."

Nueng shook his head, his voice steady and filled with love. "Never. I'm so proud of you, Palm. You're doing what you have to do for your family, and I respect that. We'll find a way to make this work, no matter what."

Palm let out a shaky breath, the fear and anxiety that had been gripping him slowly beginning to ease. "Thank you, Nueng. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Nueng smiled, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Palm's lips. "You'll never have to find out," he whispered. "We're in this together, for the long haul."

They sat together in the park, the quiet evening air surrounding them like a comforting embrace. The challenges ahead were daunting, and the future was more uncertain than ever, but in that moment, they knew that their love was strong enough to withstand whatever came their way.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden light over the park, Nueng and Palm talked about their next steps. They discussed ways they could help save the shop, ways to support each other as they navigated this new reality. It wasn't going to be easy, but they were determined to face it together.

And as they walked home that night, hand in hand, they knew that while their plans might have to change, their love would remain a constant, guiding them through whatever trials the future held.