A Melody in the Twilight Sky

Prologue

"It's so creepy! That spirit doesn't even know it's dead, so it..." The cheerful voice of P'Deam, the famous charismatic host with a husky voice, made me head straight for the sofa. There I saw Fon, as usual, clutching a pillow and excitedly watching the show with the remote in her hand.

"What are you watching again? Some nonsense ghost show? Ridiculous." I groaned, snatching the remote from her hand. I plopped down beside her and changed the channel without even asking for her opinion.

Click!

"...Yesterday evening, while returning from Phetchabun Province, a famous young band was found in their van..." The news program was much more interesting.

The TV showed an aerial view of a road sloping down a hillside. A white van was overturned, one side resting against a large tree by the roadside. That side was completely crushed. But before I could hear anything else, the remote was snatched from my hand, followed by a shriek.

"And your celebrity news is so informative, huh? Give it back!"

"What celebrity news? That's an accident! I don't even know that band." I quickly defended myself.

Click!

"Her relatives say her boyfriend passed away a long time ago, but she claims she still receives letters from him every month, viewers. Ooh, I'm getting goosebumps!" The face of P'Deam reappeared after Fon pressed the button.

"That's nonsense! How can a ghost write letters? Ghosts don't even exist. Give me the remote!" I took advantage of Fon's distraction to grab the remote back and immediately switched back to the previous channel.

Click!

"Everyone is safe, except for the band's drummer who..."

"Oh my god! Whose TV is this anyway? If you're not happy, go back to your own house!" And then my dear friend Fon couldn't take it anymore, grabbing the remote tightly and shouting, which made me remember something.

"Oops! I forgot. Sorry!" I gave a sheepish smile, surrendering and raising my hands in apology until she stopped glaring at me. Then she turned back to the screen, comfortably watching her favorite show.

"Alright, we've seen the CCTV footage. Let's talk to Nong Ton about it. Please welcome Nong Kaeo! Hello!" P'Deam said, gesturing towards the guest.

"What the heck? She's even on TV?" Since we'd established that this wasn't my TV and I had no right to change the channel, all I could do was pout and complain. "Just because of some ghost ex-boyfriend haunting her?"

"What ex-boyfriend! Talk like that and he'll come and strangle you!"

"Come on! Even if they hadn't broken up, if he's dead, he's an ex-boyfriend, right?" I teased.

"I'm too lazy to argue with you. You're ruining the scary mood." Fon, the mystery enthusiast, sighed and turned her attention back to the screen.

"It wasn't scary to begin with. Letters? Seriously? Is that the new trick these days?"

"It's not a trick! They even verified the handwriting on the letters. It's really his."

"He probably wrote them before he died. Or maybe she's sending herself old letters, making up this unbelievable story."

"People would figure that out. Why would she do that?"

"To fool people who are always ready to believe, like you."

"Ugh! Whatever, Jam." Fon seemed completely annoyed with me, so she started calling me by my name. "Why don't you go back to your shop instead of fighting over the TV with me? You've been gone for a while. Your dad's gonna scold you again."

"You think I'm not used to it?" Still, my face fell as soon as I heard that. "It's summer break, and instead of relaxing, I have to do this again."

"You make it sound like you do this all the time."

Well, she's right. Since it was summer break, I had all day free. And as a good daughter, I was spending my time at my best friend Fon's house instead of helping my parents at their shop.

"Fine, I'll go." I pouted. "And just you wait. You keep believing in this ghost nonsense. When it turns out to be fake, I'll be laughing at you."

"You are welcome..."

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In Thailand, calling someone "P'" (pronounced "Pee") or "Nong" is a way to show respect and establish a friendly connection based on age. "P'" means older sibling and is used for someone older than you, while "Nong" means younger sibling and is used for someone younger. It's similar to using terms like "sir" or "ma'am" in Western cultures, but with a more familial and warm tone.