FIRST LOVE - Book 2

Chapter 8: Remembered

Khong Kwan sat back in her chair, her mind racing as she processed what had just happened. The familiar gesture of serving Fon's plate was so automatic, it had shocked her. Her heart pounded with confusion, and she turned to Fon with a look of genuine remorse.

“I’m so sorry, Fon,” Khong Kwan said, her voice tinged with anxiety. “I didn’t mean to intrude or make things awkward. I don’t know why I did that. It just felt... familiar.”

Fon, still reeling from the unexpected gesture, tried to offer a reassuring smile. “It’s okay, Khong Kwan."

Before Khong Kwan could respond further, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and saw her grandmother’s name flashing. With a quick, apologetic glance at the table, Khong Kwan stood up.

“I’m sorry, I need to take this,” she said, her voice slightly strained. “I’ll be right back.”

She walked away from the table, her phone pressed to her ear as she stepped outside to take the call. The group at the table watched her go, their faces a mixture of curiosity and concern.

As Khong Kwan stepped outside to take her call, Kirk, sitting across from Fon, noticed the small, sweet smirk that had appeared on Fon’s lips. He raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eye.

“Looks like someone’s got a little sparkle in her eye,” Kirk teased, leaning in with a grin. “What’s going on there, Fon? Are we looking at a potential reunion in the making?”

The comment elicited a few chuckles from the group. Noi nudged Yha with a grin. “Yeah, it seems like you and Khong Kwan might be rekindling something. What do you think?”

Yha nodded, joining in the playful banter. “I mean, there’s clearly some history there. Maybe it’s time for a new chapter?”

Fon’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she laughed nervously. “You guys are just being silly. I don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s complicated.”

The teasing continued with the group exchanging knowing glances and playful jabs. They were clearly enjoying the lighthearted moment, their earlier tension momentarily forgotten.

However, their teasing was cut short as Khong Kwan re-entered the room, her phone tucked away. She took her seat at the table and resumed her place among them.

The conversation shifted back to their old stories and catching up, the atmosphere relaxing once again. Fon tried to focus on the cheerful chatter, though her mind kept wandering back to the brief, surprising connection she had shared with Khong Kwan. As the evening wore on, she hoped that perhaps, in time, the threads of their past might weave back together.

As dinner came to a close, Fon decided to leave the restaurant alone. She excused herself from the table, telling Noi, Yha, and the others that she needed some time to think. They understood and gave her their well-wishes as she walked out.

Once outside, Fon took a deep breath of the cool evening air and began to make her way down the street. Her thoughts were a jumble of emotions from the night’s events. She found a quiet spot near a park bench and sat down, letting her mind wander.

"Why did she do that?" Fon wondered aloud, her voice soft as she spoke to herself. "Khong Kwan serving me food just like before… it’s as if a part of her still remembers, even if she doesn’t realize it."

She replayed the scene in the restroom, the surprise and confusion in Khong Kwan’s eyes as she recognized the familiar gesture. "It was like a glimpse into the past," Fon thought. "A part of her still feels like the Khong Kwan I knew, even if her memories are lost."

Fon’s heart ached as she thought about the brief moment of connection. "I miss her so much," she admitted to the empty street. "It’s been so long, and seeing her again—so close, yet so far away—it’s overwhelming."

She stood up and began to walk, her steps slow and deliberate. "I don’t know what’s going to happen next," she mused. "But I hope there’s a way for us to reconnect, to bridge the gap between what was and what is now."

Fon walked along the dimly lit street, her thoughts still swirling around the events of the evening. Lost in contemplation, she didn’t notice the approaching figure until it was too late. She suddenly collided with someone, stumbling backward and falling to the ground with a thud.

Startled, Fon looked up to see the person who had bumped into her. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized it was Khong Kwan. Khong Kwan was kneeling in front of her, a look of concern etched on her face as she extended a hand to help Fon up.

“Are you alright?” Khong Kwan asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.

Fon swallowed hard, her heartbeat racing. She took Khong Kwan’s hand and allowed herself to be helped to her feet. As they locked eyes, there was a moment of profound silence between them. It felt as though time had momentarily stopped, each trying to memorize the other’s face, to grasp the fleeting sense of familiarity that lingered between them.

“I’m fine,” Fon managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you.”

Khong Kwan nodded, her gaze still lingering on Fon. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t see you there.”

They stood there for a few moments, the world around them fading into the background. Fon could feel the weight of their shared past hanging heavily in the air, the unspoken memories and emotions almost tangible.

Khong Kwan finally broke the silence, her expression thoughtful. “I feel like I should know you, but I can’t quite place you.”

Fon’s heart sank at the words. “It’s okay,” she said, forcing a small, sad smile. “I’m just your ofgice staff from your past.”

As they exchanged one last, lingering glance, Fon felt a pang of longing mixed with sadness. “I should go,” she said softly. “I don’t want to keep you.”

Fon struggled to regain her composure, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. Just as she was about to leave, Khong Kwan’s voice cut through the silence.

“I… I remember you now,” Khong Kwan said, her voice trembling slightly but filled with certainty.

Fon froze, her body going still as she processed the words. She turned slowly to face Khong Kwan, her eyes wide with a mix of hope and disbelief.

“Khong Kwan, you remember me?” Fon’s voice was barely a whisper, the weight of the moment making her emotions surge.

Khong Kwan nodded, her expression a blend of relief and uncertainty. “Yes, I remember. I don’t know how… but something clicked. I remember..”