Chasing Our Lost Stars [Completed]

Interrogation

All four of them were seated in the spacious, elegant dining room of the family mansion. The room was adorned with traditional Thai décor, and the soft glow of warm lights added a cozy atmosphere to the setting. The table was filled with an array of delicious dishes prepared by the family’s chef, hinting at a cheerful gathering. Despite the calm exterior, tension loomed over Krit as he sat there, eyes scanning the room warily.

Pon and Sai sat together, occasionally exchanging smiles and whispers. Vel was next to Krit, subtly glancing at him, sensing his discomfort. Krit, on the other hand, could hardly keep his eyes off the entrance, anticipating the moment his father would arrive.

After what felt like an eternity, the door to the dining room opened, and their father walked in. He was calm, more so than Krit had ever seen him in recent memory. Krit’s heart pounded, bracing himself for the outburst he expected. But it never came. His father moved with quiet grace, walking to his seat without saying a word.

The room fell silent, everyone watching the older man’s every move. He sat down, hands resting on the table. For a brief moment, Krit swore he saw a glimmer of something in his father’s eyes, but it quickly faded into a polite smile.

“Swadèekrap,” his father greeted them in the traditional Thai manner, his voice steady and calm.

“Swadeekrap,” they all replied, bowing their heads slightly, offering their own polite smiles. Pon and Sai exchanged a brief look of surprise, not used to seeing the patriarch this composed.

Dinner commenced. The sound of utensils clinking against plates filled the air, but an uneasy silence hung over the table. Krit forced himself to pick at his food, not really tasting anything. His eyes remained on his father, waiting, expecting, dreading.

Is he really not going to say anything? Krit wondered, his mind swirling with thoughts. He’s always been quick to anger, especially when I’m involved.

But his father didn’t look at him, didn’t say anything that hinted at confrontation. He merely ate quietly, occasionally nodding in response to light conversation from Pon and Sai. Krit could feel the anxiety building up inside him, the anticipation gnawing at his nerves.

Vel glanced at him, concern etched in his expression. Krit caught the look and forced a tight smile, though his eyes betrayed his unease. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was brewing, that his father was only biding his time.

And yet, as the dinner progressed, nothing happened. No harsh words, no confrontational questions. It was almost... peaceful.

As the dinner progressed, Krit's nerves tightened like a coiled spring. He could barely focus on the idle conversation around the table, his mind preoccupied with the words he needed to say. The quiet eating continued until Krit’s father, Lek, finally spoke, his voice steady but carrying an underlying weight.

"Krit," Lek began, his eyes fixed on his son, "do you want to tell me something?"

The question hung in the air, freezing Krit in place. His heart pounded, and for a moment, he couldn't find his voice. His gaze shifted to Pon, who gave him a small nod of encouragement. Then he looked at Vel, who squeezed his hand gently, offering a subtle but reassuring nod.

Krit took a deep breath. "Actually, yes," he said, his voice a little shaky despite his attempts to sound confident. He glanced at his father, trying to gauge his reaction, but Lek’s face was a calm, unreadable mask. Krit hesitated, the words catching in his throat before finally spilling out. "Dad, have I ever told you whether I like girls or boys?"

Lek was taken aback. The question caught him off guard, and a flicker of realization crossed his face. He had never once asked his son anything that personal. How distant have we become? he wondered, feeling a pang of sadness in his chest. For the first time, he noticed the emotional chasm between them. Lek forced a sad smile and replied, "No... I never asked."