Khaotung, a 26-year-old adult, wishes to undo the past to find a way to save his high school crush, First. Unable to move on from his tragic past, Khaotung faces depression, wanting to end his own life.
He didn't expect to wake up from jumping off...
Khaotung took a deep breath, standing in front of the bar where he was meeting up with his friends. Love's birthday party. This is it after this, he will jump off the bridge. He had already said goodbye to his family, hugging his younger sister.
It was hard for him. She looked up to him. Her older brother she loved so much. And his mother, he gifted her a necklace to remember him by. She was so grateful, and his step-father even hugged him tightly. No one noticed the behaviour change; they thought Khaotung finally moved on and was happy. Opening up to people and moving on with his life.
Khaotung walks through the crowd to find his friends sitting at their favourite booth. He was just in time before Love blew out her candles. As Khaotung approached, the others were singing Happy Birthday. He clapped as they finished, getting their attention.
"You made it!" She smiled as she stood up to hug him, her embrace was warm. He enjoyed it for a second before she pulled away. "I thought you blew me off," she pounded sad.
"I'm sorry I'm late, my car is still at the shop. I had to walk my way over" Khaotung scratched the back of his head, that was a lie.
It wasn't a lie. His car was at the garage shop. He was late because he was mapping out where he would jump. He wouldn't jump on her birthday. He couldn't do that to Love. So he decided to wait until after midnight. He wanted to spend time with them before he left.
Maybe getting as much alcohol in his system, he wouldn't feel the impact as he would fall to his death. Also, he wanted to make sure he didn't chicken out. He tried to intoxicate his fear as much as possible.
Everyone cheers as they clink their glasses, enjoying the evening. Here and there, the others talk about work, their love life and other stuff to keep the conversation going. Jamie drinks water since she's expecting. She spoke about how healthy the baby was.
Mark and Aj discuss the gender and place a bet, making Love and Jamie hit the back of their heads. Khaotung laughed. He hadn't laughed for a while, but he felt relieved. He could finally let it all go. Seeing his friends enjoy themselves growing up. For the first time, he felt good, happy that they were in a good place.
The mood shifted as Aj focused on Khaotung,
"Hey Khao, any plans for next week?"
"Uh, yeah, I kind of do, why?"
"I have this date, but she doesn't want to go out alone, so she asked if we could go on a double date," Aj explained, showing a picture of a girl to Khaotung. "Please, mate, I like her"
"AJ, Khaotung is gay, you know that, right?" Jamie pointed out as she took a bite from the snacks at the table.
"I know, it's just to company her friend. That's all"
"Does she know he's gay?"
"No"
"AJ!" they all shouted at him.
"What!"
They all laughed at him, even Khaotung let out a chuckle as he shook his head. He never changes. Khaotung sips his beer in one go, a half-full glass down his throat. Slamming the glass down on the table, he gets up.
"I will get some more, anyone, anything?"
"I will have a martini" Love smiled at him as he handed him her glass.
"Beer for me," Aj said
"Mark, Jamie?"
"Oh no, I'm good, I need to take it down a nudge tonight," Mark said as he showed his full glass.
"I'm good, thanks, hun" Jamie smiled as she rubbed her hand over her growing belly.
"Okay," Khaotung shrugs as he walks to the bar to get his drinks. It's out of character for him to do so. He doesn't like to be in crowded spaces or asking anything. But tonight, it's the least he could do for his friends. He was going to say goodbye after all.
He makes his way back and places the drinks down on the table.
"Say Khaotung, how is business going?"
"Good, we just finished some meetings with this start-up company," Khaotung tells them about his work, he tries to be as believable as possible because he doesn't want them to know he quit his job a few days ago. Indeed, he had a meeting with a start-up company, but that was months ago. Nothing else was interesting to tell; he had a huge fight with a co-worker because he pushed him over the edge, and the manager didn't even believe him when he said that his employer stole his work and took all the credit, making Khaotung quit right on the spot. He hated that job anyway.
The evening came to an end as Jamie and Mark left first. They hugged everyone goodbye before they left for their new house uptown. Soon, it was two in the morning, and Aj brought Love home as she was wasted, she hugged Khaotung, mumbling something to him, but he couldn't quite figure out what she meant, chuckling as he held her tight, smelling the alcohol mixed with her perfume, feeling her soft skin one more time. As he pulls apart, he places a kiss on her forehead.
"Sleep well"
She smiles at him and kisses him on the cheek before leaving with Aj. As they all walk outside in the cold air, Khaotung waves at them as they drive off into the night. Khaotung felt this funny tickle inside his stomach. His eyes started to sting, feeling the tears dripping from his cheeks.
This was it...
He said goodbye to everyone.
Quit his job he hates so much, speaking his mind to those horrible, annoying co-workers.
He even donated most of his assets to charity.
He was going to die tonight.
He slowly makes his way to the bridge, stumbling as he feels the alcohol run through his veins. His vision was blurry as he made his way through the night.
He walks towards the edge, looking over the river. Some boats are flowing on the still water, and the traffic noise fills his ears. His body starts to shake as he tries to climb over the edge, holding himself as his back is placed against the cold metal bars. He looks down at his feet. His heart pounds faster as he is afraid of heights.
It wasn't going to stop him. He was going to jump. He looks up and squeezes his eyes shut. Telling himself it's going to be okay. That he was finally letting go.
Peace...
First will be waiting for him on the other side.
And with that, he let go of the metal bars, feeling the wind move against his skin. He took a deep breath before hitting the ice-cold water of the river.
Opening his eyes for a second, he sees the surface and the bottom of the boat become smaller and smaller as he sinks deeper. Slowly, feeling the air leave his body. He feels his body react as he tries to gasp for air. Closing his eyes, he feels weak.
