Janephop's answer shocked all of us, especially me, who was left open-mouthed, with a dry expression, like a fish out of water about to suffocate due to lack of oxygen. Why was the answer so unexpected? And why did I feel so insecure because of it?
"Don't be funny!"
My father pressed his lips together, trying to hold back his laughter, but still trying hard to keep his voice steady and sound serious. Meanwhile, Mom walked away, hiding behind her husband, trembling and unable to contain her laughter.
"I'm not joking."
"It's precisely because you're not a funny person that I told you not to try to be funny. Even if you told a better joke than that, I still wouldn't accept you back at work."
Hearing this, Janephop suddenly stood up, hurt, revealing a side of him that I had never seen before.
"Please, Mr. Anek! since I can remember, I've been by this family's side all the whole time. Whether it's a big job or a small job, hard job or light job, I've never turned anything down."
"It's precisely because you can do everything that I can't believe that if you leave here, you'd be left without a way to make a living."
"There are ways to make a living, but nothing comes close to what I earn here. A salary of fifteen thousand baht isn't enough with today's cost of living. I have to pay rent, food, electricity and water bills. Just breathing makes me feel like I'm spending money in this country. You see, I suddenly realize I'm a debtor, someone the government has turned into a millionaire. Don't be cruel to me, please. If I can't work here, I don't know how I'll be able to live."
"But I don't trust you. What if, one of these days, you end up harassing Nong In? That wouldn't be worth the risk."
"I promise I will never cause any discomfort to Miss In. I don't even remember ever loving Miss In anymore."
"What?"
I, who had been listening for a long time, tilted my head and asked Janephop, feeling a strange disappointment.
"Loved her? Does that mean you don't love her anymore?"
"Yes."
My bearded friend answered firmly, but my father still didn't believe it.
"I don't believe it. I can see it. I studied for this. You're lying. You still love her, Nong In."
"Ever since I realized that working somewhere else only earns me fifteen thousand, I understood that returning to my old place is better. Falling out of love with Miss In is easier than earning money to live on. I swear as a man of my word: the feelings I had for Miss In will disappear the moment Mr. Anek allows me to continue working here."
"But..."
"I accept!"
My mother, who had been hiding until then, spoke loudly and clearly. When Dad tried to object, she raised her hand in a firm gesture, as if to prevent any opposition.
"I believe Jan's words. Besides, since he left, Nong In seems to be more down. Haven't you noticed?"
"Not at all. Nong In hardly ever comes home, he always stays at Mawin's house."
"That's not true!"
I quickly protested, glancing at Janephop, trying to see if he would react in any way. But from what I could tell, he was completely oblivious, looking only at Dad, with an expression that made it clear how much he wanted his job back.
"I don't care, I'll take Janephop back to work."
"But..."
"If you don't, I'll stop loving you."
