"I was really surprised that you took me to the temple to make a request to the sacred."
Got stood there, holding incense and lotus flowers, looking completely impassive, as if she didn't believe it. It wasn't surprising, however, since she was born, she had always been the one giving blessings, never asking for anything like everyone else does.
"You have to do this at least once in your life. Try it. Maybe Mom will let us get married."
"You know that's impossible."
"Just do it to make me happy, okay? I came here once to wish to find someone special."
"Your sister found her partner because of me."
No matter how much I tried to persuade, it seemed ineffective. I had to admit that everything we achieved was because of Got, and Venus even sacrificed her sight and hearing on one side for this blessing.
No, not for that, for me.
"But I will do it for you,”
Got sighed, then walked over to light the incense, kneeling before the Buddha statue.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve prayed like this. I might as well give it a try.”
I looked at Got, who praying with her eyes closed, mumbling a wish just to please me. I smiled, remembering the past, and I loved her even more.
A person willing to do something for another, even if we are still nothing to each other yet…
.
.
I remember that at that time, my sister Renu was at the lowest point in her life. A woman who had everything had become an empty shell, looking like a walking corpse, lifeless and soulless, crying every day. She even touched alcohol for the first time, something she had never considered.
It was all for love.
"Ridiculous, just one absent student could make her so crazy?"
Even mom didn’t understand why my older sister was so affected, but I knew, it was love. I thought I could tell how she felt about Jao-jom, the girl who seemed so special to her. It was more than that, and I didn’t judge whether it was right or wrong, although Thai society didn’t fully accept it.
As we talked to Mom, sharing our concerns, Ong came running down from upstairs, grabbing his keys in such a hurry that I couldn’t help but ask.
"Where are you going, Ong? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"It’s Renu!"
I barely needed to ask more; seeing how urgent it was, I followed him to the car and waited patiently before cautiously asking, deeply concerned for our dear sister.
"What happened?"
"Renu called, crying, saying that Jao-jom had called her, but when she got there, there was no one there… she said she couldn’t take it anymore, that she felt like she was dying."
"Ridiculous, why isn’t she taking care of herself?"
Love is like that, always. No matter how strong, everyone ends up defeated by it. When we arrived, my sister was sitting on the road, illuminated only by the car’s headlights, which made me feel even more sorry. I couldn’t help but confront her, but she slapped me back. We ended up fighting, something we had never done before.
No, actually, we did, but it was a long time ago, and I couldn’t remember when. I never thought we would have to face such a situation again as adults.
"You can’t go on like this, Renu! Your life isn’t all about Jao-jom!"
She was at her lowest point, this brilliant woman, flawless in every way, reduced to an ordinary, fragile woman, almost going mad because her beloved partner was gone. Her state haunted me, and I swore I would never be like that.
