So I decided that I should bring all my GB One-shots under one book. I gotta warn that the first few stories, I have already published under different books or individually. If you have already read them you can skip straight to the new stories.
War...
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I have already published this as an independent book. So if you have already read, please move onto the next story.
Melancholia: a feeling of deep sadness; melancholy.
A memoria of a former AR of Bas Suradet.
See the beautiful and passionate life of Bas Suradet through the eyes of a stranger.
Disclaimer: This is a figment of my imagination. Any resemblances to true facts are purely coincidental.
Melancholia
Sitting next to the upstairs window of my suburban-type home in the United States on a late Saturday morning, sipping on my bitter coffee, eyes following the kids riding mini bicycles, I couldn't help thinking about my time in Thailand. The wind ruffled the maple leaves, fallen as a tribute to Autumn and my heart would throb with this familiar heartbreak. The strangest thing is, the heartbreak is not even mine. It belongs to one giant child with a tender heart and an iron will.
******
I was in a difficult situation. A foreign student, stuck in a strange country, in between jobs, trying to make ends meet while my Visa application to the USA was being proceeded through. I sometimes curse myself for choosing Buddhism and the Thai Monarchy for my thesis.
That was when my friend called up.
"Ji, there's an opening for a temp job, nothing much. To be honest, you're overqualified--"
I stopped him in mid-sentence.
"I don't care, Jay. I'd do anything." Yes, I was that desperate.
"Okay, I'll text you the address. Pay a visit first. The job is a sure thing though because they're in a bit of a hurry to find a person who's good in both Thai and English."
"Jay, you're a lifesaver. I owe you big."
"Just don't forget me when you get to the States."
"I won't."
I pushed my glasses up my nose gazing at the building the address Jay gave me led to. I pushed the glass door and entered the vibrant hallway. The place was full of posters of beautiful people, pasted alongside the walls. Where the hell am I?
It was stupid of me, I didn't even ask what kind of a company it was. How pathetic and desperate had I been? I almost dialed up Jay's number.
"Are you here for the job?" A short man with a heavily accented English asked me. He looked harassed and in a hurry.
"Ka." I did a wai at him. "Sawadee Ka P', I'm Ji Martin." I switched into Thai. His face brightened with relief.
"Good. Your Thai is very good for a foreigner." He gestured me to follow him to an office room.
