Storms seem to start when we are happy, right?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The bench in the front yard feels colder than ever today, because Kanghan and Sailom no longer sit on it to make up every weekend like before. The intricately carved iron table at this moment is only for the cold cup of coffee, and its owner does not intend to touch it, even though it has been brought up for dozens of minutes. Mr. Gong sat looking around the large courtyard, but this middle-aged man felt lonely. His only son was determined to pack up his clothes and move out to live at Sailom's house for a week.
"Remember your son?" The voice of someone who had known him all his life rang, and grandma was helped out by Saifah. Saifah became Ging's full-time carer, although grandma was almost able to walk again after knee surgery.
"I'm afraid it will cause more trouble, I have a house not to live in, go to someone's house, and even bother Sailom." At the last sentence, Mr. Gong looked at Saifah, as if to apologize for his son's stubbornness, and at the same time to express his gratitude.
"Sailom is fine, maybe that's fine, my younger brother can have a friend by his side when I go to work."
"Even so, it's not right for Kanghan to do so."
"Something's not right?" Mrs. Ging asked and sat down on the empty chair, then asked Saifah to sit on another chair as well.
"He's always avoiding the problem." Mr. Gong answered his mother.
"You say your son avoids problems, but don't you use money to solve problems yourself?"
On this point Mr. Gong cannot be denied. One day after arguing with Kanghan in Chonburi, that night when his son came home, he sat in the living room with a cold face, because he was still very angry at Kanghan's childish behavior. He then packed up and went to Sailom's house. But when he was alone, he meticulously recalled Kanghan's various answers that day. The father suddenly realized that he was also acting like a child. Find ways to give your child the chance to do the things he enjoys or have the good life he wants. But if he behaves in a different way, then he is like a child who does not know how to grow up.
"Adults can also make mistakes. But adults must learn to learn from that and absolutely should not step in the same footsteps."
His mother's words were like a basin of cold water poured into his lap. Even though Mr. Gong has grown up and is still a father, in his mother's eyes, he is still a child in need of support.
"If you say that Kanghan is wrong, then in this case you are also wrong too."
"Because me didn't trust your son." Mr. Gong said.
"Sometimes what a child needs is not necessarily success in life, but just a warm hand, holding him when he falls, holding him when he is tired, and holding his hand. it when it's needed and understanding."
"...."
"Try asking yourself, in the past...have you ever reached out your hand for a boy to take?"
Saifah looked at the mother and daughter sitting there silently looking at each other, as if thinking carefully about what grandma just said. Despite many years of living without parents, there is little opportunity to feel the warmth of family. And his younger brother, Sailom, is one of the important motivations for him to fight this difficult life, he can try to do anything for his brother, so that he can feel it. family love and care. Although neither side said it directly, at that moment he decided to pick up the phone and open a saved video in front of Mr. Gong. The middle-aged man's face was a bit puzzled, then the sound from the video caught everyone's attention.
In the video is the scene of his only son resolutely practicing football on a certain grass field, and when he saw this image, he had tears in his eyes. Because he couldn't express his emotions naturally, he missed out on a lot of the good times he should have spent with his children. And he made the worst mistake, he acted like he didn't trust him at all, and his trust was what Kanghan wanted most.
"Sailom sent me this video the other day. Actually there are many more, but I chose the latest one to show you. Because I hope you know that Kanghan is really improving himself. Every night Kanghan they all practice at a public park near house."
Saifah didn't know if Kanghan had a natural talent for football, but he knew that Sailom had sent him these videos in the hope that he would show them to Grandma Ging and Grandpa Gong so they wouldn't have to worry about the baby leave house and never comeback. This also made Saifah realize that people do not necessarily have to have extraordinary talents, as long as we don't give up easily and focus on working, one day we can realize our dream as his distant.
"Sailom also told me that Kanghan asked the coach for a chance to be re-selected."
"So what did the coach say?" Mr. Gong hastily asked, evidently very concerned about his son.
"I think there will be a re-election contest tomorrow."
"How about tomorrow?" Mr. Gong looked down nervously at Kanghan's photo on his phone.
"Yes." When Mr. Gong returned the phone to him, Saifah took it and answered.
"Can you send me all those videos?"
However, Mr. Gong's eyes also carried concern because Kanghan would have to face re-election. But the other two people sitting next to them could clearly see, hidden under their nervousness a proud smile, and Saifah nodded, happily accepting the request.
Seeing that the animosity between father and son will soon end, Mrs. Ging also smiled at this time. Through the efforts of two brothers Saifah and Sailom, at least now the planned grand game is starting to work.
After Kanghan request the selected coach one more time, the coach told him, previously, according to the coach's instructions, everyone gave him up, so that he could pass. selection, but this time everyone will seriously compete, which is exactly what Kanghan needs. But honestly, he couldn't help but worry.
"You've been practicing for so long, you have to believe in yourself." When he was on the football field and saw that Kanghan's face was not very good, Sailom lightly punched him on the shoulder.
"I don't know if it's because I've been away from the field for so long, but I'm so nervous." Kanghan not only moved his mouth, but grabbed the other slender hand and pulled it in front of his chest.
"What are you holding my hand for?" Sailom used his strength to pull his hand back, but Kanghan's grip tightened even more.
"I'm afraid you don't know I'm stressed."
"Let's be honest....it's because the match is tense or are you deliberately eating tofu?"
"Second part."
Sailom reached out his other hand and patted Kanghan's arm until he let go.
"Are you wanting to play big?"
"I didn't play you, just that one time."
"That's not what I mean."
"Oh....so we're thinking the same thing."
"You really are a scoundrel."
"If you know I'm teasing you, don't answer me."
"If it's not for you to participate in the selection soon, I'll definitely punch you." Sailom gritted his teeth and said, raising his fist to let the other party know that it was difficult to retreat. But how can someone like Kanghan obey so obediently. A firm hand gripped his soft hand, then slowly interlaced ten fingers.
''Do you think I can do it?''
The sudden question made Sailom understand that the other party was really worried right now, so he had to tease him to ease his agitation and anxiety.
"You certainly can."
"But I don't have much faith."
"Do your best, as you've been trained to do."
Sailom had seen with his own eyes how hard Kanghan worked for the selection competition, so his words were absolutely not exaggerated. Just looking at Kanghan's appearance when practicing, it is not too difficult to be selected to join the school's football team.
"I'm not going anywhere....I'll be waiting here to wish you success."
The summoning whistle caused Kanghan to leave Sailom to prepare for the field. To re-evaluate Kanghan, this selection match the coach was also divided into two teams, in addition to being able to see his defenses in the match, along with his attacking styles. Although this competition was not a big prize, it was a gamble that weighed heavily on Kanghan's life.
The match from the beginning was extremely fierce, almost everyone forgot that this was just a selection match. The players tried their best not to yield to anyone, and until half-time, Kanghan didn't even have a chance to control the ball. And when he finally got the ball for the first time, he had a chance to attack the opposing team's goal, but was blocked by that team's players, and he shot out.
The man who had trained hard for a long time began to lose his temper, Kanghan found that compared to others standing on the same football field, he still had many weaknesses. He himself is like a child who has just learned to walk, and is not intimidating to anyone. His eyes anxiously scanned the surroundings, just when the two sides were inconclusive, he retreated to defend, but saw a familiar figure standing beside Sailom outside the courtyard.
"Dad..." Kanghan whispered to himself suspiciously.
But right after that, in the noisy playing field, a loud cry resounded throughout the football field. Apparently his parched heart was soothed.
"Son! You can do it! Try!"
Kanghan didn't know if he would be successful in this selection, but he certainly had his father's trust....that was the only thing he wanted most at the moment.
Because of the encouragement from the father he loved most in his life, Kanghan was filled with fighting spirit. The sound of his father calling his name was still ringing in his ears.
It was like a force pushing him, so he could control the ball again. The skills that he had practiced could let Kanghan be in front of everyone to his best, finally before the match was over.
Kanghan successfully scored a goal!
His comrades ran up to him and hugged him by the neck, and there were resounding congratulations everywhere. Amidst the cheers cheering for him, there was a particularly loud voice.
"Good job, son."
When they saw Kanghan's father approaching, his teammates politely made way for him. Mr. Gong saw his son wearing a dirty jersey, and sweat poured down his face. Kanghan himself is obviously full of arrogance. His eyes were red as his father walked up to him and hugged him.
It was the hug he always wanted...the warm embrace of his father.
Many people have gone home, the atmosphere around the football field immediately calms down, but this evening, Kanghan and his father were still sitting in the stands, staring ahead, for more than ten minutes, no one said a word. The atmosphere between them wasn't as stuffy as before, probably because Kanghan knew his father had begun to open up to him.
"I'm sorry son."
Kanghan didn't expect his father to use this sentence to break the silence, he turned and looked at his father in surprise.
"In the past, Dad were too indifferent to you, weren't you?"
"Right." Kanghan replied in a low voice, looking down at the fingers on his knees that were tightly clenched, his previous emotions still lingering.
"Before your mother died, she wanted me to do one thing."
"Is it a mother?"
"Um... Mother want my father to not be so cruel to you."
"...."
"I raised you too harshly before, because I wanted you to grow up to be perfect in every way. Actually, it's like I'm making up for my childhood inferiority complex. What I couldn't have or couldn't do, I put all my hopes on you to do it for me."
"Because of that, after mom died, dad changed, didn't he?"
"Your mother's request is not wrong, it is wrong that Dad was too stubborn with her words, that's why I didn't dare to hit you. But in the long run, it made me no longer expect from you, because dad don't want to break my promise to your mother."
At this time, Mr. Gong realized that his behavior was like a lethal weapon being fired, not only hurting the child but also hurting himself. It's just that Kanghan's pain is many times more painful than his father's.
"But because dad care and want you to be happy, dad chose to solve all problems with money, including buying BigBike and putting you on the football team."
"Dad won't feel that I'm useless, will you?"
"Dad just don't want to disappoint you."
"When you know that if you pass the test, dad will buy you a BigBike. Dad know....even though I have never taken my studies seriously before, you will still work hard. My desire is not expensive things, but because I want to show you my hard work, so that you can be proud of me.
"Even when I joined the team, I trained really hard and I hope my performance will make dad smile at me again, just like when dad taught me to play football when I was a kid. Even now I still tell myself, the things in my memory may never happen again. But I still want to try again."
"Dad doesn't know anything at all."
"Because since the day my mother passed away, we don't talk much anymore."
"Yes."
"So if given the choice, I won't ask for expensive things anymore, I just want... Dad to go back to how I used to be okay?"
"Kanghan...." Mr. Gong tearfully pulled his son over and hugged him, his eyes were red and swollen just like Kanghan is now.
Kanghan clearly remembers, as a child, he would feel disgusted with his father's strict discipline, then turn to his mother and grandmother for comfort, but in his heart he knew that his father always expected the best for him. So, as Dad becomes more and more distant from him, the generation gap causes him to breed many negative behaviors, in fact he desperately wants to fill these generational gaps by attracting his attention and sparking hope for himself.
"I'm sorry son."
"I'm sorry too, Dad."
"It's okay, son...it'll be fine."
Mr. Gong patted his son's back, Kanghan sobbed until he couldn't stand, he had never seen Kanghan so weak, or was it because he basically didn't care and pay attention to his thoughts before? But now he felt Kanghan was like a little bird with broken wings that needed to be protected. But he believes that with his ability and determination, those wings can powerfully reach the sky on their own. From now on, he has steadfastly determined the determination of a father, and will be the support for this young bird. Even if one day Kanghan grows up and can build his own home, he will still stand in the same place, like his mother told him, to become a father who always helps his son.
"Let's start over, kid."
"Yes."😊
When all rifts are understood and healed, the lonely atmosphere in the big house is replaced by laughter and chatter, everyone carefreely focuses on the meal, becoming a moment for family members to exchange and talk about daily trifles.
"I'm still a player on the team that competes with the schools," Kanghan said, after the coach announced he had passed the re-selection results, and handed him a match sheet to prepare him to practice for the competition.
"Are Dad free to go and see?"
''If it's this, then I'll be free." Mr. Gong laughed, making the children laugh too.
"Dad promised that."
"I'll be done with work soon, until that day, nothing will stop me from coming to see your big moment."
"Thanks Daddy."
Seeing the scene of father and son laughing together, Sailom couldn't help but laugh along. Because as he said, for Sailom, Kanghan's happiness is always first, so at this moment the other party smiles, the happiness that Kanghan has has also been transmitted to him.
And Kanghan himself felt Sailom joy. So when they went upstairs and returned to their bedroom that night, his father's hug was returned to Sailom by him.
"What are you doing, loveless child?"
"Umm..." Kanghan replied from his throat, hugging the other's fragile back from behind until he was fully in his arms, then buried his face in the neck where the small strawberry he created was left.
"Don't you just complain that you're tired and just want to go home and sleep in your comfy bed?" Sailom recalled a time when Kanghan complained that soccer practice was very hard, but when he returned, he had to sleep on his old bed, unlike the soft mattress at his house, which was as hard as wooden planks.
"But I don't feel tired when I hug you."
"So you're holding to sleep with me like that all night?"
"Holding you sleep better."
"Are you sure it's just a hug?" As soon as Kanghan heard this, his eyes widened, turned Sailom's body so that he could look directly at him, then flicked his forehead with his finger.
"Hey...you're too downstream."
"I'm not downstream, but I'm reminding you, you're already very tired from football practice, you should absolutely not think about doing something more tiring."
"Then this time I will lie down and enjoy, you move on top."
"Dream 😒." Sailom let out a furious roar, jumped onto the bed, covered himself with blankets. But the opponent also followed closely to the bed.
"Do you really like me?"
"Why are you starting to doubt it?"
Sailom moved a little to take a closer look at Kanghan's expression, only to discover that he had given the other party a good chance to ride on him. But Sailom's body was still wrapped in a blanket, making Kanghan look like he was sleeping on a large cocoon.
"I see you don't stick to me like I stick to you"
Kanghan's answer made Sailom frown, staring at the speaker in surprise.
"Honestly ask a question....are you so infatuated with me?"
"Hey! I'm super in infatuated with you."
''What?" Even though it was me who started the topic, hearing this straightforward answer, on the contrary, made Sailom confused.
"You still haven't answered me, do you really like me after all?"
"Go to sleep." Too embarrassed because he could not control his feelings, Sailom had to send Kanghan to sleep.
"Sailommm..."
"If don't like, will I do it to you?"
Although it wasn't the answer he was expecting, it was an answer that made Kanghan unable to stop laughing after hearing it.
"So can you do it tonight?"
"Why do you only think about lower body activities?" Sailom raised his fist, his hand also pulled from the blanket, hitting the opponent's strong arm, until Kanghan cried out for forgiveness.
"Okay, then I'll just hug you to sleep."
"Go and trick children, I don't believe it."
"Let's go~~."
At this moment, from Kanghan's mouth hearing the word "go~~", making the comforted person become surprised, the normally calm heart began to jump violently, as if it wanted to break the chest.
"Actually, I'm just hugging, I'm sleepy."
The begging sounded again, Sailom had to lift the blanket, move over to get into the lap of the person lying next to him, waiting for him with open arms. Even though the air conditioner was on and blowing cold winds, the two's bodies warmed each other, and soon a vague drowsiness caused them to fall asleep one after another within minutes.
After everyone returned to their bedrooms, all the lights in the house were turned off. Silence covered every nook and cranny until two o'clock at night when a sound broke through the silence.
BANG!!
Kanghan and Sailom woke up at the same time, in the dark the two glanced at each other. Although the two didn't say a word, instinctively prompted them to run out of the room.
"Downstairs?" Sailom heard the sound and asked in a low voice.
"YES." Kanghan answered one sentence, the fear in his heart was screaming. He guessed from the sound that this was not the explosion of a transformer, nor the sound of someone setting off fireworks in the middle of the night.
But this sounds a lot like....
The switch on the control panel on the stairs turned on all the lights in the house, when the two of them went downstairs the torchlight was already on. Mr. Gong's office door is open. His heart became more and more uneasy, and his feet began to speed up incessantly. As soon as Sailom turned on the lights in the office, they could clearly see everything that had happened in the room.
"DAD!!"
In a room full of furniture, seeing Mr. Gong lying in a pool of blood in front of the desk made their minds almost collapse in an instant. But that still didn't make Sailom's heart race, until the last sight he saw finally made him unable to help but scream.
There was an unconscious person sitting not far from Mr. Gong, his whole body trembling, his face pale, holding a black death gun in his hand.
"Saifah!!"