"Hello, Father. Hello, Mother." Tod
and Luktan stepped into the jewelry shop in Yaowarat together on a Saturday, a public holiday for the kindergarten teacher.
"School just started less than a month ago why are you here?" The sudden arrival of the two didn't raise much
suspicion for the elder, who had clashed fiercely with Tod before. Seeing the two walk side by side, carrying baskets, all the way from Bangkok was unusual.
"I've come to apologize… to ask for a chance… and to seek permission to do what's right for your son," Tod said, voice deep, posture calm and steady not submissive as before, yet radiating sincerity and seriousness.
CCLXIX
"Hmph. You seem awfully confident
that you'll get everything you're asking
for," the elder said, stepping forward to confront the one bold enough to call him Father.
"Yes. I am confident," came the firm
reply.
The two sets of eyes locked different
ages, different life experiences like a silent battle waging within, until Luktan and the mother gently touched the arms of both men to ease the
tension.
"Say what you came for."
"I've come to ask for Luktan," Tod
said clearly, face serious, with no bowing, pleading, or attempts at flattery.
"Ask… how?" The elder's voice
hardened, bracing against this raw, countryside boldness, so unlike the polite smiles of city folk.
CCLXX
"To care for for life. To have Luktan
live with me and Teng at the garden house in Wat Sa Si countryside," Tod stated firmly.
"Why do you ask?"
"I'm asking to marry Luktan."
The moment the wild man spoke those words, the tense atmosphere made the household furrow brows and
grit teeth, ready to respond.
"Hmph. And if I say no?" The elder crossed arms, smirking with the advantage.
"Luktan promised me that if I could bring Teng under my care, all my requests would be granted. This is my request," Tod reasoned, presenting every argument he could muster to the father of the person he loved.
CCLXXI
Awareness of the elder's
formidable nature made adrenaline
surge, sweat dripping down the face and palms but Tod maintained a composed exterior, careful not to seem frivolous before the one who could
decide the outcome.
"Are you saying I have no right to object to my son's life choices?"
The face, lined with years, leaned closer to Tod, who stood unmoved,
like a silent warrior ready to battle.
"No, sir. I didn't mean that," came the
calm reply still no hint of humility, prompting the elder to scold.
"I hate this stubbornness of yours!" The old man's finger jabbed firmly into
Tod's broad chest.
"Father…" Luktan's voice pleaded, asking for mercy on the one standing before.
CCLXXII
"Quiet, Luktan. He's asking for you from me don't interrupt," the father interjected, then turned back to Tod.
"I'm still not the man you want me to be. But now, I am better than I was ten
years ago. I just want to say… that past has affected my life and feelings too. Yet I believe I have the right to be happy with the one I love, with someone who loves me back. Someone
compatible. May I have that happiness?"
The proud, fierce face spoke words never uttered to anyone before. Eyes locked with the elder, flickering with pain endured and joy silently pleading to a stranger someone who had created the person who had become the source of all happiness.
The one who created Luktan.
The father of the one loved with every fiber of the heart.
CCLXXIII
Even the one who swore to stay stern and unyielding in front of someone like Tod… eventually had to look away, letting out a long, heavy sigh.
"…Fine. My child's life should be decided by him."
The hardened tone softened just enough that Tod couldn't help a small smile, and a quiet, relieved breath escaped him.
"Dad…" tears streamed down Luktan's
face, the call cracking into a sob.
"Thank you," Tod bowed politely, and although the elder's face didn't return a smile, his sharp eyes glimmered with unmistakable approval.
"But anything you've done wrong fix
it. Don't drag my son into trouble because of your carelessness ever again," the elder warned, each word firm and clear.
CCLXXIV
"Yes, I'll do my best," Tod answered with solid conviction.
Luktan threw both arms around
Father and Mother, crying in a way never felt before full, overwhelming relief.
Not speaking up had always left Luktan suffocated by choices forced
onto him.
Too afraid to object so afraid he couldn't even choose his own dream of
becoming a teacher without conflict at
home.
The moment the obedient child dared
say he wouldn't follow the path chosen for him, chaos erupted; they could barely look each other in the eye.
So Luktan found a way out without taking money from home, taking out student loans, carrying debt rather than asking for help.
CCLXXV
Time passed, things eased, and slowly, step by step, peace returned just a little.
But then came love crashing head‑on,
just as heavy and confusing as choosing a career itself.
Everything felt too difficult, too
tangled going forward seemed wrong, yet turning back was worse.
Good
And then the person who caused all this love to exist stepped forward, clearer and truer, until running away became impossible. So the only choice left was to love each other the right
way.
In the end, all of this became nothing more than a chapter of life an experience one must go through.
An experience… not a verdict on life.
Not a problem without an answer, like people often think.
CCLXXVI
"You're smiling like some goofy stray dog."
On the drive back home, Luktan kept grinning non‑stop, until the lottery boss couldn't resist squeezing those cheeks until the face squished.
"So big guy's into dogs now~?" Luktan joked, rubbing his cheek against Tod's palm.
Just thinking about Tod's stiff posture earlier in front of the family made him laugh now he looked more like a mischievous street punk high on life.
The buttoned‑up shirt, tucked perfectly into crisp slacks, the neatly styled hair covering the shaved sides, shiny leather shoes…
All gone.
Now every button undone, tattoos on full display, hair pushed up, sides exposed, expensive shoes tossed in the back, replaced by cheap sandals.
CCLXXVII
"You're asking for trouble, you know that?" Tod growled playfully, half laughing.
Luktan burst into giggles until the sound faded and Tod finally glanced
over from the road.
"Tod…" Luktan leaned onto the solid
shoulder, gently holding his hand.
"Yeah?" Tod squeezed Luktan's fingers
gently.
"Happy yet?"
"…Yeah."
"Happy to have a spouse now?"
"Hell yeah. Couldn't be happier."
Let me be happy just this once.