One morning in the village of Wat Sra Si, on a typical day in the countryside, people rose with the sun, cooking breakfast and preparing to send children off to school. The chilly morning mist carried the scent of winter once again, a quiet reminder that time never stops.
Every breath, every passing moment, made one realize the value of what enters and leaves life becoming memories of existing as a small human in a vast world.
Everyone once searched for answers in life what they wanted, how much they needed, what would be enough to satisfy themselves.
But all those questions became meaningless when a certain person walked into life.
A person without definitions, without metrics of joy or sorrow, nothing predictable or measurable to hold interest just a presence, a feeling that etched itself into every movement, every gesture, shaping a person entirely, completely. Just once, through raw instinct and the language of the body, the connection formed.
Who could have guessed that one day, someone so special would enter life at the very moment when challenges seemed relentless? A feeling so deeply buried, once hidden in a gray, messy heart.
It was just a teacher sharp-tongued, skilled with hands, skilled with body, skilled in every way so captivating that love took root without even realizing how deep it had grown.
The one who made first love complete.
The one who gave all the love they had, erasing any lingering questions about what life truly wanted.
The kitchen smelled faintly of cooking smoke, a soft aroma floating through the morning air.
A small figure in a khaki outfit, him pale skin glowing, rose early to help his partner's family, taking turns with him grandmother, Ya Si, preparing meals for the household with care and love. It was a sight that Tod loved to watch the way the small figure moved about the house
reminded him of their first meeting. The young-looking teacher, once a former debtor and lottery enthusiast, had now become his life partner and the other guardian of their son.
"What are you looking at? Smiling like that drunk?"
The kindergarten teacher stood with hands on hips, still holding a spatula, while her tall husband leaned against the kitchen doorway, gazing at her with soft, affectionate eyes.
"Mmm~ drunk," the handsome man said with a smile as he stepped closer, lowering himself to brush a gentle kiss over her closed eyelids.
"Oh really? This early in the morning? Don't tell me Benja's father sent you alcohol to try again," she teased, sniffing along his mouth and clothing in search of the source of her suspicion. But he buried his nose in her neck, inhaling her scent deeply.
"Nope. Not drunk on alcohol," his deep voice whispered beside her ear, hands gliding over her small shoulders as he held his wife close. With every passing day, she grew even more adorable, more captivating, leaving no escape.
"You're drunk, Luktan," he murmured, tilting her round chin to press a soft kiss on her lips. The grumbling little teacher's cheeks flushed red, lips pursed. She reached up, cupping his face in her hands, planting kisses on his forehead, left cheek, right cheek… and finally on the curved lips that awaited her with a smile.
These morning hugs and kisses had become a daily ritual, a familiar scene within their home. Once, Tod had never understood the expression of love within a family hugs, kisses, words of affection, even saying "I care" were foreign. In rural life, such things were seen as embarrassing, not a part of inherited culture, so everyone was taught to hide their feelings as much as possible.
But the world has changed, and life is too short to endure what shouldn't be endured. Showing love and talking through problems within the family that's what truly matters.
And that's what must be done.
The wild man was hopelessly attached to his wife waking up together, sleeping together, taking his wife and child wherever he went. The concept of family, something he never cared to imagine, suddenly became clear: a small pair and one elder, choosing to live under that word together.
"What's gotten into you lately? You're so clingy. We've been together for years, but suddenly, you've turned into such a baby. Whatever happened to that fierce bad-boy who used to scare everyone? Now all I see is a big cat following you around," Luktan teased, tilting her head left and right with a bright smile at the once-intimidating lottery dealer, now tamed and sweet.
"It's because you're adorable. I can't help it. You just keep getting cuter."
"I'm not little Teng anymore, you know. I'm almost twenty-five. You're head over heels for me, aren't you?" Her slender fingers pinched his nose playfully to hide her embarrassment.
"Yeah… completely obsessed with my wife."
He rubbed his prominent nose against hers, a wide, silly smile spreading across his face. Even now, she hadn't removed her braces, her teeth still as bright as they were in elementary school so easy to imagine falling for her all over again.
"…You really know how to make me blush."
"Then blush, who cares what anyone says?"
"You'll get bored of me eventually. Go hang out with your friends sometimes."
"Why bother? They just argue and annoy each other. I'd rather stay with my wife." Tod lifted the small teacher onto the kitchen counter, straddling her, showering kisses left and right without stopping.
"Stop teasing me! I want to know why you and Pee are always fighting. You're always looking for each other. sometimes so close, sometimes angry. Pee's gaze at you… it gives me goosebumps, I don't even know why."
"Why do you want to know?"
"So I can pick sides. But I'm rooting for you, Tod, because you're the one who's given me winning lottery numbers before."
"Nonsense~ They're just teasing you, always playing around."
"Tod, I'm serious. Did Pee and Ja… ever… have anything?"
"…Hmm."
"Hmm… what?"
"Well, they did."
"What?! Are you kidding me?"
"Right in front of you, actually. Just once he was careless and got a girl pregnant, a girl named Somying in your class."
"That bad? Just once?"
"Not like us. You and I… we did it on purpose. You liked my dragon, so you ran away to the countryside with me. Heh heh heh."
"Cheeky! You're drooling even though you haven't seen the dragon yet. Starving for it, huh? I get it, haha."
"Whenever you laugh, it's scarier than when you scold me."
"Nonsense. Now go offer alms to the monks!"
"Oh, I almost forgot!"
Tod lifted Luktan's small hand, kissed her silver wedding ring softly, and then carried her down to help prepare the food for alms as usual. At the front of the house, grandmother and grandchild waited, feeding each other and holding out bowls.
His strong hand held a bowl of rice in one hand while wrapping the other around his wife's slim waist. The kindergarten teacher, in her khaki outfit, carried baskets of food and fruit to join them.
The four of them offered alms together, paid respects to the monks, and poured water to honor the deceased
Who knows how long we'll have with our family…? But today, let's protect it as best we can.
That alone is enough.
Are you happy today?