“Alright, that’s enough Nadech,” said Nadech’s mother. “If you’re going to sing like that, mind as well don’t sing at all.”
“Mae, mae krub, you should give me some motivation,” said Nadech.
Yaya snorted and said goodbye to Nadech and his mother.
“I have to go to school now na ka,” said Yaya.
“Ja, have a nice day na noo,” said Nadech’s mother.
After Yaya disappeared, Nadech’s mother turned to look at him.
“Don’t make a sad face like that,” she told him. “I’m sorry that I’m incapable of putting you in school.”
Nadech got up and hugged his mother.
“Mae krub, don’t say that,” said Nadech. “Even though I’m not in school, I can’t still help you out here. Besides, Yaya and Phet always shares some of their lessons with me. Don’t feel bad na krub mae.”
Still, Nadech’s mother felt like a bad mother. She had always blamed herself for not being able to send Nadech to college.
[AT WONGWASANA RECORD COMPANY]
“I have something very important to announce to everyone,” began Khun Chai Wongwasana. “As everyone knows, our pop star Mac Weeradon, has come a long way and has proved to be very successful. At this time, I would like to announce the arrangement of Mac’s first huge concert as a promotion.”
Everyone in the meeting room clapped.
After Khun Chai Wongwasana explained what he expected out of everyone, the meeting ended and everyone left the meeting room in high spirits. Mint, Mario, and Khun Chai Wongwasana were the last ones to leave. While still in the meeting room, Khun Chai Wongwasana turned to Mint and Mario.
“I want you two to go ahead and book and survey the largest theater,” said Khun Chai Wongwasana. “Better yet, get that done today before anyone else gets to it.”
“Krub,” replied Mario.
Mint nodded and smiled at her father.
“Dee mak,” said Khun Chai Wongwasana, and he left the meeting room.
Mario turned to Mint.
“Shall we go now?” he asked her.
“If you want to go, then go on right ahead,” said Mint. “I’m not going with you.”
“Mint,” said Mario, tugging her arm softly. “Can’t you just give me a chance? After all, we are engaged.”
“But I don’t love you,” said Mint confidently.
She walked out the meeting room leaving the sad faced Mario behind her.
[AT NADECH’S MOTHER’S FOOD CART, MARKETPLACE]
“Hey, Aie Dech! Aie Dech!”
Nadech was chopping some vegetables when he heard his best friend, Phet, call his name. Judging by Phet’s voice and tone, Nadech expected some cheerful news.
Phet reached the food cart and gasped for breath. Behind him was the panting Yaya. As usual, Phet and Yaya visited Nadech after school but this time, they seemed like they were really anxious to see him.
“Are you two okay?” asked Nadech’s mother. “It seems like you were really in a hurry.”
“Krub,” replied Phet.
Phet snapped in front of Nadech’s face to get his attention.
“Arai wa?” asked Nadech.
“You won’t believe this,” said Phet.
“Mac Weeradon is having a concert!” exclaimed Yaya.
“Oho, jing ler?!” asked Nadech excitedly.
“Of course!” exclaimed Phet. “Otherwise, Yaya and I wouldn’t rush up here to tell you like that.”
“The concert is right after our graduation,” said Yaya. “Do you want to go with us?”
Nadech’s facial expression suddenly changed.
“I can’t,” said Nadech. “The concert is all the way in Krungthep. I can’t just leave my mother here alone.”
Phet and Yaya exchanged looks.
“Mai pen rai,” said Nadech’s mother, stepping in the conversation.
She could tell her son really wanted to go.
“If you want to go, go,” she told Nadech.
“Arai na mae?” asked Nadech.
He shook his head.
“I’m not going to leave you,” said Nadech.
“I’m fine son,” she said. “You deserve a break. Just go have fun with Yaya and Phet.”
Even though his mother gave him the green light, Nadech was still unsure. He would feel really bad to leave his mother behind.
That night, Yaya and Phet joined Nadech and his mother for dinner at their house. Yaya and Phet both loved Nadech’s mother’s cooking and always enjoyed every bit of it. They also always regarded Nadech’s mother as their mother. Besides, they were next door neighbors so it was convenient for one to visit another.
Oddly, dinner that night was silent.
“Will you guys lighten up?” asked Nadech’s mother. “I don’t see how this is a hard situation for you three. Nadech, I know you want to go to the concert. Stop worrying about me and just go enjoy yourself.”
“Chai si,” said Yaya. “My parents will surely help look after your mother.”
“Mine too,” said Phet. “My father will do the same.”
Nadech shook his head.
“Son, if you don’t go, you will miss out on a lot of things not just the concert,” said Nadech’s mother. “You should go see what Krungthep has to offer. There are many opportunities in the big city unlike here. Who knows, you all might run into some luck.”
“Uh chai,” said Phet. “Perhaps, you could pursue your music career.”
“Phet’s right,” agreed Nadech’s mother. “Would you walk past an opportunity? Do you want to live like this forever?”
Nadech finally understood. His mother was right. What if he did run into an opportunity? Perhaps, he could get his mother out of her current state of living. He does want her to have a better life after all.
“I’m going,” said Nadech finally.
After dinner, Phet showed Nadech the new song he had just finished composing. Yaya looked over Nadech’s shoulder and tried to make a tune out of it.
“Hey listen man,” began Phet. “We have a few weeks until the concert. By that time, you would’ve saved up plenty of money that would probably be more than enough to last for the concert and sightseeing in Krungthep. As for Yaya and I, we’d be already done with school and we could put our knowledge to use in Krungthep. It’s a win-win situation.”
“But I don’t have a good education like you guys,” said Nadech.
“But you have talent,” said Yaya, patting Nadech on the back. “You can sing and dance.”
“Chai peuan,” agreed Phet.
Nadech smiled.
“Alright, whatever you guys say,” said Nadech.
“Just don’t forget us if you do become a famous singer,” said Phet.
The friends laughed and sang loudly into the night.
[A FEW WEEKS LATER, CLUB 99]
It was only a few days away from his concert and Mac was overloaded with joy and excitement. After the excessive training that day, Mac decided to privately meet with a couple of friends at Club 99 for a celebration. He treated everyone to unlimited drinks and Mac himself, had one drink after another.
After two or three hours, Mac’s friends bid their farewells and thanked him for the drinks. The all departed to their own ways and Mac staggered out into the parking lot to his car. Half awake and half drunk, Mac got behind the wheel…
