1 September 2022 | 11:45AM | A Parking Lot
The thundering bass and the pulsating drums had just faded from man's ears.
Rain, a 28-year-old man in a worn-out t-shirt and slacks, stepped out from the dim, damp darkness of the underground concert venue.
He casually wiped the sweat dripping down his face with the back of his hand. His throat was parched from the performance.
The pay he received was just enough to keep him going day by day.
Rain walked towards the parking lot where an old vending machine stood.
He carefully dropped a coin into it and selected a chilled carton of orange juice.
The sweetness and coolness quenched his thirst instantly.
Suddenly, his mobile phone vibrated. A text message popped up from Fang, his girlfriend:
Fang: Are you done performing, my love?
Fang: Are you tired?
Fang: I made your favorite dish for you waiting home today
A small smile appeared on Rain's face. He immediately typed back:
Rain: Just finished, dear.
Rain: I'm heading back now. Not that tired.
Rain: I'll be back soon.
Rain started his old car and drove out of the parking lot onto the increasingly quiet streets of Bangkok at night.
As the car moved slowly, his phone rang again, but this time it was an incoming call from Tum, his bandmate.
Rain answered the call using his Bluetooth headset.
"What's up, Tum?"
The voice on the other end was loud and more excited than ever before:
Tum: Rain! I have great news for you, man! You, you, you! We, we passed the audition! The email just came in, dude! They accepted our application, man!
Rain's heart felt like it was ripped out with disbelief mixed with excitement.
He was momentarily stunned, his left hand instinctively running through his hair.
The dream he had chased for years was now within arm's reach.
Rain: Holy sh*t! Seriously?! You're not messing with me, are you?
If you're playing a joke on me, I'm going to shit my pants right now, you a**hole!
Tum: Shit if you want, you b*stard! Anyway, forget all that! See you tomorrow evening!
We're celebrating! Aunt Sri's shop in Soi 2. See you there.
Rain: Haha, okay, okay. See you.
Rain burst out laughing, a sound he hadn't made in a long time, until he hung up.
The excitement and joy sent an unprecedented rush of adrenaline through him.
His face was beaming. He floored the gas pedal, eager to tell his girlfriend the good news.
September 1, 2022 | 00:00 AM | Rain's Rented Room
It didn't take long for him to reach his small apartment.
As he opened the door, the aroma of spices and broth wafted to his nose.
Fang was standing in front of the stove in the tiny kitchen. She turned and smiled at him, a ladle in her hand.
"You're back, my love? Go and rest, it'll be ready in five minutes."
Rain took off his shoes and collapsed onto the old sofa in the living room, leaning back in relaxation.
"How was the gig today?"
Fang asked, her hands still stirring the food in the pot.
"It was just like any other day, honey,"
Rain replied, trying to keep his voice as normal as possible, before adding with an uncontrollable wide smile,
"But today is very special."
Rain didn't tell her about the audition right away, wanting to save it as a surprise.
He watched Fang busy herself with his favorite dish in the kitchen, allowing a moment of silence filled with love and anticipation to cover the room...
Rain decided this was the perfect time to share his happiness.
Fang placed a hot bowl of curry in front of him.
The fragrant aroma of Sour Curry with Acacia and Shrimp (Gaeng Som Cha Om Goong), his favorite dish, made Rain forget all his fatigue.
"Here you go, for my talented man,"
she said, before kissing his cheek and sitting down next to him.
Rain slowly scooped the curry into his mouth, then looked up at Fang with sparkling eyes.
It had been a long time since he had eaten something this delicious.
"Fang..."
Rain called her name softly, but filled with excitement.
"I have something to tell you."
Fang propped her chin on her hand, looking at him with a warm smile.
"What is it? You can't stop smiling,"
she said, gently poking his cheek with her finger.
Rain nodded vigorously.
"It's great. It's like... well... I passed the audition! Tum just called me.
We won't be starving anymore! We finally get to start a new life!"
He gestured enthusiastically.
Fang's eyes widened with surprise and joy.
She let out a small, excited scream and quickly stood up to hug him from behind.
"Really? Are you serious?! That's amazing! My boyfriend is the best!"
She planted another big kiss on his cheek.
"It looks like we have something to celebrate, doesn't it?"
The couple hugged tightly amidst the aroma of the food.
Their smiles were as bright as the light from the future that was about to arrive.
Their dream, their hope, the life they yearned for, was undoubtedly about to come true.
September 1, 2022 | 00:15 AM | Rain's Rented Room
Just as Rain reached for his last spoonful of rice, Fang walked up behind him.
She wrapped her arms gently around him from the back, her nose nestling against his neck as she whispered sweetly:
"I love you, Rain..."
A surge of warmth and absolute safety flowed from her embrace, causing Rain to close his eyes and savor the moment. But then...
Slash!
Suddenly! Rain felt a chillingly cold blade from behind.
A blinding flash of pain shot through his body, causing every nerve to seize up.
He felt something hard embedded deep within him...
A kitchen knife was plunged into his back!
He couldn't breathe. Rain tried to scream or even turn to look, but he couldn't!
His tongue was rigid, his throat parched, as if he were frozen.
The world swam into a hazy blur. A wave of pain, unlike anything he had ever known, washed over him, making him dizzy, close to passing out.
This is death...
Rain tumbled from the chair, hitting the floor hard.
The bowl of Gaeng Som spilled everywhere.
Clang!
He struggled for one last breath, his hands clawing at the air, trying desperately to look at his lover in his final moments.
Fang was standing there... above his struggling body. Her face was blank, devoid of emotion. But one thing was strange...
A drop of liquid slowly trailed from the corner of her left eye.
But...
The tear was not clear water.
It was a thick, black fluid, like ink, slowly dripping down.
Rain's eyes widened with extreme confusion and terror.
The last image he saw was Fang's cold, fleeting smile that appeared for a split second.
Then, everything went dark.