Ch.1 A boy next door

A large countryside villa stood embraced by the beauty of nature. Sean, a young boy who had grown up surrounded by the peaceful countryside and warm-hearted villagers, was lying under a big tree.

Soft sunlight filtered through the leaves and landed gently on his face, making him use his book to shield his eyes. A light breeze rustled through the air, blending with the sound of birds chirping cheerfully. Before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep.

Crunch.

The sound of footsteps pressed down on dry leaves. Sean heard the slow, steady steps approaching where he lay, but he pretended to stay fast asleep.

Then the footsteps stopped.

A boy stood there, gazing at the sleeping figure before quietly sitting down beside him. He stared at the younger boy with curiosity.

Paul’s Thoughts:

“Today, I came to visit my grandmother, who lives in this quiet countryside. As soon as I arrived, I wandered out of the house and happened to notice someone lying under a big tree.

I sat down next to a boy who seemed to be sound asleep, a book covering his face. I couldn’t stop my eyes from drifting to his soft, delicate lips.

‘Hmm… but why is he lying here all alone?’

I stayed still, not wanting to wake him up.”

Paul silently watched the sweet-faced boy as he gently shifted in his sleep. Startled, Paul slowly moved away, stood up, and returned to his grandmother’s house.

Sean slowly opened his eyes and removed the book from his face.

He had been aware the entire time—he knew Paul had been sitting there, watching him in silence.

Yet not a single word was spoken.

Sean found himself wondering… why?

Why had Paul chosen silence, as if he didn’t want Sean to even know he had been there?

**Dairy notes **

“Today, the boy next door came to visit his grandmother—just like he does every week. I don’t even know his name. We’ve never talked, not even once. I’ve only seen him from afar, through the fence that separates our houses.

I’ve always wanted to get to know him, but I’m not even sure if he wants to know me.

But the one thing I’ve never understood is this…

Why has he never said a single word to me?

He just sits there quietly under this tree, watching me… without saying a thing.

Honestly… I really like him.

Even though we’ve never spoken, just being able to see him over the fence and meet his eyes—

Sigh. That alone is enough to make my heart flutter.

I don’t know if he feels the same.

Maybe it’s just a foolish hope.

But even so… it still makes me happy.”

——

“Sean! Sean! Where are you, sweetheart?”

Ella’s voice, Sean’s mother, called out from afar.

“I’m here, Mom!” Sean shouted back before quickly jumping up, brushing dried leaves off his shirt in a hurry.

He glanced one last time at the fence separating their homes, then sighed softly and turned to head back to his mother.

“Let me guess—you were lying under the tree again, weren’t you? Look at you, covered in leaves!” Ella said as she looked over her son’s disheveled clothes.

Sean gave a sheepish smile, brushing away the last of the leaves from his shirt.

“Heh… yeah, Mom. I was just sitting and reading a book, that’s all.”

“Were you really reading, or did you fall asleep again?” Ella asked, shaking her head gently.

“…Just a little nap,” Sean replied, avoiding her gaze.

“Well, go wash your face and get ready to set the table. I made your favorite.”

She sighed, but there was a gentle smile on her face.

“Yes, ma’am!” Sean said quickly as he headed toward the house—but not without sneaking a glance back through the fence.

At that very moment, Paul happened to look over toward Sean’s yard as well.

Their eyes met—purely by chance.

Sean flinched, his eyes widening in surprise as he realized Paul was looking right at him.

Paul, too, looked startled that their eyes had met. But unlike every other time…

This time, Paul didn’t look away.

He kept looking.

“…..”

No words were spoken—no greetings, no questions.

Yet somehow, in the silence, something was shared between their eyes.

Sean’s heart pounded, though he couldn’t explain why.

It felt as if everything around them had come to a standstill.

And just like always… he still didn’t have the words to explain that feeling.

**Diary notes **

“Let me tell you a little about my family. We’re farmers—we grow vegetables and fruits. Our farm isn’t huge, maybe around 1,500 rai (about 600 acres), I think.

Our family runs a fully integrated business—from exporting fresh produce to processing fruit and even producing animal feed.

We also support local farmers in our village by purchasing their crops. It helps strengthen rural livelihoods and prevents people from leaving their families behind to work in faraway cities.

I have one older brother and one older sister. I’m the youngest son in the family.

Today, everyone in our family is home. My brother just returned from university in the city, and my sister came back from her high school there too.

In just a few days, I’ll be turning 12.

It won’t be long now before I’m sent to study at the same high school as my sister.

Sigh… When I think about it, I already know—I’m really going to miss home…”

Preparing Lunch

“Cluck cluck! Cluck cluck!”

The sound of chickens crowing filled the air across the wide fields.

Sean was busy collecting eggs in the chicken coop to help his mother prepare lunch, all the while mumbling aimlessly to himself.

“Sean! Sean! Are you in there?”

Sherlene’s voice called out from outside the coop, trying to locate her brother.

“Yes! I’m here!”

Startled from his thoughts, Sean turned to the direction of her voice and called back loudly.

“What are you doing in there? Mom’s been waiting on those eggs forever!”

“Oh, come on, Sherlene. I’ve only been here for ten minutes!” Sean replied, feigning innocence.

“Fresh eggs from happy hens! Perfect for cooking something delicious!” Sean muttered to himself as he gently placed each egg into a basket.

“Well then, where are the eggs? Come on, let’s go help Mom cook.”

Sherlene raised an eyebrow as she glanced at the younger boy.

“They’re right here in the basket.”

Sean grinned sheepishly and scratched his head a little.

“Here are the eggs, Mom.”

Sean returned to the house and handed the basket to Ella.

“Sean, come help me cook so we can eat sooner. Your father’s probably waiting by now.”

Ella took the basket with a soft smile.

“Yes, Mom.”

Sean nodded obediently and walked over to pick up a knife, beginning to chop vegetables that had been soaking in a bucket of clean water.

Lunch was soon laid out on the family’s dining table—an array of homemade dishes, each made with fresh ingredients straight from the garden.

It was a meal full of warmth, laughter, and the kind of happiness that can only come from a family gathered together on a weekend at home.

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