Welcome To Chiang Mai

The hum of the plane filled the cabin as I leaned back into my seat, watching the clouds shift beyond the window. My thoughts were still tangled in the conversation I had with the old lady—the fortune teller who somehow saw through me like glass.

"Are you really going there for studies, or are you just running away from someone?" she had asked.

Her voice still echoed in my head, haunting me.

I closed my eyes slowly, whispering to myself,

“Whatever is waiting for me there… I hope it’s good. Because I’m tired. I can’t keep carrying the pain that love brings. I just… can’t anymore.”

The weight of it all was too much. My eyes grew heavier until sleep pulled me in.

---

In my dream, everything was brighter. Softer.

I saw him again. A boy from long ago — small hands, kind eyes, and that innocent smile. That was the first time we met, I think. We were just children, but something about him always stayed with me.

We were sitting beneath a tree, laughing. I was holding a handmade bracelet — woven with string and tiny beads. I remember giving it to him.

“Keep it,” I had said, shyly placing it around his wrist. “So you don’t forget me.”

And just as he looked up at me, his eyes filled with something warm — something I had only ever felt once before —

…love.

My heart skipped. The dream cracked like glass.

I gasped and jolted awake, sitting halfway up in my seat, breathing fast. I rubbed my eyes just as a soft voice reached me.

“Sir… we’ve landed,” the flight attendant said gently, giving me a polite smile.

I nodded, forcing a small smile back as the other passengers began moving past me. The cabin was full of motion. Bags being pulled down, laughter, families greeting each other.

I stepped off the plane and followed the flow of people through the airport corridor. Outside, a wave of faces greeted their loved ones with hugs, excitement, and welcome-home signs.

Then I saw them.

Aunt Emi and Uncle John, standing proudly with a large board that read in bold letters:

WELCOME WINE TO CHIANG MAI

I smiled instantly.

They saw me and waved. Aunt Emi opened her arms, and I walked straight into her hug. It felt safe. Familiar.

“Look at you!” she smiled. “You’ve grown up so much.”

Uncle John patted my shoulder warmly. “How was the flight?”

“It was good,” I said softly. “Thank you for coming.”

John headed off to get the car, while Aunt Emi and I stood together. “Do you need help with any university formalities?” she asked kindly.

I shook my head. “No, Auntie. I think I’ll be okay. I want to do it myself.”

“You’ve grown confident,” she smiled. “That’s good.”

Soon Uncle John pulled up in his car. We got in, and the three of us headed toward their home, talking about the city, the weather, and how excited they were that I’d be staying with them.

---

Their house was beautiful — warm, clean, and full of light. It felt nothing like the lonely silence I had left behind.

As soon as I stepped inside, I felt… peace.

Like something inside me finally settled.

Like this place was meant to be part of my new beginning.

Photos lined the hallway walls. Aunt Emi paused near one, pointing at a smiling boy standing with his parents.

“You remember our son, right? Earn? You met him when you were kids,” she said.

I stared at the photo for a few seconds… and then it hit me.

“Yes,” I said slowly. “We used to play together. I remember now.”

“I’m glad you do,” she laughed. “I was worried you’d forgotten.”

“How could I forget?” I smiled back. “You’ve all been so kind to me.”

Uncle John walked up and said, “We don’t have a separate guest room ready, but would you be okay sharing with Earn?”

Without hesitation, I nodded. “Of course. If he’s okay with it, I’d be happy to.”

Aunt Emi added, “We already talked to him. We just wanted to check with you, too.”

I smiled. “You’ve all done so much for me already. Thank you… really, thank you so much.”

Both of them smiled at me — proud, warm, and full of affection.

They started showing me around the house. Just then, a voice echoed from the upper floor.

“Mum! Dad! You’re back? Did that guy arrive yet—?”

The voice came closer as quick footsteps moved down the stairs.

Then, he appeared.

Earn.

He froze halfway, eyes locking with mine. His smile curled up slowly. Cute, natural, and full of quiet energy.

For a second, he didn’t move. He just stared.

I responded to his earlier question with a small grin. “Yeah… that guy arrived.”

Aunt Emi chuckled, “This is him — the one we told you about.”

Earn blinked, almost snapping back to reality. I was lost just looking at him, I saw it written in his eyes.

Then he walked up and reached out his hand. “Welcome. I’m Earn,” he said.

I shook his hand.

“If you need anything, come to me,” he added confidently. “I’m kind of famous around the university.”

I laughed lightly. “Thank you. If I do need help, I’ll definitely come to you.”

---

“It’s not the place that makes it special… it’s the people waiting there.”

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