CHAPTER 001
"Niran Suwan! Are you mad?"
Niran felt her face light up as she looked down upon the tiny creature nestled in her arms—an adorable puppy wriggled closer, its small body shuddering against the cold weather. A soft smile tugged at her lips; hazel eyes glittered.
Mali doesn't care one bit if this makes her crazy; her happiness and satisfaction matter far more to me than anything.
Niran was shocked to watch as she removed mud from the puppy's face with the sleeve of her white dress sleeve. Her friend looked on in disapproval.
"Nira! Put that back on the bench. Your dress has been destroyed!"
Niran decided not to listen, cradling her puppy even closer and brushing her nose along its tiny cheek. A soft whimper from its lips made Niran's heart squeeze with sorrow.
Mali sighed, shaking her head. "You never change, do you?" she lamented.
"Not until my heart stops beating."
Mali laughed. "You are impossible."
Mali pointed at her puppy, who barked suddenly to show that he too agreed with Mali: "See? Even he agrees with me!" Mali beamed proudly: "See?" Even the dog was nodding his agreement!
Niran smiled gently while petting the puppy's head. "Now what? Unfortunately I can't keep it—my brother's allergic. Plus your aunt would never allow an animal into our home."
Her smile waned slightly as she bit her lip, gazing down upon the tiny creature who was weakly shaking its wings under a thin fur coat, its ribs clearly visible beneath thin fur.
"We cannot leave the creature here; it is too small and delicate. It won't survive the night in this cold."
Mali's eyes lit up, and she announced, "I have an idea!" "Wait! Don't say anything! Let me come up with something!" Mali exclaimed excitedly.
"That sounds really interesting. Can we take it to a local animal shelter and drop it off there?"
She proposed taking it there instead, and they'll take care of it there.
Niran felt hope arise in her chest. "That's amazing!"
Mali took out her phone, searching for something. Soon, however, her expression softened as her eyes focused inward.
"I've found one, but there's a problem."
Niran seemed confused. What exactly was her problem?
"It's quite far away—approximately an hour and a half from here—and there is no direct transportation from the shelter itself; therefore, we will need to arrange transportation."
Mali shifted uncomfortably. Niran could hear her hesitation and hear any unsaid concerns in her voice.
"I'll pay," Niran finally replied. "I received my wages from the cafe today.
Mali's eyes widened. Her aunt would kill her if she discovered any money missing from their pay, yet Mali took some money for herself last time and didn't get caught! "Didn't she remember what you did last time when taking money away for yourself?"
Niran swallowed hard. Her mind immediately wandered back to that day—the searing pain, the scent of burnt flesh. How her aunt held down her arm, pressing a hot ladle against it just so they could teach Niran a lesson.
Do not accept money for yourself.
Her chest tightened as she blinked away the moisture in her eyes and focused back on the creature in her arms, which happily lathered its mouth across her fingers without giving a single thought about the storm raging in her mind.
Mali can't let go of what we share. She won't.
Mali hesitated before speaking up. "I wish I had my wages today. I'd help out, but--" Mali began.
"Don't worry; I know you would if you could.
Mali knew every baht she earned was directly contributed towards covering her little brother's hospital bills, leaving no extra for herself or anything else.
"Right, let's call a taxi before it becomes too late."
Two hours later, they arrived at an animal shelter. An older lady with kind eyes welcomed Niran and Mali into the shelter as they handed off the puppy into her care. She smiled sweetly while taking it from his arms.
"Thank you, dear. At a time when people often disregard others' lives for their own gain, your caring about a small life meant so much."
Mali prodded Niran with her elbow. "Because she's our Nira. Unique from all other people."
Niran laughed nervously. "Which basically means I'm crazy."
"Better be insane than to pretend sanity while losing all kindness," replied the old woman with a laugh.
Niran grinned. "That is very impressive!"
Mali looked at his watch. "We should leave before it gets too dark."
Niran sighed, her eyes dropping. "Well," she answered thoughtfully.
Home or at least the place she needed to return.
They walked back to their cab quietly this time. Niran found herself feeling heavier as they approached their destination; as soon as the car stopped, her stomach knotted and began churning.
She knew too well the small wooden door standing there, an entrance that she did not wish to pass through.
"Nira...," she turned around, already sensing Mali's distress.
Mali did not believe her, yet never did anything to change that perception.
As Niran had turned 20 today, she gently clasped his hand. "Happy birthday. May this year bring all the happiness and relief you desire without further pain or tears," she wished her
Her heart nearly stopped beating upon hearing those words.
"Thank you, Mali." Instead of offering her gratitude, she forced a smile.
Mali grabbed her tightly. "I'll see you tomorrow at the cafe."
Niran nodded and asked if she was certain of being fine, to which Mali replied in the negative and then let go with an encouraging comment of, "Take care; take good care." Niran smiled in agreement. "Oh no," Niran said, still not feeling well, but she simply wanted someone else to be good before she left. Mali looked worried but let it pass, saying, "Take good care; I know you're fine," before leaving with Mali in tow. "Take good care. Have a nice day."
Niran was immediately hit with a blast of cold night air, which immediately froze her tears, and had made its way down her cheek.
She tightly fisted both hands.
She could do it; she had no other option. With one last breath she headed towards the door; before reaching out for its handle, it opened by itself.
Mali could only watch helplessly as her shadow entered. With an alacrity beyond comprehension, Mali watched helplessly from a taxi as the door swallowed up her friend before finally closing with an emphatic bang behind them.
One tear rolled down her cheek.
"Niran, let this year be your year to open up and let out your tears.