Coffee and Bliss novel Chapter 2

A loud bang could be heard inside and out of the room when he slammed the door shut. He couldn’t believe that his first day in Bangkok would be a little bit of a disaster. He came here with much determination that everything would pass smoothly around him but of course, it’s life that he was talking about so not everything would be fine. He managed to pull out all his clothes despite having a headache. He then threw his naked body on the bed and grunt loudly. He rubbed his forehead while drifting to sleep.

The sound of his phone woke him up. He cursed when the loud sound didn't stop for about five minutes. He took his phone, it is his Mom calling. With a horrified face, he answered the call.

“Son, we tried our best to keep her fine but—” The voice on the other line was cut off immediately when he yelled out of despair. His Mae might not have said someone’s name but he knew for sure that it was all about his grandma.

“Then...” He paused for seconds. He gathered his voice first. “What happened to her, Mae?” In his mind, he was hoping that his grandma just suffered from a mild-stroke only, not what he was hearing in his mother’s voice—sadness and pain.

“I’m—I am so sorry, son. But your grandma just passed away earlier. We can’t tell you because we know you will go back here immediately. You will miss your only chance to study at your dream university that’s why. Please understand us, son.” The sobs could be heard on the other line. 

Minutes passed between them. He couldn't find his voice after hearing the news. His grandma was the first one who cheered him up, asked for his situation, and cared for him. He grew up beside her, she taught him to be a strong and independent person. And suddenly—suddenly she was gone, without him by her side. Tears streamed down his cheeks, pain, and sadness were visible in his eyes.

“I will be home tomorrow, Mae.” His final decision made his mother gasp. 

“Son! We can handle ourselves here. We’ll send your regards to your grandma’s funeral.”

“Mae, I want to be there with grandma until the last day of her burial. I can still study here when I get a chance again.”

“No. Your grandma will understand you, Harris. You have to be strong there and focus on your study. Listen to me, son.” His mother’s voice pleaded.

He cried for many minutes until he agreed to his mother. After talking to her, he let himself focus on something to keep distracted. Keeping distracted means cooking or experimenting with something to eat.

***

Tired and stressed, Tristan still looked out for his little bun named Mia. She was his niece which was under his custody. He’s young for having a child to take care of but no choice because his sister left Mia to him after giving birth and they had no parents anymore. His source of income was his part-time job and the money left by his parents. His sister just sent money every month as Mia’s allowance. He was mad at his sister until now because she just gave away Mia like a puppy. Her sister’s husband had a new family now so was she.

It was hard to take care of a child but enjoyable at the same time. Good things, he had Gia on his back—his best friend who was older than him.

He closed his eyes to have some rest. After looking for Mia in the mall, he got a headache due to nervousness and stress maybe. He thought that he lost her, he was scared. He drowned his body on the bed and felt the peace in his room.

“Phi?”

He slowly opened his eyes when he heard a soft tone. He saw Mia peeking on his door, only her head could be seen. He gestured to her to come inside. With a hesitant and feared face, she walked towards him and suited herself on the edge of the bed—with her hands tightly clenched.

“What is it, little bun?” He tried to sound cool because he knew that Mia is scared right now for what she did earlier.

Mia bit her lips and her eyes began to water up. He instantly rose and wiped his niece’s tears.