Chapter 4 Part I

A Night of Nightmares

    It had been almost a month since Homlom had entered the lives of the grandfather and grandson duo. By now, Grandpa Kloi had grown much less wary of him, though he still wasn't brave enough to call him by name as he wished. As for Homnoi, the more Homlom got to know him, the more adorable he found him. Homlom never tired of being around the little boy. During the day, he would bring books to help teach the boy while waiting for school to reopen, which might take a while due to the severe pandemic.

    The familiar sound of a phone rang from his bag, and Homlom had to set down the tiffin carrier. The phone number displayed on the screen made him frown with unease.

    Tatthep

    "Kind Uncle!"

    "Whoa!"

    Thud!

    Homlom was startled by Homnoi's sudden call, causing him to drop his phone. He looked mournfully at the shattered remains of his beloved mobile phone. The little boy stood there, pale-faced. Homlom had to turn his attention away from the phone, now with a thoroughly cracked screen, confirming that the old, worn-out cemented floor of the temple was still quite solid. The chubby figure approached the trembling boy, whose eyes were brimming with tears.

    "Homnoi."

    "Hic, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

    Homlom felt a pang of affection as he saw Homnoi raise his hands in a wai, tears streaming down. Even though he had never had it, he knew that the rectangular device of Kind Uncle was very expensive. Homnoi feared being hated. Kind Uncle could scold or hit him, but please don't hate him.

    "You...you can hit me, Kind Uncle. Hic...go ahead, hit me." The small arms extended towards the person in front of him. "Please...please don't hate me. Don't hate me."

    "Homnoi..." Homlom murmured softly, watching the boy plead, his arms trembling as he offered them to be hit. "No, don't cry. Why would I hit you? You didn't do anything wrong."

    He did regret the phone, but it wasn't the boy's fault. Homnoi ran out to greet him like this every day. Homlom admitted he was distracted, as Tatthep had called him several times since last night. Of course, he hadn't answered. That’s why he stood in a daze, pondering whether to block the number. But now, it seemed unnecessary. It was better this way. He could change his number and phone all at once.

    Moreover, no matter how expensive technological device might be, it couldn't compare to the feelings of a child. Homnoi hadn't meant to break it. Was it wrong for the boy to run to him with joy? If he scolded the boy, how heartbroken would he be?

    "I'm sorry...hic, I'm just happy that Kind Uncle is here."

    "I know, don't cry anymore."

    With gentle hands, Homlom wiped away the tears from the small face before remembering he had a handkerchief with him. He carefully dabbed away Homnoi's tears, removing the smudges on the pale face, revealing a rosy complexion, especially the tiny, adorable nose that made him want to nuzzle it.

    "May I kiss your cheek?" He wondered if he should ask the little boy's permission, fearing the child might feel uncomfortable or displeased. Fortunately for Homlom, the boy nodded shyly.

    Homnoi twisted with embarrassment. Apart from Grandpa and Grandma, no one had ever kissed him. But if it was Kind Uncle, he really wanted to be kissed. Kind Uncle’s body was soft and fragrant.

    Homlom planted a kiss on the soft cheek, then nuzzled his nose against the little boy's gently. He inadvertently lifted Homnoi up, causing the boy to freeze but then hugged his neck tightly. They looked at each other, and Homlom saw the little one holding him while bowing his head, occasionally glancing up curiously.

    He was puzzled. "Why?"

    "Kind Uncle...is holding me."

    "Do you not like it?" Homlom worried, wondering if the boy felt uncomfortable.

    "I'm happy."

    Ah...

    The soft voice spoke with a happy smile, making Homlom's heart melt. Indeed, this was the first time he had held Homnoi. Seeing the child's joyful demeanor, Homlom tightened his embrace and spoke gently, making a promise.

    "Then, from now on, I'll hold you often, okay?"

    Grandpa Kloi had just finished cremating a body and walked slowly back home. Not finding his grandson, seeing only food served on a plate, he went to look for him at the old, dilapidated pavilion a few steps from the temple. Nowadays, the little rascal liked to be there because someone came to see him every day. The sight of the benefactor teaching his beloved grandson brought tears to the old man's eyes.

    The grandson of Lady Laor-Ong not only brought food every day but also taught Homnoi. Sometimes, the Venerable Brother helped teach too. Grandpa Kloi was deeply moved by the kindness shown to him and his grandson by someone they hadn't known for long.

    Grandpa Kloi sat under the Orchid tree, gazing lovingly at his dear grandson, watching for a long time without feeling hungry or tired until the afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting shimmering light, indicating late afternoon, when he saw Homlom, his benefactor, gently cradle the little boy's head, who had fallen asleep, to rest on his lap.

    Homlom gazed at the little boy sleeping with his head resting on his lap, peering over the thick book. He cast a gentle glance before turning his attention back to the book in front of him. He couldn't help but think how fortunate he was compared to many others, not having to struggle too much in life. Over the past few months, he hadn't taken on any translation work, yet he still had money to spend and time to be with Little Homnoi before he had to send him off to school.

    The breeze rustled the branches, and sunlight filtered through the large trees, unable to shield the two on the pavilion from the natural light. The boy's pearly eyelids fluttered as the light hit them. Seeing that, Homlom gently placed his thin scarf over the boy's eyes. He was too lazy to wear a collar every day, so he opted for a scarf instead.

    It wasn't as effective as a collar, but in a temple area like this, there probably wouldn't be any Alpha coming to bite his neck.

    "Mmm...Kind…Uncle."

    Homlom couldn't help but smile fondly as the little boy mumbled in his sleep. However, the next words left him stunned.

    "Kind… Mom...my."

    The sleep-talking words were incoherent, yet strangely, they made his heart tremble. The little one's mommy must have been kind too.

    "Mr. Lom, are you tired?"

    The raspy voice greeting him made Homlom look up from the book. It was Grandpa Kloi, slowly approaching. Homlom offered a friendly smile. Though Grandpa Kloi still called him Mr., Homlom was glad that Grandpa Kloi dared to call him by his name, unlike before.

    "Not at all," Homlom replied, then asked, "Have you eaten yet, Grandpa? I've prepared some food for you, covered with a lid."

    Grandpa Kloi wasn't one to lie and didn't want to deceive his benefactor, so he merely gave a faint smile. Homlom immediately understood, showing a slightly stern expression. Grandpa Kloi was even more stubborn than his grandson, sometimes too considerate. "Please eat, Grandpa. Your body won't be able to handle it otherwise."

    Grandpa Kloi said nothing, comforted by the concern shown to him. In his heart, he saw Homlom as a son or grandson, yet in practice, he felt he couldn't reach out due to his own self-deprecation. The conversation between the two people of different generations didn't continue. Homlom didn't want to scold him too much, so he chose to remain silent, but he didn't return his attention to the book, fearing the old man might think he was being ignored.

    "My daughter, Little Homnoi's mother...her name is Ponfa. As for his father—"

    The tremor in the old man's voice made Homlom look up. Lady Laor-Ong’s grandson was taken aback, his eyes trembling uncontrollably as he listened to the old man's tale without quite believing his ears. He had always been curious about Homnoi's past but never had the courage to ask. Who was he to delve into someone else's family matters?

    "Grandpa...are you sure it's okay to tell me this?" After all, he was just an outsider.

    But the old man smiled gently. "It's alright to share with family. Grandpa wants to tell you."

    The unfamiliar term and the old man's words, calling him family, made Homlom smile broadly. He wasn't someone who opened up easily, but he accepted the two because he felt a connection. The more he got to know them, the more he felt bonded, empathizing with and admiring the struggles of the young boy and the old man. He wanted to help them have a better life. Before he knew it, he wanted to be their family and support.

    Homlom couldn't quite explain the joy in his heart from being accepted.

    His beautiful eyes gazed into the distance; the scent of various flowers planted by his grandmother calming him. Yet, Homlom's thoughts kept circling around the story Grandpa Kloi had shared. There was nothing to worry about, but it was strange that he couldn't stop thinking about it.

    Grandpa Kloi and his wife had a daughter named Ponfa, a beautiful woman, as seen in old photographs shown by Grandpa Kloi. The family of three's life was quite difficult until one day, Ponfa met a job agent and went abroad to work as a housemaid with a salary nearing a hundred thousand. Initially, she sent money back to her parents, but it wasn't much, and eventually, she lost contact until...

    "After years of disappearing, she returned with a child in her belly. She said the wealthy house owner took her as a wife but only wanted the child, not her. She refused, ran away, and shortly after giving birth, she died."

    "Sigh."

    Homlom sighed as he recalled the story Grandpa Kloi had told him. So, the man wanted only the child, not the mother.

    In summary, Homnoi's father was a wealthy man and a foreigner, but Homlom didn't know which nationality. When he asked Grandpa Kloi, the old man wasn't sure because his daughter left without consulting her parents. The only thing he was confident about was that Homnoi's father was likely Asian, as the boy didn't show any Western mixed-race traits.

    Since the man wanted only the child, it meant that one day, Homnoi's father might come looking for him and take him away. It was supposed to be a happy thought, yet Homlom felt worried and anxious. If the boy he loved and cared for had to leave for a faraway land one day—

    "But it's been four or five years now," Homlom muttered, not denying that he was trying to comfort himself.

    It would be better if that man no longer wanted Homnoi, because from now on, he would be the one to take care of the boy.

    Crash!