Chapter 2

Homlom and Homnoi

    Homlom followed the Venerable Brother into the ordination hall. Besides the exterior being old and dilapidated, the inside was also small and cramped. Homlom sat down and bowed to the medium-sized, rather old Buddha statue before bowing to the elderly monk. The monk looked at him with kind eyes, his skin wrinkled with age. He coughed and cleared his throat repeatedly, prompting the Venerable Brother to move closer and hand him a spittoon.

    "Venerable Father, this is Homlom, my younger brother."

    "Little Homnoi has been talking about you since yesterday."

    Homlom only gave a faint smile. The Venerable Father spoke in the local dialect, which he didn't quite understand, and as if sensing this, the Venerable Father had spoken slowly. "He’s a nice kid. Uh...has he and his grandfather been here long?" At least trying to ask the Venerable Father wouldn't hurt. Maybe he knew something. Homlom wished for Homnoi to have a better life.

    "Not long. Grandpa Kloi is from the north. He went to work in the capital and met his wife there. They had a daughter together before Little Homnoi was born. From what he told me, his daughter died less than a year after Little Homnoi was born. So, the grandparents brought their grandson back to live at his wife's house...which is here. Unfortunately, last year, his wife passed away too. Their home was taken by his wife's relatives who wanted the land, and they were kicked out. So, he brought his grandson to live here in exchange for leftover food from the monks. The temple is small, but people die every day, so he helps out as an undertaker."

    Homlom's heart tightened. Even though he had lost his parents, he still had siblings and a grandmother to care for him. The inheritance left by his parents was substantial. But this little boy he loved and cared for had lost family members at such a young age, unable to fend for himself, and was even driven away by relatives to live in a temple that seemed quite lacking. For a moment, Homlom couldn't help but wonder.

    And what about the boy's father?

    "I wanted to talk to you about this. I feel sorry for the boy. He hasn't been able to go to school. I want to ask you to help arrange something. After I leave the monkhood, I'll handle it myself. I want to learn the teachings of the Buddha while I'm ordained. The company is in good hands with someone I trust looking after it." He had intended to discuss the matter of Homnoi with their grandmother, but seeing Homlom's affection for the boy made him think it might be easier to talk to the younger brother. Although their grandmother wasn't overly proud, she was quite reserved.

    "How long will you be ordained, Venerable Brother?" Homlom asked, curious, as his brother was quite concerned about work, especially with the company he had built over the years.

    "About half a year," Venerable Brother Aidin replied. Initially, he had ordained to repay the kindness of his grandmother, but over time, he became deeply moved by the teachings of the Buddha. However, he couldn't remain in the monkhood for life as he still had responsibilities. He only intended to extend his ordination period.

    "I once thought of seeking a scholarship for Little Homnoi. As you can see...the temple is small, old, and run-down. It's rare for people to come and make merit. When I heard that Laor-Ong’s grandson was coming to ordain here, I was surprised. I thought I misheard," the Venerable Father said with a smile. "Besides me, Venerable Brother, and Boonchai, there's no one else."

    Boonchai, though known as a temple boy[1], was quite old. Homlom met him yesterday when he came to help with Venerable Brother Din's ordination. Grandma paid him a decent wage. He had no issues with Homnoi and intended to look after the boy as well. Homlom wasn't particularly fond of children, but he couldn't bear to see the boy in such a state. Moreover, he was concerned about the safety of everyone in the temple. Despite the vast area, there were only a handful of people. Venerable Brother Aidin noticed his younger brother's worried expression and understood, so he reassured him gently.

    "Don't worry, my brother. This land belongs to Grandma. Besides, she plans to renovate the temple as a merit-making act. Things should improve after that."

    Homlom smiled. "In that case, Venerable Brother, you don't need to worry. I'll take care of Homnoi myself."

    Venerable Brother Aidin nodded with relief, much like the Venerable Father. He smiled at Homlom, as if in gratitude, and sprinkled holy water on him, likely to bless him. Homlom raised his hands in respect to the monk. Whatever had inspired him to come here and meet this poor boy, he was grateful.

    Homlom didn't return home immediately. He asked Boonchai to take him to the home of the grandfather and grandson. On the way, Homlom, who was slightly plump, kept a respectful distance from the middle-aged man. The path was somewhat isolated, not quite a forest like the temple entrance, but filled with tall trees. When they reached their destination, Homlom asked Boonchai to stop, not wanting to intrude on the time of the grandfather and grandson.

    Their dwelling couldn't quite be called a house. It was a small, dilapidated shack without a door, revealing the inside. It seemed likely that the old man had built it himself. The grandfather and grandson were eating in front of the shack. Homnoi was feeding his grandfather with a smile, while the old man kept scooping food for his grandson, fearing his grandson would not have enough to eat, as it was rare for them to have nutritious food. Homlom stayed hidden behind a large tree, amidst Boonchai’s suspicion of why he didn’t go inside. Perhaps because it wasn’t a long distance, he could see that inside there was only a mat for sleeping, a pillow, and a blanket. After watching for a while, he decided to walk back to the car.

    Homlom gave Boonchai a small compensation for guiding him. On the way back to the car, Homlom couldn't stop thinking about the little boy. The current living conditions might be happy for the child, but it wasn't easy for him to suddenly intervene and change things. After all, he'd only known the boy for two days. The plump man climbed into his car as the sun was setting. Today, he stayed at the temple longer than yesterday. His eyes lowered to the steering wheel. No matter what, he wished for Homnoi to have a better life.

    That evening, Homlom couldn't stop thinking about the boy, Homnoi. He had completely forgotten about Tatthep, focusing solely on how to improve the child's life. But then, the sound of footsteps pulled him from his thoughts, and he turned to see his grandmother approaching, supported by his younger brother.

    "What's wrong, my dear? I noticed your tense expression since you returned from the temple." Grandma normally spoke with a firm voice, yet her tone always carried a gentle touch when conversing with them.

    Homlom didn't respond immediately. He helped his grandmother sit down, and Klinmok followed suit. His younger brother's eyes were filled with curiosity, causing Homlom to shake his head in exasperation. His round eyes, resembling their mother's, gazed out at the wide water, and he sighed softly, unsure of what Grandma would think. Lady Laor-Ong, though not overly proud, was quite reserved. She wasn't unkind, but she chose to help selectively.

    "Grandma, would you mind if I wanted to look after a child?"

    "A...Are you pregnant, Brother Lom?! With whom?!"

    Klinmok's eyes widened in shock, his voice rising sharply. He prayed it wasn't Tatthep! Homlom frowned at his brother. Why would he think he was pregnant? Wouldn't it be easier to think he had gotten someone else pregnant? Lady Laor-Ong looked at her grandson with a calm face, confident that Homlom wasn't pregnant or had gotten someone else pregnant. She knew her grandsons' personalities well, so she asked seriously.

    "Are you talking about the child you met at the temple?"

    "Y…yes, Grandma," Homlom nodded, watching as his grandmother stood up. The elderly woman gazed thoughtfully at the wooden house's balcony. Homlom swallowed hard, hoping Mrs. Laor-Ong would soften and allow him to support Little Homnoi.

    The grandmother turned back to her grandson, speaking gently, "I think it's best to bring him here to get to know him first. You should bring him here often."

    Homlom's face broke into a wide smile. Grandma's lack of opposition was a good sign. The next person he needed to talk to was Homnoi's grandfather. Homlom didn't anticipate any issues there, as he simply wanted to support the child, not separate the grandfather and grandson. His smile faded when his younger brother nudged him with an extremely curious expression.

    Klinmok was so troublesome.

    The next morning, Homlom followed Grandma to the temple as usual. Today, he stayed to care for the elderly woman, while Brother Inpha kept Klinmok company after Klinmok had slipped on the stairs the previous night. Fortunately, aside from a sprained ankle, he wasn't seriously injured. After offering food to the Venerable Father and Venerable Brother, Homlom introduced Homnoi to his grandmother, with Venerable Father, Venerable Brother, and Grandpa Kloi present.

    "Hello, Ma’am."

    "Oh dear, just call me Grandma."

    Lady Laor-Ong was taken aback when the scruffy little boy bowed so deeply that his bottom stuck up in the air. Homnoi looked up with a bright smile, though his eyes held a hint of fear. The elderly woman exchanged a glance with her grandson, now understanding why Homlom wanted to help the boy. The innocence in Homnoi's eyes was so pure it pained her. She glanced at the boy's grandfather, who appeared even older than she was, and sighed.

    The innocent child was unaware of the uncertain future ahead. Laor-Ong had no intention of cursing Grandpa Kloi. She was old enough to understand her own limitations and those of the elderly man. Her grandchildren had all grown up, leaving her with little to worry about. But the frail old man who cared for the child was a concern.

    "Please, Ma’am, let Little Homnoi call you Ma’am," Grandpa Kloi said politely, aware of Lady Laor-Ong's status as a wealthy matriarch in the province. "It's not appropriate."

    "What's inappropriate? At my age, clinging to titles with a little child like this is pointless," Lady Laor-Ong countered firmly. From the outside, Grandpa Kloi seemed older than her, perhaps due to his hard work. She turned to the boy. "Homnoi, right? Do you want to go to school?"

    Homnoi's large eyes sparkled, then dimmed like a candle flickering in the wind. He remembered seeing children in his grandmother's neighborhood wearing beautiful school uniforms. He recalled a kind aunt who lived next door giving him a school uniform her child had outgrown. He was so excited that he wore it all day, but his uncle and aunt told him he needed money to go to school.

    "I don't want to go to school." If he went to school, his grandfather would have to find more money, and he was already exhausted.

    The elderly woman exchanged a glance with her grandson, prompting Homlom to gently pull the small boy closer. "Why not, Homnoi? If you go to school, you'll gain knowledge. With knowledge..." His beautiful eyes turned to the old man, understanding that the most important thing for the little boy was his grandfather. "You'll be able to take care of your grandfather."

    "But...b…but I don't want Grandpa to be tired. We don't have money," the little boy explained softly.

    Grandpa Kloi's eyes welled with tears, feeling sorry for his grandson, as did the other adults listening. Homnoi was quite a smart child, knowing so much at such a young age and speaking so clearly. How wonderful it would be if the boy could receive an education. Homlom looked at the boy with admiration, gently holding his dirt-streaked cheeks. Today, he truly understood the saying. The more you know someone, the more you love them.

    Homnoi was sure to grow into a good adult.

    "Kind Uncle," Homnoi twisted shyly, "your hands are so soft and smell so nice."

    Homlom raised an eyebrow, recalling that he hadn't worn any perfume that morning. Never mind, he thought. He simply smiled at the child's innocent words. Little did Homlom know that the scent the boy detected was the fragrance of the white champaca flower, his signature scent that hardly anyone else could perceive.

    "If you want to study, I'll send you to school myself." He extended his pinky finger. "But promise me first, Homnoi, that you'll study hard and be a good boy."

    Homnoi looked at Kind Uncle's pinky finger, then turned to seek his grandfather's opinion. Grandpa Kloi, ever the humble man, quickly stammered a refusal.

    "P…please, sir, don't."

    "Grandpa Kloi..." Homlom turned to the old man. "Please allow it, for Homnoi's future. I..." Homlom paused slightly, then smiled gently, using a term of endearment reserved for family or close friends. "Lom wants Homnoi to have a bright future, to grow up securely. Nothing is certain...Grandpa knows that, right?"

    Homlom already considered Homnoi part of his family, and Grandpa Kloi was family to him as well. The old man's cheeks were wet with tears of gratitude. Deep down, he wanted his grandson to have a good life. How could he not know that he might not be around much longer? His only concern was his little grandson. Once, he had been angry at fate, but now he was grateful that heaven had mercy and sent an earthly angel to care for his innocent little grandson.

    "Thank you, sob…thank you."

    "Please, Grandpa, don't bow to me! No, don't."

    Homlom quickly stopped Grandpa Kloi when he attempted to bow to him. Grandpa Kloi hesitated, then turned to bow to the Venerable Brother and Venerable Father instead. Lady Laor-Ong simply smiled, her face beaming, as she watched her grandson and the little boy chatting happily. It warmed her heart. She hadn't cared for a young child in a long time, but the boy Homnoi bore a striking resemblance to Homlom. If someone were to say they were father and son or mother and son, she might believe it, except her grandson didn't have anyone yet.

    "I'm going to school soon," the little boy beamed widely. He wondered if the school uniform the kind aunt had given him was still around. His large, round eyes looked at Kind Uncle with affection, pressing his palms together and bowing his head to Homlom’s shoulder in gratitude. "Thank you. I'll be a good boy and study hard. I promise."

    Homlom broke into a wide smile, his heart swelling as if his body could float. He reaffirmed that whatever had brought him to meet Little Homnoi, he was grateful and might have to express this gratitude many times over.

    Homlom stayed at the temple until evening, continuing his conversation with Boonchai about hiring him to help renovate the small hut of the grandfather and grandson. He feared that if it rained, the two would be drenched. Grandpa Kloi kept raising his hands in gratitude, prompting Homlom to gently stop him. The old man was still anxious, helping Boonchai with the renovations to ensure the small house had windows and doors, so his grandson wouldn't have to endure the cold too much.

    His beautiful eyes, inherited from his mother, surveyed the room of the grandfather and grandson. There was only a square pillow, a mat to sleep on, and an old, tattered blanket. Their clothes were piled nearby, and it seemed they only had a few sets. The living conditions of Grandpa Kloi and Homnoi made Lady Laor-Ong understand why both Aidin and Homlom wanted to help this family.

    "How long will it take to finish?" Homlom asked Boonchai.

    "I think it should be done by tomorrow."

    Homlom nodded, handing over the payment to the other man. He paid half at a time, worried that Boonchai might not finish the work, given his habit of going out drinking every day. Even with the windows and doors added, the small hut still seemed unstable. He thought about building a small house for Homnoi, but Grandpa Kloi probably wouldn't easily accept such an offer.

    "Brother... I think you should take Grandma home. It's getting late."

    The reminder from his older brother brought Homlom back to reality. It was another day he had spent at the temple until evening without feeling bored at all. Homlom was happy and content to be with the little boy, just as Homnoi was. The boy's eyes saddened when Kind Uncle was about to leave again. Even though Kind Uncle was just going home, the boy didn't know if he would come to see him again tomorrow.

    "Tomorrow, get ready and dress up, okay? I'll take you shopping for clothes at the department store."

    Homnoi tilted his head in curiosity, "What's a department store?"

    "Um..." Homlom pondered how to explain it in a way the little boy would understand easily. "It's an air-conditioned market."

    "So... So, does that mean Kind Uncle will come to see me tomorrow?" He asked excitedly, his small face unable to hide his joyful smile.

    "Of course...take a bath and get dressed, okay?"

    The little boy nodded eagerly, "Sure, sure. I'll put on some nice-smelling powder."

    Homlom leaned down to stroke the sticky hair of the little boy, who looked up and gave him a sweet smile. He was determined to wash the boy's hair. Mrs. Laor-Ong exchanged glances with her eldest grandson. Although Homlom wasn't cold, he rarely spoke or showed his emotions. Yet, when he was with Little Homnoi, the atmosphere became surprisingly warm and gentle. Her grandson not only filled a void for Homnoi, but Homnoi also broke down the barriers around Homlom. Indeed, they really did seem like mother and son.

[1] In the context of Thailand, a temple boy refers to a young boy who serves a Buddhist temple, typically between the ages of 10 and 15, in exchange for food, lodging, instruction, and other benefits. They often assist with tasks like cleaning, errands, and collecting gifts, as part of their apprenticeship within the temple setting.