Chapter 25

“Nom, has Sun already arrived?” asked Mochi. He is peaking from the door of the dining room. He is with Aunt Mika and the others, preparing to surprise today’s birthday celebrant.

“No, not yet,” he answered, sitting by the window with Nana Bea. “Okay K’Bea, let’s go over it again,” Nom continued.

“I’ll greet N’Sun from the door,” Nana Bea started.

“Krap khun! By then, I will be in the dining with the others. Then, what’s next?”

“Bring him to the kitchen and tell him that I need his help in cooking something. Right, nong?”

“Krap. We will surprise him there. Whatever happens, khun, don’t let him go upstairs just yet.”

“Krap nong.”

Suddenly, they hear a couple of honks from the outside. Nom peeks at the window and sees Sun’s car by the gate.

“Sun is here!” announced Nom. He proceeds to the dining area to join everyone else. “Break a leg, K’Bea,” he continued. She goes to the gate afterwards.

“Happy birthday N’Sun,” greeted Nana Bea as soon as she sees Sun alight his car. She is surprised to see him obviously tired and wearing black from head to foot.

“Thank you, Nana Bea,” said Sun back. He forces a smile to look somewhat okay.

“You look fatigued nong. Are you alright?”

“Just a bit. Don’t worry. I just didn’t get enough sleep yesterday at Exeter’s house,” replied Sun, who feels a sharp pain when he says his Grumpy’s name.

“Let me help you with your things.”

“It’s okay, P’. I can manage.”

“Uhh, okay, but before you head upstairs, I want you to have a taste of what I am cooking: see if it is rightly seasoned. It’s your favorite – lasagna – my treat for you today.”

“Okay nana.”

The living room is empty when they get in, which is not usually the case in a weekend at his house. Normally, his Uncle Jek will be in the sofa either reading a book, answering that day’s crossword puzzle in the newspaper, or watching TV. Aunt Mika, on the other hand, will attend to her cross-stitch or knitting. Even Kira and Lin are nowhere to be seen.

“Where is everyone?” asked Sun. He stops by the door after seeing the dead state of the house.

“Kira and Lin are at the back pruning the plants. Your aunt and uncle are upstairs, but they will be coming down now for lunch. Here, give me your bag, nong,” said Nana Bea while freeing Sun of an obviously filled bag pack, which loops over his shoulders.

“Make sure to put some oregano bits in the sauce, Nana Bea. I like an Italian hint on the lasagna,” said Sun as they walk to the dining room.

“I have. I want you to taste it, so I can adjust as needed.”

“Sure.”

The door in the dining room doesn’t have knob: a weak push can swing it open. Sun enters and walks to the right to open the lights, but before he can reach the switches on the wall, the lights open and the party poppers go off, launching confetti in the air.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUN!”

Nom switches on the lights, while Pon, Kira, and Lin burst the poppers. Aunt Mika and Uncle Jek are at the front of the table with gifts in their hands. Gan, Tas, and Mochi are making sounds with their party blowers. Mochi is alone on one side of the table, while Tas and Gan are together on the opposite one. Sun’s aunt and uncle walk to him to give them their presents.

“Thank you, auntie, uncle,” said Sun.

“Sun, we did not bring you any gifts because we have no idea what to give you. We brought you these, instead” said Tas, pointing to the grubs at the table – lasagna, penne, roasted pork ribs, and fried chicken wings.

“Tiramisu and cannoli are in the fridge. There is an ice cream cake there too,” added Mochi.

“I see you brought my favorites, huh.”

“Have you been to the temple to pray, nong?” asked Aunt Mika.

“Krap P’. I stopped over there before going here.”

“You went to the temple wearing that, Sun? All black?” asked Nom.

“And where is Exeter? I thought he will be with us today?” added Uncle Jek.

“I was at the temple not only to pray for today, but I also attended a bathing ceremony,” Sun responded, feeling a pressure forming in his chest.

“A bathing ceremony, P’? Why? Who died?” asked Pon.

“Exeter,” replied Sun.

Like a plague, the name wipes out the happy faces inside the dining room. Courageously, Sun explained everything to them: the accident, the interrogation from the policemen last night at Exeter’s house, and him being unable to respond to their messages and answer their calls.

With the air in the room thick because of the news, it is Mochi who encourages Sun to lighten up.

“I think P’Exeter would not want to see you in distress if he was here today, Sun,” said Mochi.

“I know. Even his parents told me to go home rather than stay there with them at the temple for the wake.”

“When will you be back there?” asked Aunt Mika.

“Tomorrow morning auntie.”

“We’ll come with you to pay our homage.”

“Okay krap. Come, let’s start digging in. I don’t want the food to get cold,” invited Sun, wiping the tears off his eyes as he approaches the table. “Thank you. Thank you all for doing this today. At least, I don’t have to feel depressed,” he continued. He sits and cuts a square of the lasagna from its tray.

Nom did a couple of pats on Sun’s shoulder while looking at him.

“What was that for, Nom?” asked Sun, looking surprised.

“I heard someone telling me to do it.”

At this response, Sun startles to the point that he backs away a couple of steps from Nom.

“Haha. I'm just kidding,” said Nom, quickly dismissing the fear in his friend.

“Don't scare me like that Nom!” spat Sun.

“That is just to let you know that we’re always here. You may have lost P’Exeter, but we are still here.”

Sun returns the pat to Nom’s shoulder despite scaring him. He is not a fan of ghost stories and the supernatural, and this was revealed when Exeter and he went out before. In one All Hallow’s Eve, they went to the cinema to watch a horror movie. However, right off its first scene, Sun hid his face from behind Exeter’s shoulder. When the film was done, Exeter was laughing as they left because he believed than Sun was hiding for nearly the entire duration of the film.

“Did you hear voices again, or were you just messing with Sun?” Tas asked.

“Nah. I was just messing with him.”

“But can you really hear spirits, nong?” It was Nana Bea who asked this time.

“Yes khun. There are times I can hear them.”

“That must be a nice gift, don’t you think?”

“Not really khun,” replied Nom, smiling but with the urge not to elaborate further.