Chapter 4

Sun is silent at the moment as though he never hears the knock on his door. It is after the second one that he responds, “Come in.”

The door swings open, and an elderly lady emerges at the frame. “Sawadee krap young master. Breakfast is ready,” greeted the gentle-faced maid to him. She is Nana Bea.

None in the Pitchitara Family ever treats her as a worker. Nana Bea, along with the other two maids – Kira and Lin – are considered part of the family. Her real name is Beatrix, and she has been with them since Sun was still in high-school. It was Nana Bea and Exeter who held Sun together after his parents died in a freak vehicular accident. It happened two years after he finished college. On their golden wedding anniversary, Sun’s parents decided to spend a week at the countryside to celebrate. They went to a village in a mountain that was about a ten-hour drive from where they live. Three days into their vacation, a light earthquake prompted them to leave the place. While on their way down the mountain, they encountered a dangerous S-curve, which caused a blind side on their right. The road was two-way, so the S-curve caused a blind side on the left for cars travelling up the mountain. On their approach to it, Snobby’s father reduced to first-gear speed. Without warning, a speeding SUV hit them at the rear, causing them to miss the S-curve. Their car was thrown off the path and went into a free-fall down the canyon. The front of the SUV was flattened like a soda tin because of the strong momentum, which trapped its driver inside. According to the investigative report of the accident, the wreckage of Mr. and Mrs. Pitchitara and their bodies were found at the base of the mountain. They died upon hitting the ground and were mangled beyond recognition. The driver of the SUV was burned alive inside his vehicle, trapped by the dilapidated front side. He was still alive after the collision, but the impact caused the oil and fuel lines to leak intensely. A spark from the wirings inside the car caused the liquids to ignite.

It was evening of that fateful day when Sun received the news about the untimely passing of his parents. He was with Exeter at the living room playing Marvel vs. Capcom 2. It was Nana Bea who answered the door that night, and two policemen greeted her. She invited the two cops inside, and they talked at the living room. Sun fainted when he heard what happened, falling into Exeter’s chest. Before the policemen left their house, they gave two golden urns to Nana Bea, and pasted on each are notes denoting which urn has whose remains. Nana Bea put them in an altar that stood a few feet from the main door of the house.

It took several minutes before Sun regained consciousness, after which, Nana Bea elaborated what happened. He was crying on Exeter’s hand throughout her narration.

Nana Bea and Dr. Helman helped Sun back to his feet after that tragedy. Most of the time, Exeter slept at Sun’s house to keep him company. In time – little by little – Sun was able to cope up, but the scars of what happened remained to him up to this day.

“Sawadee krap Nana Bea,” greeted Sun when he reaches her at the door. He uses the pre-nominal “nana” not to emphasize that she is a maid, but to show affection to the woman who has taken care of him ever since becoming an orphan. “Had breakfast already?" Sun continued. They go down the stairs together.

“Not yet young master.”

“Let's have breakfast together with Kira and Lin.”

“Thank you, young master, but I will have it with Kira and Lin.”

“We can all eat together. Besides, I don't want you guys working hungry,” he said when they land on the ground floor. “Call them, nana,” he continued. He walks to the dining area, while Nana Bea deviates to where Kira and Lin are.

He checks his phone after taking a seat: no call or SMS yet. He is already getting rice when their team of household helpers come walking towards him.

After their meal, Sun checks his watch – 7:07 a.m. Simultaneously, his phone rings. Exeter is on the other line.

“Sawadee krap Grumpy.”

“Sawadee Snobby. We just arrived at the institute. Are you on your way to the university?”

“Just about to go. Nana Bea is excited to see you when I told her that you are back.”

“Tell her I'll be there tomorrow,” Exeter said, excited. He and the others are waiting for the elevator that will take them up to their lab where Dr. Seb is waiting.

“After you presented to Dr. Seb, you should do it to me as well,” Sun said assertively.

“Will you be able to keep up, Snobby?”

“If you speak English, then, I might. If you talk using your own language, you'll just send me right to sleep.”

“Maybe I will choose the latter, so that when you are already drowsy, we can do something else?”

“I don't mind that Grumpy.”

“Okay Sun. Drive carefully.”

“I will. Good luck with your presentation.”

“Thank you Snobby. Do good in your classes,” said Exeter in return. The elevator door opens in front of them. “The elevator is here. I got to go. I love you,” he added hurryingly.

“Okay. I love you more.”

“Are Aunt Mika and Uncle Jek up yet?” asked Sun to Nana Bea after the call. Kira and Lin are cleaning the table.

“Not yet, Young Master.”

“I see. Please tell them I did not wait for them at breakfast because I have a class at 8.”

“Yes, Young Master.”

“Thank you, Nana. I’ll see you later.”

He starts walking towards his car – a slick black Mazda 2 sedan of the latest model – while Nana Bea goes to the gate to open it for him. Just after starting the engine, Sun’s phone rings again.