Milly 11-01

The Story of Chiang Khan

There is a man named Sun. He is a photographer and, next month, he will have to

organize the exhibition at one of the most popular art galleries in Bangkok. Right now, Sun is

on the train and he is going back to his hometown which is Bangkok, a big complicated city.

Bangkok is totally different from the place Sun just left for a couple hours and that place is

called Chiang Khan. Chiang Khan is one of the most popular districts in Loei province. It is

located in the northern part of Thailand. The temperature is cool in the winter and everything

there is always calm and peaceful. Sun went there to find some inspiration for his exhibition.

Even though it was just a week since he has been at Chiang Khan, but it brought him a lot of

happiness and some memories that will never be disappeared from his mind.

-Back to a few days ago-

Sun just arrived at Chiang Khan and he was going to the small lovely resort near the

mountain. The reason he chose this resort was because he wanted to be with the nature as

possible as he could.

Good morning. He said to the receptionist with smile on his face.

Hello, may I help you? she replied.

My name is Sun and Ive got a reservation for a week. He said.

Oh, I remember you. Here is your key. She said.

Thank you so much. Sun smiled and then walked straight to the stairs.

In the room, the atmosphere was friendly and comfortable. Sun saw that there was

some pictures on the wall. All of them were the pictures of the man with a good looking and

lovely warm smile in many different places. Sun has not ever seen this man before for sure,
so he just looked at the photos and continuing seeing around the room. On the next morning,

Sun woke up early. Today, he would have a trip with other tourists to visit some of the

important places here. There were a small group of people waiting downstairs too for a trip

today. Suddenly, Sun saw a woman stood near the group of tourists. She was beautiful and

attractive but her smile and her eyes looked sad all the time.

That is Prim and she will be our guide for the trip this week. A woman who stood

near Sun said after seeing him looked at her for a while.

Oh, thank you so much. I am just curios about this now. Sun said.

Today was the first day Sun knew Chiang Khan and in the same time it was the first

day that he met Prim as well.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in a very short time, we will be appreciating the first light of

the day. Down here, it will be covered by the sea mist. The point we are standing here is the

scenic point, and also the most romantic area for every couple. Prim said.

Though, she was smiling, but Sun realized that it seemed like she was hiding some

blue feeling inside. Next, they all went to the restaurant nearby for a breakfast. The mountain

view was so good and the air was extremely fresh. There was also a mist covered on the peak

of the mountain which made the atmosphere quiet and restful.

May I sit here with you? Sitting alone is quite lonely. Sun came closer and asked

Prim.

Sure She said.

Its very beautiful here. Actually, I come here to find my inspiration that I can apply

to my work. Maybe, I might follow you a lot. If you have anything to advise or suggest me,

please do, I will write it down on my personal diary. He said.

Alright She replied.

 Then, they both came back to the resort together with other people in the group.

So, see you all again at one oclock here. Prim said.

What? but Im free to go even now. Well, actually, lets go now. Sun said

Sorry, I cant. I have to do something this morning. Prim said.

But, I dont know what to do now. Anyway, can I go with you? Sun asked.

Sorry, but, its personal business. Prim said.

Oh, alright, okay. Sun replied.

After that, Prim went to the hospital alone. She walked directly until the end of the

floor and opened the door of the room on the right hand side. Then, she sat down near the

patient bed and started talking.

We were very busy this morning. The tourists have started to flock here. Im in

charge of a tour guide, taking them here and there. I forgot to tell you that Ive given your

bedroom for a guest already. Im afraid that it will get dusty if its closed for a long time. At

least, it looks usual if there is a light filtering through your door. That makes me feel youre

always there.

Prim sat there for a while. She sighed and then slowly stood up and walked out of the

room and went back to the resort. She did not even realize that Sun followed her to the

hospital and heard everything she said in the room. After that, Prim went back to the hotel

and went out again with the tourists to a lot of interesting and attractive places. As the time

passed, Sun and Prim traveled to many places together with other people in the group. That

made Sun felt impressed with Prim more and more everyday. One day, Prim decided to take

the tour to one of the most popular temples in Chiang Khan. Sun and Prim went inside of the

main hall of the temple in order to pay respect to the image of Buddha and they sat together

on the floor in front of the image of Buddha.

 Years ago, my relative was sick and admitted in the hospital. I had to depend on this

too. At least, after I left, it got me feel better. May all the sacred spirits bless anybody that

faces the same situation like me get through it. Please understand her, like I do. Sun said out

loud.

In that moment, Prim felt appreciated for what him said even though she was

wondered how he knew the story. After sitting there for a while, they both went back to the

outside and sat together during waiting for other people in the group to be ready to went back

to the resort. Today was a cloudy day. The sky was full with clouds and the sun was

disappeared and that made the weather get colder than any other days. Prim stood alone. In

front of her was the view of mountains, river and forest which were covered in the mist. It

makes everything looked soft and nondescript. She looked toward far away among all of

those mountains like she was waiting for something she could not reach. Sun slowly came

closer to Prim and, just a second, he already stood near her.

Are you cold? He asked.

A little bit, but its okay. Prim responded.

Did I disturb you? I mean like I saw you stand here alone, so, maybe, you might

need time for yourself. Sun said

Dont worry. Its alright. Im just thinking about something. Prim said.

Oh, so, what are you thinking about. If there is anything I could help you, please tell

me. Sun said and smiled.

Thank you for your kindness but, unfortunately, I think you can not help. Actually,

no one could except the heaven. She answered and gave him a blue smile too.

Is that about the man who you visited him at the hospital last six days? Sun asked.
 You should not know about this, but, yes it is. How did you know that? Prim said

with a little bit surprised on her face.

It isnt important how I knew it. I have something to tell you, Prim. From these past

few days and from all of those time that we were spending together, you should know by now

that how I think about you. I felt impressed with you since the first day we met and that

feeling is more and more everyday. Can you give me a chance to prove myself that I can take

care of you. Sun said.

Prim was speechless for a couple minutes. Actually, she knew that how Sun thought

about her, but she was not sure that she was ready to leave the past behind and moving on.

Even though she knew that, there was almost hopeless to make that man whom she loved,

staying in the hospital with no consciousness for a half year, to come up again. All she could

do right now was just waiting for a miracle. Now, some people might say that it was a good

opportunity for her to move on and get over the past. However, she didnt understand herself

why she still wanted to wait even though nothing was going to happen. Maybe, it was

because she loved him so much and although the new person was better and could show that

he also could take care of her and could make she felt happy, Surprisingly, she didnt get the

same old feeling as she felt with that man, so she thought about last year and started telling

the story again.

Do you know that last year, I stood here with him by my side watching the sunset in

the evening. He told me that even though, after the sunset, everything will be dark and empty,

but if we choose to stand there in the same place, then the light will shine again. Prim said

slowly.

You are correct, but what if there is not even the sun showing up today? Sun asked.

So, it depends on you whether you will wait for it or not. Prim answered.
 Sun still saw a hope showing up in her eyes and that is the moment he knew that the

truth was she needed no one else except that man in the hospital. Finally, He made a decision

to go back to Bangkok tomorrow morning and just left everything behind. On the way back

home, he wrote his personal journey in his diary and thought about everything that had been

happened with him through this past week. Chiang Khan was the place that made he found

his love. Although that love was just something that all he could do was just staying and

staring in a distance. Today maybe the day that I had to leave her, but he would let the time

spending with her together remained in his memory. In reality, while time is moving forward

and everyone has to move on. Many tourists will be appreciated with the romantic

atmosphere of Chiang Khan again and again. Till the time is up, all feelings will be faded

away from their minds, but for him, it is different because hes still moving backward to that

place as always. The place that he will totally fall in love with forever, Chiang Khan.