[2073] Koh Kaew Phitsadan/marriage

Late 2073

When Apaimanee first brought up the subject of marriage to Sin, the boy cried and ran away.

He lost track of how long it had been since he arrived at the island, but he knew it had been many days, enough time for him to recover from the shock.

He helped the island residents with one job or another, and helped the Old Master with operating medical devices. At night, he would tuck his son in bed, then came out to walk along the shore. The girl often joined him, and they walked on the white beach along the water’s edge.

She was Madame Butterfly’s polar opposite. She was simple and sweet, and would listen to anything he said. She blushed when he smiled, and her laughs were always sincere. She was a cough syrup to his parched and aching throat.

When he asked for her hand in marriage, she blushed profusely and said yes.

She had no parents, so Apaimanee saw it fit to talk to the Old Master about his feelings for her. The old man agreed to act as the bride’s guardian. The islanders were in agreement, but the only one who disapproved was his son.

Apaimanee chased after Sin, and saw the boy sulking on some beach rocks. He sat down beside his son and watched the waves lapping.

“Are you upset?”

“I am!”

“Can you tell me why?”

“Because…” Sin bit his lower lip and said no more.

“Are you still upset that you can’t watch cartoons anymore?”

“No!”

“You don’t want her to be your mom?”

“No! I don’t want her as a mom.”

“Then what?”

“Do you even love her, papa?” Sin stared him straight in the eye.

It was such a simple question, yet the words got stuck in his throat. Apaimanee swallowed before answering.

“I do.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am.”

“Did you love mom?”

“I… Well, I might have been captivated by her at some point. But feelings change, and, well, you saw how she tried to kill us.”

“What does that mean? So, you don’t love her anymore?”

“I guess.”

“Will you stop loving big sis too? You said feelings change, right? Will you stop loving her as well?”

“What do you want to hear from me?”

“I don’t want her to be your wife!”

Apaimanee sighed.

“What about my feelings, then? Can’t I marry the person I love? That sounds a bit cruel, no?”

“Does she love you?”

“She said yes to the marriage, so she does. You can ask her again.”

Sin got up and did so. He came back, crying. Then, he ran to the Old Master’s house and stayed there for hours. When dinner was over, Apaimanee came to check if his son was ready to head home.

The Old Master ushered the boy to go back. The boy had puffy eyes. He looked up and saw his father, waiting for him.

“Okay.”

“Okay, what?”

“I’ll let you marry her. You said feelings change, so I’ll let you marry her.”

Apaimanee recalled a conversation they had, where he brushed off his son’s declaration of love for the girl as childish affection. He knew his son would get over it, eventually. Sin would meet more people his age, and he would know what it really felt like to love someone.

Apaimanee and the girl got married. The ceremony took place on the beach. He remembered her brilliant smile, her black hair fluttering in the wind, and the flower crown on her hair.

The island had a custom of placing a bed on the beach for the newlyweds to spend their first night. The bed would be draped with white lace curtains, to give those inside some privacy, and for one night, nobody was allowed on the beach.

The Old Master laid the bedding while giving his blessings. A senior couple first laid on the bed for good luck, and also gave their blessings to the bride and groom.

It was time for everyone to leave the newlyweds alone, and the Old Master took Sin to his house on the hill for one night.

Apaimanee laid his bride on the bed and closed the curtains, tying the ends to the bed so that the ocean breeze would not blow them open.

The bed was covered with flower petals, and the girl in white who laid among them appeared like a beautiful forest sprite.

The man put out the lantern and laid beside her.

“I’m happy.” She said. “This feels different from when I spend nights with other people.”

“I’m glad.”

Apaimanee remembered himself thinking that it felt good to finally be on top. That was his strongest recollection of that night. He also remembered the softness of her skin and the smell of the flowers mingling with the scent of the sea breeze.

They moved into a new house with Sin. The girl realized she was pregnant about three to four months after the marriage.