The Sign | ENG TRANS |

NONG KHAI, 2005

“Luang Phor! Luang Phor!” A thin boy dressed in a red t-shirt paired with matching shorts ran to the monk’s house. Reaching the stair landing, he took off his Chang Dao sandals and climbed the nine-step stairs to the monk’s wooden cell above. The resounding footfall awakened the ascetic monk from his meditative state, causing him to peacefully open his eyes and cast a disapproving glance at the naughty boy.

‘Tarn’ or Vassa Rakseen, now realized his bad behavior. He tiptoed and crawled on his knees across the wooden floor towards Luang Phor, touching the ground with his forehead three times to pay homage before approaching the old monk.

“How many times do I have to tell you to walk and not run?”

“Good, good. Tarn will run no more.” Tarn was a temple child who grew up in the temple. It was not because he was an orphan, but because this temple was where his biological father had ordained, his mother divorced his father and returned to Chiang Mai when Tarn was only one year old. However, they never abandoned their son. Instead, Tarn had been raised with strict discipline. He knew that his mother really wanted to take him with his, but Tarn could not accompany him due to Luang Pu’s restriction, stating that Tarn could not live away from the Mekong River until he was eighteen. Otherwise, he would die if he tried to defy his own destiny.

Consequently, his mother inevitably left Tarn with his father. . There were times when Tarn felt abandoned when Tong and other children called him an unloved child, and his mother had to leave him for Luang Phor to take care of here because of your financial situation. When Tarn cried and ran to Luang Phor, the devout monk said nothing, only handed him a notebook with Tarn’s name on it, revealing the balance in his bank account. Oh wow… Tarn had approximately one million baht in his bank account.

‘So, you still think your mother is so depressed that she can’t raise you?’

Tarn shook his head and looked at his account balance. Had his mother been depositing a hundred thousand baht every month for him all along? Curse! If he had known that he had so much money, he would have asked Luang Phor to buy him a phone to play with like the other children, he would not have been afraid and thought that Luang Phor was poor.

‘Then stop being angry like a girl, you’re a boy. You need to be strong. You shouldn’t cry so easily.’

Tarn nodded.

’So why did Luang Phor and mom have to separate? Why do you have to become a monk for life?. .Why can’t mom be here with us?′

‘Tarn, listen. Sometimes humans can’t fight their destiny. The reason Raviwan and I couldn’t be together is a matter of karma.’

And that was what Luang Phor said, but for some unknown reason, Tarn had a feeling that the real reason behind their separation might have been him. However, he decided to keep his thoughts to himself, refraining from asking any more questions for fear that his suspicion might be true.

Returning to the present, Tarn wanted to ask Luang Phor to visit P’Yai’s house in Ban Nampe, Rattanawapi district, to see the Naga fireballs. People said there was a place where visitors could see many of them, and Tarn wanted to see it too.

“What makes you run towards me like this?”

“Ha ha”

“Do you want to hang out?”

Tarn nodded.

“Yes. Please let me go. I want to see the Naga fireballs in Ban Nampe. They say there is a place where I can see a lot of them.”

Ex-pol. Captain Thepphop Rakseen looked at his beloved son, who was staring back at him with doe eyes, and sighed. Now, Tarn was already twelve years old. Luang Pu said that his son would find a savior who would save him from perdition. Furthermore, during the meditation he perceived a sign of a giant bird approaching the Tarn. Maybe the time had finally come.

“Luang Phor?”

" You can go.”

“Yay!”

“But keep something in mind, don’t say a single word about the things you see in the Mekong River, understand?”

“It’s okay. You’ve told me that a thousand times already.” The old monk kept repeating it like a broken record, so Tarn already knew it by heart.

“Give me your hand.”

“Yeah?” Still looking bewildered, Tarn extended his hand to Luang Phor.

Luang Phor grabbed the monk’s bag, searched for something, and placed it in Tarn’s palm.

An amulet? The one that Luang Pu gave to Luang Phor before the pilgrimage.

“If you find him worthy of this Phra Rod amulet, do not hesitate to gift it to him.”

“Huh? How would I know?”

“You have the supernatural sense, the extrasensory perception. You’ll know who to give it to when you meet him.”

Tarn scratched his head in slight confusion. But if it was Luang Phor’s demand, Tarn had no choice but to comply, so Tarn devoutly paid homage to the amulet of Phra Rod in his own hand and put it around his neck.

“I will find him, Luang Phor.”

Luang Phor nodded in acknowledgment, no other words passing his lips to his son. The holy man closed his eyes and returned to his meditative state. Tarn paid homage three times to say goodbye and silently walked on his knees to leave the monk’s cell, headed to his room opposite Luang Phor’s, putting the money and clothes into the backpack that had already been used for three years. Luang Phor said it was genuine and told Tarn to take good care of him and use him for five years. Tarn couldn’t help but frown at this idea. He had a million baht in his bank account, but he needed to wear the worn-out backpack for so long that even his friends made fun of it. CHUCKLE.

After packing his belongings, Tarn climbed down from the monk’s cell and slipped his feet into his sandals and walked to the bus stop in front of the Wat Pho Chai temple. Today was more lively than ever as the Naga Fireball Festival was underway. Many people gathered to make wishes for Luang Phor Sai, which bothered the boy a little because he had to push his way through the large crowd.

“Look, Tarn is there! Hey, Tarn, this way!” The voice of P’Yai, Tarn’s closest older friend, was heard. His voice was so loud that it attracted all the attention of those nearby. But soon, Jampee, Yai’s mother, twisted his ear, causing P’Yai to moan in pain. Tarn was amused by P’Yai’s situation before running towards the elder’s family under the tree so fast that he didn’t realize there was a person standing there.

THUD!

WHISTLE!

Tarn was puzzled and turned to the boy he had hit. The strange young man picked up the lotuses scattered on the ground and looked at Tarn with dissatisfaction. That child. . was the same size as him. But just as Tarn approached the boy his own age, P’Yai’s hand grabbed him by the neck.

“Where are you going, Tarn? I’m here.”

“I ran into a boy. .” That boy still gave him a look of disgust. He was dressed in luxurious clothes: a white T-shirt and black knee-length pants, with a face that anticipates the handsome young man he will be when he grows up, they stared at each other. eyes for a while. On one hand, the disapproving look from the boy’s side, on the other, Tarn’s bewildered look. Tarn was not so sure of the reason behind that look, his head went completely blank, but his heart beat like a drum.

“Young master!” That call made that boy turn and leave, Tarn was about to follow him, but Yai stopped him.

“Who was?” Yai looked left and right but couldn’t see any young people around here, only old people everywhere. Tarn let go of Yai and tried to chase the strange young man, but Yai did not let him go, with the significant difference in size between the older man and the child, Tarn was dominated by Yai’s strength and could not free himself from that strong grip. Without a trace, that mysterious boy completely disappeared into the crowd, Tarn sighed in annoyance.

“P’Yai! Now I lost it, see?”

“Psst, forget about him already, Mom is calling now, we have to pick up other relatives and bring them to our house.”

Tarn frowned. . that boy might have been the one Tarn needed to give the Phra Rod amulet to. . Not to mention that. . his face was very familiar, but Tarn couldn’t remember where they had met before.

“Come on!” Yai rushed over and put his arm around Tarn’s neck to make him follow him, Tarn looked back in the direction where the boy had disappeared out of nowhere. His heart sank at the thought that he would never see that strange young man again. Because? That’s weird. .

~~~~~

BAN NAMPE, RATTANAWAPI DISTRICT

Tarn had visited P’Yai’s house several times before, this was his third time here. Mom Jampee. P’Yai’s mother liked Tarn very much and said that Yai was able to enter the tenth grade because of Tarn. Tarn laughed in satisfaction at being Mama Jampee’s favorite son, while Yai frowned in disgust.

Although he was terrible at studying, Yai was sure that his athletic skills were second to none. The older man grumbled to himself.

“Relax and make yourself at home here. Look at you, darling, even in shabby clothes; you’re still so cute and handsome.” Not only did he congratulate, but Jampee also caressed Tarn’s cheek adoringly, Tarn responded with a sweet and seductive smile even wider, in case he could have more treats each day during his stay. CHUCKLE.

THUD!

“Oh!” The big boy’s blow was so hard it shook his brain.

“Stop staring with your stupid, wide-eyed pleading face at Mom. How frustrating!”

“Yai! Why did you hit him? What if Luang Phor knew?”

“Mom! You keep complimenting him and taking his side in front of me. It bothers me.” If Yai had known, he wouldn’t have invited the boy here. Tarn smiled in pleasure as he moved his eyebrows to mock the older man behind Jampee’s back.

“Here he goes again, Mom! He’s making fun of me!”

Jampee looked at Tarn. The boy suddenly changed his expression to one of sadness and pity.

“I don’t see your nong doing anything. Come here, bad boy.”

“Ow! Mom, don’t hit me. How dare you, Tarn! You little bastard, I’ll kick your ass.”

“Hahaha.” Tarn laughed happily and escaped towards the door with Yai chasing after him.

Jampee’s voice boomed from behind telling his children not to come back after nine and to also take care of each other. Yai’s house was close to the place so they could see Naga’s fireballs, they playfully kicked each other’s butts for a few moments until they reached the place.

“I’m exhausted now. Let’s go get some food.”

“Um. But you pay for my food.”

“Fuck you! Why does it always have to be me!”

“You are older than me. Big brother must be generous.”

“Well well.”

Tarn smiled and followed Yai to the smoothie cart, ordering smoothies for both of them before looking for a perfect spot with the best view. Yai’s family was not originally from Nong Kai.

According to Yai, they had moved from the south to accompany his father, who had finished his career here. Just like Chiang Mai was the birthplace of the Tarn family. No, to be precise, Luang Phor was half a native of Nong Kai. At first, his parents just wanted to seek blessings and make wishes from local monks. However, things changed when their mother unexpectedly went into labor and gave birth in Nong Kai, so they had to stay a little longer. But when they decided to return to Chaing Mai, something came up and ended up with Tarn and Luang Phor settling here ever since.

“Hey, look at that! Who the hell comes to see the fireballs and does such a thing? Who do they think they are? Snobby morons.”

Yai pointed to Tarn to look. Tarn saw a group of well-dressed people who represented wealth by their behavior. They wanted to enjoy the blessing of the Naga fireballs like everyone else, but since they did not want to come into contact with the crowd, they pitched their own tent while drinking tea. with grace and tranquility, their posture resembled that of Tarn’s grandmother.

“Leave them alone. We better find our own seats before they’re all taken.”

“Uh-huh.”

Tarn and Yai found their place to sit. But soon after, Tarn could hear the sound of the wind whispering in his ear. Suddenly, the image of that boy he met this morning came directly to his mind. .

THUD!

Tarn dropped the smoothie glass in his hand, turned around and ran towards where he thought that mysterious boy would be. Yai could see Tarn leaving his side, so Yai abruptly chased after the boy.

“Help! Someone help him! Young master! Young master!” A loud voice shouted for help, making Tarn run towards the direction of the sound. When he reached the accident site, Tarn quickly took off his shoes and jumped into the river.

SPLASH!

Chadayu Kamolwipak, or Phaya, had never drowned before in his life and had no intention of falling into the river. He was trying to take a photo on the old pier, but suddenly, an unknown hand dragged him towards it. Phaya actually knew how to swim, but no matter how hard he tried and fought to keep his head above water, Mekong wanted too badly to swallow him whole.

Phaya held his breath, kept his eyes wide open to see what was under the water, turned around and tried to kick again, but he couldn’t move. Why was it like this? What happened to him? The sun’s rays shone weakly during the twilight hour, making it impossible for him to see. I couldn’t see anything but the swaying aquatic plants. Then, the two red lights made him rush forward, his gigantic figure making Phaya’s body tremble in fear. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t escape from there. Aid! Somebody help me! Was approaching. He’s coming to find me!

SMASH!

The huge shadow suddenly dissolved as someone’s hand grabbed onto his shoulder.

Chadayu was out of breath and could no longer hold his breath, so he collapsed and let the rescuer grab him by the neck and carry him to the ground. bank. How lucky of him that this person was able to save him at the last moment. Tarn dragged Chadayu back to the shore, he could see a large crowd waiting. Yai extended a hand for assistance, these people must have been the same group Yai wanted him to see.

“Hurry up! Bring my grandson back to the shore! Bring my grandson back to the shore!”

Bring me too, will you? Damn! Tarn screamed in his head, but the one who really pulled him to shore was P’Yai.

“GAG, GAG.” Phaya continued to choke on water after being able to sit on dry land. He was surrounded by his grandmother, his mother and his aunt. P’Noon, his babysitter, handed him a towel to cradle his body and handed him another towel to….

“GAG, GAG, GAG. You. .” The boy who bumped into him this morning.

“HUFF! You know how to swim, right?” Tarn knew this because the boy was actually able to make his body float to get it out, without supporting too much weight like those capable of swimming. “Why didn’t you swim back to shore?”

Phaya leveled up with the close support of his mother. “Phaya, Phaya. Don’t move too much, dear in case you are hurt somewhere. What happens if you move your bones?” said his mother, who tried to help him all the time. But Phaya didn’t care anymore. He froze his gaze, motionless, looking at the boy in the worn-out soccer uniform.

“Thank you for saving my grandson. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” Grandma turned to show her gratitude.

Phaya looked at his grandmother and shifted his gaze to the boy in front of him, this boy saved his life anyway, and it wasn’t him who was ungrateful, Phaya expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you for saving me.” Even though Phaya wanted so badly to ask if Tarn had seen something underwater, assuming from his posture that Tarn didn’t see it, if he had, the boy wouldn’t scold him like that.

Tarn looked at Phaya and touched his necklace, he pursed his lips and walked towards Phaya. He took off his necklace and hung it around Phaya’s neck. The rescued child was stunned by that action and bewildered while the adults exchanged looks in confusion.

“It’s a Phra Rod necklace. I’ll give it to you,” Tarn said. As he looked closer, the more he noticed how refined that face was.

“Phra Rod? Oh my god, can you really give away such a sacred item like this so easily, kid?”

Phaya’s aunt exclaimed in amazement. Phaya looked down at that necklace and was about to give it back, but Tarn stopped him.

“Take it, I want to give it to you. Luang Phor said I should give it to the one who deserves it.

And I think it’s you.” Tarn was very sure that this boy was the one who should receive him.

Phaya looked at him in amazement, placing his eyes on the necklace and looking up in gratitude at Tarn. “Thank you.” Phaya had no idea how much it would cost, but after this whole terrible event, Phaya also agreed to have him with him.

Tarn smiled widely.

“Do not mention it.”

“How cute! Not only did you rescue him but you also gave him a necklace. Can I buy you a meal to thank you?” The grandmother invited him friendly. Phaya was carried into his mother’s arms and looked at Tarn pleadingly, hoping he would accept him.

Tarn discussed it with Yai, but Yai simply shrugged in response. Then, he turned to respond.

“I’m afraid we can’t go. We have to rush home now.” With his body soaked as he is, Mom Jampee will scold him a lot.

“Oh, dear! That’s true. You got soaked to the skin. How about you change into some of our clothes? You must be the same size as our boy, I guess.”

Tarn shook his head, this wouldn’t be good. If Luang Phor found out, he would be in big trouble. When Yai noticed Tarn’s concern, he intervened to save the day for his brother.

“Our house is nearby, you’d better change your clothes at home.”

“Really? How sad. Hmm.. How about we go thank your family too? Is that a good idea, Poodsorn?” The grandmother asked Phaya’s mother for her opinion. “I’ll leave it to you, mother.” Phaya’s mother sent her a smile so kind that Tarn didn’t know how to react and clung to his Phi’s arm.

“If you agree, please take me there, You and I will go together. Phaya, you can go back to change your clothes and then follow us.”

“Yes. Grandma.” Phaya accepted. The grandmother smiled at her little one and walked towards Tam with another companion.

“Please guide us the way.”

“Yeah.” Yai accepted and approached Tarn to accompany him, closely followed by Phaya’s grandmother and aunt. Tarn looked back at Phaya and found that he was also looking in his direction, their gazes meeting for so long that Tarn couldn’t stand it and was the one who turned around first.

BUM BUM

His heart raced. I must be sick, Tarn thought to himself. You will have to tell Luang Phor to take you to the hospital for a medical checkup.

Yai and Tarn took Phaya’s grandmother and aunt to Mama Jampee’s house. After a few words, Jampee turned to look at Tarn with multiplied admiration, because Yai whispered in Tarn’s ear that this time he could have been promoted to Jampee’s biological son.

They all carried on a conversation for a while. Phaya, his mother, and his nanny joined them after Phaya’s aunt explained the location of Tarn’s house to them over the phone for a long time.

There was a bracelet in Phaya’s palm and he handed it to Tarn to express his gratitude. Tarn looked down at the bracelet in front of him, taking it for himself and looking at it with such joy that it was strange, his heart skipped a beat upon receiving Phaya’s item.

The heart jumped to the ceiling.

“Thank you. I’ll take good care of him.”

“Me too.”

They stared at each other and exchanged smiles. Their friendship was fostered between the delight of the two families. But Yai, the way Tarn looked at Phaya made him doubtful, it was strikingly similar to the way his cute kitten, Nong Mon, looked at him.

After a long expression of gratitude, the city family apologized and returned home. Yai secretly noticed a sad face on Tarn. Although they were long gone, Tarn kept looking at the bracelet.

CHUCKLE.

“P’Yai, do you think I’ll see him again?”

Yai looked at his Nong and said, “Probably. If fate brings it, you will do it.” The big guy decided to feast him with a little hope. Poor.

SWOOSH!

SWOOSH!

“Tarn! Get up. The fireballs are already up!” Yai pushed Tarn, who was lying on the mat.

Tarn looked at the fireballs shooting into the sky and felt strangely satisfied.

“So beautiful.”

“Make a wish.”

“I can do that?” Tarn asked confused, he had never made a wish before during the Naga fireballs event.

“Just do it. Isn’t it a festival of blessing made for it?” Yai said before putting his palms together and closing his eyes. Tarn looked at his Phi and thought he wasn’t hurting anyone, so he did it too.

“May the destinies find us again. Abracadabra!”

~~~~~

CHONBURI PROVINCE, 2562 AD

A tall, intelligent and handsome man, dressed in a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt, carrying a camping backpack and sunglasses, approached a sailor and asked him.

“Is this a boat to Koh Phra Island?” Like a television star, that sculpted face made the ship’s passengers look at him in amazement.

“Yes, sir. Hop on.” The man smiled and looked for a perfect seat.

At the same time, a large, burly figure and a tall, thin figure playfully pushed each other until they reached the ship.

“Thanks to you, P’Yai, you idiot, you woke up so late we almost missed the train.”

“You can’t just blame me. It took you a long time to get dressed, didn’t it?”

They both fought until they got on the boat, but the confrontation between them continued.

The man sitting in the same row decided to put on headphones, play music, and look outside, further distancing himself from them.

Now, the ship is heading upwind toward Koh Phra Island, where the Navy SEAL training base is located. It was where he intended to join and receive training once in his life despite his mother’s disagreement. He went against his mother’s will to pursue his dream of joining the Department of Special Investigation (DSI), as he had always dreamed of.

I was on a mission to succeed!