"It's time for bed."

"But I'm not sleepy yet. Can you tell me a story?"

"What kind of story?"

"A love story."

"I'm not a good story teller."

"How about your story?"

"My story? Hmm, let me think."

~~~~~~

2000

"Happy 6th birthday sweetie. I love you so much baby. I'm sorry we can't have a big birthday party for you like your classmates do."

"It's okay mommy. I'm still happy." Little Kongpob smiled holding his mommy's hand after having McDonald's for lunch.

"You're such a good boy. I wish your daddy didn't have to travel this week so he can celebrate with us. Let's go pick a toy for your birthday."

Holding his mommy's hand, they walked into the biggest toy store in the mall. Kongpop perused up and down the toy aisles. Everything cost more than 200 Bahts. Grandpa once told him that it's very hard to earn even 100 Bahts, so 200 would be twice as hard. Mommy always said that if they had more money, then daddy wouldn't have to travel so much.

Little Kongpob really couldn't justify spending so much money even if it is his birthday.

"How about this red truck? There's a plower attached to it, and the doors open." Kongpob's mommy inspected the toy.

Kongpob eyed the toy suspiciously. He looked at the price tag on the shelf, and it was 299 Bahts. He immediately frowned.

"I already have a green truck that grandpa bought me. I don't want another one. I don't like any of the toys here mommy. Let's leave."

"Sweetie, there's a lot more toys in the next aisle. Let's walk over there. Maybe you will see something you like over there."

Kongpob reluctantly agreed, and held his mommy's hand to go to the next aisle. There was a commotion going on at the front of the store.

"Kongpob, let's go see what's going on over there." Kongpob's mommy walked over to the crowd with little Kongpob.

There was a clown dancing, and making twisty balloons. The clown made all sorts of animals, swords, crowns, and shields.

"Everyone that wants a free twisty balloon, please line up behind the cone."

Kids of all ages quickly got in line to get a twisty balloon.

Kongpob immediately tugged his mommy's hand to let her know that he wanted a twisty balloon. The keyword 'free' was all that registered with him. This would be perfect. He would get something to play with without spending any money. Once he gets that balloon, his mommy will let him leave the store. Brilliant!

Kongpob got in line with his mommy. The line was very long, and there was only one clown. So, the line moved very slowly. Kongpob had plenty of time to think about what he wanted. He kept debating between a sword or a crown. Those two were the coolest to him.

"Hello young fella. My name is Binky, what is yours?" The clown asked.

Kongpob was shy. He stood closer to his mommy, but he still smiled.

"It's okay baby. Tell him your name. Tell him it's your birthday."

Kongpob looked up at his mommy smiling, and then he turned to the clown. "My name is Kongpob, and today is my birthday. I'm 6 years old today."

"Happy 6th Birthday Kongpob! Now, what would you like me to make for you?"

"I want a sword." Kongpob said with a great big smile.

"I tell you what. It's your birthday, and you should have a crown to go with that sword." The clown quickly worked his nimble fingers.

Kongpob was delighted to know that he can have both without asking. He watched with amazement how the clown was able to skillfully twist and turn the balloons without busting them.

"Here you go young man. Happy Birthday!" The clown placed the crown on top of Kongpob's head, and handed the sword over to Kongpob with both hands and a little bow.

Kongpob and his mommy thanked Binky the clown, and stepped out of line.

The line was placed on hold right after them, and Binky announced he would be back in thirty minutes.

From a short distance, Kongpob heard someone whine.

"No! Please! I really want a sword." A little kid cried at the end of the line.

Kongpob turned around to see a little girl, no maybe a little boy since he is wearing boys clothes crying. The boy....eh, maybe a girl, looked really sad.

"Oon, we have already been in line for a long time, and now the line won't resume until thirty minutes later. We have to leave for our next appointment." The lady carrying the little boy reasoned.

"I don't care. I want a sword balloon. Please mommy. Please." Little Oon's face was soaked with tears.

Kongpob tugged his mommy's hand. "Mommy, can I give him my sword?"

Kongpob's mommy smiled, and nodded. She released his hand to let him go over to the other child. She watched her baby in awe. He is just like his grandpa. Always thinking of others.

"Excuse me. Here, you can have my sword." Kongpob said pulling on the hem of Oon's pants, and raising his balloon sword.

"That's very nice of you, but you don't have to do that. Oon can get one next time." Oon's mommy said smiling at Kongpob's kind gesture.

"I want it mommy. I want it!" Oon said kicking his mommy's side.

"Ouuu....Oon, behave." Oon's mommy reprimanded.

"Auntie, he can really have it. I already have a crown. See?" Little Kongpob pointed to his head.

Oon's mommy looked to Kongpob's mommy, and the latter nodded with a smile.

So, both children left the toy store with a smile.

~~~~~~

2005

"It's so hot today, grandpa. You should stay in the shade. I can handle the cart, or maybe we can park it closer to the shade."

"It's okay. I'm fine. I'm under the umbrella. We have to park here. It's the most visible spot. Why don't you go and play?"

"I want to stay and help you." Kongpob insisted.

He comes every weekend to help his 70 years old grandpa sell ice cream at Lumphini Park for the local orphanage. His grandpa refused to quit even at his old age. His grandpa wants to give back to the orphanage where he stayed before getting adopted.

"Child, you are more stubborn than your mother. Here, have a popsicle. It will keep you nice and cool."

"No, grandpa. That's for sale. If I eat it, then you can't earn money for it." Kongpob placed the popsicle back in the freezer.

"Don't worry Heng. I have more to sell. Just eat one. I won't tell your mom." Grandpa took the popsicle out again, and nudged Kongpob to take it.

Kongpob shook his head. It's not like he would still get a tummy ache.

"Excuse me, can I get a mango popsicle?" A girl with a ponytail holding 20 bahts in her hand asked.

Kongpob takes the mango popsicle from his grandpa, and takes the money from the girl.

"Heng, that's the last mango. It's your favorite." Grandpa said.

"It's okay. I can just have another flavor. Here, take this." Kongpob hands the mango popsicle over to the little girl."

"Thanks P'." The girl walked back to her brother who was a few steps away under the shades waiting for her.

"Here Arthit, here's your half. The boy selling ice cream is so handsome." The girl breaks the double stick popsicle into two.

Arthit takes the popsicle his twin sister gave him. As they turned to leave, he looked at the boy selling ice cream one more time. The boy looked pretty average to him.

"Do you know him?" Arthit casually asked.

"No. Not really. We know his grandpa calls him Heng (Lucky), and he is usually here on the weekends helping his grandpa."

"We? Who are we?" Arthit asked while he turned back to look at the boy for the last time. For some odd reason, he kept wanting to get a better look at him.

"My friends May and Jane. We all think he is handsome." Krystal says with dreamy eyes.

"I heard you call him P'. How do you guys know he is older?"

"Jane said she heard him talk about starting junior highschool this coming school year. So, he is one year ahead of us."

"You guys are some real scary stalkers." Arthit said as he quickly licked the popsicle before it melted.

"We are just doing proper research. Besides, it's killing two flies with one slap. We get to have ice cream, and we can find out more about P'Heng."

Arthit shakes his head at his sister's ridiculousness. How handsome is that kid anyway? Are all girls this crazy? Whatever.

~~~~~~
AN: So, here is another new story. I debated if I really wanted to start it. I have no idea how long this one is going to be. All I know is, if I don't publish it, I will back out of it.

Let me know if you find this interesting. Should I continue it, or not? I guess, I can always unpublished it like it never happened. 💁🏻‍♀️