The Pen That Changed My Life - Chapter 58 – The Birthday

16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLGnLh5APe

A few weeks after school reopened, Narin's birthday arrived.

For days, his classmates had been talking about it.

Some planned to buy small gifts.

Others wanted to surprise him after class.

As for me...

I had already prepared mine.

It wasn't expensive.

Just a simple fountain pen.

Carefully wrapped in dark blue paper.

When I reached the classroom that morning, Narin was surrounded by friends.

"Happy Birthday!"

"Don't forget to treat us after school!"

"You've gotten old!"

The classroom was filled with laughter.

When he finally noticed me, his smile became even brighter.

"You came early."

"I always do."

He nodded.

"I know."

During lunch, I handed him the small box.

"Happy Birthday."

He looked at it, surprised.

"You didn't have to get me anything."

"I wanted to."

He carefully unwrapped the paper.

Inside was the pen.

For a few seconds...

He simply stared at it.

Then he looked at me.

"A pen?"

I smiled.

"It seemed fitting."

He laughed softly.

"Our story really did begin with a pen."

"It did."

He closed the box gently.

"I'm never losing this."

That evening, Narin invited me to a small birthday dinner at his uncle's house.

Only close family members were there.

As soon as we arrived, his aunt welcomed us inside.

"The birthday boy is finally here!"

The house echoed with laughter.

Korn was already helping decorate the dining table.

When he saw us, he smiled.

"Happy Birthday, Narin."

"Thanks."

Korn looked at me.

"Hi, Phawin."

"Hi."

After dinner, everyone gathered around the cake.

The lights were turned off.

The candles were lit.

Everyone began singing.

Narin closed his eyes to make a wish.

Then...

He blew out the candles.

The room filled with applause.

Later that night, while everyone was cleaning up, I stepped outside onto the porch.

The night air was cool.

A minute later, Korn joined me.

"You don't like noisy places?"

"I do."

"I just needed a little quiet."

He nodded.

"So did I."

For a while, neither of us spoke.

Then Korn smiled faintly.

"You know..."

"I've never seen Narin this happy before."

I looked toward the brightly lit house.

"He deserves to be."

"He does."

Korn looked at me for a moment before turning away.

"I think..."

"...you're one of the reasons."

I smiled gently.

"Maybe."

From inside the house, Narin called my name.

"Phawin!"

"We're taking pictures!"

"I'm coming."

I looked at Korn.

"Coming?"

He smiled.

"Yeah."

As we walked back inside, Korn watched Phawin smile at Narin once again.

He smiled too.

But this time...

He finally admitted the truth to himself.

It wasn't admiration anymore.

It wasn't simple curiosity.

He had fallen deeply in love.

And the hardest part wasn't loving Phawin.

The hardest part...

Was knowing that Phawin's smile belonged to someone else.16Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhEGrEzqoC

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