TOUCH THE VIBES

Chirawan gently stirred her cup of coffee in front of her, her eyes focused on Jay, seemingly studying his expression as he talked about old acquaintances.

-"So, are you planning to stay here, or will you leave again?" She asked, her tone tinged with a bit of regret.

-"I'm just here for about a month, sister. I still have a lot of work in France." Jay answered, stirring his juice lightly.

Chirawan sighed at this, her eyes reflecting a sense of disappointment.

-"Is that so? What a pity. It's been 10 years since we last met, and I thought you'd stay a bit longer this time."

-"If I get the chance, I'll stay longer next time." Jay smiled reassuringly.

Chirawan smiled and propped her chin up with her hand, her eyes glinting with curiosity.

-"So, have you met anyone since you came back?"

-"Who do you think I've met?"

-"Well, Ying, and Faisal too…"

-"Not yet. I've only met you so far. How's everyone now, sister? What about Faisal…"

When Jay mentioned Faisal, Chirawan chuckled, took a sip of her coffee, and replied.

-"Faisal? Well…" Chirawan raised her eyebrows, then laughed and shook her head. "He graduated from university and went straight to work for the family company. Now he's the CEO."

Jay widened his eyes in surprise.

-"Faisal's that capable?"

-"Capable, my foot. He was pressured by his family. Faisal wanted to be a singer, but they forced him to study business. But you know him, right? He's not the type to be easily controlled. When he couldn't be a singer, he secretly became a songwriter, and sometimes even organizes music events on his own."

Upon hearing this, Jay burst out laughing.

-"Poor guy, huh? But he must be really busy with all that work."

-"Annoyingly so. Even though he's so busy, he still has time to tease his sister, Jay."

-"Faisal's always been playful, hasn't he?" Jay laughed, but his gaze shifted back to Chirawan, curiosity apparent in his eyes. "What about you, sister? What are you doing now? Still holding onto your dream of being a designer?"

Chirawan paused for a moment, then proudly smiled.

-"You still remember my dream, Jay? I'm still holding onto that dream, and now I'm a well-known designer!"

Her voice had a hint of satisfaction but was also filled with joy. Jay looked at her, clicking his tongue.

-"Oh… Jay's sister, aren't you embarrassed?"

-"This little rascal, now that you're grown up, you've started teasing me!"

-"I would never dare, sister…" Jay laughed innocently, pretending to be harmless.

But soon after, Jay's smile faded when Chirawan suddenly lowered her voice, asking seriously.

-"Aren't you curious about Ying? Are you still upset with him?"

Jay froze for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. He picked up his glass and slowly answered in a calm tone, as if trying to hide any ripples of emotion in his heart.

-"No, sister. I've heard my dad talk about Ying. He praised him a lot."

-"I see." Chirawan nodded, her gaze seeming to probe his reaction. "But back then, you left without saying a word… were you upset about something?"

Jay fell silent for a moment, his gaze drifting into the distance. Then he gently shook his head.

-"It's nothing, sister. That was in the past. I don't want to talk about it."

Chirawan watched him for a long time but didn't press him for an answer. She sighed and changed the topic.

-"I've been asking about everyone else, but I haven't asked about you. So, what's going on now? Do you have a girlfriend?"

Chirawan's question surprised Jay so much that he almost choked on his drink.

-"Oh, sister Chirawan… Don't ask such sudden questions. I'm still young, what do I know about love?"

Jay awkwardly scratched his head, avoiding her probing gaze.

-"Are you sure? Then who were you talking to so happily just now that you even bumped into me?"

Jay stammered, trying to find a way to deny it.

-"It's… it's just a friend. Don't think too much, you'll get old soon…"

-"This mouth…" Chirawan gritted her teeth, pretending to raise her hand to threaten him.

Jay laughed cheerfully, but his gaze soon landed on the girl who had just arrived—Isra.

Isra was carrying several shopping bags, her face showing signs of fatigue.

-"Chirawan…"

-"Are you done shopping? With all these bags, why didn't you ask someone to carry them? Let me do it."

Chirawan's words carried a hint of reproach, but her actions were full of care. Isra was a little surprised but obediently handed the bags to her.

Jay silently observed, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he watched how Chirawan treated Isra. He couldn't help but laugh lightly, remembering the stories of them from before.

-"Got an idea." Jay murmured.

Chirawan raised an eyebrow, looking at him.

-"Jay, what did you just say?"

-"Oh… nothing." Jay smiled and then turned to look at Isra. "And who's this?"

-"Ah, let me introduce. This is Isra, my assistant." Chirawan replied. "Isra, this is Jay, the one I've mentioned to you before."

Isra gave a gentle nod, smiling politely.

-"Hello, Jay. I've heard Chirawan mention you."

-"Hello, Isra." Jay grinned mischievously. "Did she say anything bad about me to you?"

-"Jay, you're teasing me again!" Chirawan pretended to be angry.

At that moment, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and then turned to Jay.

-"I have to go now, I've got work. Let's talk again next time."

-"Okay, take care, sister. I was about to head home too."

-"Do you need me to give you a ride? Don't hesitate."

-"No, I can get home on my own."

-"Okay, then I'll go now."

-"Bye, sister!"

Chirawan waved goodbye and left the café, pulling Isra with her. Jay watched them leave, a spark of interest in his eyes… a love song beginning to form in his mind…

———————————————

Jay was about to leave the coffee shop, but just as he stepped outside, it started to rain. The raindrops fell lightly—not too heavy, but enough to soak his clothes if he didn't find shelter. He paused, tilting his head up to look at the overcast sky. The raindrops tapped against the ground, forming tiny circles that quickly dissolved. The sight gave him a sense of peace, yet there was something melancholic about it.

He chuckled softly. Rain always carried a certain emotion, especially for artists like him. It was like a catalyst, awakening deep, hidden thoughts—memories that seemed to have been forgotten. Rain could bring loneliness, but it could also spark endless inspiration. After all, wasn't it said that the most beautiful love songs were written in the rain?

Stepping back under the awning of the coffee shop, Jay reached into his pocket and pulled out a small notebook and a pen. His fingers brushed against the paper as his pen began to glide across the page. A melody, a fragment of lyrics surfaced in his mind, as if the raindrops themselves were whispering a story.

He wrote:

"If love cannot be spoken in words… then the eyes will speak for you."

The pen gently glided across the page, words gradually forming, blending with the sound of rain falling outside:

"In a room full of people, my gaze is always on you…"

Even if it's just a brief touch, or silently watching from afar…

You might never know…

What I was feeling back then."

The more he wrote, the more his mind drifted along with his emotions. Memories, moments, unsaid words—all intertwined, forming a love song he hadn't even realized he had been carrying inside him.

Jay looked up at the rain, a thought suddenly crossing his mind: Feelings are just like this rain—if you don't seize the moment, they'll slip away. If you like someone but never dare to say it, once they're gone, regret won't bring them back.

Inside the coffee shop, at another corner, Ying was discussing an upcoming project with his business partner.

"Alright. Let's proceed with the project this way."

His deep, steady voice carried an air of authority, making the man sitting across from him nod in agreement.

-"Pleasure working with you, Mr. Ying," Mr. Korn said, reaching out for a handshake.

-"Pleasure working with you. If any issues arise, feel free to contact me."

After Mr. Korn left, Ying stood up, preparing to leave as well. But just as he stepped outside, he suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Outside, in front of the coffee shop, stood a familiar yet distant figure.

-"Jay?"

Outside, Jay let out a quiet sigh, closing his notebook and tucking it back into his pocket. He looked out at the street, watching as the raindrops gradually lessened. Soon, the rain stopped completely, leaving behind a fresh, clear sky.

He smiled slightly, murmuring to himself,

-"That's one verse done. I'll finish the rest tonight… Oh, the rain stopped. Time to go home!"

Just as he was about to leave, his pen slipped from his fingers. He bent down to pick it up, but another hand reached it before he could. Jay looked up, about to say thank you, but the moment he saw the person standing in front of him, he froze.

-" Ying?"

Ying smiled, handing the pen to Jay. His voice, unlike the stern tone from earlier, had softened and become unexpectedly warm.

-"It's been a while, Jay. Still remember me?"

Jay hesitated before accepting the pen. Looking at Ying up close, he suddenly didn't know how to react. While meeting Chirawan earlier felt natural, as if no distance had ever existed, being face to face with Ying felt completely different.

-"Of course I remember. Don't you remember me?"

Jay smiled lightly, but his tone was somewhat awkward.

Ying seemed to notice Jay's unease and took the initiative to break the awkward silence.

-"What are you doing here?"

-"I was buying some things, but the rain was too heavy, so I had to wait for it to stop before heading home."

-"Seems like we're both leaving at the same time. Want to go together?"

Jay hesitated for a moment.

-"Is it alright? I don't want to trouble you."

-"It's no trouble. Our homes are across from each other, it's on the way. No need to call for a ride." Ying tilted his head, looking at Jay. -"What's wrong? Don't want to go with me?"

-"No… no, it's fine! Thank you."

Ying chuckled and opened the car door for Jay. He got in, but his demeanor was still somewhat distant.

-"Thanks."

Inside the car, Jay sat quietly, his hands neatly placed on his lap, his gaze out the window. The atmosphere was somewhat… dull.

Ying glanced at him before breaking the silence.

-"Did you meet a friend?"

-"I went shopping and happened to run into Chirawan, so we sat and talked for a bit."

-"Chirawan must have told you a lot."

-"Pretty much, she talks as much as before."

Jay chuckled as he remembered the conversation, and the mood in the car lightened a bit.

Ying glanced at Jay through the rearview mirror, his expression a bit distant.

-"You've changed so much."

Jay was slightly startled, turning to look at Ying, his brow furrowed.

-"What?"

-"You've changed a lot. From the way you talk, act… even your appearance."

Ying spoke in a soft, almost nostalgic tone.

Jay was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly.

-"Everyone has to grow up, change, right?"

-"But the way you changed isn't what I imagined. I almost didn't recognize you."

-"You've changed too, haven't you? I thought you wouldn't even care about me."

Jay's words seemed playful but carried a hint of sarcasm.

Ying glanced at him, a faint smile on his lips.

-"Guess growing up makes you sharper, huh?"

-"I only act like that with certain people."

-"Then what kind of person am I in your eyes?"

Jay looked directly at Ying, his gaze calm but deep.

-"You should know better than I do."

Ying fell silent for a long while. He understood the implication in Jay's words. He understood very well.

After a while, he spoke, his tone softer.

-"I'm sorry. About what happened back then…"

Before he could finish, Jay cut him off coldly.

-"It's in the past. Let's not talk about it."

Ying sighed softly. He knew Jay hadn't forgiven him yet, but he wasn't going to force him to.

The silence returned. Once again, Ying was the one to break it.

-"When are you going back to France?"

-"Probably next month. My dad wants me to stay in Thailand for a while, so I'm just arranging to be with him."

-"You seem to like France a lot."

-"Yeah, because there I can express myself and… be with the person I like."

As he said this, Jay blushed slightly.

Ying was taken aback, his gaze becoming somewhat unreadable.

-"Your partner?"

Jay didn't directly answer but softly spoke in French:

-"Amour non partagé."

Ying furrowed his brows, seemingly confused. But seeing Jay's expression, he didn't ask further, just remained silent and continued driving.

The atmosphere in the car remained calm, but there were so many thoughts left unsaid.

—————————————

The car slowly came to a stop in front of Jay's house. He unbuckled his seatbelt, turned to look at Ying, hesitated for a moment, then softly said,

-"Thank you for giving me a ride."

Ying nodded, his gaze following Jay's every movement as he opened the car door and stepped out.

The sky still had scattered gray clouds left from the rain, and the soft evening sunlight cast long streaks on the ground, reflecting in patches of light. The air still carried a hint of dampness, with the faint scent of wet earth.

Jay walked toward the gate, but just as his hand touched the latch, he heard the sound of the car window rolling down.

-"Jay."

Ying's voice rang out, steady but with a note of something unclear.

Jay turned around, his gaze stopping on the face of the man in the car. The evening light gently fell upon that face, softening it with a warmth not usually there.

-"Yes?"

Ying looked at him for a moment, then spoke softly,

-"You're just back here, so you might not be familiar with everything. If you have any difficulties, just let me know. I'll help you."

Jay hesitated for a moment, surprised that Ying would say something like that. It was a simple offer, yet it carried a familiarity that Jay thought he would never feel again.

He stayed silent for a few seconds, then nodded gently,

-"Okay, if I need anything, I'll let you know."

Ying smiled lightly, not saying anything further.

-"Then I'll let you go in."

-"Yeah. Goodbye, Jay."

Jay smiled, turned around, and pushed the gate open, stepping inside. As the gate closed behind him, Ying's car rolled away, heading back to his own house, just across the street.

The first meeting after nearly ten years apart… finally came to an end. But the echoes of it, perhaps, would linger on forever.

—————————————————

That night, in his room, Jay sat on the sofa, focused on finishing the remaining part of the song.

He lightly tapped his fingers on the surface of the guitar, thinking about the final melodies. Each note, each lyric seemed to tell a story that even Jay himself didn't fully understand. He only knew that the emotions he was feeling were very real—a bit of nostalgia, a bit of joy, and somewhere in between, an unnamed feeling.

Jay's fingers gently brushed over the guitar strings, the soft sound resonating through the quiet room. When he finished the last line of the song, he stopped, took a deep breath, and then laughed softly.

-"Done! Amazing!"

He told himself, his eyes shining with satisfaction. But then, as if suddenly remembering something, Jay reached for his phone, quickly scrolled through the contacts, and dialed a video call.

Just a few seconds later, the familiar face of Ryan appeared on the screen—still with messy hair, black-framed glasses, and a slightly sleepy expression.

-"What's up? Calling so late, what are you doing?" Ryan asked in a somewhat lazy tone.

Jay laughed, his eyes lighting up with excitement.

-"Hey Ryan, I just finished writing a new song! Want to hear it?"

-"Oh? Where is it? Sing it for me!" Ryan asked, curious.

Jay quickly found a spot to place his phone, adjusted the angle, and picked up the guitar. Sitting down in front of the camera, he gently tuned the strings and took a deep breath before humming the first few melodies.

In Ying's room, the desk lamp was still on, reflecting off the stack of open documents on the table.

He had been focusing on his work, but suddenly, a vague melody drifted from the opposite house. The sound of the guitar and the warm, soft voice entered his ears, causing Ying to pause.

He looked up, listening for a few seconds. A strange yet familiar feeling stirred within him.

-"This melody… is that Jay?"

Ying stood up and slowly walked to the balcony. From there, he could see the light spilling from Jay's window, but he couldn't see the boy himself. All that remained was the music, continuing to echo in the quiet night, touching the deepest corners of his mind.

When the song ended, Jay set the guitar down and eagerly looked at the phone screen.

-"Done! How was it, Ryan?"

Ryan leaned back, as if thinking it over.

-"Hmm… The melody sounds very lively, like someone who's happy in love."

Jay chuckled, a bit proud but also a bit shy.

-"So is the song good?"

-"Very good. But hey…" Ryan squinted at Jay through the screen. "Jay, are you in love? Because this song sounds like it was written by someone who's in love."

Jay froze for a moment, then quickly shook his head.

-"I… I just suddenly got inspired to write! Don't think too much, Ryan!"

Ryan smirked.

-"If it's just inspiration, then the person who inspired it must definitely be someone in love…"

Jay laughed, realizing that Ryan's words weren't entirely unreasonable. He leaned back in the chair, staring at the ceiling, mumbling,

-"Are you a psychologist?"

-"No. But for Jay, I think I can guess what you're thinking. I've been taking care of you since you first started your career. Don't underestimate me." Ryan's voice had a touch of confidence.

-"Yes, Mr. Ryan!" Jay teased.

Ryan smiled, but his voice grew more serious.

-"By the way, how are you? Getting used to everything over there?"

Jay hesitated for a moment, his gaze becoming a bit more serious.

-"Today, I met some of my old childhood friends… Some are still close, talking like we never parted."

-"But?" Ryan asked, as if already anticipating Jay's thoughts.

Jay bit his lip, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the guitar on his lap.

-"But some… when I saw them again, I felt distant. It wasn't as comfortable. Even though we used to be very close."

Jay sighed as he spoke. Ryan remained silent for a while before gently asking,

-"Did that person do something wrong to you?"

Jay nodded slightly, his eyes filled with thought.

-"Some things… But I know they didn't mean to. It's just… I'm still haunted by the past."

He didn't know how to express his feelings. There were too many things left unsaid between him and Ying.

Ryan thought for a moment, then slowly said,

-"Jay… Life is full of things we don't want. But if we learn to accept them, we'll feel lighter. If you can, forgive. Who knows, that person might also regret what happened?"

Jay lowered his head, remaining silent for a long time. Ryan's words weren't wrong. But there were some things… that couldn't be let go of just like that.

He closed his eyes, his voice soft, almost as if he were talking to himself.

-"Okay…"

Ryan heard but said nothing more. He understood that some wounds needed time to heal.

The conversation continued for a little while before Jay wished Ryan goodnight and ended the call.

Jay placed the phone down, leaned back in the chair, and silently stared out the window.

The streetlights cast a faint yellow glow, and the tree branches swayed gently in the wind. The room was quiet, except for the faint sound of Jay's sighs. The conversation with Ryan had lightened his heart a little, but that didn't mean he had found the answers to the confusion inside him.

He knew Ryan was right. The past was something that couldn't be changed; the only thing he could do was accept it and move on. But if it were that easy, then why did he feel both distant and familiar, wanting to get closer yet wanting to avoid Ying every time he saw him?

Jay placed his hand over his eyes, smiling faintly.

-"Forgive…?" He mumbled, his voice so soft it almost blended with the air.

If it were as simple as forgiveness, maybe he would have done it long ago. But every time he thought about the past, a part of him felt an unease.

It wasn't that he didn't want to forgive, it was that he didn't know if he could.

Jay tilted his head, his eyes turned toward the balcony of the opposite room. The light was still on, and Ying's tall silhouette flickered through the curtains. Jay had formed a habit—whenever he saw the light from that room, he always felt an indescribable sensation.

There was a time when that light made him feel safe. But now… it only left him more confused.

He gripped his phone tightly in his hand.

It's been nearly 10 years. Can we ever go back to how we were before, Ying?

Outside, the night sky flowed silently. But inside Jay's heart, a small wave had risen, swirling and unable to calm down.

THE END OF CHAPTER 3