Chapter 2:
"When I first met her, I was 10 years old. I had always thought that she was such an odd ball. My mom had went to her best friend's farm for help and when I saw her, she had on the ugliest pink dress and pigtails. I did not want to talk to anybody, but for some reason she did not leave me alone. She did not get the clue, she was always trying to play with me and offer me some of her candies, oh how she loves to eat candies, I was quite surprised that she has not even lost any teeth yet by now. But eventually I knew I had to give in because she was so stubborn and would not leave me alone. But it was good because we became such good friend, everytime I'm with her, I am happy and my heart beats faster. When she cries, my heart cries. And through our happiness and our sorrow, I was there for her as she was there for me...And this is our story...."
As Nong Nuch and Dennis walked closer to the living room area, they saw that Tawan was sitting on the couch talking to a man in a black suit. They couldn't tell who it was because his back was to them, but his voice was not of someone they knew. Their hearts beats faster as they finally entered the room, Nong Nuch looked at her father who had his eyes on Dennis. By the look on her father's face, she knew that something was wrong. "Dennis, come and sit near me. You too Nong Nuch" Tawan said as the two did what was told. The two came face to face with a man that they have never seen before, he was someone in his early 40s.
"Dennis, this is Mr. Kim and he is your father's family lawyer. He had came to bring you back to your father." Tawan said as Nong Nuch's face changed to a sad expression.
"Young Master, unfortunately, your father could not come himself to get you, so he had sent me instead. I plan on taking you back to Bangkok tomorrow afternoon" Mr. Kim said.
"But...my life here" Dennis protested.
"I'm sorry Dennis, I love you as my own son, but I think its in the best interest that you go back to your father, he's your only family now. We will always be here if you want to visit" Tawan said.
Dennis looked at Nong Nuch who already had tear in her eyes, "I will go with you Mr. Kim, but I will sleep here tonight, come back tomorrow at 1pm and I'll be sure I'm all packed and ready to go" Dennis told him.
"Very well then Young Master " Mr. Kim said as he got up to shake Tawan's hand and excused himself.
Once Mr. Kim left, Nong Nuch ran to their friendship tree and cried. Dennis came running after her and sat next to her. He put on arm around her and pulled her in. The next morning, Nong Nuch went to school while Dennis stayed to pack the belongings that he had. In class, Nong Nuch kept looking at the clock to make sure that the time was right, she knew that she would not make it to say her last goodbye to Dennis if she did not do something. So after lunch, she rushed out early and made a pit stop on the way.
Dennis waited with Mr. Kim in front of the house for any sight of Nong Nuch, but she was nowhere to be seen. "She must be mad at me" He thought to himself. Mr. Kim was urging him that they should leave because it was already 1:00 but Dennis wanted to wait a bit longer just in case Nong Nuch was stuck doing something and was late. 1:15pm Mr. Kim told Dennis that they cannot stay any longer because they will be late for their flight if they did so. Dennis gave his uncle Tawan a hug before Mr. Kim led him to the awaiting car. Before entering the back seat, Dennis glance once more at the road to see if Nong Nuch might just come running, but there was nothing.
Nong Nuch was running as fast as she could, she had ran into a bit of a problem because her bike suddenly broke so now she was on foot trying to make it back to her house to see Dennis before he leaves. As she saw her top of her house, she began to fasten her pace. As she ran into her driveway, the car, Dennis, and Mr. Kim was nowhere to be found. She ran out to the road and all she saw was the backlight of the black car miles away. She tried to run after, but she was already out of breath and tripped over a rock and fell. She sat there crying, "Dennis. Come back. Dennis" she said, "I'm here, why did you leave without saying goodbye to me"
Nong Nuch sat underneath the friendship tree, memories of them here together flooded her. Endless tears were falling down her cheeks. SHe put her head on her knees and cried, "why did you leave without seeing me first" she kept saying until she felt an arm around her, Nong Nuch looked up to see Dennis's smiling at her, that irresistable smile. An estatic Nong Nuch hugged Dennis tightly.
"I thought you were gone" She said
"No silly, I wouldn't leave unless I see you. What took you so long?"
"I had to sneak out of school and my bike broke so I had to run. I saw your car driving away"
"I told the driver to turn around when I saw you on the ground. I couldn't leave until I gave you this" Dennis said as he took something out of his pocket abd handed it to Nong Nuch.
"What is this?"
"It's a symbol of our love, I am giving you this to lock our love. I will come back in 5 years and meet you again under our friendship tree. Every 5 years on this date June 21st, I will come and wait for you here, and when the time is right, we will never have to separate ever again. I will lock my heart because you have it."
"I have something for you too. I had a pit stop on the way back for it" Nong Nuch said and took out the same necklace that Dennis had given her, Dennis gave out a chuckle, "Great minds think alike I guess. But I will lock my heart also for you have it." Nong Nuch said as she reach over to put the necklace on for him as he took the one in her hands and put it on for her.
"I love you my little pigtail girl" Dennis said.
"I love you my quiet boy" Nong Nuch said back as they gave each other a tight hug.
Dennis finally got up and they walked hand in hand to where the awaiting car was waiting. Slowly, Dennis let go of Nong Nuch's hand and walked to the car, he gave her one last smile, that irresistable smile and one last glance before entering the car. As they drove off, Nong Nuch stood there with her hand touching the necklace with tears. Dennis too was sitting in the car touching the necklace with tears in his eyes, "we will meet again my love" he thought to himself, "No matter what." As they drove to the airport, Mr. Kim informed Dennis that his father wanted him to continue his education in the city for 5 years before he will sent him abroad to Korea. "WHAT!" Dennis yelled.