character
Master
A young master with a slender figure No one knows his origins. Besides some old customers
Khun Phon
Strong business woman Mysterious career line, mysterious age, mysterious background. You can find her at the à la carte restaurant from time to time, depending on her mood.
Khun Kaprao Pork and Fried Egg
young office girl Started working in the business field not long ago. Slightly to moderately confused about your own life
“Master, please give me another plate of pork and fried egg with basil. and a glass of something strong,” a petite girl in a big sweater shouted, ordering food while still slumped over the raised loft-style counter. I waved my arms around before actually falling asleep.
The restaurant is called Cinderella, an a la carte restaurant decorated like an expensive luxury bar. It is located in a small alley between two high-rise office buildings on either side. Even though it was already past midnight. But both buildings turned on their bright lights. bustling with people The neon lights from the two buildings bounce off each other, creating an image resembling the night sky.
"this! Master, if you want to sell food late into the night like this They should probably open the room for people to sleep in. Anyway, these guys secretly sleep here for free to wait for the train home in the morning. Or continue working tomorrow,” another tall woman in full office uniform said loudly and clearly. I hope that people who don't know if they're pretending to sleep or not will hear it.
He gulped down the sparkling ruby red water into his mouth and slammed the glass against the counter. “Really frustrating.”
“Are you annoyed because you miss the past, Mr. Porn?” The tall young master couldn't help but tease. before hurriedly withdrawing into the open kitchen at the back of the shop Escape the green eyes of a strong woman. and cook food that has been ordered
Porn huffed. Irritated like a bear eats bees. She reached across the counter and picked up the beer Master had hidden. Open to eat even though you haven't ordered yet.
“Uncle,” the girl who was still asleep on the table was mumbling.
“What is it, girl with fried egg basil?” Phon replied.
“If you are not happy in your life, That means it should be time to end my life, right?”
“It's finished, customers. I'm not here anymore." The master walked out of the kitchen. With fragrant fried egg and basil But the petite female customer had disappeared.
“Master”
“Yes, Khun Phon.”
“Prepare something for me tomorrow.”
Hello, my name is Kaprao Moo Khai Dao. I'm 25 years old and graduated from a top-ranked institution in the country. Got to work in a leading multinational company immediately after graduating with a high salary. Achieved every dream that I wanted to do when I was in school. But right now...I'm not happy at all.
My dream job is so difficult. I've been a failure for more than two years of working. The work that was given was never completed. Got scolded in the middle of the main meeting room No matter how much you put in It feels like I'm constantly chasing after other people. Maybe...this is the limit between dreams and reality. It's just an illusion of big city values.
You have to wake up early and dress well. Work in a luxury office walked out shining Brand name shopping on weekends Go out at night with friends. Upload envy-inducing photos to the online world But then what? Is this all my life has to offer? Cover up your failures with illusions. Or maybe this is a sign That it's time to give up
I don't remember anymore. When was the last time you were happy from your heart?
Even though I had to prepare documents for the meeting in another hour. But I couldn't help but think of the strange events of last night.
Last night was the first time I ate rice with basil, pork and fried egg that I haven't eaten in a long time. Plus it was in a strange store near my work that I had never seen before. It's very delicious. It's so delicious that you'll accidentally say something strange to a stranger. She's a very strong older sister.
“If you are not happy in your life, That means it should be time to end my life, right?”
I felt guilty as soon as I said that. Who talks about things like this with people they should meet? No, no one in the world talks about things like this.
That older sister was silent for a moment. Surely whoever it was would have been shocked. Have caused embarrassment to others.
"You..." the older sister said sternly.
"yes?"
“You can be gentle with yourself.”
“Ugh…” I don't know why, suddenly it felt like a large lump was stuck in my throat. Tears that had been hidden from everyone were welling up at the corners of his eyes.
“You asked about happiness? No one can answer that kind of thing except myself. Is it delicious? Is it basil rice?"
"yes?"
“I asked if the rice with basil, pork and fried egg that you were eating was delicious.”
“Ah...delicious.”
“And when you eat? Are you happy?”
I feel like I've been hit in the head. Am I supposed to be happy here?
“Happiness, whether it comes from small things or big things, is happiness too. Even the joy of eating ordinary things Happiness from living a normal life Ordinary things like that can create happiness too. It's not like you'll be happy only from success.”
"..." I could only stay silent and listen to my older sister's musings. It's like talking to yourself. He glanced at me.
“No need to hurry. Keep living life Don't put pressure on yourself. Illusory norms A false goal created in your own mind. You can let go sometimes. Even if you can't do it successfully It doesn't mean it failed. Just try again. Or you can change to do something else. Because of that.
You can be gentle with yourself,” the older sister said and finished downing six cans of beer. As for me, all I could do was sit there for a while.
The mouse hurriedly leapt out of the shop. Forget even paying for the food as soon as you hear the aroma of pork with basil coming from the kitchen.
The mouse shook his head. Call your mind back to focus on the task at hand. Suddenly there was a call from a friend that food had been delivered.
Or food? I didn't order anything. I thought as I walked down to the lobby of the office building. Ready to make a startled noise as soon as he saw a tall, slender young man waiting for him.
“Master...”
"Hello, customer. We have food delivered. It's basil pork and fried egg for one person."
"But I didn't order it."
“There is an order from Khun Phon,” the master smiled, stuffing the box of lunch into the mouse's hand without listening to her protest. Then immediately walked away without waiting to receive the money.
I'm very confused. What is this strange thing? So you can have it? I opened the lunchbox and found that there was a small note attached to the side of the box. As soon as I finished reading, I don't know why, the tears I had endured all this time came flowing out. The rat fell to the ground and cried there. I don't care about anyone. The warmth of the lunch box in my arms. It made my tears flow even harder than before.
At an a la carte restaurant the night before
“Do you want me to deliver food for lunch?” the master let out a high-pitched voice.
“Yes,” Porn said quietly.
"But Khun Phon knows that my shop isn't open during the day."
“What is considered compensation for that matter?” Phon raised his eyebrows and put his hand into his pocket. Grab a notepad and a pen and write something down. She left a note with the cost of all the food and drinks. Both for her and the customer, basil pork and fried egg. Plus he ordered me to send a note along with the food tomorrow. Before walking out of the store, it was quiet.
“I allow you to be happy...?” The Master smiled as he cleaned the counter. Another night of the midnight a la carte restaurant is almost over.
A month has passed.
“Master, please give me basil pork and fried egg. and a glass of something strong.” A clear voice sounded from the front door of the store. A small figure in a familiar sweater walked into the shop. But what is different from normal is the atmosphere around us.
“Wait a moment,” the master responded and immediately walked into the kitchen. Maybe because right now I'm the only customer.
I've been coming to this restaurant almost every night for a month now. To come and wait to meet Khun Phon But I've never met her. After receiving the note Finally, I understand myself. It's not that I'm not happy. But I don't allow myself to be happy. Maybe because of my own over-intentions.
Makes me have expectations in myself that I must be successful. When everything doesn't work out like that So I blocked myself from happiness. Refusing to bow down to myself To the point where I no longer know what happiness is.
I don't know if the happiness that I define right now is true or not. But the happiness I feel now is real.
Just a plate of pork and fried egg with basil rice. Very simple food is ordinary happiness
“Pork with basil and fried egg on rice for one person.” The master walked in and served. The mouse smiled back.
“I have eaten.”
Hello, all readers who stop by. I'm very new to writing. I've been writing on and off for many years. Please take care of me. This short story is now a test novel. I'd like to know what fellow readers' opinions are.
Don't be too harsh with Wright. Wright is afraid.