The hotel lounge was quiet, save for the soft melody drifting from Pleng's piano. Every night, Wan sat close enough to see Pleng's delicate fingers dance over the keys, her heart echoing the pianist's every note. After each performance, she'd leave a small bouquet of flowers inside Pleng's dressing room, always anonymously. Until tonight.
As she set the flowers down, she heard a gentle voice behind her. "Are you my number one fan?"
Wan's heart leapt. She froze, almost certain Pleng would recognize her. But when she turned around, she was met with Pleng's warm, curious smile—no hint of recognition in her gaze.
"I... well, I suppose you could say that," Wan managed, cheeks warming.
Pleng laughed softly. "It's an honor to meet my secret admirer. I was hoping I'd get to see your face someday, though I didn't expect it to be the boss's wife."
Wan gave a nervous smile. "Y-yeah. I truly love each of your performances, and I didn't want you to think I was just... you know, being polite."
Pleng's laughter rang out again, gentle as her music. "I appreciate it. Honestly, when I play, I go somewhere else, like I'm in a trance. I have to remind myself to stop; I'd go on for hours if I could."
Wan's eyes softened. "I don't think anyone would mind."
Pleng took off her high heels which made her look an inch taller. "Well then, if I'm not asking too much from my number one fan..." She gestured over her shoulder with a sheepish grin. "Could you help me unzip this dress? I can't reach."
Wan's heart raced. "S-sure," she stammered, stepping closer and carefully drawing the zipper down, her fingers grazing Pleng's bare skin. She lingered a second too long before quickly pulling her hand away. "Have a wonderful night, Khun Pleng."
Pleng's brows knitted slightly, her gaze following Wan as she left. "Khun Pleng... why does that sound so familiar?"
Pleng didn't know or remember that she and Wan had once been an inseparable pair years ago. Wan could still recall that night—how she had been the one to find Pleng unconscious in her bathtub which had overflowed with water. They rushed her to the hospital where the doctors stated that Pleng had fallen into a coma due a traumatic brain injury she received due to slipping in the bathtub. Wan spent days and nights by her side waiting for her Pleng to wake up, but because of her dad's debts, her family had to move away. When Pleng woke up she had no recollection of what had happened to her and without Wanviva to remind her of who she was their moments got lost in a forgotten memory. Since then, Pleng's memories of her past had faded away, a cruel twist of fate that left her with retrograde amnesia.
Wanviva had never truly forgotten Pleng and kept tabs on her throughout the years. When she saw on a Facebook post that Pleng was looking for a job she asked her husband to hire her. The first couple of nights Wanviva hoped that Pleng would recognize her, but she didn't.
Since Wanviva is a doctor, she checked Pleng's hospital records from that time and found out about the amnesia. It hurt knowing that her best friend and her whole world had forgotten her but the only consolation for Wan was that she had been able to bring Pleng to work at the hotel, watching over her without needing to reveal their history.
But after that evening with her number one fan, Pleng began seeking Wan out after every performance. A smile, a word of thanks, a shared drink at the bar—all small but precious moments to Wan, even as they grew increasingly bittersweet.
One afternoon, Wan found Pleng alone at the piano, her fingers struggling over a half-finished melody.
"Is everything okay?" Wan asked, settling beside her.
Pleng let out a sigh. "There's this melody stuck in my head. It's like a memory, but I can't... quite reach it." She played a few notes, and suddenly, tears pricked at Wan's eyes. She knew that melody—it was the song Pleng had been composing for her all those years ago.
"Wan, are you okay?" Pleng touched her arm, concern filling her gaze.
Wan forced a smile, brushing her tears away. "I'm fine. It's just... a beautiful melody. I'm sure you'll finish it one day."
Pleng shook her head. "I don't know. After my accident, there are parts of my life that feel like shadows. Sometimes I think if I can just finish this song, maybe I'll finally remember."
Wan nodded, swallowing hard. "Maybe."
The conversation hung heavy in the air between them. After a long pause, Wan left for the bar, needing something strong to quiet the storm of emotions within her.
"Oh, come on. Don't cut me off!" she chided the bartender, her words slurring slightly as she laughed.
From behind, she heard Pleng's soft voice. "You've had enough, Wan. What's going on?"
Wan chuckled, brushing her off. "Ek left her a room key," the bartender muttered to Pleng, handing her a hotel card. Pleng took it and guided Wan to the room.
"God, you're heavier than you look," Pleng grunted as they stumbled through the door, Wan clinging to her with a drunken laugh.
"Ek says I barely eat!" Wan burst into a fit of giggles, then abruptly started singing loudly. Pleng, wide-eyed, covered Wan's mouth, pulling her to the bed until they both fell, breathless with laughter.
"Wan! You're going to wake the whole hotel," Pleng whispered, rolling her eyes.
Wan quieted, looking up at her with a strange intensity. "Do you know what you're missing, Khun Pleng?" she asked softly.
Pleng's brow furrowed in confusion. Before she could respond, Wan leaned up and pressed her lips to hers, a kiss full of years of longing and heartbreak.
"Wan..." Pleng whispered, pulling back, a stunned look on her face. "This... this isn't okay."
Wan's face crumbled, and she turned away, her voice breaking. "You won't remember anyway," she muttered bitterly, more to herself than to Pleng. "No matter what I do, you won't remember."
Pleng took a step back, her heart racing. "Wan... what are you talking about?"
"Leave," Wan said, her back turned. She swallowed hard, her shoulders trembling. "Just... get out."
But as Pleng closed the door behind her, she found herself unable to shake the feeling that Wan was more than just her "fan." She was part of the life she had lost, and something told her that whatever she had just witnessed was only the beginning.
