Fahlada had been through half the city, visiting upscale pet stores one after another. Everything was either overpriced or lacked… something.
Deep down, her mind wasn't on the pets. It kept circling back to the fight with Earn that morning. It had started over something small, a mistake by the house helper. She'd snapped at them, then inexplicably turned on Earn, who had only tried to smooth things over.
But then the argument twisted as it always seemed to, dragging in what they had lost.
The words sharpened, piling one over the other, until the weight of them left no room to breathe.
In the end, she turned her back and walked out, leaving nothing behind, not even a goodbye.
'Why do I get angry so easily?' she thought bitterly, 'Why am I like this?'
As she walked past the store windows, she caught her own reflection. The tired slump of her shoulders, the tight line of her jaw… she hardly recognized herself.
"Look at you," she whispered under her breath. "A mess… inside and out."
She shook her head, trying to push the thoughts down, and stepped into the smaller adoption center tucked on a serene avenue, hoping for a distraction or perhaps a little peace.
The door swung open, and as the person on the counter greeted her, "Good evening", she froze.
Standing behind the counter was Tanya, still wearing her intern uniform, but her hair was tied into a ponytail.
"Tanya?" Fahlada's voice was cautious.
Tanya looked up, equally surprised. "Dr. Thananusak? I… didn't expect to see you here."
Fahlada managed a brief soft expression as she walked toward her.
"I didn't know you also worked here."
"Not really… my family owns the place, so I help out sometimes." She tilted her head, her cheeks warming slightly, a playful glint flickering in her eyes.
"So, you finally decided to get a pet?"
"Well… not exactly," Fahlada began, trying to come up with an excuse. After a brief pause, she exhaled quietly and gave a tentative, apologetic smile.
"Honestly… I've been walking around all day, but I just couldn't find the one." She adjusted the strap of her bag, her gaze drifting toward the door.
"Maybe I'll come back another time. I'm actually pretty tired."
Before she could step away, Tanya gently intercepted her.
"Wait a moment," she said, stepping forward, her gaze bright and inviting.
"You're already here, so why don't I show you around? I know all the pets in here, and it might help you decide."
Fahlada hesitated, her brows knitting slightly. She opened her mouth to protest, but couldn't as her gaze lingered on Tanya's eager expression. There was a sincerity there, earnest and almost childlike, that caught her off guard.
"Alright… okay," she conceded, "I guess it won't hurt to look."
"Great! I promise, it'll be fun." Tanya's face brightened with a broad smile.
They began walking through the rows of puppies, kittens, and dogs, both small and large, with Tanya pointing out quirks and habits while Fahlada listened, offering short, attentive responses and letting herself be drawn into her intern's enthusiasm.
"This one loves to flop dramatically whenever she's tired," Tanya said, pointing at a small Shih Tzu puppy rolling onto its back.
"And this little guy," she continued, gesturing to a tabby kitten, "he purrs so loudly when you pet him, it's almost like he's singing."
"Mhm… I see." Fahlada smiled faintly, letting Tanya's enthusiasm fill the space.
"Which one do you think would be easier to take care of?"
"Definitely the kitten," she said with a small laugh. "Less energy, less noise. Puppies are like toddlers—they'll run you ragged if you're not ready, but then again, the puppy might keep you company more."
Fahlada exhaled softly through her nose, tucking her hands into her pockets as her gaze lingered on the animals.
"I see… so kittens, huh? I suppose the purring could be… calming."
Tanya glanced at her, a spark of playfulness in her eyes. She tilted her head toward the enclosure.
"Wow. You're noticing the little things. Most people just glance and move on."
Fahlada didn't respond. Her gaze drifted past the kitten to the far corner of the room, as if something there had silently stolen her attention. A small, distracted nod was all she gave.
"So, are we getting the kitten?" Tanya asked as she gently scooped up the tabby that had caught Fahlada's attention. She cradled it carefully, its tiny head resting against her palm. The kitten blinked up at them, revealing one eye a soft, cloudless blue, the other a bright, sunlit yellow, a striking contrast that made it feel oddly unforgettable.
"Want to hold it?" she offered, stepping a little closer.
There was a flicker of softness in Fahlada's eyes, but she didn't reach out. Tanya, sensing the hesitation, adjusted her hold and stroked the kitten's back to soothe it.
"This kitten is easier to manage… but we don't have to decide right now. If you're not ready, we can keep it here until then."
"Oh, it's not like that," Fahlada replied quickly, noticing Tanya's concern.
"I've been thinking about it a lot… just haven't made up my mind."
Tanya nodded, understanding, though a flicker of disappointment crossed her face. She glanced down at the kitten still nestled in her hands, then carefully returned it to the enclosure. The tiny creature blinked up at her, curling into the corner with a faint mew.
"No pressure," she said with a reassuring smile. "Let's just look around." She offered her hand, but Fahlada only gave it a brief glance before moving ahead toward the next enclosure.
Tanya simply shrugged and fell into step beside her, guiding her down the row.
"These two are from the same litter," she said, stopping in front of another cage. "But they couldn't be more different. One's shy, one's bold. I love watching how they interact."
But the moment was already slipping past her companion. Despite the friendliness in Tanya's voice and the charm of the animals around them, nothing seemed to ignite Fahlada's interest.
She folded her arms loosely and told herself, 'Just one more, and I'll go.'
Then they came to a secluded corner. A tiny 3-month-old golden retriever puppy cowered in a small cage, ignoring the milk left for it.
Fahlada crouched slightly, eyes easing as she studied the tiny creature.
"Poor thing… looks scared."
Tanya followed her gaze, speaking with care.
"Oh, I don't know this one. Probably just arrived today. Looks like it hasn't eaten yet. Let me go ahead and—"
She stopped mid-sentence when she noticed Fahlada reaching a tentative hand toward the puppy. Instinctively, she almost stepped in; new arrivals weren't always vaccinated, and a frightened pup might bite. But Fahlada's soothing voice stopped her.
"Hey… It's okay. I won't hurt you."
The puppy slowly crept forward, resting its tiny head against her fingers. Fahlada stilled, afraid to break the fragile trust forming between them. An unfamiliar stir of emotion rippled through her chest, as if something long dormant had been roused.
"It seems to like you," Tanya said, smiling widely and giving Fahlada's shoulder a light, encouraging squeeze.
"I think… I think so too." Fahlada glanced up at Tanya, a tender glow softening her face as she brushed the puppy's tiny ears with a smile.
After checking the records together, it was clear: no chip, no owner, no name. The center staff briefly explained the adoption process, stating that they only needed to fill out a simple form, provide proof of residence, and agree to regular check-ins to ensure the pet's well-being.
For some reason, there were no further records of how the puppy had ended up here, but it didn't matter.
Fahlada knelt beside the little golden retriever, cupping its tiny head in her hands. The delicate warmth against her palms sent an unexpected pull through her chest.
'Maybe it's fate,' she thought, glancing at the small cage she had already bought, ready to bring it home.
Carefully, she scooped the tiny puppy into her arms, letting it settle against her chest. Just then, Tanya stepped up beside her, her eyes lighting up with delight.
"Uh… before you head off, want to grab dinner with me? I'm done here for the day, and there's a place nearby I think you'd like…"
Fahlada blinked for a moment, unsure how to respond to the invitation.
'How could I say no after all her kindness?' she thought, a flutter of unexpected feeling rising within her.
"Quick dinner… sure."
Tanya's face lit up, unable to contain her happiness.
"Great! Just give me a moment to clean up and change."
——
At the cozy restaurant, their conversation flowed easily, though beneath the surface, tension lingered in the spaces between words. Fahlada's thoughts kept drifting back to Earn, the sting of their earlier fight pressed against her chest like a bruise that refused to fade, even as the young woman across from her tried to chase it away with laughter.
"You always know how to make people laugh," Tanya giggled, her voice bright, though her gaze lingered on Fahlada a heartbeat too long.
Fahlada chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Really? I've always been told it's hard for me to be funny."
Tanya's laughter softened, but there was a glint in her eyes; playful on the surface, sharp beneath. Her fingers grazed the edge of the table near Fahlada's hand, deliberate but casual enough to pass as an accident.
For a fleeting second, Fahlada allowed herself to feel the warmth of easy company. But guilt tugged her back almost immediately.
'I shouldn't be having fun…'
Her thoughts slipped to the puppy waiting in her car. She pictured Earn's face lighting up, her laughter bubbling like it used to when joy was simple.
'Maybe… maybe this little surprise will make her happy.'
Tanya tilted her head, catching the shadow in Fahlada's expression.
"You okay? You seem… somewhere else."
Fahlada mustered a thin smile, her fingertips tracing her plate.
"Just thinking about someone I care about… hoping I can give her a little happiness soon."
"Someone lucky, then," Tanya murmured, her tone light but the words carrying a subtle weight.
"I'm thinking about my wife. Actually, this restaurant has the same menu as the one near the hospital. It was her favorite."
Tanya's smile faltered, slipping for just a moment before she forced it back.
'Of course.'
She had almost let herself forget that the pet wasn't for Fahlada to enjoy. It was forEarn, Fahlada's wife.
The reminder stung, but Tanya quickly regained her composure, concealing the hurt beneath a calm exterior.
"Was? She doesn't love the food there anymore?"
"No, she just… doesn't like them for now, I guess." Fahlada chuckled under her breath, though it sounded more like an exhale.
Tanya nodded, her expression softening as she folded her napkin.
"Excuse me for a moment," she said, rising from her seat and heading toward the restroom.
Left alone, Fahlada picked at her food, a faint curve lingering on her lips, though the weight in her chest never lifted. In an effort to distract herself, her gaze drifted toward the window.
Outside, the last traces of a modeling shoot were being packed away. The small crowd dispersed after cameras had flashed endlessly around its star attraction, a woman so recognizable she rarely went unnoticed.
A few minutes earlier, during a short break, that same star had glanced through the restaurant window. Her sharp eyes had caught on two women inside, one leaning in a little too closely with a gaze unmistakably flirtatious. The sight had made her pause; a flicker of recognition rippled through her, holding her in place, unable to look away.
"Fahlada?"
The name slipped out under her breath before she even realized it. Something about what she'd seen unsettled her, and when the other woman excused herself to the restroom, curiosity urged the star to quietly follow.