The Price of Belonging

"Did you just say you're in Brazil?" Sarika's voice crackled through the car speaker, confused and half-laughing, like she was sure it had to be a joke.

Thanom Worasit-"Nom" to those few close enough-tightened his grip on the steering wheel and squinted through the windshield as palm trees blurred past and the sunset splashed molten gold across the road.

"Yes... I am," he said, trying to sound casual. "Landed hours ago. I set up the meeting and everything, but the driver they assigned to me bailed at the last minute. He said his daughter got rushed to the hospital. I couldn't force him to chauffeur me while his kid's sick? That's bad karma, even with the AC running."

"So you're driving alone? In a foreign country? On your first day?"

Sarika's tone was part concern, part disbelief.

Nom gave a short laugh. "Honestly, I thought Google Maps would be the hero here. Turns out, it's got a flair for chaos. I mean-I just drove straight into what looked like the tail-end of a samba parade. No joke. Bright feathers, loud drums, glitter everywhere... I think someone even blew me a kiss through my windshield."

Sarika burst into laughter. "You're kidding!"

"I wish," he said, swerving gently to avoid a man on stilts juggling flaming pins. "I'm stuck in what feels like the world's liveliest traffic jam. Everyone's dancing. No one cares about lanes. I think I just got blessed by a grandmother in full carnival gear."

"Well, at least you're not bored."

"Lost? Yes. Bored? Nah, this place is filled with unexplainable things."

There was a pause. The kind that stretches long enough to feel like something heavier is coming.

"So... you still haven't told me why you flew to Brazil out of nowhere," she said softly. "I mean, I just gave you a kiss this morning in Bangkok."

Nom exhaled, slowly. That kiss still lingered on his lips, but so did the weight of what he'd run from.

"It's my dad... again," he said, dulling his voice under the weight. "He still won't let it go. He keeps pushing the family business down my throat-wants me to inherit his legacy, wear his suits, live his life. I've told him, Sarika. I've told him a hundred times. I want to be a full time military person. I want something that's mine."

"I know, love. You've told me."

"But he's not listening. And I can't keep pushing him away. I owe him too much. Everything I have, everything I am-it all started with him pulling me out when I really needed that pull. And to be fair I can't plainly say no to him"

The street noise buzzed faintly in the background, mixed with a distant rhythm of drums, whistles, and chanting. A stray dog darted across the road. Nom hit the brakes, jolting slightly.

"Whoa... momma Jesus-nearly ran over a dog dressed like Elvis," he muttered.

Sarika chuckled again, but it was softer now. More thoughtful.

"You always run when you feel trapped," she said.

"And somehow, I always call you when I do," he replied.

"Because I'm your compass." Sarika whispered over the speaker.

Nom smiled. "You're the only reason I haven't driven straight into the Amazon... Yet."

He sighed. "Anyway, I'll call you when I reach the hotel-if I reach the hotel."

"I believe in you, Nom. But... maybe stay away from anyone on stilts."

"Noted," he said, as someone on a unicycle whizzed past his car, tossing confetti into the air.

"Hey... Hey love... wait... hold on... Don't hang up yet!" Sarika's voice was urgent, laced with a tenderness that made the traffic outside Thanom's car window blur into the background.

"I'm still here," Thanom replied, a small grin tugged at his lips as he weaved through Janeiro's congested streets. "We can talk till I find my way," he added, flicking his eyes between the road and the glowing arrows on his GPS that didn't know left from a dead end.

There was a pause. Then Sarika's voice, soft but tinged with curiosity, broke through.

"Why do you love the military so much?" she asked. "I mean... I know what you do, even with your current badge and rank-it's not that high though," she teased, letting out a chuckle.

"It'd be higher if my dad let me focus on it," Thanom said, half-laughing, half-grimacing.

"I know," she murmured. "But still... being CEO of one of the most exotic hotel chains in Thailand? That's a pretty sweet gig. Luxury, comfort, no surprise landmines. So why toss all that for drills, bruises, and grueling missions?"

Thanom barked out a laugh. "You think being a CEO is a luxury? You should see my dad-the man looks like a roasted marshmallow in a business suit. His idea of cardio is yelling at interns. The only thing he runs is his mouth. He hasn't seen his own feet since 2004."

Sarika burst into laughter. "That's not fair!"

"I'm serious. That life makes you soft. Lazy. You start thinking a tight necktie is the same as a challenge. But in the military? There's order. There's honor. You walk in and everyone straightens up-chests out, locking their eyes on your footsteps like you're carved from stone. As a CEO? You walk in and people bow like you're Jesus's secretary, whispering like you'll bless them with a raise and a Tesla."

Sarika was still laughing when Thanom suddenly cut her off.

"Oh, hey, love, I gotta go-traffic lights up ahead. Lotta people around. I'll ask someone for help. Can't keep letting Google Maps sabotage my masculinity," he quipped before hanging up.

He pulled into a side lane and rolled down the window, letting the sticky evening air drift in. The streets pulsed with neon signs and impatient honks, but his eyes found someone-someone standing alone.

He waved.

She walked over.

"Hi," she said with a light voice that was ginger with exhaustion. A soft smile played on her lips, like someone trying to keep their warmth alive after a long day. "I'm Isabella."

Nom returned the smile, crinkling his eyes at the corners. "Good evening, Isabella. I'm Nom."

He leaned slightly over the steering wheel, reaching for the dashboard with one hand. With a flick of his fingers, he pulled out a white card-creased at the edges, worn like it had been his compass all day-and held it up for her to see.

"I need help with this," he said with an almost sheepish and honest tone.

Isabella leaned in to glance at the card, and without a moment's hesitation, she stepped back from the window and made her way around to the other side of the car.

Nom watched her in surprise as she opened the passenger door with ease.

"I'll be happy to help," she said, slipping into the seat beside him with a playful grin that said she was used to being the one with directions.