8-The Light Source

The afternoon shift was heavy with the weight of dark clouds, a soft wind sweeping through the air. 

In the heart of the city, towering buildings stood like silent sentinels, their windows reflecting the overcast sky. 

Among them, one housed the offices of various companies, and within it, the LKS Insurance Company — the place where Chanida worked, hidden behind its corporate walls, like so many others with their own stories yet untold.

After scanning through some documents and entering data into the file on her computer, a female staff member in a dark blue uniform paused for a moment. 

Her ID card, clearly displaying the name "An Chanida, Policy Officer," hung around her neck as she took a quiet sip of her coffee. She leaned back slightly, allowing herself a brief rest before diving back into her tasks. 

Her features were sharp, with bright eyes that seemed to carry both focus and calm. Her medium-length hair was styled in a half "N" shape, adding to her effortlessly smart appearance.

***

The evening settled in as Nida prepared to leave the office. She paused, adjusting her hair and makeup in the small mirror she always carried.

"Heading out for a date?" a colleague teased, her voice playful.

Nida smiled faintly. "No, just… making sure I look okay."

The woman tilted her head, studying her. "You look different today, prettier. Got a boyfriend, Chani?"

Nida laughed softly, a hint of bitterness in her tone. "Boyfriend? Come on Theavy, who'd waste love on someone as poor as me?"

"Don't say that," Theavy, her colleague, warned gently. "Words shape destiny. Speak like that, and the universe might take you at your word."

"When I said I want to be rich, do you think the universe heard that too?" Nida asked, her tone edged with sarcasm.

Theavy chuckled softly. "You're always at odds with the universe."

"Because it's against me!" Nida replied with a sharp laugh, shaking her head.

"Alright, alright," Theavy said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "I'm going to the temple this weekend to pray. Interested in joining?"

"I'll let you know," Nida muttered, noncommittal.

"Okay, then. Bye!" Theavy waved as she turned to leave.

Through the hum of the busy street, Nida glided on her red-white motorbike, weaving through the chaos like a fleeting shadow. 

She came to a halt before a quaint coffee shop nestled at the corner, its aroma mingling with the city's restless air. 

Inside, Dara waited, her gaze steady, a quiet anticipation etched into her features.

Nida pulled out her phone and typed a quick message: "I'm here. Are you the one in the black T-shirt sitting alone?"

Dara glanced at his phone, then scanned the room. Spotting Nida standing hesitantly by the door, he raised his hand in a subtle wave.

Nida's lips curved into a faint smile as she walked toward him. "Hi," she said softly, her voice carrying a mix of shyness and familiarity.

Dara rose from his seat, a warm smile lighting his face as he greeted her. Nida returned the gesture, her own smile mirroring his. 

---

They sat down across from each other, the small table between them as their conversation began gently, Two cups of coffee sat on the table, a plate of cake between them.

"I am sorry for your loss. I know the feeling of losing someone dear."

"Thank you for your kindness, Miss Nida. You work at LKS, right?"

"Yes!"

"So, have you met my mom before?"

Nida shook her head. "I never met her. I got the information from my team. But during your mom's funeral, I went and worked with a police officer in your hometown, and I met Visal."

"The police officer you mentioned gave you an exclusive clue?"

"Yes! And actually we studied Law at the same university. He's working in Kandal province now—he handled your mom's case. Something in the report triggered him."

"What made him think it's murder?"

"I'll let you know what I knew, but you have to promise to keep this confidential."

"Don't worry—I can handle it."

"He showed me photos of your mother's fingers being scarred, like she was trying to pull something. Her legs were injured too, as if she fought back—against a human."

"A human?"

"If she ended her own life, why would her fingers and feet show signs of struggle?"

"You're right. I need to meet that officer, Visal."

"Reach out to him. Mention how we met—he'll understand."

"But why didn't he reach me?"

"As far as I know, the police team was working with your relative there, and your father..."

"I see. Thank you so much. I might need your help with the investigation. Are you okay with that?"

"Yes. I'll help however I can."

They fell into a brief silence, and then Nida spoke. "Have you ever thought about someone, or...?"

"You mean, who killed my mom?"

"Yes."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're quite straightforward."

Nida chuckled. "I always wanted to be a detective."

"Really? That's great!"

"But hmm, that's not easy," she said, her voice trailing off. "I think... Anyway, I want to help you with this case. Hearing officer Visal told me... it shocked me."

Dara felt a warmth stir inside him, a sense of something special in Nida's presence, but he quickly pushed it aside, not wanting to show it.

Then, he shifted the conversation. "By the way," he said, "if you're handling my mom's case and she didn't end her own life, would I get the beneficiary payout from the life insurance my mom bought?"

"Yes…"

"And the police officer in my hometown, the one working on my mom's case, used to study with you?"

"Same university. And I heard he returned to his hometown after working two years in the city, taking up a position as a police officer. His father, it seems, had once been the Police Chief many years ago."

"Oh, I'm not really sure!" Dara explained. "I was born and raised in the city, and I rarely visit my mom's hometown, so I can't say for certain."

"That's fine," she replied.

Nida urged gently, "Don't hesitate. Viral is a good man. He seems to love his job, and I believe, by sharing this with me, he wants justice for your mother too."

"Yes, this is crucial," Dara said with determination. "I won't let it slide. I have to find justice for my mom."

"And you are the light in my dark world, Miss Chanida," Dara added softly, his voice filled with gratitude.

Nida smiled softly, her voice steady. "For me, I stand on the side of truth... don't worry about this small kindness."

Dara shook his head, a bitter smile crossing his lips. 

"No, the truth is hard to come by in a world full of lies. People like you are rare. And your so-called small kindness... it saved my life. I was at the end, ready to join my mother. Your words—your truth—pulled me back. I swear it."

Dara fought to hold back his tears, his throat tight with emotion. Nida listened, her expression a mixture of disbelief and quiet astonishment.

After their first meeting, a sense of mutual determination settled between them. Both were resolute in uncovering the truth behind Saroath's murder. As they prepared to part ways, Nida handed Dara the contact number for Visal, her eyes steady with unspoken trust.

"Maybe he was busy with alot work there and I think you should contact him first"

"Yes thank you"

Then, without another word, they each turned, their paths now intertwined by a shared purpose, yet heading in different directions.