Khun Nueng's world was a completely different galaxy from mine.

Everything was fast paced, every single event tied to a schedule and every person I've encountered was in a rush to finish their tasks and move on to their next job or project.

I found the flurry of activities too fast for my liking.

The chaos was overwhelming.

By the time I was done meeting with Genie and Bill who showed up unannounced to congratulate me, I was ready to go back to my own, little world.

***

The only person who seemed to revel in all the excitement was my mother.

When I came home that afternoon and told her I was okay with doing the music video, she jumped from the couch and gripped my shoulders tight to make sure I was alright.

"What made you change your mind?" She followed me to the kitchen.

I opened the fridge door and took out the pitcher of water.

After what happened in school and the conversation with Khun Nueng, I needed something to cool me down.

On the way home, Khun Nueng offered to buy food but I declined.

If it was a celebratory gesture of some sorts, I didn't bother to figure out.

I wanted some peace and quiet after the raucous in school.

When she came out of the car and the students came after her, I was too stunned to react.

If she was unaware that young people knew of her fame, then she had no idea.

But I wasn't naïve.

I knew how big of a star she was.

There were countless videos of concerts and documentaries of her life but to see it all in person was surreal.

Watching it on TV was another thing.

To experience the pandemonium when she got out of the car was mind boggling.

Was she that clueless to think that people my age don't listen to her songs?

Or that we don't appreciate good quality music?

I mean, come on.

She may be a rockstar but rock music is eternal.

It appealed to people of all ages and walks of life.

***

Khun Nueng had some raunchy songs too.

There was one time though when my grandmother rushed to the room to cover my ears.

My mother was playing the album Rebel, Rebelled.

I didn't understand it then because I was very young but when I heard the songs again, I understood why my poor grandmother was scandalized.

One of the songs was Touch.

The melody was bass-y and coupled with Khun Nueng's sensual vocalizations, it was enough to get anyone off.

The lyrics went like this.

If you touch me down there

I feel it everywhere

I see heaven in your eyes

And feel ecstasy in my quivering thighs

When I remembered my grandmother's expression and the ensuing argument that followed after, I knew why she wanted to protect me.

But raunchy or not, even if Khun Nueng wasn't a good singer, there were other reasons to be enthralled.

Did she really think we wouldn't be a captivated once we see her in person?

Even if she wasn't a talented and famous person, her beauty alone was reason enough to give you a whiplash.

I'm not blind.

Khun Nueng doesn't look like she belonged in this universe.

Up close and even without make up on, her skin was flawless.

But it was her eyes that I found mesmerizing.

There was a heartfelt sincerity when she looked at me.

I found myself drawn to those eyes that I had to look away.

There was her smile too.

If I were a weaker person, I would have given in to that smile.

But I couldn't let her think I was easy.

The fact that I didn't know her true intentions was reason enough to hold my ground.

When she said that her future hinges on my decision to make this music video, I was flummoxed.

I was a nobody.

Why would someone as famous as Khun Nueng depend on my decision for her life to move forward?

That was ludicrous and a million-dollar question.

I don't know if I would ever find out the answer to that.

***

A few days after I agreed to do the music video, I got a call from Genie's assistant.

They've set up a meeting for the contract signing.

That was when it dawned on me that everything shit was real.

It gave me a little bit of anxiety and I questioned myself if I made the right decision.

But Khun Nueng coming to school and being mobbed made me think that this was serious business.

She didn't need to do any of that, didn't need to see or talk to me.

But she did.

It was very unconventional and out of the box but it meant a great deal to her to have me on board with this project.

I couldn't just change my mind now because I was afraid of the unknown.

My grandmother also came to the meeting and contract signing.

On the drive to this modern skyscraper that was all glass and steel, she kept asking if I was sure about my decision.

Her repetitive questioning annoyed my mother.

I assured grandma that I was okay with doing the music video.

Besides, I would only be appearing in one which was for the carrier single.

That was the agreement with Khun Nueng.

She shook hands and that sealed the deal between us.

***

The contract I signed wasn't thick but the print was small I squinted while reading it.

Now I didn't know anything about contracts.

Neither did my mother and grandmother.

Genie was there to help if I have questions especially the part that involves nudity and intimate scenes.

We all said no to explicit and full-on nudity.

She reassured me that there won't be any of that in the video.

"It's a love story. We're not making porn," She explained.

My grandmother sighed in relief.

There was also the matter of my studies.

Since I also have a tight schedule in school, Genie told me not to worry about it.

"We'll work around your schedule."
That made me happy.

In a few months, I would be graduating.

Despite all this craziness that happened, my education was my priority.

I told Khun Nueng about that too and she had no objections.

***

Once the contract was signed and sealed with handshakes, we said our goodbyes.

While waiting for the elevator, my mother kept yapping about how this was such an exciting time not just for me but for all of us.

I bet.

I thought to myself.

Sometimes, when my mother listens to Khun Nueng's albums, she had her eyes closed.

I often wondered what goes on in her mind because I would catch her smiling.

If my father caught her looking like that, he would throw a fit.

The mood would be spoiled because they'd end up arguing.

I never understood why he got so mad to the point that they separated.

It wasn't just about my mother's obsession with Khun Nueng.

I knew there was more to it than that.

But his jealousy was what I remembered the most before they chose to go their own way.

We lost contact with my father after the separation.

It was better that way for a while.

My mother was free to listen to Khun Nueng's album without someone questioning her obsession.

The last time he showed up was during my high school graduation.

After that, he was MIA again.

I was used to his absence so it really didn't bother me.

***

The elevator door opened and when I saw who was inside, I remained standing where I was.

Khun Nueng, casually outfitted in matching khaki hoodies,joggers, white shoes and sunglasses that were perched on top of her head, stepped out with an air of unmatched confidence.

She was with a woman whom if I wasn't mistaken was with us at the club.

The woman was shorter and very pretty.

But before I could say anything, my mother screamed.

"Khun Nueng, is that really you?"

"Piengfah?" Khun Nueng stepped closer and smiled.

I was perplexed by their reactions.

"Do you two know each other?" I asked.

"Yes," They answered in unison.

"How?"

"We were classmates in high school," Khun Nueng answered.

Crap!