Shattered ties and the end of the laundry shop and relationship.
Bittersweet conclusion, from clean clothes to broken hearts in Pattaya.
Living in Soi Jiraporn in Pattaya for over two years, I had found success in running a simple laundry shop. My refurbished house had become a steady source of income, and I even expanded the business to cater to hotels with the help of two large washing machines. However, my world came crashing down when I unwittingly crossed paths with the powerful families controlling Pattaya's laundry scene.
It all began when I purchased the gas powered washing machines to serve the hotels. Shortly after distributing advertising leaflets, I was confronted by three men who made it clear that I must cease the hotel laundry trade immediately. I learned that these powerful families had a tight grip on the laundry industry throughout Pattaya, and I knew better than to mess with them.
Accepting the inevitable, I relinquished the machines to them without a fight. They took over and left me to contemplate my next steps. However, it wasn't just my business that took a hit, my personal life was also about to be upended.
I had an agreement with my girlfriend, that allowed me to go out with my friends once a week. The first night out with my best friend Robin was filled with merriment, but when I returned home the second night, she was nowhere to be found. I tried to sleep, but moments later, chaos ensued as she returned home, seemingly intoxicated and unhinged.
In the midst of her rampage, I tried to stay calm and secure my important belongings. It was clear that she was not herself, but I had no idea what triggered this behavior. Eventually, she exhausted herself and fell asleep. In those moments, I realized that my relationship with her had reached its breaking point.
When she fall in sleep, I saw an opportunity to leave. I packed a suitcase with essentials and secured my pouch bag containing vital documents. The decision was made: I was done with the laundry shop, and I was done with my partner. I knew I needed to protect myself and start anew elsewhere.
As I stood in the doorway, gazing at the chaos around me and looking at her, she sleeping peacefully, I made my choice. Placed the suitcase outside the fence and hopped on my moped. The suitcase secured between my legs, I took one last look at the place that once held dreams and aspirations, knowing I would never return.
Driving to Jomtien, I booked a room and began my new chapter. Leaving behind the laundry shop and my tumultuous relationship was liberating, yet it left me reflecting on the lessons learned. Perhaps, in my pursuit of success and happiness, I had overlooked the importance of balance and the need to make sound decisions.
In Jomtien, I took some time for self reflection, considering how to rebuild my life. The laundry shop had been my source of income, but I now saw the importance of diversifying and being cautious about the paths I treaded. As for relationships, I realized that it was vital to prioritize communication and understanding, ensuring that both partners felt heard and supported.
Months passed, and I found a new opportunity to venture into the hospitality industry, this time as a partner in a small guesthouse. The experience of running a laundry shop had given me valuable insights into the needs of hotels, which proved beneficial in my new endeavor.
As for relationships, I took time to heal and learn from my past mistakes. I vowed to be more cautious in choosing a partner, seeking someone who would complement my life rather than disrupt it. Patience and understanding became my guiding principles as I ventured into new relationships.
Life in Jomtien proved to be a refreshing change, and my guesthouse flourished. The lessons from my past experiences had taught me resilience and the importance of making well informed decisions. As I moved forward, I found balance between work and personal life, ensuring that my ambitions did not overshadow my happiness.
While the memory of the laundry shop and the tumultuous relationship in Pattaya would always be a part of my journey, I had come to accept them as valuable chapters that shaped me into a wiser and stronger person. The end of those chapters marked the beginning of new opportunities and a brighter future.
In the end, I learned that the closure of certain chapters in life paves the way for new beginnings and the possibility of finding genuine happiness. I had bid farewell to the laundry shop and a troubled relationship, but I had also opened myself up to growth, resilience, and the chance to find true contentment in the future.
How it started, you can read in part I
Go back to; short stories