#patprem

Prem is the Narrator and Protagonist - This is Her Love Story

Poisonous Love begins with a soft image. Prem holding Pat close, Pat looking up at Prem as Prem softly kisses Pat's forehead and then her lips as Prem narrates.

The English translation is "A woman who was once the poison in my veins, becomes the love my heart could never breathe without." At first glance, this sounds toxic. Poison turning into reliance. But there are a few caveats to consider here.

Firstly, "poisonous love" reads instantly as dangerous and destructive but there is another way this sort of concept is understood. From my understanding, in Thai Buddhist principle, poison can also be characterized as an intensity that must be metabolized, processed and understood in order to grow from it. We have something similar in western medicine. The Rod of Asclepius is a symbol well-known in medical practice. A snake around a rod to indicate that healing can come from something dangerous if given in the right context and circumstances. We even have an emoji for it ⚕️

Secondly, Prem is a cardiologist. Anything she says about the heart is deeply understood professionally and personally. She does not say this lightly. She says it having processed the love in the context of knowing how hearts function.

Thirdly, if Prem is narrating this story, and since she is narrating the final episode as well, it is therefore logical to imagine that this first scene would take place after the events of the main story. Possibly once they're married.

As such, this soft holding, gentle forehead kissing and expression of chosen deliberate love reads to me as a daily reassurance they share together. You're still here. I'm still here. We get to love each other.

Wanna go upstairs? I was waiting for that question. Then come with me.

And on the heels of Us, here's the sketchbook entry for Poisonous Love.

First time painting dolls so I'm gonna be kind to myself haha, but this one was kinda fun! Especially the sushi in the top lol.