“Pai, please have some soup. I know, you haven’t eaten anything since last night.” Pai opened his mouth as Aroon held the spoon in front of his lips. The younger man had taken it upon himself to care for Pai, feeding him something every time he visited, which was at least three times a day. He would also call and remind Pai to take his medicines.
As the older man continued to eat, sitting up leaning on the wall, Aroon said, “I am sorry I couldn’t come in earlier today. I had to submit a presentation this morning and I still had some editing to do.”
“It’s okay Aroon. I have told you so many times, you don’t have to do this. You are already doing too much..”
Aroon snorted, “Well, if I don’t make you eat, you will not eat anything at all and then how will you get better, huh? In fact, I am thinking of moving back here, I can take better care of you that way..” The older man just shook his
Aroon, who had come in the room behind Siri, watched silently the happenings before him. He felt a stabbing pain when Pai’s eyes filled with tears as he saw the visitor. The way he said the man’s name, hurt tremendously. The fact that the elder man had willed his body to stand up and take a few steps, where he couldn’t even hold a spoon, made him feel useless. The embrace, the familiarity between these two, it made the pain worse. It was clear that this was not a normal friends meeting, there was definitely something more. Aroon didn’t know what was going on between these two, but he certainly would make sure that no one could hurt Pai ever.After a few minutes of just embracing each other, he saw Siri pick up Pai, bridal-style, and place him gently on the bed. The two men seemed to be in their own world, and Aroon wondered if they were even aware that Aroon was in the room as well. He saw the two wiping tears off each-other’s faces and smiling t
Siri heard the front door bang shut and sighed as he sat beside Pai.“Finally! We are alone. I thought he would never leave!”Pai smacked Siri’s shoulder, “Don’t say that! He’s been a very good friend to me.”“You and your admirers...No matter where you go, you just attract them...” Siri shook his head.Pai chuckled at the dramatic way that his lover was speaking and leaned back against the wall, suddenly tired. Siri saw the exhaustion on Pai’s face. He sat back comfortably on the bed and took Pai in his arms as he laid the elder man’s head on his lap. Pai sighed contentedly as he felt soft fingers rubbing his scalp gently. He looked up and was met with familiar dark gaze that reflected love and nothing else. How he had missed this man! They didn’t speak a single word but just in this moment, something immensely deep was being shared between the two. They found themselves lost in each
Pai and Siri found themselves together on the bed, the younger man spooning his Pai in a secure embrace, after talking for almost an hour. Siri didn’t think he had to hide anything from his Pai so he had told Pai everything that had happened since the night of the marriage. Siri explained how his Nana had ordered him to not contact Pai at all and how she had given him the ticket to Chiang Mai this morning. He had told how he had found out Pai had left the town and how he had sought sanctuary at the old apartment. He had told how his Nana didn’t expect him to have any relationship with Boonsri, although he avoided revealing the fact that his so-called wife was basically a gold-digger. The younger man had finished by telling Pai how he believed that his Nana really did mean it when she had promised to make everything right.Pai was quiet the whole time as he listened and noted the similarities between whatever had happened in the past four months with him. How Mrs.
Aroon Devakula took a deep breath as he willed himself to enter the apartment building in front of him. He had called Pai yesterday evening and had told him that he wouldn’t be able to bring the dinner he had promised. He had cited some urgent work but the truth was he just couldn’t bring himself to see the man he had come to care for be all friendly with someone else, that someone being none other than Sirichai Thanawat. In short, Aroon had chickened out and had cried himself to sleep rather than face the problem and fight for Pai.This morning, though, he had to gather all his courage to be here. He didn’t think he could avoid Pai without causing the older man to question him. Thus, here he was, having bought breakfast for three as his instincts told him that the Thanawat heir would still be there. He shook his head firmly and made his way towards the elevators where he spotted a familiar figure, a man he had hoped would not be here in the first place.
As the elevator doors opened and Siri stepped out, Aroon noticed the drinks in the bag. He felt amused at the selection. He questioningly looked at the bag and smirked, “Nomyen? The Thanawat heir drinks pink-milk, who would have thought?”Siri didn’t reply but his heart felt smug. He felt immense satisfaction at the fact that this young man had no idea of what Pai liked. Siri only smiled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Aroon’s breath hitched as he felt that he might be missing something. To cover up his hesitation, he picked up his bag and said, “I got all of Pai’s favorites. You didn’t have to bother. He has no need of you anymore..”Siri couldn’t believe the guts of this young man beside him. How dare he say that? This time, the Thanawat heir made no attempt to cover his contempt as he opened the door to the flat and challenged, sneering, “And what? He needs you?”As if on cue, the two young
Siri saw it all happen as if in slow motion. He glared at the intern who was showing so much concern for his Pai, but that did not deter the said intern. The Thanawat heir watched as Aroon picked up what looked like the crispiest piece of bacon and made to place it on Pai’s plate. He watched as Aroon’s eyes widened in shock as he caught the sight of the hickey on Pai’s neck. Siri saw the young man’s face shut down in hurt and disappointment as the he tried to clean the mess made by his chopsticks. Aroon was clearly hurt beyond anything he was prepared for. Siri felt a tremor of sympathy for the boy, he understood the heart clenching pain Aroon must have felt at that moment. Siri knew Aroon had had good idea of his relationship with Pai, but knowing and getting a confirmation are two completely different things.Pai stood up and called out to Aroon as the younger man dashed off out of the house. Siri gently held his Pai back and pushed him sit back down
“You look good, Pai. All the best!” Siri said as he straightened Pai’s collar smiling. Pai blushed slightly, now color clearly visible in his cheeks, as he nodded. Siri placed a firm kiss of Pai’s forehead before letting him go and see him to the door.Pai made a shy wave as the younger man said, “I will pick you up in the evening…” And just like that the Pai was off to his first day as a full-time employee at Chiang Mai office of Thanawat Enterprises.In the past twelve days, Pai had recovered completely. Aroon had visited just once, to say goodbye. He had successfully completed his internship and had told Pai that he had decided to take a job closer to home as his parents had wanted him to. Pai had been supportive and had wished him luck. Siri too had wished the young man all the best and bid him goodbye. The Thanawat heir, not having anything personal against Aroon, felt relieved and happy that he had decided to do what wou
“No..I’m not coming back..yeah, I know….I sent you an email after the last time we talked..” Siri said as he paced around the bedroom, talking on the phone. Pai couldn’t help but sigh as he entered the room with a two cups of tea. He knew who Siri was talking and what this whole thing was about. It was not like this was the first time this conversation had happened in the past fifteen days. Frankly, Pai didn’t think Siri would succeed in what he was trying to achieve, not immediately anyway.“I already explained what I want. I don’t care where he has to live or where he’s working from. That absolutely not the point! I don’t expect you null my marriage and welcome him as partner right away! What are you even saying! My stand is perfectly reasonable and practical.” Siri said, his tone slightly higher, as he felt whatever was being said at the other end getting on his nerves.“Nooo, we can talk