Chapter 6

[6. Orphan]

It was calm and quiet for some days. Dae had to meet Aroon only during breakfast and dinner times. At noon, Kobsook won't be there at home and they both eat at different time. Dae waits for Aroon to finish his lunch and come upstairs. He would come out of his room only after hearing the sound of footsteps coming upstairs and the door of Aroon's room slamming shut. Aroon never really came to his room or spoke to him after the day of his Graduation. Also he didn't order him to do any works. Kobsook didn't go for any business tours during the time and so servants were always at home. So Aroon could possibly do nothing to Dae. Dae also maximum avoided going in front of the older.

One day morning, the three of them were having breakfast while suddenly Kobsook's phone rang. It was a call from his assistant. After he ended the call, he looked at Aroon and spoke.

"Aroon, son..please take Dae to college. I have an urgent business meeting today." He then looked at Dae. " Sorry son...I didn't think something urgent will come up. I can't come with you to university. But don't worry, Aroon will come with you. Go with your him, okay ?"

"But..Dad..college ? Why should I take him to college ? Aroon asked confused.

" For admission. Today is the admission to science faculty. "

" Oh..which college ?" Aroon asked.

"What !? Dae.., haven't you told him yet ?" Kobsook asked wondering Why Aroon was acting like he don't know anything.

"D..Dad..I- I thought you told him." Dae said really frightened.

" What is this boys ? There are only three people in this house and it's pathetic that you guys are not knowing what is going on. Aroon, did you ever ask your brother what he is going to major in or what his future plans are ?"

" Yeah..I asked. He said he is going to choose physics for university. But he didn't tell me anything about college." Aroon said and turned to Dae. " Which university are you going to ?"

" I...pêe chaai..CU."

" What !?" Aroon’s eyebrows furrowed in shock.

" Yeah..Dae is going to attend CU. Today is his admission.", Kobsook said. Dae

looked at Aroon in fear and Kobsook sensed some kind of tension between the boys. " What's wrong ? Aroon, aren't you happy about Dae attending your college?

"Oh..yes dad. I feel so much happy. Woah..! we are going to same college. Great !", Aroon said with a big fake smile on his face while he was actually shaking inside in anger.

"Thankyou pêe chaai." Dae said both confused and scared.

" So Aroon, go with him, okay ? I have to go now.", Kobsook said and stood up." And Dae..,Take your card. You will have to pay the fees and all. And don't forget any certificates. " Dae nodded. Kobsook then went to get ready for his office.

Aroon looked at Dae in anger. Dae could easily understand that. The older was shaking in anger. So he ran upstairs before Aroon could ask or do something. 'Kim Tanawat..,You bastard..you going to study in my college ? And you hid it from me ? You will pay for this. You will regret trying to hide it. whom are you running away from? You will come in my hands within minutes. Just let Dad go' Aroon thought in mind.

After Kobsook left, Aroon went upstairs, straight to Dae's room.The Door was locked.

" Kim Tanawat, open the door. Do you think you can escape from my hands.?", Aroon yelled but Dae didn't open the door.

"I SAID OPEN THE DOOR. I HAVE SPARE KEY. I CAN GO AND GET IT. OPEN THE DOOR IF YOU DON'T WANT TO MAKE THE SITUATION WORSE." Aroon yelled in anger.

"P..pêe chaai, I will open the door. please don't hurt me. I actually didn't want to study in your college. It was Dad's decision. I was scared to tell you. Please don't hurt me. I honestly didn't want to study there." Dae said from inside. He knew what will happen if Aroon gets the spare key and opens the door. Dae wished his door had a strong lock to protect him from his angry stepbrother. But Aroon had already broke the lock on a similar last encounter. Dae got a lot of extra dose for not opening the door that day.

"Oh..Is that so ? Okay then, I won't do anything. Now open the door and come out. We need to go to university. " Aroon said and Dae slowly opened the door. But Dae was taken aback by seeing the anger in Aroon's eyes. He started stepping backwards in fear and Aroon started taking steps towards him.

"pêe chaai, ..please..please don't come to me. please..don't hurt me.", Dae said starting to cry. He moved backward till his back touched the wall. Aroon was now standing infront of him, so close, pinning him on to the wall.

"Please..P' Aroon...don't ...h..hurt me. please..", Dae pleaded in his shaking voice and eyes tightly closed. He then started to sniffle in fear.

" Look at me ! " Aroon yelled. Dae flinched and opened his eyes. " Didn't I tell you to fail in your final exam? And what did you do? Huh...tell me.", he clicked his tongue inside his cheeks. " I should have taught you a lesson then itself. Heck ! I didn't do anything. Then you showed the courage to apply for admission in my college and also hid it from me. You need to learn a lesson Tanawat. I need to go hard on you. You shouldn't disobey me again." Aroon said with a devilish grin on his face. Tears started rolling down Dae’s soft cheeks.

"p..pêe chaai.... please d..don't hurt m..me. I..I am sorry. " Dae sniffled. " I can't bear this anymore pêe chaai...I w..want you back. Stop this p..please. I- I am scared." He said and rested his forehead on the older's chest, crying hard. Aroon froze for a second. Then he moved back causing Dae's head to fall slightly forward. Then the younger stretched his hands to hug Aroon. Aroon yanked his hands and moved further backward. More and more tears left Dae's eyes. He again tried to hug Aroon and this time he was harshly pushed away. He fell back on the bed and growled from the pain felt on his back from the sudden impact. His eyes widened as he sat up and saw the older walking to him with a cold expression on his face. Dae moved backward till his back hit on the headboard of the bed.

Aroon stopped in front of him and bend a little down to look at his face. " First of all listen, I hate you. To me, My Dae died 8 years ago. You are not him anymore. I threw you out of my heart, the day I pushed you out of my room. I didn't like Dae crying. But your tears can't affect me any more. And I know this is all your act. You are really good at acting. But it won't work with me anymore. So stop your act. "

" I'm not a..acting. I- I know you h..hate me. I didn't want to make my life any worse by studying in the same college as your's. I don't want to come in front of your sight. I know you hate seeing me. B..But..I'm..not the one who..put that cheque in your b..book. I've never even thought to....make Dad hate you. And I- I didn't try to kiss your girlfriend. She was the one.."

" Stop ! Shut up ! Stop telling lies. Don't bring that matter up again. You ! You are a horrible actor, gold digger, betrayer..You were trying to snatch everything that belonged to me from the beginning itself. I was a fool. I didn't know."

" P'Aroon..believe me..I don't want anything that belongs to you. I would have gone from here, if I had a place to go. But I don't. I am a fucking orphan. Please let me live here for some more years. I will leave soon."

" Stop ! Get ready now. "

With that Aroon briskly walked out of the room, harshly slamming the door shut. He ruffled his hair in frustration and cursed under his breathe. Walking into his room, he went to his wardrobe and picked some random clothes from it. Then he sat down on his bed cursing himself, hitting his fisted hands on the bed. He continued to hit untill he felt satisfied. He couldn't deliver those hits on Dae's face or stomach.

Again he didn't do anything to Dae. He is feeling too weak to punch or slap him. He don't know how to deal with him anymore. He don't even know whether his tears are real or fake. Even thought he hates Dae with all his heart, the younger's words hit somewhere in his heart. ' Yes he is an orphan. He has no one. Am I too harsh to him?', Aroon thought but soon he wiped away those thoughts and replaced them with, 'No Aroon..He is just an amazing actor. Don't fall for his tricks. You hate him. He is the person who ruined your life.'