Chapter Text
Pat and Pran: 7 Years Old
“You’ve been talking to that neighbour’s son again!” Dissaya’s angry voice boomed in the living room. “How many times have I told you not to talk to him Pran!?” The little boy just flinches, his shoulders shaking from trying to contain his sobs.
“H-he wanted to *hic* play with me mommy.” Pran answered, still looking down on his feet.
“I don’t care! If I tell you not to talk to him, you don’t talk to him.” Dissaya fumes. “You’re a bad child Pran, and bad children needs punishment.”
Pran looked at his mother with wide, fearful eyes, shaking his head. “N-no mommy! I don’t want to stay in that room again!” He said in panic, his whole body shaking in fear. Whenever his mom would catch him talk or to even just smile at their neighbour’s son, she would always make Pran stay in the attic room. He hates that room, not only is it dark in there, but it’s also cold and lonely too.
Dissaya glared at Pran before grabbing his arms and roughly dragged him upstairs. Pran tried to struggle, to get away from his mother’s grasp, but what does a seven-year-old have against a grown woman’s strength? “Mommy please! I’m sorry. Daddy!”
“Dissaya! That’s enough!” His dad yelled, following them.
“Not another word from you!” Dissaya glared at her husband. “Say one more word and I’m throwing you out!” She opened the door towards the attic and drag Pran upstairs, pushing him onto the bed. “You’ll stay up here until you learn your lesson.” Was all she said before going down the stairs and lock the door behind her.
Pran ran back down and bang on the door, crying. “Mommy! Daddy! Let me out!” His cries were left unheard as his parents continued to argue. Pran sobs and went back upstairs, burying his face on to the pillow as he cried harder.
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Ming and his wife look at their son, sitting on the balcony, looking like he has a lot in his mind. His wife looks at him and Ming just nodded before going to where Pat is and sat next to him.
“A penny for your thoughts?” He asks and Pat look at him.
“Daddy, why does Pran’s mom hate me?” Pat asks curiously, a sadness in his eyes. “I was just playing with Pran at school, and when she saw us, she looks so scary.”
Ming sighs and pick up, to sit on his lap. “She doesn’t hate you.” He spoke. “She hates me.”
Pat frowned. “But why? Why would she hate you daddy? You’re the best dad in the world!” Pat said proudly and the usual guilt in Ming’s heart doubled, looking at his son, who in turn looks at him with adoration.
“I’ll tell you when you get older.” Ming smiled and ruffled Pat’s hair.
“Is it because I wouldn’t understand now?” Ming chuckled and nodded his head. “Okay, then maybe you can tell me next month?” Pat asks expectantly.
Ming frowned. “Next month?”
“Yes, I’ll be eight next month. Maybe I can understand then?” Pat said innocently and it made Ming laugh.
“Yes, maybe.” Ming said and stood up; Pat cradled in his arms. “Let’s get you to bed, buddy.” At the mention of bed, Pat automatically yawned and rub his eyes sleepily. His mom gave him a kiss on the head on the way upstairs before his dad tuck him in his warm bed. “Pat, do you want Pran to be your friend?”
Pat nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. I like Pran daddy, he’s so cute. He has a pimple on his cheeks, and I like poking them, it makes Pran laugh.” Pat giggled.
Pimple? Ming thought. Does he mean dimples? Ming just chuckle and pinch his son’s nose. “It’s called dimples.”
“Dimples.” Pat repeats. “Pran is so pretty when he laughs.”
Oh, good heavens! Ming exclaimed internally. If Pran’s mother could hear this now, she would lose it. “Pat, if you want Pran to be your friend, promise me one thing.” Pat stared at him. “Promise me, you’ll never betray him and always be honest with him, okay?”
“Betray him?” Pat tilt his head to the side. “Like, I would leave him to play with someone else?”
Ming sigh. “Yes.”
“I would never do that!” Pat sits up. “Pran is the only one I want to play with all day!” He said happily, but then his smile drops, sadness filling his eyes again. “But I think Pran’s the one who would leave me and play with someone else, because his mother hates me.”
“Pat...”
“But it’s okay. We’ll just play when she’s not around.” He said proudly, laying back down again. “I’ll convince Pran.”
Ming just sighed and smiled at his son. “Okay, go to sleep.” He said and leaned down to kiss Pat’s head. “Goodnight, buddy.”
“Goodnight, daddy.” Pat replied, yawning again. Ming stood up and turn off the light before exiting Pat’s room, softly closing the door behind him.
Pat look at the close door and then to the ceiling with glow in the dark dinosaurs, his father put on. He flinches when the sky lit up, followed by a loud thunder, making him sit up on his bed again. He looks out the window and onto Pran’s window, wondering if Pran is okay, since he’s scared of thunders. Pat shove his duvet to the side, and climbed down from his bed, he was about to open the balcony door when rain started pouring down. He looks at the sky dejectedly and went back to his bed.
“I’ll just give Pran extra hugs tomorrow.” Pat said to himself as he lay back down, closing his eyes.
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