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After Mr Sukprasert recovered enough to return home he hired Saifah to care for him. The gunshot wound caused some temporary paralysis on his left side which would require months of physical therapy, both in the hospital and at home. Saifah insisted on woking without pay, overcome as he was with guilt for bringing misfortune on the Sukprasert family, but Mr Sukprasert wouldn’t hear a word of it. The moment he arrived home from the hospital he asked Saifah to assist him into his office and told him to close the door.
Saifah hesitated but did as he was instructed. When he turned around he found Mr Sukprasert evaluating him shrewdly.
"Tell me everything that happened with Name.” He said, “Start from the very beginning and don't leave anything out, even if you think it’s unimportant I want to hear it."
So Saifah told him about his childhood friendship with Name, their unexpected reunion some months ago when he presented at Saifah's apartment as his new debt collector, helping Name treat his gunshot wound and urging him to leave the criminal world behind, the conversation they had about telling Name's boss that he was leaving and the horrible ultimatum presented to him.
"So you're saying," Mr Sukprasert interrupted softly, "that Name's boss ordered him to assist in the robbery, and if he didn't agree he would've killed him?"
Saifah nodded.
"Name's boss told him the robbery would be his last job and then he'd let him go. He only agreed because the boss promised him no one would get hurt, Name picked a time when he knew you were in Korat and Grandma King was asleep at the other end of the house. He asked me to leave the house and stay outside so I wouldn't be involved."
"But I arrived home early..."
"Yes," Saifah dropped his gaze, too ashamed to keep eye contact with the man who had put so much trust in him. "You already know what happened next sir, because of me..."
"I remember you tried to stop the shooter," Mr Sukprasert said sternly. "You wrestled for the gun, the gun went off by accident and I was shot. You saved my life Saifah, do not tell yourself otherwise."
Saifah didn't know how to reply so he stayed silent.
"What happened after that?"
"The boss wanted to kill me for interfering, but Name convinced him to let me live so they could scapegoat the shooting on me. They threatened to hurt my brother if I told the police what actually happened."
Mr. Sukprasert frowned - "and at the hospital?" he asked.
Saifah hesitated.
"I wasn't there sir, but Sailom told me Name called him and told him your life was in danger. Sailom and Kang rushed to the hospital and saw the boss attempting to suffocate you with a pillow. The boss shot at Sailom and Kang shielded him and got shot in the arm. The boss was aiming to take another shot and that's when Name showed up and shot the boss. The police arrived soon after and arrested Name."
"I see," Mr Sukprasert looked deep in thought. "And this gang boss, was he the first person Name ever shot?"
"Yes!" Saifah nodded rapidly. "Name told me he wanted to leave the gang because his boss wanted him to kill people and he didn't want to do it. If it wasn't.... Do you think..." Saifah didn't know how to finish any of his thoughts. He was desperately hopeful for something he couldn’t name.
"Even setting aside the robbery charges, Name still killed a man," said Mr Sukprasert, dashing the fledgling hope taking root in Saifa's chest. "I will have to think on this. Help me to my room and then you can retire for the night."
***
Saifah had every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon off, so he visited Name in jail. The first time he visited him after his conversation with Mr Sukprasert, Name looked agitated.
"What happened?" he asked. "Did someone hurt you?"
"No", Name shook his head. "Did you hire me a lawyer? I told you not to waste your money!"
Saifah shook his head.
"I haven't. Not that it would be a waste of money, I just haven't saved enough yet."
Name stared at him.
"Then who the hell sent the suit to me this morning?" he asked.
"Well it wasn't me," said Saifah, somewhat miffed. "Maybe it was a public defence attorney?"
Name shook his head.
"Not this guy, he looked like money."
Saifah rolled his eyes.
"Maybe you're his once a year pro bono case. What's it matter? Why look a gift horse in the mouth if it might get you out of here faster?"
Name shrugged and the conversation diverted to other topics. Saifah brought up his talk with Mr Sukprasert, and Name pretended to be unbothered but Saifah could see right through him.
"Isn't it good," he said, "now Mr Sukprasert knows you were coerced to do the robbery.”
Name looked away.
"Doesn't change that he almost died because of me."
"And you saved his life," Saifah added firmly. "Or did you forget storming the hospital guns blazing after having your head cracked open with a baseball bat?"
"How's Kang?" Name not so subtly changed the subject.
"He's fine, Sailom is looking after him. Those two are suspicious. Do you think..."
Name snorted and finally met his eyes.
"What about us?" He put his hand flat against the wire screen, "are we suspicious?"
Saifah smiled.
"Us?" he said, putting his hand against Name's and interlacing their fingers. “Oh absolutely."
***
For a few weeks after Mr Sukprasert returned home things were almost completely back to normal in the Sukprasert household. Grandma King, having recovered from her surgery, busied herself with cooking. Every Tuesday and Thursday she made sure to cook extra and packaged the food discretely for Saifah to take with him on his "afternoon outings". It was never acknowledged where he went or whom the food was intended for, but every week the food would be packaged, labeled and waiting for him on the kitchen table.
At first Name tried to refuse the food but one stern look from Saifah quickly shut him up.
"Why does she..." Name trailed off, after he polished off the rice and curry. The food was undeniably amazing, especially when compared to the slop served in prison. Saifah passed him a Tupperware container of mango and sticky rice which he noticed the guard eye greedily.
"I think Mr Sukprasert told her what happened."
Name stirred through his pudding listlessly.
"I don't deserve this kindness, not after I nearly killed her son."
"You didn't..."
"You know what I mean!" interrupted Name, angrily. "What is with these people?!”
"They're good people," shrugged Saifah. “Eat your pudding."
***
Mr. Samajarn was a short man. Packed slim and tight in his business suit he strode into the room like a stalking crane. When he first came to visit, he was brisk. He introduced himself, advised Name he was taking on his case, excused himself quickly and left without Name saying a single thing.
Over a month passed before he returned, and this time he requested a private room to speak with his client. Name was escorted into a small, windowless room and secured to a chair with handcuffs. Mr Samajarn entered the room shortly after and demanded the cuffs be removed immediately.
"Has my client done anything in the past month to warrant being restrained? This is not only unnecessary but also a violation of his human rights. He hasn't stood trial and therefore hasn't been convicted of any crime to justify taking these measures. Uncuff him immediately or I will speak with your supervisor."
The guards quickly complied and left the room looking shook by the rapid tongue lashing they received.
Mr. Samajarn took the seat opposite Name.
"This room is forbidden from using monitoring equipment so I will get straight to the point. Kongkiat Sukprasert hired me to represent you."
Mr Samajarn quickly relayed what Mr Sukprasert told him about the events that unfolded from before the robbery to the shooting at the hospital.
"Is this information correct?"
Name nodded.
"Good. I’ve spoken to the two henchmen who assisted your boss in the robbery. They agreed to keep quiet about your involvement if I could convince the prosecution's office to secure them plea deals. Even if they try to sell you out later no one will believe them. They've both done time before for armed robbery and assault. Your confession was informally obtained so I was able to have it suppressed for procedural violation. The shooting in the hospital was done in the line of duty..."
"Duty?"
Mr Samajarn looked unimpressed at being interrupted.
"Yes, duty," he said shortly. "In your capacity as Mr Sukprasert's chauffeur and bodyguard you discharged your gun in defence of your client and his son who were at imminent risk of harm."
"Bodyguard?" Name distantly heard himself ask, confusion clouding his brain.
Mr Samajarn watched him silently for a long moment, before reaching into his briefcase and removing a folder. From inside he withdrew three pieces of paper and slid them across the table. Name reached for them with trembling hands.
"Your bodyguard license, your employment contract and your gun permit."
Something in Mr Samajarn's face dared Name to say anything that would reveal he'd never seen the documents before, so Name studied them in silence. After a long moment he finally looked up at Mr Samajarn's inscrutable face.
"I see."
Mr Samajarn nodded, gathered the papers and rose to leave.
"With this evidence the prosecution's office agreed that a trial is no longer necessary. I will be seeking to have you released by the end of the week."
He pressed the buzzer and was promptly escorted from the room.
Name watched him go in a daze. When the security guards came to take him away he barely felt their rough handling or the bite of the handcuffs, deep in thought about what the hell happened in that tiny room, in the brief span of 20 minutes, that so drastically changed the trajectory of his life.
***
Saifah was handing Mr Sukprasert a wet towel after another gruelling PT session, when he couldn't stop himself from blurting out - "Thank you for saving Name!"
Mr Sukprasert, caught off guard by the volume of Saifah's voice, reeled back and almost slid off the massage table.
"Sorry!" Saifah caught him around the shoulders to steady him. "I just..."
"It's ok," Mr Sukprasert finished wiping himself off and gestured for Saifah to help him off the table. “I wish it hadn’t taken so long but the matter was complicated and I had to pull on my less favourable contacts to obtain some of the documents."
A familiar resurgence of guilt hit Saifah like a punch in the gut.
"I'm sorry..." he started to say, but Mr Sukprasert lifted his hand to stop him. "Stop apologising and help me to the shower. I have to get ready for that dinner with the party leader."
It was only later, when Saifah was helping Mr Sukprasert into his dinner jacket that he said - "When Name gets out, ask him to come and see me,” and the finality in his voice told Saifah that the matter was closed for further discussion.
***
On the day of his release Saifah was waiting for Name with a bouquet of tiger lilies. Name rolled his eyes, swatted the flowers out of the way and pulled Saifah into the longest kiss of his life.
***
Since Name was in prison for over two months the lease on his condo had long since expired, so Saifah suggested that he move into his old apartment.
"Since my brother and I live with the Sukpraserts except on weekends, this place is just staying empty gathering dust." he said.
"I'll pay you rent as soon as I get a job," Name promised, dropping his small rucksack on the living room floor.
"Don't worry about it," said Saifah, hugging Name from behind, "think of it as our little love nest."
Name stomped on his foot and pulled away.
"Love nest my ass, do you have anything to eat around here?" He stalked to the kitchen and rummaged about in the pitifully empty pantry. "You know I think my prospects were better in prison," he joked, assessing a half eaten protein bar in amusement. Saifah snatched it from him and threw it in the bin.
"We'll go shopping later," he said, pulling Name to the door. "Lets go out and celebrate your freedom!"
Name barely had a moment to slip on his shoes before he was whisked away.
***
They barely made it past the threshold before sliding in a heap to the floor. Name was trying to pry Saifah off his neck but Saifah seemed determined to stay there permanently like a human leech.
“Come on get up,” Name sighed, fisting his hands in Saifah’s hair he pulled hard to force him away. Saifah looked dazed, like he was high on some drug. He watched Name with hungry, feverish eyes, then focused his gaze on what no doubt was a tremendous hickey. Clearly intending to go for a second round, he tried to dive down but was stopped by Name jerking hard on his hair.
“Up,” he said sternly. “We’re not doing this on the floor in the living room, asshole.”
“Huh?” Saifah sounded confused, like he honestly hadn’t realised where they were. Name stared at him trying hard not to laugh. “Come on,” he said, pulling Saifah to his feet. “I want to show you something.”
That seemed to perk Saifah’s interest enough for him to overtake Name and lead him the rest of the way to the bedroom. Name chuckled and allowed himself to be pulled along. Inside the small room two single beds stood side by side.
Saifah switched on the light and awkwardly rubbed his neck.
“Ah sorry about that, I shared this room with Sailom since it’s a one bedroom flat.”
“Never mind, we’ll push them together,”said Name, and they quickly made the two small beds into a double.
“So what did you want to show me?” Saifah smirked at Name from across the bed.
Name pulled out his phone and pointed to the foot of the bed. “Sit there,” he ordered.
Saifah sat.
Not looking up from his phone Name continued to speak in a conversational tone. “Did you know I left home at 17? Same year you dropped out of school.”
The question caught Saifah completely by surprise and he sat still for a long moment before slowly shaking his head.
“I couldn’t keep up with my par’s fists so I found a job at a bar in Khaosan and skipped town,” he continued. Finally settling on a song he placed his phone on the bedside draw and turned towards the bed, head bowed low as he focused on loosening his shirt. “It was called “The Dragon”, and served a particular type of clientele.” Getting half way through his buttons Name glanced at Saifah. “I was too young to run the bar so I danced for my money,” he said, biting his bottom lip. The soft techno beat filled the room and Name began to sway to the music, rolling his shoulders to let the silk shirt slide of his arms like water. Saifah gasped as he watched it drop to the floor. His gaze rose slowly, following the sway of Name’s hips in those sinfully tight jeans to the hands teasingly playing with his belt buckle. When their eyes met the heat between them became palpable. “Apparently,” Name rolled his tongue over his bottom lip and pulled it between his teeth, “I was pretty good.”
Having worked his belt loose, Name looped it around one hand. With the other he unzipped and shimmied out of his pants, stepping towards Saifah in his boxer briefs. Saifah’s mouth felt parched, his throat itched like he wanted to cough but he didn’t dare to interrupt whatever the hell was happening right now.
Name let the coiled belt loose in his hand and in one smooth motion he swung it, looped it around Saifah’s neck and pulling both ends swung effortlessly into Saifah’s lap. “What do you think?” He whispered into his ear.
Saifah’s brain short circuited. He was so painfully hard he was in danger of going off at any second. Only the thought of coming in his pants like a virgin school boy in front of the man he loved stopped him from embarrassing himself in the worst way.
“Mmmh,” he managed between tightly clenched lips
“What was that?” Name slipped one earlobe between his teeth. “You don’t agree?” Slowly rolling his hips, he pushed Saifah down on the bed and straddled him. “Well then,” he said, slipping a hand under Saifah’s shirt. “I guess I better try harder than.”
***
“Mr Sukprasert asked me to tell you to come see him when you got out,” Saifah mentioned casually during a quiet Sunday breakfast three weeks into their new living arrangement.
Name glanced up from his congee but quickly looked away. They continued to eat in silence for some time before Saifah softly broke it. “I’m not telling you to see him. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I’ll support you either way, you know that. But…” he trailed off. Name looked at him and the pain in Saifah’s eyes was like a visceral thing. “I hope you'll think about it,” he said quietly. “That’s all I’m asking.”
Name reached across the table and gently cupped his hand.
“I’ll think about it,” he promised.
***
If someone had asked Name as a child where he saw himself at 22, washing cars would not have been high on his list of possibilities. Then again he would have likely said he’d be dead or in juvie, so in hindsight working at a car wash didn’t seem so bad. The money was crap, and he occasionally had to deal with handsy pervs or an overzealous tourist, but overall the hours were decent, the work easy, and he got to work on all kinds of great cars he’d only ever seen in magazines.
It didn’t escape him that he was damn lucky to have the job in the first place. Although he avoided a criminal conviction, it was common knowledge in the area that he used to work as an enforcer for the local gang. He knew that if it wasn’t for Sailom putting in a good word with his boss, he would have been turned away at the door just like he’d been at a dozen places before it.
Name was finishing the polish on a Lamborghini, admiring the gleam of the afternoon sun on the red bonnet, when a black BMW with familiar number plates pulled into the yard and rolled to a stop beside him. Fuck.
Ducking down to focus on the rim around the tires, Name prayed that there was at least one other washer who hadn’t already left for the day that could come out to take over and let him escape.
“Hello Name,” a pair of polished, leather loafers walked into his line of sight. Giving up Name steeled himself to meet Mr Sukprasert’s eyes. When he did they were looking down on him with a surprising amount of kindness. Of course they were. Name slowly rose to his feet and did a wai.
“Mr Sukprasert.”
“I see you’re working here now,” he said, looking around the yard with interest.
Name nodded.
“Did Saifah tell you I wanted to speak with you?”
He nodded again.
“I have to say I was disappointed when I didn’t hear from you,” Mr Sukprasert sighed. “But then I realised it was selfish of me to expect you to come to me when you didn’t know my intentions.”
Name stared at him. Mr Sukprasert? Selfish? But before he could correct him, Mr Sukprasert continued.
“I wanted to speak with you about what happened that night, and to thank you.”
“Thank me?” This was too much. Name decided he must have lost track of this conversation sometime ago, because at this point nothing made sense to him.
“Yes,” confirmed Mr Sukprasert, “for saving my life, my son's life and Saifah’s life.”
“I…” began Name.
“I know you led the robbers to the house and participated in the robbery,” clarified Mr Sukprasert, “I also know you weren’t given a choice in the matter. I know you tried to make the best of a bad situation by waiting for everyone to leave the house, you led them through the door farthest away from my mother’s room, and negotiated with them to spare Saifah after I was shot. I know you tried to protect Sailom when Saifah was in jail, and I know you were left for dead by the gangsters and could have made a clean escape if you wanted to, instead you chose to come to the hospital to protect me and my son, knowing it would cost you your freedom.”
Name didn’t know what to say. After a long moment of studying each other Name finally gathered himself enough to speak.
“I…I’m the reason you nearly lost your life.” That was the truth. However you spun the story, the threats, the coercion, his attempts to protect the Sukprasert family, it all meant nothing when the simple truth was that Name opened the door. He led the monsters in, and he lost control of them. After everything Mr Sukprasert and Grandma King did for him, he brought disaster into their lives. He didn’t hesitate to put his own life above theirs. He wanted a future with Saifah, wanted to work towards that dream of traveling the world together. And he knew there was no future for them if he didn’t leave the criminal world. Mr Sukprasert might be seeing Name as some kind of tragic hero, but the truth was a lot simpler, he was simply a selfish coward who got lucky that nobody died. Deep down he knew he didn’t deserve this second chance but he was too selfish to refuse it and clung to it desperately - but this, Mr Sukprasert coming here to thank him, this was too much.
“I’m sorry, I have to go,” said Name, turning away.
“Wait,” Mr Sukprasert caught him by the shoulder and gently held him in place. “Just a moment. I’m not done.”
Name grit his teeth. He owed this man everything. If he wanted a moment he’d give him 10, even if his throat burned and his eyes pricked dangerously.
“I understand that you’re feeling guilty about what happened, and I want to give you an opportunity to make things right.”
Releasing Name’s shoulder, Mr Sukprasert reached into his briefcase and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Gently he tapped Name’s shoulder with it until he accepted it.
“What is it?” He asked, without looking at it. He thought if he looked down right now he wouldn’t be able to stop his tears.
“It’s an employment contract,” said Mr Sukprasert, “for a dual position of chauffeur and body guard.”
Name spun around so fast he forgot all about his wet eyes.
“What?”
“It’s for you. I would like for you to return to my employment.”
“But why?” Name struggled to keep his voice from rising.
“Because I trust you,” was the simple answer.
“But…”
“I have no reason to believe that there is anything else that would compel you to break your loyalty to me.”
“But I’m not a bodyguard!” Exclaimed Name as his final line of defence. “I know nothing about protecting people.”
“That may be true, but since the paperwork for your bodyguard license has already been issued I need you only to complete your training and obtain legitimate qualifications. I can have this arranged if you agree to accept the contract.”
Name hesitated.
“You’re going to send me to bodyguard school?”
Mr Sukprasert smiled.
“Something like that. Of course having dual responsibilities will be reflected in your salary.”
Name flipped the paper open and his eyes widened at the number of zeros.
Mr Sukprasert stepped forward and once again put his hand of Name’s shoulder.
“I know nothing I say will make you feel better about what happened, but maybe working as my bodyguard will help you come to terms with it.”
***
When Name came home that night his head was still full of conflicting thoughts. Saifah was in the kitchen cooking curry and humming something terribly off tune.
“Welcome home,” he said, spinning around in the frilly pink apron that Grandma King made him for his birthday. “How was work?”
“Mr Sukprasert came to see me. He offered me a job.” Name said, collapsing onto the living room chaise.
“Ah…”
Name glanced at him with suspicion.
“Why aren’t you surprised?” He asked.
“Well, he kind of told me he was planning to go see you after work,” muttered Saifah, looking guilty.
“And you didn’t think to give me a heads up?”
“I figured you’ll sort it out,” Saifah shrugged. “So did you?”
Name huffed and threw himself back on the chaise.
“He offered me a job as a chauffeur and a bodyguard. A bodyguard! Me! How absurd. He wants to send me to bodyguard school and everything.” He muttered.
“I don’t think it’s absurd,” Saifah switched off the stove off and went to sit on the floor beside the chaise. “You’re already familiar with how to use a gun and know basic martial arts. Plus you’ve saved his life once al…”
“Don’t.”
Saifah shut up. After a long moment in silence he gently prodded.
“Are you going to do it?”
Name sighed and tiredly rubbed his eyes.
“Yeah,” he muttered, “it’s the only way I can repay him.”
“There’s no deb…”
“Forget it,” Name cut in, sitting up. “What’s for dinner?”
Saifah stayed seated and grabbed his hand.
“There’s something I have to tell you,” he said.
Name stared at him in disbelief. There was literally no space in his brain for any more crazy news.
“Ok,” he said cautiously.
“Mr Sukprasert fired me today.”
“Huh?!”
“Well not fired,” Saifah hurried to explain. “More like his condition has improved so he no longer needs an in-home carer.”
Name nodded.
“Ok, so you’re going back to work at the hospital?”
Saifah hesitated.
“Not exactly,” he said, “actually I’m also going back to school?”
“What? You’re 22!”
“Well I’m going to a prep college to get my high school qualifications,” explained Saifah.
“But why?”
“Mr Sukprasert offered me a scholarship at a public university he donated to during his campaign. If I can get the grades to qualify for entry I can study any degree I want as long as I can get in on my own merit.”
The dominoes started falling in Name’s over-cluttered brain.
“That’s why he offered me the job now,” he reasoned out loud. “He wants me to support you while you complete your studies.”
Saifah nodded.
“I think so too. He didn’t say anything to me but it makes sense. It’s been months since you were released from jail but he chose to come see you right after the doctor gave him the all clear.”
“Sneaky bastard.” Name rose from the chaise and went to check on the curry. “Guess there’s nothing else for me to do but to support you like a good husband. At least you can cook,” he smelled the curry and began to ladle it out. “Now come on, lets eat.”
***
It surprised absolutely no one that Saifah aced his high school qualifications and scored a spot in the ultra competitive computer engineering program. Money may not have run in the Homchan family, but brains certainly did.
He graduated top of his class and was quickly snatched up for a lucrative internship at Samsung.
“Oh come on, stop sulking,” said Saifah over dinner at a restaurant they could have only dreamt about affording four years earlier. “It will only be for 2 years, then I’ll be back in Bangkok to complete my Masters,” he wheedled.
“Two years in South Korea,” Name said stubbornly for the fifth time since their mains arrived, stirring listlessly through his spaghetti.
Saifah reached across the table and cupped his hand.
“Two years will fly by,” he said, “remember when you went to jail and we thought you’d be there for years? I would have waited decades for you. What’s a couple of years when compared to that, huh?”
Name continued his petulant sulk like he hadn’t heard him. Saifah sighed.
“Come on, I already spoke to Mr Sukprasert, and he’s going to give you leave to come visit me in Korea. With both of us taking leave we’ll be visiting each other every 6 months. Plus think of all the creative ways we can have phone sex,” he wagged his eyebrows. Name smacked him on the arm but smiled despite himself.
“Fine,” he said. “But you better call me every night, and if I so much as suspect that you got yourself a k-pop wannabe boy-toy over there I’m calling the whole thing quits.”
Saifah laughed and interlaced their fingers together.
“When has there ever been anyone else but you for me?” He said, and the sincerity in his voice made Name’s heart skip a beat. He covered it up with another smack.
“You’re a sap.”
Saifah smiled.
“I sure am,” he agreed amiably. “Just think of this as the start of our promise to each other all those years ago. We said we’ll travel the world together didn’t we?”
“Mhh,” Name hummed in agreement around a mouthful of pasta, and gently ran his thumb over Saifah’s knuckles. What was two years, indeed?
***
Saifah was in a meeting when he got the call. It was a meeting with a line up of executives and he was presenting his new project to the board. His phone was on silent but the incessant buzzing made him anxious and he eventually excused himself. When he saw the missed calls were from Mr Sukprasert, Grandma King and Sailom his heart sank into his feet. There was only one reason why the closest people in his life were calling him without pause. Something must have happened to Name.
With shaking hands he pressed the call button and waited. Mr Sukprasert picked up on the first ring.
“Saifah…” his voice sounded odd, restrained.
“What happened?” He demanded immediately. “Where’s Name?”
“He’s at the hospital.” And just like that Saifah sank to his knees.
“What?” he croaked, only distantly aware that there were people gathering round him, fanning him with papers and offering him paper cups of water. “What happened?”
“He was shot.”
“No!” Saifah screamed at hearing his worst fear confirmed. He felt someone trying to pull him to his feet but his body was heavy, useless. It just wanted to sink into the floor, sink away into nothing.
“Saifah! Saifah, listen to me,” Mr Sukprasert was saying urgently. “He’s ok, he’s in surgery right now to remove the bullet from his shoulder, but the doctor said it didn’t hit anything vital. He’s going to be ok.”
The information filtered through slowly.
“Which hospital?” He said, choking back tears and rising to his feet. His assistant held him up while he loosened his tie and tried to breath.
Taking the details down he disconnected and hurried towards the elevators vaguely hearing his assistant on the phone telling the driver to meet him downstairs.
***
Name was discharged on the first day of Songkran and Grandma King had outdone herself in the kitchen preparing an abundance of food, everything from her famous abalone soup to Sailom’s special fried fish, vibrant aromatic curries and thick savoury stews, and of course Name’s favourite sticky rice with mango. Mr Sukprasert had the house staff bring a box of his cherished French wine from the cellar, and this resulted in the garden table becoming so laden with food and drink that it creaked ominously with every gust of wind.
“My husband built this table,” Grandma King told Saifah when she caught him eyeing it wearily. “It might be nearly as old as I am but I promise you it will be here long after I’m gone.”
Sailom and Kang were seated next to her opposite Name and Saifah, and were regaling Name with the story of their engagement at a wind farm in Denmark.
“We got to climb to the top of one of the turbines and that’s where he decided to pop the question, the maniac. I almost died!” exclaimed Sailom, smacking Kang, not too gently, on the arm.
“Oh come on,” he whined, “it was romantic.”
“Romantic my ass,” Sailom started to say but quickly caught himself when he met Grandma King’s eyes. “Oh, sorry Grandma King!”
She waved dismissively.
“Never mind that, when are you planning to get married?”
“I think a spring wedding would be nice,” said Sailom, helping himself to more fish. “But Kang wants to wait for the summer so all our friends will be back in Thailand.”
“Well Max and Auto are filming in Los Angeles until mid spring and Nawa won’t be back from his dig in South Croatia for another 6 months. Guy is taking a sabbatical from teaching to go with him so they’ll both be out of the country until the first week of summer,” Kang explained. “Plus everyone knows nothing beats a summer wedding.”
“It will be hot,” whined Sailom.
“Perfect beach weather,” smiled Kang, “we’ll have it on the coast in Hua Hin.”
“Ah, don’t bicker,” Grandma King waved her hand. “You have plenty of time to decide.”
“How’s your arm?” asked Kang, looking at Name's arm in the sling.
“It’s fine,” Name shrugged. “It’s annoying that I can’t use it, but it has its perks.” He bumped his shoulder against Saifah and pointedly looked at a plate of basil stir fry. Instantly Saifah reached for the dish, filled his plate and proceeded to feed Name.
“Is it too hot?” he asked worriedly. Without giving Name a chance to respond he blew on the next spoon.
“You guys are sickening,” Sailom complained. "He has one healthy arm!" Name smirked while Saifah discretely kicked his brother under the table.
Mr Sukprasert tapped his spoon against his glass to gather everyones attention and rose to his feet.
“It’s a rare pleasure to have you all gathered here so I wanted to take the opportunity to say a few words,” he smiled. “It’s been many years since fate brought us together, and we’ve weathered through some challenging times. Before I met you all I was a proud father to one son, now I look around and see I am actually blessed to have four.” He raised his glass and drank.
Name turned to Saifah and saw the same unshed tears in his eyes reflected in his own. They tapped their wine glasses and drank. Across the table Kang tapped his glass against Sailom’s who was wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt and being gently coddled by Grandma King.
Name looked around at the most important people in his life and something inside him he didn’t even know he carried suddenly loosened and broke away. He let it go with a sigh. ‘So this is what it means to be a family, this really isn’t so bad,’ he thought then elbowed Saifah and looked pointedly at a plate of long beans.