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Part 30

I was pacing up and down in front of the operating room. My forehead drenched in cold sweat as the frightening events of the past hour rang through my head. Daniel in pain, the ambulance arriving, how the paramedics trooped in and with a few practiced movements transferred Daniel to the stretcher and then, the quiet ride to the hospital when I held onto Daniel's small hand the entire way.

"...He needs an operation..."

I recalled staring helplessly at the doctor who was waiting for my answer. Then Kongpob Suthiluck's face came to mind.

"I'll be depending on you, Arthit."

I took in a deep breath then and nodded to the doctor. The next thing I remember, I was following the hospital bed and squeezing Daniel's hand before the nurses stopped me at the door of the operating room.

I paced around frantically again as the minutes ticked past. Was this the correct decision? Kongpob Suthiluck where on earth are you? I agonized as time crept by and Daniel was still in the operating room.

Suddenly, I heard rapid footsteps approaching me. Turning my head, I felt overwhelmed by immense relief as I saw Kongpob Suthiluck walking towards me with firm swift strides.

"He's still in there?" He gestured towards the operating room as I nodded, tears gathering in my eyes. At this moment, the door opened and a surgeon walked out.

"How is he?" Both Kongpob Suthiluck and I dashed up to him.

"The operation was a success. He's fine and we'll be moving him to Ward 65 to recuperate."

At his words, I felt every single muscle in my body relax. I didn't realize how tensed I was until this very moment. He smiled rather tiredly as we both thanked him and then left to attend another patient. As he walked away, I felt myself starting to shake and tears flow down my cheeks – obvious reaction from the stress.

"Excuse me, Kongpob..." I tried to smile casually at Kongpob Suthiluck before fleeing from him.

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I sighed in relief after I heard the doctor announcing that Daniel was fine. At first, I was pretty worried at having to leave Arthit in charge, however, I knew that despite his clumsiness, he would do his very best for Daniel.

Before I could even thank him, he suddenly excused herself and walked away – no make that sprinted down the corridor. Sensing something amiss, I quickly followed him.

As I turned the corner, I found him leaning his face against the wall, his slender frame shaking with uncontrollable sobs. A strange feeling of remorse came over me for putting him through so much strain and fear.

Without a second thought, I walked towards him and slid my arms around him, giving him a very light hug.

"Thank you, Arthit."

He turned and hugged me tightly, burying his head into my shoulder as he cried his heart out in my arms.

We stood like that for long moments as I held him gently and let him release his pent up emotions against my chest...

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"Would you like some cake, Daniel?"

We were visiting Daniel at the hospital and I decided to cut up the cake that we brought him.

"Did you bake it?"

"No, I didn't."

"Okay, I want some then."

I was rather irritated by his reply. Hey Daniel, it wasn't my fault that you had appendicitis – that was not because of my cooking! Anyway, I was really glad to have helped him, especially when I saw how grateful Mrs Suthiluck was. Although I must admit that the credit should really go to Kongpob Suthiluck.

"Hey, I'll get some cake for your friends too. Urm... was it Kei ... ... er ... Keiko? Tsu ... ... Tsumate and Ro ... ... or Nobu?"

"Baaaka ... ... You can't even remember the names of three kids! How pathetic is that."

I turned at his slow drawl to see Kongpob Suthiluck entering the room. However, for once Daniel's insults failed to affect me. As I looked at Kongpob, warmth flooded through my body as I recalled the way he had held me, gently and definitely longer than a minute...

"You're really lucky Daniel."

I heard the boy in the bed next to Daniel telling him. Now, his name was ...er ... ... Ro ... ... Ro something?

"Why do you say that Nobu?"

Ok, so it was Nobu. Close enough.

"There are so many people who visit you and you're already fast recovering."

"What about yourself?"

"I have a heart problem." Nobu shrugged as if it was no big deal. "I have been staying here for months and this time, I know I might not ever leave the hospital."

My heart almost broke at his words. Tears filled my eyes as I looked at the pale thin little boy smiling as he accepted his illness so calmly.

"Hmm...this sum is so difficult..." I heard him comment to Daniel a short while later.

Almost as a reflex action, I found myself drawing closer to him.

"Hi, let me take a look? I'll try to help you with it..."

Uhuh...

BIG mistake.

I was still frowning over the complicated sum ten minutes later. My goodness, how could they give a young kid such difficult problems to solve!

I heard a sigh beside me. "...Here, let me have a look." I looked up gratefully as Kongpob Suthiluck walked up to us.

As always, my Prince Charming to the rescue!

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I knew he wasn't up to it when he lingered over the sum for more than fifteen minutes. When I looked at the sum, I could barely refrain from letting out a snort – goodness, I knew the answer instantaneously. How on earth did he ever graduate from high school and even enter University? However, I knew the answer to that only too well – because of your tuition Kongpob...

Gosh, I really am a genius teacher to have managed such miracle with him...

Barely had I finished explaining the sum to Nobu, I lifted up my head and found him gone. Then his gentle voice could be heard from other beds.

"Do you need any help with your homework? If you do, just let me know and I'll ask Daniel's elder brother to help you. He's really smart."

My brows furrowed in annoyance, thanks so much for offering my services so freely Arthit, much appreciated...

Finally, we were all packing up as father went to sign the papers for Daniel's discharge. As per normal, Arthit was chatting away when as we folded up Daniel's clothes and gathered his belongings.

"Nobu is really pitiful, don't you think Kongpob Suthiluck? I mean he still has to stay in hospital, while Daniel is getting discharged." I made a noise which he took as consent. "How can we help Nobu... Ah I know, you can be a doctor Kongpob!"

Geez, I am well aware of his overly helpful nature, but this takes the cake.

"You're a genius so you can become a doctor! If you are a doctor, then all the Nobu's in the world wouldn't have to suffer." His eyes were filled with admiration and confidence as he looked at me.

"Me, a doctor?" I asked out loud, pondering about it.

"No, I'm just saying IF you become a doctor. Because there's nothing that you can't do, Kongpob Suthiluck"

"You're wrong, there are lots of things beyond my power." However, his comment set me off thinking for a long, long time...

"Nobu, bye bye!" Daniel was shouting next to me – almost bursting my eardrums as he waved to his new friend who was looking sadly as we drove away, from the hospital window. Then he burst into tears, joining my mother and Arthit who were already bawling their hearts out. I shook my head at them.

Arthit had been crying so much just a few days ago, his eyes were still red and puffy, and still he managed to find more tears to cry today as well... If only he didn't look so cute when crying... Sigh.

"Daniel, you're a guy. It's really embarrassing for you to cry." I said in a low voice, nudging my brother with my elbow, but they all took no notice of my comment.

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Later that night we had a party – mama's idea per normal – when we reached home to celebrate Daniel's homecoming. Everybody was happily chatting away and enjoying themselves. I must admit, it was a quite fun night and seemed to help Daniel relax as well. He was very happy to be back home again.

And Arthit was glowing again, his big doe-like eyes sparkling as he looked at Daniel with a gaze filled with fondness and gratitude.

That adorable baka...

It was a lovely sight to behold...a sight I planned to remember for the rest of my life.

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That night after the party, as I walked past Arthit's room, the door was ajar and I heard Daniel's voice inside. I paused on the doorway to listen.

"...umm...so...umm...I just wanna say...umm, t-thank you, Arthit..." his tone was rather gruff and I held back a chuckle at the reluctance with which it was said. My brother is simply as stubborn as I am, however, he does realize what Arthit had done for him.

I glanced inside and as expected, Arthit completely ignored Daniel's reluctant tone and jumped at him, hugging him tight and yelling happily, making Daniel laugh out loud as he tried to push Arthit off him.

"Hey, don't- hahahahaha I see, you wanna wrestle huh???" Daniel exclaimed in between his laughter and surprised Arthit by pushing him on the bed and twisting his arms behind. "Come fight me then!"

Well well, the unexpected has happened...Daniel's ice heart has melted and these two have immediately become close friends, I thought to myself with a pleased smile as I leaned against the doorway and watched the two wrestling on the bed, neither willing to admit defeat.

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