❤︎

Part 42

"Dad," I spoke to my father as he was sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper after dinner time.

"Yes, son?"

"I'm going to study medicine and be a doctor. I have no intention of taking over your business."

I saw my father stiffen in surprise, then the newspaper dropped from his nerveless hands. To my horror, his face was slowly turning red and deepening into maroon as he began breathing very loudly. His left hand clutched at his chest and his face twisted in agony. I knew this! These symptoms resembled those of a patient going into ... ... cardiac arrest! Shit!

"Daniel, call an ambulance now!"

Daniel shot me a scared look as he jumped up to obey me. I quickly pushed dad down on the sofa, propping his head on a pillow to make his labored breathing easier, as I loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. Mama turned very pale, but to my relief, she didn't burst into hysterics. It would have been more than I could handle if she had. Instead, she sat silently by dad, clutching his hand in hers and letting me take care of him.

To my relief, the ambulance arrived within the next few minutes and the paramedics rushed in with a stretcher. No word was spoken throughout the journey. We watched anxiously as Dad was wheeled into the emergency room as soon as we reached the hospital.

I would never forget that night as we all sat waiting outside the emergency room, not knowing what the news would be. Dad had never had an attack before – damn he didn't even have a history of heart problems in his family!

Mama was unnaturally quiet, her face was deathly white as she gazed at the entrance to the surgery room. Her hands were clasped together so tightly that her knuckles had all turned white as well. Mr Rojnapat sat next to her, patting her on the shoulder occasionally.

Arthit's pale faced gazed at both my mother and myself constantly as he wrung his hands in distress, occasionally shedding a tear. Daniel was sitting next to Arthit and he didn't even protest when he put his arm around him. They were comforting each other in silence and I was relieved to see that.

After what seemed like years, the door finally opened and the doctor came out.

"How is he?" We all dashed up to him.

"The bypass surgery was successful. However, he needs lots of bed rest and do NOT on any account expose him to any more stress..."

Although the news wasn't exactly good one, at least Dad was no longer in any danger and the surgery went well. We collectively heaved a sigh of relief before trooping to the patient room that he was wheeled to. We were allowed to gaze at him for a couple of minutes before the nurse shooed us out again to give him the rest he needed.

That night, I made my decision, while sitting beside my dad's bed. I was no longer going to transfer to medical school. Instead, I would tentatively take a break from University and help out with Dad's business until he has fully recovered. It was time I started acting like a responsible adult. After all I was the head of the family after Dad.

❤︎

I have been doing all the housework and cooking for Daniel and Kongpob Suthiluck lately, since Auntie has started spending all her time in hospital with Mr Suthiluck. It makes me feel... a bit like in charge of the house... and the feeling isn't too bad. I mean I do love looking after Kongpob Suthiluck ...and thanks to this opportunity, I have approved my cooking skills quite a bit.

❤︎

"Nobu is in hospital again."

Both Kongpob and I turned to when Daniel plonked himself down on the chair, looking rather upset. "I ran into him when I was visiting father this afternoon."

I kept quiet not knowing what to say. Remembering the bright cheerful sickly boy, it was all I could do to stop myself from bursting into tears. We all knew that he was getting sicker and sicker by the day.

That evening we had a rather silent dinner. To my surprise, Kongpob Suthiluck helped to carry the dishes to the kitchen. I was suddenly struck by a brilliant idea.

"Kongpob Suthiluck, if you become a doctor, you'll be able to help both your father and Nobu!" I beamed at him but he simply looked at me expressionless (as per normal) and left me to do the dishes.

❤︎

I woke up in the middle of that night, suddenly feeling thirsty. Sighing, I pulled myself out of bed and made my way to the kitchen. On the way, I tripped over something and fell onto the floor with a loud thud.

"Falling over as usual? You are probably suffering from night blindness, a result of being deficient in Vitamin A. Include more carrot and fish in your normal food intake."

My eyes blinked at the suddenly brightness as light flooded through the living room. Kongpob Suthiluck was standing in front of me, his arms folded across his chest.

"What are you doing here in the middle of the night? Why didn't you switch on the lights?" I asked him, surprised and secretly impressed by his knowledge. Kongpob Suthiluck really sounded like a real doctor!

"I was just thinking of something." He sounded unusually emotionless when answering to me, so I immediately senses something was bothering him.

"Are you having problems? Can I help?" I quickly scanned his face, but failed to decipher the enigmatic expression.

"No." He was abrupt as usual.

I sighed as I tried to stifle a yawn. Fine, I was tired even if he wasn't. I slowly climbed to my feet and got my glass of water. "Goodnight, Kongpob Suthiluck, don't stay up too late."

"...Arthit..."

I stopped and turned back to him. There was something in the way he looked sitting all alone in the dark that made me walk back and sit down next to him on the sofa. I looked at the slightly worried expression on his face and had to suppress an urge to put my arms around him in comfort.

"My father's condition still isn't improving and the main reason in the first place for his current state is because of the heavy responsibility that he has on his shoulders. His company is doing very badly, Arthit." For once, the dark eyes were candid as they looked directly at me. I felt my heart wrench at his words. Kongpob Suthiluck resumed staring into the darkness, "I need to help my father, Arthit. It's my responsibility after all – I'm his firstborn son. I can't just leave him in the lurch and go to medical school."

"Isn't being a doctor your ambition though?" I asked a little hesitantly, not wanting to provoke him in this strange earnest moment. He never talked to me about his personal (or any) problems and now, he was talking more than he'd probably done in a year!

He sighed heavily and kept silent for a moment. Then, "It's an impossible dream."

"Nothing is impossible, Kongpob! You mustn't give up your dreams! You're a genius...and if you really want to do it, I'm sure you can!"

"I'm going to University tomorrow..." I smiled happily thinking that I had succeeded in boosting up his spirits, but his next words wiped my smile away. "... I'm dropping out."

"No..." The involuntary cry was torn from my lips as I stared at him in shock.

He turned to me, his dark eyes unfathomable again, "I have to, Arthit. I will return to University eventually, but not before my father's company is back on its feet and returned it to its formal glory. I'll be helping my dad to save his business. It is necessary ..." His voice slowly died away, it sounded almost as though he was trying to convince himself, but was unsuccessful in doing so.

Tears came unbidden to my eyes – this was the other side of Kongpob Suthiluck that I had always known to exist. The warm-hearted, responsible, caring and loving person buried under his facade of ice to keep everyone away.

His speech was impassioned and his expression remained just as bland as per normal, but that was exactly what made the speech more moving. He was willing to sacrifice himself and his dreams to save his family.

But what would a person have left if he gave up his dreams? Looking at his worried and aloof posture, I could not contain myself any longer. I walked closer and flung my arms around him, hugging him tightly as the helpless tears started to flow down my cheeks.

❤︎

I was still thinking over what I had to do tomorrow when without warning, Arthit launched himself at me. I stiffened in reflex as he flung his arms around my neck and held me so tight I thought for a second he was trying to strangle me. Then before I recovered from the shock, he relaxed and then squeezed me again, before his slender body started shaking with uncontrollable sobs.

"I'm so sorry Kongpob Suthiluck, I'm so sorry." He was muttering softly and rather incoherently between his sobs.

Slowly, I relaxed in his arms. That baka! What on earth was he apologizing for? This is not his fault or decision! For the first time, I was in an unfortunate situation that had nothing to do with him.

I shook my head silently as I looked down at the fluff of black hair that was pressed against my chest, his face hidden and hot tears soaking up my t-shirt.

Then the small grateful smile slipped from my face as he continued to cry in my arms. I knew that he was crying for me, that he was crying on my behalf, for my worries and future.

I never had anyone to cry for me before.

I slowly put my arms around him and held him tightly as he cried and cried, feeling less alone than before as I returned to my bleak thoughts. Somehow, it felt easier with Arthit there with me.

Thus, we remained hugging like that for a long time...

...and I felt more hopeful I could survive these times of trouble.

With Arthit beside me.

❤︎