Finding Tine Teepakorn

Chapter 10: I will protect you, Tine

"Tine, Do you have often have nightmares about Ohm?"

Sarawat's POV

Tine was shaking and mumbling in his sleep, just like the other night. He was sweating and becoming more and more restless with every second. So I did the same thing that had helped calm him down last night — I wrapped my arms around him and patted his head slowly.

Even when he woke up, his eyes seemed unfocused at first. Like he had just woken from a vivid dream that felt all too real and he was still trying to remember where he was. It was pretty clear that Tine had a bad nightmare and it was also clear to me that this wasn't his first or the second time.

"Tine, Do you have often have nightmares about Ohm?"

"I—I don't know. You—you are still here? I thought you would leave."

I chuckled. It was just my desperate attempt to make him laugh, at least a bit. "Why would I leave when you asked me to stay and gave me very delicious ice cream in return."

"I can't believe you still like the Cotton Candy ice cream."

"Hey, it tastes really nice okay? And you ate half of it too."

"It's still Cotton Candy, Wat. It's pink and blue in colour. How old are you? five?" Tine was smiling by now. Well, at least he was feeling a bit better.

I smiled and wiped the sweat off of his forehead with my fingers. "Hey Tine?"

"Yeah?"

"What did you dream about?"

That's when Tine froze up and sat up on the bed. "I don't want to talk about it, Wat."

"You were dreaming about the day Ohm died, weren't you?"

"No I wasn't — wait, how did you know?"

"You were screaming Ohm's name in your sleep and yelling 'It's all my fault' — That's exactly what you were saying on repeat when Ohm died." I cupped Tine's cheeks and made him look right into my eyes. "Tine, look at me, and tell me how long has this been going on? How long have you been having these nightmares?"

"I am okay Wat, its just a one-time thing."

"Don't lie to me, Tine. You were restless and mumbling weird things in your sleep last night too."

"Trust me Wat, I am all okay, lets just go back to sleep. It's only 5 am--"

"No, you are not okay, Tine. Ohm died — He died three years ago and you are still dreaming about him. There is something not okay here."

"I KNOW HE DIED, OKAY? I know he fucking died. You don't have to remind me that over and over again." Tine was almost on the verge of tears and I realized I had asked him a very wrong question at a very wrong time.

I hugged him back tightly, patting his back. "I am sorry for bringing it up. I know it's been hard for you"

"I miss him Wat. I don't know what to do" Tine was crying and I felt so helpless at that moment. So I just waited for him to just cry it all out.

"I know. I miss him too." Tine finally stopped crying after a few minutes and fell asleep. I put him back in bed, tucking him with the blanket, and hugging him tightly, hoping he wouldn't have nightmares anymore. I fell asleep while thinking about why Tine was still having nightmares about Ohm's death and how long he had been struggling with these nightmares all alone by himself. I know for a fact that he had cut ties with all of his friends from college, even Fong. Does that mean Tine had been all alone going through this?