ATOATS [Prologue - 7]

Chapter 6

Thien's slender hand pushed the makeshift woven bamboo door open. No matter how much he was disgusted by it, his body had demanded to use the toilet. He jumped out and took in a deep breath of fresh air. Whenever he sat down on the cesspool latrine, he had to hold his breath. Why did he have to suffer this much!?

He walked back to the front of the hut, wanting to pick up his to take a bath at the earthen jar since it got warmer in the afternoon. He came to a sudden halt as he spotted the tall figure in camouflage pants and green khaki t-shirt bending down to pick up pieces of paper that were blown by the wind and landed in the middle of the steps.

The captain held up a drawing by the Akha students. The tanned, handsome face looked up, his eyes met with the teacher's, and his lips lifted into a smile.

"This is the first time I saw a teacher skipping his own class."

Thien glared at the man who always shot him a sarcastic remark.

"Today was the 'orientation' day. The class starts tomorrow."

Thick, straight eyebrows cocked. The captain was skeptical, thinking that the younger man was incompetent. He handed the drawings that had fallen from the balcony to the newbie teacher.

"May I know the curriculum Kru See Thien is planning for the children?"

The city boy whipped around as the officer teased him with his new nickname. Perhaps the two rangers' duty wasn't only standing guard but also spying on him. There was no other way that the head of the barrack would find out about the class this quick.

"Are you a headmaster or something? Why do I have to report to you?"

"You think you could just play around with teaching? If your instruction isn't good enough, I will 'deport' you."

The low, deep voice sounded like he meant it and Thien's nerves snapped.

"Ok, I don't have any curriculum right now! This is what you wanted to hear so you could kick me out, isn't it?"

"Why have you come here?"

Captain Phupha stated every word as he gazed intensely into the stubborn light brown eyes.

Like I want to say!

The mattress was hard as a rock. The mosquitos were savage. The food sucked. If it wasn't for his boredom of the city life, he wouldn't have concocted this stupid plan. Tul was right. He was stuck at home for far too long and had lost his mind.

To hell with 'the different world!'

It brought him nothing but troubles and headache!

Thien bit his lips and brushed his shoulders against the massive officer's as he walked up the stairs. The captain turned around and shouted at him.

"Let me know when you're done packing, so I'll send you to the city with a driver."

And I shall be done with this burden!

Phupha shouted in his head, angry as he had never been before. He crossed his arms and took a deep breath, counting one to hundred at the stairs until the noises in the hut died down after the younger man finished throwing things here and there. He paused for a moment, uncertain, he decided to check up on the other man.

He halted as a crumpled piece of paper that was blown by the wind hit the tip of his foot. The intense eyes looked over at the narrow balcony and saw a few open textbooks along with a scratchpad full of scribbles in Thai and English.