Music To My Ears | 2gether Short Stories

I Prayed For You - Chapter 02

"Sarawat Guntithanon is a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. He's basically Tony Stark.

Except he's probably a few millions shy of a billion and I don't know if he's much of a philanthropist" said Ohm.

"Back up, what do you mean he's a genius?" asked Tine curiously.

"He was recognized as a child genius when he was ten. He got his first degree at age eleven, a doctorate in nanotechnology at age fourteen, a second doctorate in aeronautics when he was seventeen.

Currently twenty-two years old, he has more than 200 patents to his name, and his company, Astro, is rumoured to be building the next Mars rover. Sarawat may be responsible for our country's first foray into space" rattled off Ohm.

Tine, Fong and Phuak looked shocked. Ohm drank a big spoonful of broth and slurped a long string of noodles noisily.

"What are you? The head of his fan club?" asked Fong.

Ohm looked shifty and shrugged.

"Actually, yes. I'm the founder of Sarawat's Wives. I started it for the money, and stayed for the girls.

There's a small joining fee for the fanclub and there are over 30 thousand members. Sarawat doesn't know it, but he's funding my college education.

In case you haven't noticed, he's super hot. And he's bi. So he slays on both sides of the field.

He's collaborating on a research project with the University, that's probably why he's taken a dorm room. So he can work whenever he wants, night or day.

He went MIA for about two months in between. No one really knows what happened, but he's been back on the buzz circuit for a couple of weeks.

I've heard he sleeps around a lot, so be careful with your virginity, Tine. Don't let him seduce you to the dark side."

"Shut up" said Tine, blushing pink.

Ohm and Phuak made kissing noises and crude jokes.

Fong glanced at his best friend. Tine seemed flustered, but otherwise okay.

He'd known Tine since they were six, when the silent, serious boy had joined their primary school.

Their first year as friends, he had not known that Tine was from Father Dim's orphanage. Tine had never spoken about his home and family, and Fong had never asked.

Fong had cried for days when he came to know from another orphan how Tine's family had died. His parents and older brother had drowned when their boat capsized in the sea during a storm.

Four year old Tine had been the only survivor, miraculously clinging on to a lifebuoy through the storm until he'd been rescued by a fishing vessel the following day.

He hadn't spoken for a whole year afterwards, until he had been brought to Father Dim's care.

Fong and his friends, Ohm and Phuak, practically adopted Tine from then on. The three boys would take him home as often as they could.

Their families soon got used to seeing the quiet, well-mannered little boy being brought in for meals, group studies, evening playtimes. They simply took him into their fold as one of their own.

Tine would always find himself going back to the orphanage carrying an extra bag or two full of snacks, clothes, toys, books. Whatever was bought for Fong, Ohm or Phuak was also bought for Tine.

Tine had done his best to return their kindness in the only ways he could - with his words and actions.

He was sweet and soft spoken, always kind and full of positivity. He was respectful to the elders and caring towards the younger ones.