Finding Tine Teepakorn

Chapter 26: Finding Sarawat

Tine's POV

***

/// (this is an old flashback) ///

"Tine, look at these papers. Just look at them! They are trying to sell our country away."

"You are overreacting Ohm and where the hell did you even find these papers?"

"They slipped out of a Senior Lawyer's file who works directly under Paithoon."

"What? And you just took it with you? Have you lost your god damn mind Ohm? These are confidential papers and people, especially us interns, aren't even allowed to see them. What if someone finds out? We would lose our jobs."

"Who cares about jobs right now? Tine, this merger would practically give a direct and legal way for the Russian company to tap Thai phones. More than 60 percent of people in the country use this telecom company. Can you imagine the national security implications of this?"

"No, because, its not my responsibility to care about national security. I just want to work here and make some money so I can make a good life that I never had — And you should do the same too, Ohm. Forget about these papers."

"I am taking this to the police."

"WHAT? Ohm, did you even hear what I just said? We could lose our jobs. We could lose our whole career. Nobody likes a snitch Ohm, especially not lawyers."

"I don't care. I can't just sit here and ignore all this mess now that I have seen the papers. I don't think I'll be able to live with the guilt, Tine — knowing I could have done something about it. Knowing I could save my country."

I sighed. "What has this country done for you? or for me? I'll still be paying my student loans for the next decade because the government refuses to offer subsidy to people who actually need it. Instead they are too busy giving out tax cuts to the rich.

Ohm, we are 22-year olds. We shouldn't be caring about national security or these telecom mergers. Just put those papers back to where they belong or better, burn them completely."

"I am going to the police. Are you coming with me or not?"

"Ohm, we don't even know what or how powerful these people are? Are you even thinking this through?"

"Millions and millions of people will get their phone calls tapped, and their personal data used for god knows what — don't you think the police should know about it?"

"And you think the police does not know about this? You think these people can make legal deals like this by not getting anyone on the inside?"

"They can bribe a few people but not all. I already called someone I know at the police station. I am leaving — Now tell me if you are coming with me or not?"

"You already called someone? Who?"

"One of my family friends, First. He is also a law student. He said his uncle is the police chief."

"First? Is he from our college? I have never heard of him before."

"No not from our college. But I know him — well I know him through my other friends. He promised he would help me. He'll even meet me at the police station. But Tine, I want you to come with me too."

I almost wavered, almost didn't want Ohm to go alone. But that's when my phone started to ring — It was Sarawat.

"Ohm, I need to take this call and I need to meet Sarawat today. We haven't met each other for two weeks because that's how busy I have been with work. Whatever you are planning, put it off."