LAST CHRISTMAS I GAVE YOU MY HEART

Chapter 12: Walk with me, please.

Kinn led Porsche out to the garden.

'Walk with me Porsche, please.' Kinn asked softly holding out his hand towards Porsche.

It was a beautiful night there were thousands of stars twinkling in the sky, the crescent moon was shining brightly, a cool breeze was blowing in from the river. It's Christmas Day so faint music from houses nearby can be heard where people were celebrating, sweet scent of flowers was wafting through the air. Porsche could see the bodyguards stationed at different parts of the garden. The whole atmosphere had a calming effect. Kinn kept walking and the security detail became thinner, the surroundings quieter they crossed a fountain and were almost at the edge of the estate. A part of the garden directly opens up to the river. Kinn led him to a small mound and tugged Porsche to climb. As Kinn let go of Porsche's hands, Porsche became conscious that they were holding hands the whole time. Porsche climbed up followed by Kinn and sat down. They could see the bustling and jostling of the busy city on the other side of the river, a little further away the magnificent Wat Arun temple was sitting in all its glory. Porsche was lost in the moment.

'Porsche' Kinn called. Porsche looked at Kinn. He could see a whirlwind of emotions in his eyes.

'Khrap'

'I am sorry Porsche. I am so sorry for my behaviour last night. I am sorry. Will you forgive me? Please.'

'Khun Kinn it's okay. I know what you have been through. I have already forgiven you.'

'But Porsche how can you forgive me so easily, after what I did?' Kinn was turning red with shame.

'It's okay, I have been through worse.' Porsche gave a painful smile. 'Not to mention whatever you did for my mother today I will forever be grateful to you.'

Kinn's heart ached for the little guy. Only God knows what he has been through. Kinn wanted to hug him, wanted to make him feel safe, but he knew this could make Porsche uncomfortable.

So, he decided to say, 'No Porsche, you saved us all. Not to mention you saved Kim. As for our debt to your father, it is long overdue. That day if he didn't volunteer to go, he would be alive today. You would definitely have a better life.'

'No Khun Kinn. My father always said it was his job, duty and responsibility to protect and save every soul. Leave no one behind. He would say. He would never have looked himself in the mirror if he didn't try to save Khun Vegas and Mac. Yes, I lost my father that day. But I am proud of him every single day. Given a second chance he would do it again in a blink of an eye. He would never regret what he did, neither do I. He was a hero. I wish to be like him one day.' Porsche looked far away.

Gentle breeze was blowing his hair over his forehead. His eyes looked distant and dreamy as if it's lost in some distant land. His silhouette looked ethereal against the illuminated backdrop of the city. His presence alone was calming the pain, discomfort and anxiety in Kinn's heart, washing away the guilt with the promise of happiness. Yes, even if it's just a little more than a day that he had met this young man and known him for lesser time, Porsche had this effect on him.

'You are a hero, Porsche. Not just a hero a fighter too. Just like your father. Every person fighting to protect their family is a hero.' Kinn held Porsche's hand gently and squeezed.

Porsche looked up and smiled. As soon as he lifted his face to look at Kinn with a smile, Kinn's heart started to beat faster, things around him seemed to slow down a little. Porsche's smile was like a lightning bolt shifting directions, shooting up from the point of his lips to the corner of his eyes. Kinn felt as if time stopped and the world ceased to exist as he gazed at him in utter astonishment. Kinn could feel his stomach churning back and forth as he felt Porsche's expression suddenly became radiant, as if his centre of gravity has shifted, he felt an irresistible attraction to Porsche.