Midnight Rain

Chapter 10

                  Can you let me know?

It was already night time but Gun hadn't returned yet. Tin frantically paced back and forth while waiting for Gun in front of the gate. He kep his promise to not call him, however when there were no signs of Gun even till midday, he tried to reach him again and again.

Gun's friends didn't know where Gun is, neither did Tiwson and Por. In desperate attempt, Tin reached out to Gun's mother, Mrs Ratchanee, who couldn't give him answers as well. His whole body profusely sweated. Why is Gun being like this? Is he avoiding me? Does he hate me? Does he regret being with me? Or is he hurt? Did something happen to him? He felt extremely restless. He had contacted every possible person who might know about Gun. However no one had even the slightest idea.

Tin couldn't wait anymore. His heart felt extremely worried. As if something bad had happened. He immediately went to fetch his keys and sat on his car. When he was about to head to the police station he reciprocated a call. How he wished it was Gun. However he was disappointed to see his father on the caller id instead.

"Where are you?" Mr Tul inquired as soon as Tin picked up his phone. "On the road" Tin answered impatiently "If you have nothing better to say, hang up! I have better things to do!" Tin was about to cut off the call when Tin's father hurriedly added "I might know about Gun. Come meet me at my office" Tin immediately froze what? As he was about to question, his father cut the call. Tin didn't hesitate a second to deviate his car.

"Where's Gun?" Without even taking the liberty to greet, Tin immediately barged in shouting his agenda to his father who was seated in his work dest. Mr Tul who was working looked up to his son who was now completely disheveled and pitiful. His heart felt upset to see his son in such a state.

"How about we sit down and talk properly?" Mr Tul motioned to the sofa and urged Tin to sit down. Tin was not in the mood for a talk over a cup of coffee. "I don't have time for that, tell me where is Gun?" He impatiently questioned again. Now his heart was even more anxious.

Mr Tul leisurely poured himself a cup of coffee and leaned back on the sofa. He heaved out a heavy sigh when he saw his son fretting uncomfortably. "Even if I tell you immediately, you won't be able to reach him immediately. So just sit down and listen patiently will you?" He said in a now stern voice. Although a bit hesitant Tin finally complied.

Mr Tul took a few more sips of his coffee before putting it down on the table. He then folded his legs and looked at Tin. "You know son.... When I was younger, I had an exceptionally pretty girlfriend. But she wasn't your mom. She was your mom's best friend." Tin didn't understand why his father was talking about his past affairs. But he was forced to listen. Did he have another choice

" I didn't know at the time, that your mom had a secret liking to me. However once when I had a break with my girlfriend, she comforted me. Then although guilty towards my girlfriend, I cheated on her with your mom in the heat of the moment. After all I was weak, and when provided comfort, I indulged in it."

"But when I realized that what we were doing was wrong, like a jerk, I apologized to your mom and went back to her best friend. Her best friend of course was completely unaware of it. However one day, she left me. This time, I knew we would never get back together again. And that is when I had learned that your mother got pregnant. The child was mine, it was you. So I accepted her and in time I gradually fell in love and I love her more every day" Tin was quite new to the topic. He had never known about his parent's history.

Mr Tul, now ensured of his son's complete attention continued "I had later come to know that my girlfriend at that time, left me because she was pregnant, but not with my child. It was terrific. The poor woman was drugged and spent a night with a complete stranger. But pitifully, she never knew who it is. The person who left him in a cross road with no return, she had no idea who he was. Although I felt extremely bad and guilty, I had already committed myself to your mom. Your mom and I, we were guilty of betraying her. She was betrayed by her boyfriend and her best friend. But she was such a kind woman. She never blamed us and accepted the fact that we were together. Your mother however never liked it. The idea that I felt even a speck of pity towards her. I never got to help her. I never saw her again in fear that I'll provoke your mom. Your mother cut off any contact with her clean and completely."

"So I was quite taken aback when you introduced Gun to me that day. He looks exactly like her. Beautiful like his mother..." Tin's eyes widened when his father suddenly said those words. Mr Tul chuckled. So Mrs Ratchanee once dated my father. The thought nearly killed him. He can't bear that. Mr Tul simply chuckled as he saw his son in complete denial. "Of course I wasn't the only one who noticed it. Your mother did as well. At first she didn't like the idea, but I was able to reassure her. It took a long time of persuasion but she came through with it. After all, you kids have no fault in adult's problems. But when you guys started becoming exceptionally close, your mother didn't like it."

Guiltily Tul looked over to his son "She had thought it was just a phase. And you'd eventually come around. Especially since you yourself were unaware of it. However she still tried multiple times to chase Gun away. Gun was a smart child. He noticed it so he directly confronted her without you knowing. Maybe, it was when you guys were in university. But yeah that was when a deal was made" Tin was nearly tearing the armrest with his grip. So Gun knew? He had realized even before I did? He knew I had feelings for him? But what about him? Did he have feelings for me?

"Gun reassured your mother that he will always remain your best friend and never cross the line. If he does....he'll vanish from your life." Tin's breath stopped. It completely halted. And he broke off in cold sweat. "And?" In a shaky voice, he inquired to his father.

"He came to see your mother today. He told her he broke his promise and your mother was furious. She spurt the harshest words and him and even resorted to violence." Tin immediately felt a surge of anger run through his chest. His eyes started turning red. His heart beat in rage. "In the end, he succumbed to your mother's pleas. He left."

"Where? Where dis he go dad? Tell me! Where!" Tin started shouting frantically as he immediately rose from his seat. Mr Tul heaved out a heavy sigh "That.... I don't know. Your mother's secretary Karn, is an exceptionally capable man. He was able to make Gun vanish from the face of the world in moment of a few mere hours. When I tried to trail him, I helplessly failed."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier!?" Tin shouted as he wiped off all the sweat in his face. Only he knew the amount of pain he was feeling. He had never known. How his parents had betrayed him. How Gun was always forced to walk on eggshells. He had thought he had everything. But in fact he had nothing! He simply indulged in comfort and pleasures while Gun cling onto every slimmest piece of thread to hold them together. And now he's angry! Angry at himself! At Gun! At his parents! At everyone!

"Do you think I didn't tell you because I wanted to? No! Because I thought things will never come to this! Because I believed your mother will one day change her mind for good! Because if I did tell you, our family will be broken to no repair. The past hatred she had is too deep rooted and she's taking it out on Gun! And if I told you this.... I knew you'd loathe your mother even more! I can't let that happen!" Mr Tul felt somewhat guilty. He had acted out selfishly in hopes to restore his strained family. But now it has taken the turn for the worse

Immediately Tin stormed out the room. It was out of question to ask where he was headed. To see his mother of course. Mr Tul hurriedly followed. His heart extremely uneasy and anxious. This is going to be war!