The Red Thread of Destiny

Chapter 17: Is it the beginning or the end?

"The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are the stories."

Theerpanayakul mansion –

Two weeks after the incident that shook the very foundation of his existence, Rain helped Phayu to settle into the bed in his room in the Theerpanayakul mansion. He tucked the blanket close around Phayu, and was about to turn to go his things, when Phayu held his hand. "Where are you going Rain?" he asked, pouting. Since he had regained consciousness, Phayu had been surprisingly clingy, not wanting Rain out of his sight for even a minute. Even though he had been the one to insist that Rain should not miss a day of college, he would still pout when Rain left. He had been adamant about watching the performance live, and had convinced the doctor to give him special permission. The whole family had been wild with worry, and Rain had been livid.

He had shouted at Phayu, and everyone had been shocked when Phayu had taken his berating in the most docile way. They could not believe it was the same Phayu, the very same Venice Theerpanayakul, whose very name struck fear in the hearts of their enemies, who sat there quietly as his younger boyfriend gave him a piece of his mind. Yes! Phayu had finally begged Rain to accept him, and Rain overflowing with love for the older man, had accepted being his boyfriend. This had bought out an unprecedented wave of possessiveness in Phayu. Finally Rain had sat down and told Phayu to stop behaving like someone with a bee in his bonnet. "If you are going to behave like an ass, then better we break up," he had threatened him. Phayu had looked shocked, but he nodded, understanding where Rain was coming from. "I am sorry Rain. I haven't felt like this about anyone in a long time, and I don't know how to react," he said, surprising not only Rain, but also himself, realising how true it was.

"I am just getting your things Phi. It's time for your medicines, okay?" he said, smiling. "Khap," he said, stretching the word, making it sound playful and cute. Rain quickly went and got everything for Phayu, giving him his soup first and then his medicines. "Rain?" Pai called out as he entered the room. "Khap P'Pai? Is everything okay?" Rain replied. "It's time to go to Uni Nong," he said, grinning wide. "Already?" Phayu asked, irritated again. "Phayu, Rain is still a Freshman. He can't really miss classes, you know that, right?" Pai asked. "Knowing about it doesn't mean I have to like it," Phayu said, frowning. "Good God Phayu! I never expected you to behave like a 2 year old, who got his candy stolen!" Pai laughed out loud at his brother. Phayu threw a pillow at him. "Shut up and get out!" he said.

"Phi! Don't talk like that to P'Pai, okay?" Rain said. "And please reflect upon yourself until I come back from Uni. No more bad behaviour. Rest well, eat properly and take your medicines on time," he scolded. Phayu nodded meekly. Rain bent down and kissed his cheek. "Rain rak Phi na," he whispered, making Phayu blush. Pai was internally thrilled to see this interaction between them, but as a brother, he had to tease Phayu. He whipped out his phone and immediately clicked a picture. "OOOO.. Look at that! The great Phayu Venice Theerpanayakul is blushy-blushy!! Choo cute!!" he laughed evilly. "Thank God, I got a pic," he continued. "Ai'Satt! Delete it! Ai'Pai! I will kill you," he hissed. "Phi! Stop it!" Rain said again. "P'Pai, please let's go, okay? Please don't fight with my P'Phayu," he scolded Pai, making his face fall. Phayu smirked smugly, seeing Pai getting scolded by Rain as well.

"I will drop Rain and come right back," Pai said. He and Phayu exchanged a look that clearly said, 'We need to talk!' as he left with Rain. A lot had happened in the past two weeks, since Pai had walked into his hospital room that night.

Phayu's hospital room, the night he woke up –

Phayu looked up as the door slowly slid open. "Pai? What are you doing here brother?" he asked. "I couldn't sleep. We need to talk," he said, his face completely serious. "What is it? You look worried," Phayu said. "The news of the shooting was leaked. Although Dad controlled the news, Amy's family heard about it. Her brother wanted to visit you so he called me. I told him that you are not upto taking visitors yet, as you have been advised complete rest," Pai said, as Phayu looked down at the sleeping boy beside him. "Phayu, I stopped him now, maybe I can stop him for a while more, but eventually you have to face him. Don't you think it's better to tell Rain everything before Lhong comes here?" Phayu nodded. "I will. I will tell Rain everything. He is my heart and soul, and there is nothing I will not do to protect him from everything in the world," he said, making up his mind in an instant.