The Red Thread of Destiny

Chapter 19: Ghosts of the past

"What is past is prologue."

Rain sat on the swing chair in the huge balcony just outside Phayu's room, his legs drawn up and head resting on his knees. He had been that way since Phayu had told him about his past. Phayu stared at him, willing him to talk, but knowing Rain as much as he did, he knew the younger boy was not someone who would illogically spew nonsense. He was a master analyser, and he needed to think things through, before he would say anything at all. But this silence had lasted longer than Phayu had liked. And his fear increased with every moment that passed. He could not afford to lose Rain, and he was mortally afraid that was what was happening.

He had sat Rain down and told him that he wanted to talk to him. At first, he had hesitated, looking at the worry in his eyes, but he knew he could put this conversation off any longer. "Rain, please listen to me carefully. And if possible, don't say anything until I am done. Can you do that?" Phayu's focus was completely on the younger boy, waiting for a sign from him that he could start. "Okay Phi, I am all ears," he nodded. He was nervous, but, he trusted his boy, and the love he had for him.

"As children, around the age of 4 years, because of our connection to several hardcore businesses, and mafia ties, Pai and I were sent to Chiang Mai, where we were brought up, away from the hassles of being Theerpanayakuls. I was Phayu Saengtham and Pai was Pai Kittiswad. We took the surnames our Pas had before they married our Dads. We lived there completely anonymously. We went to school there, called the uncle and aunt we lived with there, Phaw and Mae. We lived as a family, and never disclosed anything about ourselves. It may not have been the most perfect life, but it was great as it was. We lived as normal people, as normal as 2 sons of the most powerful Mafia family of Thailand could," Phayu looked at Rain, who was listening intently.

"The family who lived next door to us, had 2 children, a boy and a girl. We all went to the same school, studied together, played together and grew up together. We were very, very close. Amy and Lhong were twins, and around our age." Rain looked up at the mention of Lhong, but to his credit, he didn't say a word. "When we were around 12, when Amy told me that she likes me. Being 12, I didn't understand much, but as guy, it excited me, excited to know that I had the possibility of having a girlfriend in the future. At that time, I had not really started exploring my sexuality, and just didn't realise there were any other type of relationships possible. Amy and I started hanging out more and more, and when I was around 13, we kissed for the first time. It was a weird experience. It was my first kiss, and I really didn't know how to react. But Amy led me through it. Slowly, we started discussing our dreams and wishes. I had already told Pai that I wanted to study architecture when I grow up, and I told her too. She told me she loved to draw and wanted to become an artist. It was interesting how we had similar ideas. I also told her about how one of my uncles had a garage, and I loved the machines there. She used to ask me about it, but I kept the most important part of my life a secret from her."

Phayu paused, wondering how to continue. Suddenly he found Rain standing in front of him with a glass of water. "Wet your throat Phi. You have been talking so much," he said. Phayu gratefully accepted it, and drank, touched by Rain's insightful gesture. "As we grew older, Pai and I started coming back often to Bangkok, in preparation to start taking over the family business. Amy often complained that I did not have enough time for her. I felt terrible, so I told Dad and Papa K that I would like to begin training after high school was done. I didn't give them any reason, but they pretty much figured out, so they did nothing to force me, even though they were disappointed."

"Just before my 16th birthday, Amy and I went for a picnic to the cliffs near our house. She told me that she loved coming there, and made me promise that I would come there often with her. She also said that if something happened to her, then her ashes must be spread there. I got upset with her, and told her to stop saying such horrible things. She made me also promise her, that I would never put anyone above her in my life, and wanting her to be happy, and stop talking about the stupid stuff, I agreed. About a month later, Dad called and said that there was an important deal that was happening and that Pai and I should attend it. It would our first step into the world we would belong to. I really wanted to go there, because I wanted to ask Dad and the other family members permission to tell Amy who we were. We left and it took us two weeks to finalise everything. In these two weeks, I was unable to text Amy, even though she left me several. I couldn't even call her, because the meeting was top secret."