The Red Thread of Destiny

Chapter 20: What is love?

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach."

Theerpanayakul mansion –

"Okay Phi. Then let's go and have dinner. Rain hiew maak," Rain said, finally getting up from the swing and entering the room. Phayu looked at him, surprised and a bit puzzled. 'No, make that like a LOT puzzled,' he thought in his head. "Rain, are you okay?" he asked, his voice betraying his inner turmoil. "Khap Phi, I am okay. Any reason I shouldn't be?" he asked as he opened the door to the room and left, throwing Phayu a sassy come-ahead look over his shoulder. Now Phayu was even more worried. Had the recounting of his past broken something inside Rain? Why was he behaving like this? Anyone else in his place would have been crying and screaming, asking hundreds of questions, trying to find reassurance that he was still the most important! But here was Rain, calm and cool, collected, no tantrums, nothing except that one question to indicate he had even heard what Phayu had told him.

Phayu was still staring at the door, when Rain stuck his head back in. "Phi! Coming or not? I am starving!" he said, grinning adorably. Phayu nodded and rushed behind him. In the dining room, everyone was gathered around for their meal when the two entered. "Phayu, Rain, I was just about to send Pai to call you," Porche said. He, and the rest of the family was smiling, but the worry was clear on their faces. What had happened? Was everything okay between the two boys? "Thank you Papa P! I was so, so hungry!" Rain said, bouncing upto the table. "Oh look Phi! Basil pork curry! My favourite! Did you make it Pa?" Rain asked. As he took his seat in between Phayu and Pete. "Umm.. yes baby. I know you love it, so I made it for you," Pete said. Had Phayu not spoken to him? What was happening? Pete looked over Rain's bent head at Phayu. His look was clear. Phayu shook his head, and mouthed, 'later.'

After dinner, everyone sat in the family common room, discussing something about the incident that had caused Phayu to be injured. Rain and Sky suddenly got up, saying that they wanted to get some fruits. Pete said that he would send the servants, but the boys insisted on doing it themselves, and walked out. "Phayu? Did you not tell him everything?" Kinn asked. "I did Papa K. I told him everything. Even stuff I hadn't told you all," Phayu said, completely confused by this point. "I kept wondering when he would breakdown, rant and rail, but he seems to be taking this so calmly. I don't understand," he added.

Everyone fell silent. Just then Rain and Sky entered the room with bowls of beautifully cut fruits. "We bought some for everyone," Sky said happily. "What were you guys talking about? Something serious? Did you find out who hurt P'Phayu?" Rain asked. "How are you so calm Rain?" Pai blurted out, earning glares from everyone. "Calm? Why should I not be calm?" Rain asked, a very quizzical look on his face. "You are too calm after I told you everything about me. I told you about my past, my first love..," Phayu began, but Rain cut him off. "Why should I be upset about that Phi? You never loved her. And to be honest, I don't think she loved you either," he said, exuding confidence. Everyone looked properly appalled. "Plus, why should I berate you for telling me about your past. I was waiting for you to share it with me, and I am so glad you did. Why should I be angry?" he added.

Pindrop silence followed his words. The entire family stared at Rain. "What do you mean? What do you mean I didn't love her?" Phayu asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Phi, isn't it obvious?" Rain asked. "How?" Pai asked. "How did you figure that out Rain?" Pete asked, before anyone else could say anything. "Pa, it's so obvious, no? Did P'Phayu not tell you the whole story?" "Not really," Vegas said. "Well, from whatever P'Phayu told me, it is quite obvious that he didn't love P'Amy. She was at max, a crush, an infatuation. In fact, he was more enamoured of the fact that someone liked him, that he could show-off to his peer group he had a girlfriend. Love was nowhere in the picture. She was just a teenage boy's fantasy. He just felt attracted towards her. He never bothered to stay with her when he found out she was sick. He chose to return to his family. If he truly loved her, he would have given up the world for her. Happens," he shrugged nonchalantly, completely unaware that he had thrown the whole house into turmoil.