A Vihokratana's tragedy

14. The meeting

Ohm’s legs danced nervously, no matter how hard he tried to appear calm. The room was completely empty, save for a small puppy left under the care of the bright, unrelenting sun. Ohm tried to muster some courage and glanced up at the man sitting across from him. Tawan looked effortlessly dashing, even in his casual, at-home clothes. No one would guess he was a father of three young boys. In contrast, Ohm, dressed in a pink sweatshirt, felt like a joke—his favorite blue baggy pants only added to his self-consciousness. Once again, his face dropped. Tay let out a sigh.

“Listen here, boy,” Tay began. “I still don’t trust you. Especially when it comes to my baby boy.” Ohm opened his mouth to speak, but Tay cut him off. “Let me finish. I don’t know if I’m wrong, or if my son trusts you too easily. But I’m giving both of us a chance. A chance for me to understand you better if I’ve misunderstood, or a chance for him to see the real you if he’s been wrong about you. I hope I’m the one who’s wrong because I don’t want messed-up people around my family. This is your chance, too—to prove me wrong. I don’t care about the past. I just want to see if the current you is worth my son’s friendship. Your actions now will decide if I can let you and my son be friends.”

Ohm took a deep breath and spoke, “It’s okay that you don’t want to clear up our past misunderstanding right now, but just wait and watch, Mr. Vihokratana. You’ll be the one to realize it was truly a misunderstanding, even without me explaining it. And I’ll be the friend of Nanon that you trust the most.” He finished with a bright smile, extending his hand, expecting a handshake. Tawan, however, ignored the gesture and exited the room.

Ohm scratched his head, muttering to himself, “You’re gonna love me, dear future father-in-law.”

....

"Where the hell are you both?" Frank asked, his voice rising over the conference call. "Nanon's friends are so damn punctual. They're here, ready with their backpacks, and I don't even know if you two are ready. Shake a leg, will ya?"

"Hey, stop yelling, Frank!" Chimon yelled back from the other end of the line. "Drake, buddy, you were right. This guy is really a maniac once you get to know him."

"Yeah? OK then, if you're not in front of my house in ten minutes, let me show you what kind of great sin this maniac can commit to you two." Frank's voice carried a tone that Drake knew all too well.

"I’ll be there in five," Drake shouted, ending the call abruptly.

"What about you, sir?" Frank asked, turning to Chimon.

"I’m already outside your house. For God's sake, Frank, stop being annoying," Chimon replied, clearly irritated.

"Stop yelling at your phone and help me take out your luggage," Frank heard another voice from Chimon's side.

"And whose voice was that, Chimon Wachirawit?" Frank asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Wow! I can't believe this is the same guy who couldn’t even talk to me properly just two days ago, and now he’s asking me questions like he’s my dad," Chimon replied, sounding both surprised and amused. "For your information, that’s my brother! He dropped me off in front of your house. Have some patience, will ya?"

"Oh, okay. Come in, quick. AND BRING YOUR BROTHER, TOO. Don’t just shoo him away!" Frank replied, his voice a mix of impatience and amusement.

"Yeah, yeah. Coming, Dad!!!" Chimon said, laughing as he hung up the call.

A smile crept onto Frank’s face. Just as Chimon had said two days ago, Frank hadn’t been comfortable around him at all. But after spending the last two days constantly hanging out with Chimon—always with Drake, of course—Frank had come to realize something: Chimon was simply too lovable not to be friends with. He was the first stranger Frank had ever talked to who had made him feel so comfortable. Their small arguments during every conversation had almost become a routine, but somehow, Frank had started to enjoy them. He understood now why his brother liked Chimon so much. Who wouldn't?