The Love we Share

Chapter 2

"Now who else did you bite, you brat?" Graf asked Rain, before standing up to get the door. He half expected to see an army of neighbourhood ladies standing at the door to scold Rain and Pai, but instead he found Phayu, who handed him a packet of first aid things for Rain and Pai and ran off. Graf was surprised, but found Phayu's gesture sweet. After returning home, Phayu opened his instant noodle bowl, that he had prepared before going. Just as he began eating, his mom came out of her room and looked at the time. "Why didn't you wake me up? Let me make something for you," she said. "No need mom, I am okay with this. I like noodles," Phayu said. Just as she decided to go into the kitchen, someone knocked on the door.

She opened the door to some of the neighbourhood ladies. "Hello, please come in," she said, not happy to see them, but not showing anything in her demeanour. "Oh, Nong Phayu is just eating?" one of the ladies asked. "Yeah, he became hungry again after lunch. Growing kids," she said, laughing awkwardly. "Phayu, greet the Yayis and serve them water," his mother said. Phayu immediately waiied politely and got water for them. "What a wonderful little boy you have," the other lady said. Pensri smiled. She was not sure why the ladies were there and it was making her feel very nervous. "Mom, can I go play now?" Phayu asked. Pensri nodded and Phayu ran out.

"So Pensri, good that Phayu left. We have been meaning to come visit you. How have been doing? Have you settled in well?" Mrs. Lee asked. "Yes. Everyone is very nice here," Pensri said, wondering where this was leading. "Is Pakin helping out or is he always out?" Mrs. Wang asked. "He is always working," Pensri said, a bit bitterly. "That's how it should be. Men work outside, and women work at home," Mrs. Wang said. "Rubbish! That was in the olden times. Men must participate equally at home, isn't it Pensri?" Mrs. Lee asked. "Of course," Pensri said. By now, she was feeling very uncomfortable. "Whatever it is Pensri, certain things never change, the relationship between husband and wife especially. What happens at home, must remain at home. You must remember that you have a child, and you must not raise your voice in front of him. Husband and wife must not fight loud enough for anyone to hear. Do you understand what we are saying?" Mrs. Wang asked. Pensri nodded, not liking what they were saying but not showing any outward reaction. The ladies soon left, and Pensri sat down with a bottle of alcohol.

"Psst! Phi!" Rain called out. Phayu looked at him. "What?" he mouthed. "Come eat with us. My Pa made sweet and sour pork," he said. "No! I already ate," he said. Rain went back home sadly. Phayu's stomach rumbled, but he didn't dare go and ask for food later. He had too much pride for that. Later that night, when Pakin returned, he was shocked to see Pensri completely drunk. "Hey! You didn't prepare food? Drinking on an empty stomach is not good for you," he admonished. "Are you worried about me?" Pensri asked sarcastically. "Of course I am worried about you Pensri," Pakin said, wondering what new drama was going to unfold. Pensri asked Phayu to leave. He was about to, but Pakin refused to let him leave, since it was almost midnight. "It's too late for him to go out Pensri. What are you thinking?" Pakin asked, now starting to get a bit angry.

"You are worried about him? Worried about this one?" Pensri asked, screaming, the alcohol making her lose control. "Of course I am worried. He is my son. He is your son too. You should also be worried about him too," Pakin said, temper rising. "You only care about him. Look at me! Those neighbourhood aunties came today, trying to tell me how I should do things. Who told them about our shouting huh? Apart from you, who would do it?" Pensri shouted again. Phayu ran out before Pakin could stop him. "What makes you think I did something? Isn't your screaming enough for everyone to know what is happening in our house?" Pakin shouts back. "Phi?" Phayu stopped rocking himself and looked down. Rain stood there, his million dollar smile like a ray of sunshine in Phayu's bleak world. "Come eat with us Phi. It's seafood congee. Pa makes the best," he said, holding his hand out to Phayu, as Graf looked on proudly at his sweet son. Finally, Phayu relented, and came downstairs, laying his hand in Rain's.