The Love we Share

Chapter 7

During the meal, Pai's aunt asked him to toast both Pakin and Graf. They both said it was not necessary, so Pai was about to sit back down. His aunt hit him and asked him to do it, no matter what they said. So he toasted them and waiied to them, thanking them for taking care of him. By this time, Phayu and Rain were also a bit comfortable with how things were turning out. Pai's aunt stood up and thanked Graf for taking care of her nephew. Graf waved it off, and Pakin could see what was happening. Graf was continuously drinking and Pakin kept trying to control him. But Graf insisted that Pakin drink with him. Graf was almost drunk now and falling off.

Graf stood up, one more drink in his hand. He was unable to even stand straight. Phayu and Pai rushed to either side of him, holding him close. Graf looked at both of them and pulled them close. "Phayu, Pai, do you know? You may not share my surname, but you are my sons. You know that, right? Right?" he asked. "Yes Pa, of course we both know that," Phayu said, trying to appease Graf. "Ai'Pakin, you know, I was really happy today. But now? Now I am sad," Graf said. "Do you know why I am sad?" he asked. "No Graf. Why are you sad?" Pakin asked, knowing the answer, but wanting Graf to let it all out. "You see these boys? Phayu and Pai? They are not my sons. You know why? Because they don't share my surname. So I can't consider them family. And you know what hurts? I have brought them up these last ten years! 10 fucking years Pakin! Way more than their own families did. Way more than you did! But I am not blood related. So they can't be mine. I raised them with love, and never raised a hand on them."

"You want to talk about blood family Pakin. This boy here? Phayu? Your son? His 'blood' grandmother came that day. She hit him. Hit him! I could only watch. You know why? Because I am not of the blood. So I have no right! I was accused of bringing him up because you pay me to do so. But was that the reason? Huh? Tell me Ai'Pakin! Was that the reason? Did I bring him up because you gave me money to do so? Was that all he is to me? And this one. My Prapai. The wind God! I see him washing our clothes at midnight, cleaning tables down at the restaurant, going out of the way to do chores. Why? Why? So that his 'family' can tell him that he must not be a burden on me? When it is obvious that they considered him the burden? And then she also hit him. Hit my boy."

"Today his aunt told him, on his birthday no less, that he should be grateful to me, to this family, that he should respect Rain. You know why? Because Rain is the real son of this house! As if Pai has not been Rain's elder brother for god knows how long! Phayu, Pai and Rain. They are all three my sons! Mine! And that will never change. They are all the same to me. All equal to me. No one here is a master to another. You hear me? Do you?" Graf stumbled after saying all that. When Pakin asked them to make Graf sit, he gagged. Phayu, Pai and Pakin immediately rushed him to the bathroom, and Rain ran behind with a glass of water. Pai's aunt was shocked at the turn of events. She sat there, trying to figure out what had gone wrong. After a couple of minutes, Pakin came out. "Anong, it is very late. It's best if you rest here tonight," he said. "No Phi. I will leave. I haven't said I will not return. They will worry about me. It's best I go," she said. She quickly waiied, and looked surprised when Pai came forward to escort her out.

"It's always the women!" Rain said bitterly. "Huh?" Phayu sounded surprised. Sometimes the workings of his sunshine boy's mind confused him. Phayu and Rain were putting Graf to bed. Pakin was clearing up the debris of the lunch. He would probably come in later. For now though, it was just Phayu and Rain, as Graf slept. "The women of your family. Your grandmother, physically abusive, you mother, emotionally abusive, your sister, psychologically abusive. All the women of your family are mad. Then look at Hia Pai's family. His mom absconded. His aunt has no social niceties. Both of you are stunted because of all these women," Rain said. Although he said it with a smile on his face, Phayu could make out that he was dead serious in his thinking. And honestly, Phayu could not blame him. because he thought exactly the same. Just that, unlike his sunshine boy, he wouldn't dare put it in words. "C'mon Hia, let's go. Let Pa rest. Maybe Dad will want to keep him company for a while. Phayu nodded, and the two left the room.