Love Director [ENG]

Chapter 24: It hurts but it's over

During the hot and oppressive part of the day, Paint sat motionless on the sofa, holding the remote in his hand. His eyes were fixed on the television screen, but if asked what the news reporter was reporting, he would confidently say he didn't know. It was as if the TV was watching him rather than the other way around. The twin brothers glanced over at him several times.

"Phi..."

Smack!

"No, Pai"

As the younger twin tried several times to walk over to his brother, Ruup grabbed her arm, shook his head, and gave a stern look with a firm voice, causing Pai to frown. Pai pointed at her brother as if to say she was going over, but the older twin wouldn't allow it.

"Don't bother him."

"So, you're just going to let Phi Paint stay like this?" Pai whispered loudly until Ruup dragged her into the kitchen.

"What do you want to say?" Ruup asked.

"Comfort Phi Paint, or maybe take him to the mall to change the atmosphere. He'll feel better."

"Easier said than done."

"Is it really that hard? You've never loved anyone like phi Paint before!" Pai argued, causing Ruup to scratch his head in frustration, not knowing how to handle his twin.

"That's why we should let him be quiet, because we don't know how he's feeling and how to comfort him."

"But if Phi Paint cries..."

Shush!

When Pai blurted it out, Ruup put a finger to her lips and gave a stern look, making the younger twin pout and sigh heavily.

The day Phi Gus was at their house, the twins were there. Even when he entered Paint's room to talk, they listened from the stairs and quickly hid when the neighbor walked away with the guitar bag.

They then came back to check on their brother, hearing the faint sobbing that indicated how deeply upset he was. Pai almost cried and wanted to rush in to tell Phi Paint it was okay, but Ruup held her back and calmly said to give Phi Paint some time. If their brother really wanted comfort, he wouldn't be holding back his cries. They knew Phi Paint hated being worried about, so Ruup told Pai to act as if they didn't know anything, no matter how red his eyes or pale his lips were, and to help cover up for their brother when their parents asked what was wrong.

At that time, Ruup hoped that Plerng's uncle could help, but it turned out Phi Paint didn't go to work. Ruup wished his brother continued working, even though he was initially annoyed that Phi Paint wasn't home during holidays.

But Phi Paint's condition hadn't improved at all.

"I don't care, I'm going to see Phi Paint anyway." Pai couldn't bear it anymore either. She took a deep breath and prepared to cheerfully run to his brother. "Phi Paint!"

"Paint, are you at home?"

Pai stopped short because, as soon as she called out, the neighbor aunt's loud voice overshadowed hers, calling out even louder. The twins peeked out from the kitchen window to the front of the house.

"Ruup, Pai, Paint. Is anyone home?"

"Yes, Auntie." It was Paint who stood up.

"Do you have time, Paint?"

The twins looked at each other, and Ruup muttered. "She's using my brother again. She has her own kids but always asks for our brother."

Even though he wished his brother would refuse, considering how much pain Phi Gus had caused him, Phi Paint forced a smile, nodded, and agreed. As always, he was behaving as the beloved person of the neighborhood.