If I loved you

Absence makes the heart grow fonder

Monday morning I got up early and after a quick shower and little breakfast I went straight to the site. The work was in progress and the assistant engineer, Somchan, was there instructing them.

The roads have not been taken care of properly or even watched over lately. There have been many problems in many different areas of the roads.
            
One of the biggest is dug up pot holes and road cracks. They are some of the most annoying things to a driver on the road. It would take a little more time to repair them because previously they did repair them but the repairs weren't even with the road. Everything is uneven so bumps are formed. That makes things very dangerous. Someone could accidentally swerve into the other lane or off the road and kill someone. What if someone was to hit a bump in the winter when it's foggy and they didn't know it was there? A major accident may occur. So our team needs to take some more time and effort and put it toward the job, after all we are the "professionals" at it.

'I don't know where to start. The landslide took out a chunk of the road and we need to fix that asap. But village chief is insisting that we start from the temples. There's going to be a wedding soon and they need a smooth road for the wedding procession.'

'Hm. Then do what they say. It won't take long because that road is not in a bad condition. I saw it already.'

'Then.....from tomorrow we will start from there. I'll ask them to deliver the materials directly.'

'Do that.' I was talking to him but my whole attention was on the boundary of the jungle. That's the only way to come to this village. One have to cross that jungle which situated between the main road and the village road.

'P Tay!' I saw Non coming from behind hands full of plastic bags.

'Hey. What's all this?'

'I stole this from my house. Ha ha.' He took out a huge watermelon and some logan fruit.

'My sister liked to eat logan fruit so my father bought them from nearest market.' He's already started to handing them over to everybody.

'You shouldn't have done that. Stealing from your own house!' I tried to put some sense into him while eating the stolen goods. This watermelon is very sweet.

'But P.....they wouldn't give me those otherwise. For them my sister comes first. Sometimes I wonder if I am adopted or not. Ha ha.'

'Is she older or younger?' I smiled because of his complaint.

'Older. But she doesn't like me very much. Always quarrel with me.'

'Ah ah. Stop complaining so much. You are about to get married, don't be jealous of your sister. It's childish behaviour.' I don't have any siblings so I don't know how this works but the siblings'rivalry for parents'affection...... really childish.

'You don't know her P. I'll take you someday to meet her. She can annoy someone even in her sleep ha ha.' He was unbothered how much I chided him.

I shook my head helplessly and wanted to scold him more when he suddenly exclaimed and pulled me behind the huge cement mixing machine.

'What are you doing!' I was startled by this sudden move.

'Look! They are from the Jutamas family! I don't want them to see me here with you.' He pointed towards the jungle.

I peeked out from behind the machine and saw a group of three or four people coming out of the jungle and New was among them.

He is here! At last! I couldn't help but smile.

'Don't let them see you with me!' Non pulled me aside by my shirt.

'They are far away. Don't worry.' I was about to pat his back when I saw them took a turn and coming straight to this direction.

Shit!

'They are coming this way! I think they want to see the progress.' Non was fidgeting continuously.

'Stop talking. I need to think of something.' My brain was working overtime. If they come here and ask for me then I couldn't hide myself......New is with them.....I can't do anything stupid!

'I am going to hide in the tent P.'

'Okay.' I didn't pay him any attention because my eyes were glued to New.

But before I could think of anything Somchan came running and said,

'Chief, they want to talk to you.'

'What do they want? I am busy right now.' I pretend to be busy inspecting the mixing machine.

'They are asking how long it will take to repair the road.'

'Tell them we've just started. It will take more than a month.' I answered with irritation.

'And I am going to revise the plan so don't let them disturb me for now.' With that I turned around to leave but a rough voice made me startled.

'Huh! There you are chief engineer!'

That group of people were standing just behind me with New who was looking at me with utter shock. I looked away and then again looked at him from the corner of my eyes and understood one thing. It took him years of practice to stay calm in this situation. He quickly checked his emotions and became expressionless again. No one noticed anything.

'Khun New, this is the chief engineer of our road repairing team. Mae is very impressed with him.' Now I remember that he was there with that lady. Her main bodyguard.

'Hello, my name is Tay.' I extended my hand for a shake without hesitation. I don't want them to be suspicious because of my behaviour.

'Hello.' He shook my hand lightly and nodded politely. Where our hand touched, it felt like burning.

No angry gesture or sarcastic comment. He was treating me just like a stranger. Truth to be told I didn't expect this at all. I was a little surprised.

'So khun Tay, how long it will take to repair the road?'

'A month at least.'

'Ah! Actually we are not concerned about the whole stretch but if you could get the temples to village road done under ten days, Mae said she will compensate you generously.'

Huh! Now she wants to interfere in my work!

'We will try.' I answered curtly.

'If you are going to try then try your best.' That guard said with an attitude.

I was about to retaliate but stopped in time. I don't want to be impatient. New is here and my "stay hidden and observe everything from afar" strategy was already foiled so I need to stay more low key. I don't want to create trouble for him.

'Khun New, let's go. Mae is waiting for you with a surprise.'

New nodded and turned around to leave. Then he suddenly stopped and said,

'I want to go to the cemetery first.'

'Ofcourse.' The guard agreed without any argument.

'I want to go there alone.' He looked at them calmly.

'Khun New..... it's a long way....and Mae asked us to stay by your side all the time......let us come with you.' Those guards were very respectfull to him.

'Forget it then. I'll go there in the afternoon.' When he was saying that last part I saw his gaze shifted on me for a second.

I quickly understood his message. He wants to meet me there in the afternoon.

Now I need to find out where the cemetery is.