If I loved you

Which pain is worse-- the shock or the ache

The ceremony started with the chant of some Buddhist Mantra. At the very front of the stage were two buddhist monks, wearing kashaya, praying with their heads bowed.

This upper veranda is totally empty except for some rubbish. No one was up here and I can easily go to any side without a worry.

In the middle of the stage there was a stone table and on it a huge book. I wanted to take a good look at it so slowly and secretly inch by inch got closer to the stage. The source of light was lanterns and they have only illuminated the lower floor, the stage, the audience but the upper floor was shrouded in darkness.

I stopped right above it and took a peek. The book was hard covered and leather bound. It was open and two huge empty pages are ready for use. It looks really old.

Some men and women were playing instruments in the corner of the stage. I tried to locate aunty and was relieved to see that Luke was with her and they were sitting just below the stage in the front row.

After the chanting stopped, Mae came up on the stage with New and Non. She was wearing a colourful dress and carrying a covered tray. New's uncle was also with them.

They all stood there in the middle near the stone table. One of the Buddhist monks, who was a bit older than the other started to tell the same story which now I've known by heart.

The story of the Jutamas family and the Wachanit family......

He concluded by saying that,

'Tonight this young master of the Wachanit family is going to be a part of the Jutamas family. To show his sincerity and commitment to this family now he is going to write his name with his own blood on the book of ancestors.'

He gestured New to come forward and uncovered the tray. There was a silver dagger.

'Cut your left wrist and pour the blood into the bowl.'

I suppressed my anxiety and looked at New. His face was expressionless. He took the dagger and without hesitation sliced his wrist in one stroke. Fresh blood started to gush out and the monk placed the bowl underneath his hand. Then he started to chant some mantra in a low voice.

'What are you doing here? I was looking for you everywhere!'

I hurriedly turned around and saw Luke was standing behind me with an anxious face.

'Why are you here! Go downstairs!' I
didn't expect him to come here. New is totally alone now and surrounded by strange people! And Aunty...

'He asked me to keep an eye on you...I almost failed to do so...thank god that you didn't do anything stupid....or else I couldn't show my face to him.' Luke said with a sigh.

'Forget about that! Go go, the situation is really strange.'

'I can't disobey his direct order. And don't worry....our people are there too.' He wasn't that concerned.

'Are you.....on their side?' I instantly became suspicious.

'I know you don't like me from the start but please.....stop talking nonsense.' He gave me an exasperated look.

'If not then why are you not doing anything?'

Go and help him with his wound!

'He asked me not to.....I am just following his order.'

'He is still bleeding! He needs to cover that wound asap!'

This time he didn't say anything but looked down at the stage.

'I am not concerned about his wound. This is nothing, he has suffered way more than that in the past.....'

'In the military?' My heart clenched.