Reading Between (the line)

Scene 22

"Why are you here?" 

I asked, surprised to see Praewa holding the umbrella. "Did P'Tam make you come? You should have said no." Though it may look like it, but I am not scolding her right now. I just didn't like the idea of her getting soaked because of me. 

Why? Because she easily gets sick!

I pulled Praewa closer so she could share the small roof of the ATM booth. My brows furrowed when I saw her shoulders were already wet from the rain.

"Damn it," I whispered, taking out my handkerchief and starting to wipe her shoulders.

But Praewa quickly stepped back to avoid me, and I looked away, hurt. I let out a sigh and handed her the handkerchief, motioning for her to wipe herself. Thankfully, she accepted it and began drying her wet shoulders.

She stayed silent while doing so, not even answering my earlier question. The only time she spoke was when a woman with her child squeezed into the booth with us. The child was crying.

"Here, you can use this," Praewa said, offering the woman the umbrella.

The woman looked at her, confused. "Are you sure?" she asked her. Praewa nodded with a smile and even opened the umbrella before handing it over. With a grateful bow, the woman scooped up her child and took the offered umbrella. "Thank you so much," she told Praewa then left.

"Sorry. Now we're both stranded," Praewa said without looking at me.

I shook my head even if she can't see it. "It's okay. That woman needed it more than us."

She fell silent again. Ten minutes later, the rain was still pouring hard. I had texted P'Tam about our situation minutes earlier, but I still hadn't received a reply. They were probably at the bar counter by now, enjoying a drink.

Leaving me with no choice, I turned to Praewa. "We'll just get drenched if we stay here any longer. I'll go get my car. You stay here. I'll be quick," I told her and ran toward the parking space where I left my car. Though I heard Praewa calling after me, I didn't turn around.

I was already soaked after just a few seconds in the rain so, I had to reach my car as quickly as possible.

Luckily, I reached the parking space in less than two minutes. I started the engine and drove back to the ATM booth right away. Grabbing the umbrella from my car, I hopped out.

But after just a few steps, I halted when I saw Praewa joining Mai under her umbrella. In the mere minutes I left her waiting, someone else had already come and taken her away from me. Just what is wrong with me and my timing? Why am I always so late when it comes to her? Just why?

I watched silently as Mai carefully guided Praewa toward a car parked just a few meters in front of mine. And before she got in, she suddenly turned around, meeting my eyes. But as if she hadn't seen me, Praewa quickly averted her gaze and got into Mai's car.

That caused my strength to drain away, and I dropped the umbrella, getting myself drenched even more.

"Ha... damn it," I muttered, grateful that the rain was covering my tears.

---

I felt cold, yet my body was hot. Despite the shivering, I forced myself to stand up and get my phone. Living alone, I couldn't cook for myself in my current condition.

After scanning my phone for a while, I finally finished ordering breakfast online. And not even 30 minutes later, the food finally arrived. I put on a mask before heading to the door.