THE STORY OF ANOTHER US

FIFTEEN: I KNOW HIM

"People protect what they love."

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CHAY

"Stop condoning your brother, Porsche." Chay's father firmly said to his brother. Chay immediately ran to Porsche and hid behind him like how he used to when they were kids. He was aware that he was a grown man; but when it came to arguing with his father and brother butting in, Chay couldn't help himself but hide behind his brother. Porsche could talk to their dad better than him and his father would listen to his brother. He was my favorite son, after all.

"I am not condoning him, Dad. What I am saying is Chay is a grown man. He can decide for himself. If he wants to go out at night on a—" Porsche looked at Chay from head to toe which made the younger pout and conscious of himself, "On a pajama, that's for him to decide. I get a good feeling that Chay is fully conscious of his actions and accountable for them. Isn't that right, nong?" his brother said.

Chay nodded, "Yes, I am fully aware of my actions, Dad." he said, peeking from behind Porsche and looking at his father.

Their dad scoffed, "Do you really, Chay?" he asked, his voice rising again in anger before looking again at Porsche, "Do you even know which people your brother was associating himself with? The Theerapanayakuls, Porsche. Chay has become connected with the awful horror of a family." he said. Chay suddenly felt angry, he was slandering Kim. He doesn't like it at all. Chay's father looked at him with eyes full of anger, "You were with him, weren't you? That bastard son of Korn Theerapanyakul?"

Porsche looked at him, "Is this true, Chay?" he asked, eyes curious and disappointed. The way Porsche looked at him broke Chay's heart. He doesn't like it when his brother is disappointed in him. He looks highly up to his brother and sees him as his role model. Porsche being disappointed in him was the last thing he wanted to do.

"Hia, please. Hear me out. I can explain." Chay said softly, almost pleading. Something flickered in Porsche's eyes as he nodded at him and faced their raging father.

"I'll talk to him," Porsche said. Chay suddenly felt at ease. A talk with his brother is something he needs so badly.

"You better do that, Porsche. Wake the sense out of him!" exclaimed their father, then left as he muttered angrily to himself. Chay let out a sigh of relief. He was expecting the worst blow from his father. Thank the stars that his brother is here to mitigate a possible argument.

"Thank you, Hia," he whispered.

"Don't thank me yet. You have a lot of explaining to do." Porsche stated that Chay's head hung low.

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Chay doesn't know where to start. He said could explain, but explain what exactly? That he is having weird dreams? That this is his second life? That he and Kim were lovers from the past? It is the truth, but he would sound insane if he told him that. Still, Chay doesn't want to hide anything from Porsche. He just hopes that he will understand.

Sitting in his brother's office was the last thing he was expecting that day. He was feeling tense, his hands absentmindedly rubbing at each other. He was still in his pajamas and smelled like popcorn and Kim. Stars. How he wishes he could be with Kim right now.

"So? Where have you been?" Porsche asked casually. Chay thinks that his brother wasn't exactly mad, but more confused and disappointed on what he heard from their father.