My Little Obsession

04

The trip back to Phuket always brought a wave of nostalgia for Engfa. The familiar landscapes, the salty smell of the sea in the air, and memories of a carefree childhood surrounded her as she and Aoom approached the grand Waraha family mansion. It was an imposing place, hidden among palm trees, far from prying eyes – a sanctuary for the mafia boss of Phuket. But today, instead of business, they were there for something more personal: their father's birthday.

The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon as the two sisters arrived. The iron gates swung open for them, and a warm welcome awaited. Mr. Waraha, a man with a stern appearance but a noticeably soft heart for his daughters, stood at the steps of the entrance. Upon seeing Engfa and Aoom, his eyes, hardened by time, softened, and a genuine smile, rare for any other occasion, lit up his face.

— My girls! — He exclaimed, opening his arms wide.

Engfa ran to him, hugging him tightly. Despite the hard life he led, he had always been a loving father to them. Aoom, more reserved, approached right behind, but was pulled into the hug, and although she tried to hide it, she always ended up smiling when that happened.

— It's good to have you both back home. — He said, looking at them with a mix of pride and something else, something Engfa couldn't quite read.

Dinner was served in grand style, as expected for a Waraha celebration. Laughter and conversation filled the air, but Engfa couldn't help but notice her father seemed a bit distant, his eyes occasionally drifting toward Aoom with a worried expression. After everyone had eaten and the night seemed to be winding down, Mr. Waraha stood and quietly called Engfa aside.

— I need to talk to you, darling. — He said, his voice low but firm.

Engfa followed him to the office, a room that always smelled of leather and tobacco, where he conducted family business. She closed the door behind her, and he sat behind the large wooden desk, his fingers drumming on its polished surface.

— What is it, dad? — She asked, sitting down across from him, noticing the serious look on his face.

He sighed heavily, running his hands through his graying hair before speaking.

— I heard some rumors about Aoom, Engfa. A man had all his fingers cut off. What happened? — His gaze pierced her.

— He had his fingers cut off. — Engfa said laughing, but when she saw her father become even more serious, her smile died.

— I'm not kidding Engfa, the crimes your sister is committing in Bangkok... are getting too violent. I always knew she was impulsive, but this... this is going too far.

Engfa felt a pang in her chest hearing her father's words. She knew Aoom was capable of cruel acts, but over the past few months, her sister's violence seemed to have reached a new level. Even so, hearing it from her father made it seem more real, more serious.

— Are you worried about Aoom? — Engfa asked, though the answer was clear in his eyes.

— Not just worried... — Mr. Waraha looked toward the window, as if time had pulled him back to a distant moment. —Do you remember when we found her? That rainy day... — He paused, his voice almost faltering for a moment.

The flashback came to him, of when he and Engfa first found Aoom, alone and lost on the roadside. A painful memory that had never fully faded.

...

1996

The rain drummed steadily on the roof of the car, but inside, laughter filled the air. A little 7 year old Engfa giggled as her father sang an off-key rendition of a song, they both loved. His hands drummed the steering wheel in time with the beat, and she clapped along, her little voice rising in bursts of joy. They were returning from a day full of fun – Ice cream, a visit to the market, and even a short ride on a ferris wheel. Her cheeks were still flushed from all the excitement, her eyes sparkling with happiness.