Positive he would never marry himself, Apo believed he was a gifted Matchmaker. Please follow along with me on another Jane Austen novel adaptation.
Jane Austen wrote Emma in 1815, it, like her other Novels, is considered the greatest Romance...
It was a cloudy day and it made for Apo, a good time to lounge. No hot sun to burn his tender skin, he rested in the shade and stared at the empty pool. He was half asleep and in a joyous dream state. It had something to do with being scrubbed, bubbles, soap, hot water and, an altogether warm sensation of safety and happiness.
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Even from the backyard, he could hear the doorbell. Whoever was ringing it was pushing like crazy. He heard one of the girls who works in the kitchen, running for the door.
An alarming voice bolted him from his comfort and fantasy. "Nong'Apo, hurry! hurry!
Apo rushed to the foyer to see Achi draped over Sang's shoulder. His pants were torn and his lip was bleeding. His shirt was dirty, he was really messed up.
"P'Sang, What happened?
"Help me Nong, he's pretty bruised."
Apo put his shoulder under Achi's arm opposite Sang and they shuffled the boy to the sofa.
In the meantime, the girl ran to the kitchen and returned with a damp cloth. She handed it to Apo, who started to wipe Achi's face. First the dirt and sweat, then the blood at the corners of his mouth and another spot by his earlobe.
Sang was talking the whole time.
"It's so good that I just happened by, Apo, I saw a group of boy's kicking someone on the ground. When I stopped the car they ran away, I didn't know it was Nong'Achi until I rolled him over."
"Why P'? Why would they do this?"
Achi seemed dazed and was hunched over as Apo tended to his cuts. There were scrapes on his forearms and his right elbow was bleeding.
"He hasn't said anything Nong, I don't know why they attacked him."
Apo lifted his face and looked into the boys' eyes.
"I'm sorry P', I shouldn't have asked Sang to bring me here, I should have gone back to the home."
"Nong, that's crazy, don't say that. Please, Nong, tell me what happened, I'll call the police and report this."
"Ah, no, please, You can't do that P', I will lose my job."
Apo held the boy by his shoulders. "What do you mean, Achi! what's going on?"
"It's, it's, some of the older guys at the home P', they don't like me now that I work there. It was ok before when I was just one of them, but I go out now and they've seen you and Wai pick me up, I think they're jealous."
He hesitated and took in a deep breath, "They found out I am gay P', someone took your, ah, my phone, and they saw P'Kluay's messages to me, I saved them, I should have erased them."
Apo grabbed and hugged him tightly. The boy winced in pain, Apo had to let loose the ferocity of his hold. He pulled the lads' shirt up and could see large red welts on his belly, ribs, and back. Taking him more gently in his arms again, he was looking over Achi's shoulder at Sang. "Thank you, P', for helping my friend." The tears were streaming down Apo's cheeks as he coddled the crumpled Achi in his arms.
