A TWIST OF FATE

THE RATANAWADI BOYS

New Thitipoom

He was quiet but his eyes followed me around. It was really a strange feeling, treating a lookalike. Though he was much younger than me but the similarities were striking.

"Are you having any headaches?"

"Yeah a bit."

He tried to sit up but winced in pain.

"Don't.....you have a fractured rib. It's going to be pretty painful. You should take maximum rest."

"You are Dr.New Tithipoom right?"

I was surprised that he knew my name specially considering the fact that he had just regained consciousness and I don't recall introducing myself to him.

"How do you know my name?" I asked continuing to check his vitals.

"P'Tay........where is P'Tay?" He asked ignoring my question.

"He has gone to freshen up a bit....he was here the whole night."

"Hmmmm.......and.......and......my friend."

"Who? Chimon?"

"Yes...."

"I just sent him to change his clothes and he needed some rest. He hadn't even moved, from that chair next to you, since last night."

"Hmmm.."

As I changed his bandages he recoiled from the pain.

"Why were the boys bullying you?"

He kept his head low and pretended not to hear.

"I am sure you know........that this should be reported to the police, since you are so badly hurt."

"No.....please.......they will not spare me if I do that."

"As if they are sparing you now."

"So, why did they beat you up so badly.....were you chasing someone's girlfriend?"

"No.... doctor...."

"You can call me P........P'New"

"I am not running after any girl P"

"Then....they just had the urge to beat you so badly..." 🤨

"No...it's not like that...."

"You have to tell me....you know that right? I am a doctor and if I feel that this needs to be reported to the authorities I will definitely do that."

"You will do no such thing......do you know who I am?.....I am a Ratanawadi."

"Hahaha .....is that supposed to scare me? Oh! You are so like your brother.... throwing in your name like that....but it's not going to help. Being a Ratanawadi didn't really help you, when you got beaten up, did it? So either you tell me or I go to the authorities."

"Why are you so horrible? I told you I don't wanna tell you anything...."

"Fine then..." I deliberately extracted my mobile from my pocket and started punching numbers. Though I had absolutely no intention of calling anyone but it worked.

"Okay okay I will tell you......."

"I am all ears."

"They........they.......were slandering my friend..."

"Who? Chimon?"

He nodded

"So you jumped in to fight. How smart of you!"