A TWIST OF FATE

CLOSER

New Thitipoom

"Grandpa is not well today.........you all can come some other day..." Frank informed Tay.

"Look I know we are causing a lot of inconvenience for you guys but......we came from Bangkok acchhhooooo only to meet him...."

"I understand that, but he is not well.......I don't think your work is more important than someone's health.... moreover right now his doctor is here so it will take some time."

"Then....we will wait......"

I looked at Tay. Why was he being so stubborn about this? If the man was not well would we drag him out??

"Look........" Frank started glaring at Tay.

"Frank..... please.......we just wanna know if you know anything about a lady named Preeda Vihokratna?" I interrupted before the thing went out of control.

He looked at me....and seemed too stunned to speak. He remained quiet for a long time and I thought that maybe he wouldn't talk but then he uttered one word.

"No...."

It was very clear that he was lying......he definitely knew something but he wasn't willing to talk....and.....why would he? Afterall we were complete strangers.

"Frank, I can understand, that you don't know who we are and it's not normal for strangers to barge in and make enquiries but please understand, we do not bear any ill intent. We just want some details about Mrs Vihokratna." I kept my voice neutral and calm.

"But why? And why should I trust you?"

"What do we look like accchhhooo to you? Thugs?......thieves?...." Tay interrupted sounding irritated.

I knew he was feeling more restless because of his sickness. He was literally hanging onto my shoulders to keep himself from falling down.

"Tay......" I whispered so that only he could hear and simultaneously squeezed his hand. I wanted him to let me do the talking...and I guess he understood because he nodded slightly....

Frank seemed like a smart kid and there was no way he was going to open his mouth easily. Maybe, we needed to flash our credentials.....🤔

"Look Frank,.....I am a doctor.....see...." I said showing him my hospital ID. "Mrs.Preeda Vihokratna was a patient at our hospital some 25 years ago......at that time there were only paper documents maintained by the medical records technicians but now we have upgraded to blu EHR so we are upgrading even the old paper data in the electronic systems. The only problem is some files have parts missing..........since we cannot save incomplete records we need to know........"

"Okay okay.....look I have absolutely no clue what you are talking about but you have to wait to talk to my grandpa.... I really can't help you."

"At least tell me if you have heard the name of Mrs.Vihokratna." I asked keeping my voice soft but persuasive....just like the way I normally spoke to very stubborn patients..... like Mrs. Lou

"Hmmmm......"

"Hmmm? Hmm...what? You have heard her name?"

"Yes....she was my aunt.....my father's elder sister."

"Do you know anything about her at all?"

"I am just 17 years old, she passed away long before I was even born... how will I know anything about her?"

"Frank....please.... anything at all...."

"The only thing I know is that she eloped with her high school sweetheart without anyone's approval and my grandparents severed all connections with her after that. She was never welcomed back nor did she try to come back. She hardly ever communicated with my dad.....though I don't really know much because I don't remember much about my own parents as well........"