ETERNITY (COMPLETE)

The Stranger

    Zee had been sitting on the uncomfortable chair for the past few hours. Saint fell asleep the moment he laid his eyes on him. Zee then got busy on the phone talking to his assistant, the police and his security team. He needed to get to the bottom of Saint being attacked or his alleged murder attempt. Zee shuddered thinking about losing Saint in that ungodly building. He talked to Derek and instructed him to work with the police. He then made a conference call to his chief operating officer who was on her way to Peru ironing out the last details of the contract. He was so engrossed with his work that he did not notice a pair of eyes was studying him.

Saint felt as if he was drowning at first, then he felt pain. He jolted and opened his eyes. The ceiling was white and he felt dazed and confused. Slowly, memories trickled into his murky mind. Hospital. He was in the hospital. He was Saint Suppapong and he was 23. Yes. He scoured his mind to find other bits  and pieces of information but he found it difficult to recollect anything. He felt like crying because he felt so alone. A deep voice was murmuring and he turned his head slowly; and saw the same man who was standing near the door before. They told him he was his husband. He felt like laughing because it was absurd. He had no recollection of him let alone his marriage. He remembered college. He remembered making coffee at the The Thirst Order Cafe. But the the stranger? Nothing! The only thing he felt was sadness. Saint rubbed his chest where his heart was with his fingers as he could not explain the mournful feeling he felt as he observed the stranger.

Saint could make out that the stranger was well off. His clothes alone worth more than his apartment rent! Then he realised, he was 23 and he should have graduated college. When did he graduate college? Then, his eyes rested on the man's hands. They were masculine and beautifully manicured. Saint guessed the stranger really took care of himself. His wristwatch alone could sponsor a trip for the kids at the orphanage. The orphanage! Saint gasped when he remembered the orphanage and Father Jonathan.

Zee's head snapped up when he heard a gasp from the hospital bed. His husband was awake with a confused look on his face. He was staring at him.

"Are you alright?" Zee asked.
"Where is Father Jonathan?" Saint absentmindedly nodded before asking.
"We are in Wisconsin while he's in..."
"New York." Saint finished Zee's sentence.
"Why... why am I here in Wisconsin and not in New York." Saint whispered and he looked confused.
"I wish I could answer that but I don't know." Zee admitted.
"I thought... you're my husband?" Saint continued.
"I am." Zee answered. He felt uncomfortable about where Saint's questions were heading.
"Aren't we... you... I mean ... don't you know why I am here?" Saint's had a muddled look on his face.
"Saint... listen... don't stress too much." Zee comforted the frazzled Saint.
"I... I need answers." Saint replied.
"I understand baby. I really do. Do you need anything? Water? Anything?" Zee offered trying to distract Saint from his train of thoughts.
"Water please." Saint answered. Zee felt a little relieved.

Zee put his tablet on a small table in front of him. He then stood up and walked up to the hospital bed. He ran his eyes over Saint's body and his fists clenched. He hoped that the police or Derek would be able to find the culprit who did this to Saint because there would be hell to pay. Zee raised his left hand and touched Saint's hair. All the while the bruised and battered man on the bed simply stared back at him. Zee then lowered his head and kissed Saint's forehead. He had a slight fever. Saint's skin was warm on Zee's lips. After that, he raised his head and proceeded to pour some water in a glass and found a straw for Saint. He delicately put the straw on Saint's bruised lips for him to drink.

"Thank you." Saint whispered after he finished drinking. The stranger put the glass back on the table.
"I don't even know your name. I'm sorry." Saint murmured while staring up at Zee.
"I'm Zee. Zee Pruk Panich." Zee said softly.
"And... and... We're married?" Saint questioned.
"Yes. For 3 years." Zee explained.
"3 years?" Saint looked bewildered.
"Yes." Zee replied.
"I married you 3 years ago? Wow." Saint could not believe what he heard.
"I have pictures of us on our wedding if you want to see." Zee offered. He walked to the small table where he had put his tablet and opened it. He pressed on an icon and showed multitude pictures  to Saint.
"That's me." Saint whispered.
"And me." Zee smiled.
"We looked... really happy." Saint said in amazement. It was a picture of them. Both of them were wearing identical coloured suits. Saint was staring longingly and happily at a grinning Zee while holding his face.
"We were happy." Zee added.
"These are from our honeymoon." Zee continued by showing pictures of their honeymoon.
"Where was this taken?"Saint asked.
"Bora Bora." Zee answered.
"I wish I could remember..." Saint trailed.
"Oh my goodness... I can swim? Since when?" Saint beamed.
"I taught you to swim when were dating." Zee explained as Saint nodded his head.
"How did we meet? It's obvious you and I come from two different worlds." Saint stated.
"I had a meeting that day at the place where you worked as a part time barista." Zee told.
"The Thirst Order Cafe." Saint murmured.
"You accidentally tripped and spilled coffee on me." Zee continued.
"I didn't!" Saint was horrified.
"You did actually." Zee said.
"I'm so sorry." Saint apologised.
"It's okay. It was iced latte. No harm done." Zee said to Saint.
"That's how we met?" Saint asked and Zee nodded his head.
"Was it love at first sight?" Saint grinned.
"For me it was." Zee answered earnestly. Saint's cheeks flamed.
"How about me? When ... how did I fall ... in love with you? When ... when did we start .... dating? How long... before... we got married?" Saint was getting agitated.