He came out of Dr. Min's office, headed for Arthit's patient room but suddenly stopped walking, heaving a heavy sigh. He flopped down in a chair nearby, covering his face with his hands.
**
The next morning, Arthit opened his eyes feeling refreshed. He had slept well through the night. He rubbed the bandage over the IV in his hand, looking at the doctor and Kongpob talking.
"The test results are not bad......I gave him a new prescription and added the milder antibiotics in it to cure the ulcers in his stomach. I think you guys can go home tomorrow, but he needs to visit me once a week for a while."
Kongpob sat on the chair beside the bed after the doctor left. "You wake up, honey. Are you feeling better?" he asked. "Couldn't be better." Arthit slightly smiled, his thumb brushing Kongpob's cheek.
"Kongpob...You've got dark circles under your eyes...."
"Because I couldn't sleep well without hugging you in my arms........"
He held Arthit's swollen hand, connected to the IV through which he was given antibiotics and painkillers. He kissed his swollen fingers one by one.
"I want to wash my face. I must look ugly," said Arthit.
"Hey, you always look cool for me. but if you want, I can help you with a bath. huh?" he smirked playfully.
"In your dreams. Just help me to stand up."
Kongpob pouted out his lower lip like a child. Arthit laughed and got out of the bed, one hand holding the IV pole, the other grabbing Kongpob's shoulder.
And it was just then that Arthit's phone rang.
The phone screen displayed the orphanage headmaster's name, P'Sky. Picking up the phone, Arthit clenched his fingers around the pole.
<Arthit....? Sorry for calling this early.> his weak, trembling voice made Arthit's heart sink.
<................I'm really sorry....to tell you about this...>
".......Is there anything wrong with Liam?" He felt something ominous instinctively.
<It's....It's been four days.....since Liam stopped eating..........>
His face clouded. He tightened his grip on the phone, his eyes meeting Kongpob's.
"He hasn't eaten anything?" He sat on the bed again.
<............one of the teachers forced him to eat porridge a little but.....>
Kongpob sat next to him, wrapping his arm around Arthit's shoulders.
<He keeps silent, holding a picture taken with you and Khun Kongpob.......>
Though hearing the phone call, Kongpob stayed cool, not showing any feelings.
".......Is he, is he sick....? Is he.....is he....." He stammered, his throat dry, his hand shaking, he almost dropped the phone.
<Arthit.....You would think I am shameless....but....I ask you to persuade him to eat........>
At that very moment,
Kongpob took away his phone, saying, "Arthit is in the hospital now. He can't help you, Khun Sky."
<..........Khun Kongpob.....?>
"It was you that asked him to stay away from that boy and Arthit accepted it without protest. You know why? Because he believed it was for that boy. Because Arthit wished him happiness from the bottom of his heart, just like you."
"Kongpob!" In vain did Arthit try to get his phone back.
"He hoped that small boy would be able to have a new Mom and Dad."
".......Kongpob...please....Kongpob...." Arthit begged, grabbing Kongpob's hand holding the phone. But he ignored Arthit and continued speaking in a very cold voice.
"It's your job to take care of that boy, Khun Sky. And please, don't give it up. You know, you don't deserve his help. My man deserves better than to be treated like this......Don't call him again, Arthit has nothing more to say to you." without waiting for an answer, Kongpob pressed the End button on the phone and threw it in the corner.
"Kongpob Shutthirak! What's wrong with you!" Arthit pushed him as hard as he could.
"I am Kongpob Shutthirak Rojnapat, your husband! I have the right to protect you from any harms!" he grabbed Arthit's upper arms and shook him hard, his eyes blazing with fury.
"What do you mean by that fucking 'harms'!"
"Everything! Anything that can make you mentally stressed, physically vulnerable like this!"
"Do, do you think Liam causes me harm too........?"
"..............he is no exception."
Kongpob swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down. He felt himself an evil. He cupped Arthit's face in his hands, looked into his eyes and whispered with all his heart.
"Arthit, I am sure if he gets over this hurdle, he will be a son of the ordinary, straight parents as we wish."
However, Arthit shook Kongpob's hands off. Tears streamed down his face.
"................Kongpob, do you remember? You saved him from being swept away by the waves when I didn't even notice Liam in danger. Be honest with yourself. You've always found something about him first before anyone else."
Arthit clenched his fists, feeling a sharp pain in his hand where the needle was inserted.
"....That's because he is a child."
"It was not me but you that put the seashells he presented to us in the frame and placed it with our picture frames."
"That didn't mean anything to me.....Oh, shit! Arthit! Your blood is backing up the tubing!"
He pressed the call button above the bed headboard. But Arthit didn't care. He suddenly put his hand into Kongpob's trouser pocket and took out his wallet.
"You such a fucking liar."
He delved into the wallet and pulled out a wallet-sized photo from it.
"Then, why do you bring this with you all the time?"
It was their photo taken with Liam on the day of their celebration party. In the picture, Liam sat down on Arthit's lap and Kongpob embraced them from behind. They all smiled happily.
"What made you lie to me, Kongpob! I can't figure out what you have in your mind!"
"Your well-being. That's all in my mind."
"Then, let me go see Liam if you really want my well-being."
"No, you can't."
"Aren't you worried about Liam? That small boy stopped eating. It's been already four days."
"It's not our business. I care about nothing but you."
"Aren't we spouses? Why do I feel like you've hidden something to me? Didn't we promise to go through all the obstacles before us together? Why are you not honest with me!" He cried out, unable to handle his anguish any longer.