Chapter 3

[3. Icecubes]

Aroon entered Dae's room with a bowl of ice cubes and a hanky, slamming the door behind. He saw Dae still sitting on the bed hugging his teddy bear with teary eyes. He has not changed his clothes yet. Aroon went to him and put the bowl on the night stand.

"Oh..what a dramatic hoe..! Why haven't you changed your clothes yet? Didn't I tell you to get ready?" Aroon asked in his angry tone. He then dragged Dae harshly towards him and grabbed the bear from his hands and threw it away.

" How old are you ? 17 or 4 ? Don't you have shame to hug this ugly thing like some 4 year old girl ?"

" You bought me that." Dae said, barely audible for Aroon to hear.

" I will burn that thing soon." Aroon said looking at the stuffed toy, which was now lying on the floor. " Hmm...now sit still. stop crying and look here." He said in an uninterested yet soft tone which was so not familiar to Dae. Dae furrowed his eyebrows and looked at Aroon. He rolled his eyes, so done with Aroon's drama when Dad is around.

Aroon then grabbed an ice cube from the bowl and wrapped it in the hanky. "close your eyes." He ordered.

" Go away." Dae said and yanked the older's hands away. The ice cube fell down on the floor. Aroon sighed and picked an another ice cube. He grabbed both of the younger's hands in his one hand tightly, forcefully bringing the ice piece to the younger's face.

" What are you doing ?" Dae yelled kicking his legs and trying to bite Aroon's hand.

" Ahh...heck !" Aroon quickly drew his hands away on getting a good bite on his arm. "What the hell ? Do you want Dad to know that you cried ? Just sit still." He said through gritted teeth.

" Why are you like this ?"

" Like what ?"

" Why are you like this when Dad is around ?"

" Shut up and sit still." Aroon said and brought the hanky near to the younger's puffy eyes. This time the younger didn't kick or protest. He closed his eyes and bit his lip. Aroon started rubbing gently on the swollen area under the younger's eyes. He couldn't help but stare at the younger's face. His extremely beautiful face made Aroon frustrated. He felt like punching his face until it lost all it's beauty.

'How can someone manage to look this beautiful even after this much? His eyes, nose, eyebrows, cheeks, lips everything is so perfect. Crap !' Aroon thought to himself even though he won't admit it publicly and calls him ugly.

The older continued rubbing the hanky, staring at the younger's face. It's long since he has got a chance to look at Dae so close. 'Dae, why did you do that to me ? I would have loved you if you had not....Oh my God Aroon ! what are you thinking !? what the heck! You just hate him. His beauty can make you only hate him more.' Aroon internally cursed himself. He continued rubbing until the ice cube melted and continued the process 2-3 times. He then left the hanky in the bowl and checked the younger’s face. Luckily the puffiness has almost gone. Dad won't find out.

"Now open your eyes." He said in his husky voice.

Dae was controlling his tears all the while when the older softly rubbed the hanky on his face. The good old memories from the past came rushing to his mind. Tears started rolling down his pink cheeks as soon as he opened his eyes. That sight would have been heart-breaking to anyone else than Aroon. But honestly speaking Aroon also felt something in his heart. But he was fast to ignore it and his anger overtook it.

"What the...what the heck ! why are you crying now ?" Aroon asked in his harsh cold voice and more tears started running down the youngers cheeks.

" I SAID STOP. Wipe your tears. Do you want Dad to see this ? Do you want to make me bad in front of him?" Aroon almost yelled out in anger. But the younger didn't stop crying until a slap fell on his soft cheeks. Aroon immediately regretted his action. That slap was not that hard, but still the younger's cheeks turned red. He has made the situation worse and Dad will come here at anytime. Aroon decided to become a little soft in order to get out of the situation. He took an ice cube and wrapped it in the hanky. He gently grabbed the younger’s chin and started softly rubbing it on his cheeks and eyes. He did it until he felt his face presentable.

"Don't cry anymore, otherwise your puffiness will increase." He said and went to the wardrobe to get some clothes for the younger. He got a white t-shirt and black Jean's and went to Dae while the younger stared confused and surprised at him.

"Don't look at me like that. Now wear this and get ready immediately."

Aroon then turned his heels and walked out, shutting the door. He left a sigh, rubbing his forehead and walked to his room. He simply sat on his bed for a while, feeling totally at unease. 'Today I was too much. I hurt him so much. Ahh sh*t ! Why am I caring ? 'He hit the mattress in frustration. He then stood up and walked to his desk ruffling his hair in annoyance. Taking his phone, wallet and his birthday present for his Grandma, he walked out, placing the former two things in his pocket to see his Dad standing downstairs, already ready and waiting for them.

"Aroon...where's Dae ?" Kobsook asked looking up.

"Oh..he was sleeping. You know, It's really difficult to wake him up. He is now getting ready. He will come in a minute."

"Oh Okay, I will wait."

"Okay Dad I will get him."Aroon said and walked to the younger's room. Luckily this time Dae had changed and he looked much more beautiful in the white t-shirt. "Come now. Dad is waiting." He said and grabbed the younger's hands, dragging him out of the room. He loosened his grip around his wrist as he saw his Dad watching them from downstairs. Looking at the younger, he brought a fake smile on his face as they walked downstairs.

"Dae..baby..Aren't you feeling good?" Kobsook asked looking at the weak boy in front of him.

"Yes. I am alright. I was just feeling a bit dizzy and bored." Dae lied

"Oh..I see. Aru didn't give you company?" Kobsook asked eyeing Aroon

Dae was quick to reply. "Oh yes...yes, we played video game. He was really nice"

"Okay..let's go now. come on" Kobsook said and walked to his car with Aroon and Dae following him behind.

"You...! why are you overacting ? Dad didn't ask you whether I was nice to you or not." Aroon whispered to Dae as they walked.

"Sorry..I..I will be careful " Dae mumbled back.

"Good if you are careful. Otherwise it would only turn bad for you."

" Boys what are you mumbling over there ?" Kobsook asked opening the car door.

"Oh.. it's nothing Dad. We were talking about a movie we watched last night." Aroon said immediately.

"which movie did you watch?"

"Dad it's...ahmm..Dad how was your Journey?" Aroon asked in an attempt to change the topic.

"It was alright." Kobsook said hopping into the car. Aroon hopped into the passenger seat and Dae into the backseat.

The whole time, Aroon was constantly checking the younger through the rear view mirror. The ride to the restaurant was silent untill Kobsook decided to broke the silence. "Dae..when will your results be out? Do you know?"

Aroon instantly got angry at that question of his Dad's while Dae got scared. He don't know what to say. If he say that the results are out, Dad will ask about it and he would have to say he got 5th rank. Then Dad will start appreciating him and Aroon won't like it a bit. Dae mentally cursed.

"Dae...didn't you hear me?"

" Yeah..don't know Dad."

" You should check the site everyday. We need to apply for university immidietely after the result comes.", Kobsook said and right then his phone rang. He picked the call whilst slowing the car and parking it to a side.

"Hello Mr Tharn, what's up ?"

Dae opened his eyes as he heard the name 'Tharn'. His class teacher's name is Tharn and he is also a good friend of his Dad.

" Oh..really ? Woah..!"......." No he didn't know"....." oh God ! How can he forget ?"....." yeah of course. I will tell him."..... "okay..we will come"......"Thank you so much."

Kobsook ended the call and turned back looking at Dae, who was now looking at him with wide eyes. "Dae..You really didn't check your result ?"

"N..n..no", Dae shook his head scared.

"How can you forget ? The results are out....And You are among the top students, Dae."

" Oh.."

" Why don't you look happy ? Hey..you got 5th rank. Mr Tharn called me to tell that." Kobsook said enthusiastically and proudly, smiling wildly at Dae.

" Oh...I-I am happy. I just couldn't believe it." Dae said forcing a smile into his face.

" Graduation ceremony is tomorrow. He called me to tell that. He said he tried calling you a lot of times. You didn't take your phone ?"

"Uhmm..no. I left it behind at home."

" Mr Tharn is really happy for you. He asked me to convey his congrats."

"Oh..hmm.." Dae nodded.

" Dae..I am so proud of you baby. I am also coming to school with you tomorrow." Kobsook smiled joyfully and then started the car. He continued to praise Dae throughout the remaining drive and Aroon was internally freaking out with anger.

"Aroon..why are you not congratulating Dae for his success. Look he has scored such good grades. He didn't lose A in even one subject. Have you ever got such a result ?" Aroon couldn't bear it. He was getting more and more frustrated . His hand was balled into a fist in anger. He looked back at Dae and gave him a death glare. Somehow he controlled himself and brought a fake smile on his face.

"I am really happy for your result. Congrats. Why didn't you check your result earlier ? Where you afraid ? I would have checked it for you if you had told me." Dae couldn't help but roll his eyes thinking about what Aroon has actually done.

"No...I actually forgot pêe chaai." Dae said.

"Next time you shouldn't forget. Tell me to check so that we can celebrate as soon as your results come." Aroon said with a smirk. Dae was now feeling really scared. The older then turned to his Dad.

 “ Dad I am an Engineering student. You know, Engineering is tough. It's actually great if you could just pass in all sem. And Dad, I am among the top students in my batch."

“ Oh..Aroon..leave it. Yeah I know. I know you are working hard nowadays. But if you had worked a bit hard during high school, you could have got a merit seat at university.”

‘ what’s all your money for ?’ Aroon murmured under his breathe in anger. Yeah..his Dad has a lot of money ? What’s all that money for? He is his only son. What if he had to spent a 30000$ for his admission. It’s just a small amount. Less than 10% of his company’s monthly income.

“ Did you say anything?” Kobsook asked.

“ No.” Aroon replied.

"Aroon, money doesn’t matter. But it would have been nice if you had got a merit seat. I could have proudly said to everyone that my son got merit seat for engineering. And you had the potential. But you didn’t work. Hmm..anyway now I am happy that you are studying well. Keep it up.” Kobsook said reading his son's mind. Aroon nodded. But he was actually feeling angry. Why does his Dad need to always bring that matter up ? It was 2 years back. Now he is entering third year. There’s only two more years for him to become an engineer.

 “Oh..! We are here boys. We reached here fast, right ?" Kobsook said pulling the Mercedes through the gate of his brother in law's house, parking it to a side.