[1. MR. Ron]
" KIM TANAWAT"
Dae flinched and jumped out of his bed in shock. It was Aroon, his stepbrother screaming his name from downstairs. Not even five minutes had passed since he went upstairs. He had just lied back on his bed, tired after doing all the works Aroon asked him to do.
Whenever Aroon calls him 'KIM Tanawat', Dae feels vexed. He feels like he belongs to some other world. Why can't Aroon simply call him Tanawat if he can't call him Dae. What's the need of 'KIM '? Dae don't even remember the face of his late south Korean Dad, whom he inherited the 'Kim' from. Neither has he visited south Korea nor has he actually met a Korean individual yet, even though there are lot of Koreans in Thailand especially Bangkok, the place where he lives with his Step Dad and Step brother.
Almost all his friends has wondered about his name. He is tired explaining his story to all those people who would ask. He always wanted to remove the 'kim' from his name but his Mom never let him. And after his Mother's death, Dae didn't think of removing it from his name. In every exam paper and in every official document, he still writes his name as ' Kim Tanawat Duangporn', just for the sake of his Mom.
" KIM TANAWAT..,GET YOUR ASS UP HERE RIGHT NOW. YOU NEED TO FUCKING EXPLAIN ME THIS. WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU TANAWAT ?"
Dae shivered hearing the harsh tone of Aroon's voice. 'what is the problem with him right now? I did everything he said properly. Oh my god! What did I do wrong now ?'
Dae immediately rushed downstairs as he didn't want to make his stepbrother angry again and get worse punishments. As he came downstairs he saw Aroon walking back and forth in the hall.
The older stopped as his eyes met Dae's. He looked at the younger with anger filled in his eyes. Dae felt shattered just by the older's intimidating stare. 'Dae.., something really nice is on your way.' He said to himself. Dae could say how angry Aroon was just by looking at his face. He is pretty used to the older's anger. And he already has suffered a lot, that it dosen't hurt him so much when Aroon hits and punches him, though he is still too scared to take the blows. But what hurts him a lot is when Aroon calls him names and curse him and looks at him with pure hatred in his eyes.
"You....you worthless piece of shit... explain me how this happened. I swear you are going to get into so much trouble.", Aroon said pointing at his laptop. He was literally shaking in anger.
" P’Aroon..I- I didn't do anything. I didn't touch your l..laptop."
" SHUT UP TANAWAT. Explain me how you got rank 5 in the damn finals."
Dae was totally shocked hearing that. His legs started shaking because of fear. He understood, the results are out. But he couldn't figure out how Aroon checked his result. He couldn't understand where the older got his ID no. Before he could think anything more, he was harshly dragged by his wrist and thrown towards the corner with Aroon taking steps towards him, coming closer and closer.
"P'Aroon..p..please don't hurt me. Please don't...." Dae pleaded
"It's too late Tanawat. You wouldn't have been in this trouble if you obeyed me. But you..you didn't.", Aroon walked closer to the younger and made his strong grip around the younger's neck. He almost pulled him up on the wall by holding him on his neck. Dae couldn't breathe and he felt strong pain growing in his throat. He tried to scream but only some muffled cries escaped his throat. He tried to pull the older's hands but failed. Aroon is so much stronger than him even though he is only two years older than him. Aroon's grip around his neck only got more and more tight.
"Didn't I tell you to fail in the exam? How dare you..How dare you get A in all subjects? You are over Kim Tanawat. "
Dae felt like he was starting to become unconscious or maybe he was just going to die. He stopped pulling on the older's hands. He decided to give up, letting the older kill him. He decided to let everything end there. Death is better than a life like his. So he just decided to let himself end up in Aroon's hands for the absolute good of him, Aroon and maybe everyone. He is actually a burden to his step Dad, even though Dad would never say that. He has no relation with this family. But still his step Dad is loving both him and Aroon equally. He is spending a lot of money for him. Dae don't want to become a burden to their family anymore. So it's better if he die. And Aroon will be happy.
But suddenly Aroon took his hands away and Dae fell down on to the floor. Aroon again didn't kill him. He heard the sound of a car rolling into the front yard as he gasped for air. He wrapped his both hands around his throat as he felt severe pain and suffocation. He coughed in an attempt to get more air.
"Crap...! Go to your room now." Aroon scoffed as the younger was trying to catch his breathe. " I SAID GET UP, GO TO YOUR ROOM, RUN UPSTAIRS". He yelled
Dae somehow managed to get up and run upstairs to his room. He burst out into tears as soon as he reached his room and slammed the door behind. He felt more and more pain building in his throat as he cried. He felt like it's already worn out. He tried hard to control his tears but he couldn't.
' Why the hell didn't I die? It would have been better if he killed me. I would have died a long before if I wasn't afraid to die.'
Dae hugged 'Mr Ron', his teddy bear and continued to cry. More and more tears left his eyes as he hugged his worn out teddy bear. Mr Ron reminds Dae of his nice old brother. Actually It was a present from Aroon on his 9th birthday. So Dae named it 'Mr Ron'. But things changed right after his 9th birthday.
Dae sat up and looked at the bear. It's ears and legs were all torn and it looked ugly. He remembered the day when Aroon tore it into pieces. Dae somehow managed to stitch it up because it was one of the few things which gave him memories of his good old brother.
Aroon loved him so much. Dae also loved him. No he still loves him. They both grew up together, played together, laughed and cried together and did everything together. That is all past. Dae remembered those days when Aroon used to fight with the guys from his primary school who tried to pick up fights with Dae. All those memories only brought tears into the poor boy's eyes.
' Aru, what did I do to you to hate me this much?'
[2. Puffy eyes]Kobsook Duangporn, CEO of Duangporn enterprises, parked his black Mercedes in the big porch of his mansion beside his son’s black Rolls-Royce and walked in through the front door. He was in his business suit that was still crisp and unwrinkled like in the morning and had a small black suitcase in his hands. His face looked pleasant as always and had a cheerful expression which he managed to wear, despite the numerous business affairs and the stress they impacted upon him.
[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 e
[4. Light weight]Dae could clearly understand that Aroon's uncles, aunts and cousins not really liked him coming to the party, just by the looks they were giving him. He himself didn't want to come here but it was his Dad's decision.As soon as they arrived, Aroon went and handed his Grandma, the gift bracelet he had bought for her. He sat near her and talked to her for a while. Then he joined his cousins. Dae was too afraid to even look at them or talk to them. They won't like him joining their group. So he stayed by his Dad's side. Nobody was coming to talk to his Dad also. And Kobsook was hesitant to go and begin a conversation with anyone. He just decided to come to the party because both of his brother in law's urged and forced him to come. He sat down on a couch in the corner and took out his phone. Dae followed him and sat down beside him."Dae...go join Aroon and the boys." Kobsook said turning to Dae." Ahmm...I will better sit here. Maybe
[5. C.U]The next day, Kobsook went along with Dae for his high school graduation ceremony. He had asked Aroon also to come along with them but Aroon somehow managed to escape saying he had to go to a friend's party. Aroon can't even imagine a situation in which he has to see Teachers, students and everyone appreciating Dae. That is worse than death for him.All were surprised at Dae's result since he was always just an above average student. No one expected this high grades from Dae. Dae was always not able to score high because of Aroon. He will beat him if he score high. Also Aroon won’t let him study at home. He would make him write his assignments all the time or make him do some other works or if he is in a good mood, he would just ask him to watch a movie or drama on his tab or in their home theatre. Aroon had once made him watch a horror movie alone at night, in the dark theatre room at high volume and locked him from outside. He don’t know what happene
[6. Orphan]It was calm and quiet for some days. Dae had to meet Aroon only during breakfast and dinner times. At noon, Kobsook won't be there at home and they both eat at different time. Dae waits for Aroon to finish his lunch and come upstairs. He would come out of his room only after hearing the sound of footsteps coming upstairs and the door of Aroon's room slamming shut. Aroon never really came to his room or spoke to him after the day of his Graduation. Also he didn't order him to do any works. Kobsook didn't go for any business tours during the time and so servants were always at home. So Aroon could possibly do nothing to Dae. Dae also maximum avoided going in front of the older.One day morning, the three of them were having breakfast while suddenly Kobsook's phone rang. It was a call from his assistant. After he ended the call, he looked at Aroon and spoke."Aroon, son..please take Dae to college. I have an urgent business meeting today." He then looke
[7. Wound]" If the professors ask you whether you have siblings studying here, just tell No. Understood?" Aroon asked parking his Rolls-Royce in CU's spacious parking lot. Dae nodded unbuckling his seat belt. "Come to the main auditorium after everything. I will be there."" P'Aroon..my card.." Dae asked. His debit card was with Aroon. He is the one who keeps and use the money in Dae's card. He had snatched the card from him, soon after his Dad gave it to him when he entered high school. " Here.." Aroon took his wallet from his back pocket and took the card out of it. "Go now " " P'Aroon..where's admission procedures taking place ?" Dae asked taking the card." Go to the science faculty and ask someone."" Where is science faculty."" Ahh hell ! Get out now. Go find yourself."Dae nodded scared and quickly hopped out of the car. Then he walked to somewhere not knowing where he was going. He didn't know where to find the scie
[8. Kiss]Finally the vacation ended and the college reopened. It was Dae's first day at university and Aroon's first day of third year. Aroon was driving both of them to the college and Dae was sitting nervous in the passenger seat thinking about the worse things that can happen in college. He knows that Aroon is popular and has lot of friends. What if he and his friends together bully him ? Dae don't know what is awaiting him. Anyway he knows that he is going to get more hurt.' Welcome to Hell and I am Hell's master.'Aroon had said this to him yesterday night. Last night was a bit dramatic. The older asked him to come to his room after dinner and he followed him to his room without much fear since Dad was downstairs. Aroon pushed him onto his bed like always. He likes to harshly push him to bed, couch, chair, wall etc. It has become one of older's habits now. He then briefly described him the consequences that he may face if he tells anyone that Aroon Duangp
[9. Tomato Sauce]"Hey Dae...let's go to canteen" Phet said as soon as the professor left the class."Oh..Phet..I would have come..but I don't have any money with me now." Dae said feeling a bit ashamed. He had spent the little money he had with him, for the bus fare."Oh..it's ok. Just come with me." Phet said smiling and grabbing his hands. Phet seemed to be rich. Dae remembered that he earlier bumped into his Mercedes car."Dae..let's stick together, okay ?" Phet said as they walked to the canteen." What ?" Dae asked confused." I mean let's be friends. I liked you so much.""Oh..!" Dae nodded blushing. 'Phet is so open and also confident.' He thought in mind. " Yeah..let's be friends." He replied back smiling." Hey Dae.., are you Korean ? "" Why you asked that ?"" Because you look Korean. And I noticed Kim on your ID card."" Hmm..My Dad is Korean. So I am half Korean, half Thai"" Oh..
[167. I will be with you.]The drive to Sky Park is only 20 minutes. The boys sits in the back seat of a cab, peering out of the windows at the bright lit malls and shops on either sides of the highway. It's almost 7 Pm and all the shops has been brightly lit with colourful lights.'Fake Love, BTS' is playing on the radio in the background and Dae tries humming along with the song whilst carefully observing the Seoul city. The driver, who is probably a guy in his late twenties also sings along with the song in a low voice whilst vigorously shaking his head. Aroon just sits and enjoys the cool wind whipping through his cheeks from the taxi's open window." Are you two a couple ?", the driver suddenly asks stopping his singing and glancing at them through the mirror. Both Aroon and Dae is surprised. Not because the driver asked them that question but because he asked in English." Yeah..", Aroon replies. The driver just smiles in response and starts
[166. Ice rink]Dae sits in one of the side seats of a bus to Seoul with the older's phone in his hands, his eyes glued on the phone screen, his lips curved upward and his dimples visible as he reads the rest of the comments under their post. There had been a lot of new comments, the morning and new comments are appearing every minute. Most of them are supportive and Dae can’t help but feel extremely happy. Whenever he comes across a negative comment, he quickly skips it. He doesn’t let his mind get affected by the negative remarks.Aroon sits beside the younger, carefully watching his expression, smiling slightly whenever the younger’s smile widens a bit more. The boys had left Min's apartment only half an hour ago, after having the breakfast Granny min prepared for them. “ Enough Bun.”, Aroon says after sometime. “ You will get a head ache if you read while traveling.”“ Oh..really?”, Dae tilts his head and asks. “ Yeah I think I am s
[ 165. Overcame Fear]It had past midnight. Dae lied awake looking at the dark ceiling above him, his eyebrows scrunched together as he tried to make some important decision regarding his relationship with Aroon. The older was sound asleep beside him, still one of his strong arms caging him protectively from one side." Aru..", he suddenly called shaking the older. He needs to tell the older something urgently. Out of nowhere, he has suddenly got some strange yet strong courage, a courage to do something, something daring. He needs to do it right now or what if he loses the courage tomorrow morning?Aroon groaned in discomfort as Dae called him again. Dae reached his hands to the nearby switch board and soon the lights were turned on. Aroon's eyelashes fluttered in irritation at the sudden lightening that filled the room along with the younger calling his name whilst shaking him. " What bun ?", he asked slowly opening his eyes." Aru, I have took one impo
[164. Baby..patience ]Aroon sat on the bed, staring at the younger, sitting huddled up on the couch watching some cartoon on TV after having the ramen noodles cooked by granny min, his plump lips curved upward at the end and his dimples visible as he peered at the television screen. The younger looked so cute and hot in his new light blue shirt and cream short shorts.Aroon looked at his watch. It was almost 9 Pm. Dae isn't getting bored watching the damn cartoon. At last Aroon sat up from the bed, ruffling his hair and walked to the younger, the sweet smell of strawberries encasing him as he reaches near him.He slumps down beside the younger inhaling his sweet smell deep into his nostrils. But the younger is so immersed in the cartoon he is watching that he doesn't give him the attention he needed.Losing patience, Aroon grabs the younger's chin and turns his face to him, making him look at his eyes. Dae's heart rate suddenly speeds up at the way the o
[ 163. The old couple. ]Dae walks holding Aroon's hands, a smile sits on his face as he amusedly watches the infinite number of shops and stalls on either side of the road. A heavy plastic bag hangs on Aroon's free hand and it swings back and forth as they walks quickly through the street market of Cheonan. Inside it are the little stuff they bought from that market." Aru, walk slow.", Dae whines." Dae, it's going to rain soon. I think we need to walk 15 more minutes to reach the bus stop."" It's going to rain? How do you know ?", Dae asks confused." Look up at the sky."Dae looks up and sees the greying clouds above him rumbling with warning. Out of nowhere an ice cool wind blows and whips through their hair. A drop of water falls on Dae's nose tip." Aru..yeah..it's raining."Soon fat droplets of rain hits both of their forehead and Aroon runs holding Dae's hands to a nearby tiny restaurant. Standing there under the leak
[162. Baby goats]After almost an hour, Dae wakes up feeling hungry. He blinks his eyes thrice before slowly lifting his heavy eyelids, adjusting his dreary eyes to the morning sun rays rushing in through the open window. He slowly sits up straight, lifting his head from the older's shoulders." Why you woke up quickly ?", Aroon asks, his gaze on his phone, his fingers dancing rapidly over the screen. "There's one more hour to reach there. Sleep a little more.", he says slightly turning his head. Dae just hums in replay but looks out of the window deciding to watch the sights outside for sometime. The bus is now going through a city and tall buildings array on both sides of the road. Soon Dae notices the board of a restaurant and instantly his mouth waters seeing the variety food items on the banner. He feels extremely hungry after seeing the photo of the food items. He hadn't eaten dinner last night. But he feels reluctant to tell Aroon that
[ 161. Bus ride ]Dae squirmed on the bed, left and right trying to meet the familiar warmth. But he didn’t hit Aroon's body even after rolling about a lot. So he finally opened his eyes to figure out where the older actually was. He turned his face to his right and he was shocked. Abruptly he turned around to the left and there too was no one. Dae sat up on the bed in panic with a fast thudding heart. " Aru..", He called out frightened gazing around in the room. He looked over at the window and it's still dark outside. Dae started getting more nervous by the instant. "A..Aru..", He again called and this time it came out muffled because of fear. He was about to cry as no reply came.He only remember both of them running into a hotel, actually a motel at midnight after walking through the empty roads for almost an hour. He was really sleepy then and as soon he saw a bed, he fell on it and drifted into sleep, hugging the older. But now where is the olde
[ 160. Eloped ]It was really dark when Aroon landed at Seoul airport. He had changed the time in his phone from 5: 52 Pm to 7:52 Pm. And it had past 8:20 when he finally got out of the airport and got a taxi. Somehow he was able to tell the driver that we wanted to go to Daegu and fortunately the man understood him.Aroon took his phone and called Oak as soon as he hopped into the taxi.“ Aroon..be really careful. We will call you if there’s anything. And if your Dad calls you, pick the call. Or he will get suspicions. Bye then, take care.”, Oak said before ending the call.Aroon then placed the phone in his pocket and leaned back in his seat.The taxi driver, who was an young man, not looking anything more than 25 tried to converse with him in a English mixed Korean. And Aroon was able to comprehend something. His one week stay with Kim family had taught him a little bit Korean. He also tried to converse a little with the driver in an attempt to
[159. Let’s bring back Dae.]Aroon didn't have dinner. He sat on his desk chair thinking what to do next. An hour ago, he had texted Dae ' Are you okay ?' just to see whether he has his phone with him. The message was marked ‘seen’ after sometime but no reply came. So he understood the phone was either in Mr Kim’s custody or with his own Dad.' Dae isn't alright. Right now, he might be crying, lying in that room where we stayed. Or they might be questioning him. He is definitely not okay. He needs me.', Aroon suddenly took his phone in his hands and started searching for the next flight to Korea.There was a flight at 5 Am. The booking was about to close and he hastily went to book ticket. But soon he found that there was not enough money in his card. It was strange as the ticket doesn't coast that much. He checked the balance and found the whole money in his account has been withdrawn a few hours ago. Aroon felt totally helpless. He called O