Chapter 48 Burden

Over the next four months, Santichai's back began to heal, but occasionally felt pain. He would be in so much pain that he would lie in bed all day. He can no longer work because of the medication he is taking. It was only in the fourth month after his injury that he realized that Asnee had made a habit of living in the fast lane when he was out to make ends meet. Asnee has a lot of new friends, and he goes out to parties almost every night. When Santichai asks him not to spend money on unnecessary things, Asnee gets angry and fights with him. Then Asnee would run away from home and live with Decha or his other friends.

When Asnee came home that tearful night, he noticed that Asnee was already angry. He knew that if he provokes Asnee, Asnee will run away again, and although the pain in his back was unbearable, he resisted the pain and prepared food for Asnee.

Asnee threw his bag on the sofa and said, "What's for dinner?"

Santichai came out of the kitchen and said, "Fried cabbage and boiled eggs."

Asnee complained, "It's sautéed cabbage and boiled eggs again. We had it yesterday and this morning. Now we have this for dinner."

Santichai said, "Asnee, what would you like to eat?"

Asnee yells, "Steak! Italian! Chinese! Japanese! Anything but Ma-Ma or stir-fry cabbage."

"Sorry, we don't have the money right now. I just paid the rent with the settlement money," Santichai said.

"That's the problem, we don't have enough money for anything else," Asnee said frustratedly. "We've been living in this shithole for two years and haven't had a decent meal for two years. Chai, how embarrassing? My teacher had to pull me aside and tell me that if I didn't pay my tuition on time this time, I might not be able to take the midterm finals." He raised his voice. "I can't even go out with my friends because I don't even have a hundred baht in my wallet." Then the old fan stopped working, which added even more fuel to Asnee's anger. Asnee stood up and kicked the old fan to the ground angrily. "A piece of shit."

Santichai said frighteningly, "Asnee, don't get mad. People often get mad when they're hungry."

Asnee said, "I already told you; I don't want to eat your tasteless fried cabbage and boiled eggs."

Santichai said, "Asnee, I'm sorry. I'm so unreliable, but I'll make sure to save some money for you next month. I'm the only one with a job, if my back doesn't hurt..."

Asnee roared at Santichai, "You mean, the reason why we have come to this point is because you have always supported me?"

Santichai said tearfully, "I didn't mean that."

Asnee said angrily, "Yes, that's right, you are the only one working, and I rely on your support." He picked up his coat and walked towards the door.

Santichai quickly grabbed Asnee's arm, "Asnee, where are you going?"

Asnee madly yanked his arm always, "I'm going to find a job, so I don't have to rely entirely on your support."

Santichai pleaded, "Asnee, please don't go. It's already dark."

Asnee yanked his hand, "Let go." He opened the door and slammed it shut.

Santichai fell to the ground sobbing with back pain. He murmured, "Santichai, you are so unreliable, you can't even get a meal for your loved one." He hit his head twice with his right hand. "You are so useless."

After the heated argument about the lack of food at the table, Asnee walked about four blocks and pulled out his phone. He quickly dialed the number on his cell phone. The phone rang twice, but the person who answered the phone didn't speak. Asnee sighed and said, "Ma...I was wrong... Can I go home."

Mrs. Siriporn said, "Come home? Excuse me... do I know you? My son is dead."

Asnee pleaded, "Ma...please don't hang up. I know now I was wrong. I really want to go home."

Mrs. Siriporn said, "Sever ties with Santichai and then you can come home. Not only that, but you also go on blind dates with other high society ladies until you find someone you like. If you promise me these conditions, you can come home."

Asnee begged, "Ma, please don't do this."

Mrs. Siriporn said, "I'll have someone bring your car over, and I'll make that person wait a full forty-five minutes. If you choose Santichai this time, don't call me again." She hung up the phone.

When Asnee walked back to the apartment, he saw his car park on the side of the street with one of his father assistants.

The assistant greeted, "Khun Siriporn, I was told to wait for you for a full forty-five minutes." He looked at his watch. "Now, you have exactly twenty-five minutes."

Asnee sighed, "I understand." He walked slowly up the stairs to the old apartment. He stood at the door for a while before opening it.

Asnee stood by the sofa for a long time before taking off his clothes. He stripped down to his underpants and climbed onto the bed. Asnee lay on the sofa bed, staring at the ceiling.

Santichai wiped his tears and turned around. He reached for Asnee, but Asnee moved his hand away.

Asnee sighed, "I'm hot."

Santichai asked in a horse's voice, "Where have you been? If you're hungry, I bought you a steak on the table."

Asnee said, "You say we have no money. Where did you get the money?"

Santichai said, "I went to the bar and started washing dishes again. I asked the owner to put it on my tab."

Asnee sighed and said, "Chai... let's break up."

Tears of Santichai began to fall from his eyes. He asked, "Asnee, do you want to break up with me?"

Asnee said, "Yes, I went back home. My parents said the only way they could support my studies and living expenses was to break up with you." He paused for a long time. "I only have two years left, I can't give up now, I've come so far. I'm tired of living like this."

Santichai bit his drooping lips and wet the pillow with tears. He said, "Mmm... let's break up."

Asnee sighed, "I'm sorry."

Santichai said, "It's okay..."

Asnee got up, put on his clothes, and grabbed his backpack. He put five thousand baht on the sofa bed. He said, "Don't work too hard. Your back still hurts. Take that money to pay for that steak tomorrow."

Santichai held back his tears. He said, "Mmm..."

Heartbroken, Asnee walked to the door. He knew that he was a bastard to leave Santichai when Santichai is at his weakest point in life, but he just didn't want to be a burden to Santichai anymore. He grabbed the doorknob, open the door, and closed the door behind him. He stood in the doorway for a while, hearing Santichai sob behind the other side of the door. His heartaches as he hears Santichai blaming himself for their misfortune. He really wanted to grab the doorknob and go in and pull Santichai back into his arms, but he knew they couldn't really help each other at this stage of their lives. With tears in his eyes, he whispered, "Chai, I'm sorry."

(Memory End)