Goddess Bless You From Death
Case File 19.
Thup was pushing a shopping cart, following his big brother around. Singha, however, was only casually picking out items. As long as it was edible, he didn't care about the type or brand of food.
"This one expires in two days."
"P'Singh, this one isn't for marinating meat."
"Brother, that's not the same formula as the one we have at home."
It was Thup who had to pick up the items his big brother tossed into the cart and inspect them. Some needed to be replaced, while others had to be returned to the shelves.
"You're so picky, Thup. It's all edible."
"It's edible, but it's better not to."
"Then you choose."
Singha changed to walk behind Thup, his arms crossed, watching the boy carefully select items for the cart. "Get me some beer too."
"How many packs?"
"Two."
Thup grabbed the same brand he had seen in the refrigerator without hesitation. "How did you know which brand I drink?"
"Because it's in the fridge," Thup said, turning to wrap an arm around Singha's waist, pulling him closer. "Watch out, you're almost bumping into that cart."
"Oh! I'm sorry!" A young woman apologised as she grabbed her cart that had almost collided with Singha.
"It's okay," Thup smiled at her and continued walking without letting go of Singha's waist.
"Can you let go now?" Singha said, kicking Thup lightly on the shin.
"Ouch! That hurts."
"I didn't even use any force. Do you ever exercise?"
"Not really."
"Then start."
"I don't know how to begin."
"There are gyms, or do gyms have ghosts?"
"No, but there are people."
"Afraid of ghosts, afraid of people. How are you going to live your life, Thup? Don't you plan to have a girlfriend?" Singha asked before grabbing his usual brand of toothpaste and putting it into the cart.
"How can I have a partner? I can't go out with them or eat out, and if they stay with me, they'll get scared."
They walked to the fruit section, and Thup picked apples, placing them into a bag one by one.
"Do you want anything else?"
"Just grab whatever."
"Oh, by the way, about the four teenagers brought in this morning, Bom asked if you could expedite their case. He said the police haven't done anything yet."
"The four YouTubers?"
"Yes."
"Alright." Singha took out his phone and called the person who was supposed to be on duty.
[Yes, Inspector?]
"Sergeant, who is handling the case of the four kids trespassing at the crime scene?"
"I told him to finish it this morning, didn't 1?"
[Yes, Inspector, but the station has been busy all day. We had a power outage for hours and spotty phone signals.]
"Where are the four now?"
[One moment, please.]
Singha waited in silence, but when he saw Thup talking to a woman, his attention was diverted. The girl seemed shy, and when they both looked his way before waving goodbye, he became even more curious.
[One is in the cell, two are in the waiting room, and another one went to the bathroom.]
"Is Lieutenant Khem still there?]
[He went home already.]
"Then, you handle it."
[Me, sir?!]
"Yes. You know what to do with unauthorised trespassers, right?"
[Y-Yes, sir. But, uh... About the one in the cell, should we send him
to the hospital? He's... acting strange.]
"Strange how?"
[He threw up all over the cell floor and is mumbling something.]
"Then go listen to what he's mumbling."
[It sounds like a chant, sir.]
"A chant?"
[Yes. No officer wants to go near there. I think we should call a
monk instead of a doctor.]
Singha sighed and walked over to Thup, who was waiting for him.
"Call Dr Sei to check on him, and get me the boy's background."
[Yes, sir.]
"I'll handle it in the morning. If it's resolved before then, release them."
[Yes, sir.]
Singha hung up and sighed. These ghosts had nothing better to do than scare people?
"Done with your call?"
"Yeah. Who was that? Someone you know?"
"No," Thup shook his head quickly. "She wanted... your number."
"My number? For what?"
"She said... she likes you."
"Where is she now?"
"Gone. I told her you were busy with the call. I also mentioned that you're very fierce."
"Good. Have we got everything? I wanna go home."
"Yes, we have."
"Then let's pay." Singha led the way to the checkout counter, not noticing the little smile of joy on the boy's face. He was quite relieved that Singha didn't question what he had said. He also didn't dare tell Singha the full conversation.
'Excuse me, are you with that guy?' The girl had asked shyly. 'Yes.'
'Does he... have a girlfriend?' Thup glanced at Singha, who was on the phone, looking stern.
'It seems he doesn't
'Can... Can I have his number then?'
'He's busy right now and might not be available.'
'He's so cool.'
'Yes, very cool. He's good at his job, kind but very fierce.'
'Huh, fierce?'
'Yes. VERY.' They both looked at Singha, then the girl turned to Thup, blushing.
Thup's gaze at his big brother was more than admiration, and that was obvious to others.
'I think I shouldn't bother you guys further. Sorry, I didn't know!'
'Sorry?'
'Sorry, I won't flirt with your boyfriend anymore.' She apologised and quickly left.
They arrived home at 8 PM. While Thup carried the groceries inside, Singha carried his beer.
"Is that everything?"
"Yes, but there's still..'
"Leave the dolls in the car."
"Do you have a shrine in your house?"
"Yes, upstairs."
"Can I go up?"
"Sure, the room on the right."
Thup nodded and walked upstairs. As soon as he entered the room on the right, he felt a comforting chill, not the kind that came from an air conditioner but a soothing and reassuring coolness.
Inside the room, there were several cabinets. A clean white altar was mounted on the north-facing wall. On the top shelf sat a radiant golden Buddha statue. On the shelf below, slightly to the right, stood a green statue of the fearsome Lord Wessuwan holding a mace in the attitude of the Four heavenly Kings, facing the same direction.
Thup raised his hands in prayer, palms pressed together in front of his chest, and bowed with his thumbs touching his forehead. He began to recite the chant as taught by Luang Pu.
"Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa...Itipiso Bhagava Yammarachano Thao Wessuwanno Maranang Sukhang Ahang Sukkato Namo Buddhaya Thao Wessuwanno Jatumarachika Yakha Phanta Phatburito Wessa Pusa Putthangarahang Phuttho Thao Wessuwanno Namo Buddhaya?
I pay my respects to the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. May the grace of Lord Wessuwan safeguard both P'Singha and me, allowing us to reside in this house free from all perils and harm."
As soon as the chant ended, a loud thud was heard from the front window. Thup immediately turned to look, his heart racing.
"What was that noise, Thup?" Singha's shout snapped Thup back to reality.
"Nothing," Thup replied. He glanced back at the Buddha statue and the statue of Lord Wessuwan, bowed respectfully once more, and then descended the stairs feeling more at ease.
"What were you doing up there? It was loud."
"Please don't mention it."
"But I heard it."
[The Four Heavenly Kings are four Buddhist gods or devas, each of whom is believed to watch over one cardinal direction of the world. The prayer to worship Lord Wessuwan.]
"Don't just call out like that-at least call my name. And if someone calls at night, don't respond unless you see who's calling, Thup cautioned
"What if someone calls me? Then what should I do?"
"If you don't see the person calling, don't respond at all."
"So, what exactly did you go up there to do?"
"I went to pray to the Buddha and Lord Wessuwan. We brought something bad into the house, so we had to inform them."
"Alright, alright, go put the stuff in the fridge."
"Did you set up the altar upstairs?"
"My mom did it when we first bought the house."
"Oh, and your mom doesn't live here with you?"
"She's in a temple." Thup paused and looked at his big brother with sad eyes. "Stop imagining things, you little brat. My mom is a nun at the temple."
"Ah, that's a relief. I thought I'd make you think about something sad." Thup sighed in relief before walking over to the fridge to put away the groceries. "What do you want to eat?"
"Anything is fine. I'll go drink beer and wait."
"You should go shower and change your clothes first. You've been soaking in the pond. You might catch a cold."
"You're right. I'll be back in a bit." Singha went upstairs to shower, leaving Thup to handle things downstairs alone.
Thup finished putting the groceries away in the fridge and shelves. He then started cooking rice and preparing two simple dishes.
While he was busy with the last dish, a faint voice called from the fence outside the house, causing Thup to pause.
'Thup"
The soft voice erupted, causing Thup to turn and look. He set the ladle down and turned down the heat. One part of him knew he shouldn't respond, but another part found the voice very familiar. Thup walked out of the kitchen and followed the voice towards the door.
'Thup:"
The voice called him again, prompting Thup to reach for the curtain, ready to open it. But then a force turned him around to face someone.
"You just told me not to respond, didn't you?"
In front of Thup stood Singha, shirtless, a white towel draped around his neck, wearing only black sweatpants.
"You heard that?"
"Yeah, that's why I came down to check."
"That voice was... familiar."
"Besides me, who else knows you're here? After dinner, go shower and then sleep upstairs."
"Upstairs?"
"Or do you want to sleep downstairs and get called by something again?"
Thup shook his head rapidly.
"That's what I thought." Singha flicked Thup's forehead with his finger, not holding back. "Go check your food. Don't burn my house down." Thup realised just how close his face was to Singha's, close enough to see his sharp eyes clearly. He quickly ran back to the stove.
His face flushed, unsure if it was from the heat of the pot or from seeing his big brother up close.
After finishing dinner together, Thup excused himself to shower. Once done, he carried his pillow and blanket upstairs again.
"P'Singh?" The door to the left slowly opened, and Thup would have run away if he hadn't seen Singha's bare back heading towards the bed. Thup walked inside nervously and stood by the door, unmoving.
"Are you going to stand there all night? Turn off the light."
"Uh.. where should I sleep?"Thup asked before reaching out to turn off the light.
"In the bathroom, maybe. You ask strange questions. Come to bed."
"-I'd better sleep on the floor."
"I don't have a floor mattress."
"It's okay. I can sleep without one."
"Suit yourself. Sleep wherever you want." Singha brushed off the question and turned on the bedside lamp before picking up a case file from the nightstand. He put on his black-rimmed glasses, making Thup unable to take his eyes off him. If he could, he would sit and watch his big brother all day.
"P'Singh."
"Don't bother me." Thup immediately pressed his lips together.
He then walked over and sat cross-legged on the floor next to the bed, resting his arms on the bed and his chin on his hands. His beautiful eyes never left his brother. Without Singha, who knows what would have happened to him? He might have been driven mad by ghosts or framed as a scapegoat, like in past cases.
"Why are you sitting there staring at me? Go to sleep."
"P'Singh"
"What now? You're such a handful."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For helping me."
"What did I help you with? I haven't done anything yet."
"You've helped me a lot. Just listening to me talk is already helping. Thank you."
Singha looked at the boy's face reflecting in the soft light. Thup's heterochromatic eyes stood out even more clearly now. Singha could sense his bright and sincere smile. It was rare to see the boy so relaxed, not scared or anxious.
"Come up and sleep on the bed."
"What?!"
"Come on, don't make me repeat myself."
"But.." Thup quickly shut his mouth when he saw his big brother frowning. He grabbed his bedding from the floor and walked to the other side of the bed, then lay down as close to the edge as possible.
"Sleep. Stop talking. I've got work to do."
"Okay," Thup said softly before looking at his big brother's face and the tiger tattoo on his right arm. Tonight, he wouldn't have to sleep in fear. "Goodnight, P'Singh."
"Yeah."