Goddess Bless You From Death

Case File 44.

"P'Singh, should I take this?"

"Take it."

"And this?"

"No, leave that here."

"What about this one?"

"Are you moving out?" Singha squinted at the kid, who was busy loading things into the car.

For three weeks, he had been bedridden in the hospital. Although there were some documents to sign, it was still considered a recovery period. Some progress had been made in the cases, thanks to public interest that compelled senior police officers to ensure they didn't slip away under public scrutiny.

He had missed the funeral of Lieutenant Kem but had paid his respects afterwards. There were many losses in this case, and he had nearly been one of them. Singha arranged to send the case files and condolences to the families of the deceased, letting each family handle the realities they faced. They needed to know what their loved ones were dealing with before they passed, not to blame or pressure, but to recognise their efforts to survive.

To understand that some were diligently working towards their future:

To know that some were striving to correct past mistakes;

To be aware that some faced insurmountable problems;

To realise that some were carefully considering adding a new life to their world;

To know that some were still thinking of their loved ones;

To understand that some were just unlucky to witness certain events.

The proceedings moved forward according to the protocol. Singha initially planned to handle the documents and affairs in Sisaket with Thup alone, until their meddlesome friends found out and decided to tag along. This trip to Sisaket now included three friends: Sei, Darin, and Mek, who volunteered to drive the rented car back.

"Are you sleepy?"

"Not really, just a bit dizzy because the driver stinks." The young inspector looked at the driver through the rearview mirror, and Mek sensed it.

"With a mouth like that, why don't you drive yourself?"

"Do you need some medicine? I brought some."

"Just keep it." Singha dismissed, looking out the window.

During his hospital stay and at home, the kid beside him had taken good care of him. They had never discussed moving out or going their separate ways, but it seemed like a conversation they needed to have soon.

They stopped at a gas station a few times to change drivers. Singha drifted in and out of sleep, much like the kid beside him, who had used his shoulder as a pillow so often that he stopped complaining about it. The kid who asked endless questions when they got into the car had now turned into someone he had to support.

After almost eight hours, they arrived at the familiar wooden house. Uncle Chai and Aunt Noi greeted them warmly and invited them in for food and drink, as it was almost PM.

"Don't be shy! Make yourselves at home!" 

"How are we going to sleep with so many people?" Chan interjected, winking at the newcomers besides Singha and Thup

"We'll manage. Little Darin can have one room, and you can stay with us while the rest can share."

"That's a bit too much, Uncle. I'm fine with sharing a room with them," Darin suggested, pointing to her friends.

"No way! A young lady shouldn't be sleeping with a bunch of guys!"

"Nah, Uncle, none of these boys fancy me anyway," Darin retorted, making Uncle Chai and Aunt laugh heartily. It had been a long time since the house was filled with so much laughter.

"By the way, there's a festival at the temple this evening. If you're free, you can go for a walk." The conversation from outside didn't interest Singha much. He was sitting against the wall, feeling the tension in his abdominal wound after the long car ride.

"P'Singh, does your wound hurt?" Thup, who had just walked in and saw his brother frowning, immediately became worried.

"A little."

"Maybe you should rest first."

"Come here," Singha beckoned, and Thup quickly complied. If this kid had a tail, it would be wagging nonstop like a happy dog meeting its owner.

"Do you need anythi- P'Singh?" Thup stiffened immediately when the older man laid his head on Thup's lap, just like what he did in the car back then. However, this time, Thup had already confessed his feelings. "If you sleep like this, your neck will hurt."

"Yeah," Singha replied briefly before closing his eyes.

"I told you we could have waited until you were fully recovered before coming here."

"I had to come to handle the case here anyway."

"..The authorities have already searched that house, haven't they?"

"Yeah, most of the skeletons recovered are being examined to identify the deceased so they can be returned to their families."

"And..." Thup suddenly stopped speaking and bit his lip.

"They haven't found her yet." Thup looked down at the man's face on his lap. Despite having his eyes closed, Singha responded and knew what he was thinking. 

"If you're referring to your mother's body. They haven't found it yet."

The room fell silent once more, with only the sound of the fan filling the space. After a long pause, Singha sighed and sat up.

"But there's one place we should check."

"Where is it?"

"Follow me." When the older man left the room, Thup quickly followed.

The car came to a stop in front of an old wooden house at the edge of the community. Behind the house was a forest enclosed by a fence. A sign in front of the house indicated it was for sale by a bank, but finding a buyer proved difficult due to the house's dilapidated condition.

"What is this place?"

"Your house." Singha got out of the car and pushed his sunglasses up onto his head.

"What?!"

"According to the records, your mother rented this house twenty-five years ago because it was near the hospital where she had her prenatal care. She worked as a bar manager not far from here but quit to sew clothes at home after getting pregnant."

Thup watched the older man cross the fence into the forest behind the house. His eyes filled with tears as he gazed at the house once more before following Singha.

"I had no idea."

"How could you know? You weren't even a year old when it happened." Singha continued walking while monitoring the boy's reactions. "On the day of the incident, your neighbours heard loud noises but thought it was just another argument and didn't pay attention. They only became concerned when they heard a baby crying nonstop."

"They found you in a wardrobe and took you to the doctor." Singha stopped and turned to look at Thup, who was following with a vacant expression. "It was a toxic relationship, Thup. Your mother had reported it to the police and moved houses to escape."

"..But he still found her."

"Do I need to tell you who he is?"

"I think I know, even though I don't want to know." 

Throughout his life, he had seen his mother try to scare him away. Not because she wanted to, but to keep him out of this case. She tried to keep him away from the man who took her life and away from him.

Singha didn't say anything more. Seeing the sadness in the boy's eyes, he didn't want to continue. How could he tell him that the insane killer was his biological father? How could he say that the man who killed his mother and tried to kill him was his father? Gently, Singha reached out to caress the boy's cheek, wiping away his tears with his thumb.

"Do you think... Mom was in a lot of pain. Did he hurt her?"

"If you want to know, ask her." Singha removed Thup's amulet necklace and adjusted his clothes. "Forensic experts believe that if she tried to escape the house and wanted to return here, she would have used this route. So, ask her and bring her home."

Singha walked away to give the mother and son privacy while still keeping Thup within his sight.

"Mother... Mom, can you hear me?"

“I can hear you."

The spirit before him appeared complete, having let go of all earthly concerns. Her messy hair was now black and shiny, her scarred face was now beautiful, and her tattered clothes were now a neatly woven traditional outfit.

"Mom. sob Where are you, Mom? Can you tell me? Sob, I want to bring you home."

'Don't cry, Thup. I'm not in pain. I'm not suffering. The only thing that saddens me is that I can no longer be there to take care of you."

"Please... Sob. Please don't go. I've just found you. Who else could I stay with?" 

Tears streamed down his face as he spoke. For the first time, he saw his mother up close. For the first time, she reached out to touch his cheek. Though Thup couldn't feel the touch, he felt the warmth.

"My boy is safe now so that I can leave without worry.'

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm so sorry that I scared and ran away from you."

'You have nothing to apologise for. You've lived well. It's okay to fall, to be afraid. Keep living your life the way you want.'

"I want you, Mom! Waaaaah!"

A loving smile was given to her son, who had grown so much since the days when he was cradled in her arms.

“I'll always be here, in your memories and in your heart." Her delicate hand pointed to his chest. Thup now knew where he got his eyes, his face, his lips, and his beautiful hands from. I love you so much, Thup.'

"I love you too, Mom. Sob. I love you!"

'I love you too, my son.'

"If there's a next life, I want to be your son again. I want to be with you." Thup kneeled and prostrated himself to his mother's spirit.

‘I hope so too. Farewell, my dear.'

A gentle breeze passed. When Thup looked up, a plumeria flower had fallen onto his hand. His mother was gone, never to return.

Singha let the boy sit there for almost an hour before Thup stood up and walked forward. He stopped under a large tree and began digging the soil with his hands, without saying a word. The man watching from behind didn't stop him either.

As the sky changed colour, Singha saw Thup stop digging and pick up something, prompting him to approach. A complete skeleton was cradled in Thup's arms. Singha took off his coat and laid it on the ground.

"Place it on this so we can take her back."

Thup gently laid the bones on the coat and wrapped them carefully. His tear-stained eyes looked up at Singha, who smiled at him.

"Let's go home. You've probably been waiting for a long time."

"If you still want to stay, you can. I won't mind." The young man threw himself into Singha's arms, resting his head on the broad shoulder as Singha put the amulet back on him.

"I'm so tired."

Singha didn't respond, just softly rubbed the boy's back.

"Very tired."

The sun slowly set as Thup and Singha walked out of the forest toward home.

"P'Singh?"

"Yes?"

"Can we stop by the temple first?"

"For what?"

"It would be good if she stayed at the temple with Luang Pu because they both raised me."

"Let's go home and clean up first. We'll do it properly tomorrow. You're filthy like a little puppy."

"Okay... You have my mom's records, right?"

"Yeah."

"Can I read them?"

"I'll give them to you when we get back."

"Thank you."

"Are you hungry?"

"No."

"You might not be, but I am. When we get home, clean up so we can go out."

"Where to?"

"You'll see."

It didn't take long before they returned home, which was now filled with the lively chatter of people. Somehow, Mek, Chan, Darin, and Uncle Chai were all sitting around a jar of liquor in the middle of the house.

"Where have you been, Singh? And why does Thup look like that?" Sei approached with a water bottle in hand.

"I'll tell you later. What's going on here?" Singha pointed to the group in the middle of the house.

"Uncle brought out his homemade liquor to show off. One thing led to another, and this is the result."

"Cheers, Uncle! Cheers!" Mek raised his glass. "This is so good. Smooth, rich, umami!"

"Umami! Umami!" Chan echoed, raising his glass for a toast as well. I told you! This stuff is good! Don't bother with those big-brand liquors; they taste like footwash!"

Laughter filled the house just as Darin noticed Singha and called out, causing everyone to turn and look.

"Singh! You're back! Come on, join us for a drink!"

"He's not even fully recovered yet, and you're already inviting him for a drink? You too, you little rascal!"

"You're so annoying, acting like my dad or something." Darin playfully slapped Sei's hand

"Go ahead. I'm going to grab something to eat at the temple fair. I'll be back soon."

"I want to go too." Darin's eyes lit up instantly.

"Not in your condition. Stay here." Singha gently ruffled Darin's hair.

"Thup, go take a shower."

"Okay."

Thup's dejected state silenced everyone until Mek broke the silence after Thup went to the bathroom.

"What did you do to him? Why does he look so hopeless?"

"I took him to his old house."

"Something about his mother?"

"Yeah."

"So, he knows about... his father now?"

"Yeah."

"Sh*t! That sobered me up."

"What are you guys talking about?" Chan, confused by the conversation among the four visitors, asked.

"Why does everything matter so much to you?" Mek made a reply.

"Are you calling me nosy?"

"Nah, who would think so?"

"Alright, I'll let it go."

Singha shook his head at the scene in front of him. He didn't intend to stop them since it wasn't work time, and after nearly losing their lives, some relaxation was deserved.

Half an hour later, Thup came to stand beside Singha. He wore a black long-sleeved T-shirt and matching knee-length shorts. His dark brown hair was slightly damp, his eyes red and swollen from crying, making him look pitiful.

"Aren't your shorts too short? And why didn't you dry your hair?"

"I used to wear shorts that were practically up to my butt, and he never commented. Look at your friend, Sei," Darin interjected before turning back to her drink.

"Get in the car. Bring some mosquito repellent," Singha urged the young man, gently pushing him out of the house. "Anyone else coming?"

"At this point, who would want to be the third wheel?"

"Thup's legs are so white—!! Why did you hit me?" Mek exclaimed, nearly dunking his head into the liquor jar. But when he looked up and saw the exasperated look in the other's eyes, the curses he was about to utter were swallowed back down.

"If no one's coming, I'll be back soon."

"Go ahead. Come back quickly; I don't want to drag these guys to their rooms alone," Sei said, waving him off. Once in the car, Singha sighed when he saw Thup's bright, inquisitive eyes. He drove off without a word.

The district temple fair was held annually. Although it wasn't as grand as the provincial fair, it had enough attractions to keep people entertained. The locals were out in droves, enjoying the lights, music, and various stalls. Singha hadn't attended such an event in years due to his work. If Thup hadn't been so down, he wouldn't have come either.

"What do you want to eat?"

"What did you say?" Thup could barely hear him over the loud music from the Ferris wheel.

"I asked what you want to eat," Singha repeated, leaning closer so Thup could feel his warm breath on his ear.

"A-Anything is fine. Whatever you want."

"Boat noodles then, easy enough."

Thup nodded and followed him closely. The growing crowd jostled them, almost causing Thup to lose sight of Singha. The young man ran quickly over and wrapped his arm around his brother's waist.

"The crowd is getting thick"

"It's a temple fair."

"I'm afraid we'll get separated."

"We're both as tall as Pret. They could probably spot us from the temple gate."

"Don't talk about ghosts in a temple." Thup pouted, gently rubbing Singha's waist.

"Didn't you say you weren't scared anymore?"

'That's because I'm with you now. If I had to be alone again, I'd still be scared."

"And why would you be alone?"

"The case is almost closed. The most I have to do is testify in court. You said you'd let me stay until my charges are cleared."

"I did, but if you behave well, I might change my mind." Singha walked over to a noodle stand, taking the spot of a departing customer, and raised an eyebrow at the stunned Thup.

After a meal, they wandered around the fair for a while. Thup, initially downcast, began to smile again, enthralled by everything he saw, from small trinkets to vendors' greetings.

"P'Singh, let's try that one." Thup turned to look at the person following him, his expression excited.

"Up to you."

The young man made his way to the shooting gallery. After inquiring about the price, Singha paid as he had at every other stall.

"Which one do you want, P'Singh?"

"Why don't you try hitting a target first?"

"I was a fairground sharpshooter as a kid," Thup said proudly.

"That one." Singha pointed to a brown puppy plush hanging above.

"I'll get that one for you!" Singha chuckled to himself before crossing his arms and watching as the young boy picked up the gun and aimed at the stuffed toys on the shelf.

The first shot missed.

The second shot missed.

The third shot missed.

The fourth shot missed.

The fifth shot missed.

Thup put the gun down and looked at Singha, his confidence deflated. He had talked a big game but failed to hit a single target.

"Wow! Those plushies are really soft," Singha teased.

"Don't make fun of me."

"Step aside, Mr Sharpshooter." Singha took his place and received more pellets from the vendor. "Which one do you want?"

Thup looked at Singha with admiration. From the first day until now, he had always looked at Singha that way, but things had changed; they were no longer strangers. He wanted to be more than that. Thup raised his beautiful hand and pointed at the prize he desired.

"This one."

Thup's long index landed on the spot he had never taken his eyes off for a second.

It landed on Singha's shoulder.