Love of Silom

Chapter 16 - The Time to Listen to Love Songs.

 

Finally, the period of torment for all of us ended when Krit regained consciousness. I had never felt such overwhelming joy in my life. For the past three weeks, it had been as if I were trapped in a never-ending nightmare, uncertain whether I would ever escape or be condemned to suffer forever. But when I saw Krit, lying in his hospital bed, offering us a weak yet genuine smile, it was as if all the pain and fear of the past weeks had been wiped away.

 

The gloomy world I had been living in brightened once again, like the good old days when we were still in love, and Krit hadn't broken up with me. Even though our relationship would undoubtedly remain a major issue for his family, nothing else mattered as much as the fact that we were both alive and could continue fighting for it together—whether we ultimately won or lost.

 

The day Krit woke up, we were all overjoyed. I jumped up and hugged Rose tightly, while his mom burst into tears— this time, tears of relief. I was so elated that I didn't even realise I had followed his family into the room until I saw his dad staring at me with a sharp, piercing gaze. My whole body went rigid. My mind blanked, unsure whether to step back or stand my ground. But then, to my surprise, Krit's dad turned away without scolding me or kicking me out of the room. Rose and I exchanged astonished glances. It was a miracle no one had expected to witness. Thanks to Krit's recovery, the war had been put on hold.

 

The doctor explained that while Krit was out of his coma, he would still need time to recover before returning to his normal life. Hearing that, I felt a wave of relief. I quietly slipped out of the room, wanting to give this moment entirely to Krit's family. I waited until his parents left the room before seizing the opportunity to sneak in. At that moment, it was just Krit and me in the room. Finally, we were alone together.

 

I sat down beside Krit's bed, looking at him but unable to find my voice. I was too overwhelmed. He looked thinner, frailer than before, but his eyes still held that same warmth— steady, reassuring, just as I remembered. Krit reached out and gently stroked my head. "I'm sorry."

 

Those were the first words he said to me after surviving death. I almost burst into tears, but managed to hold them back.

 

"No," I shook my head. "You don't have to apologise to me. I understand why you did what you did, why you broke up with me. As long as you're safe, I'm just happy."

"Mom said you came to see me every day."

 

"Yes," I smiled at him. "Your mom is so kind and lovely, just like you. As for your dad... well, he's a bit strict. Actually, very strict. But it's okay. I understand."

 

"Why are you so good?"

 

"If I'm this good, you have to cherish me even more. Don't abandon me or break up with me again, okay? Because no matter what happens, I'll never let go of you"

 

Krit smiled softly. I took his hand and pressed it against my cheek.

 

"I'm so glad you're going to recover. When I heard you'd been shot, I was in shock. I don't even know how I made it to the hospital." From the police raid and arrests that day, the criminals were now being prosecuted. It was a high-profile case that captured the nation's attention. Not only did they gather evidence to bring down influential and famous perpetrators, but they also helped many victims find justice and escape this vicious cycle.

 

Amid the public praise for the police force, Krit's bravery became a symbol of selfless sacrifice. When the gunman had emerged and aimed at him, Krit had made a split-second decision not to dodge, but to fire back, because he knew that if he moved, the young woman lying on the sofa behind him would have taken the bullets instead.

 

"Did you know that almost the entire country was praying for your safety?" I told him. "By now, your desk must be overflowing with gifts and baskets. The parents of that idol even made offerings at a shrine. If you hadn't shielded their daughter, their family might have suffered an even greater loss."

 

"Really?"

 

"Krit, you're amazing. I've been watching the news every day, and everyone keeps talking about your bravery. But if I had a choice, I'd rather you be a little less amazing. Better yet, I wish you hadn't been shot at all. Not that I wanted that girl to get hurt, but... I just don't want anyone to have to suffer like this."

 

"Maybe it's because I had a lucky charm with me that I made it through."

 

"What lucky charm?"

 

Krit pointed to the table beside his hospital bed.

 

"Wayu, open that drawer and take out my phone for me."

 

I did as he said. Inside the drawer was Krit's phone and a wallet containing various cards. I took out his phone.

 

"Take off the case," Krit instructed.

 

I removed the phone case and was stunned by what I saw inside. Most people might keep a card or a banknote behind their phone case, but Krit kept neither. It was the grass ring I had made for him during our trip to Chiang Mai together.

 

Now dried and turned brown, in my eyes, it was the most beautiful and valuable ring, perhaps because someone had treasured it so much.

 

"How long have you been keeping it like this?" I asked, my voice trembling.

 

"Since the moment I thought I had to let you go."

 

"You never stopped loving me, did you?"

 

"Never."

 

I looked up at him. Have you ever seen love in someone's eyes? The kind that makes you feel valued and cherished? It warms your heart and makes you want to love yourself and them even more.

 

I shifted closer to Krit and hugged him. Even though I had to be careful not to touch his wounds, it was still the warmest hug for both of us.

 

"You've lost weight. Have you not been eating well? Or not sleeping enough?"

 

Just as I was feeling emotional, I almost laughed out loud. He had been in a coma for three weeks and had lost a lot of weight, yet here he was, commenting on how thin I looked.

 

"I'll eat more at the next meal," I said with a smile.

 

After a while, when the nurse came in to check on Krit, I quietly stepped out and wandered to a fast-food place near the hospital for a quick meal. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed my burger. For days, I had forced myself to eat without ever tasting the food, without feeling hungry. It was only now that I truly understood why people wished others good meals and restful sleep—it reflected both physical and emotional well-being.

 

After eating, I returned to Krit's room. I gently pushed the door open, thinking he might be asleep, but I froze when I saw the broad back of Krit's dad standing by the bed.

 

"Don't worry about anything else. Focus on recovering before going back to work," Krit's dad said in a deep, serious voice, even when speaking to his son, who was still in a hospital bed.

 

"As for that... I have only one son. No matter who you are, you will always be my son."

 

I slowly closed the door behind me, then stepped back, leaning against the wall. For the first time in a long while, the world didn't seem so cruel.

 

On the day Krit was discharged from the hospital, I lingered near a large pillar by the patient drop-off area, watching him get into his family's car. I wanted to go up to him, to say goodbye properly, but I was afraid that if his dad saw me, it would ruin the moment. So I stayed where I was. This was enough. We would talk later. We had time to nurture and strengthen what we had. But as everyone knows, the timing of my life often comes in strange ways. 

 

I had blended seamlessly with the pillar, but suddenly, my phone rang loudly in my pocket. It turned out that Krit's family couldn't find his phone and had called it to track it down.

 

Everyone turned to look at me. I had forgotten I had his phone with me. With the evidence in hand, I had no choice but to step out and return it to its owner. I didn't dare make eye contact with Krit's dad, not even for a second. I walked straight over and handed the phone back to Krit, stiff as a robot. Even without looking, I could feel the intensity of his dad's gaze. But just as I turned to bow and leave, Krit's dad spoke up.

 

"Thank you... for taking care of Krit these past few weeks.”

 

I looked up instinctively and locked eyes with Krit's dad. Have you ever seen a face so stern, so devoid of a smile, every muscle tense with restraint yet still forcing out those words? Words of gratitude for what I had done for his son. My heart melted at that moment. I quickly shook my head, my voice rushing out as I bowed.

 

"It's no trouble at all. I didn't mind. I was happy to do it. And... I'm sorry if I ever overstepped or did anything wrong. I won't do it again."

 

A smile appeared on Krit's and his mom's faces. His mom smiled warmly, while Krit looked like he was holding back a laugh. I wasn't in the mood to pout at him because I was too busy feeling grateful to his dad.

 

As the car drove away, I waved goodbye to Krit, who was looking out the window. My heart was so full that it felt like it might burst. I realised that things weren't as hopeless as I had feared. There was still a small glimmer of hope to hold onto.

 

Hope, even if it's as faint as the light from a matchstick, gives us the strength to face whatever challenges lie ahead. I believe that Krit and I will do our best to build a future together.

 

I took a deep breath and looked up at the sky. It felt more beautiful than ever, a deep, vibrant blue with wisps of clouds. But in reality, it might have been the same as any other day. What had changed was the way I saw the world.

 

I took out my Bluetooth earbuds and played the playlist I had made for Krit on my phone. A gentle breeze carried a coolness under the bright sunlight. I smiled and walked away, accompanied by the love song that had just begun.