Chapter 38 Stay For Dinner

For a whole week, KK could not get a hold of Santichai. He went to Santichai's house but did not open the door with the extra key. He didn't want to invade Santichai's privacy. He sat in the car for a while before deciding to leave, but as he was leaving, he saw Santichai walking towards his apartment building with a woman and a little girl. He stopped quickly and stared into his rearview mirror. He reversed quickly and got out of the car. He called Santichai's number, but it said his number was currently unavailable.

KK got out of the car slowly and walked up the stairs to Santichai's apartment. He stood outside Santichai's apartment for a long time. He heard laughter. He took out the spare key given to him by Santichai, and was about to insert it into the keyhole, but he decided to knock on the door anyway.

After three knocks, Chirawan opened the door. Chirawan greeted with a smile, "Hello, is there anything I can help you with?"

"I'm looking for Santichai," KK said.

Chirawan smiled and said, "Oh, he took a shower in the bathroom, come inside, and sit down."

Kulap walked over and held Chirawan's hand, "Mom, who is he?"

Chirawan said, "Don't make trouble here. Go sit over there. Be a good girl, okay." She turned to KK with a smile. "Sorry... sit down." She walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to KK. "Would you like to stay for dinner?"

KK still holds back his anger as he sees Chirawan wandering around Santichai's apartment as her own. "It's okay, I still have to work," he said.

Then the bathroom door opened, and Santichai walked out of the bathroom. Santichai asked, "Wan, who is it?" KK put the water bottle on the table, stood up and faced Santichai. Santichai bit his lower lip. "KK, why are you here?"

"I was just checking why you missed your physiotherapy class," KK said.

"I...I went to visit Mr. Kasem for his birthday," Santichai said.

KK said, "What happened to your phone?"

"I broke it," Santichai said. He looked at Chirawan, then at KK. "Do you want to stay for dinner?"

KK said, "No."

Chirawan walked over and said, "I cook a lot of food."

KK said, "Thank you, but I have to go back to work."

"Well, that's too bad, maybe next time," Chirawan said, looking at Santichai. "Chai, I'll give you money for a spare key."

Santichai nodded and Chirawan went back to the kitchen.

KK took out the spare key from his coat pocket, grabbed Santichai's right hand, and put the spare key in Santichai's hand. "Don't pay for a new one," he said. "Enjoy your dinner, bye bye."

Santichai murmured, "KK...I..."

KK said, "You don't have to say anything." He walked out of the apartment.

Santichai quickly chased after KK. Just when KK was about to get into the car, he caught up with KK. Santichai quickly grabbed the door handle.

KK asked madly, "What are you doing?"

Santichai said, "Stay for dinner."

KK asked, "Why?"

Santichai said, "KK, I could tell when you are mad."

KK sighed and closed the driver's door, "I'm not angry, I told you, I understand."

"Stay for dinner," Santichai said, putting the spare key in KK's hand. "This key is for you."

KK put the key inside his pants pocket and reached for the handle on the door. Santichai quickly wrapped his arms around KK's waist and hugged KK tightly.

Santichai said, "KK, please stay for dinner."

KK turned around and said, "My parents want to apologize for mistaking you for my housekeeper."

Santichai loosened his grip on KK's waist. He said, "I forgot." He hugged KK tightly and buried his face in KK's chest. "Stay for dinner, then you can leave."

KK asked, "Santichai, who is that lady you brought home?"

Santichai felt happiness in his heart. It was the first time anyone was really jealous of him. He looked up at KK's dark, unhappy face. He asked softly, "Are you jealous?"

KK didn't deny, he said, "Yes. Tell me who she is."

Santichai laughed and said, "She and I were high school classmates. I met her when I went to celebrate Mr. Kasim's birthday. Her husband died and she was looking for a job. Now, I'm going back to school and unable to work, I asked Pi Fon if she could take over my position, so she can support her daughter to go to school."

KK asked, "Why is she living in your apartment?"

Santichai couldn't help laughing when he saw KK's questioning his good intention. "She has no family here and no place to live," he said.

KK said, "Your apartment only has one bedroom, where are you going to put the mom and her daughter?"

Santichai said, "In my room..."

KK, "And you, where are you going to sleep?"

Santichai said, "On the sofa."

KK said, "Your back is not healed yet. Pick up your clothes and go home with me."

Santichai was thrilled to hear the word "home" from someone else's mouth. Since childhood, he has always wanted someone to hold his hand and go home. He said, "Okay...I'll listen to you. Since I listen to you, please don't be mad anymore."

KK pulled Santichai out of his arms. He looked at Santichai and asked, "Santichai Kittibun, why don't you answer my call, or call me back?"

Santichai said, "You're not angry because I brought Chirawan and her daughter home. You're angry because I didn't call you, right?" KK didn't answer, just stared at Santichai. "I really broke my phone and I bought myself a new phone."

KK said, "Even if you bought yourself a new phone, you must have recognized my number by now. Last time, you called me."

Santichai said, "Alright, I admit that I was wrong, I just want to be alone and clear my mind."

KK, "Even so, at least let me know where you went."

"Sorry, I was wrong," Santichai said. "From now on, I'll tell you where I'm going before I go. I'll also call you to keep you updated on my situation."

KK pushed Santichai aside and opened the driver's door. Santichai quickly held onto the door to prevent KK from entering the car. KK turned around and asked, "What are you doing?"

Santichai said, "Are you leaving? I explained so much to you, but you still have to leave."

KK sighed and said, "I was going to get my phone and go eat dinner with you." KK looked at Santichai and smiled, because he had never seen Santichai's childish side. "Why are you suddenly so childish?"

Santichai said, "I... don't want you to leave with doubts. Also, I don't like people misunderstanding me."

KK reached for his phone. He closed the door behind him. He said, "Let's go eat dinner."

Eating around a small table and enjoying the food cooked by Chirawan. Chirawan looked at KK and said, "Sorry if I made you misunderstand Chai."

KK said, "Please don't."

Chirawan smiled and said, "Mr. Suwannarat, you may not know it, but Chai is the type of person who doesn't turn away the needs of others, so many people take advantage of his kindness. When he heard about my husband's passing and how I struggled to raise my child, he offered his home and new job to me."

KK said, "Are you going to work at HappyCare?"

Chirawan, "Yes."

Santichai said, "Wan, he's a doctor at HappyCare Clinic."

Chirawan was taken aback, "Really..."

"If you work with Mrs. Pricha, you will like her," KK said. "She is very friendly with her staff. Plus, if you like HappyCare Clinic, it's close to a school, which is convenient for you and your daughter"

Chirawan said, "I'll try to register her."

"You and Kulap can sleep in my room," Santichai said.

Chirawan said, "No, we can sleep in the living room. We can sleep anywhere as long as there is a place to sleep."

Santichai said, "I'll take the clothes out of the closet after dinner, and you can put your clothes and Kulap's clothes in."

Chirawan said, "You don't have to do that...you've done enough."

KK took the key out of his pocket and pushed it to Chirawan. "Here's your spare key," he said.

Chirawan smiled and picked up the key. "Thank you."

Santichai said, "I'll show you around tomorrow. There's not much to see in this town, and it's easy to find your way around."

After dinner, Santichai took KK into his car. "I'll be here for a few days to make sure Chirawan and Kulap are okay," Santichai said. "Don't be mad at me. I didn't think clearly, before I suddenly agreed to go home with you."

"You can take as much time as you want, but remember to make an appointment for physical therapy, your classes will start next Monday. I want you to be home by Monday afternoon next week," KK said.

"Okay, I promise," Santichai said.

KK sat in the car and rolled down the window. "Santichai, you forgot one thing," he said.

Santichai walked to the window and asked, "What did I forget?"

KK said, "You forgot to give me a good night kiss."

Santichai turned his head and looked to the right, then left. He stuck his head through the open window and kissed KK's lips. He said softly, "Good night."

KK stroked Santichai's right cheek and continued to kiss Santichai. After kissing for three minutes, KK said, "Don't forget to call me."

Santichai, "Hmm."

Santichai watched helplessly as KK drove away and KK turned his car onto the main road. He stood there until he could no longer see KK's car taillights. He turned and walked towards his apartment. When he saw a man standing in front of the stairwell blocking his way.

Santichai said, "I'm sorry, sir." The man slowly approached Santichai. Santichai froze when the man entered the light. "Asnee..."