Chapter 86 Determination

As Asnee's condition improved significantly, Dr. Makok agreed to transfer Asnee to a rehabilitation center in the east wing of the hospital. Asnee has been in rehab for six weeks. For the past two weeks, Santichai stayed with him at night, but during the day, Santichai went to class. Phawta and Asnee spent as much time together as Santichai and Asnee, if not more. If Asnee counts correctly, Phawta spends a lot of time with him, from morning exercises to learning how to retrain himself on how to take care of himself.

Early in the third week, Asnee sat by the bed trying to get his shoes on so he could head to the gym for his morning workout routine. His walking was almost back to normal, so the nurse didn't escort him to the gym anymore. He knew that Santichai wouldn't be with him this morning, because Santichai would be in class until late in the afternoon. He was trying to put his shoes on when Phawta walked into the room.

Phawta smiled and put the food container on the table. She smiled and asked, "Pi Nee, do you want to have breakfast before leaving?"

Asnee said, "I'll go for a walk first."

Phawta walked quickly to the edge of the bed and grabbed Asnee's right shoes. "Let me help you," she said with a smile. She slowly inserted Asnee's right foot into his shoe and laced it. She helps Asnee get up.

Then there was a light knock on the door, and Doctor Makok entered the room. He smiled at Asnee and said, "Khun Siriporn, I heard that you had done significantly well these past few days. The nurse told me that your walking is almost back to normal. How is your right leg."

"I feel stronger with regular physical therapy," Asnee said.

Doctor Makok smiled, "That's good." He handed Asnee three pieces of paper that were stabled together. "These are your neuropathologist reports. The tumor turned out to be benign."

Asnee smiled and asked, "Does that mean I don't have cancer?"

Doctor Makok nodded with a smile, "Well...but you have to monitor for a while to make sure that the tumor doesn't reoccur. When Doctor Chen performed the operation, everything was removed smoothly." He sighed. "I believe there is less than a five percent chance that the tumor will come back. Once you're out of the hospital, we can monitor every three months, and if all goes well, we can change to six months, then every year. If there are any issues, it will most likely happen in the first three months, so if you experience anything different, please let me know right away."

Asnee smiled, "I will."

Phawta held Asnee's hand and said, "Pi Nee, this is good news." She looked at Dr. Makok. "When will he be discharged from the hospital?"

Doctor Makok said, "If all goes well, khun Siriporn can go home next week Monday."

Phawta held onto Asnee's arm and said, "Pi Nee, it's only three days away."

Doctor Makok said, "I want to apologize to you, I was on vacation when I got that report and didn't have a chance to tell you. If you have no more questions, I will go see my next patient."

Asnee said, "I don't have any questions."

Doctor Makok left the room.

Asnee quickly picked up his phone and texted Santichai to let him know the good news.

Phawta asked, "Did you just text Santichai?"

Asnee said, "Yes." He looked at Phawta and stood up slowly. He grabbed Phawta's hand. "Phawta, thank you for visiting me and helping me through this difficult time. I really appreciate it."

Phawta begins to help Asnee down the hallway. "I'm willing," she said. "As long as that person is you, I am willing to help you unconditionally."

Asnee said, "Phawta, you know very well that I can only be your brother. The love I can give you is sibling love."

Phawta said, "I know, but I still believe that my determination will prevail against your stubbornness. I believe that if I try hard enough, one day your eyes will turn to look at me."

"You've met Chai before," Asnee said.

Phawta said, "I have."

"If you have, you should know that Chai is my boyfriend," Asnee said.

Phawta said, "I know..." She looked down at her feet. "Pi Nee, I really like you, from the first date to now, my feelings for you have not changed, I really hope I can give everything for you, if in the end you still don't choose me over Chai, At least I know I've tried my best."

"Phawta, the time you lose will be wasted time that cannot be returned to you," Asnee said.

"I know...but I'm willing to give up those times instead of wondering why you didn't choose me was it because I haven't done enough," Phawta said. She started heading to the gym with Asnee. "No matter what you say now, or our unforeseen future's outcome would be... I will not give up until the very end."

Asnee said, "I don't want you to quarrel with Chai."

"I will not quarrel with Chai... I respect his determination and he respects mine," Phawta said. She paused for a moment. "Hmm... a fair fight."

Asnee shook his head. He really wanted to tell Phawta that no matter how much Phawta was willing to fight for his attention, Phawta wouldn't get it, but looking at her innocent face, Asnee didn't have the heart to tell her straightforwardly.

Not wanting to give Phawta any hope, Asnee said, "I like fair fights too. I still want you to consider being my little sister."

Phawta said, "Pi Nee, it's probably too late to think about being your sister. I told Chai that I like you, and Chai told me that if I can change your mind, he won't stop you from choosing me."

Asnee looked at Phawta, "He said that because he knew that no matter what you did, I wouldn't choose you."

Phawta smiled and said, "I know you'd say that. I only stop when I get your wedding invitation."

When the morning nurses came out of the gym, they were in the hallway towards the gym. The nurse smiled and said, "Today, I will be your nurse."

Phawta said, "I'll sit there and wait for you."

The nurse took the cane from Asnee and fastened the safety belt around Asnee's waist. She smiled at Asnee and asked, "How long would you like to walk today?"

Asnee said, "Today I want to walk on the treadmill. Do you think I can walk on the treadmill for at least twenty minutes?"

The nurse smiled and said, "As long as you work hard, anything is possible."

Asnee knew his right leg was weak, but he wanted to push his limits. He wants to be better and out of the hospital by next Monday. He wanted to go back to his home, by the sea. He wants to use his time with Santichai to do something meaningful while he still can.

He stepped onto the treadmill and the nurse held onto the safety belt around Asnee's waist, while Asnee was walking slowly on the treadmill.

The nurse said, "Khun Siriporn, you're doing a lot better than when I saw you last week."

"I want to get better so I can get out of here and go home," Asnee said.

The nurse smiled and said, "Your fighting spirit is amazing. I greatly admire your determination."

Santichai grabbed something to eat after class and drove to the hospital's parking lot. He parked his bike and walked to the rehab center. When Santichai arrived at the front door, he encountered the Siriporns.

Mr. Siriporn asked a nurse, "Can we borrow your family conference room?"

Nurse, "Yes, go ahead."

Mr. Siriporn looked at Santichai and said, "Chai, did you get the news?"

Santichai said, "What news?"

Mrs. Siriporn said, "Asnee told us he sent you a message."

Santichai said, "I turned my phone off during class. I haven't turned it on yet. What happened to Asnee?"

Mrs. Siriporn said, "Nothing happened to him."

"Chai, let's go to the family meeting room and talk," Mr. Siriporn said.

Santichai followed the Siriporns into the family meeting room. There is a small table in the family meeting room with two loveseats. Santichai sat on one while the Siriporns sat on the other.

Mr. Siriporn said, "Asnee texted you that the pathologist report showed that the tumor was benign. He will be discharged on Monday with a full recovery and continued monitoring."

Mrs. Siriporn said, "That means your time with Asnee is over." She paused, looking at Santichai who dared not look at her. "So, when are you going to leave?"

Mr. Siriporn asked, "You're not going to break your word, are you?"

Santichai shook his head and said, "I won't, but could I stay with him for a few days." He looked at Mr. and Mrs. Siriporn. "Since I won't be contacting Asnee anymore, I have a favor to ask khun Siriporn and khu nai Siriporn."