Chapter 88 Happiest Moment

After dinner that night, Phawta left the hospital and Santichai waited for Asnee to go to the bathroom to take a shower. Fifteen minutes later, Asnee came back and stared at Santichai for a while before saying, "You didn't answer the phone, and you didn't come back last night."

"I forgot my charger, Wan's daughter is sick and Wan has to go to work, so I have to take care of Kulap," Santichai said.

Asnee said, "Okay...I'm not going to be mad at you for this anymore because I'm so happy today. I'm asking Doctor Makok to be discharged tomorrow."

Santichai asked, "Why so soon?"

"My parents want me to leave the hospital tomorrow and have a family welcome dinner," Asnee said, leaning on his cane as he walked slowly to Santichai. He smiled at Santichai. "My parents invited you too." He smiled and hugged Santichai. "Chai, this is our first family dinner with my parents as partners. I'm very happy." He pulled Santichai into his arms. "I've been dreaming about this day since we started dating. Dreaming of a day when my parents would accept our relationship." He kissed Santichai's forehead.

Santichai wrapped his arms around Asnee's waist. He murmured in his heart: Asnee, you won't forget me with time, right? Because for me, the more time passes, the deeper your name is engraved in my heart.

Asnee asked, "Why are you crying?"

Santichai smiled and said, "I'm just so happy." He clenched Asnee's waist. "Asnee... can I sleep with you in bed tonight?"

Asnee said, "I'm waiting for you to ask me this."

The next day, after Asnee was discharged, they drove back to Bangkok. When Santichai pulled Asnee's car into the Siriporn's driveway, it was almost 6pm. He pulled Asnee's car in, and the gate slide to close behind them.

Santichai has not come to this home yet. At that time, the Siriporn lived in a different district in a smaller house. The house is smaller and not as good as the current house. Since the Siriporn's business thrived, so did their lives.

Santichai, Asnee, Mr. Siriporn and Mrs. Siriporn were sitting in the living room when the maid came to tell them that dinner was ready.

Mrs. Siriporn stood up and said, "Chai, come and help me."

Santichai said, "I'm going to help auntie."

Asnee chuckled and whispered, "It's very hard to get along with my mom at first, but if you don't let her win, she'll give in eventually. So, hold on."

Santichai smiled and followed Mrs. Siriporn into the kitchen. Away from Asnee's sight, Mrs. Siriporn grabbed Santichai's hand tightly and asked, "When are you going to leave?"

Santichai said sadly, "Khun nai... can you bear it for a few more hours?"

Mrs. Siriporn gritted her teeth, "How long?"

Santichai said, "After dinner."

Mrs. Siriporn pushed Santichai's hand away. She sighed heavily, "If you don't leave after dinner, I'll drag you out."

"I will leave, but before I part with him, I will leave Asnee a good memory," Santichai said, looking at Mrs. Siriporn. "Is that too much to ask for?"

Mrs. Siriporn did not answer but rolled her eyes at Santichai.

Santichai sat at the dining table and ate happily. Asnee looked at Santichai and said, "Chai, why don't you eat more."

Santichai put down the silverware and said, "I'm full."

Asnee fetched a spoonful of food and fed it to Santichai, "Eat more."

Santichai opened his mouth and slowly chewed his food. While the food on the table looked delicious, Santichai tasted no flavor at all.

Mrs. Siriporn said, "Asnee, why don't the two of you sleep over?"

"It's a good idea because you haven't been home for a while," Mr. Siriporn said.

Asnee said, "Pa...ma... maybe next time. I've booked a hotel for Chai and me. We'll leave after dinner."

Asnee knew that although his parents welcomed Santichai, they would not let Santichai sleep in the same room as him, so he would rather go back to the hotel to accompany Santichai. So, just after dinner, Asnee and Santichai went back to the hotel.

After they showered, Santichai gave Asnee medicine. They lay side by side in bed, and Santichai said, "Asnee...Tip and Yang have gone to Japan."

Asnee pulled Santichai into his arms and hugged Santichai. He kissed Santichai's forehead and said, "I know...I'm pretty sure khun Chongchit will send me an apology letter soon." He smiled, then yawned. "If khun Chongchit knew I was the one who did the paperwork for them and helped them find the house, he might kill me."

Santichai chuckled, "Their happy ending is worth the tears they have shed over the years. I'm very happy with them. Don't know if our ending will be as happy as theirs."

"I knew it was going to be a very happy ending for us," Asnee said. "After we had dinner with our parents, we would go home. I have some savings to my name. I was thinking maybe opening a shop." He sighed. "What kind of store do you want to open?"

Santichai said, "I don't know."

Asnee said, "How about a roadside shop in front of our house. What do you think?"

Santichai chuckled, "What are you planning to sell?"

Asnee yawned and said, "A small noodle and food shop. You're the cook, I'll prepare the food for you, and I'll be the server. I already have a name."

Santichai asked, "What are you going to call it?"

Asnee said, "Chainee."

Santichai said, "Chainee. Do you know what it sounds like?"

Asnee yawns "I know. It sounds familiar to paying debts." He kissed Santichai's forehead again. "I'm going to pay your debt to you. Plus, if our customer asked me why the name sounds like paying off debt, I'll tell them a good love story." He smiled, then yawn. "What do you think our ending would be like?"

Santichai's heartache. He said hurtfully, "Our ending may not be as happy as Tip and Yang's ending, but at least we know in our hearts that our love is no less than theirs, do you agree?" He didn't hear Asnee's response. "Asnee..." Asnee didn't respond.

Santichai stood up and stroked Asnee's left cheek. He kissed Asnee's lips lightly and said with tears in his eyes, "Asnee, I really hope that the pain we have been through until now is just a long dream. When tomorrow comes, we will lie side by side. Wake up in our little cheap apartment. My happiest little place. That place where I work hard to get us going from one day to the next and you are fighting to seek a better future for us." He slowly got up and put the note he prepared the night before on the table. He glanced at Asnee again and kissed Asnee's forehead. "Wherever you go, whoever you choose to love, may happiness be with you always."

Santichai picked up the backpack and opened the door. Standing outside the door are Mr. and Mrs. Siriporn. He said, "Asnee is sleeping inside."

Mr. Siriporn said, "Remember our agreement, from today onwards, you should never contact Asnee."

Santichai took his sim card from his phone and handed the sim card to Mr. Siriporn. "I have fulfilled my agreement, and I hope khun and khun Siriporn will fulfill your end of the agreement when the time comes." He wiped his tears and slowly walked away from the Siriporns.