Chapter 24
"If they do not return within three days, then they will be stuck in time forever."
The monk's words replayed over and over in Pakorn's mind. Finally, he reached a dead end; he had to accept reality that his friends were not returning home...forever. They were gone.
"Don't think too much," said Officer Nattaporn, placing one hand on Pakorn's shoulder. "I'm sure they will all return."
"You don't know the feeling of losing friends and losing the hope that you've held onto for so long that they will return safely," Pakorn cried, trying to hold back his tears.
"I do know that feeling," she said.
She gulped and stared into his eyes uneasily, shifting her feet around, and finally sitting down next to him.
"Your problems are my problems too now," Nattaporn told him. "You might not know and might not be able to tell, but spending the last several months with you made me realize that you are a great friend. Your love for your friends strike my heart, so that's why I want to do all I can to help you. Even though I can't do much, you will always have my motivational support."
Pakorn threw his arms around her. He had totally lost himself. His tears dampened her white t-shirt.
"Thank you so much...Officer," he said. "If I didn't have you, I'd probably be crazy by now."
"I'd like to ask you something," said Nattaporn.
She hesitated and bit her lip as Pakorn straightened his posture and wiped his tears.
"How are you so certain that they will never return?" she asked him.
Pakorn looked up at her and looked up into the stars.
"I just have that feeling," he replied. "I have never been this sure my entire life."
"Aie Korn!"
Pakorn and Nattaporn looked back and up to see Phupoom and Jarinporn, who both seemed sleep deprived and extremely tired.
"What're you two doing here?" Pakorn asked them, standing up to face them.
"We found out what had happened through Ajarn Krerk and immediately rushed here," Phupoom explained.
"P'Korn, tell right now, P'Prin, P'Dech, and P'Nat are all coming back, right?" Jarinporn asked.
Pakorn noticed the tears in her eyes and the nervous expression on Phupoom's face. He didn't know how to answer.
"Well, go on," Phupoom urged him. "Go on and tell us everything you know."
"Officer Nattaporn, you must know," said Jarinporn. "You can tell us."
Pakorn knew that Jarinporn was on the verge of breaking down.
"Rin," said Pakorn, finally. "I don't want to answer your question because I'd be lying to you if I did."
"I don't understand," said Jarinporn.
"Can you have more clarity in your answer, please?" Phupoom asked.
"They're not coming back," said Nattaporn, finally.
She stood up and leveled herself with them.
"They're not coming back," she repeated.
"Mai jing," said Jarinporn. "I don't believe it...
"Rin, listen to me," said Pakorn. "There is nothing we can do but wait."
"I've been waiting for months already!" cried Jarinporn.
Nattaporn grabbed her hand and tried to calm her down. Jarinporn finally broke into tears. She threw her arms around Nattaporn and cried, as Pakorn and Phupoom helplessly stood there and watched. They all stood there under the stars consoling each other and accepted the fate of reality.
"Stay here, and during the the time that I am not back, do not leave this room."
Natwara watched Prince Nattawut leave their bedroom. She was about to lose her mind. Not only that she didn't know what he meant, more than anything, she wanted to go out and see what the hell was going on. She paced up and down the room and waited until she could wait no more.
"P'Prin!" she gasped at the sight of Prin scurrying across the courtyard into Jao Sompohb's chamber. She took off in the same direction, with hopes of catching Prin before Prince Nattawut caught her.
"Your Majesty!!!"
Prin's heart nearly dropped when he saw Jao Sompohb. Within only a span of a few months, he seemed to have aged and weakened...and ill! Prin kneeled before the King right away, his heart pounding with anger and fear. He was angry at himself for leaving the palace, leaving the King to suffer in the hands of the enemy, and was moreoever, fearful for sake of the kingdom.
"And finally, you have returned," Jao Sompohb said with a smile. "Rise."
Prin got onto his feet.
"P'Prin," said Natwara watching quietly from outside through a crack in the window. She knew better than to barge in, so she continued to watch through the tiny hole.
Prin let his tears trickle onto his face and fall onto the ground.
"I knew you would," Jao Sompohb said.
His smile remained, and that was what hurt Prin so much. It hurt to see what he had caused, and it hurt to see that the King had entrusted him.
"I'm sorry," said Prin, his voice trembling. "I'm so sorry."
"Sorry for what?" asked Jao Sompohb. "I should thank you for caring for my daughter. Now, I know that I can entrust my heart in your hands."
"Don't say that," said Prin. "It is my duty."
Prin looked around to make sure no one was around and leaned in closer to Jao Sompohb.
"I can help you win this war," he said in a low tone. "I will help you win this war."
"What is your confidence level?" asked Jao Sompohb. "I've lost all confidence in myself."
"Mai," said Prin, shaking his head. "I have Jao Mata's heart in my hand as well."
Jao Sompohb's eyes widened. He turned away for a moment and remade eye contact with Prin.
"You must know that Jao Mata is very tricky," he said. "Even I who had once wholeheartedly trusted him underestimated his capabilities."
"Trust me," said Prin. "If you trust me, I guarantee you we will win this war."
Jao Sompohb finally nodded, and they both headed for the door. Natwara shivered with fear and her heart pounded fast and loud. Knowing that Prin was the type of person who would risk his all to help someone, she had to do something to stop him.
"I am not letting you risk your life!" she shouted after him when they reached the courtyard.
"Nat!" Prin gasped aloud.
"Natwara!" Prince Nattawut shouted from afar.
He ran up to her and grabbed her arm.
"I told you not to leave the room!" he exclaimed.
"If I didn't leave, would I know what evil sins you and your father are committing?!" she barked back at him.
"It's not what you think," said Prince Nattawut. "I'm not what you think."
"Chai, I overestimated you but you are just...
"Prin!"
"Tun Phor!"
Nadech, Princess Minthida, and Princess Urassaya all ran up to Prin. Princess Minthida threw her arms around her father and hugged him tightly, crying on his shoulders and repeatedly apologizing for her actions. To Princess Urassaya's surprise, he forgave everyone. What was even more shocking was that her own brother, Prince Nattawut had been plotting against her.
"Urassaya, you must come home," said Prince Nattawut.
"Home?" she asked her brother. "I don't have a home."
"Prin, I don't want things to be even more tangled and complicated," said Jao Sompohb.
"Trust me," said Prin. "The things that I say I will do, I will do, and I will do it to the best of my ability."
Suddenly, hundreds of soldiers encircled them, followed by a roaring laughter from Jao Mata.
"Nai tee sood, all of you fall into my hands...at once!!!" he shouted, laughing and clapping his hands together. "The Kingdom of Morakot finally falls into my hands!"
Prin winked at Nadech, who winked back. They both grabbed Prince Nattawut and held a dagger to his throat.
"Release everyone or Prince Nattawut instantly dies," said Nadech.
Jao Mata gulped and looked uneasy.
"Do it now!" Prin exclaimed.
"Tun Phor, just let everything be over," Princess Urassaya said to her father.
"Silence!" he barked at her. "You are not my daughter! You ran away with these two fools and sided with the enemy! I don't have a daughter like you!"
"Prin, Nadech, release Prince Nattawut right now!" Natwara exclaimed.
Prin and Nadech looked at each other and ignored her.
"Jao Mata, tell all of your soldiers to back away!" Prin shouted.
"Release my son right now!" Jao Mata barked back.
"I will release your son once your entire army retreats!" exclaimed Nadech.
"Prin...
"Nat, leave this matter to me," said Prin.
"P'PRIN!" Natwara bellowed. "You are willing to risk your own life for this kingdom! You choose this princess over me, I didn't say anything at all. Now, you both want to risk your lives for this kingdom?! You have to realize that you can't change history!"
Prin was suddenly caught it the moment, and as Nadech continued to argue with Natwara, Prince Nattawut shoved them both away, and dragged Natwara across the other side of the courtyard, where he stood next to his father. Jao Mata broke into laughter again.
"Tun Phor, it isn't too late to stop everything," said Prince Nattawut to his father.
"You idiot!" Jao Mata struck his son across the face with full force, causing the young prince to fall to the ground.
"Khun Phee!" Princess Urassaya rushed to her brother.
"Urassaya!" Nadech exclaimed.
"Kill everyone!" Jao Mata shouted.
BAM! All of a sudden, Jao Mata collapsed to the ground, clutching his heart.
"Tun Phor!" Prince Nattawut and Princess Urassaya shouted simultaneously.
"Tun Phor," said Princess Minthida, acknowledging the gun in her father's right hand.
"That gun," said Prin.
"This was the gun that you gave me before, the gun that you gave me and told me to carry to save my life," said Jao Mata. "If I hadn't believed you then, we wouldn't have this day."