Part 13
When the sun rised, Sayla found herself still cradled in Thanatorn's embrace against his naked body. She lifted her head to greet him, but soon realized that he was still sound asleep. Sayla sat up slightly and supported herself with one of her hands. She looked down at her own naked body, and finally saw those gadgets clearly with its wires sticking out of her chest. The site of it made her cringe and yelped out loudly, enough to wake Thanatorn.
He jolted up in bed, but immediately reached over to Sayla to make sure she was okay. Thanatorn wrapped his arms around her and could feel her shudder.
Thanatorn - Baby? What's wrong?
Instead of answering him, Sayla moved a hand over her chest to feel the gadget thats been helping her heart pump blood. As she touched the device, it made a soft beep as if she were a robot, or an experientment that scientists used to test out their devices. Suddenly, she felt a wave of nausea wash over and she felt like a freak. Not the usual woman that she used to be. It has finally sinked in as to what's really happening to her.
Thanatorn - Baby?? Are you okay?
Sayla - Look at me...I..I... I'm hideous.
Thanatorn - Saylanee... baby.... no you're not. You're my wife and you're beautiful.
Sayla - But look at this thing.. it's.. it's hanging out of me!!
Thanatorn began to kiss her neck, trying to calm her down and show that she wasn't hideous at all. He then kissed her chest, the area around her wound, and then back up to her lips. He touched her hair and stoked it back, and looked into her eyes.
Thanatorn - Listen to me baby...
He stroked her hair and then gently brought her forward to lay on his naked chest again.
Thanatorn - You are the most beautiful woman i've ever seen...and you are the most beautiful person I've ever known, and I don't care what happens, I love you no matter what. And you can grow old, fat, skinny.. whatever, I still love you NO MATTER WHAT.
Sayla - But you're forgetting something though..
There was a short pause while Thanatorn waited for her to continue. He had an idea what she was going to say next, but was hoping hard that she wouldn't say it.
Sayla - You'll love me if I'm fat, skinny, or old, but...... will you still love me when I'm dead? I mean.. that is what the doctor said.. I could die, if.. if..
Thanatorn - Baby... You're not going anywhere... as long as you're my wife, you will live a long and healthy life. I will make sure of it.
Sayla - But... what if I'm gone before you get back from war? What if I don't get to see you again? And what if you...
Sayla closed her eyes tightly as the tear fell down her face..
Sayla - What if you leave me?
Thanatorn - Baby.. I thought you understood me.. ?
Sayla - I do.. I'm not mad at your decision, I'm just.. I just realized that.. we both might be leaving our daughter behind.
Thanatorn - Baby... Listen to me carefully okay? Everything will be okay... you will get better and I will return... I promise you that.
Sayla - Darling.... You're doing a very brave thing.. and I understand everything, but.. I'm just... just afraid of losing you and also afraid of leaving you. And our daughter... she's so young... so innocent.
Thanatorn - Baby... everything will be okay. I swear to you.
Sayla - You promise?
Sayla's voice was shakey and weak, but she managed to stop the tears.
Thanatorn - I promise. I will come back to you, no matter what. And you will be healed as well.
Thanatorn pulled her closer and held her tightly as she laid against him. He then whispered into her ears, and stated his promise to her once again. Eventhough things seemed a bit grimmed, Sayla believed him. She was now reassured about all of her doubts. She relaxed against him, and allowed herself to drift back to sleep again, as the morning sun slowly lit up the earth.
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After breakfast, Nani once again fell asleep. It was a quiet morning as the three adults ate their breakfast. Arrisa didn't say a word to her brother, but only greeted Sayla and spoke when Sayla spoke to her. After their little talk out in the parking lot, though things were resolve between the siblings, Arrisa couldn't look her brother in the eye. She was too afraid that it might be the last time that she''l ever to get to look.
Thanatorn glanced over to his sister many times and opened his mouth to say something, but no words came out. He felt awful with the way that he's been losing his temper with her. But that was because he was frustrated about the entire situation, but now that Sayla is finally out of the hospital, he felt himself at a bit of an ease, despite knowing that he will have to go soon. Sayla tried to get the siblings to talk by cracking jokes and talk about random things, but they just wouldn't budge.
While washing dishes, Arrisa tried her best to avoid her brother as he came into the kitchen to prepare Nani's bottle. Thanatorn cleared his throat to get her attention, but she kept washing dishes, trying hard to do it as fast as she could, so that she could go hide in her room until he leaves. And then finally, Thanatorn gave in. He couldn't bare it anymore. He couldn't let his baby sister be angry with him before he left.
Thanatorn - Arrisa.....
Arrisa kept washing dishes even faster while he called out to her.
Thanatorn - Arrisa..... please understand..
There was a pause, but Arrisa nevertheless answered her brother.
Arrisa - It's okay, P'Torn. You don't have to explain anymore.. I'm a big girl.
Thanatorn - I know you are..... you're also a very compassion and responsible girl. I'm very honored to have been born your brother, because I don't think no other sister would do the things you do. But... you know... I can't help, but feel like you're mad at me, Arrisa, Please don't be mad.. This is just a part of being human.. and I'm only that. I made a mistake, but I don't think it's a big mistake. So.. I need you to forgive me.
Arrisa - I haven't foresaken you, P'Torn... I'm just hurt.
Arrisa shut off the faucet and stood there with her back towards him.
Thanatorn - I know.. and I'm sorry.
Arrisa then turned around to look right into her brother's eyes.
Arrisa - You should have told me, before hand... P'Torn.. do you realized how much I love you? You've been like a father to me..... and I've already lost a father, and..... I..I... I just can't bear to lose another again.
Thanatorn bit his jaws and looked down at the floor, trying hard not to let her see the tear that formed inhis eyes. Her words meant a lot to him. After all, they were what's left of their once happy family with a Mother and Father.
Thanatorn - Arrisa.. you mean the world to me.. and it would just kill me knowing that I hurt my little sister... What can I do to make it up to you?
Arrisa paused ad bit her lip as she croosed her arms and looked the other way. And she turned back to him.
Arrisa - There is something you could do..
Thanatorn - Yes?? Anything... !!
Arrisa - Promise me on our love... and our family.. that you'll come back alive? I..I.. can't lose a another one of my family again. I just can't.
Thanatorn - Nong Arrisa...
Thanatorn walked over to Arrisa and took a hold of both shoulders.
Thanatorn - I promise with all my spirit and soul that I will come home. I will NEVER leave you okay?
Arrisa gave a slight smile as her brother wiped the last dropped of tears away. That's when Sayla appeared from the doorway smiling, happy that the two finally understood eachother.
A breeze then blew into the window, making the curtain sway back and fourth, causing all three adults to lift their heads and look towards the window to feel the coolness of the morning.
Their smile soon faded when they spotted a black bullet proof tinted SUV with the military's logo on it pull up in front of their house. Arrisa grab her brother and gripped tightly as Sayla's face washed over with sadness. They knew who they were and why they're here.
I'll get the door, Sayla uttered weakly as she walked past a shaken and speechless Arrisa who was still holding tightly onto her brother.
Part 14 coming up.
