Part 21 - The conclusion
When Thanatorn stepped into his home, a warmth washed over him. It felt so good being in a familiar place and with the women that he loves so much. The feelings were so overwhelming that he couldn't help, but cry. He stood there and wandered his eyes around, trying to take in as much as possible. Sayla saw that his tears were falling down, so she quickly wiped them for him. Being away at war took a toll on him. After watching everyone die around him, he knew that it was a glimpse of hell. And now that he's finally home, heaven was here again.
Sayla - P'Torn... ? Darling..?
Sayla wiped his tears and kissed his cheeks and wrapped her arms around him one more time.
Sayla - Let's go sit down. I'll get you something to drink okay.
Sayla helped Thanatorn sit on the couch and placed baby Nani on her rocker in front of him. When he sat down, he reached over to his daughter and carressed her face. Her skin feels so soft; it doesn't feel like the rough asphalt and dirt that he had to bury his face in for months just trying to escape the bombs and gunfire. When his daughter giggled and cooed back at him, that's when he knew he was home for good.
Sayla - Darling? What would you like to drink sweetie?
Thanatorn - Uhm.. anything you've got, baby..
Sayla - Okay.. I just made fresh sweet tea. I'll give you a nice cold glass okay?
Thanatorn - Thank you.
Sayla was beyond happy that her husband's home. But she did see that he has changed a bit. The Thanatorn that she met and married was vibrant and cheerful, but the Thanatorn she sees now seems distant and sad. She knew that perhaps she just needs to give him some time to adjust.
Sayla handed him the glass of ice tea and he thanked her with a smile. He took a small sip and placed it down on the coffe table. Though he is now in a familiar warm place, somehow he felt like a stranger in his own home. Everything looked exactly the same when he left, but after being surrounded by collpased buildings and busted metals and bombs and death, he felt a little uneasy. Sayla watched him as he tried to adjust himself. She knew he felt awkward, so she quickly tried to make him feel at home.
Sayla - Darling... I'm so happy today.. Seeing you makes me feel safe and at ease.
Thanatorn - I'm.. I'm happy too. Our daughter.. she got so big.
Sayla - Yes, hehe... she's quite the eater. I think she eats more than I do!
Sayla laughed and waited for Thanatorn to laughed too, but he just did a little chuckle and then held on to his own hands.
Sayla - Uhmm.. ohh.. here, let me take off your jacket for you.
Sayla took a hold of his jacket and allowed him to lean forward so she could take them off for him.
Thanatorn - Thank you.
Sayla - P'Torn.. While you watch Nani.. I'm going to continue preparing some things in the kitchen okay?
Thanatorn - Ohh? I..I watch Nani?
Sayla - Yes..
Thanatorn - But.. but.. I..
Sayla - Silly, you don't have to do much. All you've got to do is keep an eye on her for me.
Thanatorn - But what if she cries.. and I get save her??!!!
Thanatorn's eyes began to tear up.
Thanatorn - What if I let her slip and I can't save her? What if they come and get her???!!!
Thanatorn grabbed his head nervously and ran his fingers through his hair as if he was about to lose control. It looked as if he was afraid of something reliving a nightmare that he probably went through.
Sayla was a bit startled by his reaction. She moved over to sit by him and grabbed his shoulders.
Sayla - P'Torn??!! P'Torn??!! Darling!! It's okay! You're at home now!!
Thanatorn paused and then he looked around him to make sure he was safe. When he realized that he was indeed home, he searched Sayla's face frantically.
Thanatorn - I.. I.. What's happening to me??!!!
Thanatorn buried his face into Sayla's chest and weeped.
Sayla - Darlinng... you're... safe now. You're home with me.. with Nani.. and with Arrisa.
That's when Thanatorn felt the devices on her chest. He raised from her chest and took a hold of her collar, and started to unbuttoned it.
Sayla - Darling, what are you doing?
Thanatorn didn't answer her, but instead kept on unbuttoning her blouse. When he was done unbuttoning, he pulled her shirt open to expose her chest. To his horror, she was still wearing those devices. His eyes widened in shock and then he searched her face. Sayla quickly took a hold of her shirt and buttoned herself up.
Thanatorn - What's the meaning of this?!!
Sayla - Uhh... they.. they...
Thanatorn - I already gave those bastards the money!!! Why haven't you gotten a new heart???
Sayla - I-I-I've been seeing Dr. Wimun and he says I'm okay.
Thanatorn was furious and tried to stand up, but when he tried to grab his crutches, they feel to the ground, causing Nani to startle and cry. Sayla immediately picked Nani up and tried to comfort her.
Sayla - P'Torn.. please calm down. I'll get the heart eventually, please. You're scaring our daughter.
Thanatorn - I can't believe those bastards!!!! I gave them their God damn money... I went to war.. I paid for it, and you're still wearing those damn devices!! NO!!
Sayla - Darling!! Please!! Calm down! I'm fine!
Thanatorn grabbed his crutches and stood himself up in a rage. He couldn't believe his eyes wheh he saw his wife still wearing those devices. It's like everything he did was in vain. He almost lost his life, he almost lost his family and to only find out that nothing has change. Thanatorn walked towards the door and looked around for his keys.
Sayla - Where are you going, P'Torn?
Thanatorn - I'm going to the hospital!!!
Sayla - P'Torn... but.. what about your.. your.. leg?
Thanatorn looked down at himself and just remembered that he needed his right leg to drive, but his right leg is missing.
Thanatorn - Then you'll have to drive.
Sayla - P'Torn.. darling, please. I'm okay.. I'm fine. Let's talk about this later. Please sit down.
Thanatorn looked around in frustration and then continued to search for his keys.
Sayla - Darling.. you've just come home. Please sit down.
Thanatorn - Baby.. but I paid them.. I-I risked everything.
Sayla - But I'm okay right now, darling.
Just when Thanatorn was about to open his mouth, a beeping sound came from the beeper that sits on the kitchen counter. Sayla and Thanatorn looked at eachother in shock. That beeping sound meant that it was their que to go to the hospital for a transplant.
Sayla - P'Torn!!!! The beeper!!
Thanatorn wobbled over to the beeper and grabbed it and looked at it. The green light flashed on and off; that meant one thing, it was time to go to the hospital. Sayla ran into the nursery and grabbed Nani's diaper bag. And then to the kitchen to grab her milk supplies and baby foods. Thanatorn couldn't believe his ears. He made it just in time for her surgery.
Sayla - P'Torn, gimme a minute, let me call Arrisa to meet us at the hospital.
Sayla dialed Arrisa's number. She allowed it to ring for several rings, but it went to voicemail. Sayla left a message.
Arrisa.. the hospital beeped me. I've got a donor!! Your brother, Nani, and I are heading to the hospital. Please meet us there. Or call P'Torn's cell phone when you get this message, I'll probably be in surgery! K, love you. Bye.
When Sayla was done grabbing things, they headed to the car and Sayla drove them off to the hospital. Both their hearts were beating a mile a minute. This must be a dream come true, everything was coming into place. Thanatorn's back from war and Sayla's getting her new heart.
When they got to the Operation floor, a nurse greeted them right away.
Nurse - Mrs. Saylanee Thamadeth?
Sayla - Yes, that's me.
Nurse - Ma'dam come with me. We've go to prep you for surgery.
Thanatorn sat in the waiting room and craddled a sleeping Nani in arms and waited for the nurse to wheel Sayla out in the gurney on the way to surgery.
The nurse and crew members appeared from the prep room with Sayla on the gurney pushing her towards the operation room. Immediately Thanatorn stood up and hopped over to Sayla while still cradling his baby.
Thanatorn - I love you, baby.. I'll be right here waiting for you.
Sayla - I love you darling..
And then Thanatorn kissed her cheek and they wheeled her into the operation room. Thanatorn stepped back into the waiting room and sat down still holding on to Nani. He hugged her and then placed her in the stroller. He didn't realized how tired he was, so he rested his head on the seat and sighed. And after thinking about Sayla and the transplant, Thanatorn fell asleep. He was drifted in dreamland, wandering around white areas when some one shook his shoulders to wake him.
Arrisa - P'Torn.. P'Torn...
Thanatorn opened his eyes.
Thanatorn - Arrisa?
Arrisa - Yes.. P'Torn, it's me.
Thanatorn stood up and hugged his sister.
Arrisa - So happy you're home... P'Say is okay now. You don't have to worry anymore.
Thanatorn - Arrisa, thank you for watching over Sayla and Nani.
Arrisa - It was my pleasure P'Torn...
Thanatorn - I won't ever leave you guys anymore.
Arrisa - I know you won't.. you're the best father.. husband.. and brother... I love you. I've got to go now okay?
Thanatorn - Arrisa, where are you going?
Then suddenly, Thanatorn felt someone tap him on the shoulders. It was a nurse. He opened his eyes and looked around. He was still in the waiting room at the hospital. Weird. He thought Arrisa just woke him, but it was just a dream. Thanatorn looked at the nurse who was holding a laughing Nani. The nurse handed Nani back to him.
Nurse - She's a cutie.
Thanatorn - Thank you.
Nurse - Sir, the operation is a success. Your wife is in recovery right now.
Thanatorn - Thank you, when can I see her?
Nurse - Dr. Wimun is on his way to see you right now. Please have a seat sir.
Thanatirn nodded and thanked the nurse again.
And then a minute later, Dr. Wimun appeared and extended his hand and shook Thanatorn's hand.
Dr. Wimun - Mr. Thamadeth, would you please join me in my office?
Thanatorn placed Nani in the stroller and Dr. Wimun took the handle and helped Thanatorn push the stroller to his office.
Dr. Wimun - Please sit down.
Thanatorn - Thank you.
Dr. Wimun - First off, Mrs. Thamadeth's surgery is a success. The healthy heart has been implanted. It will take about 6-9 months to fully recover. Afterwards, she will lead a normal and healthy life.
Thanatorn - I thought I'd never say this, but thank you again doctor.
Dr. Wimun - You're welcome... Now, Mr. Thamadeth, I'd like to discuss something with you. Actually this is the very first time I will be discussing something that we normally keep confidential, however.. it is the donor's last request. And as a hospital of good faith, we have an obligation to carry the request on behave of the donor.
Thanatorn - That's great, because I'd like to have the name of the donor so I could thank the donor's family for extendeding my wife's life.
Dr. Wimun sighed. And then he reached into the files and pulled out some letters from the donor and placed it in front of Thanatorn. There were two letters, one to the administrator of the hospital and one to Thanatorn himself. By now Thanatorn was confused. He searched the doctor's face.
Dr. Wimun - There was a fatal accident near the mall. The donor had a head-on collision with someone who was driving on the wrong side of the road. A few minutes after arrival, she died.
Thanatorn searched the doctor's face again and then reluctantly looked down at the letter and started to read it.
VERY IMPORTED : OPEN AT TIME OF DEATH
To my dearest P'Torn,
It was an honor to have been born your sister. To know compassion and heart is to know you. You have been my backbone and my life. You have been my protector and my light. You are everything that I would have wanted if I were ever to marry someone. You are everything strong and wonderful, P'Torn. I love you forver. If you are reading this letter, then my life has been completed. I've always questioned my purpose in this world and I think this was one of them...
I am okay... Promise me that you will be happy and live on.
Please accept my last gift to you and P'Say and Nani. I love you guys with every ounce of my soul. My heart goes on...
Always your baby sister,
Arrisa
Dear Sirs,
In the event of my death. As my last request, please allow my heart to be donated to my sister-in-law, Saylanee Thamadeth. Your hospital holds my medical records. I am the perfect donor for P'Say. When the operation is a succes, please pass on my letters to my brother. If for some reason, Saylanee already has a new heart at the time of my death, please donate my heart to someone who needs it.
I am confident that you will do the right thing and carry out my requests.
Thank you,
Arrisa Thamadeth
By the time he was done reading, his face was soaked with tears and the letters were stained from his tears. He was so strickened with grief and sorrow that he didn't even care if snot was running down his nose.
Dr. Wimun - Mr. Thamadeth... Please excuse me for a minute.. The nurse will be here in a few to take you to your wife okay.. ?
Thanatorn continued to cry while Nani sat in her stroller, just looking at her daddy. Dr. Wimun opened and closed the door behind him, leaving Thanatorn to weep.
STAY TUNED for Epilogue. Coming up!!
