Anupap and Atid stood not far away.
Atikom was stunned. He hadn't expected to see the man he loved standing there with a stern expression. Atid stood nearby, tears brimming in his eyes, brows furrowed, lips pressed tight. Both appeared to be in the middle of an argument.
Jealousy surged through him. The young detective forgot that Asanai was clinging to his arm, unaware that others might view them as lovers having a spat.
"Khun Nu..."
"Captain…"
Both exclaimed simultaneously, equally startled.
Anupap hadn't expected to see Atikom standing before him with Asanai wrapped around his arm in an intimate manner. He hadn't anticipated that while he was arguing with Atid, the man who claimed to be his boyfriend would emerge from behind the bushes—especially after hearing someone's voice faintly mention Atikom earlier.
He'd thought his ears were playing tricks on him, but this was reality.
He stood stunned for a moment as hurt began surging up from his chest—a hard lump lodged in his throat, making it difficult to swallow.
What was Atikom doing here in this dark corner with Asanai, arms intertwined so closely?
The unfortunate detective, stunned momentarily, realized Asanai was still clinging to his arm. Atikom quickly shifted, trying to pull free from Asanai's grip, but the young man wouldn't let go. He reached with his other hand to pry Asanai's fingers loose.
"P'Nu, do you see? I haven't finished speaking yet. Do you see that the person who claims to love you is now with someone else? Do you see who truly loves you, who has only you... Do you see him with Khun Asanai?" Atid seized the opportunity, quickly tattling to Anupap.
"Khun Nu... it's not what you think. Listen to me first. You're about to misunderstand."
The two men, Atikom and Atid, spoke almost simultaneously, one voice trembling with hurt while the other urgent and pleading.
"P'Nu, I love you." Atid stepped closer, grasping Anupap's wrist.
Atikom moved—he couldn't bear seeing anyone touch the person he loved.
"Khun Atid, let go of Khun Nu right now." Atikom commanded Atid, though Asanai still hadn't released his arm. "Nai, let me go."
"P'Kom, don't get involved with them. Come inside with me."
Rain began to sprinkle down—cold droplets struck Anupap's face. The chill jolted his numbed feelings back to awareness. Anupap felt confused, unsure how to handle this situation.
Trin stood not far away, his foot that had been about to step onto the pub's stairs freezing mid-motion. He could see what was unfolding. Moments ago, he'd glimpsed Anupap's face emerging from the building's shadow, with Atid nearby. On the other side stood a row of tall planters. The young man he'd seen in the car was dragging Atikom by the arm until all four found themselves face to face.
Atid was losing self-control, pulling and tugging at Anupap who was trying to escape. Atikom stepped forward to intervene while the other young man attempted to restrain the police officer.
What was happening? The situation looked volatile. Trin hurried closer. Right now, he had to protect Anupap—even if it meant protecting him from those who loved Anupap, or even from the person Anupap loved.
Trin felt a sharp pain in his left chest. He'd accepted that Atikom and Anupap loved each other, and now a confrontation was about to erupt.
"Khun Nu, listen to me first. Khun Asanai and I don't have anything together."
"You don't need to explain anything. It's not necessary."
"It is necessary... I don't want you to misunderstand me."
Atid quickly interjected, "P'Nu, he is still the same person—unchanged. I'm the one who has only you... I love you." The young man's tears flowed freely.
The rain intensified, lightning flashing across the sky. All four were drenched.
Anupap's eyes brimmed with tears—he felt utterly heartbroken. His heart, which had begun to lean toward Atikom, was now shaken. The more he thought, the more devastated he became. His mouth pressed into a tight line, his eyes filled with pain. Fortunately, the rain helped conceal it all.
No—he would never let anyone see the pain in his eyes, especially not Atikom, not Atid, not anyone. Most especially... not Asanai.
"Khun Nu, please don't misunderstand me yet. I didn't come with Asanai. He called and asked me to help with his car." Atikom tried to explain.
"If there's nothing between you, why take such care of each other? Major, choose someone and stick with them. Don't make P'Nu sad."
"Atid, enough." Anupap turned to stop him, trying to pull his arm free from Atid's strong grip.
"Stop talking, Atid. And let go of Khun Nu's hand. Don't make me use force." Atikom's anger flared. He reached out to push Atid away.
Trin stepped forward—everyone turned to look. Anupap quickly raised his hand to stop Atikom.
"Don't, Major. Don't cause trouble... Atid, let go of me right now."
Atikom looked steadily at Anupap's face. Atid released the young man's hand, glaring fiercely at his police rival. He no longer feared Atikom, no matter how large he was. The only person who held influence over him was Anupap.
"Khun Nu, I love you. I love only you. Trust me. Asanai and I have nothing together." The young detective turned to Asanai. "Nai, tell Khun Nu that we have nothing together. I see you like a younger brother."
Asanai was stunned, finally understanding how crushing disappointment could be. He felt deeply saddened. His determination to fight one last desperate battle to win Atikom for himself crumbled completely. Both hands fell to his sides, weak and powerless.
The first moment Atikom saw Anupap, the police officer's arm muscles tensed—he instinctively pulled his arm free from Asanai's grip. His eyes blazed with fervent intensity, staring unwaveringly at Anupap with devotion, love, and unwavering determination not to lose the person he loved. He even reinforced this with clear words that pierced Asanai's heart even deeper.
"Khun Nu, I love you. I love only you."
Asanai had once thought that as long as he never heard Anupap say he loved this man, he wouldn't give up.
But he'd changed his mind. Just seeing the look in Atikom's eyes as he gazed at Anupap made him want to disappear from this place, as far away as possible.
Asanai's tears overflowed—though the rain washed them away, he knew they were still falling.
"P'Kom, tell him yourself. If Khun Nu loves you, he has to believe it. Don't make me say anything."
He couldn't bring himself to say he loved Atikom like an older brother.
"P'Nu, I love you." Atid was out of words, only able to repeat his declaration of love.
Trin couldn't stand it. He couldn't bear seeing Anupap in such pain. He had to do something.
"Khun Nu, go back inside. It's raining hard now. Everyone can talk about this later." Trin said.
"Khun Trid, stay out of this." Atikom's voice turned stern, beginning to lose control. His anger was rising—two men who were his heart's enemies stood before him. What terrible timing, all appearing together. Truly unlucky.
"Sorry I can't. I have the right to worry about Khun Nu too."
"P'Nu, I love you." Atid, the youngest and most fragile, began to tremble. He no longer knew what to do, only able to keep declaring his love for Anupap.
"Enough, everyone. Stop it." Anupap was equally fragile. He had to escape from this place, from this situation. He needed to find shelter, anywhere he could be alone. He couldn't take it anymore.
The young man walked straight toward the parking lot. Atikom blocked his path.
"Khun Nu, listen to me first. You're misunderstanding. Don't run from me like this. Go home with me—I'll explain everything."
Anupap sidestepped around the detective and quickened his pace with long strides. Atikom continued to block his way while Atid followed closely, trying to grab his arm.
"P'Nu, don't go."
Atikom reached out to push against the younger man's chest, preventing him from approaching his beloved. Anupap dodged to the other side and lengthened his stride even more.
"Detective. Don't." Tarit hurried closer, fearing Atikom might hit Atid.
Both men realized Anupap was walking away and hurried after him, but had to stop abruptly when Anupap whirled around and spoke in a stern voice.
"Don't follow me—both of you." Anupap took a sharp breath, the driving rain concealing the pain in his eyes. "Any of you. Do not follow me."
Anupap turned his back and jogged toward the exit to the main street. Tears he'd been trying to hold back began to flow freely. He felt devastated seeing Atikom with Asanai, devastated that he'd thought Atikom had given up his playboy ways and truly loved him, devastated that he'd begun to open his heart to Atikom. But now he felt as if lightning had struck the center of his heart, nearly burning away the heart that had just begun to come alive again. This time it hurt many times more than what Chavis had done to him.
Atikom said he had reasons—what reasons could he have?
If you don't stop to hear his explanation, how will you know?
Right now, he wasn't ready. His heartbreak held more power than reason.
You must be strong, must be steady, must be firm. Don't be weak.
Who said he was strong? He was actually very fragile. Every time he faced emotional turmoil, he would fall silent, building armor to protect himself. If he couldn't build it, he would run away, flee to regroup, then think things through later.
Right now, this very moment, he just wanted to leave this place first. He needed to be alone—alone so he could think.
But what he truly needed was warmth, someone to comfort him, someone's strength... Atikom's strength.
Atikom... Major Atikom...
Last time when you ran from Chavis, Atikom gave you warmth.
This time, how could Atikom possibly give him warmth?
Why?
Because you love Atikom!
Go... run... escape...
Anupap didn't know how far he'd walked. He kept striding quickly, head down, watching the road. The sound of a car slowing beside him, a deep voice calling his name loudly.
"Khun Nu, get in the car."
He ignored it, continuing to walk.
"Khun Nu... get in the car." Anupap glanced over—the car window had rolled down, rain spattering inside, the door frame soaked.
"Khun Nu... get in the car."
He stopped walking, turning to stand and look at the man in the car. Trin's warm eyes gazed at him with unwavering steadiness.
"Khun Nu... get in the car. Wherever you want to go, we'll decide later. I'll take you there... don't do this."
Anupap sighed, looking left and right. His senses began returning. Right now, Trin was the most neutral person available.
The young man reached out to open the car door and climbed in, sitting silently, soaked to the bone. Trin was no different.
The rain outside continued to fall gently—nearly stopping. The storm had passed and was continuing to pass.
How the storm of love that had just raged would pass, Anupap could not yet know.
***