"Fahsai… that guy, Ung-ing, he doesn't like poor people. His ex's new boyfriend is just an ordinary poor guy. He must have expected you to be a better partner than that."
"Hey, what do you want me to do? I was born poor, and this is all I can make of my lifejust surviving day by day. How could I suddenly get a chance to live the kind of life you have? Whatever you've offered me makes me so happy because I've never had it before. Have I made your friend's life any better? Have I achieved anything yet? Are you telling me to step out of his life before he realizes that you and I were conspiring to lie to him?"
I felt like Ming was saying I had crossed the line with rich people, even though he claimed he didn't think that way… in reality, he still saw me on a completely different level.
"I already told you from the start that you were just supposed to be a friend to talk to, but you misinterpreted it and didn't hold yourself back. Things will get even harder if he finds out, or if anyone else finds out. It's too soon; it's not part of our agreement."
"Ming, calm down, man. Don't drag your personal feelings into this right now." Khwan grabbed his brother by the collar and lightly tapped him on the chest.
Ming looked angrier than Khwan. He must really care about his friend, worrying that if he dated me, others would see his friend as pathetic… like nobody would want to be with him, so he grabbed a guy from the slums to make his partner.
"I'll finish this job for you. You don't have to pay me. I'll go rent a place near Yai, so don't worry I'll end up wandering around… thanks for everything."
"Fahsai… and what about Ung-ing…"
"I don't know how to write the rest I'll leave it to you to finish it."
I stormed out, furious at Ming, leaving without grabbing a single thing. Everything happened so fast I didn't even have time to brace myself.
One moment I was living a dream, the next it felt like someone yanked me awake with a blaring alarm. I missed Ung‑ing, of course I did. But going back to say goodbye? He'd probably be so angry he'd have me thrown in jail. And… well, he'd have every right to.
Good thing I still had the money the twins gave me—enough to rent a place and get Grandma out to recover somewhere safe. Next step was finding a job so she wouldn't have to struggle.
I threw myself back into survival mode—working like a man possessed.
It wasn't that I didn't think about Ung‑ing, but a broke guy like me doesn't get the luxury of stopping to mourn or mope. Every minute had to be spent working. I didn't get to be heartbroken and go drink somewhere, or sit around being dramatic. All I could do was work, work, and work. That was the only "responsibility" someone like me was allowed to have.
After days of nonstop shifts sleeping only three or four hours at a timeทI was a wreck.
It was five in the morning when I finally got off my shift at the night restaurant. I was so tired I could've fallen asleep walking.
CRASH!!
"I told youทhand over anything valuable!"
What the hell was that?
"I'm old, please… don't hurt me…"
I followed the noise and saw someone being mugged.
Right—this neighborhood had gotten rough ever since people were forced out. A bunch of strays had started robbing anyone who walked by.
CRASH!!
"Hey! The hell do you think you're doing?"
I kicked a trash can at the kids. They turned faces I recognized, the same ones I used to feed back in the old slum.
And there I was, playing hero when I could barely keep my eyes open.
And seriously an old man in running clothes? What did they expect to steal from him?
I had walked past the construction site that used to be our slum. The ones harassing him were the familiar faces of those kicked out too probably homeless now and desperate.
"Why're you butting in, Fah?"
"To stop you idiots from beating up an old man! Can't you find food some other way?"
"If you knew who he was, you wouldn't feel so sorry for him. This old man? He's the father of the developer who demolished our homes. His son's the reason we're all on the streets!"
"Oh? Really? This guy?"
"Yeah!"
"In that case, let me handle it. Bring him here."
"What are you gonna do with him?"
"Throw him in the river."
"What—Fah, are you serious?"
"Isn't that what you wanted? Now get out of here. There are cameras everywhere, you idiots."
"Fine, fine! If the cops come asking, we know nothing, okay? We didn't help you at all. Let's go!"
They ran off like scared puppies.
The old man couldn't walk, so I hoisted him onto my back.
Seriously wandering around here alone at his age?
"Where do you live, Uncle? Or should I take you to a hospital?"
"Oh? You're not taking me to drown me?"
"…You've got jokes for someone who just got beat up."
The old guy actually laughed face swollen, still chuckling then pointed at a tall building across the way. A building I knew all too well. Ung‑ing's condo.
"I live over there my son's condo."
"Huh? Across from here? You have a son?"
"Yes, my only boy. Had him late in life, so he's my one precious sprout."
Sprout, huh? Cute way to call your kid.
"I'll drop you off
Having carried him all this way, there was no way people wouldn't notice let them see. I don't know why I'm like this around old people; maybe it's because I've always had an elderly grandma around that I can't resist a pleading look. But if it's just some random old man or woman, I'd ignore them—I get annoyed.
Ding!
"This is the room, right, sir?"
"Yes, this is the room."
The world really is small… the old man is Ung-ing's father. I'm standing here in a high-rise condo, in the very room I once shared with someone I loved so much. Seeing the room hits me hard with memories. If the old man is here, that must mean Ung-ing isn't… so where did he go?