45 🔫

                                    

                                          
Porsche 
The next morning, Kinn and I were on our way to visit a home at a different town, the outskirts of Bangkok. Kinn had insisted we took my bike to avoid getting unwanted attention. 
He had anticipated this moment when we talked about it last night. He still thanked me for coming through with the plan amidst all the chaos that happened. 
I stopped the bike in front of the white painted house. Kinn got. He was holding a bag of fruits and groceries. 
"Is this where my mom stays?"
"Mmm," I nodded as I locked the bike and joined him. 
I looked through the gate, the compound was neat and well taken care of. Kinn preessed the bell. 
"This used to be our old house, my father put it up for sale years ago after my mom left."
A young maid, dressed in a simple gown and apron came from the backyard and walked to the gate. 
"Good morning. May I know who you are looking for?"
"We want to see the owner of the house, she knows we are coming," I said quickly. 
"She's my mother," Kinn added feeling proud of himself. 
The girl gasped and quickly unlocked the door. "Welcome young master," She greeted. 
Kinn and I stepped into the compound. The flowers were green and a aroma of freshly prepared fish filled the air. 
"This place brings back memories," Kinn said as he looked around. "Kim and I used to play here."
He pointed to a grassy area with chair and table made from bricks. 
"Kinn, Porsche..."
We both turned to see the beautiful woman. 
Kinn's mother was standing at the front porch of the house. 
"Mom," Kinn went to hug her warmly. "How are you mom?"
"I am fine. How are you and your brothers?"
"They're all fine."
She ushered us into the interior of the house.
................
Kinn
It has been over twenty years since I have been here because my father told me he sold part of the house to pay some debt. 
My childhood memories came flooding back. Both the good and bad memories. 
My mom had managed to preserve some of the toys, ceramics and flowers that was used to decorate the house. 
"How did you get the house?" I asked after we settled on the sofa. 
"It's a long story Kinn. It was a tussle for me when your father put it up for sale after he relocated with you boys."
"Does Pa knows about any of this?"
Mother breathed. "No. He thinks I left Thailand for Taiwan. It was rumored that I had gotten married to a rich man but it was all a lie created by Gun. Gun hated me since the first day I met your father."
"How did you cope?"
"I run a tailoring business now, supply tuxedos and ties for rich men, Gun tried to frustrate my efforts, by threatening to kill you Kinn. I think he deserved what he got."
"I can't believe this mom. I am just happy we're you."
"Thank you son. How is Vegas?"
I relaxed on the seat. And nodded to Porsche. He should know the answer to that question. 
Porsche cleared his throat. "After his father died, he left the city with his lover. I think he found his happy place."
"Oh good for him. I have always been worried about the way Gun maltreated the boy."
"Mom, you shouldn't worry yourself about Vegas. Don't you want to see Kim?" I said. 
"I don't know how he will react. Your father must have brainwashed him to hate me."
"No. I never allowed him do that. I have always been on your side. Kim will be glad to see you. Tankhun was affected the most by your absence, I don't know how he would feel."
Mother reached out her hand and placed it on my shoulder. 
"Thank you for taking up the responsibility of protecting your brothers."
"I tried my best ma."
Mother stood up and headed for the kitchen. 
"Let me get the table set." 
She called her maid to help dish out the food. Porsche and I joined her in the kitchen. 
"So how did you meet Porsche?" I asked really curious about the setup. 
Porsche laughed. "It was really a coincidence."
Mother smiled. "Oh Porsche, he is my customer at the shop. He buys his clothes from me. So one day we got talking."
"She told me I reminded her of her son. She showed me a photo of you Kinn when you were 12 years or so," Porsche added. 
"9 years."
"The face looked really familiar and I thought this was Kinn looking cute and all..." Porsche playfully touched my face. 
I laughed. "Oiii..."
"We got closer when Porsche told me you had fallen in love..." Mother began to laugh. 
"Ma, What, why are you laughing?"I asked 
"I said, it really must be Kinn. You know I understand you more than your brothers."
When the food was set, mother stepped out for minute to answer a call from her customer. 
I slowly ate while processing our discussion. So Porsche had met my mom and probably changed his mind about harming me. 
Was that it? I know mother didn't say everything but I felt she must have begged Porsche to protect me or something like that. 
I glanced at Porsche as he scooped soup into his mouth. Then I remembered something he  said when we had our first fight.
You don't know who loves you and who hates you
I inhaled air. Now the picture was getting clearer. The reality was overwhelming. I just hoped I haven't made a mistake somewhere to end up hurting the people I love. 
I stood up from my chair and tapped Porsche's hand. 
"Excuse me."
"Where are you going?" Porsche said holding my fingers.
I gave him a peck on his cheek. "Keep eating. I will be right back."
....................