Namtarn was standing in the living room of her house looking out into the driveway for any sign of lights driving up the road.

Waan had fallen asleep in her room. From then Namtarn had worn the carpet waiting for any news from the hospital.  Singto had called 3 hours ago to say that there was no improvement and that they were working on him.

Wat would she do if Papa Boon woke up and told P'Sing all that she had said? If she was there, she could convince him that Papa had mistaken her for Neen. But no, she was here and Krist was there. He would definitely make Singto believe everything the old man says. The bastard had to be stopped. The old man had to die.Oh!!! why didn't P'Sing call..she couldn't take it any longer..the suspense was killing her.

She stormed towards the kitchen calling for the Maid.."Emily ..."

"Yes ma'am, "the maid rushed out hastily wiping her hands in her uniform..

"I am going to the hospital, Waan is in her room. Listen for her in case she wakes up."

"Yes, ma'am. "

Her phone rang as Namtarn turned around to leave.  She just picked it up

"Hello. "She said expectantly, it was Singto.

"Namtarn", Singto's voice was so filled with pain. Namtarn listened in a nervous tension.

"How's Papa?"she asked gripping the phone tighter.

"He's gone into a coma. His other vitals are back to normal, but as oxygen didn't reach his brain for long its gone into coma..they don't know when he ll wake up. If he ll wake up or not.."he finished in one breath, his voice faltering at the last line.

"I am sorry P'Sing. If I had reached earlier.."

"Don't blame urself..it's not ur fault..how is Waan?" He cut her off ,changing the topic.

"She's asleep."

"Let her be. I ll tell her in the morning. "

"Are u going to stay at the hospital.?"

"No , P'za said she'd stay the night. I ll be going home to rest and take over tomorrow's shift."

"Do you want to come over. You'd feel better here, instead of alone. "She tried to convince him..

"I don't think I can Namtarn..I am sorry but I need the comfort of the farm house now..I am much too confused and much too stressed to venture anywhere else..hope u understand.."he replied tiredly..

"Ofcourse P'Sing..I understand.."she said tight lipped..and he cut the call..no good byes or good nights..

He would come to her tomorrow. He had to. Atleast to pick up Waan.  They would talk then..She walked upstairs.

She sighed as she closed the door of her room and sat on the bed, thinking of the mess she now had to clear up..a mess she had made by acting without planning. If the old man had died it would have been a blessing for her. One obstacle in the path of her dreams gone. But no he was in a coma, and could wake up anytime ruining her prospects.  She can't let that happen after all these years of patiently waiting and working her way into his heart..

************

The stillness of the house hit Singto the minute he entered. The absence of Waan and his father hitting him hard. It brought down the realization of how much they filled his life , that it felt like a burden of a ton load of bricks on his shoulders.

Krist just walked in behind him and set about shutting the doors, preparing for the night. It felt so soothing to feel his presence. A familiar sight which calmed him. He sat down on the couch leaning his head back trying to clear his mind of the frightening thoughts which filled them..

Krist went into the kitchen and started making some tea. He would have made coffee but he knew Singto needed sleep and caffeine would only keep him wide awake..

Taking the cups of tea, he walked to where Singto sat and placed one on a coaster on the table beside the couch. He sat in an empty chair sipping his drink and watching the elder. Not disturbing his thoughts or mood..

It broke his heart to see Singto so vulnerable again..he had seen him in the most painful moments of his life when he lost his mother and knew another episode like that would break his heart. He had struggled to get him to come out of his sorrow that time and had prayed a million times that he never need to face that situation again.

"Wat if he doesn't wake up Kit?"Singto broke his thoughts,by voicing the painful doubt in his head..he looked up at Krist, eyes moist and threatening to spill over..

Krist put his cup down and sat down beside Singto on the couch, "P'Sing, Papa s the strongest man in this whole province. Trust me he ll surely wake up. My heart says so. "He said hugging the hurting man, radiating comfort and confidence in tat one touch.

Singto rested his head on krist's shoulder, his hands around the younger's waist. "Seeing him like that, with all those wires in his body, was too much to bear Kit. The image keeps playing back in my head,messing my thoughts.."

Krist leaned over Singto,  "he ll be fine P'Sing, he was the man who created a lion, so the lion's heart s still in him and it ll wake him up. Stronger than ever."he said patting Singto's heart..

In the next second, Singto had pulled him onto his lap, crushing him hard against him. He buried his face in his hair, inhaling the sweet strawberry scent of the younger's shampoo, faint but still soothing to his senses. As the shadow of doubt and fear surrounded him, Krist felt like his ray of hope. Sunshine amidst the stormy clouds.

"Kiss me Kit," he demanded his voice raw with need, "I need your comfort..please.."

Krist reached down, turning the elder's face towards himself, he bent over and captured the lips in a searing, hungry kiss..he put in every ounce of reassurance that he could into that one kiss, telling without telling that everything will be OK..

Singto grabbed at the comforting arms like fish gasping for air on land..he needed it,so that tomorrow when he stood before his daughter he wouldn't breakdown and feel weak. So that he could remain strong, strong for people depending on him.

Long after all the comfort was given,  Krist held him in his arms. Tears in his eyes, and cheeks. But Singto's were dry. He had brought out his Lion heart, drying up the tears and drawing on its strength..

***********

The sun bounced off his glasses as Earth ran up the steps of Krist's plantation house. He knocked twice and waited, but no response. He pounded a bit harder. Still there was no response.

Dammit, he looked around the yard. The jeep was there. He could hear the horse in the stable. Dread started to fill him. He saw how far the plantation was from the road.  No one would know even if anyone attacked here. Krist was probably too trusting that he didn't even lock his door.

On that thought he tried the door knob. It turned. He walked in expecting a trashed place or something, but no - everything was in its place. He went upstairs, checked all the rooms. No sign of a struggle. Nor any sign of a presence at the time. The house was surely empty.

He picked up the phone and dialed  the number he remembered first.

New answered at the third ring, "Hello?"

"New, I am at Krist's place, can u call back? I want to check if the phone s working. "

"Right."

He kept the phone back and it rang again in 2 seconds. He picked up.

"It's working fine. "

"No sign of krist?"

"No the house is empty,but his things are there. Nothing looks missing.  The jeep,the horse are all there,  so I don't think he left." Krist may have taken a walk,and him lying hurt somewhere in the wilderness filled Earth with dread.."I am going around to take a look."

"Should we report him missing?"

"Not yet,"

As he hung up,he heard a vehicle drive up. He rushed to the door and opened it to see the jeep of the neighbor, and Krist was beside him.

Krist got down and walked to the driver's side. He bent and kissed Singto. Earth tensed and closed the door back watching through the glass.. it was not a friendly peck, but a slow,  reluctant-to-let-go , morning-after kiss, that followed a very satisfactory night before. Earth had done enough love scenes, both on and off screen, to recognize the meaning of that one..

He turned into the room,fighting down the shock and anger, the hurt. He jerkily lit a cigarette and blew out a quick stream of smoke.

Krist walked in and saw him,then smiled a little guarded, "I bet u're looking for me."he wore a hoodie and no make up, his hair looked slept in- tousled.

"I have been calling you since ten o clock yesterday morning, and when there was no response by midnight I started to get a bit worried. I don't suppose you'd care to tell me where the hell u have been." He challenged in a tight voice.

"With Singto, his father had a heart attack yesterday and had to take him to the hospital. "

" And you spent the night with him doing your bit to comfort and console him. Is it?" His voice was coated with rawness and sarcasm.

Krist was slow to meet his eyes, but when he did his gaze was level." Maybe I deserved tat P'Earth, but it was still a cruel thing to say."

"You've always brought out the best and worst in me Krist. "He said dropping his gaze with an amused twisted smile, "Mike told me I had competition,but I didn't believe him. How could a farmer compete with "the Earth"..my ego was huge I guess.."

"I am sorry" Krist said.

"What next Krist?what are your plans?"

"We haven't spoken about anything, and now is not the right time to be saying anything. But I do know where I want it to lead."he shrugged.

"That's plain enough. Well since I am here, let me tell u one of the reasons I wanted to talk to u. I want to apologize for the other night. Not for the things I said,they were true. But for the way I said them. In anger. I was under a lot of pressure and I took it out on u."

"That's OK P'Earth. You need this movie. I can be idealistic about the script while u can't. "He understood now.

"You can't either its just that you haven't discovered that yet."

"Either way it's forgotten P'Earth.  We're good."

Earth eyed him for several seconds and then shook his head amazed," Do you know wat makes u so unusual Krist? You actually mean tat. "

"Don't say that in front of Singto.i don't think he'd like it coming from u."Krist smiled..

"Aah a man with a jealous streak is it? In that case I had better remember to ban him from the set when we shoot our love scenes. I am giving u fair warning, I intend to enjoy the hell out of them and he's not going to like the number of takes we ll be doing to get them right."

Krist laughed,",Go on, I have a shower to take, calls to make and work to do. "

Earth moved to the door and stopped,looking back with tat potent smile that still tugged at your heart." Nobody had a better parting line than Bogie."and krist knew he was referring to the classic casablanca." But he could afford to be magnanimous cause he had Bacall."he gave a 2 fingered salute and murmured, "here's looking at you Kit. "

He walked out leaving Krist shaking his head with a smile. If not for Singto, it would have been so easy to fall in love with Earth.

His smile faded,at the thought of Singto now back at his dad's side in the hospital facing the uncertainty of whether he would wake up or not.

***********

It took a couple of days to settle things at the hospital and get Papa a full time nurse.  Once that was done Singto was back at work in his town office. The weather had taken to rains and storms making it quite a nasty climate to be outside. Krist hummed a song as he jumped the puddles before Singto's law office, as he climbed up the steps and entered.

"Hi, Giggie...is Singto busy? I was hoping to steal him away for a late lunch."

"How about a rain check?" Singto's voice came from the right,he was putting on his raincoat.

Krist didn't even try to conceal his disappointment, " are you going somewhere?"

"Home. P'za has a dental appointment and Waan will be alone at home. She insists she s too old for a baby sitter, but I can never have peace of mind by leaving her alone."

"You probably never will,"Krist said thinking that Waan was a hurdle he hadn't crossed yet.

"What brings u here?"Singto asked as he lifted his hand in goodbye to his assistant and then slipped it around Krist's waist pulling him along..

"My jeep door had closing troubles so I thought I ll drop by the service center. They say it may take an hour or two to finish. " Krist said..

"And you were planning to use me to kill time huh?"

"Well,I thought it was a good idea,"he fought the nervous fluttering in his stomach and made the plunge,"Do you mind if I go home with u? I can always pick up the jeep tomorrow. "

"Why would I mind?"Singto gave him a puzzled look. "You know u can come to fah lahwy anytime Kit or you should know tat..."

"Well I thought it was polite to ask as I was bumming a ride."he laughed nervously.

***********

They reached the farm and Singto held the door open for Krist to enter. Waan was curled up on the sofa reading a book.She looked up when she saw Krist and her father enter.

"Sawadee Waan, "Krist said in a calm friendly voice,unleashing his deadly dimpled smile.

"Wadee P'." She replied back,eyeing him suspiciously, "there's coffee in the kitchen if u want some, "she offered.

"I don't think I care for any."Krist said,ofcourse she doesn't know tat he hates coffee."that's a cool wrist band u got Waan. I used to have my own collection of such stuff once upon a time. "

"Really?how old were u then?"she asked looking him over.

"I was older than u . In my teens I think. When I was ur age I would lock myself in my room and pretend I was a Rockstar and sing so loud."he said laughing at the memory..

"You did?"she sat up straighter.." I do that sometimes and daddy scolds me saying I am disturbing the others . Wat were your favorite songs?"she shoved her book under the table and sat cross legged to hear the list.

And Krist eagerly obliged her talking of great trending music. Singto watched the 2 jabbering off like there was no age gap of 18 years between them and smiled to himself as he went about his chores.

He walked out to check on his horses. He started thinking of Neen and how her dark eyes had reflected anger and resentment towards him. Blaming him for her disappointment and discontent. She had died without a kind word for him on her lips. He thought of all those Sundays he stood by her grave, trying to think of her face filled with laughter as it had been the first time he met her.  But all he saw was her sad,disappointed eyes.

The accident of his father a few days ago had made him realize that nothing in life was permanent.  That he had to let go of things and people when their time with him was over. Neen's time with him was over.

As this realization filled him,his mind could picture her face with a beautiful smile, like the one when they had first met.. the image of her death,finally left him.

When he returned to the house it was oddly silent, the two ppl he had left in the living room had gone missing. "Hello, where s everybody?" He asked calling out aloud..

"In here, "shouted Krist from the kitchen.. He was alone poring over a recipe book as Singto walked in. He poured  a mug of coffee and handed it to the elder as he had just come in from the rain.

"Thanks, where's Waan?"

"She's gone to get her mp3 player. We're gonna listen to her Playlist as we make some brownies to eat with ice cream.."

"Sounds good" Singto said releasing the breath he had been holding,dreading that Waan might still be hostile to Krist..

"I think she likes me P'Sing. "He said with a shy smile.

"I never doubted that she would Kit."

But Krist had doubted. Not Waan, but in himself. He had doubted if he could look past the face resembling Neen and love her for herself..but thankfully that had not been the case. He didn't feel any hatred towards the child and enjoyed every cute interaction with her...infact they got along pretty well like besties. But he didn't tell Singto of the insecurities that had nagged his thoughts. He preferred to keep them to himself.

He looked at the elder, coming back to the present, only to see that he was looking at him strangely. "Is something wrong?"

"No" Singto lied and focused on the coffee. There was something. Looking at Krist, remembering the way he had hurt him,he immediately thought of Namtarn.

***************

Namtarn smiled to herself,squishing the sleep mask in her hands..Singto had said he wanted to see her...he was coming over to see her..his voice when he said that was so warm and gentle. He hadn't told her wat it was he wanted to say, just that he wanted to talk to her about something important..Her smile widened..finally he was acknowledging her presence in his life..

She got up and walked to the door, pulling it open. She leaned down the stairs rails,seeing her maid cleaning the living room, she called out,"Emily, change the sheets in my room. Put on the Egyptian cotton ones and after tat u can go do ur shopping today."

"Yes ma'am, " said the maid puzzled at seeing her mistress so excited. Then it dawned on her,the cotton sheets, sending her shopping....Singto must be coming over..

A few minutes past 9,there was a knock on the door. Namtarn smoothed the fabric of her red kimono over her stomach, soothing the butterflies that fluttered there.. Her hair was just brushed to lay down her back. Just the way Singto liked, with a hint of make up...

Aglow with anticipation, she crossed over to the door. "Good morning "she said opening it with a huge smile..

"Morning" Singto answered back his glance skipping over her,not lingering like she had wanted.."Sorry, I am late, had to drop Waan, off at Buffy's and the traffic was quite heavy for a weekend."

"It's a mess isn't it? The tourists are growing in numbers already."She said bending closer for a kiss, but instead he swept past her into the living room.

Uncertainty flickered through her ,but she pushed it down and followed him. "Would u like some coffee?"she asked pointing to the coffee pot on the side table."Emily is off doing the house work and I am fending for myself today,"she explained pouring him a cup when he nodded.

As he reached for the cup,she saw that his ring finger was barren.."You took off ur wedding ring?"

"Huh? Yeah well I felt it was time I took it off?"he said taking a sip.

"It's long past time P'Sing. You should have done it years ago."

"Maybe, I guess it took my dad's illness to make me realize we need to let go of the past and live for the present. "He said with a sigh..

His expression stopped her from hugging him and placing a kiss on his cheek. She placed her hand on his arm,"this has been a tough time for you P'Sing, but trust me everything ll be fine. We ll see through this too,like we have everything else these past years. " she said soothingly. She would wait until he felt at ease with his decision..

He nodded and continued to drink from his cup.

"So Waan s spending the day with Buffy?" She asked ,trying to change the topic..

"Yes, Buffy s going to the beach and she invited Waan along. Turned out fine as I needed to be at the office today."

"You don't usually work on weekends do you?"she asked frowning..

"No,but I have an important case next week. The trial may take most of the week and it's being tried in Bangkok. So I need to prepare my documents in advance. "

"What about Waan?you know I would love to have her over to stay with me while ur gone."

"Thanks but P'za has volunteered to stay most of the nights, if not the client s willing to pay for the flights back and forth." He sounded tense. His expression remained grim,not softening as it usually did when she spoke of his daughter. Something was wrong. She remained silent, waiting for him to tell her.

"We have been friends for a long time Namtarn..."he said after a short silence..

"More than friends P'Sing. " She corrected giving him a smooth, warm smile.

"True,that's wat makes this so difficult. But I don't want you to find out from someone else. I let tat  happen before, but I won't do it this time. "

"You sound serious. "She frowned..

" I am. I intend to ask Krist to marry me. I have loved him for a long time and I still do."

Namtarn went stiff,not hearing the rest of the words. She'd heard all that she wanted to hear. After all these years, and after all that she had done for him, he wanted to marry someone else.

What made her think tat he was different?all men are the same. He had used her like everyone else and made a fool of her. Did he think that she would let him get away with this?

"Namtarn, are u ok?"he asked looking at her concerned.

"As though u care,"her face turned cool. She had stood up as she said tat.

"I do care Namtarn, which s why I am here."he said standing and reaching out for her..

She recoiled from it,"you said ur bit,now go."she said pointing to the door.

Singto, drew back worry creasing his forehead. He hesitated,then turned and walked away. Watching him go,Namtarn vowed he would pay for it,he and that actor whore.

She went into her room and slammed the door shut. Three hours and a phone call later she went out of the house..dressed in a business suit with sunglasses to protect her eyes from the sun.

She met John near the promenade, and they started walking, as she told him wat she needed.

"I need a special kind of fastball. The very best quality. A client has requested it tomorrow. Can u arrange for it?"she asked.

"Might cost a bit,but can be arranged. Where and when do u want it delivered and to whom?"

"I need to deliver it personally. Client's request. "She said to avoid suspicion.

"Are u sure it's safe?"John questioned slightly suspicious.

"Absolutely, if not I won't be getting involved, u know tat."He nodded. He knew that she wouldn't get involved in anything shady...

They had reached her office. John held the door open for her as she walked in.

"I am sorry but madam has not come in yet today..excuse me she just arrived."the receptionist was on the phone and covering the mouth piece asked, "Khun Chan s on the line requesting to speak to you ."she said looking at Namtarn enquiringly.

"Connect him to me, I ll talk to him." She said and walked into her room. From her purse she took a fat envelope and gave it to John." This should cover the purchase we discussed earlier. If it does not let me know. "

John nodded and left as she sat in her chair and picked up the receiver...

" Sawadee Khun Chan. I am glad you called. I have some good news. "

"You do?" Chan's voice was filled with skepticism and surprise..

"Yes, I met with Singto this morning and he may be interested to sell you tat bit of land. But he needs a few things like specifically how much land, which part of it ,the price you are willing to pay and when, in writing. I told him I would get it ready. "

"Sure,I ll have those typed out and get it to you by Tuesday latest." He said sounding happy.

"Singto ll be in Bangkok most of next week on a case, but I ll see to it he gets it as soon as it reaches me." It was a promise she made without a hesitation...

"Do that. And while u're at it, make sure he accepts the offer. "

"Don't worry khun Chan. You ll get that piece of land. I can guarantee it."

A sinister smile lingered on her lips long after she had cut the call..Khun Chan would eventually get that piece of land but not in the way he expected to get it..

*************

Singto sat on the bailifs desk, as he dialed the number of Silverwood ìn his cellphone. Krist's cell phone had stayed unanswered through the one time he had dialed it. Knowing the boy, he knew he was upto something fun that he didn't even hear his phone.

"Sawadee Silverwood plantation,"Singto smiled as he heard Waan's voice.

"Hi honeybee,"

"Hi daddy, how's the trial going."

"Very slow, what did u do after school?" He asked.

"Almost everything,  after school P'Kit and I went rollerblading.  It was so much fun. U should see his cool moves daddy..they're so fab. Then we made pizza for dinner. We made 2 actually. We burnt one, more like cremated..the second one was OK. And before u ask I only have 2 math problems to do for homework. "

"That's good honeybee. "

"Are u at the hotel?"

"No I am still at the courthouse,which means I can't talk long. Where's Kit?"

"He's right here, do you want to speak to him?"

"Please."

A second later,he heard Waan's voice say,"it's  daddy, he wants to talk to you. He's still at the courthouse. "

Krist answered,his voice warm and full of life." Hi P'Sing , why are u  still  there at this time?"

"The morning got taken up by pre trial motions. Then the voire dires went on longer than anyone expected. The judge wanted the jury impaneled today, so I am still here."

"That's probably good, but u must have known something like this would happen when u decided to stay over there tonight."

"I guess," Singto hadn't been able to shake of the feeling of unease he had started feeling since he met Namtarn on Saturday, so he asked Krist."did you hear anything from Namtarn?"

"No, why? Did u think I might?" Krist asked his tone curious but light..

"Not really," truthfully he wasn't sure wat he thought. He just kept remembering that look in Namtarn's eyes, a look bordering on madness. He had expected tears or anger but not that look. He shook of that mental image," I don't know why I asked tat question, maybe I miss you ."

"I miss u too. Considering u're  only an hours flight away and u ll be back tomorrow night. Still it feels like it may be forever. Crazy isn't it."

"Not to me."the bailif stepped in signaling the judge was ready to see him in his chambers."I have to go Kit. The judge has picked the jurors.  After the other side picks theirs, it ll be my turn." He looked at his watch six thirty."with luck I ll be out of here in an hour and at the hotel by 8. I ll call u then."

His estimate had been way too optimistic. It was 9 o clock when he walked into the doors of the hotel. Tired and on edge,he gave his brief case full of case papers to a bellman and checked the front desk for any messages for him . There were 3 from Giggie. None urgent so he stuffed them in his pocket, hoping to talk to Kit before getting more work done for tomorrow's trial.

"Singto, this s a surprise. I didn't know you were staying here."

Focusing on the man who had smoothly intercepted him,Singto smiled a little grimly.."Sawadee Chan..how are u?"he asked waiing.

"Fine just fine.."a complacent gleam in the way he looked at Singto. "By the way you should be hearing from Namtarn in a day or two. "

"Namtarn?"the mere mention of her name making him alert"Why?"

"I just sent her the written offer u asked for."

"Written offer for wat?"he frowned, "I am afraid you've lost me Chan "

Chan was amused by his reaction, "the ridge top land you own, ofcourse. I take it Namtarn didn't tell u I was the one interested in buying it."

"No but it wouldn't have made any difference if she had."

"I think u ll find my offer more than generous. You ll be very glad you changed your mind and decided to sell.."

"I don't know where you are getting your information from Chan, but that land s not for sale - not to u or to anyone else."

It was Chan's turn to frown now. " According to Namtarn, you met with her on Saturday and agreed to sell. I don't know wat u think u ll gain by saying the opposite. "

"I did meet her on Saturday, but this subject was never part of our discussion. "

"You're saying she lied???but why??"

" That s what I'd like to know too."Singto replied grimly..

*********

Krist tiptoed to the guest room where Waan slept peacefully, cuddled up in a blanket, on the bed. He closed the door almost shut except a Crack, smiling at the mix of maternal/paternal feelings that were overwhelming his heart right now. He was glad he had suggested Waan spend time with him when Singto was in  Bangkok. They had needed time to bond alone, without Singto's presence..and it had turned out quite awesome considering all the fun they'd had.

He walked over to the living room glancing over at the mess that covered it. Scrap books,photo albums lay strewn across  the floor with greasy plates and scrunched up tissues.  A half eaten bowl of pop corn and empty soda pop tins on the coffee table.

His lips curved up at the amount of fun they'd had together. He almost wished Singto would call him and save him from cleaning all this right now. He wondered why he hadn't called yet. He had said he'd call as soon as he reached the hotel but it was now past 10. Poor guy, he hoped he had atleast eaten a sandwich or burger.

He shook his head and set about cleaning the mess. He grabbed all the albums and put them in one of the desk draws. Then wiped the table and gathered all the scattered trash into a plastic bag. Lastly he piled up the dishes on the large popcorn bowl and lifted it by wrapping his arms around it and started to walk to the kitchen, when he saw a figure standing in the entrance to the Kitchen. A woman clad in black tights and a tight form fitting t shirt, with a black knit cap covering her hair,leaving only the pale face visible.

"Namtarn, " Krist broke into a relieved smile, buy stopped when he saw the gun in her gloved hands.

"I am surprised at u Krist. After all those years of staying in Bangkok, I would have thought you had learnt to lock ur doors. "

He had forgotten to lock the doors after they'd returned from skating.

"Why did u come here??what do u want?" He asked though he dreaded the answer..

"Cant you guess? You had Earth. Wasn't he enough? Did u have to take P'Sing too? It's a shame Krist.  If u hadn't been so greedy, you wouldn't have to die."

Krist stared, hearing the words but not wanting to believe them. It felt like the plot in some psycho thriller. He wished there were cameras rolling and that someone would shout 'cut'. But no, this wasn't a film set up. It was happening for real .

His mind immediately began thinking of wat to do. He thought of all the b rate horror dramas he had starred in and how he had joked tat he got the job because he passed the scream test. Right now he felt he couldn't even get a squeak out of his mouth..

Even if he screamed who would hear him?except, maybe Waan, sleeping upstairs would wake up. God no!! If Waan came down and saw them, then Namtarn would kill her because she would be a witness.God please don't let her wake up,he prayed silently, scared for the little girl as much for himself...

"Don't worry Krist, I promise you it won't be painful. U may find it pleasurable even."she smirked as she slowly closed the distance between them,step by step..

Krist turned to face Namtarn. His throat felt dry. His palms wet. This woman was crazy, insane. Stall he thought. Keep her talking..distract her attention and watch for an opportunity. That's how it worked in movies.

"You don't think u ll get away by killing me do you?"he challenged in a hoarse voice.

"Oh but I will,just like I got away after getting rid of Neen."

"You...you killed your sister??"he could barely get the words out, the shock of the announcement briefly stopping him from noticing the sofa between them.

Namtarn smiled at his expression making krist recoil." It was simple. A mere matter of injecting an air  bubble in her I.V tube. It took only a few seconds. No one suspected I had anything to do with her death..No one even saw me slip into her room. P'Sing was there all along standing by the window looking out. After 36 hrs without sleep the man was nearly out on his feet. Not that it mattered. Nothing could be proved, as embolisms have been known to occur after child birth.."

P'Sing!! Krist wished he would call anytime now..he felt the weight of his phone in the pocket of his tracks..he hoped there was a signal..it was starting to rain outside..flashes of lightning seen through the curtains.. the landline was a few feet away..he could reach it on time if the ringing distracted Namtarn. He would be able to warn P'Sing. Otherwise the telephone was useless. He wouldn't have time to reach it and dial the emergency number, then wait for a response and tell them wats going on. He would be dead from a bullet by then.

"How could u do it? She was your sister. " he continued in an attempt to keep her talking..

"She made P'Sing's life miserable. I rescued him from that." She shrugged nonchalantly. "I only ever loved him. But he just used me. He ll surely pay for tat, him and his stupid father..I should have finished the old man that day but no worries,  he ll be switched off soon."

"Wat do you mean?"asked Krist dread suddenly filling his stomach at wat might happen to Singto.

"They ll join you soon Krist. Don't worry. You can have ur happily ever after family in hell." She replied in that emotionless voice.

As Namtarn moved around the sofa Krist turned. He saw the cabinet with his dad's pistol . Only a few days back had he unloaded and wiped it clean for storing..

"You're planning to kill P'Sing and Papa too,  aren't you?"fear licked to the surface at the thought. He swore he could feel his heart hammering in his throat.

"You are trembling Krist. " Namtarn said with an oddly satisfying, evil gleam in her eyes." You'd better set that bowl down or ur gonna drop it." She gestured towards the table with her gun.

Krist contemplated throwing the bowl at her, bit it was too heavy and too awkward. Reluctantly he put it down, feeling as though he had lost his protective shield.

Keep her talking, a voice in his head said.

"I don't blame you for wanting to get even with P'Sing. " He said " he used me too and I have waited a long time to get back at him. I agree with u - he doesn't deserve to live."

Namtarn stood unmoved by Krist's attempt at joining sides with her." Crime in Bangkok is so high these days. Street gangs,  drug mafia, petty criminals. P'Sing will be just another victim of our violent times, shot down in some dark alleyway."

Krist suddenly saw the thoroughness with which Namtarn had planned all this. He was scared, as he saw that it could work.

"So tragic, P'Sing and Papa dead would leave Waan an orphan.  As her only living relative I would take her in, to my home Naturally. "

"No" Krist was horrified.

"Yes, P'Sing has named me Waan's guardian in his will. Eventually I will sell off part of the farm or even all of it who cares. Everyone will think it's the logical decision to make. Wat good s a farm to a 9 yr old."

One last step brought her out from behind the sofa. Now Krist and Namtarn were face to face.

"Turn around" she said pointing the gun.

"Why do you intend to shoot me from behind?"he asked looking at the gun in her hand. He couldn't decide whether to make a grab for the gun or not. The odds of success were slim.

"That would be too messy. Now turn around "she growled menacingly.

Slowly he turned around till he was facing the other side, away from Namtarn. The tension and fear was almost more than his nerves could withstand.

"What are u going to do?"he asked.

"You ll find out in time."was it his imagination or had Namtarn moved closer. Krist tried to listen for any sound or movement that could give him a clue to her actions. He smelled her perfume, cloyingly sweet. He tried to move his head slightly to the side to catch a glimpse and he saw her arm swinging down..

Too late, he tried to duck and avoid the blow. He felt something hard connect with a thud and a split second later he felt an explosion of pain in his head. Blackness swirled around him and thickened. He felt himself sinking into it, away from the pain.

Dimly he felt detached from his body,yet he could feel someone dragging him and pulling him out of the darkness. He didn't want to go. But the voice insisted on saving him..Saving!

Someone had come to help. He fought the fatigue and pain to resurface into consciousness. Then he heard Namtarn's voice crooning and cooing..and he realized nobody had come. He had thought wrong. He couldn't open his eyes which were heavy but through a slit he observed wat was happening.

He saw that he was lying on the sofa and Namtarn had propped his head up in a pillow. Why had she done tat? It made no sense. So he tried to listen to wat she was mumbling.

"It's my own special lethal formula." She was doing something with her hands,"Combining coccaine and heroin. It acts so fast u won't know wat hit u Krist. You ll be so high that u ll soar straight to heaven, another actor who died of overdose..so tragic. " she said turning around a needle in her hands.

As Namtarn leaned towards him to administer the shot, Krist gathered himself in one last burst of energy and pushed her, in an attempt to survive. Namtarn crashed on the coffee table.

He had to get out of the house before she found her gun. He desperately fought off his dizziness and pain, got up and made to run towards the door. Something caught in his feet and he kicked at it, tipping the coffee table and landing the gun beside Namtarn's hand.

Krist saw her pick up the gun, and in one last attempt, to delay and buy time, he threw a cushion at her. She used her hand to push it away and Krist took that moment to reach the door.  As he opened it he heard a bullet smash into the wall beside him crashing into the switch board there..sparks flew..

He ran out without a pause, towards the garage. He had to reach the jeep. He felt shots peppering the ground around him as he zig zagged through the yard in the rain. Once out of the lighted area he ran towards the tress taking cover behind the trunks. He would go through them to the garage which was a little away from the house..

He could see Namtarn come out of the porch..she looked out into the darkness and rain..then started moving towards the trees. Krist moved silently not making a noise. He couldn't see her anywhere near. He reached the garage and slipped inside and took the jeep keys off the hook.

Opening the door of the jeep he got in and fitted the key into the ignition. Suddenly the jeep's door sprang open and a hand grabbed his hair. He shouted painfully trying to get out of her grasp but she pressed the revolver into his neck stilling him. "If you're smart u won't try this again.. but u aren't smart are u , u fucking bastard?"she growled in his ears..

"I won't run again."he said desperately trying not to get shot..

She gripped him harder as she pushed to walk him to the door and back to the house.. krist stumbled feigning a limp.

"Aargh, ouch...I think I twisted my ankle. It hurts.."he said limping dramatically, but Namtarn didn't release her hold nor pressure. She continued to push him out with the gun tip. If he could pretend to slip and make her fall he could get the gun, he thought.

Just as they came out of the garage,they were met with the smell of smoke. Krist looked towards the house trying to decide where best to fake the fall, when he noticed an eerie yellow dancing light through the hall windows.. the rain had reduced, splattering in little drops now. He stared at the moving light for a few seconds before he realized the house was on fire.

"Oh my God the house s on fire."he shouted.  Remembering  the bullet hitting the switch board and the sparks..Waan was still sleeping in the guest room upstairs unaware of the fire." Let me go "he screamed struggling..

Namtarn only jerked him back,"the fire means I ll only have to alter my plans slightly. "She grinned...

"You don't understand.  Waan s in there. Sleeping "he said desperately.

The fingers loosened, "No she can't die, it would ruin everything. " she turned on Krist striking him in anger, "you bloody bastard why didn't u tell me she was there. "

The blow sent Krist sprawling on the mud as Namtarn ran towards the house. She opened the door feeding more oxygen to the flames letting them grow higher..

Krist struggled to get up and ran after her but was blocked by the renewed vigor of the flames. He knew he couldn't go in this way. He ran out and reached the side of the house. He climbed up the rain water drain to reach the first floor wimdow and peered through it. All he saw was smoke..could it be that Waan had left the room?

"Waan!!"He shouted pounding on the windows heavily.

Something moved. Krist laughed gratefully as he saw Waan come to the window coughing and rubbing her eyes. He gestured for her to move back and removed his shirt and wrapped his fist in it..then moving slightly back for momentum he punched through the glass..reaching a hand in, he tried to open the latch but it was stuck.

His feet kept slipping on the wet shingles. Then someone reached and grabbed his arm. Thinking it was Namtarn he turned to push her off, but it was Singto.

"I can't get the window latch to open."he said.

"Get back" Singto told him and also Waan on the otherside. Then gripping the sides, one hand on Krist for support, he raised his leg and kicked the wooden frame with all the force he could muster. It broke. Then he reached in and scooped Waan up.

Krist moved to the edge and slid down the pipe. As soon as he was down, Singto lowered Waan to him and lowered himself. He then reclaimed his daughter and led Krist away from the burning house an arm firmly around each of them.

A man in a chauffeur's uniform came running and said, "the fire service and ambulance are on their way."

Krist stared at the limousine parked in front of his house blankly, it's lights on, motor running. He didn't know how Singto had come to be with khun Chan who stood outside the limo's back door..At the moment he was too tired and too cold, too relieved to care.

Then he thought of something and stopped . " Namtarn....I think she s still in the house." When he looked back he could see smoke curling out of every window. He breathed in sharply looking at Singto.  He wanted to tell him everything that had happened. Instead he leaned in against him. He felt the elder's lips brush against his hair, and closed his eyes. Later, there would be time to tell him everything later...A lifetime....

**************fin****************

And its a wrap...

Thank u those who supported the story..it was quite a drag but I hope u got the emotions behind it if u reached the end..

Love u all..❤❤❤

Stay safe..stay home...