GODDESSBLESSYOUFROMDEATH, Special Case File 5: Dreams Foretelling Events

“Chief, we haven’t found the suspect.”

   “I’ll go around the back.”

   “Roger that.” The young officer watched the director’s back. It’s not often you see someone of his rank on the ground. The admiration in his eyes grew, especially since it was a drug dealer bust.

   Singha walked along the zinc building to the back, holding his gun in a standard grip before stopping when he heard footsteps approaching. As soon as he saw the suspect peek around the corner, Singha swiftly kicked the black gun away.

   The suspect threw a punch, but Singha managed to deflect it in time. He struck the suspect’s face before pulling out his handcuffs.

   “You have rights-”

   Thwack!!

   Before he could finish his sentence, the other guy swung his arm, landing a solid punch on Singha’s right cheek. The numbness and the taste of blood didn’t faze the young cop; he just spat out the bloody saliva and looked up at the terrified drug dealer.

   “Damn it.” Normally, he should read the criminal his rights before arresting him, but if the guy was knocked out cold, that wouldn’t be necessary.

   A swift kick to the chest sent the criminal sprawling before he could continue, but just as he was about to kick the man again, the dealer managed to grab his gun…

   BANG!!!!

   “Phii Singha!!” Thup jolted awake, drenched in sweat.

He had just returned from dealing with some photos at the studio. After starting some chores, he dozed off on the sofa. The dream, vivid and terrifying, made Thup’s heart race. He grabbed his phone to call the first number saved, but there was no answer, increasing his worry.

“Phii Singha, please pick up, please!” The young man paced anxiously. Today was their seventh anniversary, and Thup didn’t want to think about any superstitions or tales.

The seven-year curse, believed by many to mark a change for long-term couples. Though there were no warnings, when it hit, smooth-sailing love could suddenly hit turbulence. Some fell out of love, some broke up, some departed… and some died.

Thup decided to call Darin instead, since the older man wasn’t answering. Last night, he remembered Singha mentioning he’d be back in the evening after dealing with the drug case. Thinking about those words only heightened Thup’s anxiety. It was like his dream, especially since the last time he had a dream like this, it turned out to be true, when he encountered a murder case in the forest.

[What’s up, Thup?]

   “Phii Rin, is Phii Singha with you? Is Phii Singha at the station?”

[Singha went out on a case, it should be sorted by now.]

   “I can’t reach Phii Singha at all.”

[Then I’ll go ask the lieutenants.]

   Thup waited anxiously. He glanced at the gifts and a large bouquet of white roses on the table, prepared for tonight, and his eyes welled up.

If something happened to Phii Singha, what would he do…

[Hello, is Thup still there?]

   “Yes.”

[Well… Singha is in the hospital…]

   The phone fell from his hand due to gravity. Thup felt his legs weaken; he tried to breathe, tears streaming down his face, something stuck in his throat.

Gathering his strength, he stood up, grabbed his wallet, and walked out to call a taxi at the village entrance. Driving himself now would be disastrous. During the ride, Thup kept staring at his clenched, bloodless hands. He questioned why this was happening, how he would cope. Negative thoughts overwhelmed him so much he didn’t notice the taxi had stopped at the hospital.

The young man ran into the hospital in tears, dashing aimlessly, not knowing whom to ask, unsure if he could bear the truth. As he ran, a voice called out from behind, making him freeze.

“Thup!!” The young man stiffened, afraid to turn around. If he turned and it wasn’t really Singha, what then? “What are you doing here, and why are you barefoot?”

“Phii Singha…” Thup turned around, face covered in tears, shocking the older man into running towards him. “Phii Singha, sob…”

“What’s wrong?! Are you hurt somewhere, Thup?!” Warm hands cupped Thup’s face, and just like that, the young man burst into tears before collapsing to his knees, “Thup!!”

“You are really warm, still warm.” he sobbed.

“I’m here, don’t cry, be a good boy.” Singha had no idea what was wrong with the boy in front of him. He saw Thup dash by, looking distressed, so he called him over. Seeing the state he was in and how hard he was crying, Singha was even more worried. He embraced his loved one, stroking his soft hair and back to comfort him, unabashed by onlookers.

After nearly half an hour, Thup calmed down and fell asleep from exhaustion. He sat in a hospital chair outside the operating room because there weren’t many people around, and he had to wait for the doctor to update him on the condition of the assailant. His large hand still held Thup’s slender one, and his shoulder also served as a pillow for Thup.

“Singha, wheeze, where, where is Nong Thup?” Darin ran over, out of breath, unable to speak properly. Behind her, a beautiful lawyer with jet-black hair in a suit followed. His sharp, slightly haughty face matched his tall, dignified posture. He gently rubbed Darin’s back and handed her water.

“He’s asleep. No idea what’s wrong.”

“Little Phii, wheeze, he called me.”

“Drink first, Rin, then talk.” she said calmly with concern, pushing Darin to sit next to Singha.

“I told you I was in a hurry.” Darin complained to his girlfriend.

“I know, I know, stop whining and drink.” Tatcha, the capable lawyer, replied, soothing Darin’s back after they met during a case where Darin had to testify as a medical witness.

“See, Singha, he called me earlier, asked where you were, but his voice was short and he sounded worried. When I said you were at the hospital, he hung up. I thought he must have misunderstood.”

“Yeah, probably. I saw him running around without shoes, crying.”

“Sorry, man. Didn’t think he’d get so scared. Just wanted to tell you that you brought the assailant to the hospital, but I didn’t get the chance.”

“Yeah, no problem then. And where were you?”

“Waiting for Tatcha at the station, we were about to go out for lunch.”

“Then let’s go, waiting for Thup to wake up and I’ll head back.”

“What about the criminal?”

“Singha.” a voice interrupted the conversation, making all three turn to look, “Oh, Merk, what are you doing at the hospital?”

“Probably here to see the dog-faced woman.”

“You’re the dog!” Darin retorted immediately, earning a laugh from Merk.

“I’m here to question a witness in a case. What are you guys doing here?”

“Singha brought the criminal to get the bullet removed. Here comes the doctor now.” Darin pointed towards the doctor walking out of the door.

“Oh, hello Phii Singha, Phii Darin.”

“Am I not a dog?” Merk protested when the kid in front didn’t seem inclined to greet him.

“In the mouth, right?”

“Charn, stop whining.”

“That one’s whining, why didn’t you go back to my room last night?”

“Because you were probably trying to lure me.”

Singha rolled his eyes at the two in front who never came to a conclusion on this matter.

“Are you still arguing about this?” Another newcomer’s voice made Singha wish he could make the sleeping kid disappear right now. “I told you to take turns.”

“Screw that. Why would I agree to that?” Merk replied before narrowing his eyes at Chan, who was raising his eyebrows, “What are you doing here, Say?”

“Here to pick up a body for an autopsy.”

“Isn’t Blue coming?”

Merk asked before brushing Charn’s hand away.

“Hold on, I’m just buying some snacks up ahead. So, what are you all doing here?”

“Let me summarize.” Darin volunteered, standing up and taking a deep breath.

“Singha brought the criminal for treatment, and the doctor handling the case is Charn. Merk is here for case documents, me and Tatcha are here because of Nong Thup. Nong Thup is here because of Singha, that’s it.”

“Complicated.” Say commented succinctly after hearing the explanation.

“Very.” Singha added.

“Mmm.” The sound from someone who had just woken up silenced everyone instantly, “How’s it going, you dog?”

“Phii Singha.”

“Here.” Singha tightened his grip on the hand he was holding, “The guy inside, how is he?”

“He’s out of danger now, the bullet’s been removed. Currently, he’s been moved to the ICU for recovery.”

“We’ll have the police guard him.”

“Have your underlings contact me. And you, following me here, do you know how many hours I waited for you last night with dinner ready?” Charn dragged Merk away by the collar.

“Ouch, ouch, you little brat.”

“Then let’s go, it’s almost reservation time.” Tatcha stood up, wrapping his arm around Darin’s waist.

“Okay, okay, Singha, Say, I’m heading out, apologize to Nong Thup for me.”

“Mm, go ahead.”

“Go, go, take the kid home. Check his foot wound too.” Say advised, noticing Thup’s bare feet.

“Phii Say, Blue brought coffee.” The kid who just walked in handed over a coffee, the owner of the red hair, “Hello, director.”

“Mm, then I’ll take Thup back, you handle everything here.”

“Alright.”

“Uh.”

Singha led the quiet kid by the hand into the car and drove straight home. The entire way was unusually silent, but he chose not to ask until they reached Singha’s house, where he walked in.

After settling Thup on the sofa, he went to the bathroom and returned with a basin of water and a clean cloth. He knelt in front of Thup, soaking his fair feet in the water, gently rubbing them clean, only to find blood seeping from the sole.

“Phii Singha.”

“Why did you go out without shoes? You’re hurt now.”

“I dreamed…” Thup pulled his vacant gaze back to look at the older brother before recounting everything—the dream, the curse, the worries.

Singha dressed the wound while listening, then dropped everything to embrace the sudden hug. He could only comfort with a silent hug; everything Thup recounted matched perfectly, except it wasn’t him who got shot. At the moment the criminal aimed at him, he dodged, disarming the shooter, causing the gun to fire accidentally into the criminal’s own abdomen.

“Stop crying now, you’ll get a headache.”

“What would I do if something happened to you?”

“Look at me, Thup. I’m right here, right in front of you. We’re together now. No one’s going anywhere, understand?” Singha pushed Thup back slightly to hold his delicate face. He didn’t know what Thup saw in the dream or how terrifying it was, “See?” But judging by the fear in those eyes, he couldn’t let go, “Uh.” Thup nodded tearfully before hugging the older man again.

About half an hour later, Singha sent his younger brother to take a shower and freshen up. Meanwhile, he looked over the many items on the dining table. His stern morning face slowly formed a rare smile. There was cake with the frosting melting to reveal the bread inside, a white gift box, and a bouquet of flowers, all with Post-its attached in handwriting he recognized.

“You don’t like sweets, so I ordered one with fresh cream, it’s not too sweet.

“This gift, you’ll definitely use. I’ll wait to see.”

“Do you like white roses? I’ll go pick them out at the shop myself.”

Singha read every word carefully. It’s not that he hadn’t thought about what might happen during the mission, but it’s unavoidable when you’re in this line of work. He had already talked to Thup, and the kid understood, but this time it might really shake him up because of a bad dream that turned out to be true, just like last time.

“Phii Singha.” The hoarse voice, the tight embrace, and a chin resting on a shoulder made Singha turn to look. He buried his nose hard into the smooth cheek upon seeing Thup’s nose and under eyes so red it was endearing. “Are you hungry? Thup can go make something to eat.”

“I’ve already ordered. Let’s eat takeout today.”

“Sorry for startling you, and also sorry… for making this anniversary day all about some unknown stuff.”

“We’ll make up for it next year.”

“I rushed out without putting the cake in the fridge.” A hug around the waist, then a sigh, Thup tightened his embrace.

“I’ll eat you as dessert.” Singha flipped back to look at the person behind, the clear face of the puppy. “Did the wound on your foot get wet?”

“No.”

“Headache?”

“No.”

“Hungry yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Want me?”

“No-.” Thup paused immediately, eliciting loud laughter from Singha.

“You pervert.”

“Are you tired? Tired of me, Phii Singha?”

“Tired.”

“Sorry-”

“I’m tired of you always hurting yourself, tired of you apologizing for nothing.” Singha raised his arm to embrace the neck of the person in front of him, then stared seriously into the light brown eyes, “I love you so much, Thup. Whether it’s a seven-year curse, ten years, or a hundred, I don’t care. If you love me, you must love yourself more because I hate seeing you hurt. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“I understand, I love you a lot too, and I understand your job is dangerous. I know people are born, age, get hurt, and die, but I want to be here with you, to hug you, kiss you, hold your warm body. Not the cold corpse or something I can’t touch.”

“Then do it, do everything you want… together.” Their noses touched, “Do everything well while we still have this loving opportunity. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

Their lips met and pressed together until there was no space left, each savoring the familiar sweetness, both entrusting faith and love.

“Happy anniversary, Phii Singha.”

“Happy anniversary to you too, Thup.”

Forever and best wishes to each other.

   END

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