Cool air from the car's AC brushed against Anupap's face as he watched raindrops patter against the windshield. His mind drifted to the riverside house where he'd stayed during the company's annual retreat.
In the living room, the wall facing the mountains was floor-to-ceiling glass with a skylight above. He'd stretched out on the plush sofa, gazing up at the starless night sky. Tiny raindrops clung to the glass, shimmering in the candlelight from the large scented candle on the side table. The flame danced as if alive, casting light on the droplets above the skylight—beautiful and cold.
The red light turned green, reflecting off his car window. Scattered raindrops on the windshield caught the light like diamonds. Anupap shifted the car left into Sukhumvit Soi 49. Soon he'd be home, nestled in his soft bed after today's exhausting work.
He turned the wipers to their gentlest setting. As they cleared the windshield, he glanced left at the sidewalk. For a moment, he thought he recognized someone walking there—a tall, broad-shouldered man in khaki uniform, wide shoulders tapering to a strong back, walking slowly as if oblivious to the light rain falling around him.
"Captain Atikom," Anupap murmured. 'What's he doing walking around here?'
As the car drew closer, he noticed Atikom's right arm folded up in a sling.
"Broken arm?" Anupap whispered.
He slowed the car, feeling slightly guilty since he hadn't contacted Atikom at all during his nearly two-week business trip abroad, racing against deadlines.
Anupap slowed to pull alongside the walking figure, but Atikom kept moving forward, unaware of the sedan beside him. Anupap crept along behind him and tapped the horn lightly to get the attention of the man lost in thought. Atikom didn't react, just kept walking without looking over.
"Seriously? Can't he hear that?" Anupap thought.
He drove ahead and stopped, waiting for the big man who continued walking along the roadside, ignoring everyone. He planned to honk loudly when Atikom reached him—this spot by the office building was quiet, so Atikom would definitely hear. Earlier, maybe the noise from the roadside shops had been too loud.
'But he's a cop. His situational awareness should be better than ordinary people. How does he not know there's a car slowing down and honking beside him?'
Anupap looked left but couldn't see where the 'deaf policeman' had gone. Raindrops on the passenger window made it hard to see clearly. He checked the rearview mirror, puzzled by Atikom's disappearance, then jumped when knuckles rapped on the driver's window. The familiar sharp, handsome face smiled lazily near the glass, showing white teeth. The thick mustache made his stern features look even more intense. Those hawk-like eyes sparkled with amusement.
Atikom straightened up and walked around the front of the car to the passenger side, reaching for the door handle. Still locked.
Want to tease me, do you? Anupap felt annoyed and moved the car forward as if to say... fine, don't get in then.
The young policeman panicked, thinking Anupap was angry and wouldn't let him in the car. He let go of the handle and was about to run after the car, knocking on the window, but the red sports car stopped after moving forward about 7 meters.
Atikom shook his head with amusement. "Really mean, you moody guy," he thought.
"I thought you were going to leave me to walk in the rain," Atikom complained as he got in the car, leaning over to look at Anupap, who sat stiffly facing forward before driving off quickly.
"An angel really did come to help this poor man," Atikom continued teasing, that charming smile still playing on his stern face.
"Having fun, aren't you, Captain? You heard from the first honk, didn't you? But you pretended not to," Anupap accused.
"No, I really didn't hear," the young policeman protested.
Anupap glanced over briefly. Atikom's already intense features looked even sharper because his skin had darkened as if from sun exposure. His hair had grown longer, his mustache and beard were scruffy as if he hadn't shaved in days. He looked worn out, almost exhausted, but his face still held that gentle smile.
That charming, flirtatious smile... Anupap used to tease Sombat when they 'gossiped' about this stern-faced policeman.
"I was thinking about someone and didn't hear anything around me," Atikom played his flirtatious role perfectly. Anupap wasn't sure who 'someone' referred to and was afraid to ask innocently, worried he'd be walking into a trap.
"Plus my arm hurts. You probably didn't notice," he said, his tone instantly switching to wheedling.
"Is it broken? Where's your car?" Anupap asked in a flat voice as if it wasn't serious, though he actually wanted to know what had happened.
"Shot. Car's in the garage," Atikom answered just as casually.
Anupap startled, his hands jerking on the steering wheel. Look at that—he said he was shot like he was mentioning a trip to the convenience store.
"Shot? Does it hurt much?"
"Are you worried about me?" The wheedling policeman was good at this, switching to a coaxing tone.
"Well... I'm just asking... because... it's..." Anupap stammered.
"A good manner," Atikom filled in the gap, then turned to look at the road ahead.
"Last week I was chasing down a suspect in a drug sting operation. Just grazed me, doesn't hurt much," Atikom continued his account. "But the first night after it happened, after I got back from the hospital, I got a fever. Lying at home alone, sweating and miserable with no one to take care of me."
"Why didn't you stay at the hospital? Why go home?" Anupap asked in the same flat tone, trying not to think that Atikom was starting to flirt with him... pretending to be pitiful to hint that he wanted Anupap to take care of him.
"It wasn't that serious. This little wound is almost healed. Tonight I can take off the sling. Staying at the hospital is more for anxious types."
"Then you shouldn't complain, should you, Captain Capable?" Anupap concluded.
"Inspector," Atikom turned with a wide smile. "I just got promoted to Police Major."
"Really? Congratulations," Anupap smiled, genuinely pleased.
Atikom absorbed the scene before him with satisfaction. Anupap's smile was like a flickering spark that made the dim car interior bright and dazzling. He desperately wanted to lean closer and touch those soft red lips.
"We should celebrate. I got promoted last week and wanted to tell you, but you were abroad and I couldn't reach you. Almost two weeks without talking, without seeing each other for so long. I thought..."
"We arrived," Anupap cut him off, braking the car so suddenly that Atikom's head snapped forward. He knew what Atikom was about to say—he'd pour out his feelings at length.
This policeman's charm really matched his good looks.
"Khun Nu, aren't you coming up to see me off? I'm injured and don't know if I can make it up to the condo. Help support me a little," his eyes pleaded so that Anupap wanted to poke his finger into those sparkling orbs.
"It's your arm that's hurt, not your leg. You said you were just grazed, not badly hurt. Captain Capable with his brave heart can't take the elevator?" The young man's voice was sharp.
"Inspector. Inspector," the newly promoted inspector quickly corrected. "Right now I feel like I might have a fever," Atikom began acting pathetic.
"Good night, Inspector Atikom," Anupap said goodbye in a stern voice. "When your leg is broken and you can't walk, I'll help support you out of the car. If you're dying, I'll drag you to the security guard at the elevator to take you up."
"Cruel."
"I've never been the kind-hearted type," Anupap said flatly, his face smiling.
"Friday evening, let's have dinner together to celebrate my promotion. You pick me up—I can't drive with my injured arm," the new inspector pleaded, ignoring Anupap's sarcasm.
The red sports car shot away. Atikom stood smiling after it until it disappeared from sight. Anupap didn't accept the invitation, just smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth. That was enough for Atikom. Whether he agreed or not, tomorrow he'd call and nag him to have dinner, or worst case, he'd wait in front of the company and force his way into the car.
"Still good. Just supporting me to the elevator entrance would work. He'd pretend to be heavy and fall against me. Let's see if he can support my weight. I'd put my arm around his neck, then pretend to be weak and nestle against that clean white face and then... mmm," Atikom fantasized as he walked into the residential building, his lips curved in a good mood.