Destined Mann-er - Part 2

"Mister. Thank you for back there. I did not ask you for your help though. I cant be responsible for your voluntary services."

The kid looked at him defiantly. He was ready to put up a fight if he had to. A guy with pride huh?

Prapit chuckled. "True. Atleast spend the night with me. You are hurt, probably hungry. I won't do anything to hurt you."

The kid stared at him suspiciously, but nodded.

Prapit took his kerchief and wrapped around the boy's wounded arm.

He then led him to his car.

The boy sat quietly, throughout the way. He was alert and sensitive to the smallest movement Prapit made.

Prapit sighed. "Can you tell me your name?"

"Your's first," answered the kid.

"Why won't you tell me yours first?" Prapit asked him.

"My mom has told me never to share my details with a stranger."

"Where is your mom?" Prapit asked.

"Dead."

Prapit glanced at him. Still no expression.

"I'm Prapit."

"Akat."

"Akat, that is a wonderful name. Your mom wanted you to fly high."

"And I'm sitting with a gangster." He responded wryly.

Prapit burst out laughing. Akat looked at him.His lips twiched. There was a trace of a smile.

The kid's expression had softened a bit, making him extremely attractive.

Prapit drove home. An old man opened the door.

"Uncle Maran, this kid will be staying over with us for tonight. He has had nothing to eat and has hurt his hand.

Could you make something for him and prepare his bath? I'll treat to his wounds."

"Of course young master!"

Prapit lead Akat to his room.

"Sit here and take off your shirt."

Prapit went to fill a basin with warm water to clean his wound. He came back with the basin and a cloth.

Akat seemed reluctant to remove his shirt.

"You need to remove your shirt for me to clean your would."

"Can I do it by myself?"

"You have three seconds to remove your shirt. 1...2..."

"Okay." Akat gritted his teeth, while he slowly removed his shirt.

Prapit stared in horror at the bruise marks across the boy's body.

"Is this the bar owner's doing? I'll make him pay for this." Prapit spat out angrily.

Akat shook his head. "Some kids at school."

"Do you get bullied?"

Akat shrugged. "They feel an orphan shouldn't be allowed education?"

Prapit gritted his teeth. How messed up was that?

He said nothing as he tended to Akat's wounds.

Akat watched him in silence.

He then took out a pair of his clothes and a towel and kept it on his bed.

"I'll be down. Get a warm water bath and come for food."

Akat nodded.

A few minutes later, he came down, wearing Prapit's clothes, which were a couple of sizes larger.

Prapit felt a tug in his heartstrings. I want to take care of him, he thought to himself.

He watched him eat. Akat literally lapped his food.

"Do you want more?"

Akat shook his head. "I am grateful to Prapit for this amazing meal and to all the good things that happened today."

Prapit smiled, but said nothing.

"Your room is made. It is next to mine. Go sleep. We'll talk tomorrow."

Akat nodded and made his way to his assigned room.

It was a bit after midnight when Prapit retired to his room. He noticed light on in the room next to his. Why was Akat not asleep yet? Was he spying perhaps? Had Prapit been deceived?

He gently opened the door.

Akat was huddled in a corner, his face burried between his arms. He looked up.

"What is wrong?" Prapit asked concerned. The bed looked untouched. Infact nothing in the room looked like it was touched.

"Can I sleep in your room?" Akat asked. His eyes looked slightly hopeful.

Prapit was taken aback by the strange request. "Why?"

"I am scared of ghosts."

Prapit looked at him for sometime. Then he nodded. "Suit yourself. Get your bedspread and pillow."

Akat looked relieved. He didn't say anything as he got his stuff.

Prapit watched as he quietly lay the mattress on the floor, right next to Prapit's cot.

"Comfortable? Shall I turn off the lights?"

Akat nodded.

Uncle Maran came carrying coffee at the crack of dawn. Prapit was a light sleeper. It was probably due to the nature of his job. He was already up when Uncle Maran walked inside. No one other that him had ever been allowed to enter Prapit's room.

He noticed Akat asleep in the corner and his eyes widened with surprise.

Prapit did not say anything but took the coffee from Uncle's hands.

Uncle just smiled. It was of genuine warmth. He had always loved Prapit like his own son. He had been worried about Prapit's cynical views on life. To see him act this way with the boy, there was still hope.

"Shall I get something for the little boy?"

"Let him sleep. Can you call up his school and inform them that he isn't feeling well? His bag is there. Details should in be there."

Uncle Maran nodded and did as told.

Akat woke up, a bit disoriented. No one was there in the room.

He hadn't slept this well for over the last few years, ever since his parents died.

Last night's memories came flooding back.

Prapit. His saviour. He should pay him back. But how?

He straightened his bed and got up.

He found a note stuck on his phone, which he had placed on the table next to him.

"Don't worry about school. Rest up."

Next to the note was a new set of clothes and a toothbrush.

Akat walked down after a bath. Uncle Maran made him brunch and changed his bandages. His wounds were shallow and had healed up quite a bit. He felt much better.

"Where is Prapit?"

"Young Master has gone for work and will be back by night. He want's to discuss something with you."

Akat nodded. He would wait.