Destined Mann-er - Part 2

Akat woke up. He was groggy. What time was it? He groped under his pillow and fished out his phone. It was nine already!

He jumped out of his bed. Prapit was not around. This was just like the first day he had slept at Prapit's house. Only, this time it was on the same bed. He blushed as he thought about it.

He got a quick wash and headed down, after changing into the clothes Prapit had kept out for him. Breakfast was already ready when he went down.

"Ah, I was just going to wake you up. Have your breakfast, we are going out now."

"Where?" Akat asked, curious to know exactly what Prapit was scheming.

"You'll find out."

Akat shrugged as he dived into his breakfast. He didn't know what Prapit was upto, but it was two days in a row he was getting Prapit's food. He wouldn't look at the gift horse in it's mouth.

He sat in the car and stared out of the window as they drove past the paddy fields and into the town.

Prapit took him to a boutique store that sold custom tailored clothes for men.

"Mr. Kinner?"

An old man came out to the front. "Ah! Mr. Prapit! This is the dashing yound lad you were talking about."

Prapit nodded. "Could you take his measurements? And by when can we expect the suit?"

"It should be done in two days."

Prapit was pleased. "Brilliant! Can we have Mr. Akat try a couple of them? Would like to see which one brings out the best in him."

He turned to Akat. "Try whichever ones you like."

Akat was completely puzzled, but he refrained from commenting. He didn't wear suits even for his own functions at the defence quarters. He hated the stiffling sensation. Prapit knew it, why was he getting him a suit?

He tried about seven different suites before Prapit zeroed in on one, a pale grey with beige stripes, that brought out Akat's charm.

He smirked,"You will be the source of every one's envy." He gently ruffled Akat's hair and moved to try some suits for himself.

It reminded Akat of the first time Prapit had taken him shopping in downtown Marina, and that was a week after he started living with Prapit.

Uncle Maran made an observation, which was overheard by Prapit, "You wash your uniform and night and wear the same the next morning. Don't you have another set? It doesn't look white anymore."

Akat shrugged. "It serves it's purpose, what does it matter?"

Uncle Maran sighed. He was getting nowhere with this kid, who was as stubborn as his young master.

That weekend Prapit called up Chakri. "Chakri, can you cancel morning appointments? Move the essential ones to the evening, I have an errand to run."

He then took Akat to his person tailor. "I want him to have three sets of uniform. Could you please take his measurement? Also, please stich two winter jackets. He will need it in the upcoming months."

Akat did not know how to react. The first few minutes was just him trying to understand what was going on. He couldn't believe that a person who was in no way related to him by blood went to such extents for him.

When the clothes were ready, he wore the new set and Prapit dropped him off at school before going to work.

As he got down, Prapit got down, adjusted his tie and said, "You look dashing. Walk in there confidently. Don't look conscious."

He ruffled Akat's hair and walked back to his car, waving before leaving.

As Akat saw the car disappear from his vision, he touched his hair. His heart beat was higher than normal. Why did he feel so happy?

He still remembered that feeling. Nothing had changed. Now, he was twenty seven, his heart still fluttered when Prapit ruffled his hair, he couldn't but smile to himself when Prapit complimented him.

Was he such a simple minded person?

When he saw Prapit come out of the trial room, his heart dropped out of his chest. He wore a black tuxedo with beige lines that complimented Akat's own. He had a brooch with a small beige rose that brought out the black of the tux.

His smile was disarming, it was criminal, what he did to Akat's heart.

"What do you think? Good? Not good?"

Akat nodded mutely.

"Should I try another one?" Prapit asked. Did he not look good?

Akat shook his head. "Go for it, you look good." He mumbled the words, but Prapit heard it loud and clear.

Prapit took his card to pay but Akat drew his first. "I have always been at the receiving end, let me for a change, give back."

Prapit looked irritated. "I don't keep tab when it comes to you."

"I know that too well, but I don't think it's wrong of me to pitch in now and then. It makes me feel important as well."

Prapit gave him a cold stare, "Suit yourself."

Akat didn't know what he had done to offend Prapit.

They drove in silence for some time till they reached a temple. "Wait here, I'll be back." He left Akat in the car as he went up to see the priest.

"We had discussed. Just wanted to confirm, Tuesday morning would work for us right?"

The priest replied," All is set Mr. Prapit, nothing to worry about. I have the winesses ready as well. All you have to do is come."

Prapit smiled. The only thing left was the ring. How could he get it without scaring Akat?

He went back into the car. They had to drive back to the jewellery shop.

Akat was feeling a bit uncomfortable. Things were not adding up. First the suits, then the temple?

"Why the suits?" Akat asked.

"We have a wedding five days from now," Prapit replied, grinning.

"Uncle Chakri is getting married?"

Prapit laughed. "No, I am."

Akat's mind went blank. He wanted to run away from the car, run away and hide himself.

"Congratulations uncle Prapit. And who is the lucky partner?"

Akat asked, but he dreaded the answer. It brought back memories he wanted to forget desperately. Memories of what happened two years ago.