My Ex-Convict: The Map On His Skin

The Thread Of Connection

Chapter 6

Khem lay on his bed, face up, when his phone vibrated. He looked at it and frowned at the unknown number. Picking it up slowly, he answered, "Hello." His voice was hoarse, low, and wrapped in sleep.

"Hello, P'Khem?" The person on the other end was humble, but their voice was kind of loud.

"Yes?" Khem replied, curiosity piqued.

"You’re talking to Non—"

Khem sat up fast, clearing his throat. "Non, is that you?" His voice was unbelieving, laced with a hint of wonder.

"Yes, it’s me, P'Khem!" Non’s cheerfulness crackled through the phone.

"How are you doing?" Khem asked, a smile creeping onto his face.

"Ah, it’s the same old. Varsity has me by the balls," Non chuckled. "I can’t even breathe without lectures looming. But I’m pushing to pass my modules. Guess that’s just part of growing up, right?"

Khem’s smile widened, listening to Non’s babbling. The familiar chatter was like a warm blanket.

Non quieted for a moment before continuing, "And how are you doing, P'Khem?" His voice dropped, laced with concern.

"I'm doing pretty well," Khem said, sighing as he thought about how different his answer would’ve been without friends.

"That’s good, P'Khem. I’m happy you’re good," Non said. "Uhm, P'Khem..."

"Yes, Nong?" Khem replied softly.

"I won’t be able to come tomorrow. My class schedule changed because exams are coming, so I’ll be busy. But I’ll make time to see you."

"It’s okay. Just do well in school. We can still chat here," Khem reassured him.

"But I wanted to see you. It's been 13 years since I last saw my brother," Non sulked over the phone.

"Hey, don’t be sad. It’s okay," Khem coaxed.

"Okay, P'Khem. I won’t be sad. I have a lot to tell you about me and life."

"I'm looking forward to that. It’s been a long 13 years without me in your life," Khem said, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

His phone lit up, an incoming call. He pulled it away from his ear and glanced at the screen: Fahkrit T. - Advocate calling.

Khem’s expression flickered for a second, then he declined the call and continued talking to Non, smiling mid-sentence.

***

Fah stared at his phone, disbelieving.

Khem had declined his call. The line was busy.

Who was he speaking to?

Someone more important than him?

Fah took his car keys and left his office.

He parked near Mae Lee’s store.

"Oh, Khun Fah!" Mae Lee beamed, her eyes finding him immediately.

"Mae. Hello. How are you?" Fah said.

"I’m doing fine, and business is doing well." She stirred onions and fish sauce in the pan. "As for Khem, he is staying well with his friend. He comes for my hotpot almost every morning."

Fah cleared his throat and stepped a little closer to Mae Lee. He lowered his voice to almost a whisper.

"Mae Lee, Jot and Khem are close, correct?"

"Yes," Mae Lee replied, smiling. "They have been close since childhood. They grew up together and take care of each other very well."

Fah’s jaw tightened. The question came out sharper than he intended.

"So their friendship has the potential to be more than friendship?"

Mae Lee looked at him, confused.

"Fah..."

Then she smiled when she understood. "Ah. Now I see."

Fah cleared his throat, suddenly shy.

"Jot has always been like that," Mae Lee said gently. "He does not have any romantic attraction to Khem. They are just friends."

"Oh. Okay. Thank you, Mae Lee. I will be going."

Mae Lee watched him with quiet admiration as he walked toward his car.

Fah exhaled as he got into the car. He started the engine and drove to Jot’s house.

He walked slowly to Khem’s room. Jot peeked out from the window. Fah continued walking, ignoring his stare.

Inside the house, Khem was smiling. He was on the phone with Non.

It had been over an hour since they started talking.

"Okay, P'Khem. I will talk to you later. I have a class tomorrow I have to sleep early," Non said.

"Okay. Study hard and make me proud, okay?" Khem replied.

"Okay, P'Khem. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Nong."

Khem was still smiling when Fah opened the door, just as the call ended.

Khem frowned at him.

"Khem," Fah said.

Khem met his gaze. That intense, steady look.

"Who were you speaking to?"

"Nong Fah. Hello. You did not say you were coming."

"Well. You did not answer my call."

"How may I assist you?"

Fah let out a short, disbelieving chuckle. "So you are going to ignore my question?"

Khem looked at him. His fist tightened at his side as he kept his composure.

"Khem!"

"Get out."

Calm. Jaw clenched.

"Khem, I—"

"Get out, Fahkrit."

Firmer this time.

"You are unbelievable, do you know that?"

"I do not owe you an explanation," Khem said. "Get out, Fah."

Fah looked at him, waiting for him to take it back.

Khem did not. He simply continued looking at him.

Fah swallowed. A lump formed in his throat. He turned and left.

He got into his car and sat for a moment before driving off.

***

Fah sat in his car, both hands locked around the steering wheel. The leather creaked under his grip. His throat still burned.

He pulled out his phone. Dialed.

“Than.”

“Fah? It’s 8 PM.” Than’s voice was wary. “You okay?”

Fah stared at the dark windshield. His voice came out flat.

“I think I messed up.”

“With the case?”

“With Khem.”

A beat.

“Who is that?”

“A... a guy I formed a friendship with.” Fah cleared his throat.

Than got it instantly.

Silence. Then a long sigh.

“What did you do?”

So Fah told him. The declined call. Mae Lee and her hotpot. Driving to Jot’s uninvited. Standing in Khem’s room like he had a right to be there.

“I asked him who he was talking to,” Fah said, jaw tight. “He told me to get out. Twice.”

Than was quiet for a long time.

“Fahkrit.”

“What.”

“You went to his house after he ignored you. You interrogated him.” Than’s voice was dry. “And you’re surprised he kicked you out?”

Fah closed his eyes. “I didn’t think—”

“Exactly,” Than cut in. “You didn’t think. You panicked.”

Fah’s grip tightened. “He said ‘I love you’ to someone else, Than.”

“So?” Than asked. “Did you ask him who?”

“No.”

“Then you don’t get to be angry, Fah.”

Fah said nothing. The car was too quiet.

“Look,” Than said finally, voice softening.

“Apologize. And next time, ask before you assume. He’s not your client. He’s not your case. He’s a person.”

The line went dead.

Fah dropped the phone onto the passenger seat.

It slid, then stilled.

He didn’t start the engine.

He just sat there, in the dark, with the words he’s a person echoing in his head.