LOVE WAS RED

CHAPTER 5

Bank woke up the next morning and went down to prepare breakfast for his friends.

He fried eggs with sausage, toasted sliced bread, then he made coffee and peeled some tangerines, before going up stairs to wake up his friends.

As they sat down to eat, he asked Saran.

"How are you feeling?”

"Am alright," Saran answered coolly as he ate his toasted bread.

Yok sipped his coffee. "Did you sleep well?"

"No I did not," Saran dropped the toasted bread on to his plate.

"None of us did, because we were worried about you," Yok said, looking at Saran.

Saran smiled as he looked from Bank to Yok.

"Am fine."

"You will find someone else, you will see. Just give it time."

Saran smiled again. "Maybe."

It amazed him that Yok, who was yet to find himself a boyfriend, was selling the idea of falling in love.

"I spoke to Pitch last night and he has prepared a boat for us today to enjoy a relaxing day on Coral Island." Bank told his friends. Coral Island was a well-known tourist spot which had beautiful sandy beaches, glass-clear waters and extensive coral.

After breakfast was finished, the dishes were washed, and the kitchen cleaned. Bank and Yok went upstairs to lay out beach clothes for the boat outing. Saran, meanwhile, poured himself a glass of wine and sipped quietly by himself.

Three hours later, Yok came down and found Bank preparing the drinks that they would take with them on the drive to Rawai beach.

"Where is Saran?" Bank asked.

"I thought he was already downstairs with you?" Yok was a little confused.

"No he isn't."

"I will go up and get him."

"Hurry up, we must leave now." Bank urged.

Yok nodded before rushing up the stairs. He entered Saran’s room and found him sleeping. Looking around, he found an unfinished wine glass and a bottle of sleeping pills.

Yok quickly became alarmed.

He ran over to the bed and began to shake Saran awake.

“Saran, Saran…. can you hear me? Saran!!”

Saran slowly opened his eyes and tried to focus them on Yok.

"Why are you shouting?"

Yok became a little relieved, then his expression changed to anger.

"Did you take sleeping pills?

"Yes," Saran said softly.

"While drinking wine?" Yok demanded.

"Yes."

"Why would you do that!" Yok screamed at him.

"Am sorry." Saran looked like he wanted to cry.

" I am going to get Bank."

When Yok came down again, he found Bank on his smartphone.

"We have a problem?"

"What problem?" Bank looked up.

"Saran is mixing sleeping pills and alcohol."

They all rush up to Saran.

"Are you alright?" Bank asked as he sat next to him.

" I'm a little drowsy but fine."

"But why would you take sleeping pills during the day and then drink wine on top of that?"

" I'm sorry and I know it was reckless on my part. But I just wanted to sleep. That is why I took the pills."

"It's because of Kit, isn't it? You just want something to prevent you from feeling sad about the breakup," Yok jumped in.

"Maybe," Saran agreed, then began to cry.

Bank hugged Saran. "Just give it time. You will be fine.

"So are we going or staying?" Yok asked.

"We can't go with Saran in this state."

"No, let's go and have fun." Saran pleaded.

"Are you sure you are up for it?" Bank asked.

"Yes, let’s go." Saran pleaded.

"Do you need help getting ready?"

"Yes, I do."

After helping Saran get dressed, the three best friends got into the car and set off for Coral Island.

Bank drove while Yok sat in the back with Saran.