3
1184 Words
Episode 3
Part 1: Bland Rice and Laughter That Shouldn’t Exist
In prison,
some days feel like years.
Other days pass too fast—
especially when someone loud won’t shut up.
Thana felt that ever since Fat Brother showed up.
“You know,” Fat Brother said, shoveling rice into his mouth,
“if you weren’t locked up, you’d totally be a PE teacher.”
Thana let out a low laugh.
“Why?”
“Because even in here, you keep teaching people how to stretch.
Like we’re about to compete in the Olympics.”
“Better than sitting around waiting to die, right?”
Fat Brother clicked his tongue.
“Damn. You talk like someone who’s lived a long life—
even though you’re younger than me.”
That day was the first time Uncle Chen ate with them.
A metal tray clanged onto the table.
Hard white rice.
Food so bland it barely tasted like food.
Thana glanced at Uncle Chen’s tray.
Worry crept in.
Can an old man even eat this?
He had seen newcomers give up after two bites.
Some even threw up.
But Uncle Chen—
He lifted his spoon calmly.
Bite after bite.
Slow. Controlled.
Until the tray was empty.
Fat Brother froze mid-bite.
“Holy s**t… look at your uncle.”
Thana turned.
“What?”
“He eats like this is emperor-level cuisine!”
Fat Brother burst out laughing.
“Uncle! You full?
If not, take mine! Hahaha!”
Nearby inmates turned to look.
Some smirked.
Some shook their heads like these guys were insane.
Uncle Chen took a sip of water.
A faint smile touched his lips.
He said nothing.
But that smile—
It wasn’t the smile of a desperate man.
It was the smile of someone
who once had choices,
and never complained.
After the meal, the three leaned against the concrete wall.
Soft sunlight slipped through the bars in thin lines.
Fat Brother rested his hands behind his head.
“Hey… real question.”
Thana looked at him.
“Yeah?”
“How did you and Uncle end up here?”
The air froze for a second.
Thana was about to answer—
But Fat Brother waved his hand.
“If it’s not convenient, don’t say it.
I’m just loud-mouthed.”
Thana chuckled softly.
“It’s fine.”
He said it plainly.
“I cut off the finger of Tanakorn Group’s heir.”
Fat Brother snapped his head around.
“What!?”
“s**t, for real!?”
“That’s it!?”
“Yeah.”
Fat Brother burst out laughing.
“You’re insane, man!”
Thana turned back.
“And you?”
Fat Brother sighed.
“Robbed a gold shop.”
Thana frowned.
“Wanted to rob it?”
“No,” Fat Brother’s voice hardened.
“My mom had cancer.
Money doesn’t wait.
So I robbed it.”
No one spoke.
But this silence wasn’t heavy.
Thana looked at Uncle Chen.
“And you, Uncle?”
The old man smiled faintly.
“Some things…
aren’t time yet.”
Fat Brother groaned.
“Damn it, Uncle.
That just makes it worse.”
Uncle Chen chuckled quietly.
“You’ll know soon enough.”
“We’re getting out soon,” Thana said.
Fat Brother nodded.
“Yours is next month, right?”
“Yeah.”
“And Uncle’s the month after me.”
Uncle Chen nodded.
Thana smiled.
“When we’re out… come to my place.
Eat with my grandma.”
Fat Brother and Uncle Chen answered together.
“Sure.”
But Fat Brother went quiet for a moment.
“I don’t have anyone left, Thana.”
Thana patted his shoulder.
“You do now.
You’re family.”
Uncle Chen watched the scene.
Silent.
But his gaze softened.
“When we’re out,” he said slowly,
“if we meet in the wrong place—
call me like a friend.”
Then his tone shifted.
“But in my world…”
“Power and influence
are necessities.”
Thana and Fat Brother nodded.
“We understand, Uncle.”
In a place where no one should laugh,
Soft laughter rose anyway.
And Thana knew—
This bond
wouldn’t end at the bars.
Part 2: The Old Man You Shouldn’t Question
After talking for a while,
they were ordered back to their cells.
Fat Brother walked while complaining.
“In prison, if you’re not loud, you go crazy.
Otherwise you won’t survive.”
Thana laughed.
“You’ve got both.”
“Of course. Premium quality.”
Uncle Chen followed behind them.
Hands clasped behind his back.
Posture straight—
like someone who never bowed easily.
Fat Brother glanced back.
“Uncle, walking that straight—
watch your back, man.”
Uncle Chen smiled.
“My back is still strong.”
“Damn, confident for your age,” Fat Brother shook his head.
“If you weren’t in here,
I’d think you owned a luxury hotel or ran some big corporation.”
Uncle Chen didn’t reply.
Just that faint smile again.
Thana watched quietly.
A question settled in his mind.
That night, they lay side by side on the cold concrete floor.
Fat Brother’s snoring filled the cell.
“Grrrk… grrrk…”
Thana whispered,
“Brother, you snore loud.”
“So what?
I’m not dead yet.”
Thana laughed despite himself.
Even Uncle Chen shook his head slightly.
“When I was young,” Uncle Chen said calmly,
“people who snore like that
rarely overthink.”
“True, Uncle,” Fat Brother replied half-asleep.
“I never learned how to overthink.”
The lights went out.
Darkness swallowed everything.
After a while, Fat Brother spoke—
serious for the first time that night.
“Thana… when you’re out,
what are you gonna do?”
The question didn’t demand an answer.
But it was heavy enough to stay.
Thana stared at the ceiling.
“I don’t know.”
“But at least…
I won’t be the same person.”
Uncle Chen spoke softly.
“Good.”
“The outside world
doesn’t give second chances
to the same man.”
Fat Brother rolled over.
“Uncle, you sound like you’ve lived that world.”
“I have,” Uncle Chen replied.
“And it’s not over.”
Silence fell across the row.
The next morning,
before they split up for activities,
Uncle Chen turned to Thana.
His voice was low, but clear.
“When we’re out…
if I contact you—”
“Don’t be surprised.”
Thana met his eyes.
“Yes, Uncle.”
Fat Brother jumped in.
“Hey, what about me?
Can you contact me too?”
Uncle Chen chuckled.
“If you don’t change your number
to dodge debts—sure.”
“Hey, Uncle!
I don’t even have debts yet!”
“Yet,” Uncle Chen replied simply.
All three laughed.
But inside Thana’s chest,
The words if I contact you
echoed louder than any joke.
🔥 Hook
Thana doesn’t yet know
whether Uncle Chen’s call
will pull him out of poverty—
Or drag him into a world
with no way back.
- Writer
