Chada
I sat there watching him eat intently, whatever inexplicable connection between us pulled me with invisible strings. I liked making sure he had enough food and filled up on everything to regain his strength.
My new mark in my chest to my neck and attached to my original tattoo seemed to burn in a dull throb. I couldn't get enough of our proximity and seeing him waiting for me out in the open like that on the beach had made me extremely worried.
I liked that he cared about me, but I never wanted to see him putting himself in danger over a longing for a bond that both of us sensed, but neither would directly talk about.
"Eat well if you want to enjoy Songkran festivities to the fullest. You'll need your strength," I just reminded him.
My family was observing us on the couch by the TV as I sat by him at a small hotel kitchen table. I leaned on my palm with my elbow on the table just watching him carefully. "You know, you can do something else but stare at him," my father said with a hint of sass.
I suppose it was no question where I had gotten my love for feisty people from, given my father was a bit of one himself.
"Mmm, I can but I don't want to," I replied, not shifting my eyes from Sarit's frame. He was mine to watch, my family could get to the plan and wingman for me or go away. I was just being grouchy and possessive, I knew my family meant well and I wouldn't seriously want them gone. I just was hyper focused on Sarit right now and didn't want distractions.
"The both of us missed proper pra Songkran, but we did our best. So, we can still go enjoy some water fights," I informed him. I knew he was likely not completely familiar, but I imagined he would love the water based festivities.
"How are you going to play with your leg like that?" Dite asked, still seated, but her brow showed a hidden furrowed concern.
"We can put waterproof wrap over it," I commented simply. If the rest of my life was going to be impacted by this situation, I wouldn't let it stop me from living my life. The brace and wrap would need to come off eventually anyway.
Sarit looked up from his food, sensing something in the way our expressions shifted. He looked back and forth between us with silence. His eyes then settled on me and tried to read my eyes. The clank of his spoon was heard as he tried to discern what was happening once more. I knew it was only a matter of time til he found out, but I didn't want to worry him.
I didn't want him to feel guilty or treat me differently. For a little while I wanted to be the strong easy going Chada for him.
He chewed his lips before finishing eating, even the way he did this small action made my heart flutter. Under the table, he slowly curled his lower leg around mine. He did it pretending to be casual, that it was a normal movement.
The way he pulled my leg closer to him, making me scooch to close the distance between us until our sides were touching was the dead giveaway, that he was being just as possessive of me.
We finished getting ready and changing into water friendly outfits as the both of us and our very nosy family all headed out for the day. We stopped at booths and I grabbed him a water gun and taught him how to use it.
It was like giving a weapon to a child because he spent the next thirty minutes attacking everyone with the water spray, the local children began to play with him saying, "we haven't seen such an enthusiastic young adult before. They're all boring." I smirked upon hearing this as he accidentally sprayed a man who was still wearing a suit, heading home from work. "Sorry, sorry Khun, he didn't mean to," I said pulling Sarit gently away and bowing slightly in a respectful Wai gesture.
"Sarit, dear, we can spray everyone and throw water on everyone that is holding water items or dressed for it, but not people wearing suits and water breakable tech like phones," I gently instructed him on the etiquette.
He pouted his cheeks at me before turning back to the brightly colored streets and clothing of the crowd. I scratched my head realizing we had unleashed a very cute menace.
"I see my son-in-law has a very hearty demeanor," Dad said, bumping my shoulder. "Much like myself. I must say." He continued. "It reminds me of the days when your Mother and I were still young." I laughed, accepting his approval. Mom was sitting on a chair, watching this unfold with a loving smile. "I'm coming dear!!!" He said, running in her direction.
I watched them in front of me, thinking wow I really had a very lively family. Sarit fit in perfectly, like he was always there from the start.
Sarit came running back, "the human kids are starting to really like me! They said I am a fiery spirit, RAWR!"
I couldn't help but laugh so hard I almost doubled over, he was so freaking cute.
It was nice seeing him finally getting more comfortable with the bustling society around us, he definitely still had his anxiety though as he would trail closer to me for comfort whenever he got overstimulated.
We grabbed some chairs in a restaurant and he laid across them in my lap, taking in the quiet from the chaos surrounding us. He took in deep breaths and recharged with just the two of us.
My family nodded in understanding and let us be for a while while Sarit would readjust to his surroundings.
Suddenly the quiet between us was interrupted when he said, "I like this." The small admission made my eyes widen in surprise as I looked at the boy on my lap.