"Initially when phi Pete suddenly decided to cover his face, he use to get sick a lot and he didn't allow anyone in his room . Fever, headache, cold , cough , rashes . It was always me with him, even though I was still a child. He use to laugh and say that just my company is enough for him get well." Arthit got emotional while recalling the past. This was not the best situation for Vegas to be in. He is not someone to empathize and hence he decided that leaving immediately is better.

"Okay, so can keep him company. I will go now and Macau you too, go to your room. We have a big tiring day tomorrow. "

Vegas left abruptly, and Macau followed after taking the last look at Pete. The moment the door to Pete's room closed the one person to take a long breath was Pete. He had been holding it for ever since. He regained consciousness the moment his father came close to him and took his name. His fragrance was enough to give Pete that energy. But no amount of love , care or tears could make Pete courageous enough to face those emotional hearts of his family. Five years was not a small time. He felt a bile running up and down his body thinking how will everyone see him, will they pity him, will they be happy, will they shower him with love. And how will he react to all this. Will he even want to handle others when he himself is still feeling a restless heart thumping under his chest with a thought that after five years everyone in Dominica is going to look at him. He is so habitual to remain insignificant that now the significance that is on its way to him is seeming like a slow threat. Hence he decided to act as unconscious. He needed atleast a night to collect his emotions better.

"Arthit"
"Phi Pete, you are awake?  Should I call father?"

"No no. It's late. We should not disturb anyone."

"You are okay? Should I bring something warm for you?"

"You get worried so easily Arthit. I am your phi Pete. I am strong you know? See"

Pete showed his chest up with wide smile and Arthit smiled despite of knowing that Pete was just trying to calm him down.

"Arthit, you should go to your room"
"But Phi"
"I am okay nong, promise. I just want to be alone. Hmm?"
"You sure?"
"Very sure" Pete ruffled his hair.

Arthit left after being assured by his brother. And as soon as he did, Pete slumped  down on the floor exhaling in multiples as if someone was holding him from breathing. He had a million thoughts running on his mind . The weakness and heaviness in his body from the water still persisted but he got up by pushing his palms on the floor.

He could not tolerate anymore water on his body but he needed something that could help him feel light by draining out his stress. He took off his clothes one by one , and laid down on the bathtub looking at himself on the foggy mirror kept opposite to it in his his bathroom . Due to his favourite incense sticks that he lit up on different corners , the smoke  filled the entire place and shaded the glass windows and the mirror with blanket of fog yet he could see his hazy figure naked in the mirror . Small droplets of sweat and smoke were starting to collect on Pete's body. He was bathing in his own secretions. As he tilted his head a bit ,  a drop fell from his forehead to his lips, and he  tasted  the salt of it , licking his torn petals. He looked at himself  almost in seduction and touched his face drawing fingers on it, reaching to the scabbard mark. He stopped there and couldn't help but get reminded of the intruder in his life.

"Why did you do that Alcazarian?" he said remembering that it was Vegas who uncovered him, and it was Vegas who stamped him. All of a sudden a person unknown to him seemed to be like a centre of every crucial things of Pete's life.

"And what about you yourself Pete?" He was talking to himself aloud.

"What did you do? The stubborn resolution that you kept for five years got broken without your knowledge and what did you do? Accepted it?  Where was that furious Pete who could beat people up for this very act." Pete kept talking to himself and even he didn't knew which thought was capturing him so controllably that he kept moving his hands all over him from chest to now rubbing his smoke moistened inner thighs while continuously looking at his reflection. Strangely  his actions were not aligning with his thoughts , because his thoughts had Vegas in it but his body kept feeling himself up. Pete was not in state of realising what he was doing. Maybe it's the effect of the opium herb that disguised priest fed him.

While massaging himself on his thighs all Pete was thinking about was how he didn't hold any grudge or anger against that intruder  prince from Alcazar. How he even allowed himself to be vulnerable in his arms , and let him treat his wounds while he sat on him biting his skin.

"Why are you not feeling any guilt Pete? Why do you feel like you wanted this? Like it's a ....it's a...."

......

"Liberation. If it was my resolution  then there would have been only one thing i would have felt after uncovering myself and that is liberation. Are you feeling the same Pillock?"  In another room of the same palace Vegas talked to himself lying on the bed thinking about the incidents that happened in past days.
"Shouldn't this come as a freedom, as a blessing to you. What could be so motivating, so driving to let a person completely hide his face for years? Probably from himself too? What are you pillock, why are you such a nonsense to people around you?"

.....

"Should I stop with this nonsense now and break my resolution forever? How long will I deny the feeling of liberation and freedom I am feeling right now? As if I was caged for years and suddenly someone opened the door for me , to let me fly in the blue skies. Should I be selfish another way this time?  Forget you forever, break my promises and let myself free from the prison of your already fading memories? Should I go naked face infront of everyone tomorrow?

.....

"What will you do tomorrow pillock ? Will you restart your stupid resolution of years ? Or would you stand infront of everyone with your bare and not so beautiful face ? What will you do Saengetham?

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