Chapter 21 Pete
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: Pete
“Aunt Sunnee almost canceled her trip, she was so worried,” I say to Alex as I take off my shoes at the door. I freeze, listening. “Is he crying?”
“He’s been like this since you left,” Alex says.
“I haven’t seen him cry since he was little.”
“I’m afraid pressure at work, lack of sleep, and improper eating have led him to a breakdown.”
“I’m going to take him a plate of dinner,” I say, hurrying to the stove.
“Take him this pain reliever, too,” Alex says, preparing a glass.
When I enter the guest room, Rama’s just a shape in the dark room.
“Rama, I brought you some dinner,” I say quietly, setting the tray on the nightstand. He stares straight ahead.
Reaching out, I touch his arm. “Rama. Are you okay? Should I take you to the hospital?”
Alex appears at the door. “What’s the matter?”
“Look at him.”
Coming to sit on the bed, Alex gently shakes Rama’s shoulder. “Rama? Can you hear me?”
Rama blinks and his face crumples.
Alarmed, I look at Alex. “Do you think we should take him to the hospital?”
“I think he’s just emotionally drained. He needs a good night’s sleep. Leave the tray in case he feels better in a while and wants to eat.”
Back in the kitchen, I begin cleaning up. When Alex joins me, I ask, “Should I call Uncle Korn? Or Chinda?”
“No. I got him to take the Tylenol. I’m sure he’ll be better in the morning. Besides, they’ll only worry, and there’s nothing they can do.”
We finish straightening the kitchen and when I peer into Rama’s room before bed, he’s asleep.
The next morning, Rama’s pale and his eyes are red and puffy.
“How do you feel?” I ask gently.
Rama’s eyes move from my face to the ceiling, but he doesn’t answer.
“Rama, you’re scaring me. If you don’t snap out of it, I’m going to have to call an ambulance.”
When I move toward the door, he says, “Don’t. I’m…okay.”
“Prove it to us by eating,” Alex says, bringing in a plate of scrambled eggs and toast.
He allows us to help him to sit up against the pillows. Slowly, as though in a trance, he takes the fork from my hand and takes a bite of eggs.
“Will you tell me what’s wrong?” I ask. “Have you just worn yourself out?”
Rama shakes his head. “I don’t want to talk about it. Please.”
A muffled ringing comes from his pocket, but Rama makes no move to pull out his phone. When I do it for him, he closes his eyes and rests his head back on the pillow.
“Do you want me to answer this?” I ask him. When he doesn’t say anything, I look at the screen.
“Hey, Pravat, this is Pete.” I watch Rama’s face. He doesn’t show any sign that he’s listening.
“Hi, Pete. Is Rama busy? I wanted to wish him a happy birthday before he heads for work.”
Quietly, I leave the room. “Damn, I completely forgot it’s his birthday. Uh, he’s in bed.”
“Is he sick?” Pravat sounds concerned. “I thought he’d be at work.”
“I think he is sick, yes. He’s been working much too hard.”
“I was afraid that would happen,” Pravat says.
“He’s pretty out-of-it, but maybe after resting today he’ll feel better. I’ve taken the day off, so I’ll be here with him.”
“Please let me know if he gets any worse. I know there’s nothing I can do from here, but I’d like to know.”
I promise that I will and disconnect.
“What did he say?” Alex asks, coming into the living room.
“He called to wish him a happy birthday.”
“Did you tell him how Rama’s acting?”
I nod. “Maybe I shouldn’t have. He sounded very concerned.”
“I really think it’s exhaustion and he’ll be okay with some rest. He’s sleeping again. I need to go to work. Try to get some liquids in him.” Slipping into his shoes at the door, Alex adds, “I wish I didn’t have to go to rehearsal, but I don’t have a choice.”
“I’ll be fine.” Leaning close, I kiss him softly on the lips. “Have a good day. I’ll see you tonight.”
After Alex leaves, I go in Rama’s room and get him out of his work clothes, so he’ll be more comfortable. Then I clean the apartment before taking a shower. I almost drop my towel when I turn the corner and come face-to-face with Rama.
“You’re up!” I exclaim, staring at him stupidly.
“I thought you’d be at the office,” he says tiredly. Dark circles make his eyes appear hollow.
“I took today off. Happy birthday, by the way. Are you feeling better?”
“I…yeah. I’m about to leave for work.” He turns, and I follow him to the front door where he starts to put on his shoes. All my relief from a moment before disappears.
“Rama. Aren’t you going to shower and change? You’re in your underwear.”
He stares at me blankly before looking down at himself.
“Oh. What happened to my suit?” His hand falls from the doorknob, and he glances around as though unsure what to do next.
“Alex helped you out of it last night, don’t you remember?”
He shakes his head.
“I really think you should rest today.” When he doesn’t say anything, I sigh. “Go in the bathroom. I’ll bring you a fresh towel.”
Listlessly, Rama heads down the hall. I hear him turn on the shower. When I arrive with the towel, he’s standing under the water, shivering.
Opening the door, I stick my hand in the spray.
“Fuck, it’s freezing cold!” I turn the faucet toward hot. “Are you okay?”
He nods, and I retreat, leaving the bathroom door ajar. A few minutes later, when I hear him cross the hall into the guest room, I follow.
“Are you sure you’re feeling all right?”
“Why do you keep asking me that?” Dropping his towel, Rama steps into a pair of clean boxer-briefs.
“Because you’re acting so strangely. You have been since you came home last night. Do you remember Aunt Sunnee being here?”
Rama pauses a moment before resuming dressing. “I’m fine. I’m late for work.”
“I think you should take the day off,” I say again.
“I need to be there,” he says as he does a very poor job of tying his tie. I continue to argue, but in the end, he leaves the apartment.