Destined Mann-er - Part 2

Evening before the wedding…

Prapit said, "Akat, I'm going to the city, and will be with Chakri to discuss business matters. Text me if you need something. If it's urget, call me."

Akat nodded and watched him leave. He heard the door close a few minutes later.

For the first time, the gravity of the situation struck him. In less than twelve hours, he was getting married.

He started feeling nervous. So far, he had been in a daze, but now he was terrified. Was he doing the right thing?

Come to think of it, not once had Prapit said that he loved him.

He looked at his phone, mulled over it for a while, and called Vira.

Vira was his colleague at work, a fellow doctorate in mathematics; they often worked together on defense projects for the government.

Initially, they had been cold to each other, but recently, Akat had become close to Vira. Vira had helped him a lot and made Akat feel like he had gained a younger brother.

Vira picked up his call on the second ring.

"Sen! Are you okay?" A concerned voice came from the other end.

Akat smiled. "Vira, I'm getting married tomorrow."

There was a momentary silence before Vira replied, "That is brilliant, Sen! Did Prapit confess to you at last?"

Akat was quiet. Then he replied, "He just got me a ring and informed me that we were getting married. I was so over the moon; I forgot about asking him if he loved me. What do I do?"

There was no sound at the other end. "Vira, are you there?"

Vira replied, "Sen, I was thinking. It's easy for me to say go ahead or don't go ahead. But the question is, what do you want?

Question one: Why was Prapit so jealous of me?

I can only call that jealousy. He was possessive of you. Now, has he ever looked at you as his possession? If not, I would call that love.

Question two: Why did he ask you and no one else to marry him?

Call it comfort, companionship, or even convenience, but he thought of you and no one else. You are still more important than anyone else.

Question three: Do you think he will be loyal to you?

If he will not cheat on you, then I still feel your marriage would be as good as any arranged marriage.

With trust and comfort, you can work on love.

Question four: Does he look down on you, or does he respect you for what you are?

If he respects you for what you are, without looking down on you, trying to change you, or control you, you have nothing to worry about.

Last question: Will you regret it if you let this opportunity slip?

If you feel, with everything but no love, this is impossible, back out.

But with the situation presenting itself, giving you the golden opportunity to make him fall for you, and you feel like you can grab it and claim his heart, go for it.

It is now up to you to decide."

Akat smiled widely at the receiver. "Thanks, Vira. I needed that. I wish you could come to the wedding. I think Prapit has a reason for not inviting anyone. I am sorry."

Vira replied, "Don't be silly, Sen! I know your situation."

Let's celebrate with Kenta when you come back to Ekatweep.

Akat replied, "I'll treat you both for a month! Vira, one more favor. I'll text you an address. Can you drop my laptop there? I don't think I'll be coming to Ekatweep or Mann anytime soon."

"Of course, sen. I'll drop it this weekend."

"Thanks, Vira! Bye for now. Take care of yourself."

"You too, sen!"

Akat put his phone away. He lay on the bed as he thought about the questions Vira had asked him.

But he had a few other questions.

Why did Prapit plan this shotgun wedding? Why didn't he invite Vin? Was he still not over Vin? Prapit still looked at him like a boy, not a man. His first kiss was in that car. But afterward, Prapit went back to how he always was. It was like they were continuing from two years ago.

Akat wanted to stop overthinking. His head was starting to ache. He checked his phone. There was no message from Prapit. He sighed. What was he expecting?

The doorbell rang, and Akat answered the door.

Uncle Maran stood there with his suitcase. "Congratulations, my boy." He hugged Akat warmly.

Akat smiled. "Welcome home, Uncle. I wish you had come earlier."

Uncle Maran looked regretful. "The young master told me only on Saturday. I think he forgot to invite me."

Akat smiled, "You're the only person he would cherish more than his own life, Uncle. No way would he ever forget you."

Uncle Maran patted him gently on the back. "No, my boy, you are the only one he'd cherish more than his own life."

Akat didn't comment. Now wasn't the time to be cynical.

"How did he propose to you?"

Akat sighed. Why was everyone asking him that question?

"There was no proposal. It was more of a 'For Your Information.' But I'm not unwilling. You know how long I've been waiting for this day." He laughed to hide his nervousness.

Uncle Maran looked at him strangely but said nothing.

He put his suitcase in the guest room while Akat made him a cup of tea.

Uncle Maran kept the conversation light, filling him in about business, about some new clients, about Chakri's new assistant who followed him around like a puppy.

Akat hated himself, but he couldn't help it, as he asked casually, "How is Uncle Vin?"

"Uncle Vin is very active. He helped Prapit close a couple of deals, and they are now working on a close collaboration with another group. If all goes well, Prapit will be their partner, which is a big thing."

Akat nodded. "I wonder why he wasn't invited."

Uncle Maran replied light heartedly, "Well, the young master is never impulsive, but around you, he just went with his heart; he never really thought things through. I'd say he couldn't wait to get married."

Akat smiled, but his eyes didn't. They were sad. Uncle Maran was clearly trying to cheer him up. He nevertheless felt the same way Akat felt, when he stated that this wasn't something Prapit would normally do.

"Uncle, I want to go for a drink. Can I?" Akat asked him. For the first time since graduation, he wanted a drink.