Chapter 2

Uncle Khao Tom ‘Matt’

...doesn’t want a nurse for a wife.

Patsasika gripped the trash bag in her hand, feeling an overwhelming urge to stuff it into his mouth. How dare he say something so egotistical? Did he think every nurse in the hospital was desperate to be his wife? Not a chance!! At least she could guarantee one exception: herself.

“Excuse me, it’s time for me to get back to work.” The young woman turned to step away, but the tall man moved to block her path.

“I’m going up to see Mook too. Let’s go together.”

The young nurse wanted to retort with, ‘Who wants to go anywhere with you?’ But she knew it wouldn’t make things any better, maybe even a sharper response.

For Patsasika, the walk to the elevator felt as long as the distance from the North Pole to the South Pole. Her unwilling companion was someone she didn’t want to see or converse with. When the doors of the metal cylinder finally opened, Boramat gestured for her to enter first. Fortune, however, didn’t favor the sharp-faced woman, as they ended up being the only two people in the elevator.

“Are you going in to see Mook with me?” The young man asked when they reached his sister’s private room floor.

“Yes.” She had no intention of leaving him alone with Mongkutmook; there were plenty of past incidents to prove what a bad idea that would be.

Patsasika walked ahead, keeping a fair distance, with the patient’s brother following a few steps behind. The young woman knocked three times on the door before entering. Mongkutmook’s friends had likely left some time ago, as she was now buried in her textbooks, earbuds in, probably listening to a recorded lecture. The patient seemed entirely unaware that her nurse and brother had entered the room.

“Could you at least act like a patient, Mook?”

Though Boramat’s voice wasn’t particularly loud, the quiet of the room made it clear enough for both Patsasika and the owner of the name to turn and look at him in unison.

“Why are you here again, P’Matt? Why don’t you go back to wherever it is you belong?” Mongkutmook pulled her earbuds out and tossed them onto the bed.

“I’m not leaving until you come home with me.”

“Are you deaf? I said I’m not going back. Why are you so insistent? It’s annoying.”

“You should know by now what I’m capable of.”

“And you should know what I’m capable of, P’Matt.”

“Um, how about we do a quick sponge bath, Ms. Mook?” Patsasika quickly interjected before the private patient room turned into a battlefield. Judging by their fiery glares, she wasn’t confident this would end peacefully.

“Can’t you leave? Didn’t we already do that this morning? Don’t you remember?” Mongkutmook glared, suddenly realizing she didn’t even know the nurse’s name. “What’s your name?”

“My name is Sor.”

“Oh, Nurse Sor.”

Patsasika nodded slowly. Both siblings called her “Nurse Sor” in exactly the same way. She could see the resemblance now. As the old saying goes, two tigers can’t share one cave…she was beginning to think there was some truth in that.

“You stay right here. Don’t go anywhere.” Boramat grabbed her small wrist gently, pulling her slightly closer. “That way, you’ll know just how much of a handful Mook can be.”

“Oh, I see. Is P’Matt trying to recruit allies now?”

“Talking like that makes me think you want me to stay here too. Fine, Nurse Sor can take care of you while I handle your behavior.”

“What! I don’t need either of you here.”

“You don’t have many choices, do you? Pick one: either I stay, or Nurse Sor stays. If you refuse both, be prepared to fly back to Bangkok today.” The young man made his ultimatum clear. His sister was stubborn, but he knew he had to outmatch her.

Boramat left the room, feeling somewhat relieved. At least his sister had softened her stance slightly. Mongkutmook chose Patsasika to care for her rather than enduring his presence throughout her stay. Hopefully, she wouldn’t give her nurse too much trouble.

Hearing small footsteps approaching, Boramat turned to see a chubby young boy run smack into him, tumbling onto the floor.

“Ow! Fell down.”

The boy mumbled to himself before quickly getting up, seeming unfazed by the fall.

“Are you okay, little guy?”

Boramat gently patted the boy’s head. Where were his parents, letting him run around a hospital like this?

“I’m fine. A real man has to be tough.”

“So why are you here running around instead of at school?” He asked as the boy was about four or five and probably old enough to be in school.

“Mommy brought me to see the nice doctor to get a shot. No school today.” The boy chattered animatedly, speaking clearly and confidently.

The tall figure knelt down to the boy’s level, unable to keep a warm smile from forming.

“And where’s Mommy?”

“She went to the bathroom. I, Tonmai, came to find P’Sor.”

“Your name is Tonmai?”

The little boy, named Trapruek[1], nodded, then tilted his head slightly before asking.

“What’s your name, Uncle?”

‘Uncle.’ Boramat couldn’t help but laugh. Was he really old enough to be called an uncle? Tonmai was the first child to ever call him that.

“My name is Matt.”

“Uncle Matt,” the boy called the new uncle’s name cheerfully and smiled until his round, clear eyes sparkled when he thought of his favorite food. “Is that like khao tom mat? I love Khao Tom Mat.”

The young man chuckled even harder. This little guy had just renamed him entirely—kids sure had wild imaginations.

Alright… Khao Tom Mat it is.

“Now, where’s your P’Sor, the one you came to see?”

“I don’t know,”

The little boy shook his head so vigorously his hair flew everywhere. His small mouth pouted slightly in disappointment. Normally, P’Sor was waiting with a smile whenever he came looking for her.

“Is your P’Sor a nurse?”

The woman named Sor who could possibly be here had to be just one person. Boramat smiled as he gently tousled the boy’s round head, earning an enthusiastic nod in return.

“Let’s go. I will take you to see P’Sor.”

“Is Uncle Khao Tom Mat P’Sor’s friend?”

The young man hesitated. Friend, was it…? With titles like ‘Uncle Khao Tom Mat’ and ‘P’Sor,’ the idea of friendship between them felt a bit far-fetched, kid.

“She’s in that room over there. Come on, let’s go,” he turned towards his sister’s room and offered his hand to the little kid.

“Let’s go.”

Trapruek beamed so widely his round cheeks seemed ready to burst, placing his small hand trustingly into the large palm of his newfound uncle, as if they’d known each other forever. But before the two—a boy and a man separated by generations—could set off on their search, a sweet voice called out.

“Tonmai, come here to Mommy.”

Nattakarn hurried over to her precious son, scooping him into her arms with protective fierceness, like a mother cobra guarding her egg. Though the little boy was quite heavy, her worry for him made her forget everything else. The young woman was oblivious to his weight.

“Mommy, I can’t breathe.”

“Why did you run off? Don’t do that again, okay?” She had only gone to the restroom for a moment, yet her son had wandered off and found a stranger, even looked like he was about to go somewhere with him. What would have happened if she had been a minute later?

Boramat offered her a friendly smile, though she still looked wary, probably wondering if he was some child abductor.

“Tonmai, remember how Mommy said not to go with strangers?”

The beautiful mother whispered in his small ear so that only the two of them could hear.

“No,” the young boy said loudly. “He’s not a stranger, Mommy. This is Uncle Khao Tom Mat.”

Nattakarn’s face fell in embarrassment. This child… When it came to making his mother look foolish, he was unmatched.

“I’m so sorry if I worried you. Tonmai was looking for P’Sor, so I was just about to take him.”

The young man said in a soft voice, glancing between the little boy and the woman, and it became immediately clear that the boy was a spitting image of his mother.

“Danger is closer than we think these days. I… have to be cautious.”

“I understand completely.”

"But, do you know Sor as well?"

"Yes, she’s my sister’s private nurse."

“Oh, I see.” The young woman felt somewhat relieved, though she remained cautious. “I’m sorry if I was too wary.”

"Mommy, where’s P'Sor?" Tonmai nuzzled his small nose against his mother’s cheek in a charming, coaxing manner.

“Good question, sweetie. Let’s give her a call.”

“P’Sor!”

The small voice called out the name of the sister, spotting her as she emerged from the patient room. His round, glossy black eyes sparkled brightly, full of excitement, and his chubby little body wriggled until his mother let him down to run and throw himself into the young nurse’s arms.

Nattakarn shook her head with a smile. She had raised him since birth, so it was no wonder that Trapruek was naturally attached to and adored this unrelated older sister of his. Look at him—after nearly a week without seeing her, her little boy was showering Patsasika with kisses on her cheeks without holding back.

“Hello, P’Namtaan,” Patsasika greeted the person, whom she regarded as an older sister. To her, Nattakarn and her family were like her own.

“I was just about to call you, Sor. Tonmai was begging to see you, and I just couldn’t resist his sweet talk.”

“What’s up, handsome? No school today?” Patsasika returned the affection with a few kisses to his chubby cheeks.

“Mommy brought me to get a shot. What was it called again, Mommy?” The little boy asked, turning to his mother.

“A German measles vaccine, sweetheart.”

The chubby kid grinned proudly and continued,

“Yep, a German measles vaccine, P’Sor. I didn’t even cry. The nice doctor said I was very brave.” Trapruek boasted with pride.

“Wow, so brave. Now what prize should I give you?”

Patsasika widened her eyes which made her look adorable. To Boramat, still standing nearby, it looked like two kids clinging to each other, more like a four-year-old girl and boy playing together than anything else. It was clear she connected with little kids much better than she did with more difficult ones like Mongkutmook.

“P’Namtaan, are you in a hurry? Would you like to have lunch with me and maybe take Tonmai for some ice cream too? There’s a new flavor, and the shop owner misses seeing him every day.”

“I’m going.” Trapruek answered immediately, as enthusiastic as ever about anything food-related.

“See, Sor? Just say the word ‘ice cream,’ and he’s ready to go. But first, you need to eat lunch, Tonmai.”

With three kids, Nattakarn was more than familiar with this routine. All her children loved ice cream, though each had their own favorite treat: Kanisa loved steamed rice cakes so much that she could now help her mother make them, Pratchaya wouldn’t touch any sweets unless there was his favorite khanom thian, and as for Trapruek, his appetite never faltered, especially whenever khao tom mat was around.

“Can Uncle Khao Tom Mat come too, P'Sor?”

Patsasika frowned, finally turning to notice the towering man he had nicknamed “Uncle Khao Tom Mat.” It had taken her this long to even realize he was still standing there. But wait!

...How in the world did Tonmai know him, and well enough to invite him for ice cream?

“Don’t worry; I won’t be tagging along. No need to give me that side-eye,” the young man said knowingly before delivering a playful punchline. “I wouldn’t want to steal your spotlight with Tonmai.”

Patsasika smiled, but it was a grin hiding the intense urge to roll her eyes.

“Good, I was afraid you wouldn’t fit in with us in that little shop.”

“Such a shame, sounds like you’re disappointed I’m not coming.”

“Who said that?” If this conversation continued, she might not be able to contain herself.

“You’re not coming, Uncle Khao Tom Mat?” Trapruek asked with a hint of disappointment but didn’t fuss or insist.

The newly dubbed uncle knelt down to meet the wide, innocent eyes and couldn’t resist giving the boy’s soft cheeks a gentle pat. After all, not all kids were bratty or annoying.

“Go on, Tonmai. Have ice cream with P’Sor. I have to go be with another ‘kid’ for a while.” The kid…who was tens of times more mischievous than Tonmai.

“Ms. Mook just fell asleep. She’s only been out for a little while,” Patsasika informed him.

It wasn’t that she wanted to keep him updated but more as a silent warning that… don’t you dare wake my patient.

“Got it. Go on with Tonmai. I’ll stay with my sister.”

“But…”

“But what?”

“Well… it’s not my lunch break yet, so I think I should wait until noon.”

The star nurse finished speaking to Boramat, her expression shifting as if silently seeking her sister’s opinion.

“P’Namtaan, can you wait just a little bit longer?”

“Go on, Nurse Sor.”

Boramat’s soft voice intervened before Nattakarn could answer to her sister.

“You just said Mook is asleep, so she’ll be out for a while.”

His indirect permission left Patsasika quite surprised. It might have been the first time he managed to make her feel even slightly at ease, after she had long fortified her walls and raised them impossibly high. He gently tousled Tonmai’s hair before entering Mongkutmook’s room. Watching his caring gaze toward her little brother, Patsasika wondered what kind of man he really was...

Was he a gentle, kid-loving man…? Or was he just doing it for show?

As soon as he tasted the new ice cream flavor, which the shop owner proudly recommended, Trapruek forgot all about his mother and sister. The little boy scooped spoonful after spoonful into his mouth, savoring each bite with delight. His usually chatty voice fell silent as he immersed himself in his favorite treat. At the round table tucked in the far corner of the shop, only Nattakarn and Patsasika remained engaged in conversation, monopolizing the dialogue entirely.

"How many years has it been now, Sor?"

"Tomorrow will be exactly eight years."

Eight years… since she lost her father during the unrest on the southern border.

Eight years… during which she had achieved many things in life, always believing that her father watched over her, proud of all that she did.

"It went by fast, didn't it? I still remember you in your high school uniform like it was yesterday."

“I was such a tomboy back then, P’Namtaan. I was darker, skinnier, practically looked like a malnourished kid.”

“Who said that? You've always been a sharp-eyed Southern beauty, and you’ve only grown lovelier. Plenty of guys came around trying to win you over, but why didn’t you choose any of them?”

 The curve of her lips formed a gentle smile. That was true—over these eight years, her heart had been so empty that she could describe it as completely untouched.

…And suddenly, she thought of someone. His face was still clear in her memory, a treasured part of her past. Their relationship had always been a bit murky and undefined. There was a mutual fondness, a positive feeling between them both, but she had distanced herself, focusing solely on her studies. In the end, a tragic event had taken him away from her, just as it had taken her father.

Not even the words he had longed to hear from her… she didn't have a chance to say.

"Tomorrow morning, I’ll be going to make merit for my father. Would you like to come with me, P’Namtaan?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it. The kids are off from school tomorrow, so they’ll be thrilled to visit Uncle Dab. I’ll make sure P’Ton is there to drive us.”

"My father adored little Tonkhao like his own daughter. I almost got pushed aside because of it. Luckily, I held on tight.”

“He doted on her so much, always bringing her Chinese steamed rice cakes. little Tonkhao would always say that nothing tasted as good as Uncle Dab’s treats.”

Danai, Patsasika’s father, had been a sergeant in the bomb disposal unit where Nattakarn’s husband, Netipat, had served as team leader. Netipat valued each team member more like family than subordinates, earning the team’s love and respect.

“If my dad were still here, he’d still be bringing Tonkhao her Chinese steamed rice cakes. But he’d also bring khanom thian for little Tonkem and khao tom mat for little Tonmai.”

“Uncle Khao Tom Mat, you mean, P’Sor?”

Trapruek chimed in as he finished his ice cream, his interest piqued by the mention of “khao tom mat.’

“No, I meant the khao tom mat treat that you love,” Patsasika corrected him.

Tonmai was certainly friendly, but she’d never seen him warm up to anyone as quickly as he had to Boramat. Aside from winning over all the nurses (except her), he must have some special charm to make Tonmai take to him so instantly.

“Let’s not call him that, dear. Just call him Uncle Matt.” Truthfully, even calling him ‘Uncle’ was a stretch; ‘Uncle Khao Tom Mat’ was younger than her husband by several years.

“But his name is Uncle Khao Tom Mat, Mommy.”

“Goodness, this rascal. I have no idea where he gets it from. His father’s not like this at all.”

“P’Sor, I really want to eat Khao Tom Mat.”

The little boy begged. Now that his ice cream was finished, he was ready to move on to his next favorite treat, which was available at the hospital and something Patsasika would usually buy him whenever he visited.

“P’Sor, will you eat Khao Tom Mat with me?”

"Um..." Patsasika felt cornered.

‘Khao tom mat.’

Why didn’t that phrase make her think of the traditional banana-stuffed rice anymore? Instead, it reminded her of Mongkutmook’s older brother. And he was a khao tom mat she had absolutely no appetite for!!!

[1] The young boy Trapruek, or little Tonmai, is the son of Netipat and Nattakarn, the main characters from the story “Like Father, Like Love”, by Worasitha.