3Kings : Jakkapad [English Translation]

7

Co-translator : Subhiii

Episode : JAKKAPAD-7
Peem looked at the floor with aloof eyes while waiting for Jakkapad to finish his body checkup. He wasn’t sure of the issue Phi' had. But after the other party's strange stance, Jakkapad kept quiet and refused to speak to anybody. Even when Peem accompanied him for his medical checkups, he only looked and then frowned as usual. Soon the whole area turned out to be full of noises of the doctors and nurses.

'Please don't touch it if it's not necessary.'

His eyes only were enough to terrify them. It was a sentence meaning no one should mess with him…

"Peem, Your latte, sweetie."

"Thank you, Meina," Peem smiled before taking the glass of latte.

"Are you all right?"

"No," he said.

"This...for how many years have we been friends now? Why wouldn't Meina know what her friend is like?" Meina sighed after she saw her friend staying silent. She noticed from the beginning that Peem looked unusual. She also knew the exact reason why, obviously it was the person who came for his check-up.
"I just don't understand Phi’ Jak." Finally, the stubborn man spoke softly because he didn't want his friend to worry. "I'm afraid he'll go back to the way he was," he said.

Because Peem knew that P’Jak was tender as well as sweet...

"Peem..."

"I’m afraid we're going to make him uneasy," he said.
Meina looked at her friend's face with sympathy. She had never seen Peem like this before. The Peempad she knew was a strong man who often smiled and faced any trouble fearlessly. However, now he looked like someone who was injured and was ready to fall at any time just because someone was behaving strangely.

"When Meina and Wit got married, we've been fighting since day one, you know."
"First day..."

"Yes," Meina smiled as she saw her best friend look up and pay attention to what she said. "We argued because we didn't communicate with each other, I didn’t ask anything, Wit didn’t say anything. The issues occurred because we were thinking about them alone but after going through that problem we understood that if we suspected anything that was related to the feelings of us two then we would have to do something about it. So talking it out and asking about it straight is the best solution."

"Is that right..."

"And what does Peem know?...Despite the fact that it was not wrong but at that time it was Wit who noticed it, came and hugged Meina first."

"Wit is very loving and Caring. Anyway you must have noticed it already."

“Yes, because I love and care about him so much that I notice everything, even if it's a little gesture.” Meina smiled after standing and said, "Meina has to go to work in a moment otherwise Mom will really be ferocious. Peem, you remember the way to the Physiotherapy department, right? After arriving you can ask for Wit there.

"Yes, thank you for staying with me."

"I'll see you later."

Peempad stood up and sent his young friend off; he changed his expression to look more vivid because he didn't want anybody to notice his inner emotional turmoil.
"Peem..."
Peempad automatically lightened up when he heard the voice. He quickly stood up and ran to Jakkapad where a nurse was helping him get out of the room. After thanking her, Peempad went on with leading the wheelchair to the car. He let Jakkapad sit in the chair he used to sit in before handing and putting the purchased water near him.

"Water, krub."

"..."

"Phi Jakk?" The beautiful pair of eyes were fixed and unwavering. The hand holding the water bottle kept lowering constantly because the person in front of it refused to reach and pick it up.

Did I ever do anything offensive...

"...of Peem".

"Krub?"

"I want to drink from glass." Regardless, the speaker used his eyes to put pressure on those eyes with a tender and compelling look while  unconsciously grabbing his latte glass. And the next moment, the pair of cold hands overlayed his hands and pulled the glass in to suck  water out of it.

"Pa...Phi Jakk!"

"It's too plain," he said.

"..."

"Let's go, my friend must be waiting." Jakkapad said simply changing the topic without taking his eyes off . Then he raised a smile in the corner of his mouth and waited for the other party's reaction.

"Which friend..." Peempad blinked as he couldn't comprehend anything but then he noticed the mocking eyes of the other person who was up, his clear face turned red and bright. It's not like Peem was aware of the situation at that time. Generally if you miss the timing to fix an issue, the discussion will only make you self-conscious later on. So Peem couldn't stay focused and keep his face as steady as possible; then walked to his position and pushed the wheelchair into the car without speaking any words.

The most shameful  in the whole third world...

"A friend came to hear from me, they were terribly upset to be  forgotten..."

Here it comes!

Jakkapad wanted to laugh out when he heard a disgruntled, helpless hissing voice from the back. In the end, he could only smile a little because he was afraid of the other person getting angry.

Perhaps Peempad has a special power...that can break down the frustration in his heart just by smiling.

This person did not have that nervous look fit for his face like the one he made when he came out of the examination room. Making him smile can be quite good…


"We've reached," the buzz from behind sounded gentle as the car was pushed into the hospital's Physiotherapy department.

The inner space was spacious and was clearly divided into zones. Jakkapad looked at the walking aids and assistive equipment with an indifferent look in his eyes. At one point of time he had seen these devices before. Only in those times he would hire a physiotherapist to help to take care of him at home. There were only a few of the devices that he used.

'If I don't recover, you're gonna be unemployed.'

I remember him saying that in a cold tone. The body of the foreign physiotherapist who was hired was trembling pitifully until a short time ago. When he couldn't bear to accept his own situation and with his birth mother not wanting to wait any longer; at that time, the treatment was stopped... P' Jakk chased the physiotherapist out of his sight but couldn't do anything more than that because he lacked that much power in his hands.

A destructive puppet... who would like to keep it?

"Please, Jakkapad, answer my questions truthfully," Wit said wearing his physiotherapist suit while sitting upright in his chair. Looked like he was going to interview 'The Napoleon'. The situation was tense as well as hilarious… (**Napoleon = jokingly comparing him to a king cause of his attitude)

That kind of gesture made Peempad laugh gently and Peempad's laughing... resulted in some people finally falling out of the dark trance.

"Why are you so tense? He's not a ghost," Peempad shook his face with his bright smile. He moved Jakkapad's car more into the entrance before walking down and sitting down on a chair with a side-table in between Jakkapad and Wit.

"You're never going to understand, Peem," Wit argued softly. And I have to tell, my pal, that the person next to you is the one to be blamed. His eyes are enough to kill even a dead person. He might have been unaware of his own ability. Even after killing someone he might not leave the corpse alone, right?...

"What would that be?"

"It's something we can discuss later on. Now, let me look at his physical condition first," the physiotherapist quickly diverted the topic to his work. It's not like he didn't want to continue talking to his friend but he had to stop after he noticed someone's dark eyebrows starting to frown like he was upset. "First of all, I have to assess the patient's physical condition before the treatment. Time has changed, we can observe it clearly. During the examination, I'll explain what's needed. If  Jakkapad and Peem have any doubts, you can ask me at any time."

"I understand," Peempad responded when he saw the other person sitting still. Wit seemed to understand Jakkapad's character so he didn't object to anything. He Just picked up the paper, started taking notes and continued explaining.

"The body-assessment process will be an overall physical test or examination but it's not the kind of test the doctor had given to you before. If you're a health care worker as a whole, I'm going to have to check the balance, the movement, whatever the physical capacity of the patient, and I needed to first check how strong you are, how strong or strong you are. For that, I'm going to have to bother touching you."

Peempad, who was intent on listening blinked astonishingly when the two pairs of eyes turned to him while he was unaware. Or to say,  It must have been when Wit turned to look at Jakkapad as if he was waiting for an answer, he turned his gaze at Peem. The young man didn't know what to do. Finally, he just looked at the person's sharp eyes, smiled a little; then Jakkapad turned back and nodded to  Wit immediately.
"Excuse me, krub?" The young physiotherapist walked around the table and knelt in front of the patient. His hand held up the trouser leg to check both legs in trouble. He tapped his legs back and forth gently for a moment before looking up.
"Do you feel anything?"
"No," Jakkapad replied briefly.
"What if I do it  like this?" Wit asked moving his hands up to both his thighs and exerting full pressure.
"No," he said.
"I don't know if Jakkapad can control his digestive system normally or not," he said.
"Well," he said.
What's the real answer to the question? Peempad understood today...
The young man turned to make eye contact with his friend as if to apologise instead. Anyway, Wit understood and didn't think much of it. He was just doing his job anyway. After asking more questions and completing the detailed physical tests, he could use the following information: The young physiotherapist then walked back to the station and explained slowly.

"Luckily, the excretory system is functioning well. The injury in the accident wasn't serious to that extent. Only his leg area is disconnected and he doesn't feel it but don't worry...Even if you've missed a lot of time for treatment, there's still a good chance of recovery." After saying that he took out a paper, drew on it and moved it to show the illustration. "As for the leg part that Peem had asked by whispering to me many times, I have to say that anybody will be in this condition if they don't use their muscles at all. And about your leg Jakkapad, if we take the leg muscles as ten parts you’ve got about five to six parts in balance; probably the result of having someone perform physical activities regularly  on your legs which is a really good thing," he said.

Jakkapad listened to his words with a smooth face. In his heart, he was thinking of his two brothers who had been helping him since he came back to Thailand. It also made him remember the day when his father's plane had picked him up; but as he had to travel so often he didn't have many chances to be together with them. There's only Jakkapad and the leaders now who took turns to help him with his physical activities every morning and another person too...

“How long does it take to see the results? How often do we have to come?” The tone was full of anxiety and anticipation, as if he was the one being treated that made the real patient smile.

From the first day he arrived here, he's the one who has been by his side and has been taking care of him...

As if he could sense someone’s stares; Peempad automatically turned to the person beside him. He raised his eyebrows as if to ask if there was anything but the answer he got was only a faint smile. The young man was dazed for a while but then turned his face back to Wit to listen to him and then spoke after Jakkapad had turned around.

"It depends on the consistency of the treatment as to what kind of treatment the patient needs; whether they want to get the treatment by coming to the hospital or hiring a physical therapist at his home and for the frequency part it depends uponon the patient as well. Because not every person may have much free time. But if you want to see the results quickly, the more frequent you are the better."

"Is there any difference between coming here and hiring a physiotherapist at home?" Peempad asked immediately not letting the talkative person take a breather. Wit was reaching out for the glass of water even though he had drank only a while ago. Ofcourse, being close friends with each other it's not possible to end with a single word. But before he could open his mouth the sharp eyes of the silent person flickered towards him as if ordering him to be silent and making the  person ready to open his mouth, swallow his saliva instead.

"Uh..." the physiotherapist who had treated dozens of patients before was stuttering now only from being stared at. If Meina knows of this, she will laugh until it can be heard all over the hospital. The young man thought in his mind quickly, gathered his consciousness and continued to speak, "If it's not about the money, the most obvious difference is about the equipments. Personally, I think it's better to come to the hospital. In addition to having many assistive devices, safety's also on a greater level. In one day it's gonna take a couple of hours only. But if you have time every day, you can do everything regularly. After two months you will start seeing the results," he said.

"Come here for five days, for the rest two days you can hire me at home. Will it be alright?" For Peempad, he just wanted Jakkapad to recover quickly, so he wanted to make the most out of every minute. but it seemed like the young man had forgotten that the one to decide it wouldn't be him.

"Yes, I just finished my last job. But you're going to do that, are you sure?"

"Of course," he said.

"Have you asked him yet?" Wit nod tells the man without looking, but that was enough to make him astonished because he's completely forgotten.

"P' Jakk..."

"Co- ... your voice is too soft like tofu"
"Wit ..." that call was not fierce.  It's just a simple voice.  Very likely of Khun Chai PeemPhat's style , which knowledge had known only before  Jakkapad entered




"Yes, yes, no more, krub." There are people who are afraid of their friends. He raised his hand to give up before leaning back on his chair and acting like he couldn't hear anything. Seeing that Peempad turned away from him to stare at the man who was already staring at him.

"Is it ok for Wit to come here for five days and go to your house for the rest two days?"

"It depends upon Peem," Jakkapad replied briefly, "but I'm going to pay the fees myself."

"But..."

"I didn't bring anything from there but while I was here for a year or two, I wasn't just staying here lazily without doing anything."

"Peem is not..." Peempad turned tight-lipped  when he noticed the eyes of the person beside him. If he had spoken out, P' Jakk probably would have known that he was lying because he could never lie to this person. Peempad admitted that he thought Jakkapad didn't have much money on him and thought the other side wouldn't work as well. But he had never looked down on him. Jakkapad was the person who he had always respected but those thoughts... "Peem didn't intend to insult Phi'."

"I know," he said.

"But the idea is..."

"I understand." Jakkapad is not a great explainer but when he saw the  darkened face of the little boy next to him he couldn't stop talking. "I have saved some money by working at home when I wasn't having mood swings. It might be a little amount compared to what Peem has but I want to rely on myself. It's already enough that you're taking a break from work to take care of Phi."

"How do you know about that?" It's true that I never wanted to hide that I've stopped working as my almost every day is spent with P' Jakk. I just didn't think that the straight guy would pay attention to my story until now when he noticed it.

"About the florist job?"

"Why..."

"Someone told me."

"My aunt Noi..." Except aunt Noi who helped him bring food to Phi, there was nobody else. Peempad accidentally bit his own lips. I had no idea which matter was set on fire now. But if it's so embarrassing, how can I dare to look at Phi now??

Jakkapad spent the rest of his time sitting in the chair in his own thoughts while facing Wit. He didn't have much interest when he saw his own physiotherapist flinching and then throwing himself off. The tone was smooth, saying just plain words. If, in the opinion of Wit, it turns out like a sentence, a statement that is forbidden to refuse.

"Do as Peem said, but about the money it's my own expense, I'll take the responsibility. Don't accept the money from Peem," he said.

"Copy that," Wit nodded firmly. He looked at his friend's dark eyes before continuing to speak. "In addition to the leg exercises, you need to do a lot of workout on your arms. Our main aim is to help the patient become self-reliant. It also affects the arm-strength. You have to support yourself while practicing to walk in the future, so don't forget to do arm-exercises.'

"Alright," he said.

Wit also explained a few other things along with various issues. Once they understood, he began a demonstration of the initial leg exercises. The young man thoroughly surveyed the patient's legs in his care and started lifting it up and down systematically. He let go of the nervousness and all the stiffness he had when it came to performing his real duties. The professionalism of the physiotherapist with first class honors from a prestigious university impressed Jakkapad. He allowed Wit to touch even though he didn't like it. Partly because it was his job you see and the other part... was because the person beside him was making a worried face.

"While you're at home try to rely on yourself as much as possible, trying to move, moving yourself or doing things that you need to do in your own daily life. It's one of the most important muscle training, and you can take care of yourself without having anybody's  help. Even if you don't recover, you can use it in your daily life."

Peempad stared at what Wit was doing and listened to what he said with determination. He was more focused on listening than Jakkapad who didn't utter a single word. He doesn't want to miss any details. Seemed like if he missed even a little thing that might be helpful to Jakkapad, he was going to regret it for the rest of his life.

"While exercising like stretching your legs or bending your knees in different poses,in the starting phase you may not be able to do it yourself so have someone help you while doing it. It will be my job but if I'm at home or I'm not around, The most important thing to do is to try to tighten the muscles as it will stimulate muscle activity," the young physiotherapist urged his friend to stand nearby before continuing to speak. "You see it, you can use it later as well."

"Okay," he said.

"When you bend your legs keep holding them like this and lift gently; you don't have to be rushed."

"Do you have to exert a lot of pressure?"

"It's like lifting your legs normally; using force to lift, not to resist."

"Can I try it?"

"Sure, let's go," he said.

"Like this?"

"Slow down, give the patient time to try to tighten it too."

"Okay," he said.

Jakkapad didn't know of the somber image of the person kneeling in front of him at all. He only knew that his face was so deliberately built that it could bewitch someone entirely. The white slender hand touching him was not soft but it wasn't too rough either. He grabbed his leg and lifted it up in a strict manner. The thin mouth likes to blabber a lot despite not being that eloquent. He kept muttering numbers as a way to concentrate according to his friend's rhythm at that moment. The beautiful pair of eyes were weaving a gentle sparkle as well as were showing concern for the fear of hurting him. Each and every expression of the person in front of him was a light of hope that has come back to brighten him up again.
[**I'm sobbing ಥ‿ಥ - subhii]

"Okay, so tomorrow at 9:00."

"Roger that."

"So, I'll meet you later."

The chattering of the two people made the person who had been unconscious for a long time sober up. Jakkapad nodded to the wailing of Wit and waited for him to leave until he was gone. The body of the man kneeling on the floor stood up fast but probably he had sat for too long which caused him to stagger and fall. The man looking at him swiftly outstretched his arm instinctively and the other party also cooperated by grabbing his arm first. Jakkapad tightened his arms until his veins rose thinking he just didn't want this person next to him getting hurt; and his efforts were worth it...

"I'm sorry," it was an apology devoid of guilt totally. Because in addition to being insincere the speaker also laughed out with a clear voice. The pair of beautiful eyes sparkled brightly like that of a warmhearted person and it was something that was able to make people full of smiles like he was now.

"Why are you in a good mood?"

"Peem doesn't know either," he said and then gave a broad grin. "Maybe I’m just glad it went well today without any trouble?"

"Hmm."

"It's said that if the first time goes well then the next time will also go well," he said.

"Is that so?"

"Yes," the pleasant man replied as he walked to his position to push the vehicle ahead. "I have to go to the store first, Phi’ Jakk. Let's go together."

"Well," he said.

"Let's go get something to eat after I finish."

"Okay, I’ll come".

"I will reach the shop in a while. I might have to stop and buy stuff for the people at the shop and also to entrust the store with them. Peem might get tired after going back and forth to the shop for the time being but Phi’ Jakk doesn't have to worry about it now...The shop is wide enough a place for you to sit back, relax and The place is decorated moderately and the location is nice as well. If you're hungry, you can have the people buy you rice from the corner store. There are about ten shops in the area. There are a lot of delicious things that you can't get enough of" said the owner without taking a break who was like a child wanting to show off to his parents of their success. It's not hard for the audience to guess just how much he has bragged until you get to the store. Even so, Jakkapad simply nodded and listened to him attentively.

"Um," he said.

    
When did that boastful voice become less pleasant?


"We're probably going into the town often. We're going to go on a trip the next day, it's going to be fun," he said.

"..."

Who's going to have fun… You can probably guess from the voice of the person who is inviting.

"Oh, yes. I have told Wit to find a new wheelchair. As for this part Peem will pay the money because it's Peem’s requirement."

"I understand," he said.

"Thank you, krub."

Who is to thank whom exactly...The man reconsidered it in his mind only. I don't even know what he’s going to do. And the part about taking me over there again, he knows I’m going to be like a burden because you have got to push me in the vehicle. I don't know why but he sounds like he's glad every time I say yes.

"Today was a really good day," the talkative guy mumbled and smiled. Jakkapad didn't answer anything back but the corner of his mouth appeared with a faint smile when he was near someone.
[**Awww!(◕ᴗ◕✿) -Subhii]

That's right...

Today was really a good day.
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