She Never Asked for Money

Nok never asked Daniel for money.

Daniel explained this to everyone.

She had merely mentioned that her scooter needed repairing.

Daniel paid for the repair.

Later, her rent increased unexpectedly. She told him because couples share their problems.

Daniel paid the difference.

Then her mother needed dental work. Her phone broke. Her cousin required help with something Daniel never completely understood but agreed sounded urgent.

Still, Nok never asked.

She presented problems.

Daniel supplied endings.

He enjoyed this arrangement more than he admitted. Each transfer made him feel useful, serious and completely unlike the other foreign men he believed Nok had previously known.

Nok genuinely liked him.

She also liked having a functioning scooter, a phone and a mother with teeth.

These feelings were not mutually exclusive.

One month, Daniel decided to test the relationship.

When Nok mentioned an electricity bill, he sympathised but transferred nothing.

She never mentioned it again.

A week passed. Then two.

Finally, Nok asked whether something was wrong.

Daniel felt relieved. She had noticed his withdrawal.

“I just wondered if you would still care about me without the money.”

Nok looked confused.

“I asked because you seem sad.”

For some reason, this disappointed him.

It was the first problem she had brought him that did not require payment.