Second chance

12. Unreachable

“You okay Phi?” Toptap inquired as he heard New sigh.

The older turned to him and sighed again. “Do I look like I’m okay?”

“Hmm…  ish?” Toptap dodged the incoming towel that was thrown his way. “Still haven’t talked to him?”

“It’s been a month Nong…. Is his number still unreachable?”

Toptap shook his head and New had to sigh… again. He felt stupid for not thinking of getting Tay’s number. The older has just always been around that the exchange of numbers was not needed… or so New thought.

New sighed as he settled on cleaning the coffee counter.

“Um Phi. The-there’s a cu-customer.” Toptap stuttered.

“Hi! I didn’t notice you there. What can I get you…?” New blinked as a familiar man stood before him. He tried to look around if there was someone behind him.  “P’Arm. Just you?”

“Ah… Just me, Nong New. I wanted to have coffee before going to work.”

New’s felt dejected and his shoulders sagged. “Oh. The usual? I’m assuming it’s to-go as well?”

“Yes please!” P’Arm smiled and waited patiently for his Iced Americano.

Whilst New was preparing his drink, he found it the perfect opportunity to ask. “Um… P'Arm, have you… heard from Tay?”

P’Arm tilted his head to the side and looked confused. “Yeah! He just got back from China. Don’t you guys talk?”

“Haven really spoken to him in about a month.”

“Ah. Everything happened so fast, really. When his presentation got approved last month, he  immediately  had to go Chnia, the week after to implement it.”

“Oh.” New tried his best to smile as he handed P’Arm his drink.

“Yeah. I couldn’t even contact him while he was over there. He just filled me in all the details when he arrived last week.”

“I see.”

If he could, he wanted to drag Tay’s ass here and explain all these things to New. He was already getting frustrated at how sulky and brooding Tay was – a total mess. Honestly he came by the café to check on New and after seeing their situation, he decided that he’s just going to have to do what needs to be done. If Tay won’t move, he’ll just have to lure New into making one.

New nodded. There were so many things he didn’t know about Tay that it’s starting to make him sad. “Family business, huh?”

P’Arm nodded as he sipped his drink. “Mhm. The VIHOKRATANA Enterprises."

“ Wait… he OWN that??”

“"Yeah....you... He’s actually been slacking off when he enrolled in Mech. Engineering... you wanted to join photography always, but the family business won't let him. He's stubborn. And he loves"

“He said that?”
New let out a shaky breath.

“Yeah. He always thinks about you. I sometimes hear him mumbling in his sleep when he sleeps over. I tried to tease him once but that earned me a punch.” P’Arm shook his head and smiled at the memory. “I don’t know what happened and I won’t ask but he loves you, Nong. He’s just too stubborn sometimes.”

“Can I ask you for a favor, Phi?” New asked and the Arm nodded. “Can you please tell Tay I’ll wait for him tonight?”

“Sure thing, Nong New! Well I have to go! I will see you next time!” He gave New a small salute before leaving.