JI-EY-PI

4. Be Your Friend

Silence hangs between us. I'm stuck and confused. Should I tell her or not that we've known each other for a long time? Khun Sam may remember my mother, but not me, a fourth grade girl.

Like?…

Tiger, you need to help me! Please help me again. Should I tell her or not?

Say…

Do not say…

While I'm still deciding to tell her about Tiger to remember the past, she says something before answering.

"Forgets. It's not important."

The pitch of his nasal voice is loud, but I remain silent. Isn't it really important?

Why did she ask for my history and call me?

"I didn't like the way you got to me."

"Pardon?"

“I don't know why you have to be nice to me. I feel uncomfortable.” She crosses her arms and looks at me seriously. “Bought me medicine, took me home, it doesn't mean we're close. Please understand this.”

"Clear."

“Don't tell anyone about my migraine. That is all."

I am so sad and disappointed. It seems I did something that wasn't enough. But as I turn to leave the room…

"Hang on."

🇧🇷

“Last night, I told you to let me know when you got home. Why did not you call me?"

“I didn't dare call.”

I answered truthfully. She looks at me blankly.

"Because?"

“I'm afraid you're going to blame me for trying to be your friend.”

🇧🇷

“Can I leave, Boss?

I'm grumpy all day. Work that was always full of joy has been replaced by sadness. Today, I don't even dare look at the freezing room anymore. When the end of the day comes, I hurry to leave and I don't care if anyone in that room is sick or not.

And there's another surprise today.

"Hey!"

“Nop.”

Nop is waiting for me in front of the office. He nods to greet me. I look at my childhood friend in amazement. His smile lights up my gray day.

"What is wrong with you? Why are you so sad?"

“I'm just bored.”

“Did something happen at work?”

"Maybe yes." I look at the smiling young man in front of me and ask a strange question. "Why are you here? Did you leave work early?”

“I had to meet some clients around here. My boss released me after I finished. Since it's close to your office, I decided to visit you. First time I see this building. It's huge and beautiful.”

“There are so many offices for rent in there. My office is not the whole building.”

“It's still luxurious.”

"Yes definitely. The most luxurious thing is my office, not me. I need to take the bus and pay rent from home as usual.”

“But today will not be the same. Because you'll have a friend riding the bus home with you. Me, anyway!”

It wasn't a bad day at all. At least I won't have to listen to music on my phone and go home alone. Today Nop talks to me on the way, to ease my loneliness. On the bus, during rush hour, it's so hard to keep calm. Horns everywhere show that people are full of anger and stressed about being trapped in their cars on the road.