Error Code: 143

1

The university was anything but boring today, after endless semesters, the long awaited D-day had finally arrived, Graduation.

The grounds of Siamwit transformed into a stage of celebration, alive with laughter and tears. Hats soared into the sky like a thousand dreams taking flight, as students no longer revolved around classrooms and timetables, but stood on the edge of their own futures, officially bound to carve their paths in the world.

Nani Hirunkit, stood in the middle of it all, breath caught in his chest as his eyes fluttered open. His cap had just left his hand, vanishing into the sea of flying hats above.

For a heartbeat, the world seemed to still. He turned slowly, taking in the sight infront of him,
the cheers, the confetti's, even some balloons, probably set off by his mischievous friends, were flying off in the air.

All he could think about was how unreal it felt. After years of struggle, late nights and doubt, he was here. He was graduating. With honors.

"How long are you going to stand there, statue boy?"

Phuwin's voice cut through his thoughts, pulling him back to reality. Nani blinked, realizing the celebration had begun to thin.

The crowd was dispersing, laughter and chatter drifting farther away from the ground full of fallen hats and confetti clinging stubbornly to the ground.
He was still standing there, rooted in the middle of it all.

He sighed as he turned around, only to face Phuwin, his ride or die.

Phuwin smiled as he stepped forward to hug Nani, wrapping his hands around the friend he's known the longest and probably will for forever.

"I am tired."  Nani sighed again, but this time he was smiling into his friend's embrace.

"Oh my God Nani, we still have the Graduation party tonight."  Phuwin said, shaking his head as he stepped away.

"CONGRATULATIONS!" A young boy bounced towards them, with 2 bouquets bigger than his head.
Another figure followed him from behind, checking his watch.

"Thank you Tee." Phuwin replied as he took the bouquet from the younger who beamed.

"Thanks brother." Nani said, as Tee hugged him, squeezing his organs in the process.

"Chill lil' bro, you'll knock him out." Fourth joined in, his eyes finally darting away from the watch on his wrist.

"You came?!" Nani and Phuwin both pounced on the older, earning a yelp.

"Three appointments cancelled, nothing's more important than my troublemaker's  graduation, is it?" Fourth teased, earning a few impressed looks from his brothers.

"You really didn't have to miss that for us." Nani said quietly, worry still etched on his face.

Fourth was always buried in work, chasing his dream of becoming the best physician alive. He tried, harder than anyone Nani knew.

"Bet he wouldn't even remember mine." Tee chimed in, only to get a quick smack on the arm from Nani.

"Probably True." Fourth said, holding back a laugh, while Tee whined in protest.

"Alright, enough of the praises. Let's talk about tonight, shall we?" Phuwin cut in, and Tee practically squealed.

"You're not invited, Tee. Stop dreaming." Nani shot back, unimpressed with his brother's over-the-top excitement.

"What do you mean?!" Tee gasped, eyes wide and glassy as if the world was ending.

Dramatic, as always.

"Nani, it's just one night. And he's already nineteen." Fourth reasoned, stepping in for the youngest.

"Ughh..If you say so." Nani sighed, finally giving in.

It had been a long day.
And the night was bound to be even longer.

                                            ———

The Abyss.

One of the most renowned Club in Bangkok, owned by non other than,

Joong Archen, Nani's Cousin.

The club pulsed with music, bass rattling through the floor, bodies moved in sync, hips swaying to the rhythm, laughter spilling louder than the wine of the floor.

Some stumbled over broken heels and broken hearts, while some found themselves tangled together, joining hearts, and maybe something more behind the closed doors of a stall.

Anyone could spot the table tucked just beside the dance floor, crowded with fresh graduates still glowing from the ceremony. They were celebrating, unraveling, and letting the night do its magic.

Sammy climbed on top of the table with a glass of whiskey balanced dangerously on her head, while the others roared in approval.

Satang and Tee, the juniors, tossed money into the air like confetti, Namtan had her phone out recording every second, Win was flying everywhere to catch the money, and War was already crying over yet another failed situationship.

It was Chaos.

A beautiful, reckless kind of chaos.

And Nani fit right into it. This was his safe place, this is where he belonged to, with his friends, with a splash of tequila on the side, and Phuwin bragging (loudly, of course), about his shiny, new part-time job.

Phuwin was practically wobbling on his barstool, waving his drink around like it was evidence.

"I'm telling you, this part-time job is the best thing ever. Free coffee. FREE." He slurred.

Nani squinted his eyes at him, holding his own glass, trying not to spill it.

"Liar. No one gives Free coffee. Not even my mom." He hiccuped.

Phuwin leaned closer, lowering his voice as if he was sharing his darkest secret, "I swear on my relationship!"

Nani gasped, his eyes barely flicking open.
"Lair. Lair. Lair."

"No I'm not." Phuwin protested, standing up abruptly, only to wobble again.

"You're single!" Nani stood up too, but he stumbled over himself.

"UGHHH—NANI!" Tee facepalmed himself as he helped his brother stand straight.

He ended up taking Phuwin and Nani to their house at 1 AM, grumbling the entire way back like a very tired mom of two mischievous kids.

The moment the door clicked shut, Tee's parents appeared, frowning at the sight and scolding him for tagging along with his brother and his friends at a club.

Meanwhile, Nani was sprawled on the couch with  both of his legs dangling. Phuwin, of course, had his own dramatic way of mumbling about "free coffee and complicated relationship" half-asleep.

Tee groaned, burying his face in his hands, silently wishing for Fourth to come downstairs and speak up for him.

But unfortunately, Fourth was also sprawled somewhere in his room.

The Next Morning,

The sun slipped through the silk curtains in Nani's room, soft and warm.
A faint breeze moved the curtains a little, letting the light dance across his room filled with snores, from non other than Phuwin.

Nani groaned and pulled the blanket over his head. Phuwin's snoring rattled the quiet morning, loud enough to shake the walls, or at least Nani's patience.

Last night had been fun, too fun and today he was tired. The last thing he wanted was to wake up to Phuwin sprawled beside him, snoring with snot on his nose and spit shining on his cheek.