Chapter 7. Complicated
11.30 o'clock.
The owner of the room 1019 is sleepily getting up from his warm bed.One of his hand stretched to turn off the air conditioner and walk to turn off the fan.The other hand is scratching his belly.Phawin doesn't like wearing pajamas because he is an easily get hot person,and he also like the touch of bed sheet on his skin.If he is asked what thing is the most expensive in his room,he will confidently say that the bed sheet is one of them.
"is there anything to eat?"
He mumbling while opening the fridge,and find it empty.Fortunately there are some eggs and ham left,so he decides to make fried egg.
"wake up!" the young man use his foot to "poke" the person on the bed as gentle as possible.
Since he allow the stray cat to invade his room that day,he become the owner of the room as it seen right now.When there is a swimming practice to collect point at the club,Win will not lock his room.He sit and wait for the stingy boy to knock at his door with pillow and blanket asking to sleep over.Most importantly,when he sleeps,Team is never considerate and occupied most of the bed,curl up and fall asleep fast,leaving the room owner a narrow space and lying considerably beside him....
How could he be nicer!!
The vice president of the swimming club is grumbling by himself.He tried to make more space by pushing him over but when he see the junior's face frowning,and suddenly showing as if he didn't comfortable very much,he stop it immediately.
All right,sleep comfortably.I won't disturb khrab!
Win was once gave him a spare key so Team could open the door anytime,but was rejected with the reason that he didn't want to enter when hia was not there.And this is why he has to wake up and wait until the clock strike two.
"you came so damn late!"
"I had tutoring with Ai Pharm yawwwnn" Team answer while yawning.He still secretly flipping around on the soft bed.Then hia lift his foot to wake him up again.
Today,in the afternoon the swimming club has internal competition to choose the people who will compete at K University.This selection will affecting for the coach to decide who will go for national team athletes.It make the club especially lively of course,and the pressure getting higher.Team knew that he was so restless all day yesterday.He can't concentrate until he have to drag Pharm to help tutor him in English.If anything,the tutoring is better because It can help him forget about the competition.
He stay at Pharm's condo until almost midnight.When he returned,he rolled on the bed and tried to sleep by himself,but couldn't stand it and then he went carrying his pillow to knock the door of hia's room.
But to his surprise,hia was still not yet asleep.His room was still bright.There was a low sound of the TV.Maybe his friend just leave,Team doesn't want to think highly of himself that hia was waiting for him.
...yea,he admit that it'd be good if hia think about him even a little bit. After getting sleep soundly,his restless,nightmare or anxiety are all disappeared,the young boy enjoy a simple breakfast which are fried egg,ham, bread and fresh milk.
"today,what time did your class start?" Phawin,dress in T-shirt and a pair of jeans asks.He doesn't have class,but he have to go to a meeting with the coach and prepare the works in afternoon.
"one o'clock in the afternoon" Team replies while buttoning up his student shirt.He now even has his own clothes in hia's closet.
"then,let's go to school with me." Win pick up his beloved baby's key and wallet,stuff inside his pants' pocket while sending a gaze to the junior to hurry up.
"no way! Hia ride too fast!" the person who is not familiar with the speed shaking his head vigorously.
"hey,this evening you have a competition at the club right? No matter what, you have to go back together with me."
"not riding motorcycle. I don't like metal clad." Team is confirming his ultimatum.
Phawin sighing and give up,for the first time in his life he take the beloved baby's key out of his pants and put it back on the table.
Then he stand and stretching his hand out in front of the junior who make a confused look.
"your car key" the young man wave his finger as a sign to give it to him. "..." the owner of the car is frowning.
"come on" He emphasizing once more. "it's my car,I'll drive by myself"
"if I have to be the passenger,I'll get carsick and vomit."
Team roll his eyes and cursing before agree to give the car key and stuff it into the other person's hand.He is frustrated because he have to sit still in the car despite of the fact that he is the owner of the car.
But when he sit comfortably and doesn't have to be stuck at the traffic jam,he pull out his phone and play with his mobile games while humming happily.He let the driver drop him in front of the Economic faculty's building without worry.
"just now,there's someone drive you." The girl said while playing with her hair and smiling.Her eyes are sparkling bright as if teasing.A moment ago Mannow almost scream when she saw her best friend get out of a car.She didn't notice who the driver was,but in a glance she could definitely guess that the driver was a boy.
"that's my car" Team answering and sit beside his two friends.Today they studying at a big room,high slope,long table,so people are scattering everywhere.The teacher has not yet come,so he pick his phone to look at the social media a bit.Add some hashtag.
Mannow raise her eyebrows "aww,then who drive it?" "hia Win"
Mannow thinking hard for a moment and then nodding.Oh my gosh! With his own senior at club! She is very confident with her intuition,she doesn't believe how she could missed it.
"then,why did you came together?" Pharm who sit beside him and listening feel weird.
"because we stay at the same dorm.Hia is at tenth floor,I am at ninth floor" when he speak with Pharm, the pronounce is changed into normal (use rude word like gu,mung etc when he talk with Mannow he use rather polite words like rea and tur) "at first hia ask to ride on his big bike.Oyy,of course I refuse,until hia give up and drive my car instead." The person who was complaining this morning is not complaining anymore.he forgot about how comfortable he was in the car just now.
Mannow made an eye contact to Pharm,as if wanted to ask if one person want to ride a big bike while the other want to drive a car,why don't they ride in separate vehicle? Why did they need to use the same car?
"I also have question,Ai Pharm.How far has your relation been?" Team turn the phone screen to his friend.The image is his best friend standing, talking to phi Dean,the swimming club president,beside his car.When he see Pharm's face is red and open his mouth slightly,his desire to tease is increase "developing already? In the past,just having a conversation with him was not brave enough." (*I guess this is the chapter when phi Dean drive Pharm to school and talk about Dean's sibling in ch. 9)
"what development hey!" Pharm elbow his friend before exclaiming when Team lean over to lay his head on his lap.
"still sleepy"
Pharm rolling his eyes,give up,didn't move.In the end,he let his friend occupy his lap while playing mobile game.He sing a lullaby along with the giggle and chuckle of the girls around them,while ManNow just grinning and smiling.
She changes her interest.She guess she has to go to the swimming club often to see this "hia" of Team.
Ah,it's instinct.Her instinct is not really wrong either.
Right now the swimming club is quite busy.The members who don't have a lesson have to help to prepare the pool,arrange laps for the race.Some people also prepare a board to check the details.Everyone wants to be representative at the competition with K university,because it is a competition that is approved by the Swimming Association.
In front of the club room,not the locker,nor in changing room,there is a 'do not enter' sign.The club president,vice president,coach and fourth year senior are summarizing the work seriously.
"...at the end of the month,there is an open house,right?" the coach flipping the documents from the university to make a decision.
"after the open house,there are exams too." Phawin marking the date for them to see "we still have practice time about 3 month before the competition day at K university."
"then all of you talk to me again after the screening result come out to talk about the schedule." The coach close the book and slap the shoulder of the three boys and smile "and here,did the guys have prepare the pool?" "wait,I'll go to check." Dean offering to check the pool but is refused by the coach.
"I'll go myself.You all have documents to send to the university.I'll go first." He said while piling the document.When he see the three of them sighs at the same time,he shake his head and then walking out of the club room.
Dean,the club president frowning while rub his hair back casually.His other hand send the club budget to the vice president,his close friend,to ask him to help with the accounting.As for the competition details,he send them to phi Prug,a fourth year senior to help to manage.
"if this work has good result,the club's budget will be increased." Phawin flip the document and sweep all the numbers.His other hand press the calculator very fast that make the other two person could only look at him with amazement.
About learning and numbers,just leave it to this expert.
"er,let's say that if we win the competition we will take the club members on a trip as a reward? I've ask the people at home too,na.The resort package in Kanchanaburi are available.Let's bring them here so we can travel without being too tired.The price is friendly."
Travelling matter also leave it to him.
Dean bent down as if thinking for a moment and then kick his friend's leg and ask "going travel to Kanchanaburi,can I bring an outsider?" even though they don't know the result of the competition yet,but they already determined to reward the club members.
"who is this outsider,Mr. president?" about the matter he ask,Phawin hurriedly stop,picking up his pen and bring it in front of his friend as a microphone,but is thrown away roughly by his friend.
"busybody,na"
"nong Pharm right?" a very kind and quiet person like phi Prug,a fourth year join in with a smile.He play along with the golden head vice president who give him a thumb up.
"the number of the person and the room is now in odd number,just bring him to make it even."
"wait.I'll pay the nong's part myself." Even though he is the club's president,Dean doesn't take advantage of it.
Prug just nod.His hand kept the document in the set "have been a lover or not yet?"
"phi Prug maeng" Win laugh out loud, amused when seeing Ai Dean make a smiling face like Boraphed*. (*a species of climb vine which taste very bitter,usually used as medicine herbs.The sentence means Dean make a bitter smile.)"not yet khrab." He answer while stomp at his friend's foot to stop his laughing.
"oh ho if not yet a lover,then why did I see your picture together with the nong at twitter so much." Win pick up his phone and open the twitter and send it to his senior to see "look,you go on a date,and then you send the nong to his faculty."
Prug smile slightly "and what about you? This morning I saw you together in a car to drive a kid from our club."
"do you serious with him or not?" Dean stop his work and turn to ask his friend seriously.
"actually I don't want you to mess around with a child from the club. Especially Ai Team."
Team is a first year child that is the favourite selected for national team.He is referred to have a dream of going to the national team.Dean doesn't want sex to be the cause of ruining his future.
Phawin looking into the eyes of his close friend and then turn to look at phi Prug.Both stare at him so seriously until he have to sigh heavily. "you know me very well right,Dean? when I am dating someone,I date that person alone seriously."
"but you always act kind and gentle to everyone and that often raise their hope up.Now you love and care Team more than others.If you don't want to be serious,don't let the nong misunderstood you."
Phawin lick his dry lips.He slip his eyes to look at the document in front of him and then slowly speaking.
"me and Team,already have something together." "hmm"
"huh!"
This time,phi Prug's eyes are widen from surprised.He was thinking that Phawin and Team are still flirting,but he doesn't think that they have gone this far.
"In conclusion,the thing we've done together,it's mutual,I didn't force him." He raise his hand to prevent his friend to insult "I don't know how our feelings right now,but one thing I am sure is I am definitely love Team,not just because we've had sex..." his two big hands rub his hair that is unkempt,and then rub the nape of his neck. "right now I can say it's a good feeling.I want to know more about him.I want to support what the nong love and..."
He is not a person who will suddenly talk about his own love affair to other,so this sudden talk made him hot.He pretend to cough as if a car stuck in his throat,almost unbearable.
"always worried...worried about whether he get enough sleep,whether he eat properly or not,whether he still eating potato chips only or not,worry and worry until I'm crazy.Oyy,can't say anymore.make an eyes like this,what do you mean,phi Prug?" he begin to rant at the senior who look at him while smiling.
Prug laughing again.He collecting the complete documents,put the file into the shelf while Dean bow and sign the documents.He isn't interested at his friend's ranting to cover his shyness.
"and why does phi Prug know about me and Ai Dean so much?" of course a person like Win won't let anyone tease him one sidedly.As soon as the senior stop his hand which hold the document file, he grin widely.
"I can see through your eyes." Prug push his glasses at the bridge of his nose.
"Ai Dean,nong Pharm's friend is so cute,what was her name na?" "nong Mannow."
Tub
The files fall from his hand,causing the older person quickly bend down to collect them.
"hmmmm" both Dean and Win pretend to tease.The more they see the senior rushing to move his glasses,the less likely he able to put the file back. Oh my gosh.In the end,they all aimed the members from the same gang.
The selection result is as expected.Team score the number one position thanks to his full sleep at night.The lethargy disappeared,but his gesture is fierce and in a good mood.
"yesterday all depressed and stressed,but today smiling nonstop,shia na mung."
Phawin park the car on the side of the road after finished teasing the junior who is the car owner.He open the glass window to order chicken rice. (*shia na mung is similar with "damn you")
"don't want the skin na hia,better the breast."
"you ask too much!" he complain but still order as he asked anyway. "oh,today I made a good time record.I want to eat the thing I like a lot." Of course he order two extra pack per person.Just a moment the shopkeeper sends the bag of chicken rice with delicious ribs soup.
Team glance at the senior who is gossiping with the shopkeeper.He just noticed that he had three holes at his ears When he look carefully,the side hair has traces of pattern,but now it started to long and the pattern is fading away.
The boy move closer and reach out his hand to touch those pattern,but it is at the same time when Win finish talking and turn back.Made their faces close to each other just a breath away.
"...I think I'm going to look at the pattern hia have..." Team is stunned. Phawin jerk and smile.He bump his forehead to the other person's forehead to dissolve the tense atmosphere.
"hurt!"
"naughty! You can look in the room."
Team doesn't say anything anymore.when he reach the dorm,he run up to the tenth floor,standing and wait in front of the room.The owner of the room 1019 open the door quickly to eat.
"hungry hungry hungry"
"woy,sit and wait nicely" when it comes to eat,the damn child become impatient.Roughly,it is difficult to pour the soup into the cup,afraid of spilling,so Win have to chase the nong to sit at the table first.
Oh ho instantly quiet.
When Phawin turn back and put the dishes on the table,he found that Team doing something quietly in the corner of the room.
"are you destroying anything?" the craziness of this Teerayu is endless or what?
"here ..." Team show the guitar to see "too much dust until it couldn't sound anymore" he found himself a cloth to wipe the dust off while setting the tone.His casual gesture make Phawin surprised.
"can you play?"
Team nod.Once the sound is finished,he start move his fingers on the strings "ford this belong to hia?"
"no,belongs to my big brother."
His big brother's guitar,when he (Wan) was entering university,he was believed that playing guitar is the best way to flirt with girls.But in the last four years he couldn't get any wife,so he passed the guitar on to Win who couldn't play any song.
"hia can't play?" "Í can't play"
"ho,what a disappointment of this blockbusters.
I like the tone of this song." Team shake his head and then starting to chase his fingers to the note,he doesn't sing out loud, ust humming by himself lightly.
That night,Team doesn't get stressed like yesterday,so Win doesn't hold him to stay in his room.But before he go back,the younger boy has just mention the song he sing.
"the singer of the song is Sin,hia can go and search it."
Phawin almost falls asleep,But that night he instigate and searching for the song on YouTube seriously by trying to remember the rhythm that stuck in his head.And then he found the song.The singer's voice has a vibe of loneliness.
Team might just pick this song up without thinking anything. But it was imprinted deeply until Phawin couldn't sleep all night.
ฉันเป็ นใครส ำหรับเธอ – Sin
[chan pen khai sahrab tur – Sin]
|| who am I to you –Sin ||