I couldn't help it. He really looked like a squirrel munching away. He looked so mortified when I said it and I couldn't help but smile when I saw that look.
Grandma was so amused and she burst out laughing. She reminded me so much of my own grandma and it was really nice to be around her.
Once we were done with dinner, Gawin chased her away to go eat fruits with me whilst he cleaned up.
"He is such a sweet boy. Ever since my husband passed away, he comes over often to spend time with me. You cannot even tell he is a celebrity as he is so down to earth. I remember seeing your face on the posters too in the mall but you seem so nice too like my dear Gawin."
I smiled at her, patting her hands. We chatted a bit more as Gawin cleaned up. He joined us and that's when I decided to take my leave. They both nodded at me and Gawin saw me off at the door.
"Thank you for the ride and for joining us Phi."
"Thanks for letting me join too. I had a good time. And food was good."
He nodded his head. I waved goodbye to him and I kept him in my peripheral view as I walked off.
I had no shoots the next day so it was a lazy day for me. I decided to meet my friends to play basketball and was done with my game when I saw Gawin heading towards the court. His friends were with him and he looked so different amongst them, chatting animatedly, guaffawing and laughing away.
I headed out and was walking towards the lift lobby as I saw him sit out the game but still cheer and mess with them. I laughed to myself as I made my way back to my unit. I lived on the 31st floor and from my apartment, I could see out to everything. I took a shower, changed into some comfy clothes and was nursing a drink at my balcony when my eyes again drifted to the basketball court. The boys were still there but Gawin was no more. Guess he left. I just continued watching them for a bit and then I made my way into my hall.
I was doing my work on the laptop when Ben called me. We often hung out together as we were still filming and it really built up our rapport together.
"I'm going to meet some of the boys for dinner. Do you want to join us?"
"Who's coming?"
"Hmm, let me see. Oh, we have Krist, SIngto, Pond, Phuwin, Mike and me."
"Oh okays, sure. Why not? Gawin isn't coming?"
"Krist invited him but he said he isn't doing too well. Krist said it must be his twisted ankle acting up so he's resting at home."
"Okays, what time are we meeting?"
We agreed to meet at 6pm. It was only 3pm now. I decided to pop over and check on Gawin before going for dinner. I changed into a casual blueish polo shirt, jeans and shoes before grabbing my wallet and car keys and making my way to his place. The guard waved me in this time and I went up to his unit.
I knocked on his door but there was no reply. I tried again but nothing. I looked at his unit and sighed. I didn't even have his number. I turned away only to see him coming out of the lift.
"Phi? What are you doing here?"
"Ben told me you were hurting from the ankle. We are supposed to go for dinner later. Heard you weren't coming. I thought I come check in on you."
"Oh. Yes. The ankle is hurting so I went to see a doctor finally. Yaa kept nagging about it. What time is dinner?"
"It's at 6pm."
"Owh. Its still early. Do you want to come in or are you going back home first?"
I contemplated my options but did not want to intrude in his personal space so much so I told him I was going home first. He nodded, thanking me for coming and went into his unit. I sighed and turned only to come face to face with his neighbour.
"Yaa..."
"Why didn't you tell him you were here specially to see him?"
"I wasn't. I was just on my way. From work. Back home."
She looked at me and laughed.
"Do you really think I was born yesterday? Who looks this fresh post work even if you sat around all day? It's clear you came from home. That silly boy can't tell, it does not mean I cannot."
I looked at her and grimaced, putting a finger to my lips to signal silence on this matter. She laughed, calling us silly boys and went into her apartment.
I looked at my watch. It was 4.15pm already. I had time but I could walk around a bit before dinner. Dinner with the boys was fun though they were much younger. But they never made me feel old.
Ben was sitting next to me and chatting away. I was eating quietly and just listening to them. Ben held onto my hands as we ate. I looked over at Ben who had a smidge of chilli on his face so I leaned over to clean his face for him.
Krist decided to check in on Gawin and the boys suggested a video call. Krist called him and he answered, watching TV and resting his ankle. The phone was passed around for all of us to say hello. As I was wiping Ben's face, the phone was passed to us. I saw Gawin blush lightly as he saw me with Ben. Gawin waiied to me when he saw me out of respect. The boys laughed and told him not to be so formal. I agreed but he wouldn't listen. Krist chatted with him for a bit whilst I just ate my food and listened.
Krist soon hung up and we continued our dinner. Post dinner, I offered to drop Ben off and did so at his place before making my way to mine. I had to pass by Gawin's condo on the way and was tempted to stop and check in on him but I guess I better don't do that.
We were not that close for me to keep doing that plus what reason could I use? The twisted ankle again?! Just as I was about to drive off down the street, I saw his neighbor. She saw me and waved. I stopped my car by the side and went over.
"Hello Yaa. What are you doing here so late? It's almost 9pm."
"I went to buy some soup for Gawin. He's running a fever now and so stubborn, refusing to eat. So I didn't tell him and popped out to the nearby shop to buy it. What are you doing here?"
I filled her in on how I was coming back from dinner. She nodded and told me to go on whilst she turned to make her way in.
"Yaa, let me come along. If he doesn't listen, at least I can nag at him also."
She smiled at me sweetly and nodded. I held onto her hand as we made our way to his unit. He opened the door stunned to see us both.
"Phi.. what are you doing here?" And Yaa? Why are the two of you together?"
She nagged at him whilst walking into the house like she owned it. I laughed quietly to myself as Gawin invited me too.
I stood at the entrance, near the kitchen as Yaa prepared the food for him. I looked at him as he sat down, flushed completely.
"Are you ok? How come, you are running a fever?"
"No idea Phi. It started earlier... don't worry, I'm ok.."
Against my better judgement, I reached out to touch his forehead briefly. He looked at me soberly as I felt his head, the rising temperature alarming me inwardly.
"Put on an ice pack for him, dear. Or else his fever will not go down at all. He wouldn't listen so just force it on him."
I chuckled as Yaa nagged from the kitchen. I got the ice pack out and made him sit on the couch. I sat next to him and inched a bit closer to place the pack on his forehead. Gawin looked like he wanted to fight me on it and then I decided to use my trump card "Yaaaaaa, Gawin isn't listening..."
She came out before I could even complete my sentence. Gawin was stunned and she came over and smacked him on his head. I just looked on in complete shock, as she started nagging at him, sitting down to feed him the soup and made sure the ice pack was on his forehead.
I looked at Gawin who just looked mortified by the entire thing and a smile just flitted over my face.