Co-translator : JJG918
Chapter 3
Flirt with one person, and regard the other hundred thousand as enemies…
“How is it?” I scooped the food into my mouth, waiting for my former best friend to respond. He remained silent, not showing any signs that he would answer or say anything.
“Choco, how is it?”
“Mmm.” He was acting as if he was thinking about something, showing a puzzled expression that made me want to kick him.
“Shit Choco, I asked you a question.”
What I have made today is a simple dish of boiled tofu and fried kale with crispy pork. Normally when I’m alone, I only make one serving, but today I made 2 servings because Choco came over.
But look at how he’s treating me.
“Damn, this flavor! I really outdid myself.” I had become completely annoyed and frustrated; in the end I chose to solve the problem by not listening to whether he thought it was delicious or not.
“Delicious.”
“It’s too late, bastard.” I grabbed a spoonful of fried kale and stuffed it into my mouth. As I said, today Choco and I have plans to buy our student uniforms in Siam, and I will also stop and buy a new guitar string.
That bastard Choco said he would be the one to restring it for me. Which is good, because I’m too lazy to carry my guitar and ask other people to do it for me.
Rrrrrrrrr
The phone placed next to me began to ring. Seeing it was a video call, I immediately answered.
“Maaaa” I spoke so loudly Choco raised his eyebrows. I began to feel embarrassed, so I lowered my voice a little. But it was too late because he was already smiling, ready to tease me.
*Mel is saying “Ma”, as in his mom
[Are you home? What are you doing? Have you eaten yet?]
“I’m eating now. Wait a minute, let me plug in my headphones first.” I have to do this otherwise the audio won’t be clear, and I’d have to shout every time I said something. For this reason, I always carry headphones near me whenever I go anywhere.
“Ok, ready.”
(What did you eat? Are you bored?)
“No, I’m fine. I had a friend come eat with me today. Guess who it is.”
[Well I’m guessing it’s not your girlfriend. Or a girl.]
“Do you have to insult me that much?” It’s a good thing I decided to wear my headphones, otherwise the guy on the other side of the room would have caught onto the fact that I lied about having a girlfriend.
[Hahaha, was I right?] I didn’t answer, but I’m sure she knew she guessed correctly because she didn’t stop laughing.
“Enough.”
[Ok, ok. But Mel, who is it?]
“Guess.”
[I don’t want to guess, I’m tired of playing games.]
“Aw, it’s no fun if you don’t guess.” I said as I stood up and walked to the place Choco was sitting.
[Nong Choco, how are you child?]
Wow, my mom is an amazing woman being able to raise her voice so loud like that. Geez.
“Ma, calm down, he can’t hear you. Wait a sec, I’ll give him an earbud first so he can talk to you,” I said, taking the right earpiece out of my ear. I stood next to him, not removing the left earpiece because I still wanted to hear what they were talking about.
Most of the things she asks were general inquiries. Mom told Ai’Choco to move out of the dormitory and stay with me at home.
Of course, Ai’Choco refused because staying in a dorm near the university was extremely comfortable. Plus, he didn’t have to wake up early to get to the university like I have to. To be honest, I’ve thought about staying in the dorms as well, but I decided not to. The main reason being because I was worried about Chel. I’m afraid that she will be lonely. Even though she’s never really lonely because she has a lot of friends.
I say Chel isn’t lonely because of the house next to me. After Ai’Choco left, a couple of grandparents moved in instead. When I saw that their son bought this house and came with a herd of more than 5 cats and 2 dogs, I was worried when I would travel to the provinces. I was worried no one would take care of Chel. But I soon realized she was not lonely at all, because the grandpa and grandma of that house took good care of her.
(I thought you wanted to study to be a doctor Choco.)
They’re still not done. They keep talking. Are you really going to keep talking to each other until you reach your next life? I feel stiff.
The fact is, one person is sitting and one person is standing. And it makes the person standing – me - very tired. I also have to bend down so mom can keep talking to Ai’Choco.
“Maaaaa, I feel stiff already. What are you guys talking about? You talked with your own child for less than five minutes.”
(If you’re feeling stiff, you don’t have to talk. Give the phone to Choco, I will talk to him.)
“Ok, mom. Why do you love the next-door kid more?”
(The kid next-door you said was a close friend.)
“Heartless”
(Haha) Mom is still laughing, and then Ai’Choco started to move up in his seat, so I almost dropped my phone.
“What are you doing?”
“You look tired.”
“Yeah.”
“So… sit on my lap.” Ai’Choco looked at me as he patted his leg.
(Are you sure Choco? Be careful, he might break your leg)
“Ma, I’m not really fat. My weight is normal,” I said as I sat down on Choco’s lap. I don’t put my entire weight on him, I just sit back and lean against him.
(Really? You say you’re normal, with those chubby cheeks of yours. I don’t think so. What do you think Choco?)
“Tell mom that I’m not too heavy,” I said, turning to Choco.
“You’re not heavy. You’re just right.” The hand that was lying still reached over to grab my waist and pull me closer to him.
“Huh…”
“You’ll fall…”
“Oh.” Once I found out why he was holding my waist I turned to talk to mom. I had secretly thought of something strange, but eventually I was able to brush it aside.
“You see, I’m not that heavy.” Choco laughed and turned to continue talking to mom. I kept interrupting them throughout their entire conversation.
In short, I’m sure Choco sees me as a child.
(I have to go back to work in just a minute. Nong Choco, Mel, smile at the camera. I want to post it on IG. I want to show off to others and tell them my son is really handsome.)
I usually only go on IG to follow my favorite celebrity. I used to go on Facebook a lot, but I couldn’t remember my password for a while, so I stopped going on it often.
(Hold on, I’ll call you again. Mel, take care of yourself baby. And Choco, take care of Mel.)
“Ok ma.” Because I was holding the phone for a long time, my arm was tired. So when I finally hung up, I quickly lifted my arm and pounded it gently. If I have cramps tonight, you don’t have to guess what caused it.
“Do you feel stiff?”
“Yeah, I feel stiff. Will you give me a massage? … massage it just a little.” When I finished saying that I extended my arm that was holding the phone and offered it to Choco immediately.
“That’s your problem”
“Nong Choco should take care of me. Give me a quick massage”
“You’re too much, bastard.” Once he finished saying that he pushed my poor head until it was nearly upside down. It’s a good thing I pulled on his shirt before he could.
“What would you do if your face was upside down?”
“I couldn’t do anything. It would be upside down.”
“So annoyinggggg.” Initially I had planned to turn around to squeeze his head and bite him a little, but when I turned, I felt warm hands on my waist. Ai’Choco was holding my waist with both hands.
So I’m sitting on his lap and it looks… I don’t know how.
Rrrrrrrrrrr
Saved by the phone
The Line profile picture and the name Noffon showing on the phone screen tells me that the person video calling me was my high school friend Fon.
“Who the fuck’s Noffon?”
“Oh, Fon… she is …” I was about to let it slip from my mouth to Ai’Choco that she is my high school friend, but he interrupted me.
“Is that person your girlfriend?...”
“Ah… that’s right. She is. I’m going to go talk to my girlfriend.” Did you almost blow it Mel? I almost let it slip that she’s my friend. If I tell Ai’Choco that she is my friend, that bastard will laugh at me for three days for trying to lie about this woman.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHH”
*screaming sound
Shit… what is that? Fon suddenly started screaming into the phone that I had to pull out my earbuds.
“AHHHHHHHHHHHH”
It’s not over yet; she’s still screaming.
“What’s wrong with you Fon? Calm down. What are you doing?” When I noticed my friend had started to calm down, I questioned her.
“Your mommmmm. Shiiiiiiit Mel. Your mommmmmmm.”
“Ok, did you call to curse me or to talk? I’m confused.” At this point I have been trying to talk to her for two minutes. I still don’t know what her reason for calling me is, or what she’s trying to say.
“Your mom called you, ugh.” In conclusion, my friend still hasn’t calmed down yet. Right?
“Call my mom for what?”
“Well your mom obviously. Your mom.”
“Yea, what about my mom? If you don’t hurry up and answer, I’m hanging up Fon,” because I’m getting hungry. I had only eaten one bite just a moment ago.
“Ok, let me breathe…” I waited for Fon to concentrate, then she turned to me to continue talking. “Your mom posted a picture of you and her.”
“Already?”
“Can’t you get excited with me Mel? Fuck. Fuck you, you’re no fun.” What was wrong with me? And why is me being in a picture so exciting? Usually it’s no big deal.
“Why are you so excited? It’s normal for me and my mom.”
“What’s unusual is your old friend Choco is in the picture too.”
“So what? I still don’t understand why you called me screaming in my ear just as I was about to eat. If you’re still going to be like this Fon, I’m hanging up.”
“Don’t be confused. I just wanted to say the picture you posted this time isn’t normal because you were sitting on Choco’s lap. Do friends sit on each other’s laps? Are you sure it’s normal?”
“…” It’s not normal. But I don’t know what excuse to give.
“Is it normal? Huh Mel? I sent it to Temp and he also said it wasn’t normal. He told me that Samting and his best friend use to kiss and they used tongue. Have you done it with each other? Hey!! Wait a minute…” Fon suddenly fell silent, then started to say, “you told me to pretend to be your girlfriend. But you actually don’t want to lie to your friend, right? But you’re doing this because you and Ai’Choco use to date in the past and broke up, right? And you don’t want him to think that you’re still crying over it and miss him. AHHHH. Or is it that you secretly like him? Ugh, answer me Mel. Tell me the truth. Answer me, friend.”
“…” Shit! I need to go.
“Say something, I’m convinced what I’m thinking is true. Mel, when you tell me, give me a second to get a notebook so I can write down the story.” Fon spoke for such a long time. I only caught the point that she is making up my backstory with Ai’Choco.
“Wait Fon. Will you stop and listen to me first?”
“Ok, I’m listening. Tell me, I’ll get ready to write it down.”
“It’s not what you’re thinking at all. Choco and I are just regular friends, nothing more.”
“You just sat on his lap?”
“Do you want me to sit on your lap? And I didn’t sit on it completely, just leaned on it.”
“No need. You guys must be really close if you can sit on his lap.” Fon continued to argue.
“Fon, believe me. I’m telling the truth.”
“I don’t believe it.”
“Believe it.” It was so silent that I had to nod my head a few more times to reassure her that what I said was true. Fon finally sighed.
“Well, I don’t believe it…” Fon looked a little disappointed, but she probably believed what I said earlier. “But damn! You and Ai’Choco have such chemistry. I have to go vent.”
“How?...”
“Oh come on, I’ll go and vent in a tweet. I have to believe you on this because you’re my friend.”
“
I don’t think anyone thinks of me and Ai’Choco in the same way you think of us. He probably looks like a close friend to everyone else.”
“Why can’t you trust my eyes Mel? I never miss anything.”
“Well, it’s up to you. But if you’re going to tweet something, please be mindful of your status as my girlfriend. Don’t forget that you and I are a couple now.”
“Then I can’t go on Facebook and post about you and Choco’s status?”
“Correct.”
“I have to act quietly, and be a good girlfriend to a short person like you, right?”
“Right…” As soon as I replied, Fon let out a sigh.
“How boring. How long do I have to pretend to be your girlfriend?”
“Until I find a new girlfriend.”
“Will you be able to find a new girlfriend Mel?...
“Yes. I’m thinking of entering the Moon of the Month contest too.” Fon’s mouth twisted into a weird shape and her eyes grew big, “why are you making that face?”
“I don’t know, no comment.” How can you say, ‘no comment’? Have you seen your face? I also want to comment, I’m already extremely hungry.
“Mel, the food is getting cold.” Choco’s voice came from inside the house. I turned my head and saw that he was looking at me.
“Ok, I’ll be right there,” I told Choco, then turned to look at Fon again.
“Is your husband calling you to eat?”
“Sometimes I think you’re too much.”
“Really? I don’t think I am.” I really trust this friend, but I don’t know how people like her passed the faculty entrance examination. “About the conditions you told me to think about. I know what I want.”
“What should I do in exchange?”
“Lunch, plus water, for two months. Okay?”
“Alright. But you and I are in different classes Fon. When you have class, can you come down to eat at the same time?”
“Then, in that case can you buy me a concert ticket instead? In two months, my husband will be in Thailand for a concert and I need to buy a ticket. So I just need 5000 baht, that should be enough. Is that ok?”
“Alright.”
“Good. You’re really the best friend. Anyway, I promise to help you completely. Not only will I make your former best friend at the University believe it; I’ll make the whole word believe that you and I are a couple. Okay.”
“Oh.” After she said that, I heard the notification sound from Facebook. Fon requested a special relationship between us.
I didn’t hesitate to accept it, because we have to start with something small like this in order to create a story someone will believe. Just like that, Temp came in, sent a sticker, then other friends came to look. High school friends came to congratulate me and Fon. They also asked if we have been together for a long time. Of course, the only person who answered was Fon because I was afraid if I answered we would get caught.
“Ao, did you warm up the rice?” I walked into the kitchen and saw Choco standing with the warm rice I was cooking.
“It’s all cold. I’ll warm it up.” He lifted his head from his phone to answer me.
“I’m hungry, you don’t have to warm it up. Let’s eat it as is.”
“Did you taste it first?”
“I’ll taste it.” I opened my mouth to eat a spoonful. Then nodded and gave him a thumbs up.
“Are you sure it’s hot enough?”
“Oh, I’m hungry.” I waited for Choco to scoop the side dish into a bowl and set it down. We both talk, but we can’t always concentrate because Choco is addicted to IG, and I use my phone to check my feed on social media as usual. But while I was scrolling through my feed, I stumbled across the latest post of the guy across from me.
_____________________________________
Choc Teeran:: flirt with one person, and regard the other hundred thousand as enemies…
Boy reconciles :: hoiiiii but you’re flirting with someone who has a girlfriend. Aren’t you the only enemy my friend? Wooowwwww
JaiJai F5 :: Shit Hahahahaha. I really want to know, are you being serious?
Choco Teeran :: Oh, I’m serious. I don’t care.
Boy reconciles ::my friend is a villain
I finished liking his post and looked up at the guy in front of me. When he realized that I was looking at him, he immediately raised an eyebrow and asked me
____________________________________
“What…”
“It’s nothing, let’s just eat.” My mouth immediately denied it, despite all the questions I had in my head.
I want to know whether the person he is trying to flirt with is someone I know or not, or if they’re beautiful or not. But I don’t ask. Maybe because my relationship with him hasn’t returned to one hundred percent yet.
I don’t know myself. Am I still someone he wants to be close with? I’m not sure if my past relationship with Choco is enough for him to tell me a personal story.
It's not that I’m upset. What is it?
It’s something more than understanding … maybe