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Perspective - Pete (Pitchaya)
"I'm so exhausted today. The supplies for the shop weren't enough, my brother forgot to send out the orders to the customers who had placed them, and on top of that, he wasn't even at the shop. He called me and told me to deliver the orders myself. By the time I finished everything, I was so worn out."
"Ae, take a break, okay? You've been working non-stop the whole week."
Since the day Ae brought me gifts from Pranburi, the two of us haven't met again. At first, I felt lonely, but lately, I've been more glad that we haven't seen each other because I've been using the time to study and work on a gift for Ae with P'Money. Then, even though we haven't met, late at night, Ae always calls to tell me what he did that day, so I feel like we're not that far apart.
To be honest, I've been so focused on making his birthday present that I haven't even had the time to worry about him not being around.
"In reality, working at the shop isn't all that exhausting. I'm used to it by now. What's tiring is keeping Nong Yim from running into the shop. With all the electrical wires and equipment, when I finally get home, my niece clings to me."
I think Ae is proud that his niece still clings to him like always, making me smile secretly.
"Speaking of Nong Yim, I really miss her. She probably doesn't remember Uncle Pete by now."
"No way. My niece has a great memory… Hey, she just fell asleep after bumping into something. Want to talk to her tomorrow? Nong Yim would be thrilled to chat with you."
When he talks about his niece, he gets excited, showing how much he loves her. He even boasts a little, making me chuckle softly as I run my hand over the half-finished gift. To be honest, it's still not as pretty as the sample P'Money made for me. Despite P'Money's large, towering frame, they are incredibly meticulous with their handiwork.
I just found out that my senior has a hobby of making small crafts. They can knit scarves and even sweaters. So, I trust P'Money's skills, but I'm not so confident that I'll be able to make mine as beautiful as their's by Ae's birthday.
"But what about you? What did you do today?" Ae's voice pulls me back from my birthday surprise plan.
"Nothing much, just went to class and came back to my room."
Then I went to P'Money's room every evening.
I think to myself and freeze when he continues.
"So why did your senior post a picture of you?"
"What?!"
"Your senior… What's his name? P'Money, right? Yeah, I saw him post a picture of the back of you on Facebook recently. Have you been hanging out with him or something?"
I nearly jump out of my skin, scrambling to open my tablet to see which picture P'Money posted of me. I'm not surprised they're friends on social media since they've met before. It wouldn't be weird for them to add each other. But I'm worried Ae might have seen what I've been up to.
As soon as I open P'Money's Facebook, I freeze.
"Ae… How did you know it was me?"
How could I not be stunned? The picture my senior posted is a selfie of him, with a male student in uniform sitting in the background. It only shows the back of my head and part of my back, but the caption reads...
Announcement
"Listen up, kathoey girls! I've got a Phua nowwwww!"
He's drop-dead gorgeous, definitely better than any of your's.
Below the post, friends and juniors are all screaming, asking who the man in the picture is. Of course, my senior didn't tag me. How could I not be shocked that Ae knew it was me?
"Just one look and I knew it was you. But seriously, when did you become their Phua?"
He asks in a stern voice, but I laugh. My heart races, thrilled that he recognized me. If Ae hadn't pointed it out, I probably wouldn't have noticed that I was in the frame at all.
"Haha, recently! My romantic partner isn't around, so I found myself a Mia." I tease him playfully, but I freeze when he responds in a serious tone.
"Ai'Pete! The next time we meet, I'll make sure you know whose Mia you really are."
Ae's voice isn't playful or teasing in the slightest. It's no wonder I'm left both stunned and flustered, holding the phone tightly, unable to say a word, my mouth hanging open.
"Ae's so power-hungry these days," I mumble quietly, not really accusing him, just trying to break the tension. But he responds in his usual serious style, leaving me... speechless.
"I'm not power-hungry. I'm just asserting my right as your romantic partner to show whose you are."
"So does that mean Ae gets to assert rights, but I don't?" I'm not trying to start anything, but I've learned over time that if I say this, I can usually guess what Ae will respond with.
I know it's not right to test him like this, but… I want to hear what he'll say. Pete, you're becoming a little mischievous these days.
"Are you picking a fight, Ai'Pete?"
"No, Ae, I'm just asking." I just want to hear him say it, and Ae never disappoints, because he tells me:
"Sigh… Listen, you… Even if we're not together, I'm still yours. I would never cheat on you, got it? So you better not get involved with anyone else—especially not your P'Money. Every time I see him look at you, I'm afraid he's going to jump you."
I really want to defend P'Money, but seeing Ae so jealous makes me secretly cross my fingers and silently apologize to my senior. "Please, just pretend you're about to pounce on me so Ae will show he's possessive over me." Then I smile—a wide smile, probably like a crazy person—before asking:
"Are you free this Wednesday, Ae?"
"Wednesday? Why?"
"Can you come see me? Or I can go to you," I ask hopefully. It's his birthday this Wednesday. I'm not expecting him to spend the entire day with me because he'll probably be celebrating with his family, but Ae replies...
"Sorry, I can't. Got tons of deliveries that day."
"Then maybe Tuesday or Thursday?" I keep trying, still hopeful. But he says...
"I really can't. The new staff won't come until next week. There's no way I can come see you this week. How about next week? I'll be at the university anyway. Coach scheduled a practice."
As soon as I hear his answer, I press my lips together tightly.
Am I wrong to feel hurt? I immediately feel a little foolish for being upset when he said he couldn't meet this week. It's his birthday though! What's the point of celebrating it a week later? And on top of that, he didn't even plan to come see me. He's coming for football practice.
I know football comes first for Ae, but sometimes... I can't help feeling a bit neglected.
"Hello, Pete, are you listening?"
"...Yeah."
"So, next week then. When the new staff comes, I'll pack up and come see you right away."
I press my lips together even tighter before sighing quietly, forcing myself to just reply…
"Okay, next week then," I say. I know he's relieved that I'm not angry, but I'm troubled that he has no idea how hurt I really feel. So, after chatting for a bit, I make an excuse that I'm going to bed and hang up. My mind starts to dwell on Pond's advice.
"Just tell him straight up if something's bothering you." But how could I tell him, Pond, that I selfishly want him to come see me this week, even though he needs to help out at home? I sigh, burying my face in the pillow as I absentmindedly tug at the hair I trimmed myself.
I'm not sure if he forgot his own birthday, but either way... I'm already upset.
Perspective - Ae (Inthach)
I'm surprised that over the past few days, Ai'Pete has been giving me short answers, and when I call, it feels like he doesn't want to talk. I figure it started after our conversation about me visiting, but I can't think of what I might've done wrong. He should understand that I really have to help out at home. Today, though, he's acting strangely stubborn.
"Stay and talk with me tonight, Ae."
"Is something wrong?" I ask, slightly puzzled. Lately, I've been going to bed early since I need to wake up early, and he softly replies.
"I just want to talk... please."
Normally, just hearing that soft, coaxing voice of his would make me give in immediately. However, I have a delivery to make for a regular customer tomorrow morning. I'm also helping set up wiring for one of their projects, so I have to be up early. That's why I have to respond this way.
"Can we talk another night? I need to sleep early tonight."
It's not that I value work more than Ai'Pete, but I've promised my older brother that I'd help him with the family business, and I want to handle my responsibilities as best I can.
"Just one hour... please."
"Why are you being so stubborn today, Pete?" I say with a scolding tone, though I glance at the clock and think about losing an hour of sleep. Hearing his voice makes it okay. I don't know what I have said to upset him, though, because he responds a bit louder.
"Am I being stubborn? I just wanted to tell you first... Am I really that stubborn? I'm sorry for bothering you. Go to sleep, Ae. Sweet dreams…"
Beep Beep
"Huh!!" That's all I can manage to say as I pull the phone away and stare at the screen, utterly confused about what I have done wrong. Why did he sound so hurt? I immediately try calling him back, only to find that he... has turned off his phone.
"What's up with him?" I truly have no idea what I have done wrong. As I am deciding what to do about my partner, who was now upset with me...
Click.
"Ae, I've prepared everything for the alms offering," my mom says, walking straight into my room without knocking.
We don't bother with that in this house. My confusion only deepens as I turn to look at her, not understanding why she is telling me this. "Look at your face... Oh said you'd forget. Sigh, my son, you always forget important days. If it's an important football match, you never miss it, but when it's something important to you, you always forget."
"Important day... wait, what day is tomorrow, Mom?" My eyes widened as I fumble to check the calendar on my phone. My mom, ever direct, gives me the answer louder than a smack on the head.
"The day I gave birth to you! Want more details? Nineteen years ago, I was still young and gorgeous, carrying a big belly to the hospital. Screaming my head off in the delivery room while your dad held my hand the whole time, and finally, after all that—" My mom is lost in her story, but I am already thinking back to a few days ago.
Ae, are you free this Wednesday?
Tomorrow is Wednesday... Tomorrow is my birthday.
"Fucking hell!" I blurt out.
"Are you cursing at your mother?" My mom jerks in surprise, turning to give me a sharp look.
I quickly shake my head. "No, no, no, not at you, Mom! I'm cursing at myself. Thanks for preparing everything," I say, knowing that my mom won't be offended by me talking like this.
Our family always speaks to each other this way. She just smiles widely and reminds me again that she'll have the rice ready for the alms-giving tomorrow.
Before she leaves, though, she tosses one more question at me.
"Your brother asked what you want to eat tomorrow. The boss will treat you—consider it payment for helping out," she says with a grin, clearly amused. I just shake my head, knowing my brother isn't that stingy.
Not that I care. Even if he doesn't pay me, I wouldn't mind—I'm happy to help around the house.
Right now though, that isn't important. I've screwed up with Pete.
"Ae, Ae, how could you forget your own birthday?" I mutter to myself, running my hands through my hair as the realization hits.
No wonder Pete wanted to see me. Sure, I've always thought of birthdays as just another day. I never ask for parties or presents. Deep down though, I know that birthdays are special for those who matter.
If it were Pete's birthday, I'd want to see him too. So, how can I blame him for wanting to see me? He only asked for one more hour to talk—until midnight—just to be "the first" to wish me a happy birthday. Then I couldn't even give him that.
"Having a partner sure is a lot of work," I mutter, though I don't regret being with Pete at all.
I just blame myself for being so insensitive. No matter how many times I try calling him, though... Pete has already turned off his phone.
How am I supposed to make this right?
All day, I keep trying to call Pete. I even think about taking time off to visit him at the university, but seeing my brother managing the shop with just one worker and knowing that P'Nut has to take Nong Yim to the doctor, I can't bring myself to leave. So, I just stay and help with the work.
"What's up with you, Ae? I've seen you trying to call someone for a while now," my brother asks.
"Nothing, it's nothing," I brush him off while wiping sweat from my forehead with my sleeve. But my focus stays on my phone.
Ding!
Grab.
"You bloody fucking cur, Pond!" The second my phone pings, I snatch it up, only to see a message from Pond, one of the 3S gang, wishing me a happy birthday and asking what surprise Pete had planned for me. It makes me feel even worse because Pond must know something, which means Pete really had something prepared for me.
Of course, I don't reply. I just sigh in frustration and look up...
"What are you staring at?" My brother leans on the counter, glaring at me.
"If you weren't my brother, I'd think you were picking a fight with me, Ae." I roll my eyes and shoot back.
"My face looks just like yours." When we both have neutral expressions, we look equally intimidating, even though we aren't trying to pick a fight with anyone. My brother just laughs.
"Anyway, what's wrong with you? Oh, and have you decided what you want to eat tonight?"
"Anything's fine."
"Bruh! Don't give me 'anything's fine.' It's your birthday, not mine. I'll take you to Swensen's for ice cream cake if you don't decide—Nong Yim says she wants some." I glance at him, debating whether I should say something or not.
Even though I don't care much about my birthday, whenever it's someone else's birthday in the family, we always go out to eat together. But to be honest, I don't want to have dinner with my family tonight. I want to see the person who's upset with me and might have already cried out of frustration.
"P'O, I need to ask you for a favor."
"What is it, Nong? Your brother's in a good mood lately. If you ask nicely, I'll take care of it for you," he grins widely, sounding as if he's joking, leaving me at a loss for words.
"I need to borrow the car to go to university."
"That's not enough, you know. Actually though, it is not possible. How about you take Dad's car for now? I'll think about getting a new one. However, I'm surprised. You, of all people, want to borrow the car?" My brother misunderstands my intention completely. I don't plan to borrow the car for next semester; it's because...
"No, I'm borrowing it today and will return it later tonight."
"Huh?" This time, he turns to look at me with both eyes, and I stare back, knowing he disagrees.
"Is this urgent, Ae? Hey, it's your birthday. Nong Yim is going to sing a song for you, and how can you not be here?" My brother protests lightly, causing me to scratch my head hard.
I want to tell him I'm going to see my romantic partner, but that would just lead to more trouble. Although I don't mind having a male partner, I really can't predict how my family will react to this.
"Ugh." In the end, I let out a heavy sigh and pull out my phone to call Pete again.
And this time... he answers.
"Ai'Pete! Listen to me first," I quickly walk in front of the shop, not wanting my brother to overhear, and speak rapidly.
"I'm sorry about last night. I forgot my own birthday. It's not that I don't want to see you."
"I know, Ae. I'm the one who should apologize for being so foolish, wanting to see you that much."
"No, no, you're not foolish," I quickly reply, my voice heavy. He then asks me.
"If I tell you something, Ae, promise me you won't get angry with me."
"I'm not angry." I still insist firmly, while he tells me that…
"Then look straight at me, okay?"
As soon as I hear that, I'm confused, but I look up. I see... a familiar Benz parked two cars down from the shop. Just as I look, the person in the car steps out, and it's...
"Pete!!" I let out a sound of surprise, watching him walk towards me with an uncertain smile. He lowers his phone and speaks to me in a worried tone.
"Ae, please don't be mad at me for coming all the way to your house... like this."
How can I be angry at him? He looks at me like a child who has done something wrong, and he has his hand gripping my arm like this.
Damn it, I'm not angry at you; I just want to hug you like crazy!!!
Perspective - Pete (Pitchaya)
Last night, I felt really down. I had accepted that if I couldn't see him, at least I wanted to be the first to wish him a happy birthday. Ae said I was stubborn, which I interpreted as him being annoyed with me. So, I sulked, hung up the phone, and sat worrying afterward.
He must be mad at me for doing that. Maybe it's lucky that I ran into Money, who asked if I had delivered the gift to my friend yet. I must have looked sad enough for them to notice. So when I said we hadn't seen each other...
"Oh no, you can't do that, Nong Pete! You've worked so hard to make this gift. You can't not give it to him! As your teacher, I'm ordering you to deliver it to him. Do it now!"
Maybe I am waiting for someone to push me because, after hearing that, I decided to skip my afternoon class and immediately fight through traffic to Nonthaburi to see the birthday boy.
Ae looks surprised, very surprised. He seems about to move closer to me, but P'Oh steps out first.
"Hello, P'Oh! I just happened to be passing by and stopped to bring Ae his birthday present, and then I'll head back." I feel a bit awkward because his family probably went out to eat, but P'Oh holds me back.
"Hey, since you came all this way and brought a gift for my Nong, let's go celebrate his birthday together." I hesitate, but Ae grips my arm tightly, glaring at me and speaking in a firm voice.
"Don't go back. I won't let you leave." As soon as he says that, I can only promise. I want to clear things up with him, but when Ae's mom finds out I'm here, she pulls me toward the rice shop. After a while, P'Nut and Nong Yim return from the hospital, leaving me with no chance to talk to Ae alone. Even though I feel a bit worried about whether I should be here right now, the warmth of this family surprisingly relaxes me.
While we eat together, the family atmosphere feels very friendly. Ae's mom is in a good mood, and Ae's dad is attached to his granddaughter, even arguing with P'Oh about who Nong Yim should sit on. Meanwhile, P'Nut keeps turning to check on me, making me feel at ease about having dinner with his family.
Although I don't really talk to the person sitting next to me throughout the meal, just one word he whispers in my ear makes me feel good about my decision to come see him.
"I'm glad you came."
My face must be red for sure. Fortunately, no one is paying attention because they're focused on the chubby-cheeked little girl who is complaining about wanting cake, along with her sweet voice singing ahead.
"Happy birthday... to you... happy birthday, happy birthday... Happy birthday... A-Ae remembers. Hehehe." The singer claps her hands and then rushes in to kiss Ae on the cheek, while Ae hugs his niece tightly. The way he looks at Nong Yim always warms my heart.
Squish.
"No! I won't let you!" Nong Yim still refuses to let Ae kiss her, using both hands to tightly hold her cheeks.
"What's this? On my birthday, you should let me kiss you!"
"No!" The little girl shakes her head vigorously, guarding her cheeks fiercely. It seems that Ae is having fun trying to kiss her forehead, ears, and nose, slipping through her tiny hands until Nong Yim bursts out crying and squirms, wanting to go back to her dad. However, it looks like Ae is not going to give up easily either.
"Hey! My daughter's cheeks are all squished now!"
"She's so feisty! If she's so protective, she should play hard!"
"P'Pete, P'Pete... P'Pete, please help me!" I, who am laughing, startle slightly when Nong smiles and reaches out to me, squirming to climb into my lap. This time, Ae lets go, allowing the little one, who is panting and has flushed cheeks from struggling to escape my tight hug.
"Tap."
"Hey, hey, Uncle Ae, kiss me!"
"!!!"
But then, I widen my eyes when Nong smiles and pinches my cheeks, then turns to tell Ae, as if she has found a sacrificial prey to replace herself, completely unaware of how... embarrassed I feel.
If this weren't happening at Ae's family dining table, it wouldn't be such a big deal. But there are his parents, his older brother, and his sister-in-law watching, and even Ae looks stunned. I don't need to look in the mirror; I know my cheeks must be red enough for them to catch on to my embarrassment.
"Uh..."
"My granddaughter is really smart! I'll be damned, haha!" Ae's father exclaims, clearly proud of his granddaughter. I quietly sigh to myself.
Grab.
Before I can even catch my breath, Ae's hand suddenly rests on my thigh, giving it a light squeeze. I turn to meet his gaze, noticing something... different in his eyes. I don't know why, but it felt special—truly special.
I reach out, intending to touch his hand in return, if it weren't for...
"By the way, it's already dark. Pete, why don't you stay the night? Driving back so late can be dangerous." I quickly pull my hand back, startled, and turned abruptly to face Ae's mother.
"Uh, I... well..."
"That's right, you should stay over! Come to think of it, Ae has never brought a friend to stay the night here," his father adds, causing me to glance around, hesitant to decide. I am surprised to hear that Ae has never invited a friend over before.
"Nong Yim, Uncle Pete is going to stay with us tonight," P'Nut bends down to tell her daughter, who immediately raises her hands in excitement, as if trapping me into the situation as well.
"Stay... Nong Yim stayyy too!"
"It seems like you won't be able to refuse, Pete. You should stay here tonight," P'Oh chimes in, smiling.
Even though I could have said I had class tomorrow, or that it isn't very late yet, Ae's firm squeeze on my thigh, as if he is another person forcing my hand, leaves me with no choice but to say...
"Sure, I'll stay the night."
What am I supposed to do now? My heart is racing. Even though Ae has stayed over at my place before, this was the first time I've ever stayed at his house.
Later, after everyone has finished eating and begun getting up to leave, as soon as their backs are turned, Ae's nose quickly brushes against my cheek. Before pulling away, he whispers, "I like your cheek more than my niece's."
He smiles—a smile that was both charming and mischievous. As a result, my cheeks burn.
It is his birthday, but why am I the only one feeling flustered?
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