Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
~~~
The morning sunlight shone through the clear window into the compact bedroom, revealing two men sleeping soundly on the soft bed. One was a handsome young man with long hair reaching his shoulders, the other was a small-built, pale-skinned youth who was squirming uncomfortably, perhaps unaccustomed to the heavy arm draped over his stomach.
"Mâe, it's hot. Turn up the A/C for Rain a bit."
The excessive closeness made the temperature under the blanket hotter than normal, until the little one muttered softly. But he himself refused to open his eyes, only turning over, flailing his hand to find his favorite pillow. Today the pillow was a bit hard, but whatever, he was so sleepy. Last night was nothing but trouble...
Whoosh!
Have you ever opened your mouth to scream at the top of your lungs, but chosen to let no sound escape? That was the condition of Nai VaRain, who opened his eyes to a shocking sight!
Anyone who isn't shocked by this has nerves of steel.
He remembered sitting hugging a pillow on the sofa last night, cursing the person on the bed to hell, but then he woke up to find that very person's face less than three centimeters away. This made his eyes pop wide open, and he held his breath until his face flushed crimson. How did I get here?!
How?
Rain shouted the question to himself, frozen like a stone statue, not daring to move a muscle for fear the giant snake would wake up. His brain was racing, but it remained blank, devoid of any answer as to how he had ended up sleeping under the body of this self-obsessed, psychotic senior.
No, no, no! First, don't ask how you got here to sleep. You should ask whether... it's already been done or not.
That was it. VaRain closed his eyes tightly, lifted the blanket, steeled himself for several seconds before opening one eye bravely yet fearfully, hoping with all his heart that he wouldn't open it to find an anaconda sleeping soundly.
They say only drunk people wake up not knowing who they're sleeping with, but I hadn't touched a drop of alcohol! And I swear, if I get out of this alive today, I won't touch it again either!
The little one made a resolution, then decided to open his eyes wide and look.
Phew... "I'm safe."
The breath he had been holding for almost a full minute rushed out in relief, along with him placing a hand on his chest. Under the blanket, he still had all his clothes on. Both he and the damned nuisance who had the audacity to drape an arm over him...
"Heh heh heh."
Gasp!
Rain held his breath again, his body stiffening, when he heard a laugh above his head. He didn't need to be told whose voice it was.
There were only two people in this room. The female ghost from last night, perhaps! Damn!
"Having all your clothes on doesn't mean you're safe at all."
Whoosh!
Payu's words were like medicine for his petrified state, because Rain came to his senses and pushed the other's chest with all his might, glaring up furiously. But he ended up meeting sly, sparkling eyes and a twitching, satisfied smirk, unlike himself, who was extremely hurt.
"Let me go!" Rain struggled with all his might. Fortunately, this time there was no human vise clamping him down. But...
Thud!
When the other didn't hold on, when he struggled, the result was... he fell off the bed, of course.
"And you like sleeping on the floor, you should have said." Moreover, the person on the bed didn't help one bit, only added insult to injury by moving to the edge of the bed, propping himself on one elbow and looking at him with an amused expression, making the youth both angry and embarrassed, rubbing his sore buttocks as he tried to push himself up.
"You're despicable."
Rain accused, his eyes brimming with tears. This made the large man's eyes gleam.
"What did you say?"
In his heart, he was secretly scared enough to take two steps back, but the hurt made him speak loudly.
"You're despicable, hear that or not!"
"Want to see what a truly despicable person does?"
"Don't come near me!"
When Payu actually made a move to step forward, the big-mouthed youth scrambled backward, crying out loudly, his expression pitiful like a child being bullied by an adult. And this adult was truly devilish, showing not a shred of pity. He just stood up to his full height and then… Smiled.
"Scared?"
"Who's scared of you?!"
Whoosh!
Gasp!
"If you're not scared, then why are you backing away?"
"And why are you coming at me?!"
Payu smirked, took another two steps forward. Rain glanced at his bag on the sofa, hesitating whether he would be quick enough to run and grab it, then run out the door in time. But in those few seconds... Payu walked right past him, picked up a towel and draped it over his shoulder casually.
"Phew!"
"Hee! All bark and no bite."
"I'm not all bark and no bite!"
"Then let me have a taste."
The room owner shot an intensely sharp look back, retorting instantly, until the little one jumped in fright. Seeing the situation was bad, because the tall, large figure was already taking three strides towards him, he had no time to consider further. He quickly ran to grab his bag from the sofa, then ran around Payu who was standing in the middle of the room, back to the door again, his hand gripping the door handle tightly.
"Go die and let the worms eat you!" As soon as his hand found the doorknob, he shouted insults boldly. But...
Click, click.
"Hey!"
The door wouldn't open! But it was too late. The tall figure stepped close behind him, until a cold shiver ran from his neck down his spine. He could feel the hot breath just a tiny distance away.
Mâe! Help Rain!
"You know what?" A deep, dangerous voice sounded close to his ear from behind, making his fine hairs stand on end. His brain processed at full capacity, but it just short-circuited. Especially when a large hand reached past him to cover his own on the doorknob, using that large body to perfectly imprison the convict.
"Rain."
Damn! Don't say my name!!!!
Rain shuddered all over, not just because of the dangerous tone, but because the warm lips brushed past his ear with every movement.
"I'll tell you, as someone from the same Rahad..."
Gasp!
"Don't act smart if you're stupid... Smooch!"
Suddenly, the door that Rain was trying to push open with all his might swung wide open, as Payu forced the door to be pulled inward. The deep voice sounded close to his ear, but not as much as the warm mouth that pressed meaningfully against his neck, until VaRain inadvertently held his breath, looking at the freedom that was just a step away but which he seemed unlikely to escape in time.
Large teardrops welled in his wide eyes, but Payu pulled away, leaving him to look back with tears in his eyes.
"Well, not going? That means you want to continue."
"Psycho!!!"
That was it. Rain ran out whoosh, hugging his bag as he quickly left the room, both hurt almost to death by the deep laughter he heard behind him. And the worst of the absolute worst was that all the mechanics who had come to work in the morning were looking at him with smiles as if he had just given himself to the garage owner!
I'm sore from falling off the bed, you idiot! I didn't get impaled!!!!
But now there was no time to explain. Please give Nai Rain time to retreat and regroup, after his forces were utterly routed and scattered!
Who said Phîi Payu was so good? I'm the one who will tell you he's utterly evil.
"You Rain, I'm asking seriously, what the hell are you?"
Sky wasn't someone who liked to pry into his friends' business. Besides... with this friend, even if he didn't want to know, he'd tell him himself. But it had been a few days now that this Rain had been hanging his head, rubbing his neck like he had a rash, making a resentful face at someone, his lips moving silently, cursing and breaking someone's bones. But the point was, he didn't know who. Until he himself was starting to get worried.
When a talkative person refuses to talk, it's like a tsunami warning signal...
The mood was something like, if it's coming, it will come in one big crash, killing both it and everyone around.
"Nothing!"
There it is. The person who could tell the same story for a whole week, when he says it's nothing, it's strange. Until Sky frowned intently.
"Sure? Ever since you went to the Rahad party, you've been quiet."
Wham!
The moment his friend mentioned the Rahad, Rain clenched his fists, and Sky seemed to notice too -
"Don't tell me that after meeting Phîi Payu in person, you still hate him?"
"Damned animal! Don't let me hear that name a second time!"
Okay, now he knew the cause was who.
As Rain complained, the one who asked plopped down to sit beside him, looking at the person punching the air with a frustrated expression.
"Seriously, what happened?"
"You're better off not knowing. You admire that Phîi Payu to death," his friend retorted sarcastically.
"Well, he's skilled. It's not strange for me to admire a skilled person," Sky said frankly, but the other party seemed unable to accept the frankness.
"What's so good about him? He has a dog-mouth, a bad nature, and moreover..."
"And?"
"Moreover... he's a fake! Yeah, he fakes being skilled like crazy!" The person who almost let the word 'super sexy' slip out shut his mouth abruptly, because if he said it, a smart person like his close friend would definitely figure out what happened. And he swore on his dignity as a man that he would absolutely not let his neck be put on the chopping block for his friend to know what happened.
Who would dare announce they almost got impaled!
"Are you sure we're talking about the same Phîi Payu?"
"And how many Phîi Payus are there?"
"I only know one."
"That's the one!" Rain shouted in his face spitefully, but then his face fell when he saw his friend's displeased expression.
"Sorry, I'm a bit upset."
"That's why I asked what's wrong. From the few times I've met Phîi Payu, he's a very good senior. Isn't it enough that he comes back to advise people in the club? I heard he also advises the fifth-years who are rushing their graduation projects. Hey, I've heard many seniors say that when Phîi Payu was finishing his work, many juniors volunteered to help. But he said it was okay because the project submission date coincided with other years' exams, and he didn't want the juniors to lose sleep because of him." Sky told what he had heard. Well, that's how it was; he was in the faculty club, so he knew some news about the famous Phîi Payu.
"That's what I said, he's fake."
Besides having the nerve to accuse me of flirting with him, he also helps expecting results... Don't tell me he's already slept with half the faculty!
Rain felt even more stifled and wanted to talk, but he couldn't speak. In the end, he could only punch the air several times.
"I don't know, man. You don't have to ask me. Just believe me that he has an evil person's nature!"
"Who are we talking about?"
Nai VaRain almost died of a heart attack when a familiar greeting sounded from behind. As soon as he turned to look, he saw a beautiful girl standing with her head tilted next to another guy.
If it were any other girl, he wouldn't bother preserving his image, but this was Boem!
"Phîi Som, hello." Sky quickly raised his hands in a wai to the senior, who also held the position of his literal older brother and classmate, until Rain also hurriedly wai'ed after him.
Of course. He's eyeing his younger sister; how could he not curry favor with the older brother?
Phîi Som was a fourth-year senior with facial features similar to his younger sister, so he looked like a cute guy, fair-skinned. But his eyes meant business, and his face had the look of someone who hadn't slept, typical of architecture students, which made no one dare to mess with him.
"Oh, hello. What are you guys talking about?"
"Nothing, Phîi. How about you, have you slept yet?" Rain asked in a fawning tone laced with sarcasm, making the other shake his head.
"Where would I get sleep? I haven't slept at all. Just think, every other time he doesn't let me into the dorm, but last night he dragged me all the way to my room, saying to help him with some work. I just finished an hour ago." The younger sister complained in a shrill voice.
"Come on, if you can't finish your work later, I'll come help you then."
"Where's the guarantee?" The younger sister was the one to open her mouth.
"Good that you don't believe me. Oh, you Rain, I heard you're in Phîi Payu's Rahad, right?"
That name again!
The person who had been grinning widely slowly let his smile fade.
"Yeah, Phîi Som. Peal heard the same thing, that he had a Rahad gathering last week." Peal added excitedly.
"Do you realize how lucky you are? Everyone wants to be in Phîi Payu's Rahad. It's not just that you can brag, but Phîi Payu is bloody fucking skilled. I still remember his graduation project. If that didn't get an A, I really don't know who would." The senior commented with relish, not looking at the junior's face for a moment, who was bowing his head looking only at his own hands.... clenched tightly!
"See, I'm jealous. I wish I were in Phîi Payu's Rahad too. Even being in his gang would be good."
Wave goodbye.
"That's right. Your face is passable, you know, Peal. Why haven't I had the fortune to meet him? If Phîi Payu were interested, I'd give you to him. Plus three sacks of rice. I'd agree. I'd even want to be related by marriage." Phîi Som said jokingly, before getting up.
"I'd better go. I need to get some coffee to wake my eyes up before submitting my work. Otherwise, I won't be able to answer questions properly."
The senior walked away, but the senior's younger sister still didn't go anywhere.
"Ouch! I'm so sleepy. I'm definitely going to fall asleep in class." The girl sat down opposite, flopping her face onto her arms and lamenting, not noticing that the other friend was unusually quiet.
"Peal, if I say something, don't be angry with me."
Sky tried to signal 'don't,' but that stubborn friend didn't listen, continuing immediately.
"Phîi Payu isn't as good as everyone says."
Riiip!
"What do you mean?"
Damn it, he's going to wrestle me!
Rain swallowed the truth, trying to be as calm as possible, even though it wasn't in his nature, and trying to use the most considerate words.
"Last Sunday, Phîi Payu spoke rudely to me. Moreover, he said I was stupid but acted smart. I don't see Phîi Payu being as good as others say even a little bit. I think Peal shouldn't believe Phîi Som's words too much."
"So Rain is telling me not to believe my own brother's words?" Even the stupidest person could tell Peal's voice was firm. The initially friendly demeanor seemed to have a huge wall blocking it. Moreover, the person who had been about to flop down here until class started was now sitting up straight, looking like she would get up from her chair any second.
"No, I didn't say that. I just meant that Phîi Payu isn't a good person."
"Maybe Rain is mistaken?"
"But..."
"I'm not an easily trusting person, Rain. But everyone around me who knows Phîi Payu says the same thing, that he's skilled. It's not that I want Phîi Payu as my romantic partner like Phîi Som said. I just hold him as an idol in my heart. And Rain, think about it, if someone slandered a person I respect, how should I feel?"
Their eyes met, as the listener was unable to speak, could only press his lips together, pained in his heart that the other was looking at him with a gaze full of distrust.
"Hey Peal, Rain was just telling what he experienced."
"Then I'm just stating what I think too. I think I'll go get some coffee to drink." The beautiful girl also didn't want the atmosphere between friends to be more awkward than this, so she got up and walked in the same direction her brother had taken earlier, leaving the two young men sitting still in their places.
I'm screwed.
The vice-president of the class year almost raised his hand to slap his own forehead when he glanced at the person sitting next to him and found that Rain was clenching his fists, his eyes blazing with fire, so angry that you could hear the sound of his resentment erupting like a volcano preparing to explode. He quickly spoke to console him.
"But I believe you, Rain."
"Damn it! I have to defeat him!"
At this point, VaRain wasn't listening to anything, there was only the sound of his declaration echoing, until his close friend who had encountered storms before let out a sigh.
"Rain, I don't want to discourage you, but that's Phîi Payu. Phîi Payu. And you're just a light drizzle. What are you going to use to fight a storm? The moment he hits you, you'll be blown away without a trace."
His friend's analogy painted a clear picture, but the light drizzle retorted with hurt.
"I'm going to tear his mask off! Damn it! He must have a weak point!!!"
Now Sky had a piercing headache, because judging by the shape of things, he would definitely be dragged into his revenge process. However... no matter how much he sat thinking, lay thinking, or thought while doing somersaults, Sky could predict who would win this battle.
I'll just collect Rain's corpse later.
It's not that he doesn't side with his friend; it's just that he's the type to accept reality.
At first, VaRain had intended that whenever the car was repaired, he would ask anyone else to pick it up for him. But after declaring war on Phîi Payu (without the other party knowing), when the garage called, the youth didn't hesitate at all to take a taxi to pick it up himself. As the old saying goes, how can you get tiger cubs without entering the tiger's den? If he didn't go to the garage this time, how would he find the weak point of the garage owner's son?
When he arrived, the young man swept his gaze around, scanning for the enemy. But he didn't find him. He only saw those handsome big bikes parked in rows, all brands: BMW, Ducati, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Aprilia, and many others. It was like they had brought only divine cars, the prices of which would make you faint just seeing them.
What kind of garage is this? Why are there only racing cars? And moreover, the cars...
Rain turned to look at the two sports cars parked inside and started to sweat... Could he really afford the repair costs?
This is clearly a garage that fixes luxury cars.
Once he realized that, his determination withered, along with his body size as he could only walk in with hunched shoulders into the inner office.
"Uh, I'm here to pick up my car."
"Sure. May I have your name?... Oh, you're Payu's youth." The employee who was bent over handling documents was speaking pleasantly enough, but when he looked up and saw him, he exclaimed loudly, making his colleagues at the next table turn to look with one eye. It was loud enough for the mechanic in the back to stick his head out to look.
"It's Khun-nŭu. Saw you in a hurry to leave last time. Next time, just have Khun Payu give you a ride."
Damn it! Of all people to run into, I had to run into the tow truck driver from last time!
Now Rain understood. The way the other had looked at him with that lecherous gaze wasn't because he wanted to take him as his Mia, but rather seemed to be thinking way too far ahead, wondering how far he and that despicable senior had gone that night!
"I'm here to pick up my car."
Don't throw a tantrum. This is his turf. Stay calm, Rain.
"Where's Khun Payu?" But the other didn't listen, turning to ask his coworker.
"He's checking the engine of the Monster in the back."
"Come on, I'll take you to him. Khun Payu is waiting for you."
"No!!!"
When the other actually made a move to take him to find Payu, the person who had intended to come find his weak point had his cover blown and shouted loudly through the office. But when he saw all eyes looking at him suspiciously, the youth quickly said in a flustered manner.
"I... I'm in a hurry, Phîi. It's just that today I'm in a hurry, I have another errand to run." Rain made an excuse.
"Oh, really? Then I'll take you to get the car." Luckily, the listener understood, because he nodded repeatedly, took the car receipt from another employee, and led him another way. Rain almost sighed with relief. And he felt even more relieved when his Phô's small European car was parked safely and motionless next to a handsome sports car.
If it weren't for that rich person's car parked next to it making it look dull, his car would look quite good and valuable... maybe even better than before it entered the garage.
"So, what was wrong with my car, Phîi?"
"According to the record, it was just a leaking radiator and a broken starter, so both had to be replaced. But Khun Payu checked the engine himself. If I remember correctly, he also replaced the battery for you. The old one was very old; it would have been time to replace it soon anyway. But there might have been more than that. Well, you know, if it reaches Khun Payu's hands, he doesn't let things pass easily."
Will my money be enough? Don't garages usually call to ask before replacing parts or not?
"Why does the color look new, Phîi?" Rain stroked the car to relieve stress and found that the color was indeed brighter than when he brought it to the garage.
"Khun Payu had it polished and waxed for you too."
Did you ask me even once if I wanted it done?
I already hated him before, now I hate him even more because the other said himself this would be expensive, so he's playing me, and I'm definitely going to get scolded by Bpǎa.
"How much is the total?"
"Huh! Didn't Khun Payu tell you? There's no charge."
"Huh?!"
"Yeah. That's why everyone knows you're Khun Payu's youth."
What? After just over a week, I've been honorarily appointed as that Phîi Payu's youth?!
"I mean, seriously, Phîi, how much?"
"I don't know. Khun Payu handled everything. And he said he would handle the costs for your car himself. Here's an idea, I'll take you to find him so you can talk."
"No, no, Phîi, it's okay... Is my car going to be okay?" Rain did feel guilty about getting his car back in brand new condition for free, but on the other hand, he couldn't help thinking negatively that Payu had used his car as a guinea pig. He heard he graduated from architecture; how does he know how to repair engines? He's definitely an amateur.
"Oh! You mean you didn't know?" The skeptical tone made the other ask curiously.
"Know what, Phîi?"
Is there something else he should be shocked about?
"It's Khun Payu's skill. Nông, see those race cars inside? Those are Khun Pakin's race cars. Khun Payu checks the engines of every one himself. His regular job is heavy enough, and he still has to finish checking those before next Friday. But if it doesn't pass through Khun Payu's hands, the owners won't accept it." Not sure if it was because the other completely believed he was involved with Payu, but he recounted with relish.
"Those are race cars?!"
"Yes. There's an event next Friday, so the engines need to be checked before hitting the track. Oh! Here, please sign for the car."
Rain wanted to know more details, but the information he heard today was already enough to make him dizzy.
What the hell? Besides being a famous person in the faculty, does he also have a side job checking race car engines? And he's so skilled that the car owners specifically request that it must be Phîi Payu? Then why is he studying design and making spears and glaives? Why not just focus on that direction?
The more he thought, the more suspicious it became. Ouch! I want to know!
Now Rain didn't realize that matters concerning the man named Payu were increasingly taking up space in his brain. In fact, maybe even more than the beautiful girl in his faculty, Peal.
Less than five minutes after the small European car, now with a smoother engine, drove out onto the main road, the phone rang loudly, making Rain quickly snatch it up to answer.
"Hello?"
[You come and don't greet the host? They call that a youth with no respect, you know.]
Hmm?
The phone owner pulled the screen to look and found it was an unknown number.
"Who is this?"
[Bird-wit.]
"What the hell! Are you picking a fight?!"
[Sigh. It's Payu.]
"Hey! How did you get my number?!" Rain even complained loudly, but fell silent when the other retorted.
[If you thought for a moment, you'd know who gave Phîi your number himself.]
The image of him filling out the information the day he brought the car to the garage flashed into his head, making him grit his teeth.
[Oh, and turn back to the garage first. I forgot to put in one nut.]
"Hey!!!"
The driver even stomped the brake pedal flat. Luckily, no car was following behind. Then he quickly moved the car to park by the roadside, his face already pale.
"If my car has a problem and I die, I'll haunt you first!"
[Not necessary. Because Phîi was joking.]
The listener gaped like a fish out of water, until he heard a chuckle coming through the line, and his senses returned to his body.
"You tricked me!"
[I didn't say I wouldn't trick you.]
"You despi..."
[Phîi will call to discuss the repair cost.]
"But you said it was free."
[There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world.]
Rain clenched his fists tightly, really wanting to record the voice as evidence for his friend to hear. But his phone couldn't record calls, so he could only feel hurt, preparing to turn the car back to pay the repair cost and be done with it, because even if he got scolded by his parents for spending money recklessly, it was still better than being indebted to that damned guy.
If he tells me to pay with my body, I'm screwed.
"How much?"
[It's not how much, but what.]
The tone coming through the line was so low that Rain felt scared. He couldn't help thinking that instead of finding Payu's weak point, he might be the one getting hit hard.
"I'll pay with money."
[Not needed.]
"Then what do you want?"
[Then, I'll take...]
Rain listened intently until sweat soaked his back, his heart beating rapidly, so afraid of the exchange from the devilish senior.
[...From now on, speak to Phîi appropriately for an educated youth. Know who is the youth and who is the adult. Phîi doesn't want to be accused of having a Rahad with no respect.] But the tone that followed was cheerful, contrary to the polite words that were clearly an insult, and it left Rain speechless, staring wide-eyed at the car window.
[That's all then.]
"Hey! Wait a minute! You can't just insult someone and then hang up like that!" Rain protested, but it was too late; the other had already hung up first. He could only look at the screen with a resentful gaze.
"So annoying!"
The little one vented his emotions. But in the end, the person who had been well-taught by his parents opened his mouth, looked around the beautiful car that had been modified to be brighter than before. Just driving it, he could tell the engine was incredibly smooth. The more he thought that he had repaired it for free, without charging, his conscience throbbed.
"Okay, okay. Thank you, Phîi Payu. Are you satisfied now?" Rain said to the sky, before looking down at his phone screen again.
"I can call you Phîi, but I'm not going to stop being angry with you!"
Since you are good to everyone but bad only to me, then I will tear your mask off for others to see too! You two-faced person!!!!
He affirmed that he was angry, not sulking at the person who didn't remember him.
Comments
Post a Comment