MA Chapter 23: Promoted... Important Person

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Perspective Chôoe-Tǎem

So warm.

This is the first feeling I perceive after waking up in the morning. My brain is still drowsy, wanting to go back to snuggling into the warm blanket and sleep another round. But the warmth that is more than any other time, plus the touch of the fabric that should be soft but is much harder than that, makes me blink several times to collect my senses. I have not even pondered where I am yet when I hear a certain sound next to my ear.

I raise my head instantly, before halting on my own, because I almost kiss the tip of someone's chin... Phîi Khǎi.

The first second I realize someone is hugging me, I am so startled I almost push him away. But my heart gradually calms down, until I can only lower my eyes to inspect myself.

Now the thick blanket covers my body and his up to the shoulders. But I can look down through the gap in the thick fabric and see that Phîi Khǎi's hands are hugging me with both arms, while I myself am facing his chest. From originally sleeping with my back turned, we now share the same pillow. My face is buried in the hollow of his neck, so it (man) is no surprise that my body is so warm it (man) heats up my face this much.

Before this, Phîi Khǎi must have been burying his face against my head, because when I look up, the first thing I see is just the tip of his chin with faint stubble. But he is still sound asleep.

How do I know? Well, because of the soft snoring sound next to my ear, of course.

Phîi Khǎi snores in his sleep.

When I think he is still asleep, I relax my excitement a little. I feel like I want to look at his sleeping face somehow, so I slowly exert force to pull myself out of the embrace. But...

Thump

“Hey, whoa!” I raise my hand to clamp it (man) over my mouth almost too late. When suddenly, he tightens both arms resting on my back firmly. I am utterly startled, closing my eyes in shock. My heart pounds so hard I am afraid it (man) will bounce out of my chest. Because just thinking that he will wake up and see we are hugging, I am terribly embarrassed.

However...

Phîi Khǎi is still not awake. His breathing is still regular. He just hugs me tighter, pulling me close to him as if hugging a body pillow. But I am not a body pillow. Him pulling me in until our chests are pressed close together makes me stiffen. My heart beats so noisily I can hardly hear any other sound.

Phîi Khǎi is already hugging me very tightly.

I really want to shout in his ear, but I dare not. I can only lie stiffly for several more minutes. But... nothing happens.

After that, I gather my courage again to raise my head. And because he has moved to lie on the pillow instead of burying his head against mine, I get the chance to look at the face of the villain in his sleep again.

Why was I not this excited last time?

I have seen Phîi Khǎi asleep in the living room once before. But this time, I am more excited. My gaze looks from his dark eyebrows, his tightly closed eyes, his prominent nose, and his lips that used to speak so little as if afraid the bulletwood flowers would fall. Lately, he speaks more. Plus, each time he speaks, it (man) makes this Âi'Thǎem lose all composure... The lips we have kissed.

My cheeks are intensely hot. I accidentally bite my lip, lower my eyes a bit, and then look up at him again.

So soft.

I accidentally extend a finger to touch Phîi Khǎi's lips, murmuring in my heart. I am glad he is not awake yet, because if he wakes up now, I would definitely not know what expression to make. While moving a little closer, one hand is placed on the other's chest, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat. My face tilts up, and then I let out a mischievous smile.

The tip of Phîi Khǎi's nose is a little pointy too.

I slide my finger to touch the tip of his nose, unable to suppress a smile. I do not think I would get to inspect a stern-faced person this closely. Until I touch boldly yet fearfully—his dark eyebrows, his tightly closed eyes, the tip of his nose, and then circle back to his lips again, carried away.

What time did Phîi Khǎi go to sleep last night?

I probably fell asleep before him. He still looks tired, so I press my lips together tightly.

When, Ná. Phîi Khǎi probably will not wake up, Rǒoe... Âi'crazy Thǎem, you (mueng) have turned into this kind of person since I press my lips together even tighter, because I am staring at Phîi Khǎi's lips. And will it (man) be wrong if I slowly move my face toward his? So close I can feel the breath blowing against my cheek not far away. Then I glance once more to see that Phîi Khǎi's eyes are still tightly closed. After that, I lower my eyes to look at the warm lips again.

Thank you for coming to help me quickly yesterday, Khráp.

I whisper in my heart, and then move in, intending to secretly steal a kiss to thank him...

Close now... so close our lips are almost touching.

I close my eyes, and then... press down.

Gasp!

Whoosh!

Suddenly, I am shocked almost to death. It (man) is not because of the alarm clock sound from the phone. It (man) is because the sleeping person opens his eyes as if he cannot brace himself in time. I do not know if Phîi Khǎi knows that I have kissed his lips, because at that same moment, I act like a turtle retracting its head into its shell. But for me, it (man) is retracting my head under the blanket. Both hands grip Phîi Khǎi's pajama shirt, and I bury my face against his chest, even though my eyes are wide open in extreme shock.

What should I do, what should I do! Âi'Thǎem, what should I do!

I am embarrassed. I bury my face even more into Phîi Khǎi's chest. If possible, I want to rub my forehead against his shirt.

“Chôoe-Tǎem?” Phîi Khǎi's voice upon waking is low and hoarse, but it (man) makes me even more ticklish, because it (man) is just a little above my head.

I did not do anything, Ná. Did not do it (man) at all, Ná.

I make excuses to myself instead of speaking to tell him. I bury my face, almost as if possessing Phîi Khǎi's body, when I feel Âi'Khǎi slide his hand from my back to grab my own phone that I set the alarm on, and then press to turn it (man) off. Because the ear-piercing sound is already silent. That makes me even more regretful.

Now it (man) is so quiet my heart sounds terrifyingly loud!

“What is wrong?” When Phîi Khǎi asks with that hoarse voice next to my ear, I feel even more ticklish. I grip his shirt tightly, pressing my body against him even more. I bow my head low, not thinking of raising it (man) to let him see my expression now.

My face must definitely look bizarre. Both embarrassed, shy, and hot. Not to mention wanting to cry at the same time.

Shake shake shake

I shake my head against his chest. I really cannot bring myself to look up and meet his eyes. Until…

Pat

“I (chǎn) am sorry, Ná.” Phîi Khǎi places a hand on my head. But the words he speaks make me surprised.

“I (chǎn) am sorry for presumptuously hugging you (thooe). Last night, I (chǎn) was the one who pulled you (thooe) in to hug. I (chǎn) am sorry, Ná.”

I can only ask myself what kind of crazy person confesses so honestly like this. I still dare not tell Phîi Khǎi that I secretly stole a kiss from him. While feeling that he loosens his hold a little more.

“You (thooe) probably did not feel good when you (thooe) woke up.”

Shake shake shake

I shake my head so hard it (man) almost comes off. I want to confirm that I do not feel bad, Ná. I am just shy, that is all.

“Are you (thooe) angry?”

Shake shake

Phîi Khǎi is silent for a moment. Then he speaks with a tone like someone bearing guilt.

“I (chǎn) also secretly kissed your (thooe) cheek.”

N-N-No way, Ker! Please come help me (kuu) think, what kind of crazy person confesses honestly like this, Rǒoe! Come help me (kuu), friend. My body is already melting like a marshmallow when hit by fire!

Shake shake shake

“Are you (thooe) angry or not?” “Thǎem is not angry!” I blurt out in shock, accidentally raising my head to meet his eyes. And I find that those calm eyes seem filled with guilt. The moment he hears my words, his gaze changes to surprise, to happiness, and finally turns gentle. So I close my eyes tightly.

I will not look, I will not look. Âi'Thǎem will definitely imagine it (man) yourself.

“Not... angry... at all.” I say in a soft voice, refusing to open my eyes. And then I try to bow my head, if not for Phîi Khǎi holding my cheek first.

“I (chǎn) am happy.” He murmurs, so I open my eyes in confusion.

Phîi Khǎi does not make an expression that matches his words, but I think he probably really feels that way, because he says it (man) with a straight face.

“I (chǎn) must be the happiest person in the world.”

He is completely crazy! I am so shy I could die!

Thump lightly. I turn my face to evade his hand, stubbornly burying it (man) against his neck again, along with bumping my head.

Groan. Mâe Jân, please help your junior Thǎem. Your junior Thǎem is going to die of a heart attack, Ná.

“Still sleepy? Sleep a little more, Sí.” The person nearby interprets it (man) another way. But I do not argue. I do not speak. Just getting close to him while fully conscious is almost too much to handle. But strangely, even though I am so shy I am not myself, I do not have the thought to break free from his embrace. I let him stroke my head, hug my waist, and then... kiss my temple.

Phîi Khǎi is crazy. I cannot see, but I know, Ná, that you (Phîi) are stealing kisses from me.

However, I myself cannot blame him, because I also stole a kiss from him. But I am not the same in that he is kissing the nape of my ear and then seems to move toward my cheek. So I bury my face against Phîi Khǎi's neck even more. All that is left is one eye that looks up, and then finds the other person staring at me, so I lower my eyes to escape again.

Me too. “Chôoe-Tǎem, I (chǎn) have something to tell you (thooe).” He has something to tell me. But why does he look at my lips?

“Ah, uh.”

Phîi Khǎi moves his face closer to me. I myself dare not bury my face to escape more than that, because I cannot deny that a part of my heart cannot help but... wait expectantly.

He looks like he is going to kiss me.

Thump thump, thump thump...

I feel a strange atmosphere between us. It (man) is as if there is something warm and soft. Just inhaling is like getting a sweet taste on the tip of my tongue. Everything is still, enveloping around my body. It (man) is completely silent, except for the sound of my heart, and his heart beating under my palm.

“I (chǎn)... ”

Suddenly, the strange atmosphere vanishes instantly along with a startle resembling someone just waking up, when the phone screams loudly. But this is not my device. It (man) is a device ringing from the table on the other side.

“It (man) is mine.” Phîi Khǎi sighs. And then he moves toward the source of the sound. Of course, I also pull the blanket over to cover my face and eyes immediately.

Who would have the nerve and audacity to look at Phîi Khǎi's face now, Rǒoe!

I raise my hand to touch my lips, because I think if the phone had rung a moment later, I would have already kissed him. I do not know whether to be happy or regretful. When did I change my fear of him into expectation this much? And I cannot lie to myself either that... I am secretly a little annoyed at the person who called.

“Hmm... Khráp. I will come down to receive it (man) in a moment.”

However, Phîi Khǎi's response that sounds like someone is coming makes me emerge just my eyes to look at the person who is sitting talking on the phone. And as soon as Phîi Khǎi sees that I am looking at him, he slides his hand to stroke my shoulder, which is covered with the blanket, again gently. After that, he hangs up.

“You (thooe) should go take a shower, Thòe.”

“Uh, is someone coming, Khráp?” I ask uncertainly, wondering who it (man) is that is important enough for Phîi Khǎi to go down and receive personally. Because even for delivered goods, this man lets the condominium staff handle it (man). But the answer I hear makes me stunned.

“Your (thooe) Mâe.”

“My Mâe? Mâe Nok?” I repeat the question in shock, and Phîi Khǎi nods.

“Hmm. She is already downstairs.”

Phîi Khǎi says while getting up, and then walks into the bathroom. He must be going to wash his face and eyes. But I almost close my eyes tightly, raising my hands to pay respect to heaven and earth almost too late. Because I did not say anything about my Mâe, Ná. I did not say anything about my Mâe at all. Plus...

Every other time I call, my Mâe is not this sacred. Why is it (man) that this time, when Thǎem is willing, she comes to help, Ná? Jîi. This time, I really did not ask for help, Ná. I am just so shy I call things wrongly, that is all.

The shameful thought makes me bury myself under the blanket even until Phîi Khǎi walks out of the room.

“Khǎi, you (Phîi) should go take a shower, Thòe. I (Phîi) will handle it (man) myself. Oh, I (Phîi) would like to borrow the kitchen for a bit, Ná.”

When I step out of the bedroom in a new set of clothes, I see my beloved Mâe standing in the kitchen, turning over the washed plates and bowls. Her mouth is telling the homeowner, who is still in his original clothes, until I hesitate whether I should go in or not. Because I cannot help feeling embarrassed about the truth that I am having a certain relationship with my Mâe's relative.

If it (man) is my Mâe, she will definitely be able to tell.

“Junior Thǎem.” It (man) is my Mâe who turns to see me first. Because she quickly wipes her wet hands, stepping quickly to stop in front of me, and then opens her arms.

“Do you (thooe) not miss me (nǔu), Khráp, my (nǔu) capable one?”

Thump

“I miss you (Khun), Sí. Junior Thǎem misses you (Khun) so much.” No matter how many years pass, no matter how much I try to act like an adult, I am still my Mâe's little-one. So I hug my Mâe tightly, burying my face against her chest. I even get a whiff of baby powder, so I open my mouth to ask.

“How did you (Khun) come, Khráp? And what about Thîi-rák?”

“You (thooe) ask how I (nǔu) came? It (man) is because of you (thooe), junior Thǎem. No matter how many times I (nǔu) ask, you (thooe) do not agree to let me (nǔu) come. You (thooe) only say it (man) is fine, it (man) is fine. Ever since the incident happened, I (nǔu) have been worried that junior Thǎem would be in a bad state. If I (nǔu) had not come secretly myself, junior Thǎem would probably tell me (nǔu) not to come again. Junior Thǎem is my (nǔu) baby. How could I (nǔu) not come to see you (thooe)?” My Mâe hits my shoulder with a phiap. It (man) does not hurt, Ná. But she lets go and says in a stern voice, before sliding her hand to hold my cheek gently, smiling tenderly.

“Besides, Ná. Today I (nǔu) belong to junior Thǎem the whole day. I (nǔu) have left Thîi-rák for her father, her grandmother, and her grandfather to help look after.”

Thump

I smile widely, hugging my Mâe again. I hug her tightly, as if wanting her to know how much I miss her.

My Mâe really knows that junior Thǎem secretly feels a little hurt.

The thought makes me feel guilty for thinking of monopolizing my Mâe from my sister who is not even a year old. However, I also cannot suppress a happy smile when my Mâe says she will be with me the whole day today. So I say in a cooing voice.

“Junior Thǎem loves you (Khun) so much.”

“Chá. Today I (nǔu) will stay for this youth to coo to his heart's content, Ná... Today, I (Phîi) will trouble Khǎi a bit, Ná.” My Mâe turns to look at the homeowner, who has not yet gone to shower, so I also turn to look. Both hands still hug my Mâe without letting go, like a baby monkey. And I cannot help but send a hopeful, pleading look to the other person.

Please, Khráp, Phîi Khǎi.

I blink my eyes rapidly like before when cooing to my Mâe, looking at Phîi Khǎi with hope. And that makes the large-built person turn back to meet my Mâe's eyes.

“Please make yourself at home, Ná.”

I smile even wider at Phîi Khǎi's answer, turning back to look at my Mâe happily, so Mâe Nok laughs.

“Look at that face. If you (thooe) want me (nǔu) to come visit, you (thooe) should let your (thooe) mouth match your (thooe) heart a bit, Sí, junior Thǎem.”

“Junior Thǎem's mouth is not not matching his heart, Ná. But junior is still little, Nîi.” My Mâe shakes her head with a smile.

“Chá. Mâe's eldest son. But hey, today Mâe's eldest son has turned into a baby monkey clinging tightly to me (nǔu), Ná.” My Mâe teases me jokingly, so I wrinkle my nose at her.

“Do not tease junior Thǎem, Sí.” Even though I complain like that, I still cling to my Mâe tightly. Before I remember that I need to thank someone else who does not mind anything, even though my Mâe came without prior notice. However, when I turn to look, I see only a broad back that has disappeared into the bedroom.

Thank you, Khráp, Phîi Khǎi.

“You (thooe) still have not eaten breakfast yet, Mǎi? Then let us make spicy canned fish salad and fried Chinese sausage to eat with rice porridge.” I avert my gaze from the bedroom door, turning back to look at the person who mentions the food menu. So I move in to look at the many bags of groceries placed on the kitchen counter.

“I (nǔu) made sour curry for you (thooe). I (nǔu) thought junior Thǎem would probably want to eat it (man). Oh, there is shrimp paste chili dip with boiled vegetables too, Ná. Keep it (man) for dinner. And I (nǔu) did not know what the two of you (thooe) lack or have enough of. So I (nǔu) brought many things.” I smile widely immediately when I see that it (man) is all my favorite things. Seeing this, I like eating vegetables more than eating meat. And I have not eaten shrimp paste chili dip for quite a while either.

My Mâe always knows my heart.

“Junior Thǎem, help me (nǔu) fry the Chinese sausage, Ná.” Even the Chinese sausage has the logo of my favorite shop in Yaowarat stuck on it (man). So I nod hard, coming in to help slice the sausage diagonally. I turn to heat the pan next to the pot of plain rice porridge my Mâe has placed on the stove, while my Mâe turns to continue making the spicy canned fish salad.

It (man) is just like before.

“We used to cook together often before, Ná.” I turn to my Mâe, who seems to know what I am thinking. I meet a smile filled with understanding and gratitude sent to me, because before we were often in the kitchen together just the two of us like this. But now it (man) is not like that anymore. My Mâe cannot take care of only me alone like before anymore.

“Junior Thǎem is always my (nǔu) good baby. Thank you, Ná... Even though sometimes, I (nǔu) wish junior Thǎem would be more selfish than this, Thòe.”

My eyes well up as if about to cry, but I hold it (man) in. Because I have always tried to act strong in front of my Mâe. How can I break down in tears now?

“Junior Thǎem is extremely selfish. If you (Khun) do not believe me, ask Phîi Khǎi, Sí.” I blink my eyes to chase away the tears, paying attention to the sausage in the pan before it (man) burns. I manage to flip it (man) left and right, until the fragrant smell wafts into my nose. Then I scoop it (man) onto a plate.

“Mmm, delicious.”
“Eh, this junior Thǎem. Do not steal food to eat, Sí, baby.” My Mâe turns to scold, but I instead give her a wide smile, picking up another piece to put in my mouth. So my Mâe shakes her head, amused.

“We are acting like a child, Ná.”

At that moment, I also notice the person who disappeared to shower, who comes back out with a new set of clothes according to his style—long pants and a shirt. Today it (man) is still a dark color but short-sleeved. The hair around his framed face still looks a bit messy. So I pick up a fried sausage and run to him without thinking.

“Phîi Khǎi, will you (Phîi) eat some, Khráp? It (man) is delicious.” I must be too happy, so I greet him in a cheerful voice, offering the hot sausage right up to his mouth.

Phîi Khǎi looks at me, and then looks at the sausage in my hand, so I quickly say.

“Quick, Khráp. My hand is hot. It (man) just came out of the pan.”

Chomp

The person listening opens his mouth and bites the sausage from my hand immediately. But when I am about to pull my hand back, Phîi Khǎi instead grabs my wrist, and then..

Lick

“It (man) is all blistered.”

Sizzle!

I am so startled I jump, when Phîi Khǎi sticks out his tongue to lick the tip of my finger. So I can feel the blistering and softness that cleans my finger instead of a paper towel. My heart almost bounces out of my chest. My eyes widen more and more. However, the other person seems not to know at all what he has done, because he is squinting to look at the tip of my reddened finger from the heat.

Lick

He licks my finger again. But will he look at my face for a moment to see what expression I am making?

My face is so hot I feel like fainting!

What kind of crazy person treats a scalding injury by licking it (man), Rǒoe!

I bite my lip tightly, looking down at the person who is still intently examining the tip of my finger. My heart is pounding. My hands are trembling slightly. I want so much to ask if Phîi Khǎi realizes what he is doing... what he is doing to my heart.

“Seeing junior Thǎem and Khǎi being this close, I (nǔu) feel at ease.”

Gasp!

I completely forget that my Mâe is standing in the kitchen behind us. So I can only twist my wrist, and then quickly pull my hand to hide it (man) behind my back. I bow my head awkwardly. I am glad that I am quite tall. With my Mâe, who is much shorter, she probably did not see that her own son got his finger licked by a relative. After that, I take exactly three steps back.

“Do you (Phîi) think I do not know how to be shy?” I grumble, and then turn my body, immediately fleeing back into the kitchen. But I see, Ná... that Phîi Khǎi makes a confused face at me.

Acting without realizing it like this is really annoying, Rǒoe.

“Before this, I (nǔu) was also uncertain about junior Thǎem coming to trouble Khǎi. But seeing you (thooe) get along this well, I (nǔu) feel a bit more at ease... Thank you very much, Khǎi, for helping take care of junior Thǎem for me (Phîi).” My Mâe turns to talk to the homeowner. But I quickly walk in front of the rice porridge pot, vigorously stirring the rice as if not afraid the grains will break. I stand facing the stove so I can have the excuse that the steam is hot.

“If he is naughty or stubborn, you (Phîi) can catch him and spank his bottom, Ná. I (Phîi) give permission.” My Mâe says jokingly. But I press my lips together tightly, not daring to tell my Mâe that junior Thǎem is not naughty, not stubborn, and has not been spanked. But does squeezing his buttocks count?

Of course, let-me-die, I would not dare tell. I can only stir the rice vigorously, until my Mâe scolds.

Even though I am scolded, getting to cook with my Mâe and eat with Phîi Khǎi makes me so happy I can hardly close my smile... The happiness of being with both important people.

But, Ná, since when have I counted Phîi Khǎi as an important person of mine?

“Mâe, let junior Thǎem do it (man) myself later.”

“It (man) is just putting away the clothes. Let me (nǔu) do it (man), Thòe.”

“Where is it (man) just putting away clothes? You (Khun) are doing everything from cooking, washing dishes, helping junior Thǎem clean every room, doing laundry. You (Khun) are taking all the work from junior Thǎem.”

“Is it (man) not good? Junior Thǎem will have less work, Ná.”

“Junior Thǎem is afraid you (Khun) will get tired, that is all.”

My Mâe comes to see me since morning, until the sky is coated with a bright orange color contrasting with the other side of the horizon that is being swallowed by the darkness of evening. She helps me with everything from tidying the bedroom to cleaning the bathroom. Even though I protest several times, my Mâe still insists that she wants to help until I am at a loss, unable to stop her.

“This much is very comfortable.” My Mâe says cheerfully, when handing me the laundry basket.

“Khǎi here has only dark-colored clothes, Ná. As for junior Thǎem's things, there is every color.” My Mâe says amusedly, because looking at it (man) once, you (Phîi) can immediately tell whose is whose. Even the underwear are different colors, just think about it (man). But for that item, you (Phîi) do not need to look at the color. Looking at the size, you (Phîi) know already. And why am I thinking about this to feel pathetic, Ná?

“Yesss. He wears only black all the time.”

“When it (man) gets dirty, you (Phîi) can see it (man) clearly, Ná. Ah, that one, I (nǔu) see it (man) is stained.” My Mâe pulls one shirt to show me. As soon as I see it (man), my face is as hot as if it (man) is being burned.

This is the shirt Phîi Khǎi wore yesterday. And the stain mentioned... is from me and... from him.

Thump

“Le-Let's go, Mâe. Let us go inside, Ná. The balcony is hot, Ná.” I grab the shirt from my Mâe's hand almost too late, and then throw it (man) back into the basket as before. I walk quickly to the middle of the living room, afraid my Mâe might notice. But I bump into the homeowner, who has just stepped out of the study. So my face, which is already hot, almost ignites by itself.

“Chôoe-Tǎem, your (thooe) face is red, Ná. Are you (thooe) hot?”

“No, Khráp.”

It (man) is because of you (Phîi), Phîi Khǎi.

I really want to retort back at him. But just thinking that Phîi Khǎi will make a stern face and ask seriously if he makes me angry, I can only shake my head to escape. I put the basket down, and then take a long step into the kitchen. However, my peripheral vision still catches someone walking to the air conditioner remote.

“Phîi Khǎi! Thǎem is not hot. Do not adjust it (man), Ná!”

Do you (Phîi) know what temperature Phîi Khǎi set the air conditioner to last night? Nineteen degrees! Nineteen degrees, Chá! Even my Mâe was surprised, eyes wide. She misunderstood, thinking Phîi Khǎi is the type who likes very cold air. I did not dare tell her that Phîi Khǎi set it (man) that low because he was afraid I was hot. No wonder I was shivering so much I could not sleep. And then he even came in to snuggle until I almost possessed Phîi Khǎi's body.

Before this, I probably would have thought it (man) was a plan. But looking from his expression... Phîi Khǎi is the one who was led by the nose.

Click

“I (chǎn) did not adjust it (man).”

Did not adjust it (man), my bloody fucking ass, Khráp! I hear the sound clearly this loud. Plus, the heartless-person with a stern face that I used to curse is hiding the remote behind his back, secretly adjusting the temperature back to twenty-five degrees as before again. Okay, his face looks expressionless as usual, but his demeanor is clearly evading guilt.

“Phîi Khǎi, can you (Phîi) eat sour curry and shrimp paste chili dip?” I am the one who changes the subject because after taking the dishes out, I remember this is my favorite food, but it (man) might not be Phîi Khǎi's favorite food at all.

“I (chǎn) can.” I am not sure if a face like this will definitely eat it (man), so I think of making something else.

“It (man) seems Khǎi once said that even while over there, he ate Thai food often.” My Mâe, who has closed the door properly, speaks as if remembering, making the person of few words nod.

“When I (chǎn) was a child, I (chǎn) liked to stop by Thai restaurants near home. But I (chǎn) saw the taste was not like Thai food, Mǎi? But later, I (chǎn) had a friend who is a pastry chef, so I (chǎn) got to eat Thai food often.” I listen with interest. I have heard from my Mâe before that she used to contact Phîi Khǎi often. It (man) is me who did not know about it (man) myself.

“Plus, that friend also returned to Thailand almost at the same time.” Phîi Khǎi nods again. But I start to feel a bit suspicious about this Thai friend of Phîi Khǎi.

Lately, I have heard about him too often. Do not tell me...

I glance at the Tupperware that used to hold rice mixed with shrimp paste, uncertainly... Is it (man) the same person, Rǒoe?

“Hmm. But over there, there is one restaurant I (chǎn) go to eat at every year.”

“Oh, that restaurant. Eh, what date is it (man) today, Nîi?” My Mâe nods, before exclaiming as if something dropped, asking for the date. I answer back quickly, and also feel confused, because my Mâe widens her eyes, turning sharply to look at the homeowner.

“I (Phîi) completely forgot what date it (man) is. When will Khǎi be traveling?”

“In three days.”

“Eh?” I also let out a sound of surprise, looking at my Mâe and then at Phîi Khǎi. I do not like being the only one who does not understand. Especially since my Mâe is saying something about Phîi Khǎi traveling in three days, because I have never heard about it (man) before.

“Oh? Has Khǎi not told junior Thǎem yet?”

“I (chǎn) intend to tell him, but have not told him yet.”

“What does Phîi Khǎi have to tell me?” I also cry out to ask, hoping to clear up the confusion, even though my hands are starting to tremble. I meet his eyes, and find that he looks quite troubled.

“Next week is the twenty-first anniversary of the day my (chǎn) parents passed away.”

“Uh, and then... ”

Phîi Khǎi's parents are Thai, Nîi. Is Phîi Khǎi going to make merit at a temple somewhere then?

I think with hope, with a concerned tone. But Phîi Khǎi destroys that hope by saying.

“In three days, I (chǎn) will have to fly to San Francisco.”

The rice bowl in my hand trembles.

In three days... and why is Phîi Khǎi only telling me now?