MA Epilogue: Are You Brave Enough to Pay?

Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
~~~

Perspective Chôoe-Tǎem

“Senior Phîi Tǎem is a Misser.”

“Not a Misser. It (man) is called knowing how to use it.”

“Senior Phîi’s romantic partner is this rich. Just thinking about feeding your (Thooe) junior.”

“A romantic partner’s money is a romantic partner’s money.”

“A romantic partner’s money is our money.”

“That saying isn’t mine (Chǎn), Ná.”

“Senior Phîi Tǎem, ahhhhh.”

“Hahaha. It (man) looks like watching kindergarteners quarrel, Hǎ.”

I (Chǎn) bared my (Chǎn) teeth at my (Chǎn) close friend who brought my (Chǎn) faculty junior to my (Chǎn) house spelling the word ‘consideration’ as non-existent. While Little was also hugging my (Chǎn) legs, shaking my (Chǎn) arm, making pleading eyes. But do you (Thooe) think I (Chǎn) would be soft-hearted? Besides turning my (Chǎn) face away to look at the pan where mackerel was sizzling in oil.

“Since junior came all this way, will you (Thooe) really feed junior with chili paste, mackerel, and boiled vegetables? Could eat at the cafeteria, Ná, Senior Phîi Tǎem.”

I (Chǎn) had already thought of the menu beforehand. Coming without telling, without informing, having rice to eat is already great merit. Another thing, Senior Phîi Khǎi doesn’t see anything wrong. And who is this? Not even a romantic partner, coming to complain, making a bloody fuss about what, Looei.

“It (man) is feeding the same, that one.”

“But Têl wants to eat Italian food, ah. Look, Senior Phîi Tǎem, there is even delivery to the house, Ná. Look, look.” Little was still trying to hold out the mobile phone which had a menu for me (Chǎn) to see. But I (Chǎn) turned my (Chǎn) face away to avoid it, then continued flipping the fish in the pan, not paying attention to the whining youth. Because I (Chǎn) am confident that coming to this house is solely about eating.

This period is the break before third year. Many activity youth have gone to prepare for the freshmen welcoming events at the university. But for me (Chǎn), who has no involvement with activities, requesting to only study and work, I (Chǎn) don’t go participate. Unlike my (Chǎn) close friend and faculty junior who go every day. And today, I (Chǎn) don’t know what they were thinking to carry each other here until they succeeded.

Oh, it (man) isn’t that during the break I (Chǎn) don’t do anything. I (Chǎn) have part-time jobs lined up long like a kite tail, Looei. But Senior Phîi Khǎi doesn’t agree. Came sitting to choose for me (Chǎn) that this one isn’t good, that one I don’t want, this one is too late. I (Chǎn) also tried to stubbornly request to do it (man), because staying idle at home isn’t my (Chǎn) nature. Finally, Senior Phîi Khǎi also agreed to compromise, then said he would find one for me (Chǎn).

Do you (Thooe) know where I (Chǎn) got? Senior Phîi Khǎi used a huge connection to shove me (Chǎn) into working as a document typing youth at Âi'Ker’s uncle’s office, just like that.

Here, I (Chǎn) don’t know whether Uncle Phért is being compassionate to me (Chǎn), or Senior Phîi Khǎi pressured him, exactly.

“I (Chǎn) already said I (Chǎn) don’t want it (man), Ná, Têl.” I (Chǎn) turned to make a scolding face at the junior. But Têl instead opened its mouth at me (Chǎn), then jumped to find Âi'Ker who was stroking its head to soothe it, just like that.

“Senior Phîi Ker, look. Who can eat meals costing tens of thousands each, but when feeding junior, becomes a Misser.”

Clunk

Once talking about this matter, my (Chǎn) cheeks were getting red, then spreading all over my (Chǎn) face and neck. Remembering last week when Senior Phîi Khǎi said he would take me (Chǎn) out on Saturday. Then do you (Thooe) know where he took me (Chǎn)? He took me (Chǎn) up to the top-floor restaurant that is open-air, allowing a 360-degree view. Plus, he also reserved the best table. One course meal per person already costs tens of thousands.

I (Chǎn) could only turn to whine at Senior Phîi Khǎi, asking why he brought me (Chǎn) here, it (man) is wasteful, scolding him about all sorts of things. But once the person who smiles with difficulty sent a smile once, I (Chǎn) became soft-hearted until having to shout that the person is a loud cheater. But he was still not cheater enough, because he also said further that…

“If you (Thooe) are happy, more than this I can also do.”

What could I (Chǎn) do, since Senior Phîi Khǎi has done this much for me (Chǎn)? I (Chǎn) also have to be happy to match the large amount of money he spent, right, Ná? Even though I (Chǎn) told him several times that he doesn’t need to pay this much, Looei. Just this, I (Chǎn) am already a full little-girl of Khǎi the rich-man. He still insists on doing it (man). Or should I (Chǎn) agree to accept the asset transfer and control Senior Phîi Khǎi’s spending?

As for how the matter reached Âi'Ker’s ears, then spread to Tâe, I (Chǎn) don’t know.

I (Chǎn) posted only one couple picture on IG with the caption “Dinner with that Khǎi person.” Just this, how did it (man) know to the extent of which restaurant, what was eaten, I (Chǎn) don’t know.

“Well, that is Senior Phîi Khǎi’s money.”

“That’s why Têl said, our romantic partner’s money is our money. But our money is our money.” I (Chǎn) frowned, turned to look at the person who smiled inadvertently. I (Chǎn) wasn’t surprised that it (man) knows that me (Chǎn) and Senior Phîi Khǎi are romantic partners because this big-mouth person isn’t hard to find. Especially now that the junior is also close with us. But this weird slogan, what is it (man)?

About the same as Nông Gôk, Looei.

That person, what is it (man)? Not afraid of being shy, afraid of not getting a Phûa… too scary.

“That one, Têl. Asking that person would probably be faster.”

Âi'Friend-nuisance!

Suddenly, Âi'Ker, who was picking at the omelette with cha-om to put in his mouth, nudged the junior to take it (man), pointing another way. Little also smiled broadly, rushed to find the person who was stepping out of the study immediately. As for me (Chǎn), I (Chǎn) hurriedly turned off the electric stove, then rushed straight after it (man).

“Senior Phîi Khǎi, Têl wants to eat Italian food. Feed your (Khun) romantic partner’s junior a little, Sí, Senior Phîi…”

Slump

“Ouch! Don’t pull junior’s collar, ngongong.”

“Will pull! Whatever Tâe’s slogan is, Senior Phîi doesn’t care. But our romantic partner is our romantic partner. No sharing, junior. Understand, right, Mǎi?”

“Hooi, a Misser and also jealous on top of that.”

“Yes. And ruthlessly jealous, too. In a moment, I (Chǎn) will also turn the pan over on your (Thooe) head, Nîi.” Little raised its hands. While I (Chǎn), who was holding the junior’s collar, hurriedly dragged it (man) away from Senior Phîi Khǎi. Its two hands covered its head fearfully. Telling directly, admitting outright that this person is very possessive. As for the person I (Chǎn) am possessive of, Ná, or?

“Alright, Sí. What do you (Thooe) want to eat?”

“Senior Phîi Khǎi!”

“Hmph. Did I do something wrong?” Senior Phîi Khǎi turned to look at my (Chǎn) face uncertainly, making me (Chǎn) let go of the junior immediately, then grabbed Senior Phîi Khǎi’s arm to pull him back to the study, trying not to pay attention to Âi'Ker’s voice following behind.

“What will you (mueng) do? Don’t forget that friend and junior are waiting to eat, Ná, Âi'Tǎem.”

Âi'Madman! Who would do it (man) while you (mueng) all are here? Tonight, then we can do it (man), right, Looei?

I (Chǎn) thought in my (Chǎn) mind with a sulky face, pulled Senior Phîi Khǎi into the room, closed the door, then turned to look at his face.

“Senior Phîi Khǎi, don’t go indulging Têl, Sí.”

“But that is your (Thooe) beloved junior.”

“Beloved junior is beloved junior. But it (man) isn’t related.”

“It (man) is related. You (Thooe) care about him, I also care.” I (Chǎn) pursed my (Chǎn) lips. It (man) is true, Ná, that Têl is my (Chǎn) beloved junior. Even though I (Chǎn) am annoyed by it (man) a lot, I (Chǎn) also admit that I (Chǎn) am fond of it (man) a lot too. However, Senior Phîi Khǎi also doesn’t need to indulge my (Chǎn) beloved junior. Which he also seemed to understand my (Chǎn) thought. He therefore smiled to console.

“For the people around you (Thooe), I am willing to pay, Ná. However much is fine.”

“Since meeting, how much has Senior Phîi Khǎi paid already? If counting as a price, probably could get Tǎem about three or four people.” Senior Phîi Khǎi made a disapproving face.

“You (Thooe) are more valuable than that until no amount of money can compare, Ná.”

Gulp!

I (Chǎn) also went silent. I (Chǎn) admit, Ná, that I (Chǎn) am secretly happy with his words. Because Senior Phîi Khǎi has never priced me (Chǎn) with numbers. But why, I (Chǎn) don’t know a bit, Ná, that my (Chǎn) happiness also isn’t valued with money and gold the same. Senior Phîi Khǎi paying however much won’t make me (Chǎn) more or less happy.

Even if not eating luxurious meals, but eating chili paste and mackerel at home, I (Chǎn) am also equally happy if the person sitting and eating with is Senior Phîi Khǎi.

“Okay. I already know, Khráp, that I have value. Senior Phîi Khǎi paying for it (man) isn’t strange, Ná.”

Senior Phîi Khǎi nodded, looking satisfied that I (Chǎn) think like that.

“But I don’t need Senior Phîi Khǎi to pay with money. But with…” I (Chǎn) poked Senior Phîi Khǎi’s chest lightly, looked up to meet his eyes.

“…heart.”

He looked at me (Chǎn) calmly. Which I (Chǎn) also smiled broadly at him more and more.

“Tǎem will know that myself (Chǎn) is most valuable when Senior Phîi Khǎi pays with his love for me. No need, Khráp, to buy a car costing a million for me (Chǎn), buy a bag costing tens of thousands, buy a computer costing nearly a hundred thousand. Just asking that Senior Phîi Khǎi loves me every day, hugs me often, tells Tǎem he loves me (Chǎn) sometimes, and stays by Tǎem’s side every passing day, Tǎem also feels that myself (Chǎn) is most valuable already. Because Senior Phîi Khǎi’s love is also so valuable that money and gold cannot compare the same.” I (Chǎn) moved closer to him, hugged him. Which Senior Phîi Khǎi also hugged me (Chǎn) back loosely.

“Understand now, right, Khráp, Khǎi the rich-man?”

“I understand. But I am not a rich-man.”

“You (Khun) are, Sí.” I (Chǎn) also argued, laughing softly.

“Paying this heavily, if not calling you (Khun) a rich-man, then what will we call you (Khun)?”

“Paying what? You (Thooe) don’t see me taking it (man).”

“Take it (man), Sí. Take it (man), Ná. I just don't take money. Because I'm not selling myself (Chǎn). But if wanting to take it (man), paying just this is enough.”

I (Chǎn) bent down to press a kiss on the left side of his chest, heard the sound of his heart beating loudly and rapidly. After that, I (Chǎn) looked up with my (Chǎn) eyes, smiled sweetly, asked in a voice sweeter than before.

“Is Senior Phîi Khǎi brave enough to pay, Looei?”

Senior Phîi Khǎi looked stunned. Then he smiled at me (Chǎn), answered the question that made me (Chǎn) laugh out loud with happiness.

“Can just dig it (man) out and take it (man), Looei.”

I (Chǎn) stood on my (Chǎn) tiptoes to kiss Senior Phîi Khǎi’s mouth. Which he also gave an extremely sweet kiss back to me (Chǎn). We sent smiles to each other. Just that, I (Chǎn) am already the happiest person in the world.

As for my (Chǎn) price, Ná, or?

Goodness, who would be brave enough to dig it (man) out, Looei, Khráp? Let it (man) stay in Senior Phîi Khǎi’s body, then beat with the rhythm of ‘loves Chôoe-Tǎem, loves Chôoe-Tǎem’… like this continuously, better, Ná.

The End