Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
~~~
Perspective Pongprot
“Ouch!”
“Ph-...Phîi Pong? Does Phîi Pong hurt?.... Gok.... Gok thinks we should go to the hospital.”
After all the chaos ends, I insist we do not need to go to the hospital. Nong Gok's parents say they will compensate for the shop, but I tell them I refuse. They then say to let them know if I need any help, and they drag Ai' Guide, who is still staring at me as if he wants to kill me, away.
I do not think he will accept my relationship with Nong, but at the very least.... he probably will not be violent like this again.
However, those matters are not important right now. What is important is the little one sitting next to me on the bed, trying to tend to my wounds with red, swollen eyes, a reddened nose, and a trembling voice.
“You never like going to the hospital. Why do you want to go today?”
“Phîi Pong... Sob... that is not funny.... It is not funny at all. If Phîi Pong... dies, what then? If something happens to you... if you have internal injuries, if there is internal damage, Gok... sob... Gok will not allow Phîi Pong... to die... no... I won't allow it...”
Grab
Before he can cry more, I quickly grab his waist and pull him into my embrace. Even though my whole body is sore, the severe pain from being beaten has faded enough for me to comfort this distressed person who is fussing, afraid I will die. But I... will not die easily.
“How could I die? I told you I would take care of Nong Gok forever. I will not die from something like this.”
“Bu...but look, your face..... your mouth...”
Nong Gok's tears fall profusely, no different from on his birthday, but this time they are tears of worry. Both his hands touch my cheeks very gently, stroking the bruises on my cheeks and moving down to the corner of my mouth. When I flinch, he looks upset, pulling his hand back almost too quickly, so I have to...
Smack
I pull his hand back to rest on my cheek.
“See? Everything is still intact. It will heal in a few days.”
“Bu...but...”
“How can Nong Gok be a thug? You do not even know about a wound like this.” I say teasingly, making the former thug shake his head vigorously and speak in a full voice that makes me adore him even more.
“I do not care how wounded other people are. But because it is Phîi Pong, Gok cares the most.”
If I were not injured, I would kiss his red lips hard, making Nong Gok moan in return. Teasing my emotions like this, I would give him the full treatment, worthy of all the things we have been through together, until Nong Gok cries that he cannot take it anymore, and I would not stop until he truly passes out.
That is what I think, but what I do is: “Then, just staying by my side, I will be healed.”
Nong Gok just sits beside me, worries about me, cries for me, and I feel this is the happiness
I have been seeking all along. Meanwhile, he nods forcefully, responding with a firm voice.
“Gok will stay by your side until Phîi Pong is healed.”
“Just until the pain is gone?”
“Mmm, forever, Phîi Pong. Gok will be with Phîi Pong forever.” I smile even though my mouth hurts terribly. Nong Gok is just this adorable, so I can only pull him by the neck and press a kiss to his soft cheek, which is stained with clear teardrops.
“I will not let you take back your words.”
“I was not thinking of taking them back anyway.” I laugh as I lie down on the bed, with the little one trying to clean my wounds with a cotton ball. But even though I am relieved, I cannot help but scold him.
“But speaking of which, I have not scolded you yet for following me down. You promised to wait upstairs.”
He blinks rapidly, lowers his head, and says in a soft voice.
“I am sorry.”
Let-me-die, I truly cannot stay angry at Nong Gok.
“At first, Gok was not going to go down. But Gok could not sit still. The louder the noises downstairs became, the more Gok felt like dying. At first, Gok was going to call the number Phîi Pong gave me, but Gok instead called Mâe. I called to ask Mâe for help. At that moment, Gok could not think straight. After Phô and Mâe said they would hurry over, Phîi Guide said he would hurt Phîi Pong. At that point, Gok could not take it anymore. The next thing I knew, I was down in the downstairs kitchen.”
I am not angry at him, but I am more worried. It is just lucky that he was not caught in the crossfire.
I almost say something, if not for....
“Gok himself... also wants to protect Phîi Pong.”
I fall completely silent because my heart... is swelling with happiness that is almost overflowing.
I have dreamed all my life of wanting to protect someone, to live up to the name my family gave me. But I never thought there would be a day when I would be protected. It is an unbelievably wonderful feeling, especially from the little one who used to plead for my help... Now he is grown enough to say such things to me.
“Nong Gok.... hug me for a moment.” I do not have the strength to sit up, so I just tell him. He moves closer, confused, but hugs me with both arms.
“Like this, Phîi Pong?” I smile.
“Kiss me for a moment.”
“But Phîi Pong is hurt...”
“Please.” I request. He hesitates before leaning in to press a kiss to my bruised lips.
I might be a masochist because I feel this kiss is sweeter than any other.
“Tell me you love me for a moment.” I continue asking, taking advantage of being injured. Nong Gok is silent for a moment before breaking into a wide smile.
“I love you, Phîi Cake Shop. I love you, Phîi Hand of God. I love you, most handsome angel. And... I love you, Phîi Pong, Gok's one and only dearest.” The long, drawn-out confession of love makes me smile wider... and wider. I hold his small frame tightly, feeling happy at heart.
“Phîi Pong, you say it too.” He shakes my arm lightly, so I become a little quiet.
“Hmm, how should I say it?”
“Just normally is fine.” He insists, but I remain quiet, until his fair face starts to pout and his eyes begin to glisten again. I cannot continue teasing him, so I just hold his hand.
“It is not just love.” His large, round eyes look at me, hoping for an answer, so I kiss that hand firmly.
“It is more than that. Because Nong Gok is an addiction.”
“Gok is not a drug!” He complains softly, hitting my chest until I almost cry out, but I continue...
“No. You can quit drugs. But with Nong Gok, the more you have, the more addicted you become. The closer you are, the more you crave. The more you have him, the more you want to keep him. And if I did not have Nong Gok, I would not just be a person going through withdrawal, but I...” I look into his eyes and whisper sweetly.
“…would lose my heart.”
Gasp
I have never seen Nong's face so red before. I admit I am quite embarrassed to say something so cheesy, but seeing his flushed cheeks and the way he quickly raises his hands to cover his face is worth it. I tell myself I must not make him bored of me. I must make him addicted to me, just as I am addicted to him.
“How dare you say that! How dare you!!!” He complains fussily against my chest.
“Indeed, how dare I say that. But I am telling the truth. From now on, I must try very hard so that Nong Gok will also be addicted to me. Otherwise, it would not be fair.” I say jokingly, but he takes a deep breath and looks up at me with determined eyes.
“Phîi does not need to try anymore!”
“Hmm?” I secretly worry if he is displeased about something, but...
“Gok has even agreed to run away from home to be with you. Wherever you take me, I will go. Like this, Gok is already the same. Gok both loves and is addicted to Phîi Pong. This is not just about sex, you know. If it were only that, Gok would not be crying and complaining like this. Now, Gok himself... Gok...” His voice gradually softens before he raises his hands to cover his face again, only his two eyes peeking out as he whispers in a faint, sweet voice.
“Gok is also... addicted... to Phîi Pong's love.”
Let-me-die. I am thinking I am going crazy. I feel like I am about to explode with happiness, but I can only hug his small frame tightly.
“Then we... we will be addicted together.”
A statement to which he responds adorably.
“Mmm.”
I think now I truly am the happiest man in the world.
“I still have not accepted you, you know.”
“If Phîi Guide does anything again, Gok will tell Phô!”
“You nuisance! I went through all that trouble because I worry about you!”
“Take that worry and use it to appease your Mia! It has been several days; she is not letting you into the house!”
I am watching a war. Well, truly, it should be a war between me and Ai' Guide. The moment he steps out of the car, Ai' Guide steps in my way, speaking provocatively. But a small figure moves to block my path, spreading both arms wide, baring his fangs at his Phîi, changing the opponents.
“At this level, how can she not let me in?”
“Gok called and told your Mia everything you did this morning.”
“Gok!!!” This is the first time I have seen Ai' Guide look so upset. His eyes are wide, his hands are shaking, and he acts like he wants to grab his phone to call his Mia, but because I am watching, he grits his teeth, maintains his dignity, and does not take it out. Meanwhile, Nong Gok looks up, acting superior.
“Gok told her everything. Even about how Phîi Guide planned to drug someone seven years ago. Your Mia was fuming. She is also angry that you made Gok get the wrong cake. I guarantee when you go back, your bags of clothes will be piled outside the house!” Nong Gok is not threatening. This morning, he really did call someone to whine, not just reporting but exaggerating until I feel worried for Ai' Guide.
You are getting your comeuppance. You used to falsely accuse me of assaulting him. This time, you will get what you deserve.
I shake my head slowly. I do not think I am angry with him. Even though I am annoyed, it is not to the point of cutting ties completely, because really, everything he did... was because he worried about Nong Gok.
He also feels guilty about what happened. If he had not carelessly picked up the wrong cake, things would not be like this. And I, who stopped by to check on Nong Gok, would have courted him like a normal person, not led him astray from the first time we met.
Ai' Guide has been drowning in guilt, thinking he ruined his Nong's life long enough.
“That is enough, Nong Gok.”
“But he hurt Phîi Pong! Even having his Mia slap him again is not enough for Gok!” He really does not seem satisfied, so I also help speak.
“But no matter what, Ai' Guide worries about us. What he did is because he worries about what Nong Gok's future will be like. Ai' Guide is a good Phîi, is he not?” Nong falls silent, glancing at his Phîi, who is glaring sharply at me, probably wondering what trick I am pulling.
“If you exclude the part where he only taught bad things, then he is okay.”
“Are you insulting me, Gok?”
“Yes, insulting you! Did you think I was praising you?”
I quickly pull Nong into a hug because it seems he is angry enough to jump and kick his Phîi. Nong whines about Ai' Guide but agrees to move properly into my embrace. His Phîi turns to look me in the eyes and says in a firm voice.
“I still have not accepted you!”
“I will also try every way to make you accept me.”
“Never!” He says firmly, in a way that makes the person in my embrace about to leap out, so I have to lock him in tightly.
“You are the same. Right now, you are cute. When you are fully grown, we will see if Pong will abandon you or not!” I am angry, but I understand he worries that I might just be infatuated and that his Nong will be heartbroken in the future.
“You despicable-person Phîi!!!”
“Nong Gok, calm down, calm down.”
“But Phîi Pong!” He looks up at me, furious. I give him a smile and stroke his cheek gently.
“Time will prove our story. I do not care what anyone says. I only care whether Nong Gok trusts me, right?” Nong falls silent, glances at Ai' Guide for a moment, and then hugs my arm tightly.
“Phîi Guide, just wait and see! Gok will love Phîi Pong even more than you and your Mia!”
“Hmph, I do not believe it.”
“Ha! Right now, Gok is already doing it with Phîi Pong more than you and your Mia! How many times has she let you this month?”
“You...” I want to hold my temples because now Ai' Guide curses everything he can think of before taking a deep, gulping breath.
“I will not bother with crazies like you anymore. Do not come crying to me with snot running down your face! I will laugh at you! Ugh, I am going home. This place is full of bloody fucking lunatics!” Those are his final words before he walks off in the other direction, even though his hand is gripping his phone tightly. The matter Nong Gok mentioned seems to be bothering him greatly.
“Hmph, even if you call, she will not answer!”
Nong Gok shouts after him before turning to me.
“Phîi Pong, look, Phîi Pong! That Phîi Guide is despicable!” I cannot help but smile at his tattling expression. What a angry youth. But he tugs hard on my arm, so I have to pinch the tip of his nose affectionately.
“Never mind him. We will prove it to him ourselves.” He falls silent before shaking my arm.
“Then Gok... will not have to cry with snot running down, right?” I stop smiling immediately. So Ai' Guide's words had an effect. I accidentally pinch his nose harder.
“That hurts.”
I look at his face quietly before having an idea.
“Nong Gok will definitely cry with snot running down.”
“Phîi Pong! Are you going to abandon me or what?” I am amused to see him complaining, even making a fist as if to punch me again. And because I am still sore and do not want to get more hurt, I lean close to his ear to whisper.
“You will definitely cry... because I will take you.” Until you cry that you cannot take it anymore.”
Thud
This time, he lowers his hand, purses his lips, but I can see he is suppressing a smile.
“In that case... I would not mind hearing you cry.” I laugh out loud at his straightforward acceptance of lust. I am utterly endeared by this person who enjoys bedroom matters. It is perfect. It seems only Nong Gok can handle my many imaginations. But now is not the time to talk about that.
“Let us keep our private matters private, okay? Come on, I am about to go ask for Nong Gok from his parents.” I take his hand and lead him as he whispers.
“Then, after we finish with Mâe and Phô... let us do private things.”
I just smile, squeezing his hand in response, because...
Our private matters must be done in private, of course.
Three years later.
“Phîi Pong, a customer has come about a wedding cake. Will you talk to them yourself, or should Gok handle it?”
“Oh, I am finished here. I will talk to them myself.”
“Roger that.... Hey, hey, that is wrong! Spread the cream more. Our shop's chocolate cake is the most delicious!”
I have just finished a large two-tier cake when someone appears in the back kitchen wearing a student uniform covered by a brown apron with the shop logo. The person immediately smiles in acknowledgment of my response, but before returning to the front again, the slender figure stops and heads straight to a corner of the kitchen where an assistant is spreading chocolate cream, then speaks in a scolding tone.
The person doing it quickly corrects it because they know who is the Chao-nai in this shop...
“Oh my, the big Chao-nai is overseeing the work herself today.”
As I wash my hands, Pam, the shop manager, moves close to whisper teasingly, so I laugh.
“When it comes to chocolate cake, Nong Gok will not allow any mistakes.” I answer the funny question while turning to look at the little one who is now fully grown.
Nong Gok is still as small as before, still has fair cheeks, red lips, large eyes, and a small nose. Wearing a student uniform makes him even more endearing. However, the eyes that once only shed clear tears, making him look pitiful, have now matured as if he is a different person. Now, Nong Gok is confident, decisive, and strong, which makes me the proudest.
Nowadays, after school or when he has time, he comes to help me at the shop.
Oh, right, my shop is no longer just a small two-room shophouse. That shop still exists, but as a branch, because I built a new, larger shop in a famous shopping center, using the awards I relentlessly competed for when I was heartbroken over him as a guarantee. I used almost all my capital, plus a large sum of money my grandmother gave as a symbolic gift because.... I am so infatuated with Nong Gok.
To support my Mia.
My grandmother said that. Therefore, my shop is quite comprehensive. It is a large shop being talked about in various media. There are many assistants, many orders, and we accept almost every type of cake order, so it is busy to the point that even Nong Gok, who only comes occasionally, is dizzy almost every day.
However, even though the shop is bigger and there are more assistants, one thing Nong Gok and I refuse to change is... the quality.
Of course, especially the chocolate cake that is famous everywhere.
A special type of cake that is a secret between us.
“Phîi Pong, Phîi Pong, Phîi Pong! That Pae is here again!”
Thud
Suddenly, I freeze. I turn to look at the person who walks over to link arms with me. I know my eyes must be sparkling, so he quickly smiles at me, rubbing my arm as if to say calm down, and then pulls me to peek out at the customer at the corner table. To be honest, I have disliked him since long ago.
Ever since Nong Gok told me what this friend said, and over the past year, the person who seemed to have disappeared from his life has contacted Nong Gok again, making me suspicious that he must be thinking something about my Nong Gok.
This is the third time he has come to the shop this week!
“It is not what Phîi Pong thinks. Look, there, there, there!” I narrow my eyes to look where Nong Gok is pointing.
“Is that Ton?”
I remember Nong Gok's close friend well. Even though they now study at different universities, they still keep in touch. And now, that Nong Ton is sitting with the youth I dislike, and what stuns me the most is when Nong Gok's friend offers a spoonful of dessert directly to... his mouth.
“Phîi Pong, look!!!”
Nong Gok shakes my arm harder, exclaiming with extreme excitement, when that youth... accepts the cake into his mouth before looking away.
I guess I was being too paranoid. It seems I do not need to worry about anything anymore.
“They have a secret with Gok, Phîi Pong!” Unlike the person beside me, who remains endlessly curious, I have to laugh. I pull Nong Gok inside, giving that pair some privacy.
“When it comes to secrets, we have far more than them.”
Do not call me immature, but when it comes to anything about Nong Gok, I will not lose to anyone. His eyes go wide, and he turns his face away, probably remembering what we did last night.
“Did Phîi Pong name the shop because you knew the future?” He mumbles.
I laugh because when I named the shop, I only thought it was like my secret, hiding my love for a certain youth. I never thought I would find a little one hiding secrets of his own. Moreover, it seems our story will have more and more private, mischievous things stored away.
“I named it correctly because sweets...” I reach out to touch his lips.
“…always have a hidden flavor.”
For us, it is a love that started from a single piece of cake.
Now his cheeks are red. He probably understands what I am implying before holding my hand tightly, shaking it gently, and saying in a coaxing voice.
“But does Phîi Pong know what is the ultimate thing about sweets?” I raise my eyebrows, listening attentively, so he tiptoes to my ear and whispers softly before pulling away with a sweet smile that reaches his eyes. He even pushes my shoulder.
“Go to work, Phîi Pong. The customer will be waiting too long.”
Let-me-die, I really do not want to work at all, especially after he told me...
What is sweeter than sweets is... me.
“There is no escape tonight. Absolutely no escape tonight!” I hum to myself, hearing the youth teasingly laugh behind me, also saying...
“Tonight, do not forget to come eat. Gok will open the box and wait.”
The only thing I can think of then is not the wedding cake the customer wants, but... the way to eat cake most deliciously. I guarantee that if the “thing sweeter than sweets” does not cry “enough,” then do not expect to leave the bed!
Yes, for now, welcome to the pastry shop that hides our love.
The End
Comments
Post a Comment